Author Archives: Tom Cassidy

Tens of thousands of pounds spent on iPads for councillors in Lincolnshire

At least £70,000 of Lincolnshire tax payers’ money has been spent on premium tech products for councillors in the past five years, including the purchase of more than 100 Apple iPads, a Freedom of Information Act request has revealed. The high-end tech options are offered to both district and county councillors. iPads are issued to all South Holland district councillors ...

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Former Fleet care home still on the market

A South Holland care home which was run by a charity is still on the market – nearly five months after it closed. Hovenden House is still owned by the Leonard Cheshire charity and negotiations are under way regarding a potential sale. The Grade II building at Fleet was closed in August after the charity announced in April that it ...

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Don’t cry over spilled milk or dial 999 over a broken egg

A woman wanting advice about a broken egg in her fridge dialled 999 for an ambulance. The East Midlands Ambulance Service has created a list of the top ten most inappropriate 999 calls in the last six months. Apart from the broken egg, a dead fox and a caller wanting someone to make breakfast were also logged by emergency call ...

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Meet Spalding’s news PCSOs – Nikki, Ken and Tim hit the street

Meet your new friendly neighbourhood PCSOs. Three new police community support officers are on the streets after an intense training schedule. Nikki Timms, Ken Stephenson and Tim Nicholls are currently on patrol with their mentors in their respective areas. Nikki can be found in Spalding town, Ken is patroling estates and Tim is taking care of the rural regions. Inspector ...

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Spalding fish and chip shop’s Christmas cheer helps Pennygate charity

A Spalding charity has received a late Christmas present thanks to the owners of a town fish and chip shop. Westlode Fisheries opened on Christmas Day to serve free lunch for those who would be on their own otherwise. Around 35 people made use of the offer between 1pm and 3pm. The family-run business also delivered fish and chips to ...

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Our NHS trusts rank among UK’s worst – A&E and cancer care failing

The trusts that operate two of South Holland’s nearest hospitals came in at the very bottom end of tables for meeting targets in A&E waiting times and cancer care response. For A&E waiting time targets in December, data tracked by the BBC put United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, at 130 out of 133 trusts ...

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Spalding D-Day hero Ted receives France’s highest honour

A Spalding man who 16 times crossed the channel as part of the Normandy landings in 1944 has been awarded France’s highest honour. Edwin West (92), known as Ted, was presented with the National Order of the Legion of Honour by the honorary consul for France, Jean-Claude Lafontaine at a special ceremony at the Services Club on Friday, January 19. ...

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Spalding based Youth theatre group Act II open day

All young people can benefit from acting, says the leader of Spalding show group Act II. On Saturday, January 27, Act II Theatre Company will welcome youngsters and their families or carers to the Clay Lake studio for a chance to see what goes on at the company that puts on scores of performances a year. “Act II is not ...

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Three pairs of Simply 60’s tickets up for grabs

A night of 60s fun is up for grabs for lucky readers of the Spalding Voice. Six piece band Simply 60’s are making the journey from the legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool, to Springfields Events Centre on Saturday, February 10. And we have three pairs of tickets to give away for the concert being organised by Highfield Kennels. The band ...

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Join poet Callum ahead of Spalding music festival

A music festival dedicated to those with a disability or learning difficulties is being held in Spalding this year – and organisers want to hear from those who wish to get involved. The Going Forward Music Festival is set to take place later this year on Saturday, July 28 at The Priory School. Spalding-based poet Callum Brazzo is one of ...

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Police want witnesses to Spalding pubs incidents

Police are appealing for witnesses to incidents at three Spalding pubs. On January 18, a window of The Pied Calf was smashed (incident 323 of 18/01). A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said officers had opened a criminal damage investigation. Police said they received a report about “two men acting drunk and disorderly in public, allegedly smashing a window and showing intimidating ...

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Holbeach’s Peppermint Junction by numbers video

Lincolnshire County Council has posted a short video detailing its recent work at Peppermint Junction in Holbeach. The video, below, is titled Peppermint Junction in Numbers and details stats such as how many tonnes of soil was used in construction and how many new street lights were installed. The project finished early and on budget.    

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“Excellent example” imitation firearm found in car in Spalding

When police searched the boot of a Spalding man following a domestic incident, they found what was described as an “excellent example” of an imitation firearm. Shane Simon Lenny Houghton (24), of Delgate Avenue, Weston, admitted possessing an imitation firearm when he appeared at Boston Magistrates Court. Prosecuting, Jim Clare said that in the early afternoon of November 4, police ...

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Handy Reachers for patients at Spalding’s Johnson Hospital

Staff at Spalding’s Johnson Community Hospital have been presented with some Handy Reachers for the patients. In October, joint Spalding District Commissioners Jane Amess and Bridget Scase attended a meeting of The Friends of Johnson Community Hospital, which supports the hospital with, amongst other things, the purchase of equipment that helps patients on the wards and the clinics. At that ...

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Arrest warrant for Spalding man Brandon Wright

Two arrest warrants are out for a Spalding man who failed to appear in two courts. Police want to find Brandon Wright (25), who is wanted on two warrants issued by the courts for failing to appear at both Lincoln Crown Court and Lincoln Magistrates Court in August 2017. Wright, who is originally from the Spalding area, was appearing at ...

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Vandals hit Holbeach business

An independent business owner has slammed the “mindless and pathetic vandals” who vandalised her Holbeach showroom. Lesley Barnard of Gallery Tiles and Bathrooms on Welbourne Lane East has had to pick up the tab after someone smashed glass windows overnight on Friday, January 12. Lesley came to work the following morning facing a massive clean up job. “It’s mindless and ...

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LETTER: Spalding crossing driver was ‘totally irresponsible’

I read the letter about the alleged crossing problem in the Voice last week with near disbelief. It is almost exactly 50 years since the dreadful level crossing accident at Hixon, when an express train collided with a transporter slowly crossing the line at a crossing, with a number of fatalities. Entering the yellow box without the exit being cleared ...

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LETTER: Villagers need bus service

The (Lincolnshire County Council) decision to not help with the running of the local Donington K59 bus service is going to have far reaching effects for many residents. Donington and the surrounding villages residents have to rely on the bus for many of life’s necessities that townsfolk can just take for granted. A trip to the doctors, dentist and hospital ...

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Repeat prescription shake-up causes concern

From next month, repeat prescriptions must be ordered manually each time they are needed in an attempt by the NHS to reduce waste. From February 1, pharmacies in South Lincolnshire will no longer be able to re-order medication on repeat prescription for patients. Instead, patients must “manage their own repeat prescriptions by requesting items online, or by handing paper copies ...

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LETTER: Hospital no longer needs knitted bears

To teddy bear knitters, Unfortunately ladies, King’s Lynn Hospital no longer needs them, so we will not need so many. What you send will now go to Armenia for the children. You can still drop them off at Broad Street or St Thomas’s Road Methodist churches. Blankets and jumpers would also be very welcome. Thank you for all your help. ...

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