Council fines almost 1,400 drivers for illegal school gate parking

Stuart Pearcey
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Council fines almost 1,400 drivers for illegal school gate parking
North East Lincolnshire Council fined almost 1,400 drivers who parked illegally outside schools in its area last year. There are now 12 schools that have signed up to a safety campaign, with Great Coates Primary and Reynolds Academy being the latest additions. The scheme began in 2022 when CCTV cameras were installed outside of Signhills Academy in Cleethorpes. Old Clee Primary Academy welcomed the cameras a few months later when the system went live at the site in Grimsby. To ensure all parents are reliably informed, there is a three-step process. Prior warning is given before cameras go live with parents being informed of what is to come. Those deemed to be illegally parking for the next two weeks are issued with a warning letter, but not fined. After that, PCNs are issued by enforcement teams. Drivers caught stopping on the yellow zig zag lines will receive a £70 penalty charge notice. This is reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. The aim of the scheme is to enforce the keep clear markings restriction more effectively and help change behaviour long-term. Ultimately, it helps to ensure children are arriving and leaving school safely by minimising the risk of nearby traffic and vehicles. Over 2024, 12 schools took part in the scheme, issuing the 1,364 fines between them:
  • Great Coates Primary School – 9
  • Lisle Marsden Church of England Primary Academy – 125
  • Macaulay Primary Academy – 41
  • Old Clee Primary Academy – 119
  • Ormiston South Parade School – 109
  • Queen Mary Avenue Infant and Nursery School – 198
  • Reynolds Academy – 25
  • Scartho Junior Academy – 152
  • Signhills Academy – 66
  • Stanford Junior and Infant School – 51
  • Waltham Leas Primary Academy – 134
  • Welholme Academy – 335
Councillor Ron Shepherd said: “Whilst this is a positive result, it is worrying that there were 1,364 incidents where people continued to park illegally. “These actions endanger children and other pedestrians in the area. School staff inform us that the cameras are working to deter people from stopping illegally, and we will continue to do this to make our school gates safe for everyone. “We will robustly continue to enforce in school areas and work in consultation with schools to ensure the restrictions are adhered too.”

Lincolnshire organisations benefit from Ørsted community fund

Stuart Pearcey
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Lincolnshire organisations benefit from Ørsted community fund
Lincolnshire organisations feature in the latest round of community fund donations by wind farm developer Ørsted, taking the fund to the £3m milestone in grants awarded since launch in 2017. Seventeen organisations have been awarded a share of over £226,000 in the last quarter of last year. Ørsted operates six wind farms on the East Coast. The East Coast Community Fund is a legacy project from two of the wind farms: Hornsea 1 and Race Bank. These two windfarms have a combined capacity of nearly 1.8 gigawatts, meaning they can power electricity for 1.5 million UK homes. Imran Nawaz, Senior Advisor & Community Benefit Fund Manager for Ørsted, said: “It’s been a fabulous way to start 2025, hearing about all these incredible projects. Well done to the worthy organisations, we’re looking forward to seeing the impact of their efforts and continuing our commitment to supporting local communities.” Hannah Bester, Senior Manager, Volunteering & Citizen Science Team at the Marine Conservation Society said: “Funding will enable us to engage with over 700 volunteers across eastern England, from South Holland to the East Riding of Yorkshire. Many of our volunteers take part in citizen science activities, like Beachwatch where they collect, record, and remove beach litter. “Beachwatch positively impacts our marine environment by collecting valuable data evidence to influence policy change on problematic litter, like single use plastics and sewage related items, while also removing litter pollution and encouraging positive behaviours through volunteering in the outdoors.” Organisations awarded grants in the latest round of the Community Benefit Fund are:
  • Angle for the Community, Running Costs and Volunteer Training, £2,880
  • Samaritans of Boston, Being There for Listening and Outreach, £9,900
  • Wrangle Parish Hall, Internal LED Lighting Conversion, £2,800
  • Sussex Bowling Club, Second Rescue of Sussex Bowling Club in Cleethorpes, £5,000
  • The Boston Preservation Trust, Fydell House:Repairs, Improved Accessibility and Dedicated Volunteer Space, £33,000
  • Ren’s Rescue, Ren’s Withernsea Wildlife Hub, £3,224
  • Rock Foundation UK Limited, Heneage Road, Grimsby – Creating a Sustainable Future, £16,000
  • Shalom Youth Centre, Youth Worker East Marsh, Grimsby, £26,908
  • Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire, Cleethorpes – Backyard Nature Clubs, £5,000
  • Bells and Whistles Exercise Group, Paths & Potholes, £1,500
  • Boston Squash & Racketball Club, Energy Efficiency (Insulation) Improvements, £5,000
  • Favour Foundation Limited – Your Place – Oasis Garden Hub and Garden Volunteer/Buddy Scheme £20,878
  • Hornsea and District Indoor Bowls Club Ltd, Battery Storage System, £18,720
  • Orchestras Live, Intergenerational Music-Making Activities Engaging Community Groups in Withernsea and Hornsea, £15,000
  • Synergy Grimsby CIC, Woods, Waves, Walks and Workshops, £28,000
  • Marine Conservation Society, The Power of the East Coast Community for Ocean Conservation, £23,267
  • Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire, Rural Outreach, £9,810

