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 Welcome to the colourful and informative February edition of West Lindsey News, which opens with a photo of delightful Gainsborough Academy pupils joining their teacher and myself for a Steampunk session to support their learning. Steampunk is a friendly cultural movement based on the Victorian era and steam power technology.
Our District is alive with events for people to take part in, from coffee mornings to the exciting Illuminate Festival, so there is something for everyone. This edition puts the spotlight on Scotter and Blyton and gives you helpful information about the roll out of the new food waste bins, along with the important consultation about the Local Government Review, which will change the face of West Lindsey.
Please take some time to read about the latest developments around RAF Scampton and learn how Lea Fields Crematorium manages to raise money from recycling. Find out how your council manages to support healthy homes, healthy people and a healthy environment through our support for School Games, Walking Cricket, and our determined effort to improve our natural environment.
Could you become part of this vibrant council by joining us as a member of staff, or as a member of our much-valued Citizens' Panel? West Lindsey is about all of us and is for all of us, so do settle down for a good read and remember to tell us what is going on where you live.
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This month, as part of our new feature called: Spotlight on Our District, we aim to shine a light on what is so special about the place we live, work and visit.
West Lindsey is made up of 20 wards and is one of the largest and most rural districts in Lincolnshire and home to about 95,200 residents
This month we are focussing on the Scotter and Blyton Ward, which includes Blyton, East Stockwith, Laughton, Morton, Northorpe, Scotter and Scotton.
We have been talking to our ward councillors Cllr Karen Carless and Cllr Lesley Rollings about what makes the area so special.
You can read more about it on our website or watch our small video next week.
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The consultation, which runs until Thursday 26 March, invites residents, organisations and local stakeholders to share their views on a series of options submitted to Government.
These proposals have been developed by existing councils across Greater Lincolnshire and outline a range of potential future models for local government.
Each proposal sets out different ideas for how councils could be structured, including possible changes to their size, responsibilities and overall shape. The consultation gives everyone the opportunity to have their say on proposals submitted to government. These were created by the existing councils across the county and outline different ideas for the future shape and size of councils.
Once the consultation is complete, the Government will further assess the options before making a final decision on what will be taken forward.
All the Lincolnshire councils, along with neighbouring local authorities, and other stakeholders selected by the Government, including health & education providers, the police and voluntary and community sector will be directly asked for their views on all the proposals.
Government also welcomes responses from residents, town and parish councils, and other businesses and organisations.
Government announced its plans for Local Government Reorganisation last year, saying it wanted to reform how local government operates to ensure resilience, robustness and efficiency in providing services for people.
Currently in Greater Lincolnshire there is a mix of district councils, a county council, and the two unitary councils serving North and North East Lincolnshire. All were asked to present their preferred options for a way forward.
A White Paper released last year announced that the government would facilitate this programme of Local Government Reorganisation. You can take part in the consultation and read all the proposals at: Local government changes in Greater Lincolnshire | Greater Lincolnshire LGR Hub
Paper copies of the consultation and all the Greater Lincolnshire Proposals will be available from next week, at the following locations in the district:
- The Guildhall, Marshall’s Yard, Gainsborough, DN21 2NA
- Gainsborough Library, Cobden Street, DN21 2NG
- Market Rasen Library, Mill Road, LN8 3BP
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It’s back and it’s better than ever. Illuminate Gainsborough 2026 is ready to shine once again.
Now a firm favourite in Gainsborough’s events’ calendar, the theme for this year’s Illuminate festival is ‘Through The Window’ and promises a vibrant celebration of light, architecture, and community and everyone is invited!
This free, family-friendly event, takes place on Saturday 21 February, from 6pm to 8pm and will transform Gainsborough Old Hall and All Saints’ Parish Church into a glowing showcase of creativity and heritage. Visitors can expect a magical mix of installations and activities designed to inspire and delight.
The evening begins with the Lantern Parade at 6pm, where you can join local schools, community groups, and families, as they parade handcrafted lanterns through Gainsborough’s historic streets. Bring your own lantern or pick up free lights on the night!
