Community

A Spalding man is heading to New York to run his third charity marathon, in aid of Cancer Research UK. Duncan Wright (51) has already completed the London Marathon twice for charity and now, with flights paid for by Consilium Wealth Limited, he’s going to run the New York marathon on November 5. “It’s the largest marathon in the world, ...

Primary school pupils helped celebrate the opening of Spalding’s newly extended Aldi store by attending the opening ceremony to receive a donation to support the school’s allotments. Aldi store manager Hayley Rowson said: “The team here at Spalding thoroughly enjoyed welcoming the community back into our newly extended store; it was great to see familiar faces, and some new ones. ...

The chairman of South Holland District Council has announced he will be supporting the Spalding WWII Memorial as his charity of the year. The charity is looking to raise £60,000 to have a new memorial for those who were killed in World War Two. Coun Rodney Grocock, who took office in March, said the cause was “dear to his heart” ...

South Holland people affected by motor neurone disease (MND) recently met with MP John Hayes to discuss the financial hardship families can face when trying to cope with the disease. Research commissioned by the MND Association found families struggling with the financial impact of the condition. The amounts people with MND have to spend on average, is an additional £12,000 ...

Macmillan’s Biggest Coffee morning raised thousands of pounds for charity last week – and was a great way for people to get together and enjoy the finer things in life: coffee and cake. The national event was embraced in South Holland, with libraries, shops, community centres and homes across the region hosting coffee mornings in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. ...

The daughters of a Spalding man killed in a motorcycle crash have paid tribute to their “kind and mischievous” father. Martin Elam, 47, died and his partner Trudy, who was riding pillion, was seriously injured in the crash in August. His daughters, Melissa (25) and Rosie (16) described Martin as: “Warm-hearted, fun-loving and mischievous” and a man who could “turn ...

A former Spalding Academy student has been awarded for his dedication to charity and all-round “exemplary” performance during his five years at the school. William Pite, who this year left year 11 and is now pursuing an apprenticeship, recieved the Stand Tall Award from Spalding Lions. Mr Ian Billinghurst from Spalding Academy said: “William is involved in supporting the charity ...

Derelict rooms in Spalding railway station could be transformed into community assets with the help of funding from Railway Heritage Trust and some good ideas from you. Spalding Transport Forum has been in talks with Railway Heritage Trust, who have agreed to pay 40 per cent of costs to reinstate derelict rooms in the station – on the condition the ...

Tributes have been pouring in for a South Holland gym co-owner who died suddenly. Scott Miller (43) collapsed at Heroes Gym which he launched with business partner Vernon Gay in 2014. The pair had been instrumental in bringing the Mr Lincolnshire competition to Spalding for the first time just last month. Scott, who leaves a widow Rachael, was long-associated with ...

A group of South Holland women will be adding their voices to a charity concert later this month. Sing for Life will raise money for Sue Ryder’s Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough. The gala will be at The Cresset, Peterborough, on Sunday, October 21 and more than 100 specially-recruited singers will take part in the fundraiser. Tickets are available via ...

A free course in Holbeach will give creative youngsters the chance to write, craft and record an original song before making a music video ready for YouTube. George Barnett from Spalding indie-pop duo Alfie Jack – who gig nationally and have appeared on the BBC – runs the six-week course at Holbeach Hub. Alfie Jack have released two EPs and ...

Green space projects in South Holland are set to benefit from a Lincolnshire Co-op scheme. Just under £7,000 will be going to Long Sutton Primary School to help create a wild learning zone and pathway for walks. Almost £5,000 is heading to Gosberton to refurbish a playing field, including a community orchard, and reinstate a summer fair. A total of ...

Long Sutton charity champion Geoff Palmer (67) powered through his first ever half marathon this weekend. Taking part in the Ely Monster Half Marathon, Geoff finished in impressive time. “I completed the run in two hours and nine minutes. I was pleased as I had thought around two hours 15 mins.” Geoff said he enjoyed the day and the views ...

Almost 40 affordable homes could be built alongside a new superstore on the site of a former Spalding hospital. An application has been submitted for the former Welland Hospital. The central area is already the subject of proposals for a new Lidl superstore. Two areas of residential development are being suggested by the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust. Plans submitted ...

A talented family of potters and painters will display their crafts at Ayscoughfee Hall Museum this October. Anthony Edwards and his wife Di this year celebrate 45 years of master craftsmanship. The couple run Tydd Pottery at Pode Hole and their Step By Step exhibition is at Aysoughfee Hall Museum throughout October. Anthony’s stepson Mike and Mike’s partner Emma will ...

Amid cannon fire and musket bangs, Crowland Abbey felt the return of Oliver Cromwell’s puritan troops, almost 400 years after they first attacked. Battle reinactment group The Sealed Knot recreated the Siege of Crowland Abbey during the weekend activites. The Rev Mike Ongyerth said: “Large crowds lined the streets of Crowland to see members of the Sealed Knot march through ...

Long Sutton Outreach ‘caring for carers’ had a visit from international circus performer Lindsay Hurd, who entertained with slack-rope tricks and daring stunts. Joan Woolard from the group said Lindsay “has travelled the world with his slack-rope act, wobbling alarmingly while playing a violin or juggling a vicious machete and other objects with a rubber duck in a bowl of ...

Hard work in South Holland has been rewarded with a raft of medals from East Midlands in Bloom this year. Spalding and Holbeach were both awarded gold medals in the large town and small town categories. There was also a Judge’s Award for the work carried out at Spalding railway station. Long Sutton took a silver gilt, also in the ...

LIVES, a Lincolnshire based charity attending 999 medical emergencies, has reported a dramatic increase in the number of serious road traffic collisions (RTC) it has been called to attend across Lincolnshire this year. This is the charity’s busiest year on record, with LIVES volunteers helping nearly 800 people involved in RTCs across Lincolnshire between January and August. This is compared ...

At 17-years-old, a Gosberton sixth-former has become the youngest person in her group to pass the intensive IAM RoadSmart advanced driver course. Billi Jackson, who is studying at Spalding High School, is the first 17-year-old to pass the advanced motorist course at the Boston IAM Roadsmart group. Billi said she was really happy when she passed and took the test ...