Work has started to make way for a major new Next Outlet store at Springfields Shopping Outlet in Spalding. The transformation and fit out will take three months, with plans to open the new store in time for peak Christmas trading in December. Ian Sanderson, head of Springfields, said: “We have worked hard for years to secure the introduction of Next, the most ...

Youngsters leaving Fleet’s Willows Day Nursery marked their departure with a special graduation ceremony. The ceremony was part of a family barbecue held at the nursery, which included a pirate-themed sports day and Big Toddle raising over £600 for Barnardo’s. The 22 children that graduated had joined the nursery as babies when it first opened in 2012. Owner Vicky Pitts ...

On a recent trip to Iceland, Wisbech, I noticed a pack of sausages and the sell-by date was that day. I spoke to a member of staff to see if they would be reducing the price, only to be told no. He explained if they had not been reduced with other items first thing in the morning, they would not ...

On August 23, my wife, Christine, and I were invited by Coun David Hodgson, the Mayor of Wisbech, to a fundraising event called “Beat the Bowls Mayor”. I believe around 60 people attended the event. Some of the participants appeared to be “seasoned” players – they even brought their own bowls and user-friendly bowls’ bags! The majority of us, like ...

This is a message for the hundreds of disabled people in South Holland – disabled people who long for the companionship and excitement of activities enjoyed by many others in our community. There are, within range of Spalding, two Sailability projects which enable disabled people between five and 50 to enjoy the exhilaration of sailing. Help is available to get ...

Holbeach residents who are unhappy with a resurfacing job done in the town will be pleased to hear contractors will be going back. Lincolnshire County Council’s highways department closed Hallgate on August 21 to carry out resurfacing works. However town residents have been complaining saying the job hasn’t been done properly. Brian Walsh said: “It beggars belief they have just ...

The new Lord Porter of Spalding says his being made a life peer will be a positive thing for South Holland. Leader of South Holland District Council Gary Porter will sit in the House of Lords after being made a peer in the dissolution peerages list following the last general election. He has been honoured for his work with the ...

A troubleshooter parachuted in to oversee a struggling Spalding secondary school has left after helping to turn it round. Executive headteacher at the Sir John Gleed School, Chris Mallaband, will leave the academy in the capable hands of headteacher Will Scott as he heads off to take up a new role as principal at a London college. Mr Mallaband spent ...

A trip to Spalding’s Springfields outlet shopping during the summer holidays offers more than just shopping. Today and tomorrow youngsters can enjoy storytelling with Melissa, a teddy bears’ picnic and fun in the Play Barn, and the famous and much loved Sooty and Sweep. Next week from August 24 to 28 enjoy Springfields by the Beach featuring vintage fairground rides ...

Stamford Arts Centre Box office 01780 763203 Theatre In A Week! Today (Thursday), 10am and Friday, 11am Summer Recitals – organ recital by Nigel Stark Today (Thursday), 1.05pm Paint A Pot With Tooty Monday, 10.30am and 2pm Superheroes Drama Sessions Tuesday and Wednesday, 10am Othello – RSC – Satellite Screenings Wednesday, 7pm The Key Theatre, Peterborough Box office: 01733 207239 ...

Looking for somewhere to go this upcoming Bank Holiday weekend? Then look no further. The seventh Rauceby War Weekend takes place on August 29, 30 and 31, giving visitors the chance to step back in time. Over the weekend there will be fashion shows, hair demonstrations, dancing lessons with Air Raid Jive, living history displays, re-enactors, a large selection of ...

Hansel and Gretel Drama Day South Holland Centre, Spalding Monday, August 24 10am to 3.30pm Cost £17 for four to seven-year-olds, £32 for two siblings Box office: 01775 764777 www.southhollandcentre.co.uk A fun-packed day working towards a performance of this classic story. What will happen when Hansel and Gretel stumble upon a house made entirely of sweets in the forest? Can ...

TODAY South Holland Healthy Walks, 10.30am, Holbeach Services Club. Meet your local Health Trainer, 9am-4pm, Sutton Bridge Community Centre, 07532 236616. Holbeach and Spalding Explorers: Spalding, 7pm-9pm; Holbeach 7.15pm-9.15pm, www.handsscouts.com Tots and carers, 9am-11.30am, Moulton Village Hall. Vitality classes, Broad Street Methodist Church Hall, Spalding, 11.30am-12.30pm and 1.45pm-2.45pm; Weston Village Hall, 2pm-3pm, £1.50, 01529 411941. Vibe Contemporary Youth Choir, 5.30pm-7pm, ...

The annual Fenland Working Weekend takes place in Branches Lane, Fleet, over the weekend of September 19 and 20. This popular event, held near Holbeach, attracts many tractors with farming machinery plus many farming enthusiasts who are able to take their tractors and machines along to plough and cultivate the fields in the traditional way. The event is open to ...

Provisional results from 36 out of 39 sixth forms in Lincolnshire show an increase in A-level passes and an increase in higher level grades awarded. The pass rate for A-levels in Lincolnshire schools reached 99 per cent and is 0.9 per cent above the national figure. Fourteen schools achieved 100 per cent of pass grades including Spalding High School and ...

Staff at Lincolnshire Co-op’s Long Sutton branch let fundraising go to their head as they swapped normal hairstyles for outrageous wigs – to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust. Quiz sheets, a “where’s the wig” game for customers to play, book sales, bake sales, raffles and sponsored activities all helped to raise cash at Co-op branches across the county. Lincolnshire ...

The future of Holbeach Town Band looks uncertain unless it can find a new bandroom before Spring. The successful band, which has a thriving membership, will have to vacate its premises in the Spring. Musical director Mel Hopkin said: “The band was formed in 1971 and practiced at the George Farmer School. “In 1978 the Jehovah’s Witness Hall in Back ...

If you have read my column over the last two months you will be aware that the Spalding and South Holland Festival of Food and Drink is taking place on August 29 and 30 in the various car parks and spaces surrounding the South Holland District Council offices in Priory Road. I make no apologies for reminding you of this ...

Re plans for Spalding town centre. Obviously the people consulted are all able bodied, but what about the older and disabled who are not able to walk far with their shopping? The Sheep Market is mostly full with people visiting the building society, Heron, the florists and nearby butchers etc. The same applies to the few places in New Road. ...

Back in the 1950s British Rail put up posters saying “Visit Skegness, it’s so bracing”. The same posters for Network Rail today should read “Visit Skegness, start racing!” Spalding people wishing to take their kids on a cheap day return to Skegness by train during the summer holiday would need to catch the first train to Sleaford just before 9am ...