» NewsThe presenter was guest of honour at the official opening of Waltham Gateway Academy and Scartho Gateway Academy
On The Road – a free exhibition at Grimsby Town Hall
This exhibition will include photographs, documents and artefacts relating to all forms of road transport in North East Lincolnshire. The first section of the exhibition will be devoted to horse-drawn transport, including the rulleys, which were a familiar sight on Grimsby Docks.
Also on display will be items relating to the area’s many garages and car dealerships. Included among these will be the Royal Dock Garage (Cleethorpe Road), Alexandra Motors (Bradley Crossroads), Alf Lumley (Brereton Avenue) and Bratley’s Garage (Waltham).
The exhibition will also cover two-wheeled transport, with items relating to local cycling clubs, the cycle track on West Marsh, and the Tower Cycle Company Limited. There will also be a tribute to Freddie Frith, Grimsby’s motorcycle racing legend.
Visitors will also have an opportunity to see items connected with some of the transport-related manufacturing companies of North East Lincolnshire, including Lloyd Cars, Abbey (Cosalt) Caravans, and Woodthorpe & Haddock (cart and carriage builders).
Finally, there will be a display of photographs and documents relating to public transport and commercial vehicles. This part of the display will include items relating to the trolleybuses, Granville Tours and the vans and lorries owned by local businesses, including the Grimsby Ice Company and Dyte’s Bakery in Cleethorpes.
Adrian Wilkinson, Archivist, Lincs Inspire, said: “140 years ago Karl Benz registered the first patent for a practical road vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine. Since 1886, cars, vans, buses and lorries have profoundly changed the world we live in. This exhibition provides an insight into the influence that mechanised road transport has had in North East Lincolnshire. However, this isn’t just an exhibition for “petrolheads”, as many of the photographs show how local buildings and streets have changed since the 1880s (and for those who prefer horses, we have included a display of items relating to equine transport).”
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Openreach engineers are now in the area
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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Waltham Gateway and Scartho Gateway Academies are the first new primary schools in North East Lincolnshire in decades
Appleby residents are stepping up their fight against speeding motorists as three new speed indicator devices are set to be installed across the village – funded through a community grant.
The £10,195 project has been backed with £8,979 from North Lincolnshire Council’s Community Grant Fund, with the Parish Council adding £1,216 to get the scheme over the line.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Residents have been clear that speeding is a concern, and this project shows what happens when local people take action to make their community safer – and the council back them to take control.
“These new indicators will help tackle dangerous driving and send a strong message that Appleby is a place that looks out for its neighbours.”
The devices will be positioned at key points to alert motorists, reinforce speed limits and encourage safer, more considerate driving through the village.
The speed indicator devices have been proven to cut average speeds and improve driver awareness, with studies across the UK showing measurable reductions in speeding – particularly in rural village settings like Appleby.
Cllr Neil Poole, deputy leader and cabinet member for highways, said: “This investment gives Appleby practical tools to slow traffic and keep people safe. It’s a smart, community-led solution that will make a real difference on the ground.”
Since it launched in 2011, the Community Grant Fund has powered hundreds of local projects across North Lincolnshire – helping villages, clubs and community groups to bring their ideas to life.
From youth sports and local arts to village halls and safety schemes like this one, the grants are all about strengthening communities and delivering what matters to local people.
If you’ve got an idea that could make a difference where you live, visit the community grants page to find out how to apply.
The post Appleby residents crack down on speeding motorists with new village-wide safety boost appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.
More teenagers in Scunthorpe are getting active, building confidence and improving their mental wellbeing thanks to a council-funded fitness programme that is rapidly expanding across the town.
The MoveMENt New Beginnings, based on East Common Lane in Scunthorpe, has used a £3,800 grant from North Lincolnshire Council to grow its popular Teen Gym programme – creating more free sessions, more specialist support and more safe spaces for young people who might not otherwise access fitness activities.
From girls-only sessions, support groups to dads-and-kids workouts and culturally sensitive fitness sessions, the programme is designed around the real lives and experiences of local young people.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Too many young people face pressures around confidence, mental health and feeling like they belong.
“Programmes like this matter because they give teenagers somewhere positive to go, supportive adults around them and the chance to build confidence through fitness and friendship.
“This is exactly the kind of grassroots community activity we want to support – local organisations stepping up to create opportunities that genuinely change lives.
“It’s not just about exercise. It’s about helping young people feel healthier, happier, more connected and more confident about themselves and their future.”
