One You Lincolnshire’s Exercise on Prescription programme to re-start for those affected by April closures

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One You Lincolnshire’s Exercise on Prescription programme to re-start for those affected by April closures
GLL, the charitable social enterprise appointed to run Yarborough and Birchwood Leisure Centres in Lincoln, has announced that it is honouring the ‘Exercise on Prescription’ One You Lincolnshire membership scheme held by those affected by the closures. The 12-week fully funded personalised exercise programme is designed for individuals with medical conditions who will benefit from increased physical activity. 223 exercise referral members lost access to the centres when Active Nation closed in April. Now, those members can regain access to gym, swim, fitness classes and wellness room facilities. One You Lincolnshire is currently contacting members that were affected by the closures in April. New, bespoke programmes will re-start as soon as possible with three month access to the re-opened ‘Better’ leisure centres. Shaun Fisher, community and health manager at GLL, said: “We know how important exercise is to support a healthy lifestyle and don’t want members to lose any more time.  We’re doing our utmost to get the memberships back up and running quickly and will work closely with One You Lincolnshire to do so.” One You Lincolnshire is the commissioned Integrated Lifestyle Service provider in Lincolnshire. Nigel Stephenson, physical activity lead, One You Lincolnshire, said: “We’re delighted to announce that GLL, who have recently taken over management of the Birchwood and Yarborough Leisure Centres, are giving participants who had already started our Exercise on Prescription programme the opportunity to restart their journey. “This collaboration is helping us support those affected by the closure of the centres previously run by Active Nation and reflects our shared commitment to building a healthier Lincolnshire.” Cllr Rebecca Longbottom, portfolio holder for remarkable place at City of Lincoln Council, said: “The city council welcomes GLL’s commitment to the programme and the work they have done with One You Lincolnshire to enable clients to recommence their sessions. “Supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities is a key priority for the council, and maintaining a healthy level of physical activity is so important in all our lives. Providing this bespoke offer once again to those experiencing certain medical conditions will make a huge difference, helping many continue their journey towards a more active lifestyle.”   Image credit: Google maps

Lincolnshire nurseries to access new SEN training with £5m funding

April Lara
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Lincolnshire nurseries to access new SEN training with £5m funding

Nurseries in Lincolnshire and Rutland will benefit from a £5 million investment in special educational needs training, aimed at addressing the growing demand for specialist support in early years education.

The funding, provided by Lincolnshire County Council and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, will deliver a new Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCO) Skills Bootcamp. Early years provider Realise will run the programme, which opens in 2025/26.

The training is designed for nursery staff qualified to level three or higher and focuses on giving practitioners the tools to identify and support children with a range of needs. It will cover strategies tailored to individual children and guidance on navigating referral processes for specialist services.

Most of the costs are being covered by the council and LEP. Smaller nurseries with fewer than 250 staff will only contribute 10% of the fee, while larger providers will pay 30%.

Realise expects at least 20 nursery staff across the two counties to complete the programme, with the aim of increasing the number of skilled SENCOs available to support children at the earliest stage of their education.

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Take on the Step-tember Challenge for Lincolnshire’s hospitals

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Take on the Step-tember Challenge for Lincolnshire’s hospitals
Nurses and care teams across Lincolnshire’s four hospitals walk an average of four miles a day caring for patients and their families. That’s a lot of footsteps! Now the hospital’s charity is inviting the local community to ‘walk in their shoes’ for a month and take on the same daily step count as a member of staff while raising vital funds with every step. Ben Petts, Manager of United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity, said: “The Step-tember Challenge is such an exciting challenge as it can be undertaken by anyone. “A number of staff in different roles have monitored how far they walk on a typical shift and as a result there is an array of distances for people to choose from. This is a great way to support the hospitals in Lincolnshire and make a difference to the lives of patients, their families and the staff who care for them.” Staff Nurse Fulmaya and her colleagues, Heather and Beth, work on the Stroke Unit at Lincoln County Hospital looking after between 28-30 patients. Fulmaya looks after patient admissions, administers medications, and undertakes special patient care procedures, which can include insertion of feeding tubes to patients who cannot eat ensuring they receive essential nutrients and hydration. All that walking means she clocks up around four miles a day whilst on her shift. Heather’s role as an Occupational Therapist is to help patients become independent, regaining the necessary skills to be able to undertake daily activities once again so they can go home. Heather walks around 2.5 miles a day. And Clinical Health Care Support Worker, Beth walks around five miles a day caring for her patients, escorting them to their MRI or CT scans, or assisting with their various therapies and personal needs. It is free to enter the challenge and everyone who completes will receive a medal and certificate to celebrate their achievement. Those raising £100 for the charity will receive a charity branded T-shirt as an extra reward for their fundraising efforts. “We’re incredibly grateful to every single person who takes on our challenges or supports us in any way,” added Ben. “It’s thanks to fundraising challenges like this – and the amazing people who take them on – that we can continue to be there for local families when they need us most.” To sign up for the Step-tember Challenge visit ulhcharity.org.uk/steptember   Image shows (from left to right): Beth Faulkner, Fulmaya Limbu and Heather Priest, who all work on the Stroke Unit at Lincoln County Hospital

