Author Archives: Nigel Chapman

Dedicated recycler Jason bags £1,000 prize in South Holland District Council rewards scheme

The first £1,000 winner in South Holland District Council’s recycling rewards scheme has been awarded his prize. Long-term recycler Jason Carswell was rewarded for his dedication when his name was drawn from all the initial £100 winners in the Green Bag Lottery’s first three months. Ten households are randomly and secretly selected every four weeks. Each one which presents recycling ...

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Green recycling bags in short supply in South Holland

Recycling bags are at a premium in South Holland after a problem with the supplier. A machine breakdown has left the district council with no rolls to give out at pick-up points including its offices in Spalding and Long Sutton Market House. However, the local authority has managed to maintain its twice-yearly drops of bags at the district’s 38,200 households. ...

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Spalding allotment holders raise £350 for Johnson Community Hospital

Allotment holders got together for some banter and a barbecue to raise cash for a hospital ward which cared for a friend’s wife. The green-fingered gang from Horseshoe Road allotments in Spalding sat down for a social occasion – and to compare the size of their spuds – and raised £350 for the Tulip Suite at Spalding’s Johnson Community Hospital. ...

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£500,000 community building for Spalding’s Wygate Park could be base for South Holland Community Church

A long-awaited community building for Wygate Park in Spalding has been given fresh impetus and feasibility by a partnership with South Holland Community Church. A £500,000 multi-purpose project is being proposed on land near the new Wygate Park Academy. The project steering group, which includes South Holland ward district councillors Roger Gambba-Jones and Christine Lawton, is hoping the building would ...

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Spalding inspector calls on council to levy licensed premises to support policing bill

Spalding’s top policeman wants licensed premises to pay towards policing the town at night. Insp Jim Tyner is calling on South Holland District Council to introduce a late night levy. He believes it is time that the stretched police budget had support from the pubs and the town’s nightclub that profit from the large numbers frequenting them, particularly at the ...

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Late Night Levy would be unfair, says Spalding nightclub owner

The owner of Loaded nightclub says a late night levy (LNL) would be an unfair ‘tax’ on licensed premises which, like his, have already invested in CCTV and door staff. Matt Clark believes a BID (Business Improvement District) scheme would be a fairer way to provide support. Here Mr Clark, who is also chairman of Spalding Nighttime Economy Forum, tells ...

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Council surveying South Holland residents on garden waste collection service

  A garden waste collection service is being considered for South Holland. The district council is asking residents whether they would be willing to pay £2 per collection. For those that would, they are also being asked whether they would prefer to use a compostable sack or a reusable bin. The council says the service is being considered as a ...

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Traffic chaos as A17 shut following injury to pedestrian

Traffic chaos was brought to Fleet and Gedney on Friday evening when the A17 was shut for three hours after a pedestrian was hit by a car. A 17-year-old girl from Gedney suffered a broken arm after a collision with a Seat Alhambra while she was crossing the road at about 5.55pm. Police said: “She was airlifted to hospital but fortunately ...

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Councillors look at buying mobile camera for crime and anti-social behaviour hotspots

The purchase of a mobile camera to link in with South Holland’s upgraded CCTV system has taken a step closer. Spalding Town Forum has asked for costings before deciding whether its 12 district councillors would like to contribute from their annual designated members’ budget. The proposal for a camera which could be moved to “hotspots” for crime and anti-social behaviour ...

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Star of BBC TV series The Musketeers is having a chop in Spalding

D’Artagnan is having his hair cut in Spalding. Luke Pasqualino, star of the BBC series The Musketeers, is unveiling Image International’s new-look interior – after having his locks tended to by dad Pep on Thursday (July 3). Luke is flying in from Prague, where he is currently filming the second series. To celebrate more than 30 years in business in ...

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Wreaths laid at National Memorial Arboretum by Holbeach Royal British Legion branch

Holbeach branch of the Royal British Legion’s two-yearly visit to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire was aptly just two days after the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Landings. Also on the trip were members of other branches and Holbeach and Long Sutton ACF detachments under the command of branch member Sgt Andy Wicks. At the Armed Forces Memorial, wreaths ...

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Silver coin from mid-1400s found during search for Pinchbeck manor

The search for Pinchbeck’s lost manor has so far proved fruitless – but has unearthed a 15th century coin in pristine condition. The hammered silver penny from the reign of Henry VI in the mid-1400s has been a welcome find for Pinchbeck History and Archaeology Group amid the disappointment of not discovering any stonework from the manor. Group press officer ...

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Promotion for community garden at Ayscoughfee Hall Museum in Spalding

Visitors to Ayscoughfee Hall Museum in Spalding can now learn more about the Kitchen Garden Project and how they can get involved. A new information board has been installed at the community garden. Ayscoughfee is one of nine community gardens located across South Holland set up to develop shared garden spaces and encourage people to get growing at home. Volunteers ...

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UPDATE: Police reveal foreign nationals injured in violent Spalding fights

Lincolnshire Police have today (Wednesday) disclosed that the injured victims of two violent fights in Spalding last weekend were foreign nationals. And they say patrols will be stepped up in certain areas of the town centre as a precaution. Three Lithuanians – all living in Spalding – were injured in the incident in Hall Place at 12.45am on Saturday. Police said: ...

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Spalding care home manager used vulnerable person’s cheque to bank £4,500

A Spalding man has admitted abusing the trust of a vulnerable person and defrauding them of £4,500 while manager at a care home in the town. John Eric Valmoria (38) wrote out a service-user’s cheque to the value of £4,500, making it payable to himself and depositing it in his own bank account. It occurred between November and December 2012 when Valmoria was ...

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Injury forces Spalding pair to abandon John O’Groats to Land’s End tandem challenge

A pair of fundraisers has had to admit defeat after injury forced them to give up plans for a charity cycle ride. Mark Le Sage and Graham Ridley had planned to take part in a “top to bottom” challenge to cycle from John O’ Groats to Land’s End on a tandem in 2012. But an accident at work left Mark ...

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South Holland Citizens Advice Bureau appeals for new volunteers and ideas to shape its future

Like many of the people it helps, South Holland’s Citizens Advice Bureau is feeling the pinch. Many people do not realise it is a charity, and as such relies on help from the district and county council, grants and donations to fund the vital work it does. While money is tight, everywhere, there is a knock-on effect on the CAB ...

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‘Overwhelming’ effort by community to create outdoor area for Spalding’s Garth School

A huge effort by the community and businesses has put The Garth School in Spalding firmly on the road to having a superb garden and outdoor sensory area. About 50 people were working throughout Saturday on the creation for the special school pupils to use year-round. Work is expected to complete in a few weeks. Headteacher Daran Bland said: “The ...

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New collectables shop has dedicated area for Spalding memorabilia

If collectables are your thing, there’s a new shop in Spalding that’s well worth a look. Brian Green has opened the Green Apple Collectables Emporium in Albert Street and with 850 items to browse you’re bound to find something that takes your fancy. Brian (62) is Spalding born and bred and has been building up his selection of collectables and ...

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Spalding Midsummer Ball expects to have raised £20,000 to split between three charities

There was glitz and glamour galore as Spalding ball-goers strutted their stuff on the red carpet at the annual Midsummer Ball. Springfields Events Centre was packed as 575 enjoyed the BAFTA-themed ball, thanks to great entertainment and tasty food. Committee chairman Tanya Beresford said: “We had a great night and have had loads of positive feedback, some people have even ...

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