National youth programme returning for autumn half-term

A 23-year-old man from Lincoln with autism and ADHD has won an incredible seven medals at the 2021 Disability British Gymnastics Championships, including two golds.

Blake Gidley, 23, from Lincoln Gymnastics Club, competed in the national championships in Stoke-on-Trent on Sunday, October 17, and took home gold medals in the rings event and the all-around, which is a cumulative competition of all disciplines of gymnastics.

He also won silver in the floor, vault, parallel bars and high bar events, as well as bronze on the pommel horse, to round off a magnificent day for the young man.

A remarkable medal haul for a remarkable local athlete. | Photo: Sarah Gidley

Blake has ADHD and autism, and has dreams of representing his country at the Olympic Games in the future, as his class is not currently a Paralympic event.

He has been a gymnast for 13 years, and fell in love with it from the moment he first tried gymnastics as a 10-year-old boy.

Blake showcased his incredible balance and all-round gymnastics skills at the championships. | Photo: Sarah Gidley

Blake’s mum Sarah told The Lincolnite: “It’s not really sunk in what he has achieved yet, I just cannot believe we have a British champion in our family.

“Everyone at Lincoln Gymnastics Club has been so supportive and we are all just so proud of him.”

Sarah takes her son to Nottingham for extra training each week with specialist coaches, in the hope of developing his skills enough to make the courageous leap to the next level of his sport.

“He is desperate to be at the Olympics as a rings specialist,” Sarah said. “He really wants to share his story and inspire people that are like him.”

A plaque awarded to Blake for winning the Open Class 1 event. | Photo: Sarah Gidley

Blake sent a message to The Lincolnite after his success, thanking everyone for their support.

He said: “I would firstly like to say thank you to everyone who has supported me and helped me get to this point so far.

“It was an amazing experience and I am so proud to be able to represent people with autism and ADHD and to show that if you work hard, believe in yourself and never give up, it is possible to achieve amazing things. You shouldn’t let your disabilities hold you back from achieving your dreams.”

His triumphs in Stoke-on-Trent were his first taste of national success, and now he will be hoping to replicate that glory at next year’s championships in Liverpool.

Historic port buildings will be brought back to life as creative studios for artists and entrepreneurs.

Six buildings in Grimsby’s Fish Dock will be converted as part of a council project to kickstart regeneration in the Kasbah.

The scheme aims to make 37 studios available for hire and create exhibition spaces, according to the newly-approved planning application.

Plans to restore Grimsby dock buildings into creative spaces. | Image: Donald Insall Associates

Some of the buildings were once occupied by major Grimsby employers such as Edwin Bacon, Ross and Youngs.

Others were home to thriving businesses, including carpenters, sail printers, basket makers, engineers and boiler makers and fish handling companies. ‘Sailor Radio’ was also transmitted from the location.

The buildings will be repaired and refurbished, with historic signage put back into place.

Councillor Callum Procter, Cabinet member for economic growth, said: “This is a really important project for Grimsby, bringing together the creative activity that’s been happening along with development of a unique affordable space for businesses and creatives to grow. I look forward to watching the space develop in the coming year.”

Work will be carried out the buildings in three phases, focusing on regenerating the three central buildings first.

The buildings will be secured against water entry before the winter, with the main construction expected to begin on mid-2022.

Another view of the proposed development. | Image: Donald Insall Associates

Historic England has backed the plans, saying: “We are very pleased to see that the buildings will be appropriately repaired and refurbished as part of the project and converted to new uses which will bring more life and activity to the historic docks.”

The application for the scheme says: “The character of the Kasbah Conservation Area and the buildings naturally lend themselves to provide large, ‘working’ ground floor spaces, with small office spaces at first floor which could become studios.”

Funding for the scheme has been provided by a grant from the Cultural Development Fund.

The council will be looking for a company to manage its day-to-day running.

More port buildings have been earmarked for regeneration if more funding is secured.

A 32-year-old man is wanted after an alleged burglary at a burger takeaway in Spalding.

Marian Nitou is wanted in relation to the burglary, which is believed to have happened at Mr Burger on Station Street in the Lincolnshire town.

Nitou is also wanted for the breach of a court order.

Lincolnshire Police are appealing for assistance to locate Nitou. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact police on 101 or via email at [email protected] quoting occurrence number 21000114538.

Alternatively, it can be reported through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online here.