David Mckenna

Hull trading standards officers visited more than 60 premises to enforce the UK’s temporary ban on single-use barbecues, finding five retailers still selling them. They seized 53 barbecues and issued two suspension notices. The seized items will be held in quarantine pending the ban’s removal, while further visits are planned to improve retailer awareness and compliance. The ban follows hot, dry weather and a series of wildfires, although many major retailers had already stopped selling disposable barbecues voluntarily.

Mrs Smith's Cottage in Navenby, Lincolnshire, has regained Arts Council England accreditation more than a decade after closing because its roof was deemed unsafe. Named after Hilda Smith, who lived there for more than 70 years, the cottage preserves her home largely as it was and presents a view of 20th-Century rural life. It reopened in 2020 following a £1m National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported restoration, and North Kesteven District Council said the accreditation recognized the work of staff and volunteers and the museum's care for its collections.

Lincoln Pride's parade will return after being cancelled the previous year because organisers could not secure sufficient funding. Organiser Arran Hart said the parade is central to the event and that Pride remains committed to being free and accessible. A venue change to Orchard Street Car Park has reduced estimated infrastructure costs from about £90,000 to £45,000, while sponsorship, fundraising and trader fees continue to support the event.

Four fire crews remain at Stapleford Woods in Lincolnshire, where a blaze has affected about 1,000 square metres of grass, undergrowth and woodland. Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service said the response had been scaled down but was still ongoing, advising people to avoid the area and keep doors and windows closed. The fire is part of a wider period of increased wildfire activity during hot, dry conditions. Stapleford Woods, near Newark and the Nottinghamshire border, is the area’s largest forest and is subject to a plan to replace some conifers with broadleaf woodland.

Thousands of people attended Humber Rescue’s open day at Hessle Foreshore in East Yorkshire, which raised funds and showcased the volunteer-run lifeboat charity’s rescue work. Organiser Yusef Forster said the self-funded service relies entirely on public donations and provides crucial coverage across the Humber Estuary and surrounding rivers. HM Coastguard representative Alan Stewart also used the event to promote water safety, following recent fatal and potentially fatal incidents at Withernsea and Hornsea.

Overnight weekday closures will affect the westbound slip road at the North Cave Interchange near the A63 in East Yorkshire from 10 August to 14 September 2026, excluding 31 August. National Highways is upgrading the roadside lighting to LEDs, and traffic will be diverted via junction 37 at Howden before rejoining the A63 at junction 38.

Lincolnshire Police appealed to parents and guardians to help address late-night anti-social behaviour involving young people in North Hykeham. A dispersal order was imposed from 3 to 5 July after reports of intoxication, shouting, loud music, littering and violence near St Aiden’s Park. Two officers were assaulted, and police later identified those involved and contacted their parents or guardians. The force issued dispersal notices, parental advice letters and an anti-social behaviour warning, while two 15-year-old girls were subject to further intervention, including a referral to a joint police and council diversionary panel.

The annual Boston Classic Car Club show will feature more than 500 vintage vehicles at Orchard Park Field near Boston, Lincolnshire, including pre-war cars, motorbikes and a restored double-decker bus. The event will also include live music and stalls, with Bangers & Cash personality Sarah Crabtree among the guests. Now in its 34th year, the show has raised more than £35,000 for local charities and will support Boston Sea Cadets this year.

The Red Arrows have withdrawn from several UK summer events after being stranded in Canada following their US tour because of poor weather and challenging refuelling conditions on the return route. The RAF says safety will determine when the team can resume its journey, which is expected to continue the following week. Organisers in Eastbourne and Lyme Regis expressed disappointment, while alternative aircraft displays are being arranged. The team is expected to resume its schedule later in August, including a planned appearance at Cromer Carnival.

A memorial service in Hull on 23 August will honour the 44 British and American crew members killed when the R38 airship exploded and crashed into the Humber Estuary in 1921. The event will include a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and a wreath-laying ceremony. The airship, built for long-range patrols and intended for the US Navy, had experienced balance problems before breaking apart during a test flight; the disaster ended the UK’s military airship programme.

Residents in Louth and surrounding parts of Lincolnshire say they are following Anglian Water’s hosepipe ban but are generally reluctant to report neighbours, except in serious or repeated cases. Anglian Water says demand has fallen since the restrictions began on 11 July and warns that serious breaches could lead to fines of up to £1,000. A YouGov poll found that one in 10 households would ignore the rules, while Lincolnshire Police urged people to check whether suspected breaches had an innocent explanation, such as the use of collected rainwater or an exemption.

