News

Long Sutton is being “short-changed” when it comes to policing according to an angry resident. The man, who has asked not to be named, says despite a recent spate of burglaries in the town, he rarely sees a police officer and police are not warning residents in general about the problem. In a letter to The Voice, the resident said: ...

Plans to double the size of Spalding’s power station have been delayed again – with summer 2017 being the earliest work is now likely to start. Last spring, InterGen, which owns the town’s existing power station, had said it hoped work to construct the new station – bringing hundreds of construction jobs to the town – could begin early this ...

A day of action targeting hare coursers was interrupted when officers switched to dealing with a suspected house burglary. The arrests of an 18-year-old and two 15-year-olds perfectly demonstrated Lincolnshire Police’s recent move towards many more officers tackling rural crime while also being available to respond to other incidents. I was invited to join last Wednesday’s orchestrated effort, involving officers ...

Human rights campaigner Andy Hall has had his passport confiscated as he awaits trial in Thailand. Mr Hall, who is from Spalding and still has family in the town, also faces a travel ban restricting his movements after a ruling by Bangkok South Criminal Court. The ruling was made ahead of a hearing on Monday where Mr Hall was indicted ...

Plans costing £140,000 are in place to replace an all-weather pitch in Long Sutton and upgrade its floodlights. Long Sutton Community Sports Association’s playing surface at Peele Leisure Centre has served its many uses for 20 years, but is now in need of replacement. And the floodlights would benefit from an overhaul, including LED bulbs. The association has made a ...

UPDATE, Tuesday am: Police say as a result of the publicity yesterday, two people have come forward. They have been interviewed and police have now removed the image from their website. The Voice has done the same. Thanks to all who shared the original report.   MONDAY pm: Do you recognise any of these three men facing the camera? Police investigating an ...

Some readers of The Voice have expressed concern that Lincolnshire Police is directing large amounts of resources to tackling hare coursing. The force’s lead for rural crime, Ch Insp Jim Tyner, responds: There is always a balancing act and there are many people in rural communities who feel that more should be done to tackle hare coursing. Hare coursing, and the ...

A reunion of classmates from more than 50 years ago will happen thanks to the hard work of one of the pupils. Dennis Woods spent the final five months of 2015 trying to trace former colleagues from the 1960 Upper Class Five at The Peele School in Long Sutton. And his dedication paid off when he was able to track ...

Work on the Lincs Gateway project in Spalding is to resume this month (January). Construction of the first parts of the 51-acre development just off the A16 at Barrier Bank began last year but was then stalled due to highways and technical issues, which have now been resolved. Lincs Gateway, which was granted planning permission in late 2014, will include ...

An appeal has been launched for new volunteers to join a team helping South Holland people solve their problems. Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire, which came into being last year with the merger of South Kesteven and South Holland’s advice bureaux, is looking for people all of ages to help out in its Spalding and Grantham offices. Successful applicants will join ...

Health leaders are urging people to take up something new that will improve their physical and mental health during January. Research shows that the chances of success are greater when people channel their energy into changing just one aspect of their behaviour. Dr Kevin Hill, chairman of NHS South Lincolnshire CCG, said: “Taking up a sport or joining a gym ...

Expectant mothers can now look forward to an improved maternity service at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn. The newly-opened Waterlily Birth Centre hosts state-of-the-art equipment in surroundings designed to aid relaxation during labour. Providing a home from home environment, expectant mothers will benefit from rooms with en-suites, a kitchen and living area and a variety of specialist birthing equipment ...

A new development of quality, affordable homes earmarked for South Holland residents is nearing completion. The Maltings, based in Maltings Lane, Donington, comprises of 51 homes, with 37 properties available for affordable rent and 14 for shared ownership. The range of one, two and three bedroom properties has been built by Waterloo Housing working in partnership with South Holland District ...

Pressure is growing for a renowned furniture manufacturer to be put into administration in order for staff and ex-employees to be paid what they are owed. South Holland and The Deepings MP John Hayes has been called upon to make urgent representations for Lloyd Loom of Spalding to be wound up. The firm’s factory in Wardentree Lane, Pinchbeck, was emptied ...

Hovenden House has a brand new minibus, thanks to a £50,000 donation by a reader of The Voice. Residents at the Leonard Cheshire Disability home in Fleet were devastated last February when one of its specially adapted minibuses was stolen from the premises. The story quickly led to a Voice reader offering the massive donation on the understanding she could ...

Filming has finished on Dishonoured – the first Hollywood-style full-length feature film to be based in South Holland. The film, which has been made by a cast and crew of local people, will premiere at a red carpet event in Spalding on Tuesday, January 26. Steph Genovese, director and lead actor, announced “with a definite hint of sadness mixed in ...

A new pedestrian crossing for the A17 at Holbeach should not be ten or more years coming to fruition, according to a town mum. Paula Hayes is stepping up her call for action after Lincolnshire County Council admitted that criteria for a crossing near Boston Road roundabout has been met – but it has no money to pay for one. ...

The daughter of a woman killed in a fire caused by illegal cigarettes is calling for harsher sentences for those who sell them. Julie Grant’s mum June Buffham died at her home in Stonegate, Spalding, in April 2012 after she fell asleep and dropped a lit Jin Ling cigarette in her chair. The illegal cigarette continued to burn, quickly releasing ...

Schools could face financial penalties in a bid to cut the number of children who are permanently excluded. The “pupil reintegration charge” could be levied against schools in Lincolnshire if they are unable to demonstrate they took all possible measures to prevent a child’s exclusion. The county has a poor record on permanent exclusions with the number growing – against ...

A developer hoping for permission to build 45 new homes in Weston has been told it will not have to pay towards education provision in the area. Bourne-based Larkfleet Homes has applied to South Holland District Council for permission to build the estate at Small Drove. When developers ask for permission to build a new estate It is usual for ...