Hopes are high that a phoenix will rise from the ashes of the Spalding Flower Parade, with a week-long food, flowers and arts event being mooted for 2014.

The week would start with a “People’s Parade” on a Sunday in July (before the schools break up) and finish with a food festival the following Saturday.

A task group has been discussing various ideas and a public meeting is to be held on Saturday, May 18, at a venue yet to be fixed, chaired by MP John Hayes and organised by Spalding and District Chamber of Commerce.

Members of the public and representatives of interested groups are invited to attend the meeting, hear what is being suggested and indicate whether they support the ideas.

Among the group are local MP John Hayes, Chamber of Commerce president Phil Scarlett, David Norton and Adrian Janson of the Springfields Horticultural Society, Free Press editor Jeremy Ransome and Tulip Radio’s Jan Whitbourn.

Mr Norton told the Free Press: “It is important to make people aware something is happening and that the 55-year history of the parade and the recent experiences of the Food Festival will not be wasted or lost.”

The festival would start with a community parade and end with a weekend food festival.

The parade would be on a Sunday to avoid clashing with the Saturday market, and music, dance, theatre and arts events would be run during the week.

Floats and other entries into the carnival would be from individual groups and organisations, who would create their own entries and find their own sponsorship and funding.

It would start and finish in a location where there could be a celebratory family event afterwards, possibly the rugby field.

The following week’s food festival would include cooking demonstrations, food stalls and competitions and would be held at Springfields or Ayscoughfee, possibly rotating from year to year.

Pubs, cafes, restaurants and local food growers/packers would also be encouraged to put on events during the week.

Locally grown summer flowers, plants and vegetables would be used to showcase and celebrate the wide diversity of South Holland’s food and horticultural businesses.

This could be in the form of floats and riverside mosaics using fruit, vegetables and flowers, vegetable sculptures and floral art statics, based on an annual theme.

It was felt the tradition of a festival Prince, Princess and Flower Queen need to be maintained and that all schools should be engaged.

Research would be carried out to ensure the festival did not impact on any existing local events and churches who hold flower festivals during the current parade week would be encouraged to move them back to July too.

After the public meeting decisions would be made about forming a steering group and sourcing funding to set up the event.

Mr Scarlett said: “I would encourage all groups from schools, Scouts and Guides to the Lions, Rotary and Round Table to be represented at the meeting and bring along their ideas.”

nSee page 11 for more news on the 2013 Flower Parade.

The political career of South Holland and The Deepings MP John Hayes has taken a sharp upward turn with his appointment to a crucial role within the Government.

Mr Hayes will work alongside Prime Minister David Cameron and across all Government departments in advising on policy and parliamentary matters.

As a bonus, Mr Hayes has also become part of a select group of advisers known as The Privy Council which made up of past and present cabinet ministers who have the title Right Honourable.

The new job comes despite Mr Hayes’ outspoken views as Energy Minister on wind farms, claiming the UK was “peppered” with them and that “enough is enough” in terms of commissioning new ones.

Mr Hayes said: “I’m obviously very honoured and flattered to join The Privy Council and to be working so closely with the Prime Minister.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity and I’ll do my best to bring political value to the role.”

Mr Hayes’ official title is Minister of State for the Cabinet Office but political observers see it as a move by the Prime Minister to improve relations between himself and backbench Tory MPs.

“The Prime Minister invited me to Number 10 and said he was very pleased with the work I’d been doing at the Department of Energy and Climate Change,” Mr Hayes said.

“But then he asked me if I wanted to work even more closely with the top of Government and I told him I would be pleased and excited by that.”

However, Mr Hayes also gave an assurance this his constituents would not lose out as a result of his new job.

He said: “This is a bigger and broader role for me and I will do my best in it but, as ever, my first consideration will be to South Holland and The Deepings and that will never change.”

A worried resident who has experienced several traumatic incidents of cars ploughing into her garden is appealing for drivers to slow down.

Dawn Rickell, of Ralphs Lane, Frampton Fen, has suffered her property being hit four times in two years, and been woken up several times to the sounds of cars crashing outside and the sirens of emergency services attending.

“People need to slow down on this road as we don’t want a fatality,” said Dawn, who is concerned about the 40mph road’s ‘dangerous’ bend, where it meets Spotfield Lane.

She says that since July there have been at least four more accidents.

The latest, just down the road from her property, occurred earlier this month, with a car ending up in a dyke. It is believed that nobody sustained serious injuries.

