Paul Foyster’s broadside at the Planning Inspectorate (PINs), demanding their reform, is off target. Given the remaining content of his letter, he clearly knows this, but may well have confused many other readers. PINs is an impartial ‘court of appeal’ for anybody who believes that their application has not been properly considered, based on the prevailing planning policy. This policy ...

The Pennygate Foundation is promising a taste of The Ritz this Mother’s Day (Sunday, March 11). Every year since its inception the Spalding community drop-in centre has held a special event to celebrate local mothers. This year is no exception as its doors open from 2pm to 4pm for a fantastic afternoon tea experience from just £5 per person. Brenda ...

Police are asking Spalding residents to check their CCTV recordings following the latest spate of thefts that resulted in 12 vans burgled overnight across Spalding and Boston. Lincolnshire Police said a number of vans were broken into overnight from February 28 to March 1. The areas of Spalding police are interested in are seeing footage from are Commercial Road, Low ...

Spalding Lions has donated £1,000 to help improve the life of an 18-month-old from Cowbit. The group recently put on a Gin and Prosseco evening for the Mia and Me Appeal at the Services Club in Spalding. Mia Clucas has an abnormal brain and is one of only a few 100 in the world to have Coffin-Siris-Syndrome (CSS). Her parents ...

Increased patrols in Crowland are to continue despite a quieter week with the number of reported crimes. The town was hit by a spate of incidents recently but Inspector Gareth Boxall said: “We’ve had a significant decrease in the number of reported incidents in the last week. We continue to support the victims and will be continuing the increased patrols ...

East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) personnel have been praised in parliament, but the system is stretched and failing, according to MPs. The service, which serves South Holland, as well as the rest of Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, and Northamptonshire, was the subject of a Commons debate on Wednesday. Possible solutions suggested included the return of a Lincolnshire Ambulance ...

There was date at Buckingham Palace for a member of Spalding Lions yesterday (Wednesday, February 28). Lions Clubs are currently celebrating an international centenary and Michele Elvin represented Spalding at a special event. The Countess of Wessex was due to host a reception for members at Buckingham Palace yesterday to help the club mark the milestone. Members from across the ...

A petition to keep a special needs primary school for autistic children has almost 5,000 signatures in just five days. The online petition was launched in the wake of consultation instigated by Lincolnshire County Council to make all special schools cater for “all needs”. Gosberton House Academy currently caters for children with autism and worried parents have launched a petition ...

Just two years after their care home was in danger of closing, staff from a Long Sutton facility have won three awards at the Lincolnshire Care Awards. Last Thursday night, Nadine Vail, manager of Kimberley Care Village, took home the Community Health Partnerships Care Leadership award. Nadine has run Kimberley Care for less than two years but has managed to ...

A Spalding business has extra reason to celebrate World Book Day today (March 1) after being nominated for a prestigious award. Bookmark, based in The Crescent, has been named in the regional shortlist for The Book Awards’ Independent Bookshop of the Year. Bookmark is one of four named in the East region, one of which will go through to the ...

A cheque for more than £4,000 following a charity gig has set tails wagging at the Dogs Trust. Last month Marlene and Mark Aspden who run Highfield Kennels in Pinchbeck invited retro covers band Simply 60’s from Liverpool’s Cavern Club to Spalding for a special concert at the Springfields Events Centre. The event proved a huge success raising a fantastic ...

A scheme to bring men together in Spalding for conversation and activities could be set to launch. The Men’s Sheds initiative to promote involvement has been a success in many parts of the country, including in Long Sutton. Now health and well being charity Tonic Health is looking to launch it in Spalding. The charity is organising a meeting at ...

Families with autistic children are battling to ensure a specialist school in South Holland remains unchanged. MP John Hayes is “shoulder-to-shoulder” with a group of campaigners urging the county council to leave Gosberton House School for pupils who are on the autistic spectrum. The county is currently consulting on plans to make all special schools accept pupils with a range ...

A Long Sutton youngster has raised over £500 for charity by having her long hair dramatically cut off. Lucy West (10), who attends William Stukeley Primary School in Holbeach, had 12 inches of locks chopped for the Little Princess Trust on Saturday, February 17. The charity turns hair into wigs for young people who have suffered hair loss through illness ...

Three quarters are against part-night lighting but a poor turnout in responses to a Lincolnshire County Council survey could be detrimental to the district having its voice heard, according to the review committee chairman. In November, the council launched a questionnaire to determine the public’s view of part-night street lighting, which plunges streets into darkness after midnight. The review has ...

Former world champion boxer Johnny Nelson was the guest at a charity night in Spalding at the weekend. Now a pundit for Sky TV, he was a guest at the annual Spalding and District Round Table Premier Boxing Event. And he even donated £1,000 towards the final amount raised – which is expected to be in excess of £10,000. Johnny ...

A Spalding man has pleaded guilty to separate counts of being the owner of a dangerously out of control dog that injured someone. Lewis Judd (20) of Newgate Road in Spalding came before Boston Magistrates Court on Wednesday February 14 over counts relating to an Alsatian. Judd was ordered to pay £974.40 compensation to the victim relating to the charge ...

The future of Long Sutton Cricket and Hockey Club could be secured with a residential development. A planning application has been submitted for three homes off Park Road. The Long Sutton Community Sports Association is trying to raise money to re-surface the artificial hockey pitch. “The association has managed to raise only 50 per cent of the funds required to ...

Patrols have stepped up in two towns plagued by a run of anti-social behaviour, which include hate crimes and vandalism. Authorities have released statements about an escalation in anti-social behaviour in Holbeach and Crowland, with details of “shocking” hate crimes revealed. Police said patrols have been stepped up in both towns in an attempt to stop the trouble. On Thursday ...

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) marked Valentine’s Day by joining the messages of 17,939 BHF supporters in a Guinness World Records title attempt for Longest chain of paper hearts – 35 of which came from the generous customers of the Spalding store. Through its network of over 720 charity shops and thousands of supporters, the British Heart Foundation asked people ...