North Lincolnshire Council is celebrating after receiving a sixth Green Flag Award for its parks Jubilee Park is raising its prestigious Green Flag Award.
This year Jubilee Park has added to the list of Green Flag holders in North Lincolnshire, with the five current Green Flag holders – Central Park, Kingsway Gardens, Sheffield Park, Woodlands Memorial Park in Scunthorpe and Baysgarth Park in Barton – retaining their flags for another year.
The news that six of North Lincolnshire’s parks have achieved the accreditation – the international quality mark for parks and green spaces – is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that care for the green spaces so that everyone can enjoy them, says the council.
This news comes in the run up to Love Parks Week 2023, the annual campaign from Keep Britain Tidy which celebrates parks, green spaces, and the dedicated volunteers and workers that look after them all year round. It will run this year from 28 July to 6 August.
Cllr David Rose, cabinet member for environment, welcomed the prestigious awards, commenting: “It is fantastic news to have another of our parks in North Lincolnshire nationally recognised. The success of Jubilee Park is a testament to the power of community engagement. Thanks to an active and dedicated community group, (Friends of Lincoln Gardens) and the hard work of our committed team we now have six parks in North Lincolnshire with a Green Flag award.
“This dedication means there are vibrant areas, throughout North Lincolnshire, for everyone to enjoy. Love Parks Week is the perfect time to get out there and explore what our parks have to offer.
“Congratulations and thank you to everyone who helps make our parks and green spaces the best they can be.”
Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Jubilee Park in achieving a Green Flag Award.
“Jubilee Park is a vital green space for the community in North Lincolnshire, bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles.
“The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.”
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Archaeologists have discovered a distinctive Roman ‘ladder settlement’ in North East Lincolnshire.
The find came as part of planning requirements laid out by Equans, on behalf of North East Lincolnshire Council, ahead of a housing development being permitted in Healing.
Due to the archaeological interest in the area, and the potential for further significant archaeology still being buried under the development site, a programme of archaeological investigation was agreed with Cyden Homes to ensure a proper understanding of the site before it was built on.
Investigations have been undertaken by Allen Archaeology Ltd on land off Larkspur Avenue for nearly a decade and the site is now nearly fully excavated.
The initial season of excavations identified a ‘ladder settlement’ itself comprising of four enclosures attached to a main boundary and dates back to the 2nd to 4th century AD. The works uncovered evidence of a small hearth and watering holes. Ladder settlements are so named because their linear trackway with enclosures attached to either side resembles the shape of a ladder.
Further seasons of excavation work revealed that the ‘ladder settlement’ enclosures became increasingly subdivided into smaller parcels of land. In the areas where the ground conditions became wet and marshy hard surfaces were created.
Lots of animal bones were recovered from the site, which means that they kept animals such as cows and sheep. A corn dryer and several quern stone fragments suggests farming and processing of crops.
The site also has a large post-built building which appears to have had plaster on the wall. The wall plaster is unusual on this site, highlighting this building as something a bit more special than others on this site.
The final phase of the excavations is currently ongoing, and the archaeologists are finding more evidence of people living and farming the land here. Another large post-built building has been found as well as, so far, two poorly preserved human burials. Also, a small square enclosure has been exposed (but not yet investigated) which is too small to be a stock enclosure and may suggest a ritual function.
Louise Jennings, Heritage Officer at Equans who operate North East Lincolnshire Council’s Development Services, said: “Before new developments get underway it’s vital that we are able to gain as much information about these potentially archaeologically significant sites as possible.
“This allows us to broaden our understandings of North East Lincolnshire’s place in history, and deepens our knowledge of what life was like at various points of the past.
“This site is a great example of what can be achieved when we work together with developers. This site was inhabited for at least a few hundred years and we can see from this site the way the people here were living and adapting their settlement to suit their needs.”
The final report and archive will be deposited with North East Lincolnshire Museums Service.
The next phase of work supporting creativity in North East Lincolnshire has been secured this week with the awarding of a £450,000 Place Partnership grant from Arts Council England.
The money will be used to build on the legacy of Grimsby Creates to deliver work strengthening support for local creatives to deliver new experiences and festivals happening in the borough, experimenting with new ideas, schools and community engagement work by providing advice, building strong networks and providing opportunities for newly commissioned projects.
Over the next three years, with the new Place Partnership grant, supported by UK Shared Prosperity Funds, the Council will lead a programme to grow ambitious creative activity across North East Lincolnshire capturing that renewed confidence, celebrating the borough’s collective history and green future.