£100,000 grant fund opens for South Kesteven shopkeepers

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£100,000 grant fund opens for South Kesteven shopkeepers
A new £100,000 fund is open for shopkeepers in town centres to improve the front of their premises. Grants of up to £5,000 are available through the South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) Shopfront Maintenance Grant. The kind of work eligible for funding includes exterior painting of shopfronts and doors, new signage, reinstatement of traditional features, repairs including glazing, removal of vegetation, professional fees, installation of eligible security features and other work which will bring a shopfront into line with SKDC shopfront design guidance. Applications can now be made at www.southkesteven.gov.uk/economic-development and projects must be complete before 28th February 2026. Cllr Phil Dilks, cabinet member for planning, said: “The way that shopfronts look in a town affects everyone’s perception of a town centre, not only reflecting the quality of the business itself but also the amount of time people spend there and ultimately, the economic performance of the town – which is why this is so important. “Proposed improvements must also be in line with the recently updated SKDC shopfront design guidance, comply with planning requirements and all other relevant legislation and consents.” Applications are welcome from tenants or owner/occupiers of town centre businesses in the retail, leisure or hospitality business, or an office with a clearly defined shopfront. Tenants need to share evidence that they have the right to carry out the changes which are proposed. The funding is allocated through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The deadline for the first round of applications is 15th September 2025. If funding is not fully allocated following the first round of applications, the scheme will be reopened for a second round.   Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Stockfotos-MG

Almost half a million pounds to be invested in Horncastle’s heritage

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Almost half a million pounds to be invested in Horncastle’s heritage
Almost half a million pounds will be invested in projects that conserve Horncastle’s heritage, thanks to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This will include almost a quarter of a million to revitalise and regenerate the town centre, supported by Heritage Lincolnshire, and funding for plans to secure the long-term future of the Sir Joseph Banks Centre. Aimed at projects with a focus on improving the lives of residents, the development of facilities and cultural or historic assets across the district, the funding has also been awarded to other projects in the area. A total of £263,693 has been met with match funding to reach a total of £450,000. The funding has been awarded across the district to: Heritage Lincolnshire – A heritage-led regeneration scheme to improve Horncastle’s historic town centre. This project will include offering grants for repairs and reinstatement of buildings, feasibility funding and public realm improvements. Sir Joseph Banks Society – The acquisition of the Sir Joseph Banks Society in Horncastle to secure long-term sustainability of the asset, with a view to developing the site further as a Natural History Hub in the future. Louth Riverhead Theatre – Installation of a high-spec digital media video wall at the theatre which will enhance stage capabilities, enable digital training, improve accessibility and help sustain the theatre for years to come. YMCA Lincolnshire – To establish 10 local networks of grassroots community organisers across East Lindsey to share practice, improve coordination, reduce duplication and crucially, to support communities in accessing the resources they need to grow. Alford Manor House – Investment in the Grade II* listed building to support the renovation of the historic Wash House. This is to support the substantial investment being made in the Alford Manor House via the UK Government. Councillor Steve Kirk, portfolio holder for the coastal economy, and councillor Adam Grist, portfolio holder for market towns and the rural economy, said: “The UK Shared Prosperity Fund continues to make a real and visible difference across East Lindsey. “This latest round of funding is no exception — supporting a wide range of impactful projects that also reach deep into our rural communities and demonstrate how impactful a combination of private and public investment can be. “We are really pleased to see the emerging, exciting plans to transform Horncastle Town Centre and are looking forward to seeing the results in the coming weeks and months.”   Image: Sir Joseph Banks Centre. Credit: Google maps

Community dig finds to be displayed in Boston Guildhall

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Community dig finds to be displayed in Boston Guildhall
The archaeological finds from the Rosegarth community dig are to be displayed within Boston Guildhall, with a launch event set to take place on Friday 29 August to mark the start of the display. Back in October 2024, the community dig took place over a period of two weeks, with volunteers from the local community and beyond joining forces with primary school students from St Thomas’ Academy in Boston to discover what lay beneath the ground in Rosegarth Square. There were hundreds of pieces of pottery, glass, brick, tile, metalwork and shells found on site during the dig, as well as over 500 individual pieces of animal bone or bone fragments found over the two weeks, with experts suggesting a medieval abattoir may have operated in the area. The finds have now been cleaned, historically verified and documented in a comprehensive report and, following the launch event on Friday 29 August, the artifacts will be displayed in the Boston Guildhall. This free event will allow visitors to view the artifacts on display, learn about the community dig and even handle some of the finds which are not planned to be displayed publicly going forward. The finds which are on display will remain at the Guildhall where they can be viewed by residents and visitors after the event has finished. Councillor Sarah Sharpe, portfolio holder for heritage, culture and tourism, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to see the archaeological finds from last year’s community dig now proudly displayed at the historic Guildhall. The dig was a truly inspiring event that brought together people of all ages and backgrounds, united by a shared interest in archaeology and Boston’s wonderful heritage. “Now that the finds have been carefully verified and preserved, we are delighted to be able to showcase them in a space that itself holds centuries of history. The Guildhall is not only a fitting venue for these discoveries, but also a symbol of our town’s enduring connection to the past. “We’re proud to offer residents and visitors alike the opportunity to view these fascinating artefacts up close. Each item tells a story, and together they help paint a vivid picture of the lives and landscapes that shaped our community.”   Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Mariana Rusanovschi

