All of Grantham’s South Kesteven District Council (SKDC)-managed parks have once again been awarded the acclaimed Green Flag.
Wyndham, Queen Elizabeth and Dysart parks have all received the prestigious accolade from Keep Britain Tidy.
Nestled in the heart of the historic market town, Wyndham Park has been awarded Green Flag status for the 14th consecutive year.
It was established in 1924 as the towns’ War Memorial before being renamed in honour of Lieutenant Hon. William Reginald Wyndham, 1st Life Guards, who was killed in action in 1914.
The park has undergone vast transformation in the years since and now holds family-friendly play areas, an urban gym, sensory garden, outdoor water splash-pad, bowling green, tennis courts and the Wyndham Park Visitor Centre. Heroes Community Orchard covers over three acres and was established to mark the 75th anniversary of South Kesteven’s role in D-Day and Arnhem.
Keep Britain Tidy also awarded Wyndham Park Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, for the management and promotion of its historic features.
Just a short walk from Wyndham is Queen Elizabeth Park, bordered by the River Witham. It has been a Green Flag park for five years. It is a haven for wildlife and features areas of woodland, wildflower meadows and a wetland.
Dysart Park, which has earned a Green Flag for the third consecutive year, has wildflower areas that surround a natural spring. It has large areas of open space, children’s play area and an historic bandstand.
SKDC deputy leader cllr Paul Stokes, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: “Here at SKDC we couldn’t be prouder of our parks and the work that our staff and volunteers put into keeping them looking beautiful.
“We are truly proud of their achievements and thank them for their hard work.”
Green Flag Award scheme manager, Paul Todd said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in Wyndham, Queen Elizabeth and Dysart parks who have worked tirelessly to ensure that they achieve the high standards required for the Green Flag Award.
“Quality parks and green spaces like these make the country a heathier place to live and work in, and a stronger place in which to invest.”
Bungee jumping buddies take on Whitby Viaduct for Lincolnshire’s hospitals
Thrill-seekers Lianne Clee and Donna Eaton are taking a leap of faith for the ultimate adrenaline rush at Larpool’s famous viaduct bungee jump, to raise vital funds for United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity.
The event, on Sunday 27 July, will give Lianne and Donna an amazing opportunity to jump from a staggering height of 42 metres from England’s only bridge bungee jump, the iconic Larpool Viaduct near Whitby.
Lianne, a Clinical Educator at United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust explained why she is undertaking this mammoth challenge: “I did a skydive for my 30th birthday and fancied doing something more extreme.
“When I mentioned this to my work colleagues, they took the decision out of my hands and bought my place on the bungee jump as a birthday present! I am ready to embrace this challenge as I will be jumping for such a fantastic cause which I am passionate about.”
When she realised she was the only participant, Lianne roped in her friend Donna who is a Professional Nurse Advocate Lead at Lincoln County Hospital. Both are passionate about their work at the hospital and are keen to support the activities of United Lincolnshire’s Hospitals Charity.
Donna said: “We both must be crazy to do this, but it is for a good cause. The money we raise for the charity will help support the well-being of our staff and help improve patient care.”
Charity Manager, Ben Petts gives thanks to the duo and said: “It is an incredible challenge which takes great courage to complete. It is with the support of such wonderful people like Lianne and Donna that we can fund innovative and exciting projects that make a real difference to the lives of our patients, their families and the staff that take care of them.”
Any donations, small or large will be much appreciated by the duo and can be made on their fundraising page on United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity website. Fundraisers | United Lincolnshire Hospitals
Image shows: Donna Eaton (left) and Lianne Clee (right).
Lincoln’s historic Bailgate set for stonework makeover
Lincolnshire County Council is moving ahead with plans to restore the worn stone surface of Bailgate, aiming to preserve the street’s heritage while improving durability.
Installed in 2010 to match the area’s historic character, the Yorkstone blocks have begun to shift, crack and loosen due to the failure of their original sand base. Council engineers now propose relaying most of the existing stones on a stronger mortar foundation to prevent further damage. Broken blocks would be replaced with new ones in the same style.
