Gainsborough

A Lincolnshire pub is in the running to be named one of the best in Britain.

BBC

The Dambusters Inn at Scampton has been crowned regional winner at this year's Countryside Alliance Awards - also known as the rural Oscars.

The awards are a celebration of rural produce, skills, enterprise and heritage, with the finals being held at the House of Lords next month.

Greg Algar, landlord at the Dambusters, says it's a real honour:

It's fantastic. We're one of two businesses in the whole of Lincolnshire to make it to the House of Lords on 16 June for a final of nine regional pubs in our category and we're absolutely thrilled."

The Diocese of Lincoln says investigations are continuing following the suspension of the Lincoln Cathedral's chapter clerk.

BBC

Yesterday, a diocesan spokesman confirmed that Will Harrison had been suspended as "a neutral act over procedural matters".

It is the second high profile suspension within days.

On Thursday it was revealed the Bishop of Lincoln, the Right Reverend Christopher Lowson, was being investigated over safeguarding matters.

A teenage boy and a 12-year-old girl who were riding a moped without helmets have been seriously injured in a collision in Grimsby.

Google

Police were called to Rendel Street in Grimsby at 18:50 yesterday, following a serious collision between a Yamaha YQ Aerox 50cc moped and a blue Mitsubishi ASX3 car.

The girl and the 15-year-old boy were on the moped, which collided with the car at the junction of Rendel Street with Armstrong Street in Grimsby.

Both the rider and passenger of the moped sustained serious injuries. The 12-year-old girl has potentially life-changing injuries.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or saw the moped prior to the collision is asked to contact Humberside Police.

Almost a quarter of all reported road traffic collisions in Lincolnshire in the past five years have involved a cyclist or motorcyclist, new figures have revealed.

BBC

The statistics, compiled by Lincolnshire Police, show there have been 62 fatal collisions involving motorcyclists and 13 involving cyclists.

In addition, 356 motorcyclists and 184 cyclists were seriously injured.

The force is this week supporting the national 2Wheels campaign in line with its own Operation Falcon, aiming to raise awareness of the dangers faced by cyclists and motorcyclists.

It aims to improve driver behaviour and educate both groups on the dangers of not having the correct skills, knowledge and personal protective equipment.

I am acutely aware that road safety is a priority for our residents and have worked hard with colleagues in the force to find ways to reduce the terrible and pointless casualties that occur."

A fundraising page set up after a Lincolnshire model railway club's exhibition was trashed by vandals has topped £80,000.

Market Deeping Model Railway Club

Donations have been pouring in from around the world after the Market Deeping Model Railway Club's exhibition was trashed by vandals over the weekend.

Members of the club lost years of work in the raid at Welland Academy in Stamford.

An online crowdfunding appeal was launched to help those affected, with rock star and model railway enthusiast Rod Stewart donating £10,000.

Club chairman Peter Davies says decisions are still being made on how to spend the money.

It's still very early days and we've no idea what the final total will be, but it looks as though we will first and foremost be helping other modellers who have been caught up in this."

A dry day with some sunshine and it'll feel pleasantly warm.

Watch my full forecast here:

For the first time in almost 30 years, there's been an hourly weekday train service from Gainsborough Central to Sheffield this morning.

Rail operator Northern says trains will operate six days a week and it'll also mean the existing Leeds to Lincoln service will be faster as it will now stop at fewer stations.

Gainsborough Central Station was once described as the worst station in the country because of a lack of services:

Today will see sunny spells and slow-moving showers - with showers most widespread this afternoon.

Watch my full forecast here:

A call to declare a climate emergency has been rejected by Lincolnshire county councillors.

Lincolnshire County Council

A motion tabled by the Labour opposition group, called on the council to commit to being carbon neutral by 2030.

The council said it recognised there is a climate problem, but stopped short of declaring an emergency.

The authority has instead passed a new target date of 2050.

Councillor Rob Parker, leader of the Labour group, said he was disappointed with the result, but the amended target was better than nothing.

“Before we started, we didn’t have the same interest as has been demonstrated in the council chamber. We know that this is a matter of great public interest, only yesterday the University of Lincoln declared a climate emergency because it was in the interests of their staff and students.”

A Lincolnshire woman whose son took his own life while on duty with the Royal Marines is calling for more mental health support for service personnel.

Ministry of Defence

James Holloway, who was 25 and from Billingborough near Sleaford, died in 2017 while his ship was moored in Dubai.

His mother Amanda Gray told an inquest in Lincoln today that her son had become depressed after breaking up with his girlfriend.

