Spooktacular fun will descend on Sleaford, with the town’s Pumpkin Fest set to take place in the Market Place on Saturday 25 October.
North Kesteven District Council’s Halloween celebration will run from 11am to 4pm, encouraging families to dress up and enjoy a day of autumnal fun and excitement.
The day will include a Pumpkin Patch, from which visitors can collect one of 200 free pumpkins, whilst pumpkin carving stencils can be crafted at the event to take home to make a masterpiece.
Sleaford Pumpkin Fest will also include walkabout entertainment, free face painting and craft activities, Morris dancing performances, and a live pumpkin carving demonstration inspired by the Sleaford Wyvern – a mythical dragon-like creature with two legs, two wings and a pointed tail.
Visitors will also have the chance to meet the Sleaford Wyvern in person.
The silly pair ‘Trick and Treat’ will perform comedic tricks at the event, with their ‘wonderful wagon of weirdness’. There will also be games such as Giant Jenga, noughts and crosses, and a spooky version of hoopla.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Sergio Burghley House stars in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein
Audiences around the world will soon see Burghley House on screen in Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated new film Frankenstein, in select cinemas now and on Netflix from 7 November.
Filming took place at Burghley in September 2024, with some of the House’s most spectacular State Rooms including the Great Hall, the Bow Room, and The Old Kitchen providing the backdrop for del Toro’s reimagining of Mary Shelley’s classic tale.
The film, written and directed by Oscar-winner Guillermo del Toro, features an acclaimed cast including Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, David Bradley, Lars Mikkelsen, Christian Convery, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz.
Frankenstein tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist who brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment with consequences that ultimately lead to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.
Visitors exploring Burghley House today can discover the very rooms featured in Frankenstein, and experience first-hand the splendour and centuries of history that have long captured the imagination of filmmakers and visitors alike. One of the largest and grandest houses of the 16th century, Burghley combines magnificent architecture and atmospheric interiors, set within sweeping Capability Brown parkland.
“It’s wonderful to see Burghley House feature in such a major production,” said Philip Gompertz, Director of Commercial Visitor Operations, Burghley House. “Visitors often enjoy spotting the rooms they’ve seen on screen, and Frankenstein will add another fascinating chapter to Burghley’s long connection with film and television.”
Burghley has appeared in numerous productions, from The Flash and The Crown to Pride and Prejudice, demonstrating its role as one of England’s most sought-after filming locations.
Image: A scene captured in Burghley’s Great Hall. Credit: Netflix.
New scheme to help armed forces community find clean energy jobs in Lincolnshire
A new scheme to enable former members of the armed forces and their families in the Humber region, Lincolnshire and East Anglia to find jobs in clean energy industries has been unveiled by the armed forces charity Mission Community, RenewableUK and the Government.
RenewableUK’s deputy chief executive Jane Cooper will co-chair a joint Government and industry body overseeing the one-year pilot project, which will begin in the third quarter of this year.
The Mission Renewable Armed Forces Clean Energy Initiative will be delivered by Mission Community. The scheme aims to smooth career transitions for service leavers into the renewables sector, identifying specific jobs which would be suitable for them and highlighting any barriers preventing access to these new roles.
It coincides with the publication of the Government’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan which sets out how to maximise employment opportunities in renewables and nuclear power across the country, creating over 400,000 new jobs by 2030.
Mission Renewable has already worked with RenewableUK and the Offshore Wind Industry Council at a national level, helping former members of the armed forces and their families to make use of their transferable skills in the renewable energy sector.
Anecdotally between ten and twenty per cent of workers already employed in the sector have a service background.
The programme has enabled companies to develop their own armed forces recruitment strategies and to sign the Armed Forces Covenant which demonstrates employers’ commitments to support ex-service personnel, including those who have been injured while on active service, as they make a career change into clean power.
RenewableUK’s deputy chief executive Jane Cooper said: “This innovative initiative which we’re proud to be launching today with our partners is a tangible example of the Clean Energy Jobs Plan in action. The lessons we learn from it will inform and guide future Government policy on job creation for military veterans and their families.
“Uniquely, this scheme focusses specifically on a part of the country where offshore wind developers, operators and supply chain companies are already based, which will maximise its impact.
“The renewable energy industry urgently needs people with a wide range of skills to design, plan, build and operate the huge pipeline of renewable energy projects required to meet the Government’s clean power ambitions.
“Former members of the armed forces are ideally placed to fill these roles, as they’re well used to working in closely-knit teams in challenging natural environments, and many have transferable technical or engineering skills. Many of them are already working in the clean energy sector, but we need even more.
“The number of jobs in the wind industry alone is set to double from 55,000 now to over 110,000 by the end of this decade. Military veterans can help to bridge the skills gap we’re facing, alongside workers from other industries such as oil and gas. All have valuable skills and experience which will enable the clean energy sector to continue to expand rapidly in the years ahead.”
