Bypass weekend road closures begin in Branston this week

A community grocery store which aims to help people cut the cost of a weekly shop will be opening in Lincoln next week.

The Lincoln Community Grocery will be based in the Central Methodist Church on the High Street, and it will offer affordable food for its members when it opens on Tuesday, October 5.

People who sign up for memberships will be able to do a large food shop for just £3 a visit, saving on average more than £30 per shop, with the same choice you would expect in local supermarkets.

Membership costs just £5 a year and members are entitled to visit the grocery three times a week, as well as choosing their own shopping for their families.

Fresh fruit and vegetables, tinned goods, frozen foods, as well as sanitary and household items will be available at the store, which is an initiative of national charity The Message Trust.

For just £3, customers can expect their shop to include one loaf of bread, five portions of fruit and veg, five box and canned items, two frozen items, two mix and match items and one non-food item. Stock will depend on the number of donations made to the charity.

Members will also have access to a range of services including employment clubs, debt advice, cookery courses and mental wellbeing help.

Lincoln’s Community Grocery will be run in partnership with Alive Church Lincoln and Acts Trust, and it will become the tenth community grocery store in England.

Andy Hawthorne OBE, chief executive and founder of The Message Trust said: “COVID-19 and lockdowns have had a massive impact on everyone’s lives, but for millions it’s made it difficult for them to afford everyday essentials like food.

“We couldn’t stand by and do nothing, so the Community Groceries began. Bridging the gap between supermarkets and foodbanks, we’re here to make it easier for our members to put food on the table by reducing the cost of the weekly shop, whilst also providing them with support and courses too.

“Over 7,800 members across the UK are now shopping in stores each week, and we can’t wait to welcome people to Lincoln Community Grocery from October 5.”

Around 500 mourners gathered at the funeral of two-year-old Louisiana Brooke Dolan, who tragically lost her life in caravan fire at Ingoldmells.

Louisiana was on holiday at the Sealands Caravan Park in Ingoldmells, with her mum Natasha and her three siblings, when the fire broke out on the night of Monday, August 23. The toddler sadly died in the fire, but her mum and the other children were able to escape.

The funeral had a pink theme, with a huge Peppa Pig floral tribute and people wearing pink shirts.

Kind contributors donated more than £19,400 towards the family ahead of the funeral, which took place at St Mary Magdalene Church in Newark on Monday, September 27.

Police investigations are continuing into Louisiana’s death, while an inquest recently gave a provisional cause of death as ‘inhalation of products of combustion’.

Our four-legged friends are invited to have a day out at Lincoln Castle at several special events coming (p)up.

Pooches can explore the history of Lincoln Castle, taking in the Medieval Wall Walk, castle grounds and Magna Carta building, at ‘dog friendly days’ on Saturday, October 23 and Sunday, October 24.

As part of the event, ‘puppaccinos’ will be available at the castle cafe for pets in needs of a post-walk refreshment.

Laura Ince, visitor experience team leader at Lincoln Castle, said: “There are plenty of opportunities for dogs and owners alike to explore and investigate what Lincoln Castle has to offer.

“Make sure you stop for some pawsome selfies as your dog follows you on a journey back through history exploring the Medieval Wall Walk, Victorian Prison and Magna Carta.”

There will also be dog friendly days next year on January 15 and 16, then on February 26 and 27.

The castle will be open from 10am to 5pm. The entrance to the castle grounds will be free of charge but tickets apply for the Medieval Wall Walk, Victorian Prison and Magna Carta. You can book here.