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Step into summer: Hundreds of free walks helping residents discover North Lincolnshire this summer

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From riverside trails and woodland paths to gentle strolls through parks and nature reserves, hundreds of opportunities are being offered this summer to help people get active, improve their wellbeing and discover more of North Lincolnshire.

The new Walking North Lincolnshire summer programme features dozens of free led walks taking place across towns, villages and beauty spots throughout June, July and August, with routes designed for all ages and abilities.

Whether people are looking for a gentle one-mile accessible walk, a social walk with friends, a longer five-mile trail route or even Nordic walking, there is something for everyone.

The programme takes in locations across the whole of North Lincolnshire, including Barton-upon-Humber, Winterton, Epworth, Brigg, Alkborough, Goxhill, Belton, Wrawby, South Ferriby, Haxey, Scotton and Scunthorpe.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Sometimes the best things are right on your doorstep. These walks are a fantastic way to get out, get active, meet new people and explore parts of North Lincolnshire you may never have visited before.

“Walking is one of the simplest ways to improve your health and wellbeing, but it is also about enjoying our countryside, our parks and our communities. Whether you are taking your first steps towards being more active or already enjoy regular walks, there is something in this programme for you.”

Alongside the led walks programme, residents can also take part in a wide range of community wellbeing activities, including walking football, walking cricket, strength and balance sessions, social groups, parent and pushchair walks and low-impact exercise classes.

Cllr Christine Patterson, cabinet member for healthy communities, said: “We want North Lincolnshire to be a place where people can live healthy, active and independent lives. Programmes like this help people improve their physical health, boost their mental wellbeing and make new connections within their communities.

“The fact that so many activities are free or low cost means more people can take part and benefit.”

No booking is required for the led walks – residents can simply turn up and join in. Full details of all walks and activities are available through Walking North Lincolnshire and LiveWell North Lincolnshire.

Visit Walking North Lincolnshire – North Lincolnshire Council for more details.

The post Step into summer: Hundreds of free walks helping residents discover North Lincolnshire this summer appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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June 11, 2026 |

More than 100 new children receiving free books every month

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More than 100 North Lincolnshire children have joined the Imagination Library in the last month, giving them access to a free, high-quality book delivered to their home every month from birth until their fifth birthday. 

A total of 118 children were registered during May, taking the number of children currently benefiting from the scheme across North Lincolnshire to more than 6,800. 

Funded by North Lincolnshire Council, the programme is available free of charge to every child under five and helps families enjoy reading together from the earliest years. 

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see another group of children start their reading journey through the Imagination Library. Reading is one of the most important foundations for learning and development, and by investing in this scheme we are helping to give every child the best possible start in life. 

“We know children who are part of the programme are more likely to be ready for school and develop a lifelong love of reading. I would encourage any family with a child under five who is not yet registered to take just a few minutes to sign up and start receiving their free books.” 

Since launching in North Lincolnshire in 2013, the scheme has delivered more than one million books to local children and now reaches almost 87 per cent of all under-fives in the area. The books are carefully chosen to support language development, imagination and early learning, while creating opportunities for families to read together at home. 

Cllr Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for rural communities and market towns, said: “For many children, these books are their first introduction to the joys of reading. Receiving a book through the post each month is something families really look forward to and it helps create special moments that support learning, confidence and development. 

“We are incredibly proud to continue supporting a programme that is making a real difference to children and families across North Lincolnshire.” 

Libraries across North Lincolnshire have expanded their opening hours by more than 20 per cent over the last decade and now offer a wide range of activities, learning opportunities and support services alongside their traditional book lending service. From helping people get online and develop new skills to providing welcoming spaces for communities to come together, libraries continue to play an important role in everyday life. 

Did you know?

There are 14 libraries in hubs across North Lincolnshire – all offering free access to books, activities, digital support and welcoming community spaces close to home. 

You can visit: 

  • Ashby, Barton, Bottesford, Brigg, Broughton, Crowle, Epworth,Goxhill, Haxey, Kirton in Lindsey, Messingham,Park, Riddings, Scunthorpe Central and Winterton. 

With opening hours expanded by more than 20% over the last decade, it’s never been easier to discover everything your local library has to offer. 

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June 4, 2026 |

Blooming marvellous: grants help communities make towns and villages across North Lincolnshire even more beautiful

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Towns and villages are set to burst into colour this summer after more than £26,000 was awarded to community groups and parish councils helping make the area one of the best-kept places in the country.

From floral displays and hanging baskets to community gardens and village improvements, the funding will help residents transform public spaces, brighten up neighbourhoods and create places residents can be proud to call home.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “When people talk about what makes a place special, it’s often the little things that make the biggest difference – colourful displays, well-kept green spaces, community gardens and villages that clearly take pride in where they live.

