A new £14 million Skegness College has officially opened, marking a major investment in education and training for the Lincolnshire coast.
Located on Wainfleet Road within the Skegness Gateway development, the purpose-built campus is the town’s first dedicated vocational college and forms part of the TEC Partnership. The wider development also includes new homes and industrial units, designed to support future growth in the area.
The new facilities include specialist workshops for plumbing, electrical, construction, and motor vehicle training, as well as IT suites for business courses. There are also dedicated spaces for health and social care students, including a mock hospital ward and care flat, alongside fully equipped hair and beauty salons.
Funding for the campus was secured through the government-backed Connected Coast Town Deal, which supports regeneration projects in Skegness and Mablethorpe.
The opening marks a new chapter for local learners, offering access to modern training environments and pathways into key industries across the region.
The University of Lincoln has been awarded major research funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to lead a consortium of seven UK universities focused on advancing artificial intelligence for defence decision-making and wargaming.
The project, led by Dr Patrick Finnegan, Deputy Director of Executive Education and Skills at Lincoln, was one of only two selected nationwide after a competitive review. Partner institutions include the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, the Open University, Salford, Sheffield, and Ulster.
Research will centre on how advanced AI can improve complex decision-making within national security contexts, with applications for defence strategy, training, and operations. The work will explore the role of AI in enhancing human understanding and predictive modelling in adversarial scenarios, supporting the next generation of wargaming and decision-support systems.
Lincoln’s growing profile in defence research is underpinned by its close links with the Armed Forces and its leadership of the Greater Lincolnshire Regional Defence & Security Cluster. The university’s DecisionWorks initiative will provide a collaborative platform for innovation, linking government, industry, and academia.
The programme strengthens the UK’s research capacity in defence technology, supporting the development of ethical, explainable, and effective AI systems for national security.
Lincolnshire’s East Coast will be illuminated by LIGHTWAVES this October, a celebration of light, creativity and community spirit.
Taking place over two evenings, this free event will transform the villages of Chapel St Leonards and Sutton on Sea into glowing hubs of artistic expression.
Produced by SessionsArts and presented as part of Story Tellers, the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership’s Arts Council England NPO project, LIGHTWAVES will be hosted in Chapel St Leonards on Friday 24 October from 6pm until 8pm, followed by Sutton on Sea on Saturday 25 October from 6pm to 9pm.
Across both evenings attendees can enjoy illuminated walks, art installations, and interactive experiences suitable for all ages, as well as the chance to sample refreshments from local hospitality venues. Each evening will feature live performances and community-led activities.
In a joint statement Councillor Sarah Sharpe (Boston Borough Council), Councillor Graham Marsh (East Lindsey District Council) and Councillor Elizabeth Sneath (South Holland District Council), the Partnership’s representatives on the NPO culture board, said: “LIGHTWAVES is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the creativity and warmth of our coastal communities. It’s a celebration not just of art and performance, but of the people who make these places so special.
“We’re proud to be able to hold another brilliant event that can bring together residents, artists and visitors in such a meaningful way, and continue to spread the positive impact and new experiences that Story Tellers is bringing to South and East Lincolnshire.”
As part of the Lightwaves, two creative workshops will run at Seaview Colonnade in Sutton on Sea, offering residents and visitors the chance to get involved in fun and informal artistic activities.
On Saturday 18 October, Bruce Knight from Sessions Arts will lead a movement workshop, and on Tuesday 21 October, artists from Lumo Workshop will host a creative lantern-making session.
Costumes at the ready – the annual ‘Witchy Fayre’ is flying back into Marshall’s Yard on Saturday October 25th to celebrate Halloween.
Visitors can expect a magical line-up of stalls and spellbinding activities that the whole family will love.
The Witchy Fayre will be located along the central pathway in the central Marshall’s Yard car park.
From 10am – 4pm, visitors can enjoy a line-up of ghoulishly good activities, including Witchy Fayre market stalls (selling all things wizardry items, crystals, Halloween themed items plus much more to get you in the Halloween spirit), Halloween crafting, live performances, free face painting (11am – 3pm), and a pumpkin centre trail with fantastic prizes to be won.
Visitors can also browse up to 20 stalls in the market area, selling a selection of goods including crystals, themed ornaments, fine crafted jewellery and candles.
Melissa Clement, centre manager at Marshalls Yard, said: “The Witchy Fayre is always a really fun event at Marshalls Yard.
“Events like this bring the community together and create a brilliant atmosphere for local families. This years Halloween event has a fantastic line-up of activities and stalls for the whole family to enjoy, and we can’t wait to see lots of spooky costumes!”
