A summer of creativity and community spirit is coming to East Lindsey’s market towns as Art Aspirations, a new, community-driven arts initiative, launches.
Led by Kate Giffen, place officer for market towns, the project invites local artists and residents to come together for a series of hands-on workshops. These sessions will lead to the creation of inspiring public artworks that reflect the unique hopes, dreams, and identities of each town.
Passionate, community-focused artists based in Louth, Horncastle, Spilsby, Wainfleet, Alford, and Wragby are being sought to lead these collaborative projects during the summer holidays.
“This is more than just an art project,” said Kate Giffen. “It’s about giving people a voice through creativity and celebrating the unique identity of each town. We’re excited to see how local artists and communities will bring their visions to life.”
Red Arrows fly high in hospital charity fundraiser
The children’s wards at Lincoln County Hospital are set to receive a fundraising boost after Red Arrows personnel completed a gruelling 8,000-mile challenge.
As members of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team carried out their pre-season training in Croatia and Greece earlier this year, pilots, engineers and support staff also took up the challenge to collectively run, swim, walk, row and cycle the equivalent return distance from their base at RAF Waddington to the overseas locations.
At the end of the month-long deployment the team had successfully completed the distance and raised £460 for the Rainforest and Safari children’s wards at Lincoln County Hospital.
Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity Manager, Ben Petts, was delighted to receive the donation. He said: “The Red Arrows have generously supported us for several years and this latest donation brings the total amount raised to over £3,500. We can use these funds to purchase extra pieces of equipment for the children’s ward which will improve the lives of our young patients, their families and the staff who care for them.”
Chief Technician, Ben Pearson, one of the Red Arrows senior mechanical engineers and an organiser of the charity challenge, said: “The team’s had a long association with the two wards, and since 2022, members of the ground crew have visited the hospital at Christmas to meet young patients, their families and staff.
“The whole team is very focussed on maintaining fitness levels and using the pre-season training period to prepare in all aspects for the busy summer of displays and events. This initiative combined that opportunity, while in Croatia and Greece, to help raise money for an important good cause located close to our home base in Lincolnshire.”
Staff from the children’s wards recently visited RAF Waddington, where the Red Arrows have been based since late 2022, to meet some of the team’s engineers who completed the challenge.
After watching a display by the aerobatic team, Play Leader Karen O’Connor expressed her thanks to the crew: “We are so grateful to the support from the Red Arrows team and the time they give to visit the ward and bring a little Christmas cheer to the children and families over the festive season.”
Spot butterflies and support nature this July
People across the UK are being invited to take part in this year’s Big Butterfly Count, running from 18 July to 10 August. In Cleethorpes, new Coastal Ranger Josh Forrester will lead two free events to help locals identify and count butterflies along the coast.
The first event will be on 18 July at Humberston Fitties Sea Defence from 10am to 12pm, meeting at Anthony’s Bank car park. The second will be on 21 July at Cleethorpes Country Park, also from 10am to 12pm.
The Big Butterfly Count encourages people to spend 15 minutes counting butterflies in sunny weather. This citizen science initiative tracks butterfly numbers as an indicator of environmental health, with significant declines seen since the 1970s.
Participants can join the organised events or simply count butterflies in gardens, parks, fields, and woodlands. Those counting from a fixed spot should record the highest number of each species seen at one time, while walkers should tally each butterfly spotted during their 15-minute count.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/MaridavGrants available for businesses to boost essential skills in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire County Council has launched the Skills Champion programme, offering £1,000 grants to local businesses and community groups focused on improving literacy, numeracy, and digital skills. The initiative is designed to encourage the delivery of accessible and innovative learning programmes that address these key areas of development.
Organisations successful in their application will receive financial support to help implement projects that promote practical skills. These efforts could include activities that integrate learning into everyday tasks, such as cooking or gardening, making education more relatable and engaging.
The programme will also provide networking opportunities through regular ‘LinknLearn’ sessions, where participants can exchange ideas, resources, and strategies to enhance their initiatives. With the backing of the county’s Adult Learning Team, the grants aim to empower local organisations to make a significant impact in their communities.
Applications for the grants are open until August 2025, with applicants able to apply for support across any combination of the three focus areas: literacy, numeracy, or digital skills.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Jacob LundFollow the footsteps of the Romans at new Wragby museum
Visitors will have the chance to step into the history of Wragby as the town’s new pop-up museum opens.
A vacant shop in the town’s market place has been transformed into a museum telling Wragby’s story as a strategically important community where five roads meet.
Among the treasures on display are Roman floor tiles that still show the footprints of a toddler running loose around the workshop as they laid out to dry, more than 1,600 years ago.
The museum sees Wragby’s history brought to life through objects, documents, photographs and memories, in exhibitions that span from prehistory right through to the 20th century.
Cllr Natalie Oliver, executive member for culture at Lincolnshire County Council and county councillor for Woodhall Spa and Wragby, said: “I’m thrilled to see the museum open its doors. Wragby has a proud history dating right back to Roman times and it’s brilliant to see this being celebrated.
