Lincolnshire councils will close beaches if necessary

Parts of a cast-iron fountain used by mourners for decades to fill the flower containers on their loved ones’ graves has been stolen from Grimsby Crematorium.

The late 19th century cast iron Coalbrookdale fountain is a decorative piece which features a lion’s head on each side atop a decorative column.

The fountain is thought to have been commissioned as a memorial after construction of the Chapels in 1888. It was due to be restored during the next phase of conversation works within the Cemetery.

It is initially thought to have been damaged by a vehicle. Some parts of the fountain were taken during the incident, with the remaining pieces being recovered by Crematorium staff who were left distraught by the incident.

North East Lincolnshire Council staff are appealing to the public for help to try and recover the fountain.

Councillor Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for environment, energy and transport at the council, said: “Staff are really upset by the theft of the piece. It has stood on the site for several decades.

“We just cannot understand why anyone would steal from a cemetery. People come here to mourn their loved ones.

“We’ve appealing for anyone with information to get in touch. We think that the fountain may be in several parts now. The lion’s heads are quite distinctive and easy to spot.

“Parts of the fountain disappeared in July, and following a Police investigation, some parts were recovered, but some of the panels remain missing.

“Now we’re turning to the public for help in tracking down the missing parts. If anyone knows anything or sees the fountain, they can contact Humberside Police on 101 quoting ref 16/82165/21 or contact the Crematorium on 01472 324869.”

A section of the A16 has been closed after a crash between a lorry and a motorcyclist left the latter requiring hospital treatment.

The crash happened on the A16 at Grainsby near Holton Le Clay and was reported to police at around 12.15pm on Friday.

It involved a lorry and a female riding a motorbike, she has been taken to hospital for treatment following the collision.

North Thoresby to Waithe area on the A16 has been closed to allow for emergency services to deal with the incident, and is likely to remain shut for some time.

Lincolnshire Police are asking drivers to use alternative routes and avoid the area if they can.

A pumpkin weighing a whopping 286kg was named as Lincolnshire’s biggest pumpkin in a competition run by a business in Boston.

Bell’s Horticultural has gone through five generations of the family and is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

For the past six years the family firm has held ‘Lincolnshire’s Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off’ on the opening day of Bell’s Pumpkin Patch. The previous record stood at 262kg, but this was beaten by Boston man Len Saint, whose pumpkin weighted an impressed 286kg.

There is a ‘Selfie Station’ at Bell’s Pumpkin Patch. | Photo: Bell’s Horticultural

Retail director Holly Bell told The Lincolnite: “We’ve had lots of entrants, but you could see this was the biggest, it was a huge pumpkin. My first thought was ‘How will we move it?’ and it took eight big guys to lift it. We will need a forklift on hand next year.

“This year we have gone all out on our displays and doubled the size of the maze, event field and patches. With pumpkins we go large as a great way to celebrate the autumn and we are one of the biggest pumpkin growers in the UK.

“I’m really pleased with how we have done this year and that we continue to light Instagram up. We doubled the size of the event this year and nearly sold out for the weekend.”

Babies enjoy posing for photos with the pumpkins. | Photo: Bell’s Horticultural

All of the pumpkins entered into the competition, including Len’s whopper, will remain on display until the end of the month and people can pose for photos with them during their visit. Visitors can also enjoy Bounce & Climb, Potato Catapults, Maize Maze, pumpkin picking and more – tickets can be purchased here priced at £6.

The Lincolnshire firm grows over a million pumpkins every year for the country’s supermarkets. | Photo: Bell’s Horticultural

Bell’s Horticultural is primarily a wholesale nursery and also a family farm, growing over a million pumpkins every year for the country’s supermarkets.

The firm was recently voted as having the most Instagramable pumpkin patch by Zoella, and also featured in top 10 lists in the Daily Mail, Country Living Magazine and Wanderlust.