Staff at Bonmarche, Spalding, are saying a big well done to their customers.

They raised £188 for MacMillan Cancer Support.

The total was made from the participation in a tombola event.

Now the team want to say thank you to customers for their participation and generosity.

A kindhearted six-year-old boy, who was so upset when he saw a homeless man “looking sad” that he used his pocket money to buy tea and a cake, has highlighted a growing problem on the streets of Spalding.

The mother contacted the Free Press and said: “Is there any way he can be helped that you know of? It’s just hard to believe in a time when we send millions/billions of pounds abroad that we can’t even help people on our doorstep.”

Framework, the Lincolnshire and Rutland rough sleeper outreach service, have confirmed they are currently helping three people in Spalding who have been sleeping rough on the streets.

James Marriott, service manager for Framework’s Street Outreach Team (SOT), says it is something residents can expect to see more of.

He said that since the Government introduced its austerity programme in 2010, nationally there has been a 37 per cent rise in the number of homeless people.

Lincolnshire is bucking the trend with a 14 per cent drop in the number of homeless, but Mr Marriott said it was not a reason to be complacent.

He said: “The reason we are being successful is because of the multi-agency work we are doing with partners across the county, which means a person on the streets in Spalding could be found accommodation in another town

“We are also working to address the root cause of homelessness. In spite of people thinking it’s drink and drugs, the main cause is relationship break-up, often as a result of losing a job.”

Paul Emeny (39) has been sleeping rough for nearly a month. On Friday he was in talks with South Holland District Council to find some way of getting accommodation at the weekend so he could shower and make himself “presentable” to start a new job yesterday (Monday).

He said: “I’ve been working with Framework and was found temporary accommodation in Skegness. But I wanted to return to Spalding in the hope of finding work. I got a flat but the landlord kicked me out when I got behind with the rent and he found out I didn’t have a job.

“Sleeping rough isn’t something I choose to do. The nights are cold and I worry about being attacked while I’m sleeping. I spent my Jobseekers’ Allowance on two nights in a hotel to get cleaned up but I can’t go on like this. I’m normally a clean person and I’m hoping to find a way of making myself presentable to start a new job.

“Then I can look at getting somewhere to live.”

A spokesman for South Holland District Council said: “There is currently a very small number of verified rough sleeper cases known to South Holland District Council and being dealt with.

“Fortunately, rough sleeping is rare in the district – there was one verified case in 2012 and two in 2013.”

Anyone wanting to report a rough sleeper can text SOT on 80800 (normal text message cost), or call 0800 0665356. It is also the number for anyone sleeping rough or fearing they might have to.

Agape Care in Spalding would also welcome donations of clothes and sleeping bags at the Lighthouse Church in Haverfield Road every day from 9am to noon.

In 2008 when Paul and Rachel Wilson told their teenage daughters the family holiday was taking an unusual twist, in the direction of Uganda, they didn’t know how it would go down.

But the girls were more excited to leave homely comforts behind than expected, even being sponsored to forgo electricity and other utilities to raise funds for the trip.

Paul, of Stonegate, Spalding, said: “For a lot of people it’s a one-off experience. We went out and it got in our blood.”

Having seen the two week trip advertised the family began raising money to cover the experience.

Since then they have visited Malawi and Zimbabwe, one of their daughters changed her degree to African studies and took a gap year there, and Paul became a trustee of the Chilli Children Trust, working to improve the lives of children in Uganda.

The charity supports the ‘North Kigezi Diocese Growers, Orphans and Disabled Children’s Project’ based in Rukungiri.

They help orphaned and disabled children in the very South Western end of Uganda, ensuring they have medical access, education and learn to grow chilli as a livelihood (hence the trust’s name).

Next month the couple are returning to see what work has been done, assess what to do next and support those working there.

Paul said: “They are building a new school block for special needs children.

“And hopefully we will get to see some of the children who were having operations last time we were there, running around.”

For Rachel, who teaches at the Spalding Parish Church of England Day School, this is only the first visit she will make this year.

Having seen the new school facilities she will return in August with a group of teachers to train the Ugandan school staff.

Unlike their adventure in 2008 the couple are not raising money for this visit. They will fund the trip themselves but are welcoming donations of five essential items.

Paul said: “Last time we took boxes of stuff but it is better to take money and buy from their economy.”

“If we decide to go it’s up to us to fund it and not rely on others. However, if anyone wants to contribute materially to what we are taking then that would be great.”

For more information visit www.chillichildren.co.uk

Looking for a local garage you can trust for a car service, MOT or car repair?

