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.

Autumn migration brings life to Cleethorpes coast

April Lara
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Autumn migration brings life to Cleethorpes coast

Each autumn, the skies above Cleethorpes and Humberston Fitties come alive as thousands of waders and waterfowl arrive from the Arctic. Some settle on the Humber Estuary for winter, while others pause briefly before continuing their journey to warmer climates.

This stretch of coast, with its mix of mudflats and saltmarsh, is one of the most important stopovers in Europe for migratory birds. From familiar flocks of knots and oystercatchers to rarer species, the estuary’s protected status reflects its role in sustaining birdlife on the move.

Watching the tides draw the birds closer to shore is part of the area’s seasonal rhythm, but their survival depends on being left undisturbed. Roosting and feeding take huge energy, and when flocks are startled into flight they burn reserves needed to complete their long journey.

Visitors can play their part by keeping to paths, giving dogs less freedom near the shore, and steering clear of sandbanks where large groups gather. For water sports users, the saltmarsh is strictly off limits.

With tens of thousands of birds on view, the Humber offers a natural spectacle to rival anywhere in the country – provided people share the space with care.

 Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Chaithanya

Hospitals’ youngest patients to benefit from abseiler’s generous donation

Tess Egginton
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Hospitals’ youngest patients to benefit from abseiler’s generous donation
A thrilling, Anfield cheering, flag waving thanks has been given to a local mum for undertaking a charity abseil from the top of Liverpool Football Club’s Main Stand and raising £625 for the neonatal units at Lincoln County Hospital and Pilgrim Hospital, Boston. Emma put her trust in a single rope and leant back off the top edge of the iconic stadium, some 100ft above ground, and started her descent down the side of the building, passing the Club’s huge official crest on the way. Emma said: “My son, Jack, was born eight weeks premature and spent the first three weeks of his life at the neo-natal units at Lincoln and Boston hospitals. The abseil is my way to say thank you to all the staff for the exemplary care he received.” Emma recently returned to the neo-natal unit at Pilgrim Hospital to thank some of the staff who looked after Jack. She said: “You forget how small and vulnerable the babies are and how much looking after they need. I feel so proud to have raised this money and know that whatever my donation can go towards, whether a small item or part of a big machine like the C-PAP machine that kept Jack alive, every penny will help.” Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group Chief Executive, Professor Karen Dunderdale was full of praise for Emma, particularly as she is a Liverpool FC fan. She expressed her thanks and said: “I know how big that football stadium is and as such it was very courageous of Emma to take on this challenge. We are so grateful for her raising funds for our neonatal units.” In 2024, United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity received over £1million in donations and funded projects across the county’s hospitals in Lincoln, Boston, Grantham and Louth. More information on how people can support the Charity’s work and help provide those extras that improve patients’ lives can be found on the website: www.ulhcharity.org.uk

Spalding to Pinchbeck active travel works set for spring 2026

April Lara
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Spalding to Pinchbeck active travel works set for spring 2026

Plans to create new walking and cycling routes between Spalding and Pinchbeck are moving forward, with construction on the first two phases scheduled to begin in spring 2026. The work is expected to take up to eight months.

Drainage surveys on Pinchbeck Road will take place overnight this autumn to map underground pipes and connections before construction starts. The design team is also addressing an unexpected clash with a gas main and finalising details for a wider road reconstruction project on the same route.

The scheme, funded with £1.8 million from Active Travel England’s Tranche 3 fund, will initially cover the stretch from Forge Close to Enterprise Way. Later phases, extending towards Knight Street, will depend on securing further funding.

The project will introduce new pathways and cycleways designed to make travel safer and more accessible for walkers, cyclists and mobility aid users. Driveway access will remain, and any changes to on-street parking are subject to consultation with residents.

Traffic management plans are still being prepared, but a mix of road closures and temporary signals is likely. Access to homes and businesses will be maintained throughout the works.

  Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Yuri Hoyda

Student storage firm expands operations across Lincolnshire

Tess Egginton
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Student storage firm expands operations across Lincolnshire
A student storage company trusted by undergrads at universities nationwide is expanding its operations in Lincolnshire, aiming to support the thousands of students in the county who need affordable storage between terms. The Box Co., which has already worked with more than 5,000 students across the UK, confirmed it is increasing slots and capacity in Lincoln to meet growing demand.  The move comes as more students at the University of Lincoln and Bishop Grosseteste University look for flexible, low-cost ways to store their stuff when leaving halls or moving between terms. The company says the expansion is designed to help more students across Lincolnshire focus on finishing their term, rather than worrying about where to put their things.