Mission Community’s chief executive James Cameron said: “Since 2021, Mission Community has been working closely with industry bodies to highlight and celebrate the contributions of Forces members and their families, who now form the backbone of rapidly expanding clean energy sectors such as offshore wind.
“In some companies, veterans make up more than one in five workers in crucial roles. Our efforts to build Armed Forces communities within society have demonstrated that, at every level, veterans have successfully applied skills acquired in the Armed Forces to foster growth and drive the green revolution.
“The upcoming pilot aims to address gaps, spotlight those making significant contributions and establish new pathways. In doing so, we further integrate those who have served the nation into the workforce that will power and secure the future of the UK.”
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/New Africa
New equestrian club offers hands-on learning for North Lincolnshire youth
A new after-school equestrian programme in Belton is opening its doors to young people, thanks to £5,000 in funding from North Lincolnshire Council’s Positive Activities grant scheme.
Avalon Mill Equestrian will run a 30-week programme combining fun and education, with weekly sessions designed for those aged 11 to 19, and up to 25 for participants with special educational needs or disabilities. Ten places are available.
The sessions will give young people a chance to develop practical equestrian skills, including horse care, grooming, and stable management. They will also learn about feeding routines, handling, and the use of different types of equipment.
The initiative is part of a wider effort by the council to support community-based projects that encourage young people to engage in positive, skill-building activities. Through the Positive Activities grants, local groups are being supported to provide safe spaces where young people can make friends, build confidence, and explore new interests.
Image credit: North Lincolnshire CouncilA new world of wonder opens in Scunthorpe
A vibrant new space is set to open at the 20-21 Visual Arts Centre in Scunthorpe, offering families a chance to explore science and creativity in one interactive setting.
Discover@20-21, the town’s new STEAM gallery, will open on 30 October. The hands-on space blends science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics through a series of playful exhibits designed for children and families.
Inside, visitors can experiment with light tables, magnetic walls, and digital art screens, while optical illusions and creative puzzles turn scientific ideas into visual experiences. The gallery also features activities that encourage problem-solving, balance, and imagination through building, drawing, and design.
The project aims to make learning an immersive and social experience, where children can freely create, test ideas, and see their work displayed in large-scale projections across the venue’s historic chancel window.
Discover@20-21 will be open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free.
Image credit: North Lincolnshire CouncilSpalding welcomes night of live music for a good cause
From the producer of Rocktober, a night of live music for a good cause is coming to the South Holland Centre with a performance from the fantastic 29 FINGERS – the UK’s best party band, as described by Tatler Magazine!
With an over active sense of fun, 29 FINGERS have learnt how to fill a dancefloor and make a party ignite in a flash, playing at great venues and for fantastic clients, including: The Mandarin Oriental, The Dorchester, Hampton Court Palace, Chelsea Barracks, Harrods, Jaguar, and The Museum Group. The charity night on Friday 24 October, organised by Emma Peake, will see all proceeds go to the Development Foundation, Tulip Hospice Suite, Spalding. For tickets, please visit https://www.southhollandcentre.co.uk/Burghley House welcomes Half Term Halloween fun
A spellbinding mix of family fun and spooky surprises will descend on Burghley House this October Half Term.
From 18 October – 2 November (10am–5pm) take the Halloween Trail, tiptoeing through the autumn leaves and creeping along mysterious pathways to uncover ghosts and ghouls hiding in the Sculpture Garden. Pick up a Trail Sheet to solve spooky riddles and earn a tasty treat and don’t forget your scariest Halloween costume.
From 27 – 31 October (12pm–4pm) all ages are welcome to join Halloween-themed craft sessions, to create fang-tastic masterpieces for the spooky season, or why not step into the past with Beastly Boring Tours (25, 27–30 October, and 1 November) — the family-friendly experience that’s anything but boring! Led by costumed guides, these lively morning tours are packed with grisly tales and mysterious stories from Burghley’s fascinating history.
Epic autumn adventures also await. Cecil has transformed into a friendly ghostly figure for the spooky season! Join him and his woodland friends at Hide & Secrets and pick up a free Spymaster’s Guide, crunching, crawling and jumping through the autumn leaves as you complete special spy missions — all leading to the thrilling Hidden Towers.
More fun can be enjoyed on selected weekends in November at Burghley’s Adventure Play & Gardens (Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 November, Saturday 15 – Sunday 16 November).
It’s the final few weeks to step inside one of England’s greatest stately homes before the House closes for winter. Explore 18 of the most magnificent State Rooms in the country, home to world-class works of art and stunning craftsmanship. Meanwhile, outside, the Gardens are aglow with autumn splendour — a breathtaking tapestry of fiery oranges, rich reds, and glowing golds.
