Features

Dental disease is one of the most common conditions we see in dogs and cats. Like ours, our pets’ teeth need looking after to keep them at their best. There are plenty of products available that claim to help improve dental hygiene, from chews and toys to dietary supplements and antibacterial mouthwash. For these to be effective they need to ...

Thinking of a trip to Iceland to see the Northern Lights? The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) is on many people’s bucket list. The Holiday With Us Group is the place to book this once in a lifetime experience, here is why? Our staff have the experience and knowledge to ensure your trip is amazing and you can be assured that ...

A recent report from an eminent human psychologist who has canine interests says that we should not hug our dogs. But what do you do when your dog insists on hugging you? When I am sitting on the settee at night I am covered in dogs wanting cuddles and attention. This research was carried out by looking at pictures posted ...

I had the great pleasure of attending the production of the musical Oliver!, recently staged at the South Holland Centre by Spalding Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society and was hugely impressed with the high standard of acting, singing and dancing. The cast were all very impressive and their performance highlights the outstanding talent there is locally. So well done to ...

A 23-year-old South Holland woman has shared her experience of how volunteering is helping her on the path to a new career. Kathryn Crawt, who grew up in Holbeach and is a former Spalding High School pupil, works in a kids’ club on cruise ships. In January, she decided to focus on volunteering in between trips. She said: “When I’m ...

A campaign to improve road safety for horse riders across the UK is gaining momentum. The British Horse Society’s Dead Slow campaign follows a number of accidents involving horses on the nation’s roads – many of which may have been avoided if drivers were better informed of the road safety issues. Petrol pump advertising has been rolled out to 96 ...

If you’re looking for a meeting or conference venue then look no further than historic Ayscoughfee Hall in Spalding. Inside are a variety of modern rooms that will accommodate up to 40 delegates. Outside are picturesque gardens and ample car parking facilities. Guests are provided with screens, projectors and flipcharts as well as free tea and coffee. The hall has ...

Angela Harrison is a South Holland district councillor for Crowland and Deeping St Nicholas. A councillor since May 2007, at first she also had two other part-time jobs, but it’s now a full-time occupation. Coun Harrison has served on the licensing committee for eight years and enjoys it “immensely”. She says: “I particularly like the challenge and responsibility of being ...

by Sally Slade (South Holland District Council portfolio holder for legal, performance and democratic services) The other day, one of my children asked me, “Mummy, what do you actually do?”. It’s a question that I sometimes ask myself! My portfolio is so broad, encompassing a variety of departments, that it makes my working life incredibly varied. My official title is ...

Doesn’t time fly? Already we are into May. A time for flowers, birdsong and yes, buds. The expression “the darling buds of May” comes from Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, with the famous opening line “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”. Though judging from recent weather, it might be a bit early for that yet! With the dreadfully cold weather ...

Do you know a volunteer who deserves a Pride of South Holland Award? There’s still plenty of time left to nominate someone for the Pride of South Holland Awards – Volunteer of the year award. It’s your chance to get these remarkable people the recognition they deserve. The Volunteer of the Year Award identifies those who dedicate their time. Even ...

Abbeygate Rest Home in Crowland offers a home-from-home for those who are no longer to live independently in their own homes. Set in its own grounds in the centre of the historic market town, the home is within walking distance of a range of shops and facilities, including grocers, butchers, newsagents, hardware, cafe, bakers, public house, garden centre, dentists, doctors, ...

There are lots of books and sources of advice on choosing and buying your puppy, training, house training, socialising, puppy classes and so on, but in this article I want to write about living with your puppy. I have recently acquired a young rescue dog, a puppy really and I have not lived with a puppy for over twenty years, ...

The weather might not have got the message, but summer is on its way. As the days grow longer we’re reaching the time of year when fleas often start to become a real problem, as newly hatched fleas emerge from the cocoons in which they have spent the winter. A female flea can lay 50 eggs per day, so one ...

The biggest financial worry for over a fifth (21 per cent) of people aged 65 and over is that their savings will run out. Meanwhile more than a third (34 per cent) have run out of money before the end of the month. That’s according to a new survey by Independent Age, the older people’s charity, to launch its new ...

We receive a lot of calls in the spring and summer months from members of the public concerned about baby birds they have found in their gardens. Fledglings that are hopping around on the floor are fine to be left. They have left the nest and are usually still in the care of their parents who are usually close by ...

I received a phone call last week from a member of the Luton Women’s Institute saying that she and her ladies want to visit Spalding on a market day in June, because they had heard our market was really good and also want to ride on the Water Taxi. This is the second such call I have received in as ...

What happened to the frog who parked on double yellow lines? He was toad away! Yes, a terrible joke to start this month’s column. But a great way to introduce the subject, frogs and toads. Do you know you might have them in your garden, even if you haven’t got a pond? Although they need ponds to breed, the adults ...

Britons in their later years are relishing their 70s, with many planning to pursue new hobbies and interests rather than putting their feet up and relaxing. According to Royal Voluntary Service research, released to launch GrandFest 2016, the one-day festival that celebrates older people and the skills they possess, almost half of 60-69 year olds (41 per cent) said they ...

Babesiosis has long been a disease seen in southern Europe, Asia and Africa. Until recently it has only been diagnosed in dogs returning to the UK from abroad. Recently there has been a localised outbreak in Houslow in Essex prompting concerns that this may spread further through the country. Babesia is spread most commonly by ticks, but also occasionally in ...