Community

Local volunteers have been saluted for their services to veterans. The Royal Naval Association (RNA) has recognised Terry Day, his wife Shirley and Jan Whitbourn for their commitment to the association and help in the community. Terry, the secretary of the Spalding branch of the RNA, has been awarded a life membership, the highest possible award. It’s after ten years’ ...

An appeal has been set up to help a Crowland 12-year-old regain some of his independence after he was left unable to stand or walk just before Christmas. McKenzie Goldsmith, known as Kenzie, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy seven years ago, a genetic condition which means his muscles are weakening as he gets older. But in the run up ...

A call from one of the top members of the Royal Air Force was among the highlights as a World War Two veteran celebrated his 100th birthday last week. The pair spoke about the RAF, Alan’s time in Burma during World War Two planes and about another of his loves, boxing. “He rang me and said they were organising something ...

Long Sutton-based Freemasons have donated thousands of pounds to a hospital breast cancer unit. The Alexandra Lodge (985) have donated £2,800 to The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn. The donation will go toward QEH’s Breast Cancer Unit development charitable fund following the fantastic care given to a close friend of Brother Dean Bowd, The Most Worshipful Master at Alexandra ...

The South Holland Parish Voluntary Car Service has appealed for more drivers to help out during the coronavirus pandemic. The service covers most towns and villages in the district and is trying to ensure there is cover if lots of people request transport to get their COVID vaccine, in addition to the day to day appointments it presently deals with. ...

Community spirit is alive and well and living in Spalding – as last weekend well and truly proved. The town’s very own army of Wombles took to the streets and filled more than 300 black bin bags with rubbish. Everyone and their dog grabbed a pick-up stick and helped make the town shine again by removing litter wherever they found ...

A charity that helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds literally reach new heights has had its headquarters and two aircraft destroyed in an arson attack. The Lutton based Get High Volare is now appealing for help from local businesses after being targeted last weekend. It was set up three years ago by pilot of 35 years Tim Wiltshire, the first ...

More than 300 ‘wombles’ have volunteered to help clean the streets of Spalding just five days after a group of friends decided to pick up litter. They mentioned it to their friends and put a line on social media and within days had a small army of people wanting to help. It didn’t take long for them to get organised ...

South Holland District Council has paid tribute to staff member Glen Chapman who died at the weekend. Glen, (63) worked as Environmental Services Business Support Manager, died with his family at his side following a short illness. He was a hugely popular figure and respected by his colleagues, said a council statement. Glen started his career in 1975 and also ...

Staff at four local nursing homes have been given special awards to mark their support. Country Court, which runs four local home, has recognised the carers through their internal awards Winners at Ashwood Care and Nursing Home in Spalding Common were receptionist Hilda Villarete, senior carer Anca Toderas and Care assistant Louise Norman. A family member who nominated Hilda said ...

The Spalding Festival has been cancelled for a second successive year, but organisers have promised it will return bigger and better than ever. Those behind the Castle Sports Complex based highlight have taken the decision to not hold the 2021 event during the late May Bank Holiday due to the ongoing pandemic which also forced the cancellation of the 2020 ...

One elderly Fleet resident received her first present for 14 years, it’s been claimed, as a community rallied around to provide gifts for some of their most vulnerable neighbours. As part of the Fleet Christmas Cheerfulness campaign, Fleet Residents Events Committee were able to give out 55 presents to local people. The gift bags, which were funded by Coun Peter ...

The generosity of the public will make Christmas a much nicer time for those in need as the Give a Gift campaign celebrates its most successful year to date. Spearheaded by Coun Harry Drury, Give a Gift has passed on donated toys to less fortunate children for the last nine years. Harry said: “Even after nine years of doing this, ...

A host of health care workers around Spalding were treated to a mince pie thanks to customers at Applegreen Service Station. The A16, Cowbit Road business recently had a two for £2 offer on mince pies and asked customers to donate one box to NHS or care home staff. In the first week alone, 218 boxes were sent out to ...

The Spalding branch of Nationwide has provided its own present to the town – a new defibrillator. Staff at the Market Place branch have raised the money for the equipment themselves. And they’ve also been trained up on how to use it thanks to Lincolnshire’s first responder charity LIVES. It was funding thanks to generous customers alongside raffles and fundraising ...

It’s been as festive an end of term as possible for the University Academy Holbeach. Christmas plays and playing brass instruments was out of the question but they were still able to put on a concert. In social bubbles boomwhackers, ukelele, drumming and choir ensembles were able to put together performances broadcast on Zoom. The Year 10 choir Year Nine ...

A nine-year-old Spalding business entrepreneur has been raising money for charity in the run up to Christmas. Oscar Shaw’s Blasting Bakes business has been going from strength-to-strength since beginning earlier this year. As previously reported, the business was started initially as a way for the autistic Gosberton Clough and Risegate Primary School pupil to learn during lockdown. But Oscar’s bakes ...

The run up to Christmas has been busy for a South Holland charity. Ella’s Project founder Mark Le Sage, local chair for the Royal College of Nursing, visited local surgeries to deliver thank-you bags for nursing staff. sdr The charity also delivered a shipment of toys which had been bought by generous customers art Lord’s Collectables in Pinchbeck. All the ...

Schools across the area got into the festive spirit by wearing their Christmas jumpers last week. There was a Christmas feel to the end of a very unusual term as pupils and teachers alike donned jumpers with a variety of designs. Looking festive at St Bartholomew’s. Spalding Academy staff show off their Christmas jumpers. St Barts Christmas jumpers Staff at ...

Staff at the Libertas Reablement Services were treated to some festive cheer thanks to another local company. Hungry Plaice fish and chip van made a special delivery to the Pinchbeck company. “We want to say a massive thank-you to Justin and Georgina for their kind and thoughtful gesture,” said manager Maxine Candler. The company has been working throughout the pandemic ...