The programme now runs seven free sessions every week, with up to 15 places available at each class. Every 45-minute session combines physical activity with wellbeing support, peer encouragement and confidence building in a welcoming, supportive environment.
Young people taking part can:
Weekly sessions include:
The funding forms part of North Lincolnshire Council’s wider £50,000 investment into youth activities across the area, helping community organisations provide free activities, trusted adult support and positive opportunities for young people outside school hours.
Sessions are already running throughout the year, with organisers continuing to shape future activities alongside young people and local communities.
For more information email sgnewbeginning@outlook.com.
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North Lincolnshire’s mobile library is back on the road after extensive repairs and refurbishment work – keeping the much-loved service running safely and reliably for rural communities.
The loved vehicle has undergone a major overhaul, with extensive structural repairs – including a brand new floor – making sure it can continue delivering books, learning and support to residents.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Libraries matter and that includes making sure rural communities are not left behind.
“We continue to invest in libraries in North Lincolnshire at a time when many councils are cutting them back or closing them altogether – we do things differently here because we focus on the what is best for residents.
“We have promised to keep libraries open – and this mobile library is an important part of that wider commitment – bringing books, learning and services directly into communities in villages and market towns.”
The council has committed to buy a new electric mobile library however this refurbishment ensures residents continue to have access to books, learning and library services while the new one is built.
Every three weeks the mobile library visits dozens of communities, schools and neighbourhood stops across North Lincolnshire.
This includes Alkborough, Althorpe, Appleby, Barnetby, Barrow upon Humber, Belton, Bonby, Burringham, Burton upon Stather, Coleby, Dragonby, East Halton, East Lound, Eastoft, Flixborough, Garthorpe, Greetwell, Gunness, Gunthorpe, Hibaldstow, Holme, Howsham, Keadby, Kirmington, Luddington, New Holland, Normanby, North Killingholme, Risby, Roxby, Scawby, South Ferriby, South Killingholme, Thealby, Thornton Curtis, Ulceby, West Butterwick, West Halton, Westwoodside, Whitton, Winteringham, Wootton, Worlaby, Wrawby and Wroot,
It also calls at schools, mobile home parks and rural villages where access to services can be more limited. Routes operate across Mondays to Fridays on rotating three-weekly schedules.
Cllr Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for rural communities and market towns, said: “For many residents the mobile library is far more than a van delivering books. It is a regular community service that helps people stay connected, keeps children engaged with reading and learning, and supports residents who may struggle to travel further afield.
“It reaches communities right across North Lincolnshire every week and we know how valued it is by the people who use it.”
Libraries across North Lincolnshire now support residents with everything from borrowing books and accessing computers to community activities, study space and digital inclusion support, alongside initiatives such as the Imagination Library scheme which has gifted more than one million books to young children across the area.
Full mobile library route timetables and stopping points are available on the council’s website.
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A newly opened play park in Barton-upon-Humber has been damaged by fire and vandalism less than a week after opening, leaving the community deeply disappointed.
The £150,000 upgrade at Baysgarth Park, delivered by North Lincolnshire Council in partnership with the Friends of Barton Parks and local organisations, had only just opened to families when the inclusive roundabout was set on fire and graffiti appeared on several new play items.
Thanks to a successful grant, a new CCTV system will be installed at Baysgarth Park and is expected to be live by the end of the month, helping to protect the area moving forward.
While the equipment at Baysgarth Park has been cleaned and is now operational, these incidents are not isolated. Similar acts of vandalism have also been reported at parks in Parkwood and Asterby Road, as well as in Riddings, where a roundabout has been damaged beyond repair.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is completely unacceptable and frankly infuriating. Significant public money has been invested here to create something positive for families, and a small minority have chosen to damage it almost immediately.
“It’s selfish, destructive behaviour and it will not be tolerated. We will do everything we can to support the police in identifying those responsible and ensuring they are held to account.”
Cllr Paul Vickers, ward councillor for Barton and chair of the Friends of Barton Parks, said: “This is really upsetting for everyone involved, but especially for the families and children who were already enjoying the new play area.
“A lot of time, care and community effort went into creating this space. To see it damaged so quickly is a real blow and will be disappointing for many local residents who were looking forward to using it over the coming weeks.”
The council is working with the Friends of Barton Parks, local businesses and nearby CCTV operators to gather evidence, which will be shared with Humberside Police to support any potential prosecution.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Humberside Police.
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North Lincolnshire Council leader Cllr Rob Waltham says he looks forward to seeing the Government’s detailed plan after the Prime Minister announced moves to enable British Steel’s nationalisation