News

Spalding has been named as one of the five worst integrated places in England and Wales. The index produced by the think tank Policy Exchange used Census data to compare how the English community integrates with ethnic minorities in their area and vice versa. Spalding came fourth out of 160 towns, behind Boston, Wisbech and Oldham. Amersham in Buckinghamshire was ...

UKIP’s South Holland and The Deepings branch discussed plans for its “Leave the EU” campaign during its annual general meeting at The Royal Mail Cart in Spalding on January 28. Committee member Rob Gibson outlined plans to prepare the public for the forthcoming referendum. A spokesman said: “A general discussion followed on the pitfalls of continued EU membership and the advantages ...

A 60-year-old man caught carrying out a sex attack on a schoolgirl has been jailed for 12 months. Steven Palmer carried out the attack in his car at a park in Gedney but was interrupted by a passer-by who approached the vehicle as it was parked in a prohibited area. The passer-by was shocked by what he saw when he looked into ...

Geof Nichols, the chairman of Spalding Rugby Football Club and founder member of the Rotary Club of South Holland, has sadly passed away after an 18-month battle with leukaemia. Geof (72) became involved with the rugby club when he moved to Spalding in the early 80s, firstly as a player and vice-president, then as an active secretary on his retirement from the game. He later ...

A Spalding shop has had its premises licence revoked after contraband cigarettes were seized. The action against Nasza Biedronka, of Sheep Market, was taken by South Holland District Council on Friday.(January 29) After hearing all the evidence, the council’s licensing sub-committee agreed with the police that the premises had been actively involved in the illegal sale of smuggled products. Because ...

South Holland District Council says using its website will be quicker and easier following an extensive revamp. The new-look site – which was created in-house and went live today (February 1) – has been designed to make it simple for users to find exactly what they’re looking for. Deputy leader Coun Malcolm Chandler said: “We’ve recently started our Digital Transformation programme, ...

Roadworks in Gosberton Clough will lead to part of the B1397 Clough Road being closed for about five days. The work, which is due to start on Monday, February 15, will be between the Beach Lane and Beck Bank junctions. Linvolnshire County Council says access for residents and businesses will be maintained although minor delays may be possible and motorists should allow ...

A new pavilion for music and drama performances in Spalding’s Ayscoughfee Gardens has been given planning approval, despite extremes of opinion on the design. South Holland district councillor Chris Brewis (Sutton Bridge) said the proposed £57,000 pavilion was “absolutely hideous”, but Spalding Wygate member Christine Lawton called the structure one of “quality and imagination”. She light-heartedly suggested that if members felt it was “too brave” for ...

Bookings of Gedney Dyke Village Hall have become so popular that permission is being sought to have licensed activities more often. Its committee has applied for a variation to the hall’s premises licence so that functions with a bar can be catered in the daytime. One reason for this is the increasing popularity of the venue for wakes. The opportunity ...

Don’t go straight for the antibiotics if you are feeling ill is the warning from GPs across South Lincolnshire. Many patients ask for antibiotics when visiting their GP as they assume a course of antibiotics is a cure-all solution. However, the overuse of antibiotics can result in infections becoming resistant to the drug so they do not work. Dr Kevin ...

A former Spalding restaurant and takeaway is poised to become a general store and off-licence, creating up to ten jobs. China City Restaurant in Winsover Road closed last weekend and the lease has been taken on by Korwan Ahmad, director in two neighbouring stores – Winsover and Baltic. He has made a premises licence application to South Holland District Council ...

Spalding and District Civic Society has replaced its original comment on a planning application for a takeaway to be established in New Road, Spalding, after it emerged that a mistake had been made. As reported in the January 21 edition of The Voice, the society objects to the plan by premises landlord The Trustees of the Frances Blane Settlement. The new ...

Market traders in South Holland have come together to promote what is good about shopping with them. One of the well-known faces on Spalding market – David Burgess – is leading from the front by setting up and chairing the first-ever South Holland branch of the National Market Traders’ Federation. Its main objective is to promote the district council-run markets and ...

Trade union officials have criticised Spalding Grammar School for making preparations for strike action by teachers. The result of a formal ballot by members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) is expected shortly after it closes on Tuesday. (February 2) The vote came after the school refused to implement a one per cent pay award. The NUT says it was ...

by Jess Horn, community development officer at South Holland District Council It’s getting towards that time of year again – South Holland Open Arts is nearly upon us. The popular exhibition has been running since 1999 and previously attracted artists and visitors from all over the East of England. This year it will be taking place at the South Holland ...

Two of South Holland’s six secondary schools fall below “floor” standards for pupils’ achievements in GCSEs. Only 32 per cent of pupils at Spalding’s Sir John Gleed School and 34 per cent at The Peele Community College, Long Sutton, attained five A*-C grades, including English and maths. The “floor” standard set by the Government is 40 per cent. The district’s ...

by Coun Roger Gambba-Jones, portfolio holder for place at South Holland District Council You may be aware that South Holland District Council will soon be launching a new pilot garden waste collection service. The much-anticipated scheme starts on April 4 and we will be launching the sign-up process imminently, so keep checking the web for details. Signing up will be ...

The Spalding East Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team will be at a number of locations with the mobile police station in February. A police spokesman said: “It is your chance to have your say and meet your local neighbourhood policing team, where you can discuss any concerns in your area. “Issues put forward could then be set as a priority for ...

It was a night to be proud of as the newly-discovered stars gathered for the premiere of South Holland’s first full-length feature film. Spalding’s South Holland Centre cinema was packed to the rafters last night (Tuesday) for the sell-out showing of Dishonoured – the action thriller filmed with a cast and crew of local people. The film featured familiar locations in Spalding, ...

The design of a new acoustic pavilion for Ayscoughfee Gardens in Spalding has been criticised. The £57,000 project is being funded by the remainder of the S106 (planning contribution) pot from the development of Springfields Outlet Shopping. The proposed pavilion – recommended for approval by South Holland district councillors tonight (Wednesday, Jan 27) – is due to replace a wooden ...