Other highlights include:
- Fire Garden (6.30pm - 8pm): Experience a dramatic display of fire sculptures and performers illuminating the church grounds.
- Shadow-Puppet Stories & Workshops: Enjoy enchanting tales created by local schoolchildren, plus hands-on puppet-making sessions.
- Animated Projection - “There Be Monsters”: See Gainsborough Old Hall come alive with stunning animated visual projections
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Representatives from our enforcement and customer services teams will be attending coffee mornings within the district to answer your queries on the following topics:
Littering, dog fouling, flytipping, abandoned vehicles and antisocial behaviour. Plus, a range of other council services you may want to learn more about.
Sessions will take place at the following places:
- Tuesday, 17 February, Knaith Village Hall, 10am -12 noon
- Wednesday, 18 February, Upton Church, 10.30am- 12noon
- Friday, 20 February, Corringham Village Hall, 10am -12 noon
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West Lindsey District Council has begun the rollout of its new food waste caddies, marking a major step forward in how waste and recycling services are delivered across the district.
Over the next few weeks, council teams will be out delivering food waste caddies to households across the area.
Alongside the rollout, the Council will be sharing guidance, tips, and information across its communication channels over the next few weeks, to help residents get the most out of the new service. The new service will mean residents need to sort their waste slightly differently, but the Council says it is confident the community will once again rise to the challenge.
Rob Gilliot, Operational services manager at the Council, said: “As part of the preparation for the launch, the Council has invested in new staff, specialist training, and new vehicles to support the introduction of the weekly food waste collection service. This investment ensures the service is delivered by our dedicated team with strong knowledge and experience in waste collection.
“As you can imagine, we have thousands of caddies to deliver, and this will take some time to reach every household in West Lindsey. We kindly ask residents to be patient with our teams as we work hard to get to everyone as quickly as possible.
“We know we are asking residents to make a change, but we also know how supportive our communities are when new services are introduced. By working together, we can make this a real success.”
The rollout is coordinated by Lincolnshire County Council and West Lindsey will be going live from 30 March next year. Between Monday 2 February and Friday 2 March 2026 we will deliver everything you need to be able to recycle your food waste.
We have created a list of frequently asked questions to help our residents plus some tips on how to reduce food waste. Please visit our website for more information.
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West Lindsey District Council has received formal confirmation that the former RAF Scampton site has now been placed on the open market.
This marks a significant and positive milestone in securing a sustainable future for this nationally important location.
The development draws a clear line under previous proposals for asylum accommodation and enables the Council and its partners to focus fully on the long‑term regeneration and protection of the site.
Photo credit: Harry Parkhill and BBC
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We have launched a Healthy Homes campaign funded by the government, to raise awareness about damp and mould in rented homes across the district.
The campaign is a direct response to the tragic Awaab Ishak case that has made damp and mould an increasingly prominent topic of concern nationally.
The two-year-old boy, died in December 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to severe mould and damp in his social housing home.
This led to new UK legislation enacted in October 2025 that mandates social landlords to act more quickly on health and safety hazards like damp and mould.
Our campaign highlights the health risks associated with damp and mould and the importance of taking appropriate action. The project will also break down myths and foster a better understanding between both tenants and landlords.
The council is doing several things to help tenants, landlords and residents tackle damp and mould.
Please visit our website for more information or if you have a question or need more support call the Council on 01427 676676 and ask for the Healthy Homes Team or email HealthyHomes@west-lindsey.gov.uk.
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 Sturton Judo Club welcomed Paralympian and European Silver Medallist Jack Hodgson to the club to see their new safety mats.
Jack, who has been practising judo since the age of seven, also took the opportunity to coach members of the club, during his visit.
The club, which is an established member of the British Judo Council, was delighted to welcome Jack who made his Paralympic debut at Rio 2016 aged just 19.
The brand‑new, safety‑approved judo mats, which cost around £20,000.Through an impressive combination of community fundraising and external support, the club was able to replace mats that had become worn, taped together, and no longer suitable for safe training.
Cllr Lynda Mullally, West Lindsey District Council’s ward member for the Stow ward, said: “We are proud to support projects like this that make a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing."