“In December I had my wrought iron fence taken up after a car hit it,” she said. “These accidents are very traumatic and stressful. It’s the third time my fence has been destroyed.”

Residents there say the severity of the problem is not being fully recognised by the authorities.

Neighbour John Sweetman, whose property has also been hit by vehicles leaving the road, said: “The problem is not all accidents there are reported, and if the emergency services don’t attend, I don’t think they are recorded as official incidents.

“It’s crazy but I think it will take two or three deaths here before anything further is done.”

Official figures by Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership do not match up with the residents’ count of accidents.

A spokesman said: “In the area where Ralphs Lane meets Spotfield Lane there have been seven incidents in the past five years.

“All were driver error.

“The last two occurred on January 28 this year, both at 8:50am.

“Both drivers claimed to have skidded on black ice.”

He added: “Ralphs Lane was tested over ten months ago and it was found that the grip levels of the surface were reduced. In November 2012 the area was resurfaced.”

As a time for planting indicator I have always tried to plan to get most of the planting done between the last two weeks of March and the first two weeks of April.

The up side of this prolonged very cold spell is it has been dry and we have needed this as the land is in such a poor state: in a very compact condition with very little air spaces and will take much longer to dry out and will remain slower to warm up.

We are finding, whether freshly ploughed land or over wintered ploughing, the land must be moved to allow air in and drying to take place, which means we need long spells of dry weather and drying winds.

We started planting at the beginning of March in between the snow showers. All the crop is covered in fleece to protect and warm the soil up and for some varieties we put a layer of polythene on as well, with holes in because under a full plastic sheet the temperature can rise too much and damage the plants when the sun shines all day. The temperature lift achieved is 2 to 4 degrees which does not seem much but is vital in enabling us to start harvesting on time: ever the optimist.

I must say a big thank you to our planting teams for enduring such bitterly cold conditions during these last four weeks. They have not faltered at any time and, to try and help keep their spirits up and them warm, we have run a soup kitchen at lunch time: excellent team work.

Six months after thieves ramraided a Spar shop in Crowland and took off with the town’s only ATM machine, residents finally have a new hole in the wall to access their cash.

Within seconds of the ATM at the store in North Street going live on Tuesday, local people were lining up to use it.

First was Nigel Foster, of Peterborough Road. He said: “I’ve been going to Deeping to get my cash. It’s great it’s is back up again.”

Next in line Melanie Wren, of Thorney Road, said: “I kept coming anyway and forgetting it wasn’t here until I got to the Post Office. Now I can get my money any time.”

The stolen ATM was removed from the wall of the of the shop on October 5 last year by three offenders using a yellow JCB, causing considerable damage.

At the time police believed the JCB may have been stolen from a nearby farm, but the culprits have never been found.

Stephanie Lamb, manager of the store’s post office, remembers being woken about the incident. She said: “I was called at 1am in the morning. When I went down and saw what had been done I was horrified. No-one expects that sort of thing to happen in Crowland.

“It’s been a strain providing local people with the money they need from the post office and there have been times when we’ve had to ration the amount we count give them.

But now the pressures off us and people can get their money when they need it so everyone should be happy again.”

Deterrents have been put in place to prevent any future attempts to steal this one. A Post Office manager there for the ATM going live, said: “We’ve installed individual casette protection that will ink cash if attempts are made to steal it.”

Motorists faced rush-hour delays on the A17 after a car ran off the road and ended up in a dyke at Gedney this morning.

Police were called to reports of a Renault Clio that left the road and landed in the dyke at about 7.30am.

There were no reports of any injuries.

Growers – particularly livestock farmers – are being put under an “extraordinary strain” on top of 12 months of extreme weather, according to NFU vice-president Adam Quinney.

On top of that, many farmers’ sheep are lambing at the moment, but Mr Quinney said farmers are resilient and are “working round the clock to look after the welfare of their animals”.

He said that, despite the terrible weather conditions: “UK farmers are continuing to deliver to keep British farming moving.

“These are unusual conditions and are totally out of character for the time of year. It has put an extraordinary strain on the industry.”

QV Foods Ltd and Worth Farms hosted a planting day for local schoolchildren as part of a Grow Your Own Potatoes initiative.

The project, run by the Potato Council, helps educate primary school children about potatoes, how they grow and how they fit into a healthy balanced diet.

Schools that register to take part receive a free growing kit and QV Foods Ltd sponsored some of the potato seed given to schools in the area to plant with seed potatoes supplied by the Potato Council.

