Coders Guild opens Lincoln hub to tackle local digital skills shortage

Tess Egginton
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Coders Guild opens Lincoln hub to tackle local digital skills shortage

The Coders Guild has launched a new training centre at the Mosaic Digital Hub in Lincoln, providing businesses and professionals with access to digital skills development, including software development, artificial intelligence, project management, and cyber security.

Lincolnshire faces a significant digital skills shortage, with research indicating up to 85% of local businesses struggle to recruit qualified staff. Nationally, nearly half of UK companies report difficulties hiring employees with strong digital and data expertise, creating challenges for keeping pace with technological change.

The new hub aims to support local firms in bridging these gaps and building adaptable, future-ready teams.

The Coders Guild is offering part-government-funded training programmes for Lincolnshire-based businesses, including a Cyber Security Skills Bootcamp and an AI & Automation Bootcamp.

Both initiatives target business owners, freelancers, and self-employed professionals, offering practical skills to strengthen digital capability across the county.

  Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/fizkes

Fenchurch House staff member takes on pivotal role in Dementia Friendly Community Initiative

Tess Egginton
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Fenchurch House staff member takes on pivotal role in Dementia Friendly Community Initiative
Hannah Mills, Senior Customer Relations Manager at Fenchurch House Care Home in Spalding, has taken on a pivotal role in supporting people living with dementia across South Holland and surrounding rural communities by taking on the role as Vice Chair for the Dementia Friendly Community Initiative led by South Holland District Council. Already actively involved with the South Holland Dementia Friendly Community, led by Polly Clarey who is currently Chairing the initiative, Hannah has recently undertaken training and has been onboarded as a Dementia Friends Ambassador with the Alzheimer’s society to deliver Dementia Friends sessions to both private individuals and organisations across the county. In addition, one of the elected members who has been hugely influential in the process of setting up the DFC is Councillor Tracey Carter in her capacity as Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing. Tracey and Hannah will both be stepping up to become a Dementia Friends Ambassador and working closely with the Alzheimer’s society to continue to deliver their message and the 5 key principles. Tracey Carter, Portfolio Holder for Strategic Operational Housing, and Councillor Liz Sneath, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, said: “We are delighted to see the Dementia Friendly Community take shape in South Holland and we recognise the dedication from our officers that has gone into getting it off the ground. “This initiative will play an important role in improving the lives of people living with dementia, as well as supporting their families and carers. By working together with partners across the district we can raise awareness, challenge stigma and help create a community where people feel understood, valued and supported.” Hannah Mills, Vice Chair of SHDC DFC and Senior Customer Relations Manager for Country Court Care Group, said: “Collectively as members we all have a shared interest in Dementia and are extremely passionate about our community becoming as Dementia Friendly as possible. “Our aim is to ultimately reduce the risk to those living with Dementia becoming isolated, reduce stigma and offer support to those living with Dementia and their loved ones. This approach is extremely varied and can include onboarding local business organisations to ensure that a Dementia Friendly approach is considered by all staff, as well as onboarding individuals in the community to raise awareness. We invite anyone interested in joining the initiative to get in touch.” The South Holland Dementia Friendly Community is a local initiative supported by South Holland District Council which has been jump started by Polly Clarey. Various groups have been set up to work collaboratively with community organisations, healthcare professionals, and council representatives to raise awareness of dementia, promote inclusivity, and improve access to services across the region. The initiative focuses not only on urban centres but also on ensuring that rural areas are not left behind when it comes to vital support and signposting. The group is currently working on bringing together local information and resources into one central, accessible guide that can be shared with individuals and families across South Holland and further developing the Community Connectors to ensure appropriate signposting is available to those living in the community. The aim is to empower people with the knowledge they need to access the right support at the right time. Fenchurch House Care Home, part of the Country Court group, is well known for its dementia-friendly care and facilities, and this latest community involvement underscores the home’s ongoing commitment to supporting those living with dementia both within the home and in the wider community. For more information about getting involved with the initiative, please contact Hannah Mills on 07745 541057 or email Hannah.mills@countrycourtcare.com Main image shows Hannah Mills