Sue Dooley, who sits on the Sturton Judo Club committee, praised Jack for how he got involved with members and said the new mats have “secured the future of Sturton Judo club”.
She said: “Sturton Judo Club was part of Jack Hodgson’s judo journey growing up. He lived in Gainsborough and trained at SJC and still finds time in his busy schedule to return to his roots and pass on his wealth of knowledge and expertise. Without the new mats, the students would not have been able to continue training and the existence of the club would have been in serious jeopardy.”
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Laybo's Legacy receives £5,000 donation
We're delighted to share that Laybo's Legacy has been awarded a £5,000 donation from the crematorium through the ICCM Metal Recycling Scheme. The local charity, which was nominated by Cliff Bradley & Son's, provides funeral costs and emotional support for bereaved families who have lost a loved one to suicide.
The Institute of Cemetery and Cremation Management (ICCM) metal recycling scheme raises money through the collection and recycling of metals from cremations.
Claire Wallhead, who founded Laybo's Legacy after her son died by suicide, said she felt "over the moon" when she found out they were receiving the donation. She said: "This donation will make a huge different to a family that needs our support."
Since 2020, Lea Fields Crematorium has donated over £100,000 to various bereavement-related charities through the ICCM scheme.
Cllr Emma Bailey, ward member for Lea, said: “I feel incredibly proud of the amount of money Lea Fields Crematorium has given to charities over the past five years. I am also thankful for Cliff Bradley and Sons for nominating Laybo’s Legacy and raising awareness of this special charity."
She added: “The ICCM metal recycling scheme is great for the environment, too. The fact that we can recycle these metals to avoid landfill and to reduce the requirement for new metals to be mined, all while raising money for great causes makes a positive impact in so many ways.”
Congratulations to Jane Pattison
A big well done to our very own Jane Pattison, who has successfully passed her Federation of Burial Cremation Authorities qualification in performing cremations. Her qualification now means Jane can perform cremations unsupervised and reflects her dedication to maintaining the highest professional standards and delivering exceptional care to the families we serve.
Recycled flower confetti now available
We're pleased to share that our beautifully recycled confetti is now ready to purchase. It has been created by volunteers from one of Lincolnshire County Council's Adult Day Centres, who have carefully crafted each batch from uncollected flowers left at the crematorium. This initiative gives the flowers a new purpose and supports our commitment to sustainability. There is an optional donation for each of the bags, available to collect from our office.
To stay up to date with the latest news at Lea Fields Crematorium, follow our Facebook page.
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Howzat! Walking cricket sessions in West Lindsey are proving increasingly popular with people aged 50 and above, and those with mobility issues to stay active and socialise in an enjoyable way.
Councillor Moira Westley, Deputy Leader of West Lindsey District Council and ward member for Market Rasen, recently stepped up to the crease as she joined a session at Market Rasen Leisure Centre to see the benefits of the sport first-hand.
Walking Cricket is slower, accessible format of the game that is played with a soft ball and is designed to make cricket inclusive and fun rather than intensive or competitive. Key features of the sport include walking between wickets, bowlers walking to bowl, underarm bowling and fielders walking to retrieve the ball.
Delivered by Everyone Active, the weekly sessions at Market Rasen Leisure Centre and West Lindsey Leisure Centre in Gainsborough provide a fun, sociable and active version of cricket that improves fitness and keeps the spirit of the game alive.
Councillor Moira Westley, ward member for Market Rasen, who recently stepped up to the crease when she joined a session at Market Rasen Leisure Centre, praised the high spirits of those who took part.
She said: “I’ve had such a great time today getting involved with walking cricket. What stood out to me most was the joy and positive energy of everyone playing. Seeing older people and those with reduced mobility taking part and enjoying a sport was really encouraging."
Weekly walking cricket sessions run on Wednesdays at West Lindsey Leisure Centre in Gainsborough (12pm-1pm) and on Mondays at Market Rasen Leisure Centre (11am-12pm).
For more information about the sessions, visit: https://lincscricket.co.uk/walking-cricket/
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 A national recruitment campaign, Make a Difference, Work for Your Local Council, has been launched to promote careers in local government and highlight just how rewarding working in the sector can be.
