Community

Playing and homework is the only worry for most nine-year-olds, but Jayden Reynolds also has to look after his family. Due to his mum’s mobility problems through disability and his father’s long working hours to provide money for the family, Jayden, of Holbeach, does a huge amount of the family’s housework, including the cooking for his younger sister Kacy (7). ...

A National Lottery Award secured sports equipment for Priory School pupils but an appeal has been launched to help make it useful in all weathers. A year ago, The Priory was installed two large Multi Use Games Areas (MUGA) ends which include football goals, basketball hoops and cricket stumps. They are however positioned on grass and during bad weather cannot ...

A sharp increase in demand has left a Holbeach food bank in dire need of donations. Holbeach Community Larder and Cafe provides food parcels to households in need. Organiser the Rev Rosamund Seal said the rise in people forced to use the service has left them short on essentials. “We are down to our last few boxes of cereal and ...

A Spalding couple have launched a crusade to promote vegan food in the town. Ian Tarplee and Karina Saunders have been into local restaurants and cafes asking for them to have vegan options on their menus. They’re also frequently seen handing out information leaflets and recipes promoting not eating anything that utilises animal products. Several restaurants have already come on ...

A host of performers from the district took to the stage last week for The Rotary Club of Spalding and Welland’s annual Age Concern Concert. The event on Tuesday, March 6, was specially put on by the Rotary members as a night out for the community’s elderly population at the South Holland Centre. Compère Richard James oversaw the entertainment which ...

Lincolnshire life-saving charity LIVES has received a glowing report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an inspection. The inspectors focussed on key areas: whether the organisation is safe, effective, caring, responsive to people’s needs and well led. It involved examining LIVES governance and policies, interviews with staff and volunteers, as well as seeing some of the team in action ...

Young musicians can get their art to the masses thanks to weekend showcase slots at this year’s Spalding Beer and Music Festival. Founder member and musical director Mark Le Sage is asking for young local musical talent to step forward. He said: “We have an opportunity to showcase young singers and musicians at this years event by having a small ...

South Lincolnshire Blind Society urgently needs volunteers for its All Day Club and Social Club in Spalding. A statement from the organisation said: “Enhance your life of a visually impaired person by helping out at one of our social clubs. Just a couple of hours on a regular basis could mean something to look forward to for an isolated person.” ...

Parish councillors are “more determined than ever” to push for speed restrictions after a meeting this week. Chairman Trevor Tyrrell said there was widespread disappointment after the meeting on Tuesday as there were no plans for immediate resolution. Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner, the road safety partnership, parish council and members of the public met to discuss the issue ...

There’s probably not a better way to sum up South Holland’s response to the “Beast from the East” weather than that of Helen Chance and Malcolm Doubleday. Thanks to kind-heated volunteer Malcolm, seven and a half months pregnant Helen beat last Thursday and Friday’s snow to make it to Pilgrim Hospital for her two final days of work as a ...

A local charity champion has raised yet another significant sum for a local organisation. The latest of Phyllis Harris’s bingo nights at Whaplode Village Hall provided a boost for the running of the hall. Players helped raise £170 for the hall at the recent event. Phyllis said: “Whaplode Village Hall is classed as as a charity as it has to ...

A local council wants groups and individuals to tell a TV company why its town is the perfect place for a prominent new piece of art. Following a recent invitation by broadcaster Banijay UK, Holbeach Parish Council will put forward a bid for the Big Things project – but they need your help. Banijay UK is looking for local parishes ...

Voting is open to choose which local community groups will be supported by shoppers in Lincolnshire Co-op outlets later this year. A Co-op spokesman said good causes could raise £500 or more through votes from shoppers. The Community Champions 2018 scheme is being kicked off with a series of events across Lincolnshire. The South Holland leg takes place at The ...

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 ...

Lincolnshire County Council says that 88 per cent of pupils heading to secondary schools in September have been allocated their first choice school. The authority says that of the 8,054 offers made to Lincolnshire secondary schools, 7073 children received their first preference as to where they would like to go. There were 626 pupils who have instead been allocated what ...

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 ...