Sixways Stadium to host the next Motor Source ESFL Finals
An exciting announcement has come from the Motor Source ESFL as the date and venue for 2023/24 season finals was confirmed as Sixways Stadium on Saturday 8th June 2024.
The 2023/24 Emergency Services Football League season may only have just kicked off, but we’re already looking forward to celebrating the women’s, veterans and men’s open age competition finals in June next year.
In a similar format to last season, all three finals will be played on the same day, making it a full, exciting day of football, with the change of venue from last season bringing the added benefit of a 4G pitch, match day announcer and stadium big screen to add to the atmosphere.
Sixways stadium is mostly used for rugby union and association football matches and is the home of Premier 15s side University of Worcester Warriors and Hellenic League Premier Division football side Worcester Raiders. It was also the third Premiership Rugby venue to lay an artificial pitch, but the first to feature organic infill rather than rubber crumb.
ESFL co-founder Pete Overton said “We are really excited to be working with the Sixways Stadium events team to organise our league finals. A personal note of thanks to both Tracy and Nicole who helped make this happen. The stadium and its facilities look first class. As the ESFL continues to go from strength to strength we are excited to once again be hosting the finals in such an impressive stadium.”
Zoe Critchley from title sponsors Motor Source commented: “As title sponsors of the Motor Source ESFL, we thoroughly enjoy working with the teams throughout the season and hearing their triumphs, not just in the games they play but also in their professional careers and how the league helps them.
“After last year’s enjoyable season and unforgettable finals day, we’re ready to raise the bar and make this year’s ESFL Finals truly epic!”
Follow and support the teams and results throughout the season at https://www.esfl.co.uk/ where you’ll also be able to buy tickets for the final when they go on sale.
If you work in the emergency services, armed forces or teaching, you could be eligible for Motor Source new car discounts for NHS, Police, Fire & Rescue Services, Prison Service, military and teachers. Find out more and see how much you can save at https://www.motorsourcegroup.com/
Lincolnshire towns to get slice of £20m funding from Government
Five Lincolnshire towns are on a list of 55 revealed by the Government who’ll share in a £1.1 billion levelling up investment as part of a long-term plan for towns that have been overlooked and taken for granted.
Under the new approach people in Boston, Skegness, Spalding, Grimsby, and Scunthorpe, rather than Whitehall-based politicians, will be put in charge, and given the tools to change their town’s long-term future. They will:
- Receive a ten-year £20 million endowment-style fund to be spent on local people’s priorities, like regenerating local high streets and town centres or securing public safety.
- Set up a Town Board to bring together community leaders, employers, local authorities, and the local MP, to deliver the Long-Term Plan for their town and put it to local people for consultation.
- Use a suite of regeneration powers to unlock more private sector investment by auctioning empty high street shops, reforming licensing rules on shops and restaurants, and supporting more housing in town centres.
“That changes today. Our Long-Term Plan for Towns puts funding in the hands of local people themselves to invest in line with their priorities, over the long-term. That is how we level up.”
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: “We know that in our towns the values of hard work and solidarity, common sense and common purpose, endeavour and quiet patriotism have endured across generations. But for too long, too many of our great British towns have been overlooked and undervalued. “We are putting this right through our Long-Term Plan for Towns backed by over £1 billion of levelling up funding. This will empower communities in every part of the UK to take back control of their future, taking long term decisions in the interests of local people. It will mean more jobs, more opportunities and a brighter future for our towns and the people who live and work in them.” Long-Term Plan for Towns will require town boards to develop their own long-term plan for their town, with funding over 10 years and aligned to the issues that research shows people want the most, including:- Improving transport and connections to make travel easier for residents and increase visitor numbers in centres to boost opportunities for small businesses and create jobs
- Tackling crime and anti social behaviour to keep residents safe and encourage visitors through better security measures and hotspot policing
- Enhancing town centres to make high streets more attractive and accessible, including repurposing empty shops for new housing, creating more green spaces, cleaning up streets or running market days
Councils sign employment pledge for older workers
The three councils which make up the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership have signed the Age-friendly Employer Pledge, a nationwide programme run by the Centre for Ageing Better.
The pledge shows a commitment by all three councils – Boston Borough, South Holland and East Lindsey – to improve work for people in their 50s and 60s, recognising their value and expertise and to help make our workplace even more age-friendly.
Nationally, most people are working later in life but older workers can often face prejudice and are overlooked. At the same time, the job market is changing with many sectors struggling with skills and labour shortages. In signing the pledge, the partnership recognises that older workers are often key to filling these gaps.
Cllr Anne Dorrian, Leader of Boston Borough Council said: “It is important that the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership is recognising the value those aged over 50 bring to our workforce. Older workers often bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to teams, and in many instances they become role models to their peers and those just starting out in their careers.
