City of Lincoln Council hosted the Lincoln Good Design Awards 2023 to celebrate the city’s developments and praise the best designs.

Two new support groups for military men and women will launch in Scunthorpe next week. The groups have been set up by veterans’ charity Hull 4 Heroes to help ex or serving personnel with their mental health and provide a place to talk. GEO and LISA carry the names of two local former soldiers who sadly took their own lives at a young age. The LISA group, for women, will begin on Monday 6 March and the GEO group, for men, on Wednesday 8 March. Both groups will take place from 6pm to 8pm at the brand-new Armed Forces Hub in Scunthorpe which is located at 186 on the High Street. There is no need to book, just turn up. Paul Matson, founder of Hull 4 Heroes, said: ”The GEO and LISA groups, named after George Ellis and Lisa Bateman, are designed to bring together serving and former military men and women so they can talk among people who understand them. “Both groups have been running in Hull and Barton for the last 12 months and we have been working with the family of George and Lisa to help them to continue to grow. They are both immensely proud that their children’s names are hopefully helping to save the lives of other military men and women.”

George’s father Adrian previously said last year: “I don’t know why George took his life. I know that he was really upset by his friend’s death.

“He was in tears and couldn’t believe that one of his friends had taken his own life. “I think it must have been some sort of tragic accident, almost like a spur of the moment event. “It is so important for people to talk about their problems. Too many young soldiers and veterans are taking their own lives and we must do something to stop this. “Military people are quite adamant they can’t share their experiences with civilians because they just don’t know what it is like; they need to open up to like-minded people who have been there.” Paul Matson added: “We have been planning to expand the talking groups for a while but have been looking for the right venues. When we were offered to use the space at the new Armed Forces Hub in Scunthorpe it couldn’t have been a more perfect time or setting. “These groups have already saved lives and we hope that Scunthorpe will be the first of many new groups across the region and the country.” The support groups are also gaining the support from celebrities such as Nick Knowles and retired Rugby League international Keith Senior. Nick Knowles tweeted: “George ‘GEO’ Ellis and Lisa Bateman both took their own lives with no warning, now more than ever this is urgently needed, get this in every city.” Retired Rugby League international Keith Senior also added his support on Twitter and said: “Outstanding from Hull 4 Heroes, the more platforms available to help people, the better. If you are in the military in the Scunthorpe area, then get along to this and help it grow.”

A man who subjected to his victims to a “terrifying ordeal” has been sentenced to six years in prison after being found guilty of an aggravated burglary in Grimsby in 2020. ​ Kristaps Sarovs, 33, of Crowle Drive, Grimsby, was found guilty by a jury at Grimsby Crown Court on Thursday (23 February), having pleaded not guilty at an earlier hearing. Sarovs was found to have entered a property on Hainton Avenue, Grimsby, on Thursday 26 March 2020 with another man who has not yet been identified. Sarovs and the other man threatened the occupants of the property. One occupant was struck with an imitation firearm as the men demanded money. The men left the property with mobile phones and money. ​ Sarovs was arrested later that day and an imitation firearm was recovered. ​ Officer in the case Detective Sergeant Chris Clarke said: “Firstly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the victims for their patience. This has been a long journey to justice for them and the resilience and strength they have shown throughout the lengthy process has been incredible. “Any intrusion into your property is bound to be a terrifying ordeal, but the involvement of a weapon has understandably left the victims shaken and frightened even in their own home. ​ “Whilst I am keen to stress the weapon used was an imitation firearm, the victims would not have known that when they saw it. ​ “Whilst the use of firearms in Humberside is thankfully rare, I would like to stress that weapons of any kind have no place in our area and will not be tolerated. ​ “I hope the sentence handed out to Sarovs will give him time to reflect on the impact of his actions. Whilst he is in prison now, I am aware that his accomplice is not, and I would ask anyone who knows who it may have been to get in contact with us. It was nearly three years ago, but I am sure that someone knows something and they haven’t come forward. ​ “If you do have information, you can contact us on 101 quoting reference 20900347858. Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers independently on 0800 555 111.”

Haiman Fatah Mohamad, 36, of Waveney Close, Spalding was convicted after nearly 100,000 illegal cigarettes were seized by police and Lincolnshire Trading Standards.

A new project celebrating and promoting the unique heritage of Spalding’s town and riverside has been awarded just under £250,000 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project, that emerged from the Spalding Town Centre Improvement Programme and has been developed in partnership between South Holland District Council, Heritage Lincolnshire, Transported Arts, East Mercia Rivers Trust and Lincolnshire County Council, is called Spalding Reconnected: Historic Town & Riverside, and will seek to create and promote several townscape and riverside improvements, together with future funding opportunities all based on Spalding’s heritage. These include the installation of new waymarkers, signage and trails, community artwork installations, river-based environmental initiatives with schools and developing strategies to achieve more investment for the town centre and riverside in the future. Funding for the project runs up until April 2024, with the partner organisations working closely with local schools and the wider community, as well as representatives from the public, private and voluntary sector, to help achieve these ambitions. The aim of the project will be to bring the rich history and heritage of Spalding to life for residents and visitors, using high-quality research and storytelling to provide information and insights about buildings and places throughout the town. The funding was made possible through matching funding support from South Holland District Council’s existing three-year programme of investment via the Spalding Town Centre Improvement Programme. The Programme has brought partners together to work for the future of the town and to identify and secure much needed additional funding. The development and delivery of the project is being taken forward in partnership with Heritage Lincolnshire, who will project manage the initiative, with East Mercia Rivers Trust, Transported Arts and Lincolnshire County Council all supporting and providing expertise through their project delivery roles. Councillor Rodney Grocock, South Holland District Council portfolio holder for Spalding town improvement, welcomed the new funding, saying: “I am really pleased that this exciting new project has received the support of National Lottery players and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, who have recognised the hard work and ambition that have been put into these plans. “We are surrounded by an incredible amount of fascinating history and heritage in Spalding, and I hope that this will be the start of an important relationship with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, that can help to support bigger and bolder projects for the town centre and District for many years to come. “I hope that this initial funding will help more people to learn about the town’s past and to explore and enjoy what it has to offer now, as well as playing a vital part in helping us to secure future investment into South Holland.” Matt Bentley MSc IHBC, Senior Manager (Conservation and Heritage) for Heritage Lincolnshire, said: “Heritage Lincolnshire are extremely excited to support South Holland District Council in delivering this transformational project for Spalding. The town has an exceptional history and heritage, and this project will not only improve the town visually, but crucially engage more people with the town’s heritage, creating a legacy for the future.” Dr Ian Marshman, Historic Environment Officer at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Spalding’s riverside is unique, with its wealth of historic buildings and green spaces, it brings nature and heritage right into the town centre. “Building on the County Council’s recent Extensive Urban Survey of Spalding’s historic environment, we are delighted to be working with our partners on this project. “This funding will help encourage visitors to explore the town’s heritage, create new habitats for nature, and improve the sustainability of the town centre.” Nick Jones, Director of Arts Council England-funded Transported Programme hosted by the University of Lincoln, said: “Transported are delighted with the news of this much welcomed Lottery funding and excited to be working with the local community and artists to create activities and artworks together that reflect Spalding’s unique heritage.” Patricia Oliveira Antunes, Welland Project Manager at East Mercia Rivers Trust, said: “We are very excited to be part of this project in the Lower Welland and working closely with partners and the community of Spalding.”