She said: "The most important thing for me is that my son did not die in vain. If there is an emotional relationship breakdown or a death they need to be taken out of service for a few days. There is still a culture of servicemen not showing weakness for fear it might end their careers, and this needs to change."

Richard Marshall, Assistant Coroner for Lincolnshire, said he found it difficult to find fault with any of the individuals who were involved with Royal Marine Holloway.

He recorded a narrative verdict which said Royal Marine Holloway took his own life.

Four motocross bikes have been stolen in a burglary in Authorpe in Lincolnshire.

BBC

The incident happened at a commercial premises on Main Road at 01:30 on Wednesday.

The bikes were:

• a Honda 250cc in red and white
• a Husquvarna 85cc in black and white
• two KTM 65 cc in orange and white

Anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious or has information should contact Lincolnshire Police.

Lincolnshire is being hit by a spate of scam calls, police have warned.

Getty Images

A man in Boston received a call from a man (possibly a recorded message) just after midday yesterday, claiming to be from OFCOM and suggesting that his internet was being hacked. He hung up.

Earlier that morning, a woman in Swineshead had a call from a man claiming to work for BT telling her that her internet had been hacked and requesting her bank details for a 'bad service refund'.

At about 11:30, an elderly couple in Old Leake were called by a man saying he was from BT and requesting to remote access their computer.

In the afternoon, a woman from Wrangle received a call from a man claiming to be from BT. He said there was an error on the account meaning the woman was to get a refund of £900. The caller then said that £9,000 had been credited by mistake and the woman must transfer the difference from her account.

Lincolnshire Police has warned people to be aware of BT and OFCOM scam calls.

The people making these calls are ruthless and aggressive. Please help us by telling your friends, neighbours and family.

Police are attempting to trace Stephen Archer after he absconded from an open prison.

Lincolnshire Police

Archer, 48, is believed to have links to Lincolnshire, Nottingham, Lancashire and Suffolk.

He was convicted of murder in 1993 and absconded on Wednesday 15 May from Sudbury in Derbyshire.

He is described as white, 5ft 10ins tall and of slight build. He has a shaved head, blue eyes and has a cross tattoo on the inside of his right forearm and a dagger tattoo on his left forearm.

Members of the public are asked not to approach Archer, but to dial 999 immediately if they see him.

The Franklin Way walking route in Lincolnshire is set to be relaunched 33 years since it was created.

East Lindsey District Council

The route, which runs between Spilsby and Hundleby, was created in 1986 to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Arctic explorer and former Spilsby resident Sir John Franklin.

Over the years the route had become overgrown and difficult to follow but thanks to the Spilsby and Hundleby Walkers Are Welcome group, the route has been re-established, cleared and remarked.

The route will be relaunched on Thursday 30 May as part of the Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival.

A debate is taking place on whether Lincolnshire County Council should become a carbon neutral authority.

Lincolnshire County Council

The motion has been put forward by the Labour group, which calls for the county council to declare a 'climate emergency'.

Councillor Rob Parker, leader of the Labour group, said it is achieveable, but added: "It would have to examine every single practice that the council does. From heating, lightning, car travel, use of paper, plastic, water - everything the council does. We need to give as much attention to climate change and the way we do our business as we did to austerity."

Retailers in Grimsby’s Freeman Street are united against crime – and leading the charge is new Community Beat Manager PC Rebecca Dawson.

Humberside Police

PC Dawson said she wants to become a familiar sight in the area, and hopes her presence will act as a deterrent to people involved in crime of anti-social behaviour.

She says she is also planning to work with market traders to ensure officers are in the area at key times to prevent problems they were having with a group of nuisance young people running around stalls and damaging goods.

The thing I like most about policing Freeman Street is how friendly and welcoming everyone is. It’s a real united community and I’m really pleased to be a part of that. "

The Bishop of Grimsby has acknowledged the shock caused by the suspension of the Bishop of Lincoln, in a letter to clergy in Lincolnshire.

BBC

The Rt Rev David Court has taken over the running of the Diocese of Lincoln while an investigation is carried out into the handling of safeguarding allegations by Christopher Lowson.

But it's been made clear no allegations of abuse have been made against Bishop Lowson.

A joint letter from Bishop Court and the Bishop of Grantham states: "We realise this announcement will come as a shock to you. We also realise that it follows earlier announcements to do with safeguarding issues in the diocese. We wish to assure you of our confidence in our safeguarding team and the commitment by us all to making the Diocese of Lincoln as safe as it possibly can be for everyone."

The former general manager of Lincoln City Football Club, who wasjailed earlier this year for defrauding the club, has had assets worth more than £35,000 confiscated by a court.

