Latest news with #workshops
Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Swinging in the rain! Sex fetishists don't let thunderstorms and mud dampen their ardour at Britain's biggest swingers festival
Fetishists at the UK's biggest swingers festival haven't let the rain and storms put them off and have continued their wild weekend. Around one thousand kinky revelers have descended on a sleepy Lincolnshire village for Britain's biggest swingers festival taking place this weekend. The X-rated three-day extravaganza kicked off on Thursday and is now in its fifth year of attracting sexually adventurous guests from across the UK. Set in the middle of sleepy farmland near Grantham, this year's edition promises more risqué fun than ever before. And while attendees enjoyed a hot and sweaty first two days, basking in the UK's ongoing heatwave, ticketholders were less than impressed by the sudden rain. However they didn't let that stop their weekend of fun and many took to social media to emphasise the activities on offer and reassure organisers they would still be indulging their kinkier sides. For £200 a single ticket – or £250 per couple – attendees are treated to a raunchy line-up of saucy entertainment, including mobile dungeons, pole dancing, BDSM equipment stalls, and steamy hot tubs. Among the more eyebrow-raising activities on offer are spanking paddles for sale, kinky workshops, lingerie boutiques, foam parties and a game of butt-plug bingo. There's also a strong presence of kink culture, with dedicated 'play tents' and a focus on everything from bondage to consensual non-monogamy. Stalls selling sex toys, whips, chains and other NSFW gear line the grounds, as well as giant words written on the ground saying 'kink', 'play' and 'love'. But the rain has stopped some from enjoying. One attendee who goes by the social media name Baby Kink took to her TikTok to give a weather update. She said: 'Hi guys I'm down in the field today and it's a little bit wet - but not in the right way. 'We still have amazing things happening today. Lots of games and karaoke and wet thing. She added that there was still plenty of fun to be had despite the terrible weather. Another swinger who went by the name Saurora Aurora took to her Instagram story to complain about the weather. She said: 'Good morning guys it's definitely a different morning, day today it's obviously the British summer weather of rain and cold so we're not fully clothed which is really boring, fully clothed and cold.' But she said it was 'really good to chat to people in the lifestyle' and added she would be doing some 'spicy workshops' which she was looking forward to later in the day and finished by telling her followers she was excited for the final day. Pictures posted on social media showed revellers enjoying their weekend of hedonism in Lincolnshire, dabbling in body to body painting, BDSM workshops and foam parties as well as educational workshops and erotic dances. The event has previously attracted criticism from nearby residents who complained about 'loud moaning sounds' coming from the site. But it has since relocated to a larger, more rural location as numbers increased and organisers say they are committed to challenging the 'sleazy' stigma around the festival. Matthew Cole, who started Swingathon in 2020, says it is not exclusive to traditional swingers and it is more an 'adult alternative lifestyle event'. He said: 'Contrary to some beliefs, there are no keys in bowls, seedy music, lecherous individuals or a high level of STIs amongst this community. 'In fact, individuals within this community are respectful, conscientious, and more likely to practise safe sex or be regularly tested than the average person you might meet on a night out in a club. 'The team are passionate about normalising the sexual freedom that alternative lifestyles provide and continue to strive against prejudice and adversity to bring the community a safe and inclusive social, play and learning space.' The festival says it celebrates a broad range of adult alternative lifestyles, including LGBTQ+ identities, consensual non-monogamy, kink, and more. The event with also feature live music, DJs, workshops, demonstrations, stalls and games - all in a 'safe, inclusive space' which 'celebrates diversity.' Matt and his wife Stacie say they remain committed to challenging stigma and they have taken steps to ensure both safety and credibility. They claim attendees are vetted in advance and the event has a 'strong focus on consent and personal responsibility.' Matt added: 'Swingathon is not a sex party, but rather a gathering of open-minded individuals where friendships and relationships can begin or thrive. 'It aims to bring together a community with an inclusive positive experience, where friendships and relationships begin, rekindle and flourish through the embracement of uniqueness, regardless of the rumour mill.' However, some residents still oppose having the 'seedy' festival on their doorsteps and say it is not welcome in their quaint rural hamlet. One resident, who did not want to be named, said: 'We're becoming known as the swingers capital of England just because of this festival and that's not a title we want. 'Its mostly elderly people and families here so you can imagine them spitting their tea out when they learned we were to be the home of Swingathon. 'It's usually the talk of the village, some say let consenting adults do whatever they want to do, but I know many are not pleased they have chosen here for such activities. 'It's just a bit seedy and sleazy isn't it? Not for me I'm afraid.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Council hails free bike repairs 'very successful'
Free bicycle repair workshops will continue running until the end of October, a council has said. North East Lincolnshire Council began the sessions in the Grimsby area in May and said it hoped more people would be encouraged to "get their bikes out of the garage and back on the road". Tim Gooseman, the authority's senior transport officer, said: "The sessions so far have been very successful. Repairs that have been made include gears, buckled rims, and chains as well as the general safety checks." The council is inviting people to book ahead of the sessions. Workshops will be held on the following dates: Tuesday 22 July (14:00 to 17:30 BST) at Duke of York Gardens Wednesday 23 July (15:00 to 17:30 BST) at Capes Recreation Ground Thursday 24 July (14:00 to 17:30 BST) at Grimsby Leisure Centre Tuesday 5 August (14:00 to 17:30 BST) at Grant Thorold Park Thursday 7 August (14:00 to 17:30 BST) at New Waltham Village Hall Tuesday 12 August (15:00 to 18:00 BST) at Immingham Civic Centre The council said it would be announcing further dates in due course. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices More on this story Free bike checks and security marking on offer Related internet links North East Lincolnshire Council