Why student storage demand is growing in Lincolnshire

Lincoln’s popularity as a university city has grown in recent years, with the University of Lincoln more than doubling in size since the early 2000s.  Large cohorts of international students, along with many who come from outside the county, often face long journeys home at the end of term. For those living in halls, tenancy agreements typically run only during term time, leaving students with the challenge of moving their stuff out. Rising housing costs have also pushed more students into shorter or more flexible lets, meaning they may not be able to leave their stuff behind when contracts end. Combined with limited access to cars or vans, many students say they are left with few affordable options when it comes to storage. This growing demand has led to pressure on traditional self-storage companies in the city, which often need students to rent entire units at high rates, regardless of how little space they actually need. Blerton Gerguri, Senior Operations Manager at The Box Co., said: “We know that end-of-term is one of the most stressful points in the student calendar, and with so many students in Lincolnshire needing somewhere safe for their things, we’re expanding operations to meet that need.  “That means more vans on the road, more local storage space, and faster turnaround times when students want their stuff back. Our aim is to make moving out of halls or houses easier, so students can focus on finishing the term rather than worrying about logistics.”

Current storage options are too expensive

According to The University of Lincoln, there are nearly 15,000 students enrolled at the institution, with Bishop Grosseteste hosting around 2,000 more. Many of these students come from outside the region, creating an annual surge in demand for temporary storage over Christmas, Easter, and summer breaks. The problem? For many students in Lincolnshire, the current storage options are just too expensive. Traditional self-storage facilities normally charge for an entire unit, even if a student only needs to store a few boxes. On top of that, the cost of transport – from hiring a van to paying for taxis – quickly adds up. This makes storage feel out of reach for those already managing tight budgets. “We hear from students every year that traditional storage just isn’t affordable,” continued Blerton. “They end up paying for space they don’t need, plus the added costs of vans and transport. At The Box Co. we’ve flipped that model on its head. By charging by the box, we make storage accessible to every student, no matter their budget.”

Making student storage in Lincolnshire more affordable

Unlike traditional storage companies, The Box Co. charges by the box rather than by the unit, with prices starting from £3.56 per box.  Collections are available from halls including Lincoln Courts, Pavilions and St Mark’s Student Village, as well as private addresses across the city. Items are stored locally and can be returned anywhere in Lincoln or nationwide. The company said its expansion is designed to serve not just Lincoln itself, but also the wider county. “We’re preparing to help students right across Lincolnshire this year,” added Gerguri. “Whether they’re staying in the city, heading home to another part of the UK, or even moving abroad for a term, we can keep their stuff safe and deliver it back when needed.” For students looking for flexible, affordable student storage, visit The Box Co. at https://theboxco.co.uk   Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Jacob Lund

Louth food and drink festival set for September return

April Lara
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Louth food and drink festival set for September return

Louth will host its annual Food and Drink Festival on Sunday 28 September, bringing together more than 50 stalls across the town centre. The event, now in its third year, will run from 10am to 4pm and is free to attend.

Visitors can expect a mix of street food and artisan produce, ranging from handmade chocolates and sourdough bread to gourmet hot dogs and award-winning cheeses. Among the confirmed traders are Flippin Crepes, Wicked Temper, Bread + Cheese, Chugga Dawg Ltd, Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese and Mr Pig and Friends.

Alongside the food stalls, entertainment will feature throughout the day. Highlights include the Bicycle Bistro with circus-inspired performances, Sushi Stakeout exploring seagull turf wars through theatre, and Never a Gull Moment, a street act blending comedy and seaside themes. Multi-instrumentalist Wheelhouse will provide live music.

The festival aims to showcase the quality of Lincolnshire’s food, drink and creative talent, while also supporting local businesses and independent traders. Shops in the town centre will remain open during the event, adding to the community atmosphere and giving visitors a chance to explore Louth’s wider retail offer.

Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Mirko Vitali

Brigg Community Hub welcomes visitors with new spaces

April Lara
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Brigg Community Hub welcomes visitors with new spaces

Brigg Community Hub has reopened following a refurbishment designed to make the space more accessible and inviting.

The children’s library has been moved to the ground floor, allowing families with pushchairs easier access to books and activities. A new adult reading room and study area has been added upstairs, providing a quiet setting for reading and reflection.