Burghley Christmas Fair returns with even more festive magic for 2025

Tess Egginton
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Burghley Christmas Fair returns with even more festive magic for 2025
Festive drone shows, marshmallow toasting and a new marquee area will bring fresh seasonal experiences to the cobbled courtyards and grounds of England’s greatest Elizabethan house this Christmas. Returning on 27 November, the region’s largest Christmas Fair – set against the dramatic backdrop of Lincolnshire’s Burghley House – will feature over 150 stalls brimming with artisan gifts and one-of-a-kind finds, from handmade decorations and beautiful homewares to clothes, stocking fillers, and seasonal food and drink. As well as the much-loved mix of shopping, festive ‘selfie’ spots and ‘snowflake’ flurries, this year’s four-day Fair introduces The Pavilion – a grand new tented space with seating, even more shopping, food and drink, and a daily programme of live music. Adding to the magic this year will be a festive drone show each day and evening events in the Great Hall, while new marshmallow toasting stations invite visitors to enjoy a cosy winter tradition. The Fair will once again feature traditional chalets, a large, heated shopping marquee, and an avenue of pagodas all decked out in Christmas lights and decorations. The Victorian carousel returns too, lit up for the season, while festive music drifts across the site… and there’s always the chance of a few snow flurries, whatever the weather. Visitors can shop by day (9.30am – 4pm, Thursday to Sunday) or soak up the atmosphere after dark on Friday and Saturday, when the Fair stays open until 7.30pm. With thousands of twinkling lights, live singers, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy seasonal food and drink with friends and family, the evenings promise a truly magical experience. Tickets must be booked online in advance. Standard admission is £12 for adults and £5 for children (3-15 years). A limited number of Flexi Tickets are also available (£18 adults, £8 children), allowing entry on any one day of the fair. Parking is free, with Priority Parking available to pre-book at £8 per car. For an extra special seasonal treat, Burghley’s Christmas Fair will again offer Great Hall Afternoon Teas served in the House’s oak-panelled hall warmed by a roaring fire. This magnificent setting, where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert dined during a visit in 1844, provides the perfect backdrop for a memorable festive experience. The Afternoon Teas are available to book each day of the Fair. New for 2025, Cocktails, Canapes & Carols in the Great Hall will take place on the Friday and Saturday evenings. Guests can enjoy an arrival glass of fizz, bottomless Christmas and classic cocktails or mocktails, seasonal canapés, and a singer performing festive favourites by the Christmas tree. Both Great Hall experiences cost £49.50 per person and must be booked in advance. The Burghley Christmas Fair is run in association with the Angel Committee to raise funds for the Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough. For full details and to book tickets, visit www.burghley.co.uk

Seal rescue centre urges action on ring frisbees

April Lara
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Seal rescue centre urges action on ring frisbees

Campaigners are calling for ring-shaped frisbees to be removed from sale on the Lincolnshire coast due to the risk they pose to seals and other wildlife.

Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary has warned that the toys, which do not decompose, can become trapped around the necks of animals as they grow, causing severe injury or even death. The centre said the problem is not limited to the coast, with foxes, badgers and birds also at risk.

Although East Lindsey District Council cannot ban specific products, it has confirmed that those caught littering on beaches or in public spaces face a £250 penalty.

The UK Seal Alliance, a national coalition of wildlife groups, is also urging local authorities to introduce voluntary bans on ring nets, also known as ring frisbees. Some councils, including Neath Port Talbot in South Wales, have already taken this step.

Major retailers, including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Asda, as well as stores near the coast, and Pets at Home have stopped selling the items. Campaigners hope wider voluntary action will reduce the risk to wildlife while raising public awareness of the issue.

The call comes despite relatively few reported injuries locally, with the seal sanctuary crediting community litter-pickers for helping prevent more cases.

 Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Chapeleiro

Pop-up library set to open in Grimsby as consultation results published

April Lara
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Pop-up library set to open in Grimsby as consultation results published

North East Lincolnshire Council has confirmed plans for a temporary pop-up library in Freshney Place while the future of the area’s library services continues to be reviewed.

The move follows the second phase of a public consultation, which gathered feedback from more than 1,400 people on the future of libraries and archives. Councillors will consider the findings and recommendations in October, with proposals affecting Grimsby, Cleethorpes, and Waltham libraries.

The consultation results indicate broad support for keeping Cleethorpes and Waltham libraries open, with calls to make better use of the space and facilities. There was also backing for the principle of reopening Grimsby Central Library, subject to confirmation of costs and refurbishment plans.

Grimsby Central Library remains closed after water damage earlier this year caused asbestos concerns. A structural survey has been completed, and further investigations are ongoing to determine the necessary work.

In the meantime, the council has secured a unit within Freshney Place, on Baxtergate opposite Costa Coffee, to house a temporary library. The space will open shortly, ensuring continued access to services while long-term decisions are made.

