Get Ready for the ultimate tribute experience at Rewired Festival 2025!
Rewired Festival is set to light up Grimsthorpe Castle on 16th August 2025, bringing an electrifying lineup of the UK’s best tribute acts to the iconic venue.
Fans can expect unforgettable performances from Oasis Forever, Planet ABBA, Pure Queen, Gladness, BlurZ, Steptastic, and Mardy Bums, delivering all the hits from legendary bands like Oasis, ABBA, Queen, Madness, Blur, Steps, and Arctic Monkeys.
Early bird discount tickets are now available, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this epic celebration of music.
Secure your tickets today at www.rewiredtributefestival.co.uk and get ready to sing your heart out under the stars!
Free swimming sessions return for summer in North Lincolnshire
Children and families in North Lincolnshire can once again enjoy free swimming throughout the school summer holidays as the council’s Summer Daze programme returns.
The sessions, open to anyone aged 16 and under, run until early September across leisure centres in Barton-upon-Humber, Crowle, Scunthorpe’s The Pods and Riddings pools, Epworth Swimming Pool and the small pool at Ancholme Leisure Centre.
Young swimmers aged between eight and 16 need to book online in advance, while younger children can be registered on arrival. Family sessions are also part of the programme, giving the opportunity for parents and children to swim together free of charge.
More than 6,100 free swims took place last year as part of the initiative, which aims to give children a safe, healthy and low-cost way to spend their summer holidays while encouraging an active lifestyle.
By offering supervised sessions at local leisure centres, the programme provides a safe alternative to swimming in open water and helps support families looking for affordable activities over the summer.
Image credit: North Lincolnshire CouncilFirst phase of redevelopment works get the go-ahead at Castle Sports Centre
South Holland District councillors have given the final go-ahead for the redevelopment of the Castle Sports Centre site in Spalding.
Following the approval, the first phase of the £28.3m project will now move forward, with a further set of external works scheduled to begin in late August. The main construction phase is expected to start in September, with a public opening for the new facilities in January 2027.
The project is receiving £20m in UK Government funding alongside further investment from South Holland District Council.
The improved centre will provide a modern and inclusive mix of indoor and outdoor facilities, designed to support residents of all ages to live healthier lives.
The first phase of works will include the creation of a single building containing two new swimming pools, village changing facilities, multi-sport hall, fitness suite, cycle and group exercise studios, health and wellbeing consultation rooms, a children’s adventure play area and updated reception and café-type areas. Outdoor works will see a new 3G pitch installed, alongside an outdoor running and cycling circuit and community garden.
Later phases will involve the demolition of the existing swimming pool building, and the addition of a new outdoor multi-use games area, new children’s play area, splashpad, and additional car parking for the site.
While the current ‘dry side’ section of the centre is redeveloped, temporary fitness suite and group exercise facilities will be available at the Spalding Campus of Boston College on Red Lion Street. The Council is also arranging temporary facilities for indoor bowls activity to continue in Long Sutton. Swimming facilities will remain operational.
Councillor Gary Taylor, South Holland District Council’s project sponsor, said: “I’m delighted that we can deliver this bold and ambitious project for the people of South Holland, and bring the high-quality leisure, sport, and wellbeing facilities that our district so badly needs – now and for many generations to come.
“This redevelopment is about empowering and encouraging our residents to live healthier, more active lives together, and I can think of no better or more impactful way to invest in our future. This project can be a catalyst for real, lasting change, and I can’t wait to see the next stage of these exciting plans get underway.”
Councillor Nick Worth, leader of South Holland District Council, said: “Opportunities for investment of this size and ambition are not historically common for places like Lincolnshire, and I am proud of the work we have done to secure this funding and now to take another serious step towards making it a reality.
“As a result of the government funding, local taxpayers are effectively getting a brand new facility for just £8million, which is really good value for money.
“This is about more than bricks and mortar – it’s about investing in the future of South Holland and giving everyone in our district the chance to thrive physically, mentally and socially.
“Part of our vision of a greater Lincolnshire for all is about working closely with our health partners to deliver better outcomes and to provide better, more accessible services to our residents of all ages and circumstances, and this project shows those pledges in action.”
Image shows Spalding. Credit: Stock.adobe.com/Steven F Granville
Lincoln makes list of best value cities for families
For parents juggling school catchment maps and mortgage calculators, there’s good news: Lincoln has landed a spot on a new list of cities where great schools don’t come with eye-watering house prices.