The programme will grow Grimsby Creates’ work across the whole borough helping to deliver the recently adopted Creativity Strategy and action plan, and focus on participation and engagement, strengthening partnerships and realising the Council and Arts Council England’s aims as a Priority Place.
Cllr Hayden Dawkins, Cabinet member for Culture, said: “This is fantastic news, and means that we can continue the great work and momentum we’ve seen in the last three years. People engaged in arts, culture and creative occupations are really leading a change in confidence in the borough and in local activities.”
Pete Massey, Director, North, Arts Council England, said: “Congratulations to North East Lincolnshire on their Place Partnership Fund award. Place Partnership Funding is designed to help places make a step-change in the cultural and creative lives of the community and that’s exactly what this project will do.
“As a priority place we have already begun to see the transformational impact our investment has had in the region and this further funding will help to support and build on that work. There are exciting times ahead for culture and creativity in North East Lincolnshire.”
Through the Grimsby Creates programme:
120 creatives have received advice and guidance, helping secure in excess of £4m of grants, funds, sponsorship, contracts and investments.
St James’ Square’s regeneration has been completed including new artwork from Annabel McCourt and Adrian Riley highlighting Grimsby’s heritage and people.
Events including Festival of the Sea, #MyFishGY and Edible Grimsby attracted an audience of 64,624 and increased footfall on event days by an average of 7% in Grimsby town centre.
4 large scale murals in key locations have brightened up brick walls providing opportunity for celebration of heritage leading to increased pride across the borough.
55 networking events were offered throughout the programme creating a culture of collaboration and partnership working, strengthening the local creative sector and building the foundations for growth.
Activities outlined in the new programme include everything from micro, large scale and digital commissions (including more murals throughout the borough) especially focused on promoting the area’s heritage and green future, to development and continuation of events such as “Our Future Starts Here” and “Edible Grimsby”, alongside working with children and young people to encourage interest in creative activities and developing strong creative networks across North East Lincolnshire.
A full work programme is being drawn up, and opportunities for creative individuals and organisations will be promoted as they arise.
Scunthorpe cycling brothers Phil and Rob Aitken are embarking on another European cycling trip to raise money for charity.
The pair are riding a 440-mile route around a ‘Brittany Loop’. Said Phil: “It’s a generally more challenging ride though with longer days and more elevation (hills) which appeals to Rob a whole lot more than it appeals to me, but its good to challenge yourself (I think!)”
They are raising money for the Freemasons’ charity the MCF, which gives £60,000 a day to non-masonic charities.
Freemason Phil, and member of Industry Lodge in Scunthorpe, said: “The ride will be
440 miles with 12,700feet of hills. We’ll average 63 miles per day with 1,884 feet of climbing, which is definitely pushing the envelope for me, but we’re really looking forward to the challenge.
“As usual, we are unsupported – we carry ALL out own luggage, spares, tools etc which makes the hills even harder!”
Phil has promised to post daily Facebook blogs with pictures and information about the region the pair are cycling through.
Phil added: “Please feel free to donate, to support or even just read my blogs and enjoy – I’m sure it will be another fabulous adventure with my big Brother Rob! If you want to see for yourselves the good the MCF does, please look at the following link –
Lincoln’s Arboretum, Boultham Park and Hartsholme Country Park have been awarded Green Flag accreditation – the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.
Boultham Park has also achieved the Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, for the management of its historic features.
Cllr Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place at City of Lincoln Council said: “This is another fantastic achievement for our city council green spaces. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure our parks and green spaces are kept to such a high standard.
“This award really is testament to the hard work that goes into green spaces in the city.”
Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at the Arboretum, Boultham Park and Hartsholme Country Park in achieving a Green Flag Award.
“These sites are vital green spaces for the community in Lincoln, bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles. The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.”
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Plans are being drawn up to reinvigorate Sleaford’s Market Place as an enhanced public space where people can spend longer enjoying the town centre and all it offers.
Owned and operated by North Kesteven District Council, the Market Place’s primary function is currently as a car park, with a market run by Sleaford Town Council three days a week.
Under the plans – which have just been submitted for formal consideration – parking would cease in the square, the market would remain and the entire area be upgraded into an improved public space for residents and visitors to enjoy and better support public events, as demonstrated by the 2022 RiverLight Festival.
The scheme which, if successful would be funded by more than £1m of a government grant for economic renewal, has been worked up as a priority action in direct response to a long-held aspiration for improved public space at the heart of the town.
North Kesteven District Council Leader Councillor Richard Wright said: “As the main town square for Sleaford, the Market Place cannot currently fulfil its potential due to its daily use as a car park and the limitations that places on it.