Over 70 youngsters from Long Sutton Primary School, accompanied by teachers and support staff, had the chance to get their hands dirty planting their potato seed into grow bags. They then heard a talk about potatoes from QV Foods’ Tim Johnson before tucking into servings of potato wedges topped with cheese.

The pupils will tend their potatoes before returning to Worth Farms in mid-June to harvest them when weighed produce will be entered into a Potato Council competition.

Farmers are being invited to help showcase the industry by getting involved in this year’s Open Farm Sunday.

The event, organised by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming), takes place on June 9 this year.

The NFU’s seasonal labour survey points to serious limitations for growers if the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) ends after 2013, as Government considers whether a replacement scheme will be put in place.

More than 95 per cent of growers who used SAWS labour in 2012 said that the removal of the scheme would have a negative impact on their business.

Police are continuing their inquiries into vandalism at The Curlew Centre, Sutton Bridge. 
The parish council heard a name had been put forward for one of two youths pictured on CCTV who may be able to help the investigation.

Police pictures were published on our website www.spaldingtoday.co.uk

Sutton Bridge parish Council wants to delay its response to a planned second gas-fired power station for the village because the developers declined to speak at the annual parish meeting.


The parish council invited Parsons Brinckerhoff to the meeting on April 16, but the company said “it would be a bit too early” to speak about its latest plans.
An application won planning consent five years ago, but is due to be renewed.
The company says it will stage public exhibitions in the village at the end of May, but parish councillors say that is too late for them to comment officially to the planning authority, South Holland District Council. 
Parish council chairman John Grimwood said: “I think we should ask the planners to put the decision back until the end of May.
“You can’t comment on anything you don’t know about.”

Pupils at the University Academy Holbeach are to produce a film about construction work taking place at their school.

Leading contractor Shepherd Construction has strengthened its relationship with The Transformation Trust, by supporting its Cineclub project.

The Cineclub project will see pupils from three academies compete against each other to produce a film on the construction programme at their school.

The pupils have been given an open brief, so they can decide who they would like to focus their film on.

The three academies participating in the project are The Nuneaton Academy, Priory Ruskin Academy and University Academy Holbeach.

Shepherd is currently on site at all three academies, which it won as part of the northern PfS (Partnership for Schools) framework.

The Transformation Trust is an independent education charity that funds extra-curricular activities in state schools up and down the country.

The charity aims to help young people to develop new skills, grow in confidence, work as a team and discover hidden talents and interests.

The project, which began in March, will run through to the autumn, when there will be an event to showcase the three films.

The winning film from the three will then be chosen by a panel of judges.

Amy Leonard, Chief Executive of the Transformation Trust said: “The Transformation Trust is all about creating opportunities for young people to try out new experiences, and so we are delighted to be working with Shepherd on this exciting project.

“Pupils from the three schools taking part in Cineclub will have a real opportunity to explore their creativity whilst also learning key skills in film production and teamwork, and I very much look forward to seeing the films they make about their new schools.”

Advice centres have been inundated with calls from residents concerned about the impact of benefit changes in South Holland.

Since the changes came into effect on Monday, both South Holland District Council and the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) have reported high volumes of calls.

The changes include:

l The introduction of a £26,000 cap on the amount of benefits a household can receive

l A cut to housing benefit for working-age social housing tenants whose property is deemed to be larger than they need

l Disability living allowance replaced by personal independence payment

l Working-age benefits and tax credits to rise by one per cent - a below-inflation cap

A spokesman for the district council said: “We have experienced a high volume of calls on Tuesday, partly because of the benefit changes, annual council tax billing and the Easter Monday Bank Holiday coinciding with the start of the financial year.

“We would urge people concerned about the welfare changes to check on the South Holland District Council website, where they can use the online council tax support calculator and look through advice on housing benefit and council tax support.”

Yesterday, the CAB reported a full day of appointments. A receptionist said: “We’ve been really busy - and this is early days. Once the benefit changes kick in we are expecting to get even busier.”

Advice on benefits and council tax is available by visiting http://www.sholland.gov.uk

Sutton Bridge Parish council is going potty asking county highways to fix potholes on their patch.

The council always discusses highways issues at its monthly meeting and vice-chairman Michael Booth summed up the item in three words: “Potholes, potholes, potholes.”

Councillors are complaining about the county council failing to fix potholes when they are reported to the authority.

Parish council chairman John Grimwood said: “I was down the M6 on Sunday and there were massive potholes in the M6 – I don’t know what chance we stand of getting them done round here.”

Coun Booth said: “I think it would be easier to name a road that hasn’t got them.