The study, carried out by University of Technology Sydney Online, looked at more than 130 locations across England to find where families can get the most bang for their buck, balancing quality education with affordable property. The rankings are based on the proportion of schools rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted between January 2024 and January 2025, alongside average house price data from the Office for National Statistics.
Lincoln came in 22nd place overall, with homes averaging £187,000, making it the 12th most affordable location in the study. While the city didn’t score top marks on school quality, with just under 7% of schools rated outstanding, its historic charm and comparatively low property prices still make it a standout choice for families seeking long-term value.
Wigan topped the list thanks to a rare mix: high-performing schools and house prices under £200,000. Preston and Chorley followed closely, with Burnley offering the lowest house prices overall at just £118,000. Luton rounded out the top five.
At the other end of the scale were places like Bath, Brighton and Hove, and parts of Hertfordshire, where house prices are high but outstanding schools are harder to come by. Unsurprisingly, London fell outside the top tier, ranking 72nd, well behind regional cities like Liverpool, which placed 15th.
For families who don’t want to sacrifice either their child’s future or their financial sanity, cities like Lincoln offer a rare middle ground. The perfect school might still take some searching, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to live nearby.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/U-JINN PhotographyLincolnshire flood alerts get smarter and more targeted
Flood warnings across Lincolnshire have been upgraded to improve accuracy and reach, following several disruptive flood events earlier this year. The Environment Agency has expanded its service to cover hundreds more properties, with a particular focus on areas such as Grantham, Boston, Lincoln and Market Rasen.
The January floods prompted more than 30 warnings in a single period, and highlighted gaps in the existing alert system. Some residents in Grantham, for example, were notified unnecessarily, leading to avoidable concern.
In response, the Environment Agency has introduced more precise alert zones. One key change is the creation of a dedicated warning area for the South Forty-Foot Drain in Boston. In Grantham, the River Witham alert area has been split to better reflect flood risk patterns.
These updates mean over 800 properties have now been placed into a more appropriately sized flood warning zone. Officials are encouraging locals to register for alerts, as better data and targeting means warnings are now more useful and less likely to cause false alarms.
The changes are part of broader efforts to make flood alerts feel less like blanket warnings and more like tailored, timely tools to help people prepare.
Image shows Boston. Credit: Stock.adobe.com/TonyHelping hands return for North Lincolnshire pensioners
North Lincolnshire Council is relaunching its well-received cooking appliance giveaway for older residents, offering more pensioners the chance to receive free energy-efficient devices such as air fryers, slow cookers, or one-cup kettles.
The initiative, originally rolled out to around 8,000 pensioners, is returning this autumn with an expanded reach. The scheme aims to support healthier eating habits and reduce energy bills for those feeling the pressure of rising living costs. In addition to the appliances, recipients can also access free cooking sessions to help them make the most of their new tools.
This round of the rollout is specifically targeted at eligible pensioners who missed out previously. Each household can receive one appliance, with applications now open online or through in-person visits to community hubs in Ashby, Barton, Brigg, Crowle, Epworth, and Scunthorpe. Staff at the hubs are available to assist with registrations.
Appliances will be delivered to hubs from mid-September, ready for collection. The council has positioned the programme as part of its broader pledge to offer practical support during the ongoing cost of living challenges, ensuring that older residents are not left behind.
Image credit: North Lincolnshire CouncilFree wi-fi comes to South Kesteven towns
Free public wi-fi is now available in South Kesteven towns, introduced as part of a major CCTV upgrade by South Kesteven District Council.
The broadband connectivity for businesses and visitors is powered through 28 hubs as part of the security camera system, with coverage at its best within 100m of CCTV cameras.
The development is a by-product of a £600,000 investment for a CCTV upgrade project of around 60 camera upgrades including 47 new cameras.
Cabinet member for property, cllr Richard Cleaver, said: “We’re pleased that our recent investment in a security camera upgrade using the fibre network has brought this opportunity for free-to-access public wi-fi across our towns.
“It strengthens the Council’s position as a digital enabler, supporting digital inclusion.
“This development will also help customers use their mobile phones to pay for parking in areas that have so far been difficult to get coverage.
“CCTV has a key role to play in making residents and businesses feel safer and is one of a number of personal security improvements that SKDC has been able to make under our Safer Streets work.”
Early data shows the wi-fi digital hubs logging thousands of sessions: more than 5,500 in Grantham, 11,000 in Stamford, 3,200 for Bourne and 1,220 in Market Deeping.