“The vision to refresh and repurpose it into a predominantly pedestrian-space would provide a comfortable, car-free area in the town centre for people to linger and spend longer whilst going about their business in Sleaford.
“Such a welcoming central space to relax in and enjoy will be of great benefit to the town, socially, culturally and economically. As a new facility for residents and visitors, our hope is that it will also help increase overall footfall, dwell-time and trade in the town centre, for the benefit of all,” said Cllr Wright.
Under the proposal, the entire Market Place and surrounding footpaths would be refreshed with new paving in keeping with the area’s heritage, highlighting the key features of St Denys’ Church and the war memorial, which would be lit to showcase its importance.
With two raised planting beds and seating, the restored Market Place would be a more welcoming space to meet and provide conditions to hopefully facilitate a renewed vibrancy of the market itself. It would also accommodate the potential for additional café seating/spill out space along its northern edge, whilst complementing that recently installed outside the Sessions House.
Along the Market Place frontage, additional bench seating and planters, the up-lighting of the feature trees and new lighting will to create ambience in the evenings, and removal of the market place hut will open up views and create better access on foot.
The scheme is designed in such a way as to ensure that the market can still operate from the square, however in a much safer and pedestrian-friendly environment with no conflict with vehicles. Limited vehicle access will remain in place for weddings and funerals, at the discretion of the church.
There is nearby parking at Church Lane and Eastgate and service delivery vehicles can use the loading bays adjacent to Market Place or Market Street when visiting businesses. Market traders will be able to unload before moving their vehicles to a nearby car park.
A full planning application will be open for public comment and responses shortly, with residents, traders and those with a wider interest invited to have their say as part of the planning process.
If granted planning permission, the project would receive in excess of £1million from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The Market Place would close to vehicles in late spring 2024 as contractors arrive onsite and it would potentially be ready to reopen as a refreshed space in early 2025.
“Knowing what a major change this represents, we have given deep consideration to the likely impacts of the work as well as the benefits the finished space would bring to Sleaford,” said Cllr Wright.
“We have been gifted this UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation and it is important that we don’t miss the opportunity to make use of it to reinvigorate a key location at the heart of Sleaford, to bring about lasting and positive change for Sleaford town centre and our wider local economy in North Kesteven.”
“In seeking to fulfil a long-held aspiration expressed for the town, we have brought forward a proposal which we feel will give renewed purpose to this historic space, restore it as a significant asset and reimagine it with fresh potential for community use in such a beautiful setting,” he said.
Talks are ongoing with stakeholders to assess the implications of the intended works on the regular market, businesses and other activities; and similarly, the Council will liaise over other anticipated events in the Market Place during the proposed construction period.
This would include a plan to provide market traders with a temporary new location in the town centre to operate from while the works take place. Also the need for schools to make alternative pick-up locations for buses.
The potential of the Market Place to become an enhanced public space which benefits the town centre has long been an ambition for the town and has been outlined as a positive intervention in previous feasibility studies, including the Sleaford Masterplan Refresh last year and the original Sleaford Masterplan.
The amount of North Lincolnshire waste going to landfill will be slashed even further thanks to a new partnership.
The new contract with Wastewise, which process waste from brown bin collections, will see more than 95 per cent recycled into quality compost.
This will be used for horticultural and agricultural use – the majority of it in the local area, helping reduce the carbon footprint of the whole of North Lincolnshire.
The remaining waste will be recycled or sent for energy and heat recovery.
The partnership is a further step in the bid to reduce further the amount of waste in the region going landfill, which is already less than one per cent.
Cllr Neil Poole, the council’s cabinet member for environmental operations, said: “This is another step forward in our plans to eradicate landfill waste.
“This new partnership is with a company that shares our vision for a cleaner, greener future for everyone in North Lincolnshire.
“This is all part of the bigger picture of A Green Future for North Lincolnshire, where everyone can make a difference, from companies like Wastewise to residents swapping their own bins for composters.”
Bob Wilkes, Managing Director of Wastewise, said: “We look forward to working with North Lincolnshire Council in helping them achieve their waste management goals.
“The long-term contract will ensure that, together, we create clear, efficient processes to ensure an effective waste service for residents where as little as possible is wasted.”
The ten year contract with Wastewise will involve the treatment of 17,500 tonnes of green waste per year.
Libraries across North Lincolnshire have swung open their doors and announced all library fines have been abolished, permanently.
Library members with mislaid or forgotten copies of Road Dahl, Stephen King or David Walliams no longer have to fear financial punishment upon their return.
