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 ...

More than 300 students from Donington’s Thomas Cowley High School came together to create their own Remembrance Poppy image to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War. The idea came when deputy head, Mr Andy, went to see his football team, Barnsley County play Sheffield. The fans created something similar in the stands. The image was created by ...

A new footbridge over a busy Spalding level crossing is not imminent – but has not been ruled out. The reintroduction of a bridge at Winsover Road is likely to be welcomed by pedestrians and cyclists as increased use of the upgraded rail line leads to the level crossing being closed more often. However, South Holland and The Deepings MP ...

Parents with children starting primary or junior school next September can apply for places from Monday. Information packs are available from primary schools from Monday and parents need to apply online by the deadline of January 15. Applications can be made online at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions. Last year, 98 per cent of parents applied for a school place online, making it the ...

Empty homes across South Holland could be given a new lease of life with the launch of a new scheme. At a time when South Holland District Council is looking to increase the supply of housing to take advantage of a Government incentive, a new strategy has been launched to bring empty properties back into use. Over the past year ...

The Billy Joel Songbook South Holland Centre, Spalding. Thursday, November 27 7.30pm Tickets £20/£18 Box office 01775 764777 www.southhollandcentre.co.uk Featuring renowed singer, songwriter and pianist Elio Pace. Following his highly-acclaimed “Billy Joel Original Touring Band” concerts in Philadelphia and New York, Elio Pace is back in the UK with a sensational show celebrating Joel’s phenomenal music. Dynamic pianist Elio will ...

This Saturday, Spalding’s Loaded night club, plays host to popular and talented urban DJ CJ Beatz, of Radio 1 Xtra fame. Most known for hosting the RnB new music show, he has over the last few years supported many of the UK’s largest urban groups on tour and taken his prolific DJ skills internationally. He is set to team up ...

Jackson Live in Concert Starring Ben and his Incredible Band & Dancers Key Theatre, Peterborough Saturday, November 22, 7.30pm Tickets £19.50 Box office: 01733 207239 www.vivacity-peterborough.com Michael Jackson is not only remembered as one of the most influential artists of all time, but many of today’s artists have been inspired by his iconic style. His career spanned nearly five decades ...

More than 165 people turned up to support a Weight Watchers group’s charity fashion show. The event, organised by Weight Watchers group leader Helen Webster, also featured a healthy cooking demonstration upstairs at Spalding’s Beales department store, live entertainment from the Two of Us, local businesses pampering guests with mini manicures and other beauty treatments, a raffle and instore competitions. ...

In the 70th anniversary year of the D-Day landings pupils had the chance to learn more about what life was like during the Second World War. Children at Westmere Primary School in Sutton Bridge welcomed the We’ll Meet Again mobile war museum, who took along a variety of memorabilia, including replica weapons, costumes and toys from the era to enhance ...

Sing-a-Long-a-Frozen Kings Lynn Corn Exchange Saturday, January 17 Tickets £16, concessions £11, Family (3) £37.50 (4) £50 Box office 01553 764864 www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk As the festive season gets underway in earnest it may be a strange time to start planning for the new year. But in fact, now is the perfect time to plan a treat to beat the “back to ...

Jack and The Beanstalk Key Theatre, Peterborough Thursday, December 4 to Sunday, January 4, various times Box office 01733 207239 www.vivacity-peterborough.com Whatever you do, don’t miss this year’s GIANT family pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk! This year’s production is brought to you by the Key Theatre and The Production Exchange. With everything you expect from a pantomime at the Key ...

Police are appealing for witnesses following a burglary in Holbeach. The burglary took place at a bungalow in Battlefields Lane South between 3pm on Thursday and 11am on Friday.  At this time it is thought that nothing was stolen. Any witness are requested to contact Spalding CID on 101, quoting incident 180 of November 7.  Information can also be given anonymously via ...

A Whaplode man has been sent to prison for 20 weeks after admitting driving while disqualified. Samuel Tooke (24), of High Road, Whaplode, appeared at Boston Magistrates Court today and pleaded guilty to the offence, which happened on July 21. As well as the prison sentence he was banned from driving for a further two years.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a high-value burglary in Crowland over the weekend. The burglary took place in Harvester Way, Crowland, between 1.30pm and 4.30pm on Saturday, November 8. An Apple Mac computer, jewellery, a Playstation and Kindle Fire were among the items stolen. Community Policing Inspector Jim Tyner said: ‘This burglary took place in daylight hours on a Saturday ...

A Long Sutton stonemason is putting the final touches to a new memorial to the area’s First World War casualties. Richard King is engraving the polished grey obelisk which will stand on two decks of grey granite near the main war memorial in Boston. The monument will officially be unveiled on Armistice Day next Tuesday. On display will also be ...

A company director who defrauded the tax authorities of more than £300,000 walked away from court with a suspended jail sentence. Kevin Dodd pocketed PAYE and National Insurance contributions deducted from employees of the South Lincolnshire marketing company Duffin Slessor Dodd Ltd over a six year period and also failed to submit any returns to HMRC. Lincoln Crown Court was ...

A Spalding-wide dispersal order aimed at preventing anti-social behaviour during what police feared could be a busy weekend was not needed. The order was put in place by Spalding policing inspector Jim Tyner, who was concerned that Halloween, a large fireworks event and the fact it was “payday” weekend could combine to make the town centre a hotspot for disorder. ...

A young people’s choir is looking for new members. Choir Vibe, which is open to young people aged eight to 18, is an open access group, with no audition necessary to earn a place among its ranks. Although the group retains a keen core of enthusiastic singers, it has recently lost some of its members who have gone off to ...

People who own illegal firearms are being urged to hand over them as part of a county-wide gun amnesty. Anyone who has an unlawfully held weapon, including a trophy or antique gun which may have been a war memento or family heirloom, can hand them in to Lincolnshire Police without fear of reprisal during the next few days. Although Spalding ...