BBC

John Vickers 48, of Bracebridge Heath, near Lincoln, was sentenced to 14 months in jail in January after pleading guilty at Lincoln Crown Court to a charge of fraud by abuse of position.

The court was told he used the money to fund a gambling addiction.

Vickers was freed earlier this month under an early release scheme.

But in a Proceeds of Crime hearing, Vickers was ruled to have benefited from his crime by £36,212. The court was told that he has assets to cover the amount.

Judge Simon Hirst ordered the £36,212 should be confiscated and paid as compensation to Lincoln City.

He ordered Vickers pay the money within three months or face an additional nine-month jail sentence.

A new mobile app providing people with self-guided tours of Lincolnshire towns connected to the ship which took the Pilgrim Fathers to the New World has been launched.

BBC

Next year marks the 400th anniversary of the historic voyage of the Mayflower from Plymouth to the America.

The anniversary will commemorate the legacy of the passengers and crew who undertook the epic journey.

Users of the new app can get free guided walks and driving tours of Boston, Gainsborough and Immingham as well as other UK towns, cities and villages.

It will notify users of nearby places of interest, allowing visitors to follow in the footsteps of the Mayflower Pilgrims and explore all the stops on the Mayflower trail.

The app has been designed to take people on a Mayflower journey, telling the stories behind the places the Pilgrims were from and where and why they travelled."

Councillors at North Kesteven District Council have agreed to work together to break the political deadlock.

Google

The council was left with no overall control following this month's local elections.

At a meeting last night, Conservative Richard Wright was re-elected as leader but said he is willing to work closely with the Independents and those who remain unaligned.

He said: "If people want to make it work, then any model is workable. Models just don't work if people don't want them to. We've offered a model, let's see if people are prepared to make it work."

Humberside Police have shared a photograph of rainbow epaulettes and boot laces in support of LGBT people.

Today is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia and the force says it'll be doing its bit to mark the event:

A largely dry morning and the risk of some patchy rain this afternoon.

Watch my full forecast here:

A robin's chosen an unusual location for its nest after spotting the lid ajar on a brown garden waste wheelie bin in Boston.

Boston Borough Council

It turned out to be an ideal safe place when the Wiercinski family, whose bin it was, took the bird under their wing.

The bin was full of garden waste but not being used as it was damaged, and Maciej, of Clifton Road, Fishtoft, and his sons, Viktor, nine, and Filip, seven, kept a close eye on things.

Boston Borough Council

The robin began nest building at the start of April and the family noticed the parent birds going in and out of the bin a few days before it was due to be collected.

Boston Borough Counhcil

Later, five eggs appeared in the nest and all five chicks have now hatched and have flown the nest.

A thief on a bicycle managed to steal a cash till and a display stand containing £1,000 of e-cigarettes, fluids and batteries by balancing them on his handlebars.

BBC

The man rode off towards Sutcliffe Avenue in Grimsby following the incident at about 04:00 on Sunday 12 May at St Martin’s petrol station on Scartho Road.

The till contained £300 cash.

Police want to trace the cyclist in connection with criminal damage and a burglary. The damage was caused when a concrete block was thrown through a glass panel.

The e-cigarettes are branded ‘JUUL’ and anyone who may be offered these or is suspicious if they see them for sale, should contact Humberside Police.

Police are using a helicopter in an operation to find a missing man.

Lincolnshire Police

Peter Warren, 70, was last seen in the Calder Road area of Lincoln at 09:00 yesterday.

Police say they are 'extremely concerned' about his welfare.

People in the south of Lincoln and Market Rasen are being asked to check their gardens and outbuildings and dog walkers and commuters to be vigilant.

Anyone who's seen Mr Warren or knows where he is is being asked to contact police.

This Bishop of Lincoln's suspension comes after a BBC Panorama investigation last month found that clergy and staff from the Lincoln Diocese were referred to police in 2015 after church leaders had allegedly "turned a blind eye" to claims of child abuse.

BBC

Lincolnshire Police and the Lincoln Diocese investigated 25 people over alleged abuse from a list of 53 names which were passed to officers, with three cases leading to convictions.

The programme said some of the names could have been referred years earlier as part of the Church of England's national Past Cases Review, which examined tens of thousands of church records in 2008 and 2009 to discover whether abuse cases had slipped through the net.

The programme also claimed two former Lincoln Diocese bishops were made aware of abuse concerns at the time but failed to act.

As part of Operation Redstone, Lincolnshire Police has been investigating historic sex abuse cases.

A spokesperson for the force said: "The investigation is continuing into wider safeguarding issues and management decisions within the diocese."

Lincolnshire has been chosen to be the home of a new £36m flight simulator project.

ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images

The new technology, called Gladiator, will allow UK Typhoon pilots to carry out simultaneous exercises with US pilots based in America.

Defence Minister Stuart Andrew announced the project today at RAF Waddington, where the technology will be based.

Lincolnshire has a proud history with the RAF and this base in particular clearly has great history and a great attachment to the RAF. We get a lot of support from the people of Lincolnshire so I'm delighted that this has been chosen as the hub for this new technology."

More on the news that the Bishop of Lincoln has been suspended in relation to a safeguarding children inquiry.

In a statement, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby said he had acted following information provided by the police.

Bishop Lowson said: "I am bewildered by the suspension and will fully cooperate in this matter. For the sake of the diocese and the wider Church I would like this to be investigated as quickly as possible to bring the matter to a swift conclusion."

A Lincolnshire Police statement said: "We are aware of the decision today of the Archbishop of Canterbury to suspend the Bishop of Lincoln from office and it would not be appropriate for us to comment on that decision."

Meanwhile, The Bishop of Grimsby, the Rt Rev David Court, will take on episcopal leadership of the diocese.

RPSCA officers and Lincolnshire Police raided a site at New York near Boston this morning.

RSPCA

A police spokesman said a warrant was executed on behalf of the RSPCA due to concerns for animal welfare.

The RSPCA said it had assistance from specialist vets and equine handlers.

A Lincolnshire MP has met the new Defence Secretary to make the case for the legendary Red Arrows staying in the county.

Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Last year, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that the team's current base, RAF Scampton, will be sold off.

RAF Scampton, which was also home to the famous 617 Squadron as they prepared for the Dambusters mission in World War Two, has housed the Red Arrows since 2000.

Dr Caroline Johnson, Conservative MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, has explained to Penny Mourdaunt how the aerobatic team is a vital part of Lincolnshire's heritage.

The Red Arrows are currently in Greece, putting the finishing touches to this summer's display.

People in Lincolnshire who would like to become foster carers are being urged to come forward.

Lincolnshire County Council

Lincolnshire County Council says that while the fostering service has been successful in recruiting carers across the county over the past few years, more are needed.

New foster carers for teenagers, children with additional needs or brothers and sisters who need to be kept together are all being urged to get in touch.

A special event for anyone interested in becoming a carer is due to be held on Tuesday 21 May at The Olde Barn Hotel, near Grantham, the council says.

A Lincolnshire war hero will be honoured with the placing of a Victoria Cross memorial stone in Great Limber.

West Lindsey District Council

Samuel Needham, who was born in the village, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery fighting in the Middle East during the World War One.

Needham’s actions on 10 September 1918, when his patrol group was attacked in Palestine, saved his patrol from certain destruction.

He was killed by accidental gunshot on 4 November 1918 at Kantara in Egypt, where he was buried. The armistice that ended the war was signed seven days later.

A Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour to members of the armed forces.

Commemorative stones were produced by the government for each of the 628 recipients of the Victoria Cross in the UK, to mark the centenary of the start of the outbreak of World War One. The stones honour their bravery and provide a lasting legacy of local heroes within communities.

The service is at 11:00 at St Peter’s Churchyard on 8 June.

Motorists are being asked to avoid the A52 Wainfleet Road in Boston after a crash involving two vehicles.

Drivers in the area are being warned to expect some delays:

A dry day with sunny spells, but there will be areas of cloud and it'll be cooler than yesterday.

Watch my full forecast here:

A man was left permanently scarred after a teenager threw a beer glass at him, Lincoln Crown Court heard.

BBC

Curtis Schafer had intervened in a dispute between customers at the Black Dog pub in Westgate, Grantham in July last year.

Helen Marley, prosecuting, said the initial dispute between Joseph Kennedy and another man continued outside the pub. Schafer got involved again and Mr Kennedy asked him what business the dispute was of his.

It was then that Schafer threw the pint beer glass hitting Mr Kennedy's forehead causing a significant cut. He needed 18 stitches and has been left with a prominent scar.

Schafer, 18, of St Pierre Avenue, Grantham, admitted a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was given nine months custody suspended for a year with 100 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £1,200 compensation to his victim.

An expectant mother from Lincolnshire has said she doesn't think she could go through pregnancy again after suffering severe sickness.

BBC

Hayley Smith, from Great Steeping near Spilsby, has been hospitalised with Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

It's the same condition experienced by the Duchess of Cambridge during her three pregnancies.

Symptoms include vomiting up to 50 times a day, dehydration, weight loss and low blood pressure.

Hayley has shared her experiences as the largest ever UK study into severe pregnancy sickness is launched.

