More than a century after their deaths, four soldiers from Grimsby have been buried in northern France following their discovery during hospital construction works near Lens in 2020.

The men (members of the Lincolnshire Regiment) were found with uniforms, respirators, and boots dating from 1916–1917, helping investigators pinpoint their likely time of death. Research by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre later identified them as Privates Cook, Cullum, Fraser, and London. DNA analysis confirmed their identities after tracing their descendants.

The soldiers, believed to have fallen in battle around May 1917, were laid to rest at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Loos British Cemetery Extension on 21 October 2025. Relatives of the men attended the service, marking the end of a century-long uncertainty about their fate.

The burial was organised by the MOD’s “War Detectives” team, with support from the Royal Anglian Regiment, which provided the bearer and firing parties. The soldiers’ graves will now be maintained in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, ensuring their names and service are preserved for future generations.

  Image credit: GOV.UK

Tallington Lodge Care Home, nestled in the village of Tallington near Stamford, has had plenty to celebrate recently. To recognise everyone’s hard work and achievements, Home Manager Natalie White hosted a special evening of appreciation for her dedicated team. The team’s recent successes include their Good CQC rating and winning the Country Court in Bloom Gardening competition. In two categories, they were in third place. In the Water for Wellbeing category, they came in first place, and they were awarded the overall winner due to the hard work and wonderful things they accomplished, including the support given to David, the Head Gardener. During the party, Natalie White, Home Manager, had arranged a fun raffle, thoughtful staff appreciation gifts and personalised ‘Mr and Miss’ certificates to celebrate each team member’s unique personality. The light-hearted awards reflected how well Natalie knows her team and how she values every individual’s contribution to making the home such a warm and supportive place to live and work. The kitchen team prepared a delicious buffet, along with an amazing cake which was decorated with an edible photo of the staff celebrating their Good CQC rating, as well as plenty of refreshments. The evening was filled with laughter, team spirit and appreciation for each other and was a perfect way to reflect on everything the team has achieved together, creating a positive, caring environment where residents truly thrive and staff feel valued and motivated. Home Manager Natalie White said: “The team have worked so hard over the last few months and accomplished so much. I wanted to show my appreciation for their dedication and commitment to making Tallington Lodge such a fantastic place for our residents and a positive environment to work in. The support and feedback from families have been amazing, and I couldn’t be prouder.” Chantal, one of the Wellbeing coordinators, added: “On behalf of all the staff, I would like to say a huge thank you to Natalie for her support and for leading by example every day.  We truly appreciate all that she does for us and our residents.” For more information about life at Tallington Lodge Care Home, please contact Morgan Hicks on 01780 740 314 or email careenquiries@countrycourtcare.com.

Bottesford Town Football Club is set to revitalise its sports hall after securing £31,071 through North Lincolnshire Council’s Community Grant Fund. The upgrade will modernise training and matchday spaces while enhancing facilities for community use.

The project adds to a string of recent investments in the venue, including over £200,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and £8,800 for solar and battery installation. Together, these improvements aim to make Bottesford Sports Hall more sustainable and accessible for residents.

The club has also benefited from wider partnership support, including a £1.5 million grant achieved with the Football Foundation, Lincolnshire FA, and other stakeholders to enhance pitches and facilities.

Since 2011, the council’s Community Grant Fund has supported hundreds of local initiatives across North Lincolnshire, providing millions in funding for sports, arts, and cultural projects. The scheme offers assistance to not-for-profit groups, charities, co-operatives, and individuals who excel in community activity, helping keep local venues active and inclusive for all.

  Image credit: North Lincolnshire Council

Cleethorpes’ new Coastwatch station has received royal recognition following a visit from The Princess Royal. The mobile surveillance unit, based at Cleethorpes Leisure Centre, marks the town’s first permanent National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) presence.

The station, converted from an exhibition trailer earlier this year, operates as a lookout point over the beach and estuary. It forms part of the NCI’s network of 61 coastal stations across the UK, all staffed by over 2,800 trained volunteers who work alongside the Coastguard, RNLI, Border Force, and emergency services to help protect lives at sea.

Cleethorpes joins nearby East Coast watch stations at Chapel St Leonards, Mablethorpe, and Skegness, adding an extra layer of safety for the popular seaside resort. Since opening, the local team has supported coastal monitoring and safety operations through the busy summer season.

Following her visit, Princess Anne met with volunteer watchkeepers before attending a reception at Cleethorpes Golf Club alongside local council leaders. The event highlighted the community’s growing role in supporting the volunteer-run charity, which aims to secure a permanent base in the area to continue its coastal safety mission.

  Image credit: North East Lincolnshire Council

A Lincoln mum ran the Robin Hood Half Marathon and raised £501 for United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity to say thanks for the hospital care she and her son received after he was born eight weeks premature. Leo Andrew was born in November 2024 and spent the first eight weeks of his life at Lincoln County Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. Mum, Kayleigh Andrew recently returned to the unit to hand her donation to the charity team and say thank you to staff at Lincoln County Hospital’s Neonatal Unit who cared for her son. She said: “I don’t run, so when friends pressured me into taking on this half marathon, I thought I would try and raise some money as well. “It’s very emotional coming back and seeing where Leo lived for the first weeks of his life. I just want to say a massive thank you for the support provided by the neonatal team and hopefully this donation will be put to good use and help other families as they helped our family.” Midwife Helen, who helped care for Leo whilst he was on the Neonatal unit, said: “We are so grateful for this wonderful donation, thank you for giving us something that will benefit everyone.” Last year, United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity funded projects worth over £245,000 for the maternity and neonatal units at Lincoln and Boston hospitals. Charity Manager, Ben Petts said: “Everyday people can see how the charity is helping to transform healthcare in Lincolnshire and it is extremely rewarding when we provide additional equipment that will support our most vulnerable patients.”

North Killingholme is enhancing road safety with the installation of a new speed indicator device, funded through a £2,395 community grant. The device will be positioned in a key area of the village to encourage drivers to monitor their speed and slow down in residential zones where families and older residents regularly walk.

The initiative follows concerns raised by residents about road safety and aims to create a calmer, more pedestrian-friendly environment.

This project is part of the Community Grant Fund, a wider initiative that has supported local projects since 2011. The fund has contributed millions to community-led projects across North Lincolnshire, helping towns and villages improve facilities, support young people, and enhance local wellbeing.

Over the years, the scheme has supported a wide range of organisations, including sports clubs, youth groups, local charities, and parish councils, with grants available to both organisations and individuals driving positive change in sport, art, and culture.

The addition of the speed indicator in North Killingholme marks another small but meaningful step in making local roads safer while strengthening the village’s community spirit.

  Image credit: North Lincolnshire Council

The Billinghay and District Community Pool in Lincolnshire will not reopen next year after efforts to secure enough funding for essential repairs fell short.

The pool, constructed by residents in 1972, has long served as a summer hub for families and swimmers, opening annually from May to September. It closed in March due to structural issues that required new tiles and concrete work.

Volunteers aimed to raise £500,000 to carry out the repairs, but were unable to meet the target. After several months of appeals and outreach to local authorities, MPs, and community organisations, the committee managing the facility announced it would step down, leaving no new members to take over.

As a result, the site will now be handed back to Lincolnshire County Council. The future of the pool remains uncertain, marking the end of more than five decades of community-led upkeep for a local landmark that once stood as a symbol of Billinghay’s village spirit.

  Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Kalpana