London Community Gospel Choir join Classic Ibiza’s birthday celebrations at Burghley House

Tess Egginton
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London Community Gospel Choir join Classic Ibiza’s birthday celebrations at Burghley House
Classic Ibiza is returning to Burghley House near Stamford on Saturday 26 July, promising an extra-special show to mark the concert’s 10th birthday. To celebrate, Stephen Hussey’s 32-piece Urban Soul Orchestra will be joined by the incredible London Community Gospel Choir, adding a fresh dynamic with their soulful vocals and harmonies to a musical set crammed full of stone-cold house classics. Founded in 1982, London Community Gospel Choir has become one of the world’s most in demand choirs, gracing headline events and venues such as The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Glastonbury, the Grammys and the Royal Albert Hall. They have also recorded with a veritable who’s who of popular music, including Adele, Blur, Madonna and Gregory Porter. Classic Ibiza’s Lisa Ward says: “It’s hard to put into words how excited we are to be joined by the truly awesome London Community Gospel Choir as our special guests. Just imagine the soulful wall of sound they will create with Stephen Hussey’s amazing Urban Soul Orchestra. This summer’s Classic Ibiza is a show you’ll not want to miss – it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!” This summer’s Classic Ibiza will feature a best-of set made up of firm crowd favourites from the show’s 10 year history. Including more tracks than ever before, USO’s orchestral performance will recreate the experience of hearing a club DJ, with one track seamlessly transitioning to the next. London Community Gospel Choir will be performing in the first half of the show alongside USO and DJ Goldierocks, as well as with DJ Jose Luis in his Afro/Latin House set. London Community Gospel Choir’s Leonn Meade adds: “Much of house music has its roots in gospel, with artists such as Barbara Tucker, Joe Smooth and even Aretha Franklin providing iconic vocals on some real club classics. Our collaboration with Classic Ibiza this summer is going to be something very special, and we can’t wait to bring our unique vibe to the party at Burghley House in July.” Ticket sales are strong again for Classic Ibiza’s tour of our country’s best-loved stately homes this summer, with some venues already approaching 50% capacity. For further information, visit: classicibiza.co.uk   Image credit: David Evans Photography