Using the Good Garage Scheme, you can find a member near you.

Be assured that every garage listed performs services to a strict code of conduct and will always have your best interests at heart.

If your vehicle is under warranty, it can still be serviced by a Good Garage Scheme member without invalidating the warranty conditions.

It’s so easy to use. You can simply visit www.goodgaragescheme.com on the website and then enter your postcode or town name into the search.

For instance, when you type in Spalding, you will be presented with a whole host of local garages within a short traveliing distance who are signed up to the scheme.

You can then filter down your search even further by typing in your car manufacturer and the service you require.

You can even narrow it down to online booking.

The scheme is run by Forté and is dedicated to driving up standards in the car servicing and car repair market, ensuring consumers get a fair deal. Visit www.forteuk.co.uk to find out more.

Visit www.GoodGarageSchemeblog.com for the latest news or to join its followers on Facebook and Twitter.

The Good Garage Scheme – it’s like having a friend in the know!

An elderly Swineshead man was found dead in the South Forty Foot Drain by his family yesterday (Monday).

The 78-year-old had failed to return to his home after going out to walk his dogs.

Family went out to look for him and discovered him in the water.

Emergency services were called out at 5.25pm – and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue attended with their swift water rescue boat which recovered the man’s body from the water.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said: “The cause of his death is unclear at this stage but there are no suspicious circumstances.

“A post mortem will be carried out in due course.”

Rarely does a car so exceed your expectations that you find yourself chatting merrily away about it for days afterwards to anyone who’ll listen.

The first Cee’d, released nearly seven years ago as Kia’s cornerstone model, was one of them.

And this, the Pro_cee’d GT, might just be another. Remember Jeremy Clarkson clattering on in 2005 about the fifth generation Volkswagen Golf GTi, which was a brilliant all-rounder and cost less than £20,000?

The Kia has more power than the 2005 Golf, much more equipment and a unique seven-year warranty, and while the Golf is now knocking on the door of £26,000 (before options) the Pro_cee’d slots in below the magic £20,000 mark.

But this is not a GTi, Kia is quick to say. It’s not an out-and-out performance-focused hot hatch, being instead more about usability and practicality.

The new Kia, their first performance-oriented car, is under-cutting the other mainstream competition with a product that, for the price, is nigh-on untouchable.

It’s definitely quick enough. It pulls harder the closer you are to 6,000rpm, but with a meaty midrange that, given the Pro_cee’d’s near-1,400kg kerb weight, does a brilliant job of hustling the sleek three-door shape along. The steering, a new variable-assistance setup, gives a greater sense of weight and transmits a degree of textural feel from the road for even more reassurance and control.

And thanks to excellent new Michelin tyres, grip levels are superb.

The Pro_cee’d is genuinely great fun to drive, and it doesn’t matter that it’s not as sharp at the front end as a Focus ST or as raucous as an Astra VXR. What counts is that its every facet works to make the driving experience better than the sum of its parts.

A Spalding man was rescued from his bathroom when he was trapped inside by a faulty door lock.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue sent a crew from Spalding to the address in Johnson Avenue shortly after 11.30pm on Sunday.

The team used tools to remove the faulty locking mechanism.

Firefighters have put out two car fires in three days.

A Spalding crew was called to The Pastures at Cowbit on Saturday lunchtime and Holbeach firefighters to Middle Marsh Road, Moulton Marsh, just after 9pm on Monday.

Chamber Matters

We are delighted to be involved with Newton Press, the publishers of the Visit Spalding Guide.

This year’s edition has been given a complete makeover. It has a lighter and more practical feel. It is aimed at visitors and residents who simply want explore the area.

The magazine is built around “A Day to Remember” and included this year are brand-new directories and voucher sections to make it easier to find relevant information and to give visitors the opportunity to save money on their trips as well.

With our beautiful countryside and historical architecture, Spalding is well known for its agricultural and food processing heritage. From heritage and the arts to the great outdoors and family fun, there are a wealth of activities to keep visitors of all ages entertained.

Local stockists include: South Holland Centre, Springfields TIC, Woodlands Hotel and The Red Lion Hotel.

Spalding Retailers Forum

The first steps have been taken to give traders in Spalding a united voice. About 25 people from businesses in Spalding town centre met to discuss the launch of a new forum.

During the meeting, Emily Holmes (South Holland District Council) presented the proposal for new digital CCTV cameras, to be monitored 18/7 in Boston.