Working in local government means:
- Making a positive impact on real people’s lives in your community
- Growing your career through training and development opportunities
- Benefiting from flexible and inclusive working practices
- Having access to a huge variety of roles — with over 800 different jobs available in a council
Job vacancies are regularly posted on our website, as well as advertised on Indeed and through our social media channels, so it’s worth checking regularly.
We are currently looking to recruit a permanent Building Control Surveyor to join our team. This is an exciting time to be involved in Building Control.
For more information about this role and other current vacancies, please visit our website.
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More than 800 pupils across West Lindsey took part in school sport during 2024/25 through the School Games programme, supported by West Lindsey District Council and funded by Sport England.
Communities Officer Hannah Lane leads the programme locally, working with partners across Lincolnshire to bring inclusive and accessible sport to schools in areas including Nettleham, Saxilby, Sturton, Scotter, Sampton, Northorpe, Corringham, Torksey and Gainsborough.
Between April and December 2025, 887 pupils from 12 schools joined School Games events featuring sports such as rugby, cricket and netball. Each primary event was supported by 87 trained Young Leaders from four secondary schools who took part in leadership workshops before getting involved.
A further 27 pupils at Charles Baines Primary School took part in the School Games Morning Movement Pilot, delivered with Gainsborough Trinity Foundation. The short sessions take place before lessons to help improve class cohesion, focus and readiness to learn. The project has continued into the spring term and is already making a positive impact.
Cllr Moira Westley said it was “fantastic to see such a wide range of activity reaching so many young people across the district”.
Hannah added that bringing schools, clubs, charities and national governing bodies together is giving young people memorable and meaningful opportunities to enjoy sport.
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Our citizens' panel is made up residents from all across the district who provide the council with their views on a range of issues through surveys and focus groups.
Previous surveys have looked at residents priorities, how the council works and key areas such as funding. Anyone can join the West Lindsey Citizen Panel, as long as you are:
- A resident of West Lindsey
- Aged 16 or over
To join the panel, complete our short form. You can either complete this online or print off a physical copy and return it to the Council's offices at the Guildhall.
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Residents, businesses and landowners can now have their say on proposals to protect and restore nature across Lincolnshire.
A public consultation on the draft Greater Lincolnshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is now live. The plan will lead to protected habitats, more trees in the ground, green neighbourhoods, better-kept open spaces and recovery of areas that have been lost.
Cllr Stephen Bunney, Chairman of West Lindsey District Council's Environment and Sustainability Members Working Group, said: "I highly encourage all residents, community groups and businesses to take part in this consultation and have their say on the future of wildlife in our county.
"Residents tell us they want to protect green spaces. This strategy is there to protect and enhance these spaces and help shape nature recovery across Lincolnshire."
A series of informal online drop-in sessions are also taking place, giving people the chance to hear more about the draft strategy and ask questions. More information can be found in the link below.
The consultation is now live and closes at midnight on Sunday 8 March 2026.
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 West Lindsey District Council is delighted to share its Environment and Sustainability Report between December 2024 and December 2025.
West Lindsey District Council officers and members have worked on a number of initiatives in support of our target to become Net Zero by 2050 in line with our value of 'small steps make a big impact.'
From reduced CO2, to improved energy efficiency in residents' homes, our small steps are making a big difference. We are also proud to showcase some of the hard work that thousands of residents, community groups, businesses and parish councils are putting in to reduce their carbon footprint and live a more sustainable lifestyle.
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Sign up to our environment and sustainability e-newsletter for regular updates on local initiatives, campaigns, events and energy saving advice sent straight to your inbox!
Find our sign-up link below.
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The Great British Spring Clean is the nation's biggest mass-action environmental campaign. Since 2016, volunteers have pledged to pick more than 4.5 million bags of litter.
It is back for 2026 from 13 to 29 March.
Whether it's taking part as a school or picking up litter as part of your family walks, they are lots of ways to get involved.