Weronika signs for Imps first team

Stuart Pearcey
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Weronika signs for Imps first team
University of Lincoln sports therapy student Weronika Kruszyna has joined Lincoln City FC Women’s first-team. The University of Lincoln and Lincoln City FC have a longstanding partnership that was recently strengthened by a new coaching agreement that sees both men’s and women’s first team footballers coached by professionals at the club. Players in the women’s first team at the University will also have clearer pathways through to professional football and can find themselves in contention to play for Lincoln City Women. Weronika has also recently been awarded one of eight prestigious Sports Scholarships from the University of Lincoln for the academic year 2024/25. She said: “When I knew I would be starting at the University of Lincoln, I contacted several teams including Lincoln City. They invited me to a trials day and shortly after offered me a contract. “It felt amazing to pull on the Lincoln City shirt for the first time, and I couldn’t wait to get started on a new chapter in my football career. I am incredibly excited about the future.” Lincoln City Women’s head coach Charlotte Dinsdale added: “Weronika has been a brilliant addition to the squad, and it was a special moment for all of us when she scored her first goal. “The club works closely with the University of Lincoln throughout all sorts of areas on and off the pitch, with students on placement across the football club whether it’s here in the Academy or covering our match with the communications team. “Everyone here is excited to see how we can continue this and see more opportunities for University of Lincoln students.”

£40,000 park equipment upgrade to begin in Grantham

Tess Egginton
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£40,000 park equipment upgrade to begin in Grantham
Dysart Park in Grantham is set for some new up-to-date play and fitness equipment thanks to sponsors who support the annual Rotary Swimarathon. It is designed to appeal to teenage/youth visitors and will include a three-deck climber with scramble net, rope climb and slide bars, as well as a workout fitness station and a ladder wall. The upgrade comes from a £30,000 investment funded by South Kesteven District Council’s UKSPF fund with a £10,000 contribution from the Rotary Club of Grantham, which runs the Rotary Swimarathon. Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Paul Stokes, who is also Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “We are very pleased to have the support of the community through this Rotary funding, as this play area will ultimately be used by the community. “The fitness equipment will complement the equipment already on site which was funded previously through the Rotary Club, and we look forward to all of the additional features helping the park maintain its popularity as a go-to destination.” The older children’s play equipment comprises a multi play unit including a banister slide, spinning pole, net climber, vertical rope climb, climbing grips, social seating, and multiple level decks. There will also be a wipeout surf and balance board. Fitness equipment includes a fitness station designed to enable nine simple exercises to increase strength, tone muscles and increase flexibility. Near this will be a ladder wall and five-a-day fitness panel, where users turn a wheel to choose different exercises. Work is expected to begin at the park next month, by contractor Sutcliffe Play. President of the Rotary Club, Andrew Gregory said: “It’s always rewarding to see the community fundraising through Rotary and turn it into something tangible that offers a real benefit to local people and visitors.” The Rotary Swimarathon, which this year runs across the weekend of Friday 7th to Sunday 9th February is a major fundraiser now in its 36th year. During this time it has raised over £1 million towards the Community of Grantham and surrounding villages. The £10,000 grant comes from the 2024 event. Teams of up to six swim in a relay for 50 minutes raising money to support Grantham charities and local causes/deserving projects. There are just a few lanes left so anyone interested should text 07454 941349.   Image credit: South Kesteven District Council

Work begins to transform former WC block at Whitton Gardens into a café

Tess Egginton
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Work begins to transform former WC block at Whitton Gardens into a café
Work to transform the former WC block at Whitton Gardens has begun. The project, part of the £18m town centre regeneration programme by West Lindsey District Council, will see the building, which sits on the riverside in Gainsborough, converted into a cafe. A team from Belton Construction, the company delivering the project for the council, will complete the work by May this year. The Whitton Gardens car park will be closed while the work takes place. Council Leader and Gainsborough ward member, Cllr Trevor Young, said he was pleased work was starting and was looking forward to seeing the results: “It’s great to see work starting on this project and I’m sure the café will be a welcomed addition to the area.” The work being carried out to refurbish the former WC building is part of a wider investment in Gainsborough that includes the new four-screen cinema, Market Place public realm improvements, new green space at Baltic Mill, Townscape Heritage investment into historic buildings, and upgrades to the bus station. West Lindsey District Council is also working with Project Centre to improve access to high-quality green spaces in Gainsborough. The council’s ground maintenance contractor has been carrying out planting work at Whitton Gardens and will complete finishing touches in line with the completion of the café in May. Sally Grindrod-Smith, Director of Planning, Regeneration and Communities at West Lindsey District Council, said: “We’ve a number of exciting developments ongoing across the district, and the Whitton Gardens’ development is one of the projects helping us kick off 2025 as we mean to go on. “The new cinema will be opened in the summer, we’ve work continuing in Gainsborough town centre to help increase visitors and boost local business, and later this month we will be launching the marketing for the restaurant and retail units being delivered as part of the cinema and leisure scheme – it’s going to be an exciting year.”
  Image credit: West Lindsey District Council