Stuart Brotherton (Shopwatch) made the meeting aware that the Police and Crime Commission viewed the Shopwatch schemes in Spalding and Sleaford as examples they would like to see rolled out to other towns in the county. Phil Scarlett brought the meeting up to date on progress in getting a town centre manager. Phil emphasised that it was the town retailers who should set the agenda for the town centre manager.

The date for the next meeting was agreed: Wednesday, April 16. On this day there will be two meetings to allow maximum attendance – 7.30am (7.45am to 8.45am) and 5.45pm (6pm to 7pm). Both meetings will be at the Sainsbury Cafe.

Retailers are asked to make a note of the meeting date on Wednesday, April 16 and decide which meeting they can attend.

Spalding in Bloom

We have been contacting businesses in Spalding town centre to ask them to sponsor hanging baskets. The response so far has exceeded our expectations with a number of businesses taking baskets for the first time. Our thanks to Plantiflor Ltd in Enterprise Way for agreeing again this year to sponsor 12 baskets at charity shops.

A basket costs just £40 which includes watering during the summer. The baskets will go up at the end of May and be removed at the end of September. If the business doesn’t have hanging brackets, these will be provided free of charge. Any business that is interested should contact phil.scarlett@theedgeconsul tancy.co.uk as soon as possible to enable us to plant the baskets ready to hang.

Last year Spalding in Bloom was just two points short of achieving Gold status in the East Midland in Bloom competition. With the traders’ support and a little extra effort we can achieve Gold which will bring with it additional recognition for the town.

Learn More

Please visit our website at: www.spaldingareachamber.co.uk

British Transport Police have released a CCTV image of someone they want to speak to following an attack on a man in his 60s at Spalding Railway Station.

Officers believe the man (pictured) will have information to assist their investigation into the assault, which happened at 1pm on February 22 as the victim got off the train with members of his family.

Det Con Sarah Trotter said: “The victim was approached by two men, one of whom pushed him in the chest and caused him to fall to the floor, suffering a fractured wrist in the process.

“Passengers and staff have the right to travel on the rail network without fear of violence and we will fully investigate any such incidents when they occur. I would urge anyone who saw what happened, or who recognises the man pictured, to get in touch.”

Witnesses – or anyone who can identify the man pictured – are asked to call British Transport Police on 0800 405040, giving reference number LNA/B5 of 02/03/2014.

Details can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Two primary schools will close tomorrow and more may follow as the National Union of Teachers (NUT) walks out in a national strike over pay and pensions.

Gosberton Primary is one of the county’s academy schools that will shut up shop for the day and Market Deeping Primary, a local authority school, is also closed.

Lincolnshire County Council is advising parents to check with their children’s school for closure or partial closure – partial closure means some classes will be asked to stay at home.

Parents can also check whether their child’s school is open or closed by visiting www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/parents/schools/school-closures – the list is being updated as schools inform the county council whether they can stay open or not.

National news reports say more than 10,000 state schools face being thrown into chaos as teachers in England and Wales down tools.

Headteachers admit the strike will make it difficult for many of the schools to stay open because the NUT is the biggest teaching union, but the Government has issued guidance saying schools can recruit volunteers such as scout leaders and sports coaches to beat the strike.

The county council director of children’s services, Debbie Barnes, said: “We have advised schools that if they will be without staff they have to consider whether they have adequate cover to ensure the safety of children.

“This will determine whether they should close for the day or not.

“Schools that are closing should be informing parents and carers as soon as possible so that they can make arrangements for their children.”

The NUT is opposed to Government reforms including higher pension contributions and the introduction of performance related pay that will see salaries rise for teachers who boost pupils’ results and impose high levels of discipline.

This time, the NASUWT, the second largest union has opted out of strike action although it joined the NUT in a series of one-day regional strikes last term.

Tomorrow’s strike is likely to have a knock-on effect with some parents forced to take a day off work to look after their children.

The county council has asked its managers to plan services around possible reduced staffing levels if parents are taking leave.

Allocating more litter collecting zones to businesses is just one of the next stages in South Holland District Council’s Litter Blitz.

Laura Simpkins, Waste and Recycling Support Officer, said: “McDonald’s have been helping us. Now we are in discussion about them adopting an area to litter pick in and report back on.”

The blitz was set up when South Holland residents became fed up of seeing streets paved with rubbish.

A series of seven litter-picks were organised by the council’s Environmental Services team. Anyone 
could turn up and grab a bin bag to help at the arranged picks.

Members of the comm-
unity were also encouraged to take responsibility for a small area of land of their choice.

