Charis Scott-Holm

Gainsborough will host a free WordFest programme on Saturday 12 September, featuring children’s theatre, family workshops, author talks, creative-writing sessions and other literary activities. The event is supported by West Lindsey District Council, which says it will celebrate creativity, storytelling and community while encouraging people of all ages to engage with culture. The full programme will be released later, with some events requiring advance booking.

A Prisons and Probation Ombudsman report criticised HMP Full Sutton after staff took 16 minutes to call an ambulance for Malcolm MacDougal, a 74-year-old prisoner who was later found to be comatose following a brain haemorrhage. Staff restrained him with an escort chain while transporting him to hospital, citing his history of substance misuse, but the ombudsman said the decision failed to account for his critical medical condition and dignity. MacDougal died the same day after being removed from life support. The report recommended faster responses to unresponsive prisoners, risk assessments based on current medical circumstances, and avoiding restraints during serious treatment except in exceptional cases. It also identified similar restraint concerns involving two other prisoners who died. The Prison Service accepted all recommendations and said it had strengthened emergency procedures, restraint guidance and support for prisoners with substance misuse issues.

Research led by the University of Lincoln suggests that exposing soil to small amounts of saline irrigation can help naturally occurring microbial communities adapt to saltier conditions. The approach could support Lincolnshire farmers facing rising sea levels, tidal surges, changing rainfall and higher temperatures, allowing crops to maintain yields despite increasing soil salinity. Researchers will next examine how salinity interacts with fertilisers and crop pathogens, including whether it may reduce some forms of crop blight.

Researchers at the University of Lincoln have found that exposing soil to small amounts of saline irrigation can help naturally occurring microbial communities adapt to saltier conditions. The adapted soils enabled crops to continue growing and maintain yields despite increased salinity, a growing threat linked to sea-level rise, changing rainfall and higher temperatures. The approach could help Lincolnshire farmers, whose land is vulnerable to tidal surges and seawater intrusion, prepare for future climate conditions. Further research will examine how salinity interacts with fertilisers and crop pathogens.

An 83-year-old man died in hospital shortly after his silver Vauxhall Corsa collided with two parked cars on Richmond Road in Hessle, near Beverley Road. Humberside Police attended the incident and is appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.

Graham Stephenson, 55, was sentenced at Grimsby Crown Court to 18 years and four months in prison after admitting rape, sexual activity with a child, inciting a boy to engage in sexual activity and making indecent photographs of a child. The historical offences involved four boys, one of whom was six when the abuse began. Stephenson was also ordered to remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life. Humberside Police detective Rebecca Davison praised the victims for reporting the abuse and giving evidence during the lengthy investigation.

RAF Typhoons were launched from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire after a Quick Reaction Alert was triggered by concern over a Qatar Airways passenger flight travelling from Doha to Manchester. The Ministry of Defence and RAF said the incident was resolved and the aircraft landed safely at Manchester Airport at 19:45 BST.

A woman in Grimsby faced racist abuse after a video of her rescuing a fallen seagull was misinterpreted and widely shared online, including by local Reform UK council leader Oliver Freeston. Although Freeston deleted his post and acknowledged she was helping the bird, the woman said the clarification was insufficient and that the abuse continued. She said stereotypes about Muslims contributed to the backlash and called for accountability. Freeston declined further comment, while she spoke out to halt the ongoing harassment.

A Hull City supporter travelling across the United States for the World Cup says spending more than £10,000 without initially having match tickets has been worthwhile. Ed Faulkner is following England into the semi-final against Argentina and praised American fans for embracing visiting supporters and recognising Hull City’s recent promotion. A customised flag he lost earlier in New Jersey remains missing despite appeals for its return.

A Beverley resident is auctioning an extensive private collection of luxury fashion items, including 20 designer handbags, shoes and accessories, with guide prices totalling up to £40,000. Auctioneer Coralie Thomson highlighted a Chanel 19 medium flap bag, Karl Lagerfeld’s final creation, as the standout piece. Additional Louis Vuitton bags are also expected to attract strong bids. The sale, hosted by David Duggleby in York, has generated significant interest due to the quality and largely unworn condition of the items.

Lincolnshire County Council plans drainage improvements on Fiskerton Road and Waterford Lane in Cherry Willingham to address repeated flooding of nearby homes. Work begins 20 July and will run in three weekday phases through October, requiring temporary road closures and traffic management. The project aims to create a more resilient drainage system capable of handling heavy rainfall.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council launched its summer Holiday Activities and Food programme offering more than 460 free activities for children, including pony trekking, dance workshops and SEND-focused sessions. Free places are available for families receiving free school meals or council tax support, with options for ages four to sixteen across the region.

A section of the Grantham Canal in Lincolnshire will undergo major works from 13 July to prevent water leakage that has been damaging nearby roads and affecting businesses. South Kesteven District Council said measures will include improvements to water-level management, installation of railings, steps, platforms and a gauge, and form part of a £206,000 five‑year programme. Councillor Richard Cleaver warned that heavy rain increases the risk of bank failure, while noting the improvements will also benefit wildlife. The canal, no longer used for commerce since 1936, is now mainly managed by the Grantham Canal Partnership.

Residents in Hull voiced concerns over the planned closure of the Fairfax Avenue Post Office located inside a Morrisons Daily store, highlighting mobility challenges and reliance on the branch for essential services. Local representatives, including Dame Diana Johnson and councillor Sharon Hoffman, launched a petition to prevent the loss of what they describe as a vital community facility. A similar closure is planned at a Morrisons Daily store in Brigg, prompting further disruption. The Post Office acknowledged the inconvenience and is seeking new retailers to take on the branches.

A month-long eastbound closure on Wawne Road in Hull will begin as part of ongoing upgrades to the Bude Road/Wawne Road roundabout, allowing installation of new drainage, a traffic island and resurfacing. Drivers will be diverted via Holwell Road and Honiton Road, and the current northbound diversion will end once the new restriction begins. Hull City Council says the improvements aim to ease congestion.