For something a little different for your Saturday night, the Baroque at Burghley Concert on 18 October presents an enchanting evening of Baroque music performed live in the Great Hall. Experience some of the era’s most beautiful works in a truly historic setting.
The magic isn’t over for the year yet, though, as a festive shopping experience soon returns, with Burghley Christmas Fair taking place from 27 – 30 November.
Explore the coastline’s hidden finds this half term
Families in Cleethorpes can take part in a guided beachcombing walk this half term, offering a chance to explore the natural and historical treasures revealed when the tide retreats.
Led by Cleethorpes Coastal Ranger Josh Forrester, the event invites participants to discover what the sea leaves behind along the strandline — from shells and seaweed to fragments of the town’s maritime past. The session runs on Tuesday, 28 October, from 1pm to 3pm, with limited spaces available through Eventbrite.
The walk begins behind the Cleethorpes Leisure Centre, where attendees will meet before setting out along the sand. All ages are welcome, though children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants are advised to wear suitable clothing and footwear for walking on soft sand and to bring refreshments.
The event is weather-dependent, and organisers will contact registered participants if conditions require cancellation. Accessibility may be limited due to the terrain, but the team encourages those with specific needs to reach out in advance.
Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the activity is part of ongoing efforts to help people engage with Cleethorpes’ coastal environment and its rich natural heritage.
Image credit: North East Lincolnshire CouncilLincolnshire food and drink gift company “thriving” following Dragons’ Den rejection
The founder of food and drink gift company IMP & MAKER says her business is thriving despite failing to secure investment on Dragons’ Den.
Millions of viewers watched Sarah Louise Fairburn (on 16th October) leave the Den empty-handed after seeking £100k for a 10 per cent stake in her business.
However, far from being despondent, the entrepreneur has gone on to raise £500k from an angel investor in a deal that valued IMP & MAKER at £2m, expand the company’s partnership with retail giant Costco, and is on track to report its first profit this year.
Fairburn, a single mum-of-four, said: “Appearing on Dragons’ Den was both the toughest and most rewarding experience of my life. You can’t put a price on the advice I received from some of the biggest names in UK business and it’s helped transform the company.
“I founded IMP & MAKER in 2020 to become the UK’s go-to business for food and drink gifting and now millions more people have heard of the brand. While the episode was being screened more than 10,000 people logged on to our website!”
Fairburn had less than a month’s notice to prepare for her appearance in the Den after being “phoned out of the blue” by Dragons’ Den.
“I thought it was a hoax call at first before I realised it was genuine,” she said. “I knew IMP & MAKER was far from the finished article at the time but I’ve always thought you regret the things you don’t do – so I said ‘yes’.
“I’ve grown up watching Dragons’ Den and I wasn’t going to turn down the opportunity to pitch to Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Steve Bartlett, Touker Suleyman and Sara Davies.”
Fairburn said she’ll never forget the moment she walked into the Den when the episode was filmed in June, 2024. “My heart was beating out of my chest but I took a deep breath and went for it,” she said.
The regular panel was joined by guest Dragon Emma Grede and Fairburn described her 90-minute interrogation as “brutal, relentless and exhilarating – all rolled into one.”
She said: “I was very open about the financials. At the time IMP & MAKER was losing £800k a year; spending £90 per customer acquisition; and margins were as low as 4%.
“This year we’re on track to make a profit; the cost of customer acquisition is down to £24; and margins are up to 35%. We’ve also gone on to raise £500k from an angel investor in a deal that valued IMP & MAKER at £2m.”
Despite not investing, Dragon Steven Bartlett praised her resilience and determination. Fairburn said: “I took the advice from the Dragons onboard and IMP & MAKER is now five years old and in the best shape it’s ever been as we approach the busy Christmas and New Year period.
“We’re a much leaner business than when I appeared on Dragons’ Den. We’ve got the right infrastructure and team in place to take IMP & MAKER to the next level.”
Report calls for greater powers to boost Lincoln’s regional role
A new national report has identified Lincoln as a key example of how smaller UK cities could drive regional growth if given greater powers through local government reorganisation.
The Case for Cities report argues that devolving authority to city-led unitary councils could help tackle challenges in health, housing and economic productivity. It suggests that current administrative boundaries, many unchanged since the 1970s, limit cities like Lincoln from coordinating long-term investment and infrastructure planning across their wider urban areas.
Lincoln is highlighted as a city that balances historic character with growth, serving as an employment and education hub for surrounding towns and villages. The report notes strong foundations in sectors such as defence, security, digital technology, and the creative industries, with potential for expansion through better integration of planning and investment.
It points to Lincoln’s collaborative model involving local agencies, housing providers, and voluntary organisations as an example of how targeted partnership can improve community wellbeing.
The findings support proposals for a single, right-sized authority capable of aligning housing, transport and health systems, accelerating affordable home delivery, and supporting inclusive development across Greater Lincolnshire.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/U-JINN Photography