If approved, the project would begin in January 2026 and last up to three months, depending on weather. Around 65% of the original stones—approximately 32,000—could be salvaged and reused. The estimated cost for the work is just over £1.7 million.
While traffic plans are still being finalised, phased road closures will be necessary. Pedestrian access and entry to homes and businesses will be maintained throughout the project. Final dates and traffic details are expected to be announced later this year.
Image credit: Lincolnshire County CouncilSkegness theme park makes list of UK’s most budget-friendly days out
With summer holidays in full swing, families looking to entertain the kids without spending a fortune might be in luck. A new ranking by Outdoor Toys has named Fantasy Island in Skegness as one of the UK’s cheapest theme parks for children.
Coming in fourth, the Lincolnshire-based park offers a day wristband for kids at £20.50. There’s also the option to buy two or seven-day passes for better value, ideal for families planning a longer stay. While entry is free for those not keen on rides, Fantasy Island still has plenty on offer, including a bustling seven-day market, riverside attractions, and a broad range of rides for all ages. On-site accommodation makes it a viable choice for a budget-friendly staycation.
Topping the affordability list is Playland Fun Park in Worcestershire. It has no entry fee, and rides start from just £1 each. With 20 attractions, a splash park, and a picnic area for families bringing their own food, it’s a clear winner for frugal days out.
Other parks in the top five include The Web Adventure Park near York, which offers tickets at £17.95 with access to animal encounters and foam parties, Camel Creek Adventure Park in Cornwall with bonus seven-day passes, and BeWILDerwood in Cheshire, where under £23 covers everything from treehouses to live shows.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Electric Egg Ltd.North Lincolnshire makes recycling easier with new bin system
North Lincolnshire residents can expect a more convenient recycling system starting April 2026, as the council prepares to simplify household waste collections.
The updated service will replace the current multiple-container setup with a single large burgundy bin for dry recyclables like plastic, metal, glass, paper, card, and textiles. This move eliminates the need for separate boxes and aims to make sorting waste far less confusing.
Food and garden waste will be collected weekly in one combined bin, while general waste will be picked up every two weeks using the existing grey or green bin.
The council is also keeping its green waste collection free, a contrast to charges introduced in other areas, while promising clearer guidance ahead of the rollout. A local education campaign is planned to help households adapt.
With less than 0.3% of local waste now going to landfill, North Lincolnshire ranks among the country’s top-performing areas for recycling. The new system is designed to build on that success by making it even easier for residents to reduce, reuse, and recycle at home.
Image credit: North Lincolnshire CouncilBooks by post spark joy in thousands of North Lincolnshire homes
In North Lincolnshire, thousands of children under five are building their very first libraries, one book at a time.
Thanks to a long-running initiative funded by the local council, more than 7,000 children in the region now receive a free, high-quality book through the post each month. The scheme, known as the Imagination Library, recently hit a major milestone: one million books delivered since its launch in 2013.
Nearly 87% of local children under five are currently enrolled, making North Lincolnshire one of the most active areas for the programme in the UK. In fact, the region accounts for one in six of all Imagination Library books distributed nationwide.
Run in partnership with local libraries, schools and family hubs, the scheme is open to all children in North Lincolnshire from birth until their fifth birthday. Families simply register to start receiving monthly books tailored to their child’s age and development stage.
More than a feel-good gesture, the books are having a measurable impact. Children in the programme are significantly more likely to reach expected levels of development by the end of their early years.
With council backing secured for the future, the scheme is set to keep turning pages—and sparking imaginations, for years to come.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/WavebreakMediaMicroNew partnership brings specialist baby loss support to bereaved parents in Lincolnshire
Bereaved parents will benefit from specialist counselling thanks to a hospital charity-funded partnership between United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (ULTH) and Petals, the baby loss counselling charity.
This vital specialist support that is so often needed by parents following pregnancy and baby loss is not routinely available through the NHS. The emotional impact of this type of loss can be devastating, leaving many parents struggling with day-to-day life, unable to return to work, and feeling isolated in their grief.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity Manager, Ben Petts, said: “It is a privilege to stand alongside our Specialist Bereavement Midwifery Team and provide £100,000 to secure this vital baby loss counselling service for the next two years. This partnership will ensure compassionate, specialist care is offered to those who need it most, when they need it most.”
