Author Archives: Tracey Sweetland

Probus has new president at helm

The Springfields Probus Club elected its new president at its latest meeting. The April meeting, held at The Woodlands Hotel, was the annual meeting when new president Larry Spector was elected in succession to John Belcher. Any retired gentleman can apply to join the club which holds its meetings on the third Wednesday each month at the hotel.

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Town ‘let down’ by beer cans, litter and weeds

Overgrown planters filled with weeds and nettles are leaving visitors with a bad impression of Spalding town centre. Last weekend hundreds of visitors still came to the area to enjoy the new Tulipmania event and the host of church flower festivals – despite the fact there was no flower parade this year. But Pete Williams, town businessman and landlord at ...

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Jobless figures drop 24 per cent

  South Holland has seen a drop of almost 25 per cent in the number of people unemployed in the past year. Figures for March show that there were 356 fewer people claiming Jobseekers Allowance than in the same month last year – a drop of 24 per cent. It means that just 2.2 per cent of the population of ...

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Steps in right direction for failing school

A struggling secondary school has been told it can take on four new teachers to help lift it out of special measures. The Sir John Gleed School was placed in special measures a year ago amid fears of bullying, bad behaviour and poor teaching. A report published last week by education watchdog Ofsted said a third inspection visit carried out ...

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Cigarettes targeted at two stores overnight

Burglars got away with a haul of cigarettes after breaking into a shop in Donington. Police were called shortly after 1am this morning (Friday) in response to a report that a burglary was in progress at the Costcutter Store in the High Street. The offenders forced open the front door of the shop before targeting the tobacco kiosk inside. The ...

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Road closed for bridge repairs

Motorists have been warned that a road will be closed overnight for repairs. Platt’s Bridge on West Marsh Road, Spalding will be closed overnight between 7pm on Sunday, May 4 and 6am on Monday, May 5 to allow for maintenance work, subject to weather conditions. A signed, local diversion will be in place. Light vehicles will be able to access ...

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‘The sight and smell will never leave me’

Two years since 71-year-old June Buffham died in a house fire, her daughter ha spoken out for the first time about the heartache of losing her mum in a bid to warn others about the dangers of illegal cigarettes. June, who had mobility problems, was home alone on the Sunday evening in April 2012 when fire took hold of her ...

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Shame as district goes to top of ‘fat league’

Around a third of adults in South Holland are now classed as clinically obese – the highest percentage in Lincolnshire. And the picture for residents’ health becomes even gloomier, as Lincolnshire is revealed as the obesity capital of the East Midlands. The issue is becoming a growing problem, which puts an ever-increasing strain on health and other services. Just this ...

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Kids’ club future hangs on mobile decision

A village primary school is hoping it will be allowed to keep a mobile classroom it uses for a breakfast and after-school club. Pinchbeck East Primary School has a bespoke mobile building in its grounds which provides care for pupils before school begins and at the end of the day. But planning permission for the building, known as the Millennium ...

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Fears parking restrictions lead to dodgy drink-drive decisions

A Spalding landlord believes people may be tempted to run the risk of drink driving rather than face a parking ticket for leaving their car in town. Pete Williams, of the Punchbowl in New Road, says parking enforcement officers are making it nigh on impossible for people to relax and enjoy themselves in the town centre. He believes that rather ...

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Alert as scarlet fever spreads

Parents are being warned to keep an eye open for the symptoms of scarlet fever as the number of cases continue to grow across the county. Further information has been issued by Lincolnshire County Council’s public health team after advice was issued earlier in the week to schools and nurseries about scarlet fever as the spread of the childhood disease ...

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Library closures ‘on hold’ until court makes decision

Plans to close some Lincolnshire libraries to save £1.9million have been put on hold until a review has been carried out by the High Court. Lincolnshire County Council has agreed not to go ahead with its plan to sell off or lease the existing libraries until the decision of the court is known and will continue to maintain libraries at ...

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Vista Crew runs up £550 for good cause

A group of 15 young people, volunteers and friends set off for a three mile run around town to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The Vista Crew, which is a group for teenagers that meets every other Saturday morning at the St Nicolas Church Hall, organised the charity run on Sunday. The event raised around £550. The total ...

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Vintage fun to mark home’s anniversary

A Holbeach nursing home broke out the best china and bunting to celebrate a special occasion with a 1940s day. It is 25 years since the community rallied round to open Holbeach Hospital as a nursing home and a celebration saw residents, staff, family and friends get together to enjoy a day of themed fun, including a street party, tanks, ...

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Terry takes the high road for charity Tour de France

A Spalding cyclist is getting ready to ride up hill and down dale on the Yorkshire stretch of this year’s Tour de France for charity. Terry Roberts decided to climb into the saddle and start cycling just a few months ago after a chance meeting with an old school friend on the market. The pair settled on the 120-mile challenge ...

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Weekly events at Spalding’s Punchbowl

Wednesday, 8.30pm, quiz night. Last week’s winners were “The Good, the Bad and the Irish” with a score of 37/50, winning just under £20. To enter just turn up on the night. Cost £1 per head and no limit per team. Thursday is karaoke. Sing your heart out from 8pm till midnight, with Pete and Steph. Friday is the best ...

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Sounds of the 60s at Punchbowl with Soul Summit

There’s always something going on at Spalding’s Punchbowl and the Bank Holiday weekend is no exception. As well as all the usual mix of karaoke and great music, the weekend will reach a peak on Sunday with a live performance by Soul Summit. The band is the Midlands, Lincolnshire and east coast’s premier 60s soul and motown band. They are ...

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Colourful day out at parrot zoo

If you are looking for something to do with the kids this Bank Holiday you may want to consider the Parrot Zoo, just a few miles down the road at Friskney. The attraction cares for one of the largest collections of parrots in the UK, but there’s loads more than just the colourful birds to see. You will discover a ...

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Parade will live on with Tulipmania

Although there is no Spalding Flower Parade this year, there will still be plenty to see and do at Springfields Festival Gardens and Events Arena over the May Bank Holiday weekend. The charity organisation, Springfields Horticultural Society has for many years been the main organiser of the Flower Parade, and the Society’s Events Arena was the start and end point ...

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Galleries open to put art on the map

Professional artists and crafts people across South Holland will open their studios to the public for the annual Lincolnshire Art on the Map event. Lincolnshire is subdivided into five cluster groups West Lindsey, Wolds and Coast, Lincoln, the Vales and (our South Holland area), The Fens. Artists and makers invite members of the public to use a specially created directory ...

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