Summer perks return for North Lincolnshire’s young people

April Lara
-
0
Summer perks return for North Lincolnshire’s young people

Children and teenagers in North Lincolnshire can once again enjoy free swimming and cheaper bus fares throughout the school summer holidays.

Single bus tickets for young people aged five to 19 are capped at £1.50, while adults travelling with them pay no more than £3 per single journey. The fare offer applies to all local services, making it easier to visit attractions such as Normanby Hall Country Park, leisure centres, museums and market towns across the region.

Swimming is also free for under-16s at six local pools: The Pods, Riddings Community Hub, Ancholme Leisure Centre, Axholme North Leisure Centre, Baysgarth Community Hub and Epworth Swimming Pool. The free swims, part of the Summer Daze sessions, must be booked in advance for children aged eight to 16.

Children under eight need to be checked in by an adult at reception, and pool safety rules mean the youngest swimmers must be supervised at all times.

The seasonal scheme, which proved popular last year, is designed to give families affordable ways to spend the summer together while encouraging safe swimming and greater use of public transport.

  Image credit: North Lincolnshire Council

Lincolnshire hospices share funding to enhance end‑of‑life care

April Lara
-
0
Lincolnshire hospices share funding to enhance end‑of‑life care

Hospices in Lincolnshire will share more than £780,000 in new funding aimed at improving facilities and services for people receiving end‑of‑life care.

St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice in Lincoln has been allocated £709,550, while Butterfly Hospice in Boston will receive £36,645. Beaumond House Hospice Care in Newark, which also serves parts of Lincolnshire, has been awarded £98,556.

The investment is part of a national £75 million programme for the 2025/26 financial year, supporting 170 hospices across England. The funding will go towards refurbishments and upgrades that focus on creating more comfortable spaces for patients and their families, including private rooms, communal areas and landscaped outdoor spaces.

Hospices will also use the funding for improvements such as energy‑efficient facilities, adapted beds, and digital systems that allow smoother coordination with other health services. The upgrades are designed to make end‑of‑life care more personal and accessible in local communities, reducing reliance on hospital settings.

Hospice UK will manage the distribution of the funds, with organisations able to draw from their allocated share as work is completed.

Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Stockfotos-MG

Seaside to be brought to Sleaford

Tess Egginton
-
0
Seaside to be brought to Sleaford
Sand, sun and buckets of fun are being brought to Sleaford Market Place, with a pop-up beach from 20 August until 4 September. Open to the public throughout the two weeks, there will be striped deckchairs to relax on by day, buckets and spades from Market Square Café and Restaurant, while fish and chips, ice creams and beach-side snacks and drinks will be available from nearby cafés, restaurants and eateries. There will also be a special Bank Holiday Weekend event on Saturday 23 August, with activities taking place between 11am and 4pm, with free Helter-Skelter rides, Punch and Judy performances, a ‘YARD Putz’ putting green, free face painting, seaside singing, a bubbleologist, crafts, and Teenage Market stalls. Visitors will further witness art crafted out of sand, as a live sculpt takes place at the event from 11 am to 4pm; don’t miss the sand-sculpted Red Arrow!
  Image credit: North Kesteven District Council

YOPEY Befrienders recognised for connecting generations at Fenchurch House Care Home

Tess Egginton
-
0
YOPEY Befrienders recognised for connecting generations at Fenchurch House Care Home
Fenchurch House Care Home, located in Spalding and part of the Country Court family, recently hosted a heartwarming afternoon tea to celebrate a young volunteer who has made a meaningful difference to residents’ lives. 18-year-old Matthew Simons, a student at Spalding Grammar School, was honoured for his dedication to supporting older people through the YOPEY Befrienders scheme – an initiative run by the East Anglian charity YOPEY (Young People of the Year). The programme trains young people to visit care homes, offering their time, companionship, and conversation to residents. Matthew has given over 52 hours of his time, regularly visiting both Fenchurch House and neighbouring St John’s Care Home in Spalding. His commitment was formally recognised by the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, David Chambers, who presented him with a prestigious High Sheriff Award. Matthew was also presented with a special certificate by YOPEY founder Tony Gearing MBE, who described him as “a great friend to the elderly.” The celebration was attended by residents, staff, school representatives, and special guests, including Dr Adriana Leadbeater, Sixth Form Director at Spalding Grammar School, and her deputy, Alex Dearing. Dr Leadbeater praised the scheme, saying: “Being a YOPEY Befriender is a great way for students to give back, gain perspective beyond the teenage bubble, and learn to appreciate and respect older generations.” The Spalding Grammar School students involved in the programme have clocked up over 200 visits, giving nearly 300 hours of their time to local care homes. Matthew, who hopes to study conservation biology at Leeds University, reflected on the experience: “I learned a lot about how people cope in old age and how important it is to make the most of life and stay positive, whatever challenges they may face.” Tony Gearing MBE, founder of YOPEY, added: “Matthew was a great friend to the elderly. When young people persevere with care home visits like he did, they become a source of real comfort to residents. We’re also grateful to the supportive staff at Country Court care homes, which create a welcoming environment for young volunteers.” Fenchurch House Home Manager, Ganiyu Lawal, said: “Being part of the YOPEY programme has been an uplifting experience for everyone at Fenchurch House. Matthew brought joy and genuine companionship to our residents, and it’s been a pleasure to watch those connections grow. We wish him all the best in the future.” For more information about life at Fenchurch House Care Home, please contact Hannah Mills on 01775 711 959 or email careenquiries@countrycourtcare.com.

Get Ready for the ultimate tribute experience at Rewired Festival 2025!

Tess Egginton
-
0
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

April Lara
-
0
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 Council

First phase of redevelopment works get the go-ahead at Castle Sports Centre

Tess Egginton
-
0
First 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

April Lara
-
0
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 Photography

Lincolnshire flood alerts get smarter and more targeted

April Lara
-
0
Lincolnshire 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/Tony

Helping hands return for North Lincolnshire pensioners

April Lara
-
0
Helping 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 Council
1...678...113Page 7 of 113