Things to do

An all-star line-up will be featuring in the 60s Spectacular at the South Holland Centre next month – and we have two pairs of tickets to be won.   Live Promotions have put together an electrifying show for the event which takes place on Saturday, February 18.   Topping the bill are the fabulous Merseybeats who are regarded as one ...

When it comes to Ben Affleck-directed films, you’d do well to suggest one that hasn’t been – at least – very good. The Oscar-winning filmmaker’s last two offerings, Argo and the criminally underrated The Town, are both masterpieces in my mind and make me excited for what he might (possibly) do in the director’s seat for The Batman. Affleck’s latest ...

Acclaimed British singer and songwriter Philippa Hanna will be performing in Spalding next month.     The Sheffield-based singer will be bringing her Speed Of Light Acoustic Tour to the Spalding Baptist Church on Thursday, February 16, with doors opening at 7pm.   Her visit is part of a series of performances at church venues across the country following her ...

I’ll be honest with you from the off – I’m both a massive fan of video gaming and the Assassin’s Creed series. I’ve played every mainstream version of the game, which is now easily one of the biggest Triple A franchises on the gaming scene. It’s always stood out as a unique concept that would convert to the big screen, ...

It was hard not to be seduced by the brilliant trailer for Passengers. Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence are two of the top actors in the business right now – so putting them in a sci-fi setting was always going to be intriguing for film fans. As it turns out, the Morten Tyldum-directed offering is one of the more difficult ...

Being the first of the all-new Star Wars spinoff films always felt like being quite a big burden for Rogue One to carry from the moment it was announced. It’s the first film in the series not to carry a traditional episode number – and it doesn’t even have the trademark scrolling story at the start (or any Jedi). But ...

It’s very rare that anything positive comes from a plane crash – something painfully highlighted by the recent tragedy in Colombia. However, Sully – the story of the miracle on the Hudson – is one of those rare occasions that a crash (or water landing, as the pilots would insist) managed to create a wave of pride in a post ...

It actually seems like a while since I’ve watched a film set during World War II. One of time’s most harrowing periods has a habit of serving up incredible cinematic moments – and I had high hopes for Allied when the initial trailer dropped. Directed by the legendary Robert Zemeckis (Back To The Future) and starring Holywood A-listers Brad Pitt ...

Gosberton Public Hall is staging its first-ever beer festival this weekend. The event is being held to raise funds towards the upkeep of the High Street venue which has recently undergone a much-needed revamp. Mick Pell, chairman of the Gosberton Public Hall trustees, explained that there was a certain amount of irony surrounding the event as the hall was originally ...

For many cinema-goers, returning to JK Rowling’s wizarding world is probably the highlight of the 2016 calendar. With that kind of hype behind Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, it felt to me like finding critical acclaim was an almost impossible task for four-time Harry Potter director David Yates and the cast. As somebody that didn’t read the books, ...

Those of you that have read my film reviews over the past few years will know that I’m a sucker for a superhero movie. I’m also particularly fond of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the now 14 films that co-exist in the same timeline. Doctor Strange is the first of these films to be a little off my radar, ...

A rare and unique opportunity to join one of the country’s favourite covers bands is about to become available. Lead guitarist Phil Wright has decided to hang his guitar up for the last time with Zebra. And the Spalding-based group is now looking for someone to join the band when Phil retires in January. Phil said: “It’s been an honour and a privilege ...

Comedy fans have two chances to catch a fabulous gig by Iranian comedy legend Omid Djalili at the South Holland Centre next month.  The award-winning actor and stand-up superstar’s experience ranges from Hollywood to the West End stage plus a vast array of television, most recently appearing in Sky 1’s successful drama Lucky Man with James Nesbitt. His ‘Schmuck for ...

One of Britain’s hardest working touring bands is coming to play at Pinchbeck Village Hall on Friday, December 2.   Diss-based rockers Walkway play upwards of 130 gigs a year all over the country.   They have supported some of the biggest names on the music scene including The Darkness, Black Stone Cherry, Bernie Marsden (Whitesnake), Graham Bonnet (Rainbow) and ...

It occurred to me while watching Arrival that most films involving supposed “aliens” depict them as hostile – and by default I was expecting just a more serious version of Independence Day. To be honest, I couldn’t have been any further off. Don’t get me wrong, I love this genres go-to plot, but Arrival certainly brings something very different to ...

It didn’t receive the greatest critical acclaim, but I thought the 2012 Jack Reacher original was a pretty solid action offering. There was absolutely nothing that we hadn’t seen Jack Bauer, Jason Bourne or James Bond (what is it with action heroes with names beginning with J) do before, but Tom Cruise managed to make the character one that I ...

A variety of activities are on offer at the South Holland Centre to keep youngsters busy during the half-term holidays. Family favourites Rhubarb Theatre are returning to the Spalding stage with their exciting new Granny’s Game show on Wednesday, October 26, at 2pm. Rhubarb use mask, puppetry, physical theatre, song and dance to weave a tale inspired by the real-life ...

A pilot who has flown the iconic Lancaster aircraft across the globe is coming back to Ayscoughfee Hall to talk on his fascinating career.   Mike Chatterton, who taxies the Lancaster “Just Jane” at the Lincolnshire Heritage Aviation Centre will be visiting the historic venue on Saturday, November 19, from 2pm.   The talk follows a previous visit from Mr ...

As somebody that doesn’t read a lot of books, the big screen adaptation of Paula Hawkins hit novel The Girl On The Train only really appeared on my radar a few weeks ago. The trailer grabbed me as this year’s answer to Gone Girl, a thriller with a killer twist that I really enjoyed back in 2015. The Girl On ...

St Nicolas Players are looking to build on their award-winning success when their latest production launches at the South Holland Centre next week. They are producing Blackadder Goes Forth – The Darling Diaries which runs from Wednesday, October 19, until Saturday, October 22. The performance comes on the back of winning the best drama gong at the recent regional National ...