“I don’t think there’s any roads that don’t need some work doing on them.”

In spite of the total cost of installing a bandstand for Spalding rising by the month, the determination to provide a venue for musical events is as strong as ever.

It is now estimated the total cost for a bandstand in Ayscoughfee Gardens could be £100,000.

According to Spalding Town Forum, this figure includes the cost of the bandstand itself at around £40,000 and installation costs.

George Aley, Town Forum chairman, said: “Once you add the cost of what’s needed so it can be used by a pop group or band, estimates blossom.”

The Forum is applying for section 106 money from the Springfields retail development to contribute to the cost. Other avenues, including lottery funding, are being explored by Harry Drury of the Spalding and district Chamber of Commerce.

Members of the Town Forum first came up with the idea in August last year when the plan was considered as a contender for its £27,000 underspend.

It was felt that as there was no outside venue for bands, the town has missed out on musical events such as those held in Donington and Holbeach.

Since then, providing the town with a bandstand has remained on the agenda as a project spearheaded by Couns Graham Dark and Harold Johnson in the hope one could be in place by midsummer.

After the Forum meeting in January, talks were being held about the possibility of holding a Party in the Park in the gardens.

Coun Dark said he knew of several brass bands keen to play in Ayscoughfee Gardens and this would be an attraction for residents who went there for relaxation.

Coun Roger Gambba-Jones reminded members it was important any design that was agreed did not compromise Ayscoughfee Hall, as it was a listed building.

Mr Aley said: “We are determined to have a bandstand and pursue enough funding to cover the cost. It’s no good just putting anything up - we have to raise enough to provide a facility big enough for a band or a pop group so events can be held.”

Easter eggs can be good for your eyesight, even if they are bad for the waistline.


Spalding’s Molsom Optometrists organised an Easter egg art competition for children. Andy Molsom said: “Decorating an Easter egg requires good visual skills and coordination, which helps vision development in the early years.”
Winners of each category receiving a large chocolate Easter egg donated by Thorntons at Hills and a pair of sunglasses. Runners-up also received a chocolate Easter egg.

Pictured are the winners (from left) Morgan Ibbertson, Oliver Wydra and Megan Amess. Photo (TIM WILSON): SG300313-172TW


Youngsters at Spalding’s Ayscoughfee Hall School had a wonderful time when two woolly visitors dropped in. 


The children in the kindergarten and reception classes had great fun stroking lambs Twilight and Twinkle before showing their owner Mrs Thompson their wonderful sheep paintings in the classroom.

Students at Spalding’s Sir John Gleed School took control of the curriculum for a day as English, maths and science were replaced by music, healthy eating and crime detection techniques.

The school held its second Alternative Learning Day of the year which saw Year Seven students focus on Fairtrade, designing posters and T-shirts as well as learning more about efforts to stop the exploitation of farmers and food producers worldwide.
Year Eight students had a choice of either studying dinosaurs or becoming detectives for the day to find the culprit behind an imaginary crime.
Other students learnt about the horrors of the Holocaust during World War II and how the brain works, as well as dance, drama and music with a Spanish theme.
Pictured are Year Eight students with their work on dinosaurs. 
Photo (NIKKI GRIFFIN): SG260313-334NG.

Drivers in South Holland and Boston have won almost £30,000 from the county council in the last year for damage to their cars caused by potholes.

Some 357 drivers put in claims in the year to Monday, but the council cannot say how many it settled as part of the £29,358 bill.

It’s not enough for potholes to damage a car, drivers have to jump through legal hoops and prove the highways authority has been negligent.

Assistant director of highways Paul Coathup says there has been a “continuous reduction in the number of claims that Lincolnshire County Council has received in recent years for damage to vehicles caused by potholes”.

But motoring organisation the AA says pothole damage claims to its insurance service have doubled – and a third of its members’ cars have been damaged by potholes in the last two years.

AA president Edmund King said: “This spring our patrols are telling us that potholes are popping up faster than daffodils.”

The AA says there are 30 per cent more potholes now than last year and a survey has shown there is a £2.5billion roads maintenance backlog in England and Wales.

Extra £6.5m for county road repairs

County highways spends more than £50million a year on road repairs and will spend an extra £6.5million over the next two years. 
It says it is “not usually” liable to pay for damage to vehicles or injuries caused by potholes and it is “not expected to keep roads free of potholes at all times”.
Drivers are advised to take greater care after severe weather.
The authority relies on the public to help by reporting potholes on 01522 782070 or online at www.lincolnshire.gov/potholes