Author Archives: Tom Cassidy

Spalding Arts and Crafts Society welcome artist Naomi

Established artist Naomi Clements-Wright gave her inaugural demonstration to Spalding Arts & Crafts Society at their August meeting. Time constraints meant that she didn’t quite finish the painting but she posted this photo of the finished picture. More can be seen on the society blog – follow the SACS News link on the website www.saacs.org.uk The next demonstration will be ...

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Forum says Spalding train service must improve to justify fares rise

Rail services need to be hugely improved in Spalding to justify any major increase in fares, according to the chairman of a local user group. George Scott, of the Spalding and Peterborough Transport Forum, said the price hikes announced this week were not helping economic development in the area. “We have two cathedral cities in Peterborough and Lincoln and you ...

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Pennygate Foundation charity celebrates permanent home

A South Holland charity is celebrating after being awarded permission to stay in its current home. The Spalding-based Pennygate Foundation was in danger of losing its home. The centre was operating on temporary planning permission which was on the verge of expiring. Dr Azmeena Nathu submitted an application to allow the centre next to her surgery to become permanent, extend ...

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Two years of jive dance classes

Jive dance couple Claire and Neil Seabrook celebrate two years of their company Boston Jive with a sold-out show at the South Holland Centre. Claire and Neil teach retro 40s and 50s dancing across South Holland five nights a week. To celebrate two years of Boston Jive, the couple have put on a dance night at the South Holland Centre ...

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Celebs score slots on charity football team

Famous faces from the likes of The X-Factor, Liverpool Football Club, Emmerdale and I’m A Celebrity will form an all-star football team in Holbeach Bank this Saturday (August 12). The Charity Football Tournament Family Fun Day will be held at Holbeach Bank Football Club. Local team Growers United will be led by Liverpool FC legend Alan Kennedy. The opposing team ...

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Roger’s campaign for better broadband earns a Pride nomination

A Saracen’s Head man who single-handedly launched a campaign to improve broadband speed in the village has been nominated for this year’s Pride of South Holland awards. Roger Langstaff went door-to-door to collect connection speeds from local residents and businesses. Now Roger’s tireless attitude and successful campaign has led to a fellow Saracen’s Head resident nominating him for the Community ...

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Village halls are at the heart of the community

Reasonable rental rates and a clear space suitable for almost all events put village halls at the heart of their local community. The diverse events on offer at our local hubs – from exercise classes to film clubs – are testament to the creative and community-minded organisers who book the space. Whaplode Village Hall is an excellent example of a ...

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LETTER: Saddened by Spalding’s decline

This morning a friend posted on her social media page that she is liking her home town of Spalding less and less. She was in the town centre and a man was walking with his dog, not on a lead, and it approached my friend who asked the owner “Should the dog not be on a lead?”. He swore at ...

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LETTER: Stay safe in the water

The school holidays are now well under way, and Sea Cadets – a national youth charity with 400 units across the UK – is urging people to stay safe as it launches its Water Savvy campaign. More than 300 people drowned in the UK last year, and more suffered life-changing injuries through near-drowning. But many of these tragic incidents could ...

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LETTER: Please act on speeding motorists

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of looking after my sister’s dog (a most handsome little pooch!) and this necessitated an early morning walk along Ravens Bank, the main road through the village. I was absolutely astonished at the speeds of some of the vehicles travelling through the village at this time. I have never previously walked this route ...

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LETTER: Time for Dementia Friendly Awards nominations

I am delighted to be hosting Alzheimer’s Society’s fourth annual Dementia Friendly Awards this year. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate those people who are making an outstanding contribution towards improving the lives of those affected by dementia. I feel certain that there will be many individuals living in the East Midlands who should have their work within the ...

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Wild Boys made Holbeach Music and Beer Festival ‘unforgettable’

The Holbeach Music and Beer Festival provided organiser Sean Taylor a moment he’ll never forget. Fireworks flew while 80s-style band Wild Boys topped off a triumphant Saturday night after an afternoon shower threatened to dampen spirits. “At 2pm, there was a sharp shower,” said Sean. “From three onwards, the sun came out. When Soft Tone Needles played with the sun ...

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Getting South Holland walking for health

A scheme aimed at getting more people in South Holland walking has celebrated its tenth anniversary. The Walking for Health initiative held a special event at the South Holland Centre which was attended by 130 walk leaders and volunteers. New members are always welcome to join the club which has eight walking clubs across the district offering 13 walks. A ...

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Care company still needs to improve

A South Holland care company is continuing to breach legal requirements and has been issued with warning notices. Atlas Care Services was inspected last year and four breaches were revealed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors. A follow-up inspection was conducted in June to check the company had followed its plan to meet the requirements. This report has just ...

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Court fine for Spalding fly-tipper

A fly-tipper who dumped household waste in a ditch in Spalding has been left facing a court fine. David Tarr tipped a number of items from a relative’s recent house move into a ditch in South Drove, Spalding Common, on May 24. Tarr, of Belgrave Road, Spalding, appeared at Boston Magistrates’ Court on July 31 and pleaded guilty to the ...

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Spalding swimming pool closes for the day

Summer holiday swimmers were disappointed on Tuesday when Spalding’s main pool was out of action. Gillian Hornsby had taken her six-year-old granddaughter to the Castle Sports Complex for a swim. “We got inside and were told the main pool was closed. There were no signs or anything and people were upset. The pool has been left behind others in the ...

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Your say on local neighbourhood policing

Lincolnshire Police want to know your opinion on the state of neighbourhood policing. Data collected will be used by the force and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire to determine upcoming service strategies. Questions asked in the neighbourhood policing survey include whether an increase in visible uniformed patrols in the community would make residents feel safer. There are also ...

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Wartime aircraft to fly over Ayscoughfee 1940s event

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will once again fly over Spalding this weekend. Spectacular flypasts of iconic World War Two aircraft will thrill people of all ages this Saturday and Sunday. The era of the war years, big bands and ration books will be vividly brought back to life at Ayscoughfee Hall Museum and Gardens. The historic Spalding venue ...

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Residents can have their say on making rail links improve

Residents in South Holland are being urged to take part in a consultation aimed at improving Spalding’s rail links.   The consultation has been launched by the Department for Transport for the new East Midlands rail franchise.   And, in order to get the best deal for the area, an appeal has been launched by Lincolnshire County Council for residents ...

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Accountants aim to hit new heights in fundraising bid

A team of accountants from a Spalding firm have kick-started the company’s fundraising exploits by abseiling down one of the most extreme locations in England.   Eight colleagues from the Broad Street firm tackled the 250 foot high Orbit at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London to raise money for the Moore Thompson Charitable Fund CIO – the firm’s ...

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