BBC News
a day ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Free bike repairs offered to North East Lincolnshire residents
Free bicycle repair workshops will continue running until the end of October, a council has said. North East Lincolnshire Council began the sessions in the Grimsby area in May and said it hoped more people would be encouraged to "get their bikes out of the garage and back on the road".Tim Gooseman, the authority's senior transport officer, said: "The sessions so far have been very successful. Repairs that have been made include gears, buckled rims, and chains as well as the general safety checks."The council is inviting people to book ahead of the sessions. Workshops will be held on the following dates: Tuesday 22 July (14:00 to 17:30 BST) at Duke of York Gardens Wednesday 23 July (15:00 to 17:30 BST) at Capes Recreation Ground Thursday 24 July (14:00 to 17:30 BST) at Grimsby Leisure Centre Tuesday 5 August (14:00 to 17:30 BST) at Grant Thorold Park Thursday 7 August (14:00 to 17:30 BST) at New Waltham Village Hall Tuesday 12 August (15:00 to 18:00 BST) at Immingham Civic CentreThe council said it would be announcing further dates in due course. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Splaine: What would you do if you only had one week to live?
It's summer. It's time to work and play. Our Seacoast area lets us do a lot of each. But, balancing the two isn't easy. Most of us have to work for a living. And most of us haven't figured a way to make loads of money, so we have to work a long part of our lives. For ourselves. For our families. To buy stuff. Liking what we do for work. Many of us fall into a rut and take jobs that are the same old grind every day. We get up, have the same old regular breakfast, put on the same old regular clothes, then go to work for 8 to 10 hours or so and return home tired. Admit it − we've all had jobs like that, if only temporarily for a few months or a year until we found something better. It's great when we find something we like to do, and make a living doing it. Looking forward to waking up each morning and going to work is a special reward that doesn't belong to everyone, but when it happens you've hit the jackpot. A good mantra is: "Work to live, don't live to work." There's so much in this world to explore and see and do in addition to work. "The Deathbed Exercise." That brings us to the real subject of this column, and that's to encourage you to take a little exercise. It's quite simple. No "yes" or "no" answers. No scores assigned. It's self-evaluation. Some years ago I conducted workshops on a variety of topics for businesses and organizations. Topics included stress management, time management, customer service, dealing with workplace conflicts, and diversity training. But the workshop I personally enjoyed doing most, and which was very popular, was what I called "The Deathbed Exercise." I didn't invent it. Go online and you'll see lots of versions of deathbed exercises which get people to focus on what's important in their lives. But the approach I took in my workshops was a bit different, and much more personal. Whether you're 25, 55 or 85, this exercise can be thought-provoking for you. Start by putting yourself into a mindset that you have only another week to ten days to live. We'll all end up there someday, so don't be scared of the thought. Consider that you're comfortable on your "deathbed," surrounded by family and friends, and you have the luxury of a few more days to think about your thousands of memories and the work you've accomplished, and the family and friends you love. Not everyone is equal in this equation − inequality of life is part of the formula we signed up for being born. Our own lives may be short or may be long. But each of us had our joys and happiness as well as our struggles and tears. Here are three questions for you: 1. Do I wish I had spent more time at the office? At work, the warehouse, the shop, at my business, on the job, in that building where I had to go every day to make a living? 2. What do I remember most fondly about my life? Who was I with, what was I doing, where did I travel, what place did I enjoy being most? What and whom were the loves of my life? 3. If I do just have 7-10 days left, of all the places I traveled where would I like to visit a final time? Time to change something? After doing The Deathbed Exercise, be thankful it was ONLY an exercise. It was just a snapshot − an inventory − of where you are today. Starting today, you can make changes. Because today, each of us has the gift of time. We don't know how much time, but we have that gift. Your answers aren't for others to judge, just yourself. For me, though, I always thought my big brother John had it right in the motto he wrote in his 1957 PHS yearbook photo: "We should use things and love people, instead of using people and loving things." Today's quote:"Regrets, I've had a few. But then again, too few to mention." - Frank Sinatra, "My Way," recorded December 30, 1968. Lyrics by Paul Anka. Next time: Get ready. Get set. Run for office! Variously since 1969, Jim Splaine has been New Hampshire state senator for six years and state representative for 24 years. He was Portsmouth assistant mayor for 12 years, city councilor for 18 years, Police Commission member, and served on the School Board. Contact him at jimsplaineportsmouthNH@ This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Splaine: What would you do if you only had one week to live?
CTV News
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Wasagaming Arts celebrates 55 years of creativity
Winnipeg Watch Ken Romaniuk talks about their community gallery's tribute to founders and ongoing children's workshops this summer.
