An estimated 7,000 people made Bakkavor’s 30th anniversary fun weekend an event to remember. Employees and families from across the business nationally were joined by many people from the South Holland community for two days of fun at Springfields Events Centre in Spalding last Saturday and Sunday (July 23 and 24). About 5,000 employees and families from as far as ...

Traders in Spalding are to be canvassed again on whether they want to be part of a business improvement district (BID). The proposal – first mooted and rejected in 2009 – is being driven by the imminent departure from his post of Spalding town centre manager Dennis Hannant. A BID is a defined area in which all business rate payers ...

A business was shocked to discover that its phone system had been hacked, leading to a £9,000 calls bill. WH Brand, a car dealership in Whaplode Drove, found out on Monday that its voicemail had been compromised and expensive calls to foreign countries such as Sudan had been made from its lines. Calls to one mobile number had racked up ...

Planning inspectors say only one of these two new fences on opposite sides of the road is acceptable. Neighbours in Spalding’s Osier Road and Rutland Close both had to apply for retrospective planning permission after a tip-off to South Holland District Council – and both subsequently appealed the refusal decisions. The independent planning inspectorate then came to different decisions on ...

Be quick if you want to be in with a chance of winning a prize in our Holbeach best garden competition. We’ve had lots of entries already and the closing point is 5pm on Friday (July 29). We’re running the competition in conjunction with Holbeach In Bloom, which is offering three voucher prizes totalling £100. So whether it’s a fantastic floral front ...

A first skate and BMX jam – which could evolve into an annual event – is taking place on Tuesday (Aug 2). The venue is Spalding skate park at Low Fulney Field (opposite St Paul’s Church) from 10am to 5pm. Throughout the day there will be exhibitions by British champions and free coaching sessions for all ages. Entrance is free to ...

A night of birthday celebrations was held at The Reading Room in Holbeach at the monthly meeting of the Holbeach branch of the Royal Observer Corps Association. Ex-15 Group Commandant Peter Jex celebrated his 80th and ex-Chief Observer Frank Sauntson turned 91. Members enjoyed a buffet and both birthday cakes before watching a DVD.

An afternoon of beer, wine and song was enjoyed by residents and their families at The Bancroft in Long Sutton. Supported by Adnams of Southwold, a real pub atmosphere was created with cask ales especially popular and a jukebox of music from the 40s to the 70s keeping all entertained. Activity co-ordinator Steve Shore said: “It was lovely to see ...

Spalding United FC under-eights has been helped by Spalding and District Round Table with the purchase of two pop-up training goals. Making the hand over are (from left) Tablers Matt Cole, Ady Griggs, Matt Clark, Ben Cook, Jay Glover, chairman Matt Burchnall, Jason Parnell, Tom Bradshaw and Sam Nundy.

A riding instructor at stables in West Pinchbeck got a nice surprise after hearing that she had been shortlisted for a national award. Alicia Horton, of Gosberton Risegate, is one of just five instructors from across the country to have made it through to the final of the Associated British Riding Schools’ Golden Spur Award. This highly prized award tests ...

Spalding will be without a town centre manager – temporarily at least – from September. Current encumbent Dennis Hannant is leaving the role early on August 31 “by mutual agreement”. Matt Clark, chairman of Spalding town centre management board, said Mr Hannant, who took up the role in November 2014, had made it clear then that he was happy to get ...

South Holland District Council is losing patience over the former Bull and Monkie site in Spalding – and is ready to force its sale. The prominent plot in Churchgate was tidied up by the council in 2014 but offshore owner Crispen Holdings Ltd has never settled the £13,000 bill. The council is thought to be keen on developing the site ...

A series of level crossings closures in South Holland and Boston has been announced to enable Network Rail to carry out essential maintenance. A Network Rail spokesman said: “These are for a variety of reasons, most are for the annual test of the crossing equipment. Some are to upgrade the crossing surface/crossing deck, such as white lining, and tarmac repairs ...

Some of South Holland’s largest empty and run-down properties could carry on deteriorating for many more years, it has been warned. We reported earlier this month (July) that Spalding’s Old Johnson Hospital and former Royal Mail sorting office are both owned by offshore company Dyden Ltd. It has emerged that the firm owns other decaying property. Several years ago it ...

A small group of people who have driven through the delivery of a controversial leisure marina at Sutton Bridge are delighted to see the project finally realised. Cross Keys Marina hit funding stumbling blocks and objections but, finally, what started out as a millennium project has come to fruition. However, one regret for Nene Marina CIC (Community Interest Company) is ...

Police pulled over a trawling motorist suspected to be drink-driving – and found him to be playing Pokémon Go. The Volkswagen Polo driver was stopped in Holland Market in Spalding overnight on Thursday (July 21) and found to be using the smartphone app, which has created a craze across the world. Spalding Police, who had spotted the car being driven ...

A woman who used the identity of a dead child to falsely claim benefits has been warned she faces a possible jail sentence. Lincoln Crown Court heard Maria Pridmore (36) falsely claimed over £16,000 in housing benefit, council tax and income support after failing to notify the authorities of changes in her circumstances. Chris Geeson, prosecuting, told the court Pridmore ...

by Karen Johnson – community development officer at South Holland District Council Do you consider that you have a disability? A new group the “South Holland Disability Forum” has now been set up to hear your voices and focus on your abilities and not disabilities. Lincolnshire Independent Living has been working alongside the Council to establish this valuable group. The core ...

Long Sutton’s Market House Community Centre has received a £6,000 community development grant from Lincolnshire County Council and South Holland District Council. It will go towards the cost of replacing the wagon arch door at the rear of the building in the same style and colour, but in aluminium and with double glazing. Jeanne Sibley, the development officer and centre ...

Organisers of a primary school reunion are still trying to trace ex-pupils. The primary school in Fleet Fen, near Gedney Hill, closed in the 1970s. People still living locally and others who moved away are planning to attend the evening event organised by Philip Grummitt, Peter Bingham and Ian Laxton. They have specifically been asked if Shirley Beeken is planning ...