Features

It’s a dog’s life for behaviourist

Animal behaviourist Rachel Rodgers can trace her interest in the subject back to when she was young. The 52-year-old mum-of-two is now running her own dog behaviour business from Gosberton Clough, teaching Border Collie owners how to resolve their pets’ problems.Her initial interest in animal behaviour was piqued by a TV programme about a stickleback fish kept on a windowsill.“They ...

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SociABLES is proving a huge success story

A group set up to by a Holbeach couple to improve lives including their daughter’s has proved to be a huge success. SociABLES has already added an extra day to accommodate demand after its first six months running.And charity Shine Lincolnshire has now provided at least three years of further funding to continue the sessions at Tonic Health’s Holbeach Hub.The ...

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Helping to mould their own futures through art

Artwork created by ‘life-saving’ groups for vulnerable adults is to be part of a unique exhibition at Spalding Library. Members of Spalding Safe Places, which provides support to people struggling with domestic abuse and those from Surfleet Dementia Group have produced the impressive array of pottery.It follows an initiative by Transported Arts and charity Tonic Health who run the groups.Eight-week ...

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Pick up a pint in the pop-up pub at West Pinchbeck Village Hall

By Nigel Chapman How does a pint and the chance to play a traditional pub game sound? Well, that’s what’s being offered in a new pop-up pub at West Pinchbeck Village Hall this month. Families are being encouraged to support the move by enjoying time in a friendly atmosphere. The licensed bar will have beers, lagers and ciders as well ...

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Air crashes, raids and cherryade

In the second part, John remembers what life was like as a young boy living in Spalding during the Second World War. I remember four plane crashes around Spalding. A Wellington bomber crashed and burnt out to the west of Spalding, killing all the crew. A Hawker Typhoon/Tempest fighter crashed near Beggar’s Bush Lane, the pilot reportedly killed. A Manchester ...

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Spalding’s rivers were not always so passive

This week, John Tippler talks about the waterways of Spalding. Spalding’s main river is, of course, the Welland, whose town section we now know as a pleasant, but passive, feature of the town.It was not always so passive. In the 1930s and earlier 40s it was still connected directly to the sea and was a salt-water river.Its personality was demonstrated ...

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Memories of the 1930s railways in Spalding

John Tippler has put some of his memories down on paper for readers to enjoy. In the 1930s, crossing the King’s Road footbridge, which spanned the 13 tracks of the shunting yard, was a small boy’s delight. There were usually several shunting engines at work, backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards, with great puffs of smoky steam billowing upwards to ...

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Meet one of the men making a difference in the district

He’s the father of one, a former national kick-boxing champion and his team are looking to make a difference in South Holland. Rob Duckett is one of South Holland District Council’s Community Wardens and they’ve been traipsing all around the district for around 18 months.But to get a better idea of what they do, we joined Rob on one of ...

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Every spin’s a win with new facilities at gym

The Castle Sports Complex unveiled its state of the art spin class facilities last week, on National Fitness Day. A brand new spin class facility is among the updated offerings at the Castle Sports Complex gym in Spalding. Now operated by LEX Leisure, a division of Parkwood Leisure, the gym’s currently undergoing an overhaul – with brand new running machines ...

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COLUMN: Get moving for mental health

by fitness columnist Tracey Vowles. Most of us know that taking some regular exercise can make us generally feel physically better about ourselves, however evidence shows that regular activity can also improve our mental wellbeing just as much as our physical wellbeing. Being more physically active is thought to cause a chemical change in the brain which helps to positively ...

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Explorer returns to his Holbeach roots

The first British person to cross the Antarctic solo and unaided returned to his roots in Holbeach, close to where he was born amid a blizzard. Fresh from his record breaking trip British Army Captain Louis Rudd MBE (49) was back in town last week with family and friends from the area at granddad Arthur’s home. The member of the ...

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Spalding United’s centenary plans are out of date

Spalding United’s plans for celebrating the club’s centenary in three years time have been firmly kicked into touch, writes Ray Tucker. Spasmodic conversations had been taking place on how best to celebrate the club’s 100 years of activity. Documentation had shown the club forming in 1921, but recent research revealed the club had missed the birthday boat by quite a ...

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Bringing the past back to the future

An eye-catching new artwork depicting the history of blacksmithing in Spalding is a step closer after a successful event to make chain links. Scores of people went to Chain Bridge Forge in High Street on Saturday to get a taste of what life was like for generations of blacksmiths by stepping up to the anvil to forge a metal link, ...

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Andy continues to make a difference to workers in the developing world

Everyone wants to make a difference to the world but few would move thousands of miles away and risk their freedom for it. That’s exactly what former Spalding Grammar School student Andy Hall has dedicated his life to doing. The 37-year-old human rights activist faces constant threats of legal action from companies who are worried their profits will take a ...

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Carer Jayden (9) looks after family

Playing and homework is the only worry for most nine-year-olds, but Jayden Reynolds also has to look after his family. Due to his mum’s mobility problems through disability and his father’s long working hours to provide money for the family, Jayden, of Holbeach, does a huge amount of the family’s housework, including the cooking for his younger sister Kacy (7). ...

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Does your pet love everything about Christmas? £100 prize for the most festive furry, feathered or scaly friend

Do you have a festive feline or maybe a horse that’s in the holiday spirit? If the answer’s yes, then why not enter them into our Festive Pets Competition? Sponsored by Rooke’s Pet Products, the winner will be the pet that judges think shows the most Christmas spirit. Whether you have a Christmassy cat, a merry mutt, a festive fish ...

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Keep history alive with South Holland railway stories

Railways were once the arteries of South Holland, connecting village and town stations large and small. Chain Bridge Forge museum has provided these photos from its archive and wants to hear from anyone with memories of the heyday of the railway and its workers. If you have any stories of the railways, contact The Voice or Geoff Taylor at chainbridgeforge@gmail.com ...

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Find the perfect place to learn to ride horses

If you love horses and are looking for a pastime that will keep you fit in the great outdoors, horse riding is for you. It’s a rewarding and exciting sport that can be enjoyed by all ages. However, finding somewhere to ride, especially for the first time, can be a bit daunting. But don’t worry – The British Horse Society ...

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Get the most out of wedding show visit

You are now engaged and have set the date – it’s time to get planning! Cupids Autumn Wedding Show takes place on Sunday from 10.30am to 3pm and is the region’s largest wedding event. With over 60 exhibitors, a goody bag for the first 200 brides and spectacular fashion shows, this is a must for any bride to be. Visiting ...

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Ayscoughfee Hall is perfect for weddings

The medieval Grade I listed Ayscoughfee Hall in Spalding is the perfect venue for your big day. Set in five acres of formal gardens, Ayscoughfee Hall, built in 1451, is a museum featuring exhibitions and educational displays. But when the museum is closed to the public there is a suite of ground floor rooms licensed for civil wedding ceremonies for ...

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