Author Archives: Tom Cassidy

Charity lunch gets tails up

Spalding Golf Club’s ladies’ section held a dinner to raise money for the Guide Dogs for the Blind last week. The charity has been chosen by the 2020 ladies’ captain Margaret Barkway to support throughout her year in the position. Terry Rodgers, an ambassador for Guide Dogs for the Blind spoke to the guests about his experiences of the charity ...

Read More »

LETTER: We need fairer funding

The UK’s poorest regions have been falling behind the rest of Europe over the past decade, according to EU data analysed by the High Pay Centre think tank. Voters will now be looking to see if the new government will keep its promise and direct billions of pounds of investment into the Midlands and North of England. The research found ...

Read More »

LETTER: Don’t hold your breath

I doubt that we should hold out too much hope of the results from the Town Forum for Spalding. This comes from the same council which has allowed the town to slip backwards and let historic buildings go to rack and ruin in front of their own offices. The forum is headed by the Castle Ward councillor who oversees the ...

Read More »

LETTER: Mistaken in conclusion over article

In reference to Mr Meekings letter (Voice February 20) I am afraid that he is mistaken in his conclusion that I had not read or had misunderstood the FullFact/Eurostat article to which he refers. As I said in my original response it is very easy to garner a few facts from statistics to support a chosen viewpoint. It would seem ...

Read More »

Grammar School students in court

Sixth-form law and politics students from Spalding Grammar School enjoyed a rewarding educational day in London.  The Year 12s visited the Old Bailey where they saw murder and fraud trials taking place. At the Houses of Parliament they saw both the House of Lords and House of Commons debating legislation, and took part in a workshop on making laws. The students ...

Read More »

More dementia and autism help

A Spalding wellbeing charity has added a new support group for people with autism and gained financial backing for its dementia care. Tonic Health, The Health and Wellbeing Charity, has secured funding through Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust Autism Network Fund to enable it to continue their successful Autistic Led project. Autistic Led is a group for autistic adults aged 18 ...

Read More »

Brandon’s ball to raise awareness

A teaching assistant from Spalding’s Wygate Park Academy has handcuffed himself to a 4kg medicine ball for a week in a bid to reduce stigmas around mental health. Brandon Pontin was only allowed to take the ball off when sleeping, driving and getting dressed for the seven days. The medicine ball intends to represent the weight and burden felt by ...

Read More »

Roundabout is still off the Radar

Controversial plans to trial new measures at an accident blackspot will be discussed by councillors next week. Lincolnshire County Council’s proposal for a six-month trial to use barriers to restrict movement at Radar Junction on the A16 is to go before the authority’s Planning and Regulation Committee on Monday, March 2. Similar restrictions would also be in place at the ...

Read More »

Coronavirus fears close two South Holland schools

Two schools in South Holland have been closed and a person has been isolated for testing because of ‘a potential connection’ to coronavirus. Lutton St Nicholas Primary School and Gedney Church End Primary School both have a notice of closure on their websites. The notice reads: “The school is closed as a precautionary measure because of a potential connection to ...

Read More »

Hot Rock ‘n’ Boogie weekender returns with international stars

Huge names in rock ‘n’ roll, swing and jive are coming to this year’s Hot Rock ‘n’ Boogie Weekender in Spalding. The event returns to Springfields Exhibition Centre this year with a packed bill for two days of live music, free dance lessons, a vintage market, camping and more. Organised by dance tutors Boston Jive, the weekender promises to be ...

Read More »

Green Tree award for school

Staff and pupils at Bicker Prep School have been delighted to be awarded a platinum level Green Tree award for their work with the environment. Activities carried out by the children include a wildlife photography competition which was judged by local wildlife photographer Dean Eades and as part of the ‘wild trails’ element of the award, Year Three and Four ...

Read More »

Look after charity kitty for the cats

A local cat charity is looking to recruit a volunteer treasurer to oversee funds in the kitty and enable the charity to help even more cats. The Spalding and the District branch of the Cats Protection League has helped thousands of animals every year for the last 20 years. As well as finding new homes for unwanted and abandoned cats, ...

Read More »

Deferment over plans for traveller site

A lengthy discussion over whether to grant permission for a four-pitch caravan site for gypsy or traveller families ended in stalemate last week. South Holland District Council’s Planning Committee voted to defer the plans for Bleu Raye Farm on Millgate in Whaplode after nearly two hours of consideration. A previous application for one permanent settlement on the site was refused ...

Read More »

Mum’s historic find at dig site

The mother of an archaeologist visiting her son’s dig site at Lindisfarne has unearthed a 1,200-year-old game piece that has hit headlines all over the world. Heather Casswell from Gosberton and husband Nick were visiting the dig site run by their son Chris, a former Spalding Grammar School pupil, when she made the discovery. The ornate glass boardgame piece is ...

Read More »

Crowland man who died in A16 collision named

A man who died following a collision on the A16 at Newborough last week has been named. The collision between an HGV and a pedestrian happened at about 8.26pm on Wednesday (February 12). Emergency services attended, but despite their best efforts the man – William Whitney (21) of Victoria Gardens, Crowland – was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver ...

Read More »

Plea for info as bike is stolen in Spalding

A mum has appealed to a thief to show a little heart after her teenage son had his bike stolen getting ready for a Valentine’s meal. It’s the second time in ten months that George Thornley (17) has had a bike stolen that he used to get to his part-time fruit packing job and Spalding Grammar School where he’s studying ...

Read More »

Art society exhibition next month

Spalding Arts and Crafts Society celebrated another successful demonstration and members are preparing for an art exhibition next month. At the most recent meeting, artist Sonia Bacchus detailed laying out the bone structure of a horse. The group’s next exhibition takes place at Spalding Library, Victoria Street, from March 12-26 and all paintings on display will be for sale. The ...

Read More »

New neighbour scheme launch

A Good Neighbour Scheme is to launch in Long Sutton, Holbeach, Sutton Bridge and the surrounding area. Good Neighbour Schemes are community-based projects run and delivered by a ‘not for profit’, volunteer-led local group of Good Neighbours. A spokesman for the East Elloe Good Neighbour Scheme said it aims to enhance the quality of life for residents by helping people ...

Read More »

Man caught drug-driving three times in a month

A Sutton Bridge scaffolder was caught drug-driving in the same uninsured car three times within a month. Rocky James Burton, who was also on an expired provisional licence, has been banned from driving for 22 months. The 33-year-old was first caught on July 23 last year. Police on the A17 near Sutton Bridge noted the car was showing as having ...

Read More »

Gosberton paedophile jailed for trying to meet 14-year-old girl

A registered sex offender previously convicted of offences involving indecent images of children in 2010 has been jailed for 54 months for attempting to meet a 14 year-old girl. Paul Walkling (40) of Gosberton, was subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and also had to abide by the Notification Requirements under the Sexual Offences Act.   In 2019, Walkling attempted ...

Read More »