Sleaford selected for ecoPlant

Tess Egginton
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Sleaford selected for ecoPlant

Clean Planet Energy, a UK-based clean-tech firm, has chosen Sleaford Moor Enterprise Park for its second ecoPlant facility in the UK.

The new plant is part of Clean Planet’s plan to tackle the plastic waste crisis, with an estimated £35 million investment in its construction.

This ecoPlant will process up to 25,000 tonnes of traditionally non-recyclable plastic waste annually, such as fast food containers, shopping bags, and plastic films. The facility will convert this waste into Purified Pyrolysis Oil, an alternative to the fossil oils used in petrochemical industries. The plant is expected to create 50-70 permanent jobs and an additional 100 jobs during construction.

The site was chosen for its access to industrial infrastructure and the council’s commitment to sustainability. The development aligns with North Kesteven District’s goals of promoting green industries and local economic growth. The facility is located on a plot in the second phase of Sleaford Moor Enterprise Park, which already includes energy-efficient units featuring solar panels and EV charging points.

If Lincolnshire County Council approves the planning application, construction is expected to begin soon, with operations anticipated to start after the two-year build. Clean Planet Energy is focused on removing over one million tonnes of non-recyclable plastic annually, addressing a global issue where the vast majority of plastic waste ends up in landfills, incinerators, or oceans.

 

Pictured from left: North Kesteven District Council leader councillor Richard Wright and Clean Planet Energy director of expansion and development Tom Field. Image credit: Clean Planet Energy

Grantham architectural gem opens to public

Tess Egginton
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Grantham architectural gem opens to public
A hidden architectural gem in Grantham town centre is open to visitors for the first time in its centuries-long history.
People can tour Grade I listed Grantham House on Castlegate and its five-acre gardens for free. It is hoped the National Trust property will become a hub for the community and a major tourism draw, attracting some of the 400,000 annual visitors to its nearby Belton House. The trust was supported by South Kesteven District Council in securing a grant of £105,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). This, together with the same level of investment from the trust, paid for essential works to restore and update the townhouse making it a place people could visit. South Kesteven District Council’s cabinet member for corporate governance and licensing, cllr Philip Knowles, said: “Plenty of people in Grantham will have known of its existence but have never been able to see it – an equal number will have never known it existed because it was a private residence. “We worked very hard in partnership with the National Trust on the options for Grantham House so everyone could experience this former hidden gem and were delighted to be able to support them through the grant application process.” The National Trust’s Dr Henry Cutten, local partnerships co-ordinator at Grantham House, said: “We’ve welcomed so many people to explore the hidden beauty of Grantham House already and it’s been wonderful hearing local people’s amazement at this urban oasis on their doorstep. “Offering free entry to everyone was so important to us as part of the National Trust’s new strategy to open up access to heritage and nature, and we’re extremely grateful to SKDC for their assistance in facilitating the UKSPF grant which has helped us to offer this. “We look forward to more and more local people discovering the peaceful green space which Grantham House has to offer.” Grantham House, which was a private tenanted home until recently, has a café and a second-hand bookshop. It boasts walled gardens, a riverside meadow, short woodland walk, and expansive lawns complete with games such as croquet and giant chess. There are also rooms for hire. It will be operated in partnership with neighbouring St Wulfram’s Church, and they will run joint activities including Yoga and fundraise together. Grantham House is open from 10am to 5pm every day until October when hours will reduce to Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, until March. Free entry extends to everyone so there is no need to be a National Trust member to visit.  
Image shows Grantham House. Credit: South Kesteven District Council

Red Arrows fly high in hospital charity fundraiser

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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

April Lara
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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/Maridav

Grants available for businesses to boost essential skills in Lincolnshire

April Lara
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Grants 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 Lund

Follow the footsteps of the Romans at new Wragby museum

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Follow 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

April Lara
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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 Jackson

Big bin hire scheme set to stay in West Lindsey

April Lara
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Big 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 maps

Government backs North Hykeham Relief Road project

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Government 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 Council

Giant inflatable bowel to raise cancer awareness in Grimsby

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Giant 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
Genevieve Edwards, chief executive at Bowel Cancer UK, said: “We’re excited to bring our 2025 UK roadshow tour to North East Lincolnshire, starting important conversations about bowel cancer. Our mission is to raise awareness about the symptoms, encourage people to contact their GP if they notice any signs, and highlight the importance of bowel cancer screening for those who are eligible. “We’re hoping our giant inflatable bowel will be a fun and engaging way to break the ice and start lifesaving conversations, so come and visit us on our UK tour. No appointment needed—just drop by, ask questions about your bowel health, and get signposted to further support. See you inside!”   Image credit: © Julie Broadfoot (www.juliebee.co.uk)
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