Petals provide specialist counselling to help parents navigate the trauma of baby loss. In the past year alone, the charity has delivered more than 6,759 counselling sessions across the country.
Karen Burgess, Petals CEO, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with ULTH to offer this vital support. Lincolnshire is one of the largest counties in England, and this new contract is a major step forward in reaching more families who need help after baby loss.”
From July 2025, when a family cared for by ULTH experiences a pregnancy loss or the loss of a baby, they will be given the option of counselling. The Maternity Bereavement team will then ensure the most appropriate psychological support is offered. Alternatively, families can self-refer for counselling via the Petals website.
Rachel Bond, Specialist Bereavement Midwife at ULTH, said: “We are immensely proud to have secured funding from United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity to provide a much-needed service to support the bereaved families that we care for.
“Echoing the words of Petals, we believe all families should have access to specialist bereavement counselling following the loss of a baby. We recognise the devastation that the loss of a baby has on families, regardless of gestation and hope that the provision of this service will make a positive difference to our families in their time of need.”
You can find out more about the partnership at: ULTH NHS Trust – Petals Charity.
Image shows Rachel Bond, Specialist Bereavement Midwife at ULTH
Grantham’s historic clock tower set for final stage of restoration
The final phase of restoration work on Grantham’s iconic Victorian clock tower is set to begin this Sunday, following delays caused by unexpected structural issues.
Perched above the town’s Guildhall arts centre, the bell turret has been under repair since October after heavy rain exposed damage to the ballroom ceiling. Initial fixes focused on the roof and timber frame, but further inspection revealed deeper problems with the bell tower itself.
South Kesteven District Council has confirmed that the entire turret will now be carefully lifted by crane and transported off-site for specialist restoration in a workshop. The four supporting columns will also be removed, with any exposed gaps sealed during the process.
As part of the final steps, the windows will be redecorated and the scaffolding taken down by August. The bell tower is expected to return to its home atop the Grade II listed building by spring next year.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Seadog81Roxby community centre gets a fresh lift with roof and energy upgrades
Roxby Community Centre is set to undergo a small but meaningful transformation, with improvements that promise to make the much-loved local spot warmer, brighter, and more energy-efficient.
North Lincolnshire Council has approved a £10,944 grant to help fund a new roof and upgraded blinds for the building. The total project, valued at just over £12,000, includes a contribution from the centre itself.
These changes aren’t just cosmetic—they’re designed to improve comfort, reduce heating costs, and make the centre more sustainable long term. It’s a practical boost for a space that hosts everything from social gatherings to local events.
The Roxby upgrade is part of a broader wave of investment in community-led initiatives across North Lincolnshire. Through its Community Grant Fund, the council has supported a wide range of organisations and groups with millions of pounds in funding since 2011.
It’s a reminder that even small improvements can make a big difference in the everyday lives of residents, keeping neighbourhood hubs like Roxby’s active, inviting, and ready for the future.
Image credit: North Lincolnshire CouncilDrones risk disturbing protected birds on Lincolnshire coast
As summer draws crowds to the North East Lincolnshire coastline, drone users are being reminded to fly responsibly to avoid disturbing vulnerable bird populations.
The stretch of coast beyond Cleethorpes Leisure Centre is a protected zone, forming part of multiple conservation designations including a Special Protection Area and the Humber Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest. These areas support thousands of migratory and breeding birds throughout the year.
Between May and September, drones pose a serious risk to nesting birds. Unintentional disturbance can cause them to abandon eggs or young, while disruption to feeding and roosting in autumn and winter months can impact the survival of birds migrating from the Arctic to Africa.
Up to 150,000 water birds gather in the area each year, and continued disturbance—particularly during harsh weather—can lead to exhaustion or death.
Local authorities are urging drone operators to follow Civil Aviation Authority guidance and be aware of no-fly zones to protect wildlife and avoid fines. The council has published additional resources to help recreational users fly safely and legally, especially near sensitive natural habitats.
Image credit: North East Lincolnshire Council