Families affected by Legacy Independent Funeral Directors have said Robert Bush’s 20-year prison sentence is not long enough, particularly because he may be eligible for release after serving about half. Bush admitted 67 offences, including preventing lawful and decent burials and stealing from charities, after police found 35 bodies and more than 100 sets of ashes at the Hull premises. Relatives described lasting trauma and anger, while some welcomed the conviction as a form of closure. Families are calling for stronger regulation of funeral directors and a public inquiry, and the government says it will develop proposals to raise standards and crack down on rogue operators.

A 37-year-old man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a stabbing in Grimsby. Police found the victim on Lord Street following reports of an altercation involving three men with baseball bats and a fourth man. A 34-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of affray, and officers recovered a knife and baseball bat from the scene. Police indicated that all individuals involved were known to each other and urged witnesses or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward.

A man was arrested after two women were injured in a collision involving a Peugeot van on Trinity Road in Bridlington. An 83‑year‑old woman suffered life‑threatening injuries and a 78‑year‑old woman sustained serious injuries. Police detained a 35‑year‑old man on suspicion of dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs and appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage.

Specialists are clearing two abandoned articulated trailers filled with waste from Ramsden Road near Flixborough Industrial Estate, with hazardous‑material checks under way and the road closed until Wednesday. North Lincolnshire Council reports the load includes insulation boards, tyres and possibly asbestos, and is seeking witnesses or dashcam footage to identify who dumped the trailers.

Two cars were damaged in a suspected arson attack in the car park of HMP Full Sutton in East Yorkshire. Emergency services were called shortly before 02:00, with fire crews working until 04:00 to prevent re-ignition. No injuries were reported, and police are investigating to identify those involved, urging anyone with information to come forward.

A man from Mablethorpe who was diagnosed with terminal cancer five years ago won £65,000 on The Pools after correctly predicting five numbers. Gary Archer described the win as relieving financial pressure and said he plans to pay off his mortgage and take a family holiday. He noted continuing cancer treatment and reflected on the loss of his son two years earlier. The win follows another major lottery prize recently awarded to residents on the Lincolnshire coast.

Teachers at Scampton Church of England Primary School say heartfelt messages and handmade cards mean more than end‑of‑term presents, highlighting that personal appreciation is more valued than material gifts. Staff describe memorable notes and small handmade items as meaningful recognition of their work, with no expectations placed on families.

Residents in Great Ponton, Lincolnshire experienced very low water pressure or complete outages due to pump failures in the Anglian Water network. Engineers are conducting complex repairs expected to take several days, with road closures in place. The company distributed bottled water to affected households and deployed tankers to provide temporary supplies. Residents reported repeated disruptions, with some needing to travel to relatives for basic facilities. Anglian Water apologised and advised those struggling to contact its priority services team.

City of Lincoln Council plans to introduce safety measures at Swanholme Lakes following the drowning of 15-year-old Declan Sawyer, including a trial safety warden patrol and closer coordination on water safety. The initiative aims to reduce antisocial behaviour, improve public awareness of open-water risks and assess long-term policy needs. The Royal Life Saving Society reiterated advice for safer swimming practices after recent fatalities.

City of Lincoln Council plans a trial safety warden scheme and expanded water-safety partnerships after the drowning of 15-year-old Declan Sawyer at Swanholme Lakes. The proposed measures aim to improve monitoring during busy periods, discourage antisocial behaviour, and promote awareness of open‑water hazards. Council leader Naomi Tweddle emphasized the community impact of the death and the need for education, while the Royal Life Saving Society reiterated guidance on safer swimming practices.

Ancient graffiti in Stow Minster may represent one of England’s earliest Viking longship carvings, offering insights into the region’s Viking presence. Church warden David Justham suggests the etching could date from the era when Sweyn Forkbeard ruled from nearby Gainsborough or from local settlers. Archaeological evidence of an earlier wooden church destroyed during Viking activity adds further context. The minster’s historical importance and its connections to early Christianity and Viking integration are highlighted by local clergy and historians.

A 22‑year‑old woman from East Yorkshire is preparing to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic with two teammates to raise money in memory of a school friend who died of bone cancer. The team, aiming to become the youngest female trio to complete the route from the Canary Islands to Antigua, plans to finish the challenge in up to 50 days while supporting the charity A Shining Light. Mandatory training has been completed, and the women expect to face harsh weather with limited mitigation. They will showcase their boat and speak with supporters at the upcoming Howden Show.