News from District Councillor Lucille Hagues
Councillor Lucille Hagues
September 2025 Newsletter
WITH AUGUST BEING A QUIET MONTH FOR THE COUNCIL I HAVEN’T GOT THAT MUCH TO REPORT, BUT HERE GOES:-
COUNCILLOR JACKSON – CHARITY TREK
Councillor Jackson and his wife are doing a 25k trek crossing 16 London’s bridges in September to raise money for the charity she works for, SOLVING KID’S CANCER. They provide vital support to children and families affected by NEUROBLASTOMA, drive innovative clinical research and raise awareness of the impact of childhood cancer. It’s a devastating cancer that affects around 100 children a year in the UK, and because the number of children affected each year is relatively small, raising money and awareness is very difficult. Sponsor Cllr and Mrs Jackson here:-
GailsRussell’sThamesBridgeTrekforSolvingKidsCancerUK or contact Cllr Russell Jackson on cllr_russell_jackson@n-kesteven.gov.uk
LATEST COUNCIL’S NEWS STORIES
You can keep up to date with the latest Council news release on the website.
Extra provision for safer communities in Sleaford with new trauma kits at key locations
Celebrate VJ day in North Kesteven
NK Community Champion Awards 2025 launched
For their latest news on NKDC visit their council news page.
SLEAFORD ON SEA EVENT THIS SATURDAY
Enjoy sand, sun and buckets of fun as the seaside is brought to Sleaford Market Place this summer! The pop-up beach has arrived at Sleaford Market Place and will be in place until September 4th. Do come with your children and have a fun time.
FRUIT TREES FOR COMMUNITIES
Following the success last winter, we are pleased to relaunch our community orchard scheme for planting in late 2025 to early 2026.
NKDC are offering free fruit trees to establish community orchards in North Kesteven as part of the Coronation Living Heritage Fund. Sites should be accessible to the public to some extent (e.g. Amenity land, parks, village greens) and there should be plans for community engagement (such as tree planting, fruit picking).
Trees are offered alongside stakes, guards, and ties in packs of five, but if you have space, please do apply for more than one pack.
You can find information on the scheme and a link to the application form on NKDC communities webpage. The deadline for applications has been extended to 12pm on Monday September 8th.
Please note, priority will be given to new orchards, as well as locations and groups that have not previously received fruit trees from NKDC.
CREATE A COMMMUNITY GARDEN
The National Gardens Scheme is offering grants of £1,500 - £5000 to support community gardens. The fund helps local groups to create sustainable, biodiversity- friendly gardens that bring people together and benefit the wider community. Match funding isn’t required.
They are welcoming applications for projects that foster diversity and/or support people with physical or mental disabilities. Guidelines on eligibility on the National Garden Scheme website allowing interested groups four weeks before applications open to ask any questions they may have.
Submission opens on Monday 15th September and closes on Monday 20th October, however, to the enormous popularity of the grants only the first 300 submissions will be accepted for assessment and applications may close early. Successful applicants will be notified of the results by April 2026.
Please apply here:- www.ngs.org.uk
UK-WIDE EMERGENCY ALERT TEST
A UK-wide emergency alert test will take place on Sunday 7th September 2025 at 3pm. Mobile phones will emit a loud siren and vibrate – EVEN IF THEY ARE ON SILENT.
Whilst these alerts aim to protect the public in emergencies, they could put victim survivors of domestic abuse at risk – especially those that rely on hidden phones as part of their safety plan.
Please know, you CAN opt out of this test.
If you need to disable alerts for safety reasons, follow the steps here:
https://ow.ly/NPKP50Wzxn6
COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS 2025 LAUNCHED
Do you know someone who is making a difference within the community of North Kesteven through their kind consideration and voluntary endeavour?
The next best thing is an NK Community Champions Award, backed by community minded businesses within the district and co-ordinated by NKDC.
Across 11 categories, this year we’re looking to champion:-
Community spirit
Young Achievers
Community Business’s
Contribution to climate action, arts and culture, sport, a better environment, and health & wellbeing
Good neighbours
Longstanding contributions to a single group or organisation
And there is a new category this year to compliment the Chair’s charitable theme to celebrate Contributions to Animal Welfare.
There’s a category to capture all manner of expressions of voluntary action undertaken tirelessly, quietly, and selflessly for the benefit of people and communities within North Kesteven.
Nominations can be made at www.NKawards.org where there is more detail. DEADLINE IS 12PM ON SEPTEMBER 16TH.
Best Wishes
Lucille