“These grants help local communities turn great ideas into reality. They support volunteers, parish councils and community groups who give up their time to make North Lincolnshire even more beautiful – we’ve promised to keep back them and this proof of that.”

The funding will support projects in communities across North Lincolnshire, from Barton and Brigg to Crowle, Epworth, Haxey, Messingham, Winterton and many Isle villages, with local volunteers and community groups playing a vital role in bringing many of the schemes to life.

Cabinet member Cllr Richard Hannigan said: “Behind every colourful display, well-kept planter and community garden are volunteers who care deeply about where they live.

“They don’t do it for recognition. They do it because they want their village, town or neighbourhood to be somewhere people are proud to call home.

“I’d like to thank every volunteer involved in the In Bloom projects across North Lincolnshire. Their hard work helps make our communities brighter, greener and more welcoming for everyone.”

The grants form part of the council’s wider commitment to supporting thriving communities, helping local people take pride in their neighbourhoods and ensuring North Lincolnshire remains one of the most attractive places in the region.

This year’s successful applicants include Belton, Epworth, Owston Ferry, Crowle and Ealand, Amcotts, Haxey, Barton, Brigg, Broughton, Gunness, Winterton, Thornton Curtis, Ulceby, Messingham and many more communities across North Lincolnshire.

The post Blooming marvellous: grants help communities make towns and villages across North Lincolnshire even more beautiful appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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June 4, 2026 |

Community power: Dance group steps up opportunities for young people

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More young people will be able to dance, perform and develop new creative skills thanks to funding that is helping Street Beat establish a base in Epworth.

The popular North Lincolnshire dance organisation has secured more than £2,500 from North Lincolnshire Council’s Community Grant Fund to hire premises for its Street Beat Elite sessions and buy equipment to support classes and creative projects.

For almost 20 years, Street Beat has used dance to build confidence, friendships and opportunities for young people. The latest funding will help it reach even more children and families, particularly in rural communities where access to activities can be more limited.

New iPads will support lessons and performances while also giving young people hands-on experience in filming, editing and producing their own digital content.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Street Beat is a fantastic example of a community organisation making a real difference to people’s lives. Their work goes far beyond dance classes – they help build confidence, tackle isolation and create opportunities for young people across North Lincolnshire.

“This funding will help them continue to grow, improve access to sessions and give young people even more opportunities to develop their creativity and skills.”

Street Beat Director Kim Oakley-Duffill said: “As an organisation, we aim to provide an inclusive and supportive environment where young people can develop creatively, socially and personally through dance and performance.

“The iPads will help us deliver this in a safer, more accessible, and more engaging way.”

Since launching in 2007, Street Beat has built a reputation for combining creativity with inclusion, supporting children, young people and adults of all backgrounds and abilities.

Alongside community sessions, the organisation has helped talented dancers from North Lincolnshire achieve national and international success, including appearances at the U.Dance National Festival in London, the World Street Dance Championships and on Channel 4.

Since launching in 2011, North Lincolnshire Council’s Community Grant Fund has supported hundreds of local projects, helping communities, clubs and organisations thrive.

If you have an idea that could benefit your local community, visit the community grants page on the council’s website to find out more.

The post Community power: Dance group steps up opportunities for young people appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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June 4, 2026 |

Fire up the forge: free blacksmithing sessions to bring Owston Ferry’s historic smithy back to life

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Local people will get the chance to step inside a working forge, learn traditional blacksmithing skills and make their own souvenir as part of a new heritage project in Owston Ferry.

Owston Ferry Smithy has been awarded £3,600 through North Lincolnshire Council’s Cultural Futures programme to run free blacksmithing taster sessions at The Old Smithy & Heritage Centre.

The project, called Sample the Smithy, will give residents the chance to engage directly with local heritage through small, supervised sessions using the forges and learning basic blacksmithing techniques.

It will also help bring the historic smithy to life, support essential repairs and improvements to equipment, and test demand for future workshops.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is living heritage – not something behind glass, but something people can touch, try and experience for themselves.

“The Old Smithy is part of Owston Ferry’s story, and this project will help open it up to more people, protect traditional skills and give residents the chance to make something with their own hands.”

The project is one of 14 new arts and heritage schemes awarded funding through Cultural Futures, a multi-year programme supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and North Lincolnshire Council to increase cultural activity across the area.

Cllr John Davison, cabinet member for Ashby, Bottesford and Scunthorpe, said: “There is something powerful about heritage you can actually take part in.

“Blacksmithing is practical, physical and creative, and these sessions will give people a real connection to the past while helping secure the future of a much-loved local heritage site.

“It is also a brilliant example of rural communities leading their own cultural activity, supported by volunteers who care deeply about keeping local history alive.”

The wider funding round will also support projects including a portable exhibition telling the story of Burton upon Stather’s role in the build-up to D-Day; a new 80-mile walking trail linked to Olaudah Equiano, John Wesley and stories of freedom and reform; a community film festival for North Lincolnshire; a multicultural celebration at The Baths Hall; and creative projects bringing young people, older residents, artists, volunteers and community groups together.