Find out more about The Great British Spring Clean here: Great British Spring Clean | Keep Britain Tidy
Free litter picking equipment hire is available via the council. Click on the link below to find out more.
Don't forget to send us your pics while you pick!
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Climate Action Fund - Food Systems
This new round of the Climate Action Fund is focused on food systems, with the aim of supporting long-term change that helps communities access healthy, affordable food, while protecting nature and reducing impacts on the climate.
The Stobart Sustainability Fund
Community groups, educational facilities and small businesses which are looking to deliver a project or initiative which would benefit the environment and are green or ecological in nature are eligible to apply.
National Lottery Awards for All England - Environment
This fund targets community-led projects which help people with an care for nature in their area or make a positive different to the environment.
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Woodland Snowdrop Trail
Take a peaceful self-guided woodland walk Behind The Garden Wall, perfect for adults and families this February half term.
Collect your trail map and gate code from the farm shop and enjoy spotting all the beautiful snowdrops!
Times: 10am-4pm
Price: £2.50 per person
Location: Uncle Henry's Farm Shop, Grange Farm, Grange Lane, Grayingham, DN21 4JD
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Saxby Snowdrop Walk
A peaceful woodland walk through the Saxby countryside.
Dates: 15, 21 & 22 February
Location: Parking at The Haybarn
Enjoy woodland paths, tranquil ponds and carpets of snowdrops in the Saxby countryside.
All walks are dog-friendly and there is a selection of homemade cakes and hot drinks for sale.
Entry is £5 per person (free for under 12s) with all processed going towards the Friends of Saxby Church.
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February Half Term at Gainsborough Library
Join Gainsborough Library for a creative Wild West adventure where kids can Make a cactus from a stone – paint, pot, and personalise your own desert plant and then create and decorate a colourful hobby horse to gallop into the frontier!
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Submit Your Event
Don't forget, you can upload your event to our website for free and will also be featured on our events newsletter and social media.
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Bouncers
Date: Friday 13 March 2026
THE ALL TIME CLASSIC COMEDY HEADS TO GAINSBOROUGH FOR ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY!
Join us for this Hilarious, vulgar, frenetic and highly physical show, The play has become an international sensation, gathering awards from around the globe. Bouncers is eye-wateringly funny, celebratory and as relevant today as it ever was.
Starring Steven Arnold from Coronation Street, Warren Donnelly from Shameless, Stephen Hoyle from Waterloo Road & Heartbeat and Theatre legend Robert Stuart Hudson.
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Fun! With Barbara Nice
Date: Friday 10 April 2026
In Barbra Streisand’s recent autobiography, she says: “I haven't had much fun in my life, to tell you the truth. And I want to have more fun.”
Join ordinary housewife extraordinaire Barbara Nice for a laugh-out-loud joyful get-together as we reconnect with what makes life worth living. Barbara says “In these dark days, we need to find fun whenever we piggin’ can”. Expect Barbara’s unique comic insights into the current state of play on how we are all getting on.
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Murder: Staged
Date: Friday 27 March 2026
Did you know that 90% of people believe they can get away with murder – are you one of them? There will be a live psychopath test to find out
Serial killer and psychopathy expert Cheish Merryweather introduces MURDER:STAGED – a deep dive into the embedded lies at crime scenes.
The 'CSI effect' has created a new type of killer – you will investigate the six types of stagers: The Planner, The Creator, The Cleaner, The Concealer, The Fabricator and The Inflictor.
Featuring forensics, criminology, dark psychology and reconstructed real-life crime scene walk-throughs. An unmissable evening for any true crime fan.
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Quo Connection
Date: Saturday 7 March 2026
The Rod Stewart Songbook’s spectacular theatre production is the ultimate homage to Rod Stewart, featuring Pete McCall, Europe’s foremost tribute. Along with his sensational live band, you will be taken on a musical journey spanning 50 years, when one of rock music’s greatest icons sold over 250 million records worldwide. These unforgettable hits include Sailing, Maggie May, Do Ya Think I’m Sexy, Some Guys Have All The Luck, Baby Jane, Rhythm Of My Heart, You Wear It Well, Hot Legs and many many more.
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