The next stage of discussions will go before the Council’s Economy, Culture and Tourism Scrutiny Panel on 2 October, followed by Cabinet on 8 October.

Image credit: North East Lincolnshire Council

Spotlight on Robin Hood: Cast, Civic Party and sponsors gather for festive launch

Tess Egginton
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Spotlight on Robin Hood: Cast, Civic Party and sponsors gather for festive launch
The cast from the New Theatre Royal Lincoln’s in-house Christmas pantomime, Robin Hood, were joined by the Civic Party at the Press Launch, alongside the theatre’s pantomime sponsors, media partners, and invited guests, as well as overjoyed students from Monks Abbey Primary School. The production promises plenty of laughter, music, and festive fun when it opens on Friday, 5th December 2025 and runs until Sunday, 4th January 2026. Following on from a successful Christmas season last year, the theatre is thrilled to bring audiences the heroic adventurous tale of the legendary story of Robin Hood. From merry tavern gatherings to scheming and plotting in Nottingham Castle, the company are set to fire their bows and arrows into another great Pantomime season. This year’s line-up sees the return of fan favourite Louis Smith MBE, once again stepping into the role of a baddie as the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham. Alongside a hugely talented company, the cast gave press and guests a lively glimpse of the magic that Robin Hood has in store for audiences this Christmas. As the launch event drew to a close, Natalie Hayes-Cowley, the pantomime’s director, writer, and producer, said, “As always, it has been a busy, yet fun-filled Press Launch Day. Being on the stage and the atmosphere made everyone excited for the start of rehearsals in mid-November. A huge thank you to everyone who attended the launch and for the ongoing support of Lincoln’s treasured theatre, to which our in-house shows are crucial to its longevity.”

ASI student Will flying high with Jet2FlightPath programme

Tess Egginton
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ASI student Will flying high with Jet2FlightPath programme
Staff at the Air & Space Institute in Newark are celebrating as one of their students has become one of 60 new Jet2 pilot trainees after a rigorous selection process. Will Lees, 18, who has recently graduated from the Aviation Operations pathway has secured his place against around 18,000 other applicants to become one of the first ever cohort of 60 commercial pilot trainees as part of the Jet2FlightPath programme. Set up this year, the 18-month training programme means Will and his fellow hopefuls will have their training fully funded, a package normally worth around £150,000. Will, from Navenby, near Lincoln, said: “I’m so excited to have been selected. I am starting my training in December and it sounds like there’s a lot to learn and experience. I’m really looking forward to meeting my fellow students as well as the training itself.” Ambitious and determined, Will’s work experience, self-funded flight training and his job as a Jet2 Customer Helper in his spare time have all been positives that he believes made him a great candidate. He adds: “I think as I already had done work experience with Jet2 in April this year and have worked there part time, I definitely felt at an advantage. I’ve also completed work experience at East Midlands Airport, at British Airways and at London Biggin Hill Airport. “I first applied in May and there’s been a lot of tests, interviews and panels before we got the word that I’d got a place.” Will’s tutor at ASI and Aviation Operations Lecturer, Steve Buckley, said: “We’re all really pleased to see Will succeed, he’s in for an exciting training process and it really shows what you can achieve when you set your sights on something and work hard. “We teach the students here so much, but it’s really down to Will’s resilience, positive attitude and talent that he’s got this amazing opportunity. “This is an amazing achievement, and we wish Will the very best for the future.” Head of Newark Campuses, Penny Taylor MBE, said: “Will is set to return on a regular basis to the ASI to talk with students and update them on his training progress. We have obviously supported Will on his journey so far, but he has shown a determination and attitude that has allowed him to train for his dream job. We want to congratulate him again and we look forward to hearing about his training process!”

Regional landmarks glow pink for organ donation awareness

April Lara
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Regional landmarks glow pink for organ donation awareness

Prominent buildings across North and North East Lincolnshire, Hull and the East Riding have been lit in pink as part of Organ Donation Week.

The initiative highlights the importance of confirming decisions on the NHS Organ Donor Register, following the deaths of more than 400 people nationally last year while waiting for a transplant.

Among the illuminated landmarks are Grimsby Minster, the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital clock tower, Scunthorpe General Hospital’s main entrance and Queen Victoria Square in Hull.

Between April last year and August this year, 20 families in the Humber area gave consent for organ donation. The campaign aims to encourage more conversations about donation, with the potential for one donor to save up to nine lives.

Other activities marking the week include a Hull nurse running her first ultra-marathon, the unveiling of a new flower bed at Hull Royal Infirmary, and Scunthorpe United promoting the message on their match-day digital scoreboard.