“There is a lot everyone can learn from a multigenerational workforce and I am very proud the Partnership has made this pledge to show its commitment.”
Cllr Jim Astill, Portfolio Holder for Corporate, Governance and Communications at South Holland District Council, said: “Signing the age-friendly pledge is a great way to demonstrate our commitment to developing and retaining our workforce. The Partnership is made even better from having a thriving workforce of different generations so we can deliver the best outcomes for our residents.
“Working in the Local Government sector can often be a lifelong career and we are proud we are retaining an older workforce and making this pledge to recognise our commitment to being even more age-friendly.”
Cllr Craig Leyland, Leader of East Lindsey District Council and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Affairs, said: “I am delighted the South & East Lincolnshire Partnership continues to recognise the contribution an older workforce brings to our services delivered for our communities.
“By making this pledge we are reenforcing and developing our commitment to widening the pool of applicants for jobs in recognition of the skills gaps felt nationally.
“The Partnership is proud to support anything that helps us develop and retain our workforce for years to come.”
The Partnership has a good record for employing and retaining older workers and are committed to improving this even more.
Of the total workforce across the three councils, 44 per cent are aged over 50 and 21 per cent are aged between 40-49.
Lincoln Castle illuminations are back
The magical and much-loved Christmas event will run from Friday 8 December until Saturday 23 December 2023, giving families and friends the perfect and unmissable opportunity to get into the festive spirit in the heart of Lincoln.
Visitors will be able enjoy the castle grounds bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features, take a trip down Candy Cane Lane, and give their warmest season’s greetings to our resident castle dragons – Lucy and Norman.
Lincoln Castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk so visitors can see this historical landmark sparkling with festive lights, and take in the beautiful night-time views across the city and county.
Cllr Lindsey Cawrey, executive member for heritage and culture at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Lincoln Castle Illuminated has been the perfect way to start to your Christmas festivities for a few years now, and this year we’re dialling up the magic with even more lights, traditional rides and some festive food and drinks.
“Autumn may just be beginning, but tickets for popular dates sell quickly so plan ahead to secure the date you want, and give yourself a magical night to look forward to.”
Lincoln Castle Illuminated runs daily from Friday 8 December to Saturday 23 December, from 4pm to 9pm at weekends, and from 5.30pm to 9pm on weekdays. Charges apply.
Mayor honours Teresa’s sixty-year commitment to the NHS
Sixty years of service to the NHS by Grimsby nurse Teresa Jackson – who shows no sign of stopping – have been honoured with a civic reception at which North East Lincolnshire Mayor Ian Lindley said she was doing a fantastic job.
She said: “It’s been my pleasure. I’ve loved it. How many people can say they love their job? I’m lucky. My brain still works and physically I can still do the job. I’ve worked with some amazing people. They are saving lives constantly and they don’t get the recognition they deserve. It’s a team. That’s the bottom line, it’s team work.
“I wanted to do 60 years and that was on the first of September, but I’ve decided to stay a little longer. I just love my job.”
Teresa’s first day at the old General Hospital in Grimsby was on 1 September 1963, staying in nurse’s accommodation there. “Everything smelled of furniture polish. It was all wooden. That smell evokes such memories,” remembered Teresa, adding: “We were allowed five things on the dressing table. Anymore and Sister would swipe them off.”
Councillor Lindley invited Teresa to a civic reception at Grimsby Town Hall to thank her for her service. Having worked in the NHS himself for 33 years, the two shared memories of their time at the hospital in Grimsby and spoke highly of the people they worked with.
Teresa had wanted to be a nurse from the age of nine. She said: “Growing up in the small village of South Kelsey, we rarely saw an ambulance. When we did, all the kids would run out and say, ‘hold my collar, pinch my nose, I hope I never go in one of those’. But, I used to say ‘hold my collar, pinch my nose, I hope I go in one of those – as a nurse’.”
Working life was very regimented when Teresa started as a cadet nurse, with separate tables in the mess room for cadets, year one students, year two students, sisters and more senior staff.
“If a first-year student was passing through a door and a second-year student approached, they had to stand aside and hold the door for them,” remembers Teresa.
“Cadets were a large part of the nursing service back then. When I was a cadet, we were taught to carry out so many duties, nurses of today would be horrified, such as suturing and stomach wash outs.”
At 23, Teresa was the youngest sister appointed at the time to a General Surgical Ward. She said:
“In 1974 I changed roles and worked in the Special Care Baby Unit for nine years on night duty. Missing adult nursing I returned to Scartho Road hospital, remaining on night duty as this worked well with family life. I later became Night sister and went on to become the night site manager.