Fire-damaged former cinema and bingo hall to go under the hammer in Spalding

Tess Egginton
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Fire-damaged former cinema and bingo hall to go under the hammer in Spalding
The former Savoy Cinema in Spalding, which, with a 1,500-person seating capacity, was Lincolnshire’s largest cinema when it opened in 1937, is to go up for auction this month with a guide price of £250,000-£270,000. Converted to a bingo hall after audiences declined in the 1970s, the imposing building was damaged extensively by a fire in 2021 and has since remained disused. Now the 15,000 sq ft cinema, which stands on a 0.7 acre site, is being offered for sale by joint auctioneers SDL Property Auctions and Eddisons Peterborough. The auctioneers believe the building would be suitable for redevelopment and South Holland District Council has confirmed it would support proposals for a mixed-use commercial and residential scheme on the site. The Westlode Street property is close to the town centre, within Spalding’s conservation area. Andrew Parker, auctioneer and partner at SDL Property Auctions, said: “This was once a splendid building that was a real asset to the town of Spalding and it has been disused and unloved for over three years since the fire. “It would be great to see an imaginative mixed-use scheme bring the site back to life, perhaps retaining the original 1930s art-deco façade. Needless to say, the council’s support for a redevelopment scheme makes this a fantastic investment opportunity.”

‘Give us more money for flood defences’, says County Council

Stuart Pearcey
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‘Give us more money for flood defences’, says County Council

Lincolnshire County Council is calling on the government to make more funding available to help the county deal with the effects of climate change after more than 100 properties were flooded in the recent heavy rain.

Almost 40 of these properties are thought to have also been affected by the heavy rainfall during storms Babet or Henk previously. Nearly 1,000 homes and businesses were flooded in total in October 2023 and January 2024 during those two storms. Lincolnshire County Council carried out 264 separate ‘Section 19’ flood investigations to determine the contributing factors to the flooding. These investigations suggest recommended actions that various organisations and communities could take to reduce the risk and impacts of flooding in the future. Where possible, the county council took immediate action to address the recommendations, including further jetting of drains, increasing capacity of our drains through new projects, and engaging with landowners about their responsibilities. The council says it has no powers to force any other organisation or individual to carry out repairs, and many simply do not have the funding or resources to carry out their actions quickly. Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for environment at Lincolnshire County Council, explains: “Hearing that some properties have flooded twice – during Babet or Henk and again this week – is completely devastating, and whilst we’ve done what we can to better prepare the county for heavy rainfall – following the recommendations in our Section 19 investigations – there’s simply not been enough time or enough funding for all organisations to make the identified improvements. “In some areas, we understand that watercourses reached or even exceeded the levels they rose to during storms Babet and Henk, and they were considered exceptional at the time. Ultimately, there is no getting away from the fact that the amount of rainfall we’ve seen this week, falling on saturated ground, is going to cause issues in some places without serious extra investment from the government. “As well as trying to reduce the impacts of climate change in the future, there must be plans put in place to address the impacts of climate change that we are feeling in Lincolnshire, and across the country, now.” The county council completed two major drainage schemes in 2024 in Brant Broughton and Hough on the Hill, and work is ongoing on two more schemes in Kirkby on Bain and Long Bennington. Cllr Colin Davie continues: “Together, these four schemes alone represent an investment by the county council of more than £1.5m in better protecting Lincolnshire in periods of heavy rain. And, since April, our highways teams have completed 672 drainage-clearing jobs, focussing on areas that were most severely affected by the previous storms, in readiness for something like the events of this week. “Much of the flooding was caused by the sheer amount of water that was just too much and caused overtopping on local watercourses. Protecting these will require extra investment and intervention from the Environment Agency and other partners. “In some areas, drains were also overloaded causing surface water flooding. This is why we’re working hard to improve the drainage systems in areas prone to flooding, and work with other landowners to make sure all parts of the system are working properly. All of which takes time and investment.”