Messingham projects set for upgrade with community investment

April Lara
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Messingham projects set for upgrade with community investment

Two community sites in Messingham are receiving a combined £26,750 to improve facilities and expand access for local residents.

At Holme Meadow Recreation Field, £11,000 has been allocated for the installation of outdoor gym equipment. The new eight-station set will cater to both teenagers and adults, encouraging more opportunities for exercise and addressing concerns over rising levels of teenage obesity.

The Messingham Show Field will see £15,750 invested in a new hard-standing access path and gate. The improvements are designed to make the historic showground more accessible to wheelchair users and those with mobility scooters. The field, which has hosted events since 1825, also provides space for football matches and pony club activities.

Funding for the projects comes through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, managed by North Lincolnshire Council, to support healthier and more inclusive communities across the region.

Image credit: North Lincolnshire Council

Lincoln Guildhall recognised among world’s best attractions

April Lara
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Lincoln Guildhall recognised among world’s best attractions

Lincoln Guildhall has been ranked in the top 10% of visitor attractions globally after receiving a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for 2025.

The accolade reflects a year’s worth of visitor reviews and ratings, placing the Guildhall at the top of Tripadvisor’s “Things to Do” list for Lincoln. The recognition comes shortly after the site achieved reaccreditation from Visit England’s Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme, where it scored 92% following an unannounced inspection in June.

The Guildhall, situated above the Stonebow, is both a working civic building and a heritage site. It remains the official home of the Mayor of Lincoln and continues to host Full Council meetings. Visitors can tour the historic chambers and view centuries-old artefacts, including Richard II’s Royal Sword, a 17th-century Mayor’s Mace, the Mayor’s posy ring, and a collection of royal charters dating back to Henry II.

The award adds to previous national recognition, including Visit England’s “Best Told Story” and “Welcome” accolades. It highlights the Guildhall’s role as a key heritage destination, combining civic history with unique collections.

Image credit: City of Lincoln Council

Waltham Windmill restoration secures future for historic landmark

April Lara
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Waltham Windmill restoration secures future for historic landmark
Waltham Windmill, the last to be built in Lincolnshire, is undergoing a major restoration to preserve its place on the county’s skyline.  Built between 1878 and 1880 from 250,000 local bricks, the six-storey mill has long been a symbol of Waltham. It served as a Home Guard lookout during the Second World War and remains one of the few mills in the country still able to grind flour.  Michael Date of the Waltham Windmill Preservation Society described it as “an iconic building on the landscape of Northern Lincolnshire” and “a relic of a bygone age which should be saved for generations to come.”  The £160,000 restoration is being completed in two phases with support from Historic England, which placed the mill on its buildings at risk register. Grants have funded repairs to the cap, sails and fly frame, with further work now under way to secure its long-term future.  For Date, the details of the cap remain a personal fascination. “The workings of the fantail to move the cap and sails around the curb rail to keep the sails into the wind, and the linkages that connect the sails to drive the millstones,” he said, are features most visitors overlook.  Local legend also surrounds the site. During the war, the Air Ministry is said to have considered demolishing it, fearing it might guide enemy bombers. The miller resisted, reportedly declaring it would happen “over my dead body.” Instead, the mill survived and was turned into a lookout post.  Looking ahead, plans include new visitor facilities, expanded museum displays and even an on-site bakery. “The mill continues to be a place to visit within the county: a centre for a variety of events to cater for a variety of interests,” Date said.    Image credit: Waltham Windmill Society

Lincolnshire Co-op maps out greener future

April Lara
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Lincolnshire Co-op maps out greener future

Lincolnshire Co-op has set its sights on becoming net zero by 2045, with its plans officially signed off by the Science Based Targets initiative.

The roadmap starts now, with 2024 as the baseline year. By 2030, the Co-op intends to cut its direct emissions nearly in half. By 2045, it wants 90 per cent of emissions linked to the products it sells reduced too.

The organisation has already begun investing heavily in clean energy. Earlier this year, £8.5 million went into wind power, and another £2 million is earmarked for solar projects. Shoppers will also notice changes closer to home, with stores switching to energy-saving fridge doors and more sustainable refrigeration systems.

These steps put the retailer in line with international efforts to keep global temperature rises within 1.5°C. For customers, it means the everyday shop is increasingly powered and cooled in a way designed to tread more lightly on the planet.

Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/J.M. Image Factory
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