Features

Darts discovery hits the bullseye – Spalding man took part in first ever national championship

After sifting through family documents, a Spalding man was left shocked after realising his uncle was one of the finalists at a first national championships of darts. Jez Porter (58), of Park Close, recently discovered the programme for the News of the World Individual Darts Championship of England and Wales that took place at Empire Pool, Wembley on Wednesday June ...

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COLUMN: Learn dog first aid at Pinchbeck event

LINCS TRAINING COLUMN BY HELEN V.   As the summer progresses we are out more and more with our animals. At Lincs Training – Dog Training Made Easy we are always trying to educate handlers and their dogs. What would you do if your dog cut its paw whilst you were out on your walk or what would you do ...

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Andy continues to make a difference to workers in the developing world

Everyone wants to make a difference to the world but few would move thousands of miles away and risk their freedom for it. That’s exactly what former Spalding Grammar School student Andy Hall has dedicated his life to doing. The 37-year-old human rights activist faces constant threats of legal action from companies who are worried their profits will take a ...

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Remarkable Alan soars into service

After not flying since he helped oversee the Japanese surrender in Singapore in 1945, Alan Barkes was back in the air for the second time in a few weeks last weekend to attend a special ceremony. Despite the Leading Aircraftsman’s services in Burma during World War Two, the 97-year-old had never been invited to the annual Project Propeller memorial event ...

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Gosberton mum’s warning as son battles disease

A Gosberton mum is looking to raise awareness of a genetic disease, the late diagnosis of which she believes has resulted in her son needing three life-saving brain operations. Daniel Barnes (11) has Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (known as NF1) which causes tumours to form on nerve tissue throughout the body. Mum of five, Lisa Smith, took him to hospital concerned ...

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South Holland’s showman, master and commander of horses

It would usually take a few lifetimes to join the circus, become a royal cavalry trainer, a horse behavioural expert, trick rider and show revolutionary, but Guido Louis Leidelmeyer mastered it all and shares his skills from his Low Fulney ranch. Guido has lived all over the world but has found his base in South Holland, where he operates his ...

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COLUMN: Hot weather dog dangers

We all love to be out in the lovely summer weather, but we also must think about our pets in this weather. Make sure that they have a cool or shaded area in the house and the garden so that they can rest out of the sun and make sure that they have access to plenty of fresh water, as ...

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Voice from the Wildlife – Some egg-cellent facts

by Dr Chris Andrews Visitor Experience Manager RSPB Frampton Marsh Birds are completely unlike mammals, in that they do not produce live young. They save time by avoiding pregnancy and instead lay eggs. The young bird can develop inside the protective casing, whilst the parent goes off and feeds. There is a downside of course. Eggs can be vulnerable when ...

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COLUMN: My top weight loss tips and how to keep it off

by Tracey Vowels, Lifetime Fitness Professional and Women’s Health and Wellbeing Coach Find a group of ladies around the coffee table and its almost guaranteed that at some point the subject of ‘weight loss or gain’ will be discussed. Whether it’s the latest diet that someone is on or a new gym workout aimed at fast inch loss, who’s taking ...

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Conservative councillor elected in Donington, Quadring and Gosberton by-election

Conservative candidate Sue Wray has been elected district councillor for Donington, Quadring and Gosberton. More than a quarter of the electorate (26.39 per cent) turned out to vote in the by-election yesterday (May 3) with 1,517 ballot papers issued. Sue Wray won with 1,021 votes. She stood against Terri Cornwell (Independent, 185 votes), Neil Oakman (Lib Dem, 169 votes) and ...

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COLUMN: It’s not me – it’s my owner

Invariably most of us look at things from our own point of view and not that of the dogs. Perhaps we ought to stand back and look at things from the dog’s perspective. The recall – today my owner tried calling me back; he just used my name with no command. How was I to know what he wanted? Conflicting ...

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The many benefits of taking regular exercise

by Tracey Vowels Lifetime Fitness Professional and Women’s Health and Wellbeing Coach Hello and welcome to my new monthly column. Each month I will be talking about a different topic all to do with health, fitness and wellbeing. This month I decided to talk about the benefits of exercise as we get older. As a fitness instructor for over 30 ...

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COLUMN: Ladybird, ladybird…

by Dr Chris Andrews Visitor Experience Manager RSPB Frampton Marsh The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer (the other week aside, so much snow!). And now is the time you might have a close encounter with one of our most recognisable animals, the ladybird. As if from nowhere, our houses can seem to be invaded by these ...

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Carer Jayden (9) looks after family

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). ...

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COLUMN: Leadership and guidance

Many people believe that leadership and guidance is achieved by dominance over your dog; however I believe that this is a myth. All dogs need to know their boundaries in your family’s life; you therefore need to build an infrastructure in your home so that your dog understands what is required of them, in order that the whole family can ...

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Here’s why you should book your holiday early

We all know that booking your holiday early means you have the chance to get better deals and wider choices. As travel consultants, we have seen a large price increase in popular destinations like Spain and the Greek islands, especially the closer it is to the departure date. Therefore, we’re here to tell you why you should book your holiday ...

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COLUMN: A celebration – 2017 in review

It is now a New Year and time for a new start, so at Lincs Training – Dog Training Made Easy we thought we would go through our achievements of last year. We would firstly like to thank all our volunteers who have helped in varying capacities, without their help our lives would have been made much more difficult. We ...

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Festive Pets entries come flooding in

Here are the latest entries for this year’s Festive Pets competition. Sponsored by Rooke’s Pet Products, the winner will be the pet that judges think shows the most Christmas spirit. The winner will receive a £100 voucher to spend at Rooke’s Pet Products in Spalding. We will be featuring all this year’s entries in the paper throughout December and the ...

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COLUMN: Paws for thought this Christmas

Christmas is a time for family and friends and for everyone to enjoy this time of the year. Your home will be buzzing with people coming and going, but let’s not forget what your dog’s needs are. Keep to your normal routine, go for your walks on time, feed your dogs on time, and don’t give them food that they ...

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RSPB Column: Six geese a’local – the district’s goose guide

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat. But do you know much about the geese that live in our area? Well, there are several different kinds of geese around Spalding. In traditional carol style, six geese. Though not all of them will be a-laying. Some live here all year round, others come as winter visitors. Greylag geese are maybe ...

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