“The dedicated volunteers from The Wragby Heritage Group have had a longstanding ambition to showcase the town’s amazing history in their own museum and I’m delighted we have been able to step in to help make this dream a reality.
“With many visitors flocking to the coast to enjoy the summer sunshine, Wragby is the perfect pitstop and I’d urge them to call in, explore the museum and grab a bite to eat at one of the brilliant pubs and cafes.”
Cllr Adam Grist, portfolio holder for market towns and the rural economy at East Lindsey District Council, said: “This is an excellent example of what the East Lindsey Investment Fund is striving to achieve, supporting cultural events in our market towns to help attract more visitors, support our fantastic businesses and grow the local economy.
“Initiatives such as the Wragby Museum highlight what can be achieved when passion and determination are combined with the right funding – and when we all work towards the same goal.
“I’m certain that many people will visit the museum to learn more about Wragby’s fascinating history over the coming weeks and months.”
Wragby Museum is open Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm until Sunday 21 September 2025.
Image credit: Lincolnshire County Council Caterpillar warning for Skegness beachgoers
Beach visitors in Skegness are being urged to avoid touching brown-tail moth caterpillars spotted along coastal paths and dunes.
The caterpillars, common at this time of year, have tiny barbed hairs containing toxins that can trigger rashes or blisters on contact.
Signs have been placed near popular walking areas including Princess Parade Car Park, Lagoon Walk, and the Dunes, reminding people that even brushing against these hairs can cause severe nettle-like irritation.
Council teams are monitoring the situation, while wildlife experts advise keeping away from the caterpillars and their webs to avoid discomfort during seaside trips.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Brian JacksonBig bin hire scheme set to stay in West Lindsey
Residents in West Lindsey look set to keep their popular big bin hire service, with councillors expected to approve its continuation next week. The trial, known as the Big Bin Clear Out, saw hundreds of residents hiring extra-large bins over the past year to dispose of bulky household waste without needing to visit the tip.
The council offered bins up to six times bigger than standard wheelie bins, ideal for spring cleans or major clear-outs. In total, 437 of the 1,100-litre bins were hired at £60 per week, while 27 smaller 660-litre bins were rented for £50 per week. Gainsborough proved the most popular area for bookings.
The bins can take a mix of household waste such as wood, plastics, shelving, and artificial Christmas trees, though mattresses, electrical items, and commercial waste aren’t accepted. Council figures show 95 per cent of customers rated the service four or five stars.
A final decision will be made at the Prosperous Communities Committee meeting on 15 July. Residents can book the bins online.
Image: West Lindsey District Council. Credit: Google mapsGovernment backs North Hykeham Relief Road project
The Department for Transport has reaffirmed its support for the North Hykeham Relief Road, a key infrastructure project in Lincolnshire. The road is part of the Government’s wider Plan for Change and is expected to improve regional connectivity and support local economic growth significantly.
The project, currently undergoing a public inquiry, has faced uncertainty over the past year. However, the latest confirmation has given the project team a boost. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2025, with an expected completion date of late 2028. The overall cost is estimated to fall between £180 million and £208 million.
Once completed, the road will serve as the final section of a ring road around Lincoln, improving traffic flow and journey time reliability. The new road will open up land for 4,500 homes and seven hectares of employment space, contributing an estimated £350 million to the local economy over the next 60 years. The road will also improve the A46 corridor, linking the Midlands with the Humber ports.
The development includes the construction of new roundabouts at South Hykeham Road, Brant Road, and Grantham Road, as well as bridges at Station Road and over the River Witham.
Image credit: Lincolnshire County CouncilGiant inflatable bowel to raise cancer awareness in Grimsby
Bowel Cancer UK is inviting Grimsby locals to walk inside a giant inflatable bowel to raise awareness of bowel cancer and its symptoms.
The giant inflatable bowel – measuring 19 feet by seven feet – is an interactive experience to demonstrate the various stages of bowel cancer, and raise awareness of its symptoms, the importance of taking part in screening and learn about good bowel health.
It’s also a chance for people to ask any questions or share any worries about bowel cancer, whether about themselves, a loved one or friend, to one of Bowel Cancer UK’s friendly and experienced staff and volunteers.
Join Bowel Cancer UK’s awareness roadshow on:
- Tuesday 15 July, 10am–4pm: Riverhead Square, Riverhead, Grimsby Town Centre, DN31 1FB
- Wednesday 16 July, 10am–4pm: Asda Grimsby, Holles Street, Grimsby, DN32 9DL
- Thursday 17 July, 10am–4pm: Riverhead Square, Riverhead, Grimsby Town Centre, DN31 1FB
Great Coates joins scheme to keep streets free of dog mess
Great Coates has become the first village council to join the Poo Bag Partnership, a scheme aimed at reducing dog mess in North East Lincolnshire.
The partnership provides free poo bags to organisations, businesses, and charities so they can distribute them to dog owners who need them while out walking.
So far, 12 partners across the area have signed up. Between September 2023 and August 2024, the council issued 284 fines for dog fouling offences under local Public Space Protection Orders.
The initiative is part of wider efforts to keep streets clean and maintain pleasant public spaces for residents.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Vasyl