“I’ve been so lucky. Whatever job I’ve applied for, I’ve got. I’m so lucky and grateful to whoever it is up there guiding me.
“As there were no junior doctors as we know them now, I trained to be a clinical nurse practitioner working under the guiding hand of Mr. Henry Pearson.
“He didn’t know what to call me. He couldn’t call me by my first name as that was unprofessional, so it was TJ, a name which sticks with many even now. When he was retiring, he convinced me to try stoma care for two weeks, I did, and I’m still there.”
Special lunch to raise vital funds for the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance
The Lincolnshire Air Ambulance County Appeal is getting ready to hold a very special lunch at the Epic Centre on the Lincolnshire Showground on Sunday 8 October.
The lunch is being held to raise vital funds for the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, to support its 24/7 operations. The charity has seen its busiest year on record and needs to raise £10 million on an annual basis to fund its Helicopter Emergency Medical Service to the counties it serves, helping to save lives every year.
The previous ‘Rotors and Wings’ lunch in 2018 was a huge success, raising in excess of £80,000, and this year’s event is expected to be one of the most popular and high-profile in the 2023 Lincolnshire calendar – certainly an event not to be missed!
Weather permitting, there will be a Spitfire and Mustang fly-by, as well as a visit by the air ambulance, together with an auction of fantastic promises.
Parents invited to take part in lantern walk and other events this Baby Loss Awareness Week
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust is supporting families and parents this Baby Loss Awareness Week, starting from Monday 9 October until Sunday 15 October.
Rachel Bond, Specialist Midwife, said: “This week is an important time to talk about pregnancy and baby loss, break down taboos and remember our much-loved and missed babies.
“We are pleased to be able to offer several different events this year, so you can choose how you wish to make any commemorations.
“Some of our families may wish to join in our special craft sessions, others may wish to add to our trees of remembrance, and we would like to invite everyone to join our lantern walk and service at Lincoln Cathedral or the service at Boston Stump. These babies have touched our hearts and it is important that we all have the opportunity to remember them in our own way.”
A range of free events are planned for Baby Loss Awareness Week in Lincolnshire.
Lincoln, Boston and Grantham hospitals will all be lit up pink and blue throughout the week.
Pottery painting will be taking place at Fancy Creations in Boston (PE21 7NX) on Wednesday 11 October and Saturday 14 October between 10am and 12pm.
Wreath making, pebble painting and other crafts will be taking place at The Bridge in Lincoln (LN5 7NN) on Saturday 14 October from 10am to 1pm.
Hospital chapels in Lincoln, Boston and Grantham will be open throughout the week with trees of remembrance, where anyone can add their own tag and light a candle.
Lincoln Cathedral will also have a quiet space open for anyone to visit for reflection and to light a candle.
A service of reflection will be held at the Boston Stump (PE21 6NW) on Sunday 15 October. The service will begin at 1.30pm. There will be an opportunity to light a candle, and add a name tag to the tree of remembrance.
There will also be a lantern walk taking place on Sunday 15 October at Lincoln County Hospital Social Club (LN2 5RA). Everyone will meet from 6pm and at 7pm a candle will be lit to commemorate the ‘wave of light’ before the lantern walk to Lincoln Cathedral begins. At the Cathedral there will be the opportunity to reflect and light a candle.
To find out more and book a space at one of the events please visit the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity website.
This year’s Baby Loss Awareness Week events have been funded by the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity.
Ben Petts, Charity Manager, said: “It is so important to us to support Baby Loss Awareness week, we’re not supporting these activities to raise funds because we’re there to support our communities throughout their interactions with our hospitals.”
The Rolling Scones stage baking competition in Louth this weekend
An opportunity to be officially crowned ‘The baker of the best scones in the Wolds’ is the latest opportunity to be added to the inaugural Louth Food and Drink Festival, taking place this Sunday.
The celebration and showcase of fantastic and unique range of local food and drink producers will be taking place in Louth on Lincolnshire Day, on Sunday 1 October, from 10am-4pm.
Organised by East Lindsey District Council, the Festival will welcome over 60 different stalls to the town centre featuring a variety of different food and drink businesses, primarily from the Greater Lincolnshire area.
Demonstrations from local suppliers and venues will take place throughout the day, including chocolate tasting, a cocktail masterclass, and a scone baking demonstration. A children’s area will be set up on the day, featuring pop-up shows from Rhubarb Theatre performing The Very Hungry Caterpillar, as well as live music, played by the likes of Henry Atherton, The Athertons and The Coggle Sisters.
The newest addition to the Festival is a competition organised by The Rolling Scones, who will be giving residents the chance to get involved and be declared ‘The baker of the best scones in the Wolds’.