Organ Donation Week runs until 28 September.

 Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Md

Recycle week highlights simple steps for greener living in North East Lincolnshire

April Lara
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Recycle week highlights simple steps for greener living in North East Lincolnshire

North East Lincolnshire Council is backing this year’s Recycle Week, encouraging residents to pay closer attention to what goes in each bin.

Running from 22 to 28 September, the national campaign aims to improve recycling rates across the UK. In 2024, households in the area recycled more than 20,000 tonnes of paper, plastic and glass. The council hopes to build on that figure by reminding people of the rules around everyday items.

Locally, three bins are used: the green bin for non-recyclable waste, the grey bin for plastic, cans, bottles and aerosols, and the blue bin for paper and card. Mistakes are still common, with pizza boxes, plastic bags and Tetra Paks often ending up in the wrong place.

All waste collected in the borough avoids landfill. Recycling is sent to processing facilities across the UK, while household rubbish is delivered to the Energy from Waste plant at NEWLINCS Development in Grimsby. There, waste is incinerated to generate electricity and heat, with scrap metal recovered for reuse.

Community Recycling Centres in Grimsby and Immingham are open daily for larger items, while residents can also book council collections for bulky household waste.

The council’s message is clear: recycling properly saves energy, reduces pollution and helps the area move closer to its net zero goals.

Image credit: North East Lincolnshire Council

Fenchurch House hosts Country Court in Bloom 2025 Awards

Tess Egginton
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Fenchurch House hosts Country Court in Bloom 2025 Awards
Fenchurch House Care Home, part of Country Court, welcomed residents and colleagues to celebrate the Country Court in Bloom 2025 Awards, the group’s annual gardening celebration. This year’s theme, “Your Space, Your Story,” invited residents to shape gardens that reflect personal memories and meaningful moments across 5 categories. The awards ceremony took place in Fenchurch House’s Private Dining Room and was livestreamed to staff and residents across the group. The event was hosted by Steve Gardner, Head of Wellbeing & Training, and Lucy Bateson, Head of Marketing. Running from April to July, the competition was open to all 48 Country Court care homes nationwide. In August, guest judges Nicole Purnell from Lottie and Natalie Garry from danceSing joined the panel to interview those shortlisted. Steve Gardner, Head of Wellbeing & Training, said: “Country Court in Bloom is more than just a gardening competition. It encourages residents and staff to spend time outdoors, enjoying nature, and has created opportunities for people to come together, work on projects, and share their gardening knowledge and stories with each other and the wider community. We are pleased to announce this year’s winners.” Category winners Water for Wellbeing Residents and staff designed calming water features that promote relaxation.
  • 1st: Tallington Lodge Care Home in Tallington
  • 2nd: Hermitage House Care Home in Thrapston
  • 3rd: The Grove Care Home in Grimsby
Grow Your Own Goodness From vegetable patches to raised planters, residents grew produce at every scale.
  • 1st: Baycroft Flitwick Care Home in Flitwick
  • 2nd: Beech Lodge Care & Nursing Home in Holbeach
  • 3rd: Rose Lodge Care Home in Market Deeping
Pots with Purpose An inclusive category where every resident could decorate and plant a pot, indoors or out.
  • 1st: Fenchurch House Care Home in Spalding
  • 2nd: Cater House Care Home in Raynes Park
  • 3rd: St John’s Care & Nursing Home in Spalding
A Bloom of My Own Personal flower arrangements reflecting residents’ memories and interests.
  • 1st: Rose Lodge Care Home in Market Deeping
  • 2nd: The Laurels Care Home in Draycott
  • 3rd: Tallington Lodge Care Home in Tallington
The Great Garden Games Creative, accessible garden games for all to enjoy together.
  • 1st: Fairfield Manor Care & Nursing Home in Hitchin
  • 2nd: Fenchurch House Care Home in Spalding
  • 3rd: Tallington Lodge Care Home in Tallington
Country Court in Bloom 2025 Overall Winners
  • 1st: Tallington Lodge Care Home in Tallington
  • 2nd: Fenchurch House Care Home in Spalding
  • 3rd: Rose Lodge Care Home in Market Deeping
Steve Gardner added: “Well done to everyone who took part this year, and a big thank you to our judges. A special thank you to Nigel from Baytree Garden Centre, who kindly provided compost, seeds and pots to help the homes get started.” For more information about life at Fenchurch House Care Home, please contact Hannah Mills on 01775 711 959 or email careenquiries@countrycourtcare.com.
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