East Lindsey District Council has extended its Social Isolation Grant scheme with an additional £25,000 from the East Lindsey Investment Fund, allowing more community projects to access support for tackling loneliness.
The initiative builds on last year’s funding from the Cost of Living Support Budget, which benefited 34 community groups across the district. Grants of up to £2,000 are available to help local organisations reduce isolation and strengthen community connections.
Projects supported so far include the North Thoresby Community Orchard, which used its grant to run tree grafting workshops, beekeeping sessions, and educational activities for school groups. The orchard’s “Meet the Bees” events have attracted more than 150 visitors, including disadvantaged children and families.
Other funded projects range from accessibility improvements at Carrington Village Hall to skill-sharing programmes through Louth Men’s Shed and operational support for local warm spaces and hubs.
The council’s investment aims to sustain grassroots efforts that improve wellbeing and social engagement across East Lindsey. Applications for the next round of Social Isolation Grant funding are now open to eligible community groups and hubs.
The green-fingered team at Marshall’s Yard in Gainsborough are celebrating after achieving the prestigious Gold Award in the annual East Midlands in Bloom Awards.
The popular shopping centre also won the Best Retail / Commercial Award in a special ceremony held in Grimsby showcasing the region’s brightest and best floral displays.
The stunning planting and landscaping at Marshall’s Yard, including hanging baskets planted each year by Needhams Nursery, as well as additional planting across the centre, impressed the judges for creating a welcoming and calm atmosphere.
All of the displays are lovingly cared for by the on-site team as well as some of the local businesses, whose efforts were also singled out for praise in the judges’ report.
The team at Marshall’s Yard pride themselves on creating a well maintained and attractive centre for visitors and the centre’s businesses.
The East Midlands in Bloom judges highlighted the centre’s high standards commending the fact that local suppliers are used and that hanging baskets, beds and trees were all healthy and well maintained.
The creation of bird boxes and bug hotels were also praised as well as the landscaped fountain area at the Yard and the centre’s recognition of the site’s history as a former tractor factory.
Centre manager, Melissa Clement, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to achieve a Gold Award this year and to receive the Best Retail / Commercial Award. The whole team has worked so hard to really step things up to the next level – from the nurseries who supply and plant our baskets, to our in-house staff who care for them every day.
“It’s a real team effort and this award recognises the pride, dedication and hard work that goes into making Marshall’s Yard a place people love to visit. We couldn’t be prouder.”
This achievement builds on last year’s Silver Gilt success, reflecting the centre’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, community partnerships and delivering a first-class visitor experience.
100 visitors. 9 tours. 2 days. Caistor’s 2–4 Market Place heritage regeneration project took centre stage during this year’s Heritage Open Days Festival, as nine fully booked Hard Hat Tours welcomed 100 visitors through the gates of one of the town’s most historic – and once most at-risk – collection of buildings.
Over two days, the Grade II listed site, which has stood derelict for years, became the focus of community pride and curiosity. With every space on the tours booked in advance, visitors were treated to a first look at the renovation works that have been in progress for the last 12 months, and left with a clear sense of excitement for the building’s future. Many described the experience simply as “wow.”
The weekend began with a special opening on Saturday morning for Councillors and dignitaries from across Lincolnshire, including Caistor Mayor, Jon Wright, and Lincolnshire County Council Leader, Sean Matthews. Local historian Alan Dennis brought the building’s heritage to life with stories from Caistor’s past, before one of the Board Directors, Paul Kirkby, led the first group through the site, sharing plans for the restoration ahead.
Throughout Saturday afternoon and Sunday, among those attending were local residents, former tenants, and even the ladies who once worked in the building when it was the town’s Co-op. The tours sparked memories and storytelling, connecting generations and underlining the importance of preserving and reimagining the spaces of 2-4 that have shaped local life for decades.
Pictured in one of the upstairs rooms in 204, to be part of the holiday let once phase 1 has been completed, is 93-year-old Lewis King, a former resident of 2-4.
Phase One of the project is already well underway, with work focused on restoring the shopfronts of 2, 3 and 4 Market Place, creating holiday lets, and opening the community space.
Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Co-operatives UK, Pilgrim Trust, West Lindsey District Council, Heritage Lincolnshire, The Architectural Heritage Fund, and Caistor Town Council, supplemented by the Community Ownership Fund initiative, and the expertise of Messenger BCR Group, Greenwood Projects and Anotherkind Architects, the site is being carefully brought back into use.