North Lincolnshire Council recently made the decision to eliminate fines for the late return or renewal of books across all 14 of its libraries and trust the customers to use the service responsibly and return their books on time for others to enjoy.
Cllr John Davison, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities – Scunthorpe, Ashby and Bottesford, said: “If anyone has library books hiding under their bed, in a cupboard or behind the sofa now is the time to hunt them out and return them to your local library, no questions asked and without facing any hefty fines.
“Whether they are weeks, months, years, or decades overdue, don’t be shy just bring them back.”
With the use of an app people can check out and renew books, anytime and anywhere. They can also access e books, browse the catalogue, access other online services, and find their nearest library.
Cllr Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities, rural, said: “We are confident that taking the decision to abolish fines will not only encourage new people to join their local library but will see the return of members who maybe have not visited for a while due to fear of receiving a financial penalty on their account.
“We want everyone to be able to visit their local library and use the services time and time again, without worrying about fines.”
Fines for littering, graffiti, and fly-tipping are to increase at the end of this month – a move welcomed as the council continues its war on litter louts.
The Government has increased the upper limits for various fixed penalty notices so that anyone caught fly-tipping can be fined £1,000 – up from £400 – and anyone caught littering or daubing graffiti can be fined £500 – up from £150.
The move will also see fines for people who use rogue traders to illegally dump household waste increased to £600 from £400.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We have promised to show no mercy against litter louts and fly-tippers – it’s irresponsible, it’s selfish and it’s disgusting.
“Why people continue to think it is acceptable to drop litter in the first-place baffles me but to then expect the taxpayers of North Lincolnshire to foot the bill for cleaning up is infuriating.
“I am pleased the Government has made these new powers available at pace and we will implement the new upper limits at the first available opportunity. If people persist in dropping litter, they will pay for it.”
The Government also launched a consultation on ringfencing the receipts from FPNs for litter and fly-tipping to fund local authorities’ enforcement and clean-up activities, such as spending the money raised from fining criminals on further enforcement officers.
This would see the money paid by criminals go directly back into repairing the damage from their crimes, or into enforcement efforts to prevent similar incidents.
Cllr John Davison, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities, said: “We have used every power available to us to crack down on this anti-social behaviour and will continue to do so until littering is eradicated in North Lincolnshire.
“We have huge swathes of beautiful green space, award winning parks and gardens, and beautiful towns and villages yet some people continue to think that respecting these places and acting responsibly doesn’t apply to them – they may well very quickly change their mind when faced with a £500 fine.”
Announcing the new upper limits, Environment Secretary, Thérèse Coffey said: “Everyone loathes litter louts and people who dump rubbish. We are increasing the penalties local councils can apply for this behaviour that spoils our streets and harms nature.”
A north-east Lincolnshire cyclist is celebrating after completing a 12-hour endurance cycle ride and raising £850 for Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.
Waltham cyclist, Mark Staples covered 171 miles in the allotted time but then decided to round it up to complete 200 miles in 14 hours. Friends and family, including his son, ten-year-old Bradley, joined to encourage him on his way.
Mark chose to raise money for LNAA as a thank you after the helicopter and its life-saving crew were called out to treat Bradley two years ago, when he suffered traumatic injuries to his leg following a horrific cycle accident during an off-road cycle race.
Mark Staples cycling with friends
He said: Given the LNAA doctors and paramedics work 12-hour shifts, I challenged myself to see how far I could ride in that time. The LNAA were fantastic when they came to Bradley’s aid.
“Without the dedication of that team giving emergency care to Bradley and then the speed of the helicopter in transporting him to Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre where he underwent surgery for his injuries, the outcome may have been quite different.”
Dr Hancock, who treated Bradley, said: “We were in a big, muddy field, not the easiest environment to work in. Bradley was in a lot of pain and getting cold as he was in thick mud.
“It was potentially really serious because there are vessels and nerves there which means an injury like that could cause a lot of damage. These are the things we don’t know on the way there and the concern was whether this was life or limb threatening. Something like this could have been life-changing for a child.”
Mark chose to cycle a 30 mile loop for simplicity, taking in the villages of Waltham, North Elkington, Covenham and Tetney along the way. Every time he passed his home, he was able to refill drinks bottles and grab extra food. Belmont Tower was always in sight, a reminder of why he was attempting this challenge, as it was very close to where Bradley suffered his accident.
What makes Mark’s achievement so impressive is that he is a sprint cyclist and before embarking on this challenge he was not 100% sure that he would be able to manage the distance.
More information on how you can support Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance: https://www.ambucopter.org.uk/fundraise-for-us/
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