Author Archives: Richard Rush

Work starts on town toilets

Work has begun on the Sheep Market toilets in Spalding and its hoped it would be completed by May. Coun Henry Bingham, South Holland District Council’s portfolio holder for assets told last week’s Spalding Town Forum the authority was still liaising with contractors on the project but work has had to start to meet the deadline for the spending of ...

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Last chance to donate presents

People have been incredibly generous in supporting our Give A Gift appeal this year. We have already received many gifts but we still need more presents and there are only a few days left to donate as the appeal closes on Wednesday, December 13.The appeal makes a huge difference to struggling families across South Holland and Boston, ensuring less fortunate ...

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Circle of seating will be replaced

Circular seating in Hall Place known as an epicentre of anti-social behaviour in Spalding is to be replaced. However the move has already been criticised amid claims it won’t solve the area’s problems.The issue was discussed extensively at last week’s meeting of the Spalding Town Forum where Shop Watch representative Stuart Brotherton said ‘95 per cent’ of people involved in ...

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Man who planted fake bomb jailed for five years

A man who threw a bottle containing vinegar and bleach into a Spalding pub to make others believe it would explode was jailed for five years and ten months on Friday. Jay Savage (30) pleaded guilty to a charge of placing an article in the Lincolnshire Poacher pub on 13 November last year.The particulars of the charge specified that Savage ...

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Drivers pay £1.5m in parking fines

More than 37,000 parking notices have been issued in the county during the last financial year. Statistics going before county council members next week show a total of 37,445 penalty charge notices between April 2022 and March 2023.In total £1.5m was received, with costs running at £1,483,122 – leaving a £16,194 surplus.The top street for charges was Silver Street, Lincoln, ...

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Row over report into PCC actions

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Panel has criticised Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones for attacking their integrity during an investigation into his recruitment process. The panel met on Thursday and discussed the findings of Operation Motala, which scrutinised his recruitment of the Chief Constable, writes Daniel Jaines.The report by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) stated his actions “did ...

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LETTERS – Contractors are sub-standard

South Holland District Council have got it wrong Again! Clean up your act!Kingdom LA Support Ltd are a facilities management company currently employed by South Holland District Council as environmental support services. Their primary task is to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) against individuals dropping litter, residents putting out waste bags early and investigating fly tipping within the South Holland ...

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LETTERS – Well done for festive market

I would like to personally congratulate all who were involved in bringing together the Christmas Market over the past weekend.It took my memory back 60 years ago when Holbeach was like that every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.Sadly now Holbeach is on life support. A huge change is needed to help revive our town, and not have money wasted on roundabouts.I ...

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LETTERS – Thanks for kind hamper

I would like to say a big thank you to someone called Ellie, who left a Christmas hamper in my porchIt was kind, thoughtful and generous.Once again thank you and merry Christmas. KathLinden CourtSpalding

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LETTERS – Order needs enforcing

I am writing regarding the recurring comments in your letters page, of anti-social incidents in Spalding town.Earlier in the year you published my letter regarding pavement cyclists. I sent a copy to each of my ward councillors on June 21, suggesting a remedy and asking for the Public Space Prohibition Order (PSPO) to be enforced.At the September public business meeting, ...

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LETTERS – Railway report is flawed

The Network Rail report suggesting there cannot be a train service to London because of the Spalding Level Crossing is deeply flawed.A London service would likely be provided by an “open access” operator using four or five carriage trains cascaded from East Midlands Railway or West Coast. There would likely be only five trains per day in each direction.Just recently ...

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Halifax branch to close in April

Another town centre building will be closing its doors to customers in the new year. Bank bosses have said the Halifax will be closing for good on April 18.The Bank of Scotland, Halifax and Lloyds will be closing another 45 branches in 2024.All part of the Lloyds Banking Group, the banks currently have a combined 1,191 branches left in operation.The ...

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Mill venue for festive fair

Christmas shoppers were out in force to support one of South Holland’s best-known landmarks. The festive craft fair at Moulton Mill drew crowds of visitors last Sunday when more than 20 stall holders pitched up.The country’s tallest windmill was packed with shoppers who were able to pick up everything from chutney to a woolly hat.“It was really very busy and ...

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No referendum on new mayor

A bid to hold a £1.3 million referendum on the Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal was rejected by county councillors, who voted to progress a deal for electing a mayor for the area. Instead, a public consultation will be held across the region, involving residents filling in a feedback form and submitting it.The new mayoral authority setup will bring more control ...

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Could businesses help town bloom?

Businesses and volunteers are being urged to help get Spalding back blooming. Funding for the 120 hanging baskets in the town was secured for this year, chair Coun Rob Gibson told a meeting of Spalding Town Forum, but there’s no guarantee of anything going forward.It follows the Spalding In Bloom board lacking in volunteers.And those on the forum pondered whether ...

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Man denies child sex offences

A Whaplode Drove man has pleaded not guilty to a host of sexual offences involving attempting to meet children. Stephen Thomas Daubney (56), of Chapelgate, denied the charges when appearing at Boston Magistrates’ Court.The charges relate to incidents in Essex between December 2021 and January 2022.The 11 charges include four counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a ...

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Gallery – Ho ho Holbeach enjoys festive fun

Christmas officially arrived in Holbeach last weekend as the crowds flocked to it annual Christmas Fair. The event run by Holbeach Parish Council proved a hit with a host of stalls on the High Street as well as in All Saint’s Church.The town’s shops were open, all except one.Jamie’s Carpets instead turned itself into Santa’s grotto which proved a huge ...

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Politics caught in the Act

What do Suella Braverman, Vladimir Putin, South Holland District Council and Mickey Mouse all have in common? They all feature in Act II Theatre Company’s Revue 2023! This irreverent, topical and cheeky show is now into its 11th year and once again takes a swipe at the year’s news; local, national and global.Expect fast-paced sketches, scenes and songs from the ...

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SADOS’ festive fare is a family affair

SADOS (Spalding Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society) are all set for their festive show this weekend. The group are performing A SADOS Christmas Tale at St Margaret’s Hall in Quadring on Friday and Saturday, December 8 and 9.Created by Becca Turner, Dominique Spinks, Lauren Bullock and Matilda May, it also stars Rebecca May Jones, Andrew Rudd, Charlie Russell, Mellissa Ellan-Rose, ...

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Festive note to lecture

Dr Andrew Gant will be returning to give the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society’s Christmas Lecture on Friday (December 8). A composer, singer, choirmaster, church musician, university teacher and writer, he has directed many leading choirs including The Guards’ Chapel, Worcester College Oxford, and Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal where he was formally organist and choirmaster.Dr Gant lectures in Music at St Peter’s ...

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