Users should look for ‘S Kesteven Free WiFi’. In Grantham, the main areas covered are Wyndham Park and the town centre area bounded by Asda, the Isaac Newton Centre, Castle Gate and St Catherine’s Road. Stamford town centre from Broad Street to St Peter’s Hill, to Bath Row, St Mary’s and High Street is covered. North Street, Bourne, from St Peter’s to South Street Car Park, and the central part of Abbey Road and West Street are covered, as is Market Deeping Market Place.
Image shows Stamford, where 11,000 sessions have been logged with the wi-fi digital hubs. Credit: Stock.adobe.com/Nicola
Demolition works begin at Boston leisure centre
Demolition works have begun at the Geoff Moulder Leisure Centre (GMLC) as part of Boston Borough Council’s redevelopment of the leisure facilities and the wider Rowley Road area.
The redevelopment of the leisure centre forms part of a £14.5m investment into the area that includes the creation of a new public realm plaza which will link the leisure centre to the Boston College Mayflower development.
The project is part funded by UK Government Levelling Up Partnership funding and funding from the Boston Town Deal.
The leisure centre remains open throughout this programme of redevelopment works, with customers able to use the gym, attend a class or go for a swim.
Once demolition has been completed, construction works will follow, starting with foundations for a new two storey extension at the front of the building which incorporates a new entrance and reception area with lift access to the second floor.
The second floor will see a new multipurpose studio space, a large fitness suite with new equipment as well as a dedicated immersive cycling studio. The gym’s separate changing facilities, which will be based on the ground floor, are also getting a major revamp.
Additionally, essential maintenance and improvement works will be completed to make the leisure centre’s facilities more efficient and effective in the years ahead.
A large, accessible ‘village style’ changing area will be constructed for customers, and there will be a Changing Places toilet for both the leisure and training pools.
Meanwhile, the existing fitness suite area will be transformed to a community volunteering and wellbeing hub which will host the Lincolnshire Community Volunteering Service.
Councillor Dale Broughton, leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “Demolition starting on site last week marks a significant milestone for the Boston Leisure Centre, and I know both residents and customers will be really pleased to see progress being made.
“The enhancements to the leisure centre, coupled with Boston College’s Mayflower development and new public realm plaza will come together and create a vibrant new space for the whole community to enjoy.
“With this latest round of funding, alongside the support already secured for the Rosegarth development in the town centre, we’re now entering a truly transformative phase in the regeneration of Boston.”
O’Brien’s Optician owner marks new achievement
In 2017, Sheeraz Janjua, the owner and senior optometrist at O’Brien’s Optician in Brigg, attained a Doctor of Optometry degree. In 2025, he has built on that success by completing his MSc in Clinical Optometry at Cardiff University.
His latest achievement entailed a number of examinations and the compilation of an extensive review of current research into Photobiomodulation, a new form of therapy which uses special light sources to treat patients who have Dry Age-related Macular Disease (DryAMD) or patients who have Dry Eye Disease (DED) or Meibomion Gland Dysfunction (MGD).
Dr Janjua has been using these new light-based therapies extensively in his practice in Brigg and his treated patients have been reporting very positive results.
O’Brien’s, in Wrawby Street, Brigg, welcomes the registration of new patients and is open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 4pm. Call 01652 653595 to make an appointment with Dr Janjua for an advanced eye examination.
Image shows Dr S A Janjua, pictured after the Cardiff University ceremony in July at which he received his MSc degree in Clinical Optometry.
Small steps, safer streets in Scunthorpe
Efforts to improve safety and wellbeing in Scunthorpe are beginning to show results as North Lincolnshire Council continues to roll out targeted initiatives in partnership with police and community groups.
A renewed focus on street-level issues such as drinking, fly-tipping, and unlicensed trading has led to a string of enforcement actions. Public Space Protection Orders have been extended, illicit tobacco and vapes have been seized from multiple premises, and two serious offences are now with the Crown Court.
Retail inspections found alcohol licence breaches in six shops, though only one required formal action. A new selective licensing scheme is also in place, aimed at improving standards in rental housing.
Beyond enforcement, the council has stepped up local engagement. Environmental clean-up projects have been run alongside faith and cultural groups, and new health and education services have been introduced in key neighbourhood hubs.
There’s now a new one-way traffic system to ease congestion, and patrols during busy periods are helping address noise, litter, and trading issues.
With additional funding secured and enforcement hours extended, the council says it’s aiming to make neighbourhoods not just safer, but more connected and confident.
Image credit: North Lincolnshire Council