Author Archives: James Bedford

Hovenden House residents move before closure

Disabled residents have started to be moved out of Hovenden House ahead of its closure in August.     As reported in The Voice in April, the service run by Leonard Cheshire Disability is shutting due to “considerable” repair and renovation costs for the Victorian Grade II listed property at Fleet.   At the time of the announcement in April, ...

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Friends to take part in 5k run to honour cancer fighter Allison

In honour and support of a family friend whose cancer recovery has been described as “miraculous,” two 12-year-olds will take on a fundraising 5K.     Allison Law (40), mum to Jada (6) and Jet (4), was diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer in January, which had spread to her bones and kidneys. Doctors said there was no cure and, privately, ...

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Public artwork, new markets and a buzz around the streets of Holbeach

Public artwork, new markets and loyalty cards are all in the pipeline for Holbeach.     The town is “buzzing” with enthusiasm after a public meeting to reveal results of a survey into improving its shopping appeal.   Three South Holland district councillors, Tracey Carter, Nick Worth and Francis Biggadike commissioned Leicester-based company Kerching to conduct the survey and present ...

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New life for stallholders but markets will still have spice

Spalding market stall holders Stuart and Lynn Dunn have served their last customers after more than 30 years in the town.   The couple have been familiar faces on their spice stall but are now looking forward to a well-earned rest.   Although a love of cycling, spurred by tickets to the Velodrome at the London Olympics, will keep them ...

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Staff at Gosberton firm help to aid evacuees

Staff at a South Holland company volunteered into the early hours to help re-house Londoners evacuated from their homes.     The team at Infotel, based in Gosberton, was called upon late Friday when tower blocks in Camden were deemed unsafe. When director Tanya Beresford called in help at 6.30pm, it arrived in 20 minutes.   But aside from those ...

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Trio jailed for house shooting in Long Sutton

Three South Holland men have been jailed for their part in a shooting in Long Sutton.   Lloyd Peter Hook (22), Samuel James Tooke (26) and Shane Kelk (23) were all convicted of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence after the incident in Anfield Close.   The men went to a property on Sunday, January ...

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Greenhouse attack on same night as large shed blaze

Vandals smashed hundreds of panes of glass in a nursery greenhouse on the same night a neighbouring derelict building – known to be used by rough sleepers – went up in flames.     Two local boys, aged 14 and 15, have been charged with arson in connection with the blaze on the former Groom Bros nursery site in Pecks ...

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‘Ludicrous’ van for Two Ball Rally drivers

Three friends are set to embark on a fundraising adventure driving a banger across Europe.     They will be taking their multi-coloured van to the Two Ball Banger rally to raise funds for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.   Mark Robinson, Ashley Goodale and James King will be heading off next month for the run which is due to ...

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Fantastic family fun raises cash for good community causes

Thousands of visitors flocked to the Crowland Show at the weekend and local good causes are set to benefit.   Glorious summer weather ensured a steady flow of visitors to Snowden Field to enjoy a range of attractions on Saturday.   Circus workshops, dog shows, horse shows, music, birds of prey and refreshments were all on offer at the event. ...

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Closing date for Norwich and Peterborough branch

A town centre building society will close its doors for the last time in October.   The Norwich and Peterborough, in Spalding’s Sheep Market is due to close on Friday,  October 20.   The date was confirmed by the group’s owners, the Yorkshire Building Society, this week.   A Yorkshire Building Society Group spokesperson said: “Our Spalding branch will close ...

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Little to Cheer as Town lose basement battle

Spalding Town slipped to the bottom of the Lincs Premier League table after losing their crunch clash with relegation rivals Boston on Saturday.     Rob Ambrose’s side saw themselves leapfrogged by the Mayflower men after suffering a 70-run reverse at Spalding Grammar School.   The defeat means Spalding now face a must-win clash with fellow strugglers Market Deeping on ...

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Sutton are starting to pull clear of chasing pack

Long Sutton continue to pull clear of the promotion chasing pack in Division One of the South Lincs Border League after a 73-run win over Boston 3rd on Saturday.   Phil Barnes’ side and current table-toppers Welby are moving away from third-placed Baston after another tidy success at the weekend.   Opener Adam Wright led the Sutton batting after Boston ...

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Moulton go fourth after coasting to win

Moulton Harrox moved into fourth place in Division One of the South Lincs Border League with a convincing nine-wicket win over Skegness 2nd on Saturday.   Harrox made the most of Skegness’ decision to bat first after winning the toss as they skittled the seasiders for 81 runs. Louis Greetham returned superb figures of 4-12 from his eight over spell ...

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Lives can be saved with obesity action

More than 150 serious illnesses will be prevented and up to five lives saved if weight loss support programmes are rolled out in Lincolnshire, it has been suggested.     South Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) told The Voice estimates are that £805,000 would be saved in reduced reliance on healthcare services relating to those individuals.   The estimates were ...

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Police force looking to find new recruits

Lincolnshire police is looking for new recruits to join the ranks in a neighbourhood role.     There are up to 24 posts at the service for the police community support officers (PCSOs) offering a uniformed presence in the community while helping to tackle anti-social behaviour and offering reassurance.   PCSO Paul Coupland, of the Spalding Estates Team, said: “I ...

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Council expects travellers to move on ‘within three days’

Travellers have set up camp on a piece of council-owned land in Spalding town centre for the second year running.   Seven caravans were on the land in King’s Road close to the Winfrey Avenue junction this morning (Monday).   A South Holland District Council spokesman said: “We can confirm that a number of travellers have set up camp on ...

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Lynn joins elite band after her American adventure

A yoga teacher from Whaplode St Catherine has joined an elite band of instructors after an impulsive decision to jet off to America for specialist training.     Lynn Exley, who runs Wellbeing for Living, decided to join the Foundation Training scheme after struggling with a bad back.   Despite the intensive training being held in Florida, Lynn decided to ...

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Former Crowland parish councillor jailed for eight months

A former Crowland parish councillor who admitted viewing indecent images of children has been  jailed for eight months.     Peter Bird, 72, was caught after police executed a search warrant at his Crowland home in October.     Lincoln Crown Court heard officers attended at the property after receiving information that an IP address belonging to Bird had downloaded a ...

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Wedding businesswoman jailed for defrauding customers

A wedding goods supplier who defrauded a number of customers after failing to declare she was a bankrupt has been jailed for 18 months.   Amanda Vines (48) was made bankrupt in March 2014 but continued to run an internet business supplying items for weddings, Lincoln Crown Court heard.   Mark Knowles, prosecuting, said Vines was a self employed sales ...

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Positive signs despite initiative’s zero return

Five months after the introduction of an order to crack down on anti-social behaviour in Spalding town centre not a single ticket has been issued – but officials say that’s a positive sign.   Lincolnshire Police and South Holland District Council have said people are complying on request with the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) launched in December.   New ...

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