News

More than a fifth of women are putting their health at risk by not having a simple test which could save their life. Cervical cancer is the country’s biggest killer of women aged under 35, yet one Spalding GP surgery says only 79 per cent of eligible patients regularly have a smear test. Cervical cancer is one of the few ...

A year-long pilot scheme which will see firefighters join paramedics at emergencies on “fire ambulances” is due to begin this month. Long Sutton’s retained firefighters who already co-respond to emergencies are among three groups who will trial the scheme for 12-months to “allow the concept to be fully tested and a robust evaluation undertaken”. They were chosen as they had ...

A boy with severe dyslexia has been inspired to write a short story after enjoying a novel written for him by his grandfather. Luke McMenamin’s problem had put him off reading but the 14-year-old has new-found confidence after polishing off David Turp’s adventure story called Deep Secrets. Mr Turp, of Pinchbeck, said: “The book has double-spaced text, enlarged font, bite-size ...

Retailers who are to take part in a new Shopwatch scheme to make life harder for shoplifters in Holbeach met organisers and other supporters at an official launch. A dozen businesses within the town, including Tesco, QD, Boyes and Budgens, will be equipped with radios which will enable them to keep in touch with each other and a control room ...

Even more of Lincolnshire’s potholed roads can be fixed after an extra £5.5million was pledged for repairs. Lincolnshire County Council’s executive has pledged to match the government’s additional road repair funding of £5.5million, meaning thousands more potholes can be filled over the coming year. The authority underspent its budget last year and the executive is recommending that the council should ...

Work began this week on a £25,000 refurbishment of part of Spalding United Reformed Church. The sanctuary (worship area) of the Grade II listed building in Pinchbeck Road is undergoing a revamp, partly funded by legacies. Major cracks in the walls and water damage are being repaired, updated lighting and audio-visual equipment is being installed and everywhere will be redecorated. ...

Lincolnshire firefighters will be among thousands of civil service workers on strike today in protest over pay, pensions and workloads. They will form part of a nationwide strike action which will also include teachers, council workers and civil servants. Most schools are expected to open in South Holland, with only pupils in years seven, nine and ten at Spalding’s Priory ...

Two site managers at a Spalding housing development have been recognised as the best in their field after winning a top industry award. Andrew Smith and Greg Wimsey, site managers at Kier Homes’ Kingfisher Court development, have been announced as Quality Award Winners in the first round of the NHBC (National House-Building Council) Pride in the Job Awards. Renowned as ...

Three people were arrested after cannabis plants were discovered during a raid at a house in Pinchbeck at the weekend. Officers visited the property in The Chase on Saturday on an unrelated matter and discovered a “reasonable sized grow” of the drug in the garden, shed and greehouse. The discovery led to the arrest of a 47-year-old man, a 45-year-old ...

A woman suffered minor injuries after a crash in High Road, Moulton. The road was closed following the accident which happened on Wednesday and involved the 43-year-old Deeping St Nicholas woman’s Ford Focus and a Toyota Avensis. The Toyota was seized by police following the crash and the 34-year-old driver from Crowland reported for having no insurance.

Pinchbeck United have swooped to secure their first two signings of the summer. Returning player/boss Ian Dunn has raided Boston United Reserves for central midfielder Elliott Price, while also moving to secure the services of former Peterborough United youth talent Tyler Wright – who shone at Knight Street last season. Dunn, who won the ChromaSport Peterborough League Premier Division and ...

  A former top-class show horse has been stabbed while in a Holbeach field. It’s believed Joe, a 19-year-old stallion, was cut with a pocket knife or penknife in a random attack. It left the pie-bald horse so traumatised that a vet gave him only hours to live. Fortunately distraught owner Chelsea Richardson has seen Joe pull through and hopes ...

The father of hit-and-run victim Tim Osborn is “gutted” after hearing the driver is to appeal against the length of his sentence. Paul Walken (42), of Chapel Lane, Folkingham, was sent to prison for eight years and banned from driving for ten earlier this year after admitting causing 27-year-old Tim’s death by careless driving while unfit through drink. Tim was hit ...

The first-ever Spalding parade to mark Armed Forces Week received great support. Held on market day, a stall and bucket collection raised £751.21 for the charity Veterans’ Aid. The parade was led by South Holland District Council chairman Coun Robert Clark and Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire Tony Worth, and included Spalding Marching Ambassadors Band. Standards borne were Royal Lincolnshire Regiment ...

Traders are to stand shoulder to shoulder to make Spalding town centre a great place to work, shop and play. A new group has been set up to give retailers and businesses a voice in the future of the town – with issues such as parking, signage and marketing at the top of its agenda. With the appointment of a ...

Spalding Town Forum says good traffic management will be key to keeping road transport moving around the town during the huge rail upgrade this year. Network Rail’s £280million Great Northern Great Eastern project to improve the Peterborough to Doncaster line through Lincoln will mean two long periods of work in Spalding, expected to cause severe disruption on the roads. The ...

Six sensors which warn drivers when they are exceeding the speed limit are to be fitted in a town after a campaign against irresponsible driving. The month-old Slow Down Now, Keep Long Sutton Safe campaign took its fight to tackle boy racers and speeders to the parish council last week, where members pledged £15,000 to install the speed sensors. South ...

A former councillor is calling for treatment facilities for cystic fibrosis sufferers to be made available in Lincolnshire. And sufferer Jane Jones says Spalding’s “under-used” Johnson Community Hospital could be a venue. Jane is a rare case in that she was only diagnosed last December, at the age of 62. Usually it is spotted in early childhood. The diagnosis after ...

Spalding’s new primary school is on schedule to open at the start of the next academic year. Wygate Park Academy, which is part of The Boston Witham Academies Federation, is being built by Holbeach firm Langwith Construction under a £2.5m contract. Lincolnshire County Council says completion and handover is due to take place on Friday, August 22. Langwith Construction managing ...

Staff working in community health services across Lincolnshire have adopted a new scheme to enhance the support they offer to patients living with dementia. Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) has adopted the Butterfly Scheme across its services, including hospital wards, community clinics and community teams. The opt-in Butterfly Scheme uses a discreet symbol to identify patients with memory ...