Columns

January means one thing for me. It is time again for the Big Garden Birdwatch. Have you heard of it? It is the RSPB’s annual call to arms to discover which birds use our back gardens. The idea started off in the 1970’s, when children were encouraged to spend a little bit of time one weekend in January, spotting their ...

Veterinary surgeons hold a unique position when treating your pets. When you bring your pet to the vets you are placing your trust in their ability, their knowledge, and their care and compassion. Then you have to trust them to be fair with their fees. This is a very complex area. A business has to be successful and be able ...

Last week we had the opportunity to spend some time with the new Town Centre Manager, Dennis Hannant who has now been in post for two months. He told us of his impressions of town centre trading conditions and the general mood and outlook of local traders, mentioning that Spalding had a great deal going for it with its historic ...

Sharon Caress is a teaching assistant at Spalding Sir John’s Gleed School. In the second of the school’s monthly columns in The Voice, Sharon shares a day in the life of a teaching assistant. I have been a teaching assistant at the school for 11 years. Like all good “going to schoolers”, I get ready for school the night before! ...

Suzy Bulmer, of Spalding Travel, shares her top tips on what’s hot on the holiday front in 2015. This week it’s skiing and snowboarding deals for families and early bookers. Ski and snowboard operators are announcing special deals for early bookers and families. Some of the operators are operating three and four night weekends as well as the usual seven ...

This week, student veterinary nurse Charmaine Powell (student veterinary nurse) talks about her job. No veterinary practice could function without nurses, and I’m not just saying that because it’s my job! The nurse’s role is broad and varied: performing medical procedures, seeing animals for consultations like weight clinics or post-operative checks, managing a busy Monday morning reception desk – plus ...

Column by Spalding United striker Andrew Tidswell: The big local sporting news last week was the saga that arose at Spalding United. On the eve of the first team’s long away journey to Norton United, manager Pat Rayment handed in his resignation to the club, seemingly ending his three-year tenure. Fast forward 24 hours and I’m standing in the centre ...

Friday, February 20 sees the culmination of over 30 years of fundraising for a local charity set up to alleviate the suffering of those who have been badly burned and help their recovery as well as assisting their families who experience hardship visiting their loved ones. Originally set up by a group of Whittlesey people, led by the late Sheila ...

The waste and recycling depot is celebrating a prestigious award which has been received recently. The award really sets a precedent across local authorities, as they are not handed out regularly. This week I want to congratulate the depot in West Marsh Road on receiving this award as it shows the hard work and dedication of all the staff down ...

A monthly column by Spalding town centre manager Dennis Hannant: Happy New Year! May your 2015 be prosperous, filled with love, laughter, fun, passion and 365 full nights of sleep. The beginning of a new year always offers the chance of a new start and possibilities for the future and if you are like me, you will have made a resolution ...

January is a time when many people reflect on the previous 12 months and look ahead to what they can improve over the coming year and beyond. One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to make a clear financial plan. Here are some tips that I hope will help you to meet your goals for the new year. ...

Everybody understands that it is important for vets to communicate what they are thinking and how they would like to treat your pet. It is also very important that we listen to what our owners have to say and pay attention to any suggestions they might make, however unlikely we might think they are. I learnt this important lesson many ...

It is great to be back again, writing about the wonderful wildlife of the Spalding area. If you saw my last column you will remember that I was talking about feeding birds in your garden. I signed off by promising a few more hints to encourage more birds into your garden. So with no further ado, let’s get started! Now, ...

Over the past few weeks I have worked hard to reduce and reuse as much as my waste as possible by composting more, carefully planning my meals and reusing my old clothing for craft activities. This week has been the hardest challenge yet: buying recycled and drastically reducing the packaging I consume. After the first two weeks I commented on ...

Last week I had to say goodbye to our 17-year-old Cairn Terrier Lady. She had been a faithful friend and family member and was cherished by all of us. She was older than all the children and they had not known a time without her. I was reminded how strong our relationships are with our pets and the immense trust ...

By Spalding town centre manager Dennis Hannant Having handed in my military clothing and equipment, identity card and car pass and received my final MoD pay slip, I now feel able to leave my military career behind me, albeit tinged with some sadness and move forward in my new role as the Town Centre Manager. On first impressions the fundamentals ...

We recently enjoyed a most interesting hour in our studios as we spoke to Chris Simpkins, director general of the Royal British Legion, the organisers of the annual Poppy Appeal. Chris has been Chief Executive of South Holland District Council followed by a spell as Chief Executive of the Falkland Islands. In 2007 he took up his post with the ...

A common mistake is to think that because you may not have considerable savings or property, you do not need to make a will – everyone needs a will if they own any assets. Why spend years attempting to create wealth and then take so little care to provide for loved ones, friends or charity? Even if your estate is ...

By RSPB Frampton Marsh officer Dr Chris Andrews I think it is fair to say that autumn is now properly with us. Despite the odd warm day, there is a definite chill in the air. More importantly, the greens of summer have become reds, yellows and browns as leaves fall from the trees and form a multicoloured carpet on the ...

By South Holland District Council waste and recycling officer Laura Simpkins The first two weeks of my rubbish challenge are going well, although it hasn’t always been easy with waste related decisions proving difficult at times. This fortnight I have focused on reducing food waste. This is something simple that every household can do. Even though I thought I was ...