Feedback from the tours was overwhelmingly positive, with visitors expressing pride in seeing progress on a project that has been years in the making. “Opening the doors, even at this early stage, has helped people reconnect with the building,” said Neil Castle, member of the Board of Directors for 2-4 and Secretary for the Caistor and District Community Trust.
“It was a privilege to hear the stories and memories people shared – it’s exactly why this project matters. We hope that by being able to show our guests what exists behind the compound, and all the hard work that has been done to date, has really brought home why this project is so important for the future of Caistor.”
Thanks to the support from local sponsor 1st Select, every guest was able to take away a £5 voucher to spend at participating Caistor cafés and eateries – including Helz Kitchen, Caistor Arts and Heritage Centre, Ted’s and YM Bakery – over the Heritage Open Days Festival week, encouraging dwell time and return visits; investing back into the local economy.
With work well underway, 2–4 Market Place is firmly on the path from dereliction to rejuvenation – a symbol of how historic buildings can once again take pride of place in their communities.
Main image: To celebrate the first hard hat tour to take place, Board Directors welcomed a selection of VIPs to 2-4. Pictured (from left) Mark Hughes – Board Director at 2-4, Duncan Cole – Board Director at 2-4, Neil Castle – Board Director at 2-4, Cllr Owen Bierley – West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Angela Lawrence – West Lindsey District Council, Cllr James Bean – Lincolnshire County Council, Cllr Linda Milner – Caistor Town Council, Cllr Sean Matthews – Lincolnshire County Council, Cllr Jon Wright – Chairman & Mayor of Caistor Town Council, Cllr Jayne Bowman – Board Director at 2-4 and Caistor Town Council, Steve Critten – Board Director at 2-4, Michael Galligan – former Councillor and active community member, and, finally, Paul Kirkby – Board Director at 2-4 and tour guide.
Grimsby Ice Rink will reopen this Friday following a two-month closure for a full refurbishment of the 50-year-old venue.
The six-figure investment has transformed the facility, introducing a new NHL-standard barrier system with seamless glass along the spectator side, modern disco lighting, and an upgraded chiller unit. The skating surface has also been expanded.
Away from the rink, the project has delivered a complete overhaul of visitor facilities, with toilets, showers and changing rooms all refurbished.
The reopening is scheduled for 3.30pm on 3 October, marking the start of a busy winter season for the much-loved community venue.
Spalding Town Board has published a ten-year vision for the town, outlining how £20 million of investment could reshape public spaces and improve community facilities.
The proposals include a permanent canopy above Hall Place, new floating piers and pedestrian bridges over the river, and tiered seating facing Ayscoughfee Hall. Additional bridges and piers are suggested further north near the Castle Sports Centre development.
Market Place may see the use of vacant buildings for street food halls, community hubs or creative studios. Ideas for the High Bridge area include an arch marking the entrance to Bridge Street and improvements to make it more pedestrian-friendly.
Other projects feature a new water taxi shelter, the creation of Heritage Court between Spalding Gentlemen’s Society and the Methodist Church, and expanded spaces for outdoor activities. Landscaping, wider footpaths, improved signage, and public artworks with lighting are also under consideration.
A year-round events programme focused on food and entertainment is planned, alongside updates to empty buildings to attract new businesses. Tackling anti-social behaviour remains a key priority, with measures such as Hot Spot Policing and design changes intended to encourage community ownership of public areas.
Three district councils have marked Lincolnshire Day by setting out proposals to overhaul local government in Greater Lincolnshire, with the aim of boosting business growth and investment.
Boston Borough Council, East Lindsey District Council, and South Holland District Council are jointly developing A Greater Lincolnshire for All, a bid responding to the Government’s invitation for reorganisation plans. The proposal would see the current ten-council structure replaced with two new unitary authorities.
A Northern Lincolnshire authority would combine the City of Lincoln, West Lindsey, North Lincolnshire, and North East Lincolnshire, representing around 531,000 people. A Southern Lincolnshire authority would cover Boston Borough, East Lindsey, South Holland, South Kesteven, and North Kesteven, with a population of 574,000.
The councils have worked with the Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses to shape a set of pledges. These focus on supporting industries with tailored business support, workforce development, and innovation; investing in transport, freight, and digital infrastructure; streamlining planning and procurement processes; and strengthening collaboration across regional boundaries.
The proposals will be submitted to the Government by 28 November 2025, following ongoing public and stakeholder engagement. Consultation events are taking place this October in Louth, Boston, and Skegness.
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