The competition will broken down into four classes which each have their own specific requirements: Class 1 – Sweet scone – any flavour; Class 2 – Savoury scone – any flavour; Class 3 – Under 16 – Sweet scone – any flavour; Class 4 – Local businesses – fruit scone.
To enter the competition, bakers must choose a specific class and make six scones that meet the criteria, ideally uniform. but shape and size is open to interpretation.
Scones should be left uncut, with no butter, cream or jam added, no matter which way round you do it! The ingredients used in your scones should also be listed and submitted alongside your creations to The Rolling Scones stall from 10am until 11.30am.
Each entry will be expertly judged, including the addition of butter, jam, or cream as applicable, with the results planned to be announced at 3pm on the day.
The Festival is being held as part of the Council’s Vital and Viable Market Towns initiative, working with local communities to protect, promote and preserve East Lindsey’s market towns.
Councillor Adam Grist, East Lindsey District Council portfolio holder for Market Towns and Rural Economy, said: “We are incredibly excited for the festival to kick off in less than a week’s time, and to enjoy the fantastic variety of high-quality food and drink businesses on offer in Louth and the surrounding area. It will be fantastic to see residents, visitors and traders come together to celebrate and explore this offer for themselves.
“It’s amazing to see such fantastic competitions and events scheduled to happen within the Festival throughout the day, as it will hopefully get people engaged and encourage them to show off their abilities or try something new. I would encourage everyone to come along to support our local businesses and producers, while also getting involved in some amazing competitions, activities and performances.”
Poppy cascades for special Remembrance commemoration
Remembrance commemorations in Grantham will include a colourful new tribute with two striking poppy fall cascades suspended from the historic Guildhall.
The art installation will also include four new silhouettes of a WW2 paratrooper, a WW1 Tommy, a naval Wren and a land girl – all personalised with stories of local people and places.
Now the call is going out to recruit willing volunteers to make poppies from layered red nylon, with four workshops taking place in Grantham Museum on the 4th, 6th, 11th and 13th October from 10am until 2pm.
Grantham Arts has been commissioned by South Kesteven District Council to deliver the project – creating a new backdrop for St Peter’s Hill Remembrance Garden and the military salute from the Guildhall during Remembrance Sunday’s parade.
Cllr Rhea Rayside, SKDC Cabinet member for People and Communities, said: “We need to recognise what the military community has contributed and continues to contribute to this country.
“Remembrance is our annual opportunity to do that. This thoughtful and beautiful new art installation is a visual show of support and will make this year’s commemoration extra special.”
Cllr Richard Dixon-Warren, SKDC Armed Forces Champion, said: “The poppy became a symbol of Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future in the aftermath of the First World War.
“It remains an iconic image and to see the Guildhall decorated with this amazing and creative art installation for such an important week will be truly memorable.”
Grantham College Art and Design students will be translating stories and information on people and places in the Grantham area into designs on the silhouettes, with a plea for local people to contribute.
Photocopied documents or photographs can be left in an envelope at Grantham Museum for the attention of Grantham Arts, with a reminder not to donate original material.
Anne-Marie Kerr from Grantham Arts is keen to get local people involved. She said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for local people to share their stories about relatives, friends or places that have a link to the great wars or have served in the military.
“Stories or images would be a wonderful resource for us to ensure that we can make this Remembrance commemoration very personal to Grantham.”
The installation will remain in place during Remembrance Week.
More than 2,000 enter Cleethorpes running challenge
More than 2,000 runners took part in the ABP Humber Coastal Half Marathon and 10k running challenge in Cleethorpes.
Associated British Ports has been a headline sponsor for the event, organised by Tape2Tape, since 2017. This year’s race was also undertaken by those attempting to qualify for England Athletics Age Group Masters Half Marathon competition, so the stakes were high.
ABP Head of Marine, Paul Bristowe, presented winners on the day with their trophies. He said: “The event was a resounding success with runners across the country completing their challenge ably supported by Tape2Tape’s volunteer ‘Race Makers’ across the course, along with crowds of family and friends lining Cleethorpes promenade.”
Tape2Tape MD Nicola Pattison said: “Congratulations to all the runners taking part, and a huge thank you to all the volunteer Race Marker’s for ensuring the day went so smoothly. The race brings so much to the local community, our thanks to ABP for their continued support.
As in previous year’s the event raised valuable funds for Cleethorpes RNLI along with many other local and national charities.
Along the route’s final stretch Cleethorpes Brass Band filled the air with motivational music. As runners completed the race they were treated to a donut and awarded this year’s bespoke pebble shaped race medal, featuring a striking oystercatcher, many of which could be seen feeding on the shore during the race, alongside the iconic Cleethorpes pier.
