News

An “outstanding” primary school headteacher caught sexting and arranging to meet someone he thought was a 14 year old boy was this afternoon (Friday) jailed for four and a half years at Lincoln Crown Court. James Shawley, who was head of St Bartholomew’s Primary School at West Pinchbeck, near Spalding, from 2016 until being suspended following his arrest in December ...

A former Lincolnshire primary school headteacher caught sexting and arranging to meet someone he thought was a 14-year-old boy was today (Friday) found guilty by a jury at Lincoln Crown Court.James Shawley, who was head of St Bartholomew’s Primary School at West Pinchbeck, until his arrest in December 2019, was caught in a sting operation when he contacted an undercover police ...

Fire crews are this morning dampening down after a fire at the Regent Bingo hall in Westlode Street, Spalding. Crews from Spalding, Donington and Bourne were called to the scene around 3.30am today (Friday, May 14.) A spokesman for the fire service said that there had been ‘significant damage to the inside of the building, fire investigation is ongoing in ...

A boater has been fined almost £1,000 for leaving his boat unregistered on the River Glen in Lincolnshire. Simon J Brand, of Station Road, Surfleet was convicted in his absence by Lincoln Magistrates Court and fined £440, with costs of £250, compensation £198.76 and victim surcharge £44. His court appearance was delayed due to the pandemic. Explaining the fine, a ...

A survey has been launched to get the public’s views on returning to the South Holland Centre and what events it should be looking to put on. An invitation to the South Holland Centre Customer and Stakeholder Survey has been emailed to customers. The closing date for submissions is next Thursday (May 20). As reported in this weeks issue of The ...

Those aged 38 and over and people with mental health issues are now being encouraged to book a COVID-19 vaccine. Those with illnesses such as such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder were added to vaccine priority group six earlier this year, alongside people with learning disabilities. Adults with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or any mental illness that causes severe functional impairment ...

A judge has issued a warrant for the arrest of a Spalding man who is accused of failing to supply memorial headstones to his customers. Julian Karl Gaunt, 52, had been due to go on trial at Lincoln Crown Court in April last year – but the hearing was adjourned because of the coronavirus outbreak. It was the second time Gaunt’s trial had ...

A South Holland primary school headteacher accused of sexting and arranging to meet a 14-year-old boy over social media today (Wednesday, May 12) told a jury that he thought the boy was an 18-year-old who was winding him up about his age. James Shawley, giving evidence on the second day of the trial, told the jury at Lincoln Crown Court ...

Spalding’s South Holland Centre is set to re-open with a gig by comedian and actor Omid Djalili on October 1. A gig scheduled for June 10 with the Joy Ellis Quartet has been moved to October and another with Ruby Turner will now be next year. But it is hoped the centre, closed for more than a year, could open ...

Marks and Spencer has not closed the door on Spalding for good, the company has said as another store in the town becomes vacant. The company says there are currently no suitable locations in the town for an expanded food store after closing its Holland Market site but that it wasn’t giving up on the town. A spokesman told The ...

The farmer who spearheaded a project to dig up a World War Two vehicle in Crowland has moved closer to his hope of establishing a museum to house it. A couple of nights before the Buffalo LVT (Landing Vehicle Tracked) was hauled out from 30 feet underground, Daniel Abbott had a dream about seeing it on display in the town. ...

Spalding Academy is set to expand by up to another 150 students as the town continues to grow. Plans have been submitted for a new eight-classroom teaching block at the site and will allow growth of 30 pupils a year over the next five years or so. The academy has been identified for additional places to meet the county council’s ...

A group of South Holland cyclists braved atrocious weather to cover 100 miles and raise more than £10,000 for charity. The gang of six hit the road at 5.30am on Saturday and battled wind and rain all day for their challenge. They are raising money for an appeal to build a Maternity Bereavement Suite at King’s Lynn’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. ...

The final verdict in a long-running court case involving a Spalding human rights defender was announced this week. Thailand’s Supreme Court dismissed lower court rulings that Andy Hall was guilty of defaming exporter Natural Fruit Company. He had previously been ordered to pay around £227,000 in damages. The court also ruled that his publication of interviews concerning migrant worker abuse ...

The Conservatives have held Lincolnshire County Council after last week’s election, while there were some impressive results for South Holland Independents. The Tory party won 54 of the 70 seats in total, four down from the previous elections in 2016, and six of the nine wards up for grabs in this district. Those three were claimed by the newly formed ...

A Spalding school’s outdoor area has been given a spruce up which will allow even more of its pupils to access it. The Priory School has received a £4,000 donation from the The Nineveh Charitable Trust, part of which will help make its Forest School accessible to wheelchairs. The Spalding Special Schools Federation, which includes The Priory and The Garth ...

The new chair of Holbeach Parish Council says he is looking to ensure that parishioners’ voices are heard. Stephen Johnson was unanimously supported to lead the council at last week’s meeting, following Coun Graham Rudkin’s resignation. The vice chair will be Coun Sophie Hutchinson, who edged out Coun John Spencer, the previous post-holder, following a vote by councillors. At the ...

A 45 year old man sent sex messages to an undercover police officer posing as a 14 year old on the dating app Grindr, a jury was told today (Tuesday). James Shawley is alleged to have sent messages to the “boy” giving details of sex acts he wanted to perform on him and and then planned to meet up with ...

Nature lovers could flock to Springfields from next month as their brand new attraction launches. A new bird hide is to be created at the shopping outlet and is due to open on June 6. Not only will you be able to see the wildlife in the stunning Festival Gardens curated by the Springfields Horticultural Society but it’s planned to ...

Marc Jones has been re-elected to the role of Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commisioner. The full results for the whole of the county were Peter Escreet (Reform Party) 6101, Marc Jones (Conservative) 102,813, Rosie Kirk (Labour) 34,320, Ross Pepper (Liberal Democrat) 10,172, David Williams (Lincolnshire Independents) 18,375. The vote in South Holland was: Peter Escreet 342, Marc Jones 12,158, Rosie ...