The redesign is part of a wider investment in local libraries and hubs to ensure they remain central to community life. The updated layout balances spaces for families, learning, and relaxation.

Located in The Angel on Brigg Market Place, the hub is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm.

Image credit: North Lincolnshire Council

Tallington Lodge Care Home achieves ‘Good’ CQC rating in all areas

Tess Egginton
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Tallington Lodge Care Home achieves ‘Good’ CQC rating in all areas
Tallington Lodge Care Home in Tallington, near the market town of Stamford, has been awarded a ‘Good’ rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in all key inspection areas: safety, effectiveness, care, responsiveness, and well-led. The report commended the home’s dedication to person-centred care and its commitment to creating a supportive environment for residents. Inspectors praised the staff for their compassionate and effective care, with residents and families sharing positive feedback about the quality of services provided. One relative commented: “The care from all the staff and management is good, they check in regularly and make sure our relative is comfortable.” Whilst another relative explained, “It’s like a proper home here.” This is due to the home encouraging their relative to pursue their hobby of gardening, which gives them a focus and supports them with independence and helps them retain a good quality of life, supporting their wellbeing daily. Natalie White, Home Manager at Tallington Lodge Care Home, shared: “We are so proud of our team and grateful for the support from residents and their families. This ‘Good’ rating reflects our hard work and commitment to delivering exceptional person-centred care every day—but what truly matters is creating a welcoming, nurturing environment where our residents can thrive.” Tallington Lodge offers residential, dementia, and respite care for up to 61 residents and prioritises the well-being and quality of life of its residents. The care home prides itself on its range of activities and person-centred approach, ensuring that each resident’s needs and preferences are met. Helen Richmond, Operations Director of Country Court, added: “We are thrilled with this recognition from the CQC. Our staff’s dedication and passion for high-quality care have truly made a difference, and we will continue to build on this success to provide the best possible care for our residents.” For more information about life at Tallington Lodge Care Home, please contact Morgan Hicks, Senior Customer Relations Manager, on 01780 740 314 or email careenquiries@countrycourtcare.com.

Spalding pumpkin festival brings autumn cheer back to town

April Lara
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Spalding pumpkin festival brings autumn cheer back to town

Spalding’s Pumpkin Festival returns on Saturday 4 October, filling the town centre with a day of seasonal celebration from 11am to 3pm.

The event will feature live performances on the Pumpkin Stage, including a set from the Polka Dots Pantomime, with roaming entertainment from a woodland fairy stilt walker and Princess Anna. Families can take part in a harvest-themed fancy dress competition, with prizes for the best costumes.

Children’s activities include pumpkin crafts and decorating, face painting, balloon twisting, and the chance to explore the inflatable autumn globe and shadow box. Striking pumpkin sculptures will again be placed around the town as photo spots.

The festival market will expand on Spalding’s regular Saturday stalls, with additional traders offering gifts, jewellery, confectionery and food. Local favourites such as Grasmere Farm, The Cheesy Pig and Eat Ya Fajita will be among the vendors.

Shops will add to the atmosphere with an autumn-themed window display competition, while Spalding Library and Broad Street Methodist Church will host craft sessions and coffee mornings.

  Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Sergio

Farmers’ and craft market returns to Riverhead Square

April Lara
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Farmers’ and craft market returns to Riverhead Square

Grimsby’s monthly Farmers’ and Craft Market will take place this Friday, 19 September, in Riverhead Square, with stalls open from 9am until 3pm.

The market brings together local producers and independent makers offering a mix of fresh food, sweet treats and handmade items. Regulars include Redhill Farm with pork produce, Sticky Fingers Cakes and Bakes with doughnuts and brownies, and The Cheese Den with a range of dairy products. Visitors will also find Campbells Cakery’s hot crumble bar, Carol’s Fruit & Vegetables, and Spuds to Go serving jacket potatoes and wedges.

Handmade crafts and gifts are also on offer, from resin jewellery by Juliet’s Legacy to vegan wax melts from Waft n Whiff, and ethically sourced crystals from The Start of Lemuria. Other stalls feature engraved keepsakes, scented products and home décor.

The market runs on the third Friday of every month, giving shoppers a regular opportunity to browse food and craft stalls in the heart of Grimsby town centre. Stalls are available to hire for £24 per day, including a gazebo and table, for those interested in trading at future events.

Image credit: North East Lincolnshire Council
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