Community

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 ...

Spalding’s Ayscoughfee Hall School won first prize in a competition to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of World War One. All the work was completed in extra curriculum clubs by children from Year 3 upwards. They completed a woven picture of Flanders fields, a mosaic poppy wreath and a book of creative writing imagining what it must have been ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

If you’re looking for a great family day out this weekend, then look no further than Crowland Show. The show takes place on Saturday from 8.30am at the Snowden Field. During the day there will be a variety of activities. The Clown from Feet First will be walking on stilts, riding his unicycle and playing tricks and there will be ...

Drivers, residents and business owners can learn more about how a £280million rail improvement project will affect them. Network Rail is holding two sessions, one in Spalding and another in Gosberton, to share information about its project to upgrade the line and relieve some of the pressure on the East Coast Main Line. The project will see the closure of ...

Colleagues at Lincolnshire Co-op are to clock up 12,000 miles – one for every person living with dementia in Lincolnshire – in a bid to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society. Miles for Memories will see staff at the Spalding Travel branch cycle the 70-mile distance from their branch to Alzheimer’s Research Facility in Cambridge on an exercise bike.

The first Holbeach charity tractor run has raised more than £1,100. The run took place on Sunday and wound its way 22.65 miles, starting and finishing at King’s Field on Hurdletree Bank. Kevin Pearsall, who organised the event along with Stephen Pearsall and Paul Beecham, said: “It was the first time we had done this and we were delighted with ...

Eighteen Red Hat Fen Fatales of Holbeach enjoyed messing about on the river when they took the Water Taxi to Springfields. Pat Wells said: “The river trip was brilliant and our captains were Dave and Mike. Both were very informative and we learned quite a bit about the Welland and Coronation Channel. “On arrival at Springfields we went for coffee ...

It will still be daylight when many people in Pinchbeck are in their pyjamas on Friday (June 27). Rhiannon Saunders is holding a pyjama party at the village hall to fundraise for her Sir John Gleed School trip to Tanzania next July. Pupils will help Africans as they build schools. People of all ages will be welcome at the party (7pm-9pm). ...

  Community spirit was out in force in Spalding on Sunday for the town’s first annual People’s Parade. The parade started and finished at the Sir John Gleed School field, where there were plenty of activities going on to keep everyone entertained. Parade manager Bruce Alexander said: “The event went exceptionally well and the enthusiasm from the people involved was ...

Their lives have taken very different paths since they last saw each other about 50 years ago, so Lord Paddy Ashdown and Spalding RBL vice-chairman Frank White had plenty to catch up on when they met up at Bookmark last week. The pair were in the Royal Marines’ 42 Commandos, serving in Singapore. Lord Ashdown was a lieutenant and Frank ...

Holbeach branch of the Royal British Legion has presented £6,000 in donations. The house amenities committee of the Legion’s Break Centre, Alderson House at Bridlington, and the Legion’s residential home at Halsey House in Cromer each received £2,000. Richard Hewitt, of the Alderson House committee, and Tony Goodwin, of the Halsey House committee, spoke about the remit and work of ...

More than 7,000 visitors to Long Sutton St Mary’s Church flower festival helped to raise £12,800 – ten per cent of which has been donated to the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance. Father Jonathan Sibley and churchwardens Ivor Peacock and Teresa Watts recently handed over a cheque to Faye Nam. Father Jonathan said: “We were really pleased with the support ...