The projects awarded funding are:

Burton upon Stather Heritage Group – The BSHG Information & Display Unit

A portable walk-through exhibition telling the story of Burton upon Stather’s role in the build-up to D-Day, including Operation KATE and secret tank testing at the Tank Ramp site.

Epworth Old Rectory – The Equiano Way

A new 80-mile walking trail linking North Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and Hull, exploring stories of freedom, faith and social change connected to Olaudah Equiano, John Wesley, the Pilgrim Fathers and Salim C. Wilson.

Indian Cultural Association North Lincolnshire – River of Talent 2027
A multicultural celebration at The Baths Hall featuring music, dance, Indian cuisine and community awards recognising contribution and social impact.

Kimberly Performing Arts – Stories in Motion
An intergenerational performing arts project bringing young dancers together with older residents to share memories and local stories through dance and musical theatre.

Oasis Hub – Layered Landscapes: The Scunthorpe Tapestry
A multi-generational creative project using photography, texture-mapping and textile art to reimagine Scunthorpe’s industrial architecture and community identity.

Over the Bridge – Artist Residency
A supported residency for an emerging local photographer to create new work inspired by North Lincolnshire’s people, places and heritage, culminating in a public exhibition or presentation.

Owston Ferry Smithy – Sample the Smithy
Free blacksmithing taster sessions at The Old Smithy & Heritage Centre, giving people the chance to use the forges, learn traditional skills and make a souvenir to take home.

Shepherd Creative – Lincs Film Festival
A research and development project and one-day proof of concept event to test demand for a future community film festival focused on northern stories, emerging talent and accessible participation.

STEAMPunx Lincs – Legends of the Humber: Creatures, Coast & Curiosity
A creative heritage project exploring folklore, landscapes and the environment through storytelling, art, poetry, imagined creatures and a cabinet of curiosities-style exhibition.

Street Beat – Culture Fusion
A dance project exploring cultural identity, heritage and racism through urban dance, guest artist workshops, choreography, performances and community sessions with young people.

Ted Lewis Centre – Dive with Ted Lewis into The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine
A project celebrating Ted Lewis’s work as Animation Clean-up Supervisor on Yellow Submarine, including oral histories, research, exhibitions and a live Beatles tribute event.

The Ropewalk – Barton Shops & Shopping: A Community Archive Project
A community-led heritage project collecting memories, photographs, objects and oral histories about Barton’s retail history, creating a digital archive, pop-up displays and workshops.

The Tent Project – Her-Story Project
A creative project supporting women in Scunthorpe to share experiences through art, craft and writing, with support from creative practitioners and wellbeing specialists.

Wilderspin National School Museum – The Art of Play: Past, Present and Reimagined
An artist residency led by Annabel McCourt exploring play, mischief and childhood through archive research, workshops, storytelling and a public exhibition.

In total, more than £63,000 has been awarded in this round.

The Cultural Futures programme is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and North Lincolnshire Council.

Find out more information, including the full criteria and how to apply for future funding, on the Cultural Futures webpage or email culturalfutures@northlincs.gov.uk.

The post Fire up the forge: free blacksmithing sessions to bring Owston Ferry’s historic smithy back to life appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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June 3, 2026 |

Hundreds of heating oil payments reaching bank accounts for rural households

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Hundreds of North Lincolnshire households have received support with heating oil costs after the council launched a scheme designed to help rural communities hit by rising fuel prices.

More than 1,000 households have come forward since the scheme launched, with almost 700 payments reaching residents in recent days.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader,  North Lincolnshire Council, said: “When this funding was announced, we made it clear that we wanted help to reach local people as quickly as possible.

“The response shows just how important this support is for rural communities across North Lincolnshire. Hundreds of households have already received payments and more are being processed every day.

“This is exactly what the funding was intended for – helping people with the cost of keeping their homes warm and providing practical support when it is needed most.”

A further 250 applications have already been approved and are due to be paid this week.

Cllr Tim Mitchell, cabinet member for finance and efficiency, said: “We know households that rely on heating oil face different challenges to those connected to mains gas, particularly in villages and rural areas.

“That’s why it’s encouraging to see support getting directly to local residents. For many households, this funding will help ease some of the pressure created by higher fuel costs.

“If you registered an interest but haven’t yet completed your application, please check your emails and come forward as soon as possible so we can make sure you don’t miss out.”

Everyone who previously registered an interest in the scheme was contacted directly when applications opened. Around 300 households who expressed an interest have yet to submit an application.

Residents who need help completing their application can visit any North Lincolnshire community hub, where staff can provide support to access and complete the online form – hubs are in Ashby, Barton, Brigg, Crowle, Epworth and Scunthorpe.

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May 22, 2026 |