This pregnancy, I've said I don't think I could do it again because it is so debilitating and you just think it's never going to end. It's horrendous to feel so sick and so secluded because you can't leave the house because it's embarrassing. I had to run out of a supermarket because I was going to throw up and it just comes so you daren't leave the house. If I do leave the house I carry sick bags in my handbag."

Health bosses are set to develop plans to create one clinical commissioning group (CCG) to serve the whole of Lincolnshire.

BBC

John Turner, senior accountable officer for the county’s four CCGs, told a Health Scrutiny Panel for Lincolnshire meeting today that officials felt the time was right to move towards a single organisation.

The region currently has four groups; Lincolnshire West, Lincolnshire East, South Lincolnshire and South West Lincolnshire.

Health bosses had previously proposed plans to work together to simplify decisions back in July 2018.

Currently, commissioning bodies make decisions on their own services for their local area.

Police officers are trying to find a missing 16-year-old girl who's been missing from Wakefield for five days.

West Yorkshire Police

Nicole Harris was last seen in the Quebec Street area of the city, but a national search has now started for her.

She is known to have links to various parts of the country including South Yorkshire, Shropshire, Humberside, Merseyside and North Wales, West Yorkshire Police said.

Nicole who is described as a "vulnerable teenager", is 5ft 3ins tall and has long brown hair and a burn scar on the side of her nose.

The Environment Agency is testing the waters at Lincolnshire's most popular swimming spots.

Google

The agency will be testing the quality at more than 400 sites, including beaches at Ingoldmells and Chapel St Leonards.

Last year, all of Lincolnshire’s public bathing waters got top marks for having clean water.

Improving water quality at our beaches is a fantastic achievement and is a testament to the work of Environment Agency staff, water companies, local authorities, farmers, volunteers and NGOs. It shows what energy and commitment can achieve for the environment and people."

One of Lincolnshire's longest serving councillors who lost her seat at the local elections has blamed the Prime Minister.

BBC

Pat Woodman, a Conservative, was on North Kesteven District Council for 45 years.

But she lost her seat earlier this month.

She says the government's handling of Brexit is partly to blame.

I am as fed up with central government and the way it has not resolved Brexit and particularly with Theresa May. I voted to leave and here we are three years along the line and don't seem to be any nearer a conclusion."

People have started using a new multi-million pound footbridge over the Brayford Wharf East railway line in Lincoln.

BBC

BBC

Network Rail said it will reduce delays at the barriers for the 16,000 pedestrians who use the crossing every day. It opened to the public today.

BBC

A man and a woman were taken to hospital with cuts and bruising after a street fight in Grimsby.

BBC

Police were called to a large disturbance on Carnforth Crescent at about 7pm last night, Tuesday 14 May.

Det Sgt Ian Potter said police received a report that a group of individuals were fighting in the street.

He said: “Officers and ambulance crews attended quickly and a man and a woman were taken to hospital with cuts to their heads and bruising.

“Three men have been arrested in connection with the incident, they remain in our custody at this time while our inquiries continue."

Anyone with information, CCTV footage, or mobile phone video footage showing the incident should contact Humberside Police.

Four planned weekend road closures near Lincoln will no longer take place, it's been confirmed.

Lincolnshire County Council

The A15 Sleaford Road was due to be closed on the following weekends to allow ducting works and utility diversions for the Lincoln Eastern Bypass to be completed:

• 18-20 May
• 1-3 June
• 8-10 June
• 15-17 June

However, Richard Davies, in charge of highways at Lincolnshire County Council, says "good progress" has been made over the past few weeks and the closures will now be unnecessary.

Police investigating the theft of cash and three bank cards which fell out of the victim's pocket in Lincoln say they want to speak to these two men:

Lincolnshire Police.

The incident happened at Lincoln Golf Club on 9 April and the cards from within the wallet were later used on three separate occasions in the Gainsborough area.

Anyone who recognises the men should contact Lincolnshire Police.

Beaches in Lincolnshire have once again been given a top award for cleanliness.

Google

The central beaches at Skegness, Sutton on Sea and Mablethorpe have all been granted Blue Flag status - which looks at the water quality and beach management and which is considered the gold standard for beaches.

The Blue Flag is also flying high once again in Cleethorpes at the resort’s central beach, from Wonderland through to the leisure centre.

Thomas Roberts, a lifeguard supervisor in Skegness, says retaining Blue Flag status is important for the town:

Beaches get busier and busier every season and I think the public come to the beaches sometimes because of the Blue Flag. We've got to make sure it's clean, and I think the public does have a big say on how that is being done."

A dry, fine and warm day ahead with lots of sunshine.

Watch my full forecast here: