Author Archives: Tracey Sweetland

Business booming for dog groomer

A successful dog grooming business is hoping to extend its pooch pampering services in the coming months. Pretty 4 Pawz dog grooming, based in Moulton Chapel, is a family owned business, started in 2013 by Sue Thrush. Sue is a passionate animal lover with more than 40 years’ experience of owning, training and rescuing dogs. After running a dog walking ...

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Step forward for future of ‘not fit for purpose’ hall

The idea of replacing Spalding’s St Nicolas Hall with a modern facility has taken another step forward. The church hall for St Mary and St Nicolas – commonly known by its road name The Vista – is losing money and is considered not fit for purpose. The Parochial Church Council is looking into the costs of a new-build and arranged ...

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Farewell to Spalding guide leader Ann Tilbury

Guides in Spalding have bid a fond farewell to their long-serving leader. Ann Tilbury has been the leader of 1st Spalding (St Mary and St Nicolas) guide unit since 1994, as well as joint Spalding District Commissioner for six years and county camp and holiday advisor from 2006 to 2011. In 2011 she was also presented with a her 40 ...

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Homes, allotments, cemetery and woodland burial plans

Up to 45 homes, allotments and a new cemetery, including woodland burial plots, could be built in Crowland. The plans have been put forward by Crowland Parish Council, which hopes a developer will come forward to take on the project. As part of the plan, the council intends to maintain control of around ten of the proposed new homes. They ...

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Highways councillor to aid improvements

New ventures are to be explored to increase footfall and revenue in Spalding town centre. Among the possibilities following on from the 16-stall Italian market in Sheep Market this Sunday (from 10am) are car dealerships showcasing vehicles in Market Place and flea markets. Spalding and District Area Chamber of Commerce president Phil Scarlett said: “Spalding needs to make the best ...

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Charities receive £3,000

Two charities are £3,000 better off thanks to generous donations. Chosen Charity of Holbeach made the two presentations to Karen Hamshere, of Mencap, and Steve Hyde, of LIVES. Chosen treasurer Iris Boland said: “These are two very popular charities among the volunteers of Chosen, and we all wish them every success for the future. “We would not be able to ...

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Nursing home’s onesie day

Nursing home staff stayed snuggly and warm for a “wear a onesie to work” day in aid of charity. The workers at Brun Lea in Pinchbeck donned their cosy clothes and raised more than £200 for Willoughby School in Bourne, the national autistic society and their own residents’ comfort fund. Manager Tracey Laud said: “Every year we fundraise for a ...

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New challenge to library cuts

A second judicial review into proposed cuts to Lincolnshire libraries could be on the cards. Campaigners have asked the High Court to review Lincolnshire County Council’s new plans to streamline libraries in a bid to save £2m. In February, the council’s executive agreed proposals for a new-look service in light of changes in the way libraries are used and the ...

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Replacing wall with shutter doors is ‘crime’ against listed building

Internal work carried out at Spalding Constitutional Club without planning consent has been described as a “crime” against the Grade II listed building. A wall between the reception hall and bar has been knocked down and replaced with concertina shutter doors. The club says it was to safeguard its trading future by enabling a larger area in which to hold ...

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Spalding daffodils are Easter hit with shoppers

A whopping three million bunches of daffodils – or 60 million stems – from Spalding have been brightening up homes across the country this Easter. As spring gets underway, a host of golden daffodils have shown their pretty faces in fields across South Holland – including the one in this photograph. The picture was taken at K Martin and Son’s ...

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New CallConnect booking service

A popular bus service has launched a new online booking system to help customers plan their journeys online. The web booking portal called OpenDRT replaces the previous online booking system for CallConnect customers. Just some of the new system’s features include: Improved accuracy and efficiency- the online system is linked directly to CallConnect’s scheduling system and can provide customers with ...

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Lions’ race night is a winner

Young and old enjoyed the thrill of the races at a charity night. Spalding Lions held its annual race night at the South Holland Centre, where guests were also able to tuck into a sausage and mash supper. Lions spokesman Elaine Mothers thanked all the event sponsors who helped ensure it was a success. She said: “We raised an amazing ...

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Police and public have role in stopping child sex abuse

Barely a day goes by without another horrific story of child sexual exploitation hitting the headlines. Every day, police across the country are called in to investigate yet another case of children being sexually abused. Last week, the issue was in the spotlight during a national child sexual exploitation awareness day. Among those backing the campaign was Lincolnshire Police, with ...

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Blackmail threat to expose councillor as paedophile

A county councillor has been targeted by blackmailers threatening to expose him as a paedophile unless they pay £10,000. Lincolnshire County Council is calling for residents to be vigilant in light of the blackmail attempt. The elected member, who has not been identified, received a letter threatening to publicly accuse them of being a paedophile if they didn’t pay the ...

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Number of households in fuel poverty ‘down’

The number of households in Lincolnshire living in fuel poverty has fallen, according to new figures. Following a nationwide review of the problem, the Government has adopted a new “definition” of fuel poverty, which deems those on the lowest incomes and in the most energy inefficient homes to be in fuel poverty. Under the new definition, around an eighth of ...

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Church gets helping hand to stay at its historic home

A church has been given a helping hand to stay in its current premises. Crowland Methodist Church has been discussing for the past five years whether to move to other premises or stay at its historic site in Reform Street, Crowland. A decision has now been taken for the church to remain open for the forseeable future at its current ...

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WILDLIFE COLUMN: March is the month to see original Easter bunnies

If you think of one animal in March, it would have to be the mad March hare. All around the Spalding area, you can see them. From gently lolloping along, two or more hares suddenly go into high speed chases. They then rear up onto their hind legs, battering each other with a flurry of blows. So what on earth ...

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Pinchbeck pre-school’s revamped play area vandalised

A pre-school’s efforts to make an exciting outdoor play area for its children have been ruined by vandals. Stepping Stones pre-school, based at Pinchbeck Church Hall, had received a £500 donation from county councillor Elizabeth Sneath’s Big Society Fund to repaint the play area and buy new equipment – only for some of the items to be stolen and the ...

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Help trio top targets for marathon effort

Three friends have been braving the winter weather to get in training for the London Marathon. Spalding women Zoe Rayner (24), her sister Hannah Rayner (26) and friend Kayleigh Wells (27) are gearing up for the “massive challenge” in aid of three very different but equally worthy causes. Zoe is running in aid of cancer care charity Marie Curie, Hannah ...

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Movie to bring Hollywood to Holbeach

Casting is under way to find future stars of the big screen for the first ever feature-length action thriller to come out of South Holland. Newly-formed Holbeach Film Company hopes cameras will roll within just a couple of months, with all the action of its first film Dishonoured being shot around Holbeach, Spalding, Long Sutton, Boston and Peterborough. The idea ...

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