Three towns in South Holland have won gold in East Midlands In Bloom 2016. Spalding, Holbeach and Crowland got top awards, while Long Sutton won silver gilt. Judges visited in July and scored on horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation. For Spalding, it was another near miss on being named best large town. In 2015 it was behind Belper ...

With the long spells of hot, sunny weather parts of Britain have enjoyed in September, many people have been thankful for an extension to summer. That is certainly true at David Bowman Pumpkins in Low Fulney where the recent high temperatures have gone some way to salvaging this year’s harvest. Another 4,000,000 of the fruit will be produced this year but ...

Emergency vehicles, state-of-the-art lifesaving equipment and glimpses behind the scenes of a busy acute hospital will form part of a fun packed open day next month. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn will welcome the public on Sunday, October 2, to learn more about how it operates. Chief executive Dorothy Hosein, said: “As an organisation we are on a ...

The headteacher of Long Sutton Primary School has spoken of his pride after a government inspection report highlighted the improvement being made. The school has moved from its overall effectiveness of “requiring improvement” in May 2014 to “good” now. Headteacher Bill Lord said: “We are delighted that the Inspection team recognised the many strengths of the school and how far ...

A father and son team have raised more than £1,400 for a children’s charity after climbing Britain’s highest peak. Nigel (54) and Henry Mynott (19) joined The Ben Nevis Challenge with Action Medical Research, a charity dedicated to improving the health of babies and children. The pair took a poster for family business Moulton Pet Stores to the peak with ...

Dog walkers are being encouraged to take part in a charity fundraiser next month. The RSPCA Big Walkies is taking place on Sunday, October 2, and will start from Ayscoughfee Hall Gardens in Spalding. The event aims to raise funds through sponsorship for the Lincolnshire East Branch of the RSPCA and runs from 10.30am until 3pm. There are two walks ...

A last-ditch appeal to save a popular Spalding toddlers group from closure has failed. Tulip Toddlers, which met every Monday morning at St Nicolas Hall in The Vista, held its final session this week. Organiser Bridget Jones appealed for more volunteers after half of the four-strong team left due to a change in personal circumstances. And, although she did get one ...

The 1st Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers veterans will parade in Donington on Sunday (Sept 25) to mark the 72nd anniversary of The Battle of Arnhem. Accompanied by a piper, they will set off from Market Place at 10am and head to St Mary and the Holy Rood Church for a 10.30am service. This will include the presentation of the colours, ...

The contract to handle Spalding town centre’s festive lighting is about to go out to tender – just seven weeks before this year’s switch-on. The lights will be switched on on Friday, November 18, but as previously reported there will be no special event this year. A council spokesman said: “South Holland District Council will be looking for suppliers to ...

South Holland District Council is still trying to force the sale of the Bull and Monkie site in Spalding. The press and public were excluded from a meeting last week as councillors discussed the latest picture. Information requested by The Voice after the meeting shows that three times this year the council has sought legal advice on forcing a sale ...

Police investigating a racially aggravated public order offence on a service bus have arrested a 41-year-old woman. The Voice understands the incident to have happened on a 505 Spalding-King’s Lynn service. Police said: “We received a report at 5.30pm on Tuesday 20th September that a youth had been verbally abused by a female on board the bus. “A 41-year-old local ...

Phoebe Matthews will celebrate her 16th birthday tomorrow (Sept 16) in the knowledge that she has a life-changing present on the way. Last week The Voice publicised a £12,000 appeal to buy her a powered standing wheelchair – and, wonderfully, the target was reached within five days. Scores of people dug deep after being moved by the story of Phoebe’s ...

Aldi has put its expansion plan for the Spalding store on show. As The Voice reported last April, the German discounter supermarket wants to extend its Winsover Road store and provide more parking spaces. Three units neighbouring the store would be demolished to make way for the extension. The expansion plan has been driven by great trading figures and increasing demand by ...

Age UK Spalding District is appealing for help to keep its important and valued day centre running smoothly. New volunteers are required, as some of the present helpers are soon leaving. General manager Liz Walmsley said: “We rely heavily on volunteers and couldn’t manage without them. We’re very lucky in the support we get from our volunteers and we have ...

Spalding support group of the Macular Society raised awareness of eye disease and its work to help sufferers with its annual stall on the market. Members gave information and fundraised with a tombola in a venture supported by Hall Place family-run optician Molsoms and Associates. Andy Molsom received the Macular Society Award for Excellence in 2013 and 2015 and gave ...

Spare a thought for a group of fundraising cyclists riding from Land’s End to John O’Groats this week.(Sep 14) The friends have so far endured extremes of weather on the 1,000-mile route – with rain on day two last Saturday and hot sunshine more recently. Kev Gray, Jason Booth and Mark Orton – all members of Spalding Spinners cycling group ...

A free workshop is being offered, giving advice on how to apply for a new Big Lottery grant for one-off community events and activities. Between £300 and £10,000 is available through the Celebrate! programme for one-off events or activities which bring local communities together. Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service (LCVS) is holding the ‘Celebrate – writing a good funding application’ ...

A trial version of a new mental health support scheme in Spalding is under way. Community Mind Matters group and Tonic Health Centre jointly applied for £10,000 NHS funding for the scheme which offers local businesses free training in dealing with mental health issues and encourages them to pass it on to others within the organisation. The premises with trained ...

A new generation of grammar schools should not be implemented in South Holland, according to at least one secondary school headteacher. Prime Minister Theresa May wants to see the ban on new grammar schools lifted and a shake-up of the selection process for pupils. This, she says, will “give every parent access to a good school place for their child”. ...

Unwanted household items found dumped in Crowland have cost the owner a £315 court bill. Kevin Cosgrove employed a man with a van to take away items including a fridge and mattresses, which were later found in Low Road (pictured). South Holland District Council’s environmental investigations officer was able to trace them to Cosgrove’s address in Whittlesey. Cosgrove appeared at ...