Grantham day nursery sold

Tess Egginton
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Grantham day nursery sold
Business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold Ancaster Village Nursery & Forest School in Grantham. The day nursery is rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted and provides care for up to 52 children at a time, operating from a purpose-built rural property. The sale also included the 46 place ‘Out of School’ club which the company runs from the local village primary school. The nursery has been owned and managed by Linda Lukies since 2007. After many successful years in the childcare sector, Linda made the decision to retire, prompting the sale of the business. Following a confidential sales process with Jassi Sunner at Christie & Co, it has been sold to new market entrant, Kiddi Corporation Ltd, which is owned by Rupinder Sandhu, a former care home operator expanding into the childcare sector. Linda Lukies, former owner of Ancaster Village Nursery, said: “I would like to wish Rupinder and Ancaster Village Nursery every success for the future. It has been an absolute pleasure running this wonderful setting with such a passionate staff team and I know that, with Rupinder’s vision and experience, I have left everything in the safest hands.” Rupinder Sandhu, the new owner of Ancaster Village Nursery, said: “I am extremely committed to delivering high-quality care in the community, drawing on my background in residential care. “Working with children has always been a passion of mine and, as a parent of young children, I understand first-hand the challenges faced by parents. This drives my dedication to ensuring that childcare settings are nurturing, supportive, and positively promote children’s development.” Jassi Sunner, Associate Director – Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, said: “With its excellent location, Ancaster Village Nursery & Forest School has built a fantastic reputation over the years under Linda’s leadership. “The rural setting is logistically well placed for parents and has become a key choice for local families seeking high-quality childcare in a ‘home from home’ environment. After a competitive marketing process, we secured an offer from Rupinder, an experienced care home operator, looking for a new challenge in childcare. “This transition is a perfect fit, and I have no doubt that Rupinder will build on the strong foundations Linda has established.” Ancaster Village Nursery & Forest School was sold for an undisclosed price.  
Image credit: Christie & Co

Rents cut at Brigg and Ashby markets to encourage businesses to set up stalls

Tess Egginton
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Rents cut at Brigg and Ashby markets to encourage businesses to set up stalls
Rents at Brigg and Ashby markets have been cut, in some cases to as low as £5 a pitch, to persuade more people to start trading. Changes in the set up of the markets have provided some savings to the council and these savings have been passed on to the traders, in the hope that more people will take the opportunity to become entrepreneurs and join the market. The previous rent at Ashby market was £18. This has been cut to £5 per pitch, or £10 where the council provides a gazebo and weights. In Brigg, the rent was £18, which has been cut to £9 per stall. The rent for the farmers’ market was £25, but this has been reduced to £12.50. North Lincolnshire Council leader Rob Waltham said: “If you have every wanted to run your own business, or turn a skill or hobby into a business, now is the time to step up and give it a go. These are two vibrant markets in the heart of the community, and this rent cut makes them accessible to all.” Cllr Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for community wellbeing (rural), said: “Leaving the stalls up in Brigg will mean they can be used by community groups and charities to hold pop-up markets, increasing the viability of the town centre. Also local town centre enterprises will be able to use the stalls when the market isn’t in use. “The changes to Ashby Market make it more sustainable and attractive to traders.” The markets run at Brigg and Ashby every Thursday from 8am, however bad weather may affect the number of stalls. In Brigg, the farmers’ market is held on the fourth Saturday of every month, Brigg Arts & Craft market is every second Saturday and Brigg Indie Market is every third Saturday.   Image: Cllr Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for community wellbeing (rural) at North Lincolnshire Council, with council leader Rob Waltham. Credit: North Lincolnshire Council
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