Now the campaign is looking for a second lease of life.

Earlier this month Martin Roberts, shift manager at Mcdonald’s, in Holbeach Road, said the staff wanted to join Litter Blitz and widen the mile radius they’d been picking in.

He said: “We’d like to expand on this, venture further and perhaps even adopt a park that’s run-down to spruce up.”

Thanks to the next stage of the campaign this idea is getting underway with local businesses being allocated a litter picking patch.

“We’re in the process of talking to several companies,” Laura said: “We want them to adopt an area and meet on a biannual basis.”

Recruiting ‘community litter wardens’ is another phase of the campaign to be introduced in the next few months.

Laura said the wardens will regularly meet to discuss litter issues and what more can be done and she is still working through registrations from the public.

She hopes the manpower behind the project will continue: “We are still urging more people to get in contact”

“I think around the time we held the picks people really tried to help and wanted to get involved.

“We are also encouraging any schools to get in contact if they want to help.”

For more information visit www.greenbaglottery.co.uk

People on the streets of Spalding say it was a Budget for the older generation.

The new pound coin is reminiscent of a threepenny piece and soon it will be easier to access pensions.

William Telford said scrapping the 10p tax rate on savings up to £5,000 and an added £500 allowance on the income tax threshold are the only points which affect everyone.

He said: “It seems to me, and I’m cynical about it, that they’re for the old and the people who are more likely to vote.”

There was also a tax free boost on ISAs, increasing the yearly limit to £15,000, but Andrea Wilkins called the Budget “a load of rubbish” and said it only helps those who are better off who have money to pay in.

Stephen Cleary called the Budget “pretty fair”.

Tobacco duty will rise by two per cent above inflation for the next six years. Stephen is a smoker and sees it as merely another penalty for having the habit and it won’t make him quit.

He said: “It’s just a safe bet to bang duty on cigarettes.”

Baden Pannell wasn’t impressed either and said: “I think the pension is a bit of a joke.”

From April 2015, pensioners will be given total freedom over how they withdraw money. The changes also mean having an annuity is optional, and they will be arranged on individual terms. Baden is concerned people will take cash out and still live on benefits.

The Chancellor mentioned welfare spending too, capping it at £119billon.

Baden said the freeze on fuel duty for the fourth consecutive year is good news for local people living in rural areas who rely on driving.

David Wright said the Conservative party has secured his vote. He likes the new pound coin, which is designed to cut the number of fake pound coins in circulation.

David said:“As a pensioner I think I’ll get more help with savings too.”

Charley Wright said: “I like the way things are going. I’d love to open an ISA and opt out of my work based pension.”

He’s come across fake pound coins, when parking and fruit machines decline them.

After the long, intense pounding by rain the soil is now drying out rapidly and is becoming very hard and difficult to work.

Also, with the mild winter we have had no frost to create a tilth to help make a seedbed for spring sown crops. This means that seedbeds are more likely to dry out and, ironically, some rain will be needed to help seeds to germinate.

March brought some well-deserved dry and warm conditions, allowing fieldwork to catch up. Crops have needed their spring dressing of fertilizer and various spray treatments of herbicide and pesticides.

Some of our no-till fields where there is little cover have dried and the surface has become very hard. In other fields where we have a cover of straw from last year’s crop or we have sown a cover crop the soil, and especially the surface, is in much better condition, although more patience is needed for it to dry enough to be able go on without causing damage.

It is quite striking that with no-till moisture loss is far less than cultivated seedbeds and even in the hard dry fields we can mostly manage to place the seed in moisture just under the surface. Also, hopefully because we are not disturbing the soil and bringing new seeds to the surface, we should have less spring germination of weeds.

Trouble is it’s all good theory, but as we know nature has a way of having its say and it doesn’t always work out as it should.

Police are treating a car fire as arson after a vehicle was completely burnt out.

The incident happened at 2.55am yesterday (Tuesday) in Dovecote, Rippingale.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said: “Investigations are ongoing to trace the offender.”

A fire and rescue crew from Billingborough used two hose reel jets to put out the blaze and wore breathing apparatus.

Out and About Advertising Feature

With the school Easter holidays fast approaching it’s time to get out and about and give the kids some fresh air.

It’s too easy these days to let them stay on the sofa with their iPad, laptop or DS – but what a waste when the daylight hours are longer and the temperature is getting warmer!

Why not go out for a nice walk in the countryside, or a bike ride, instead.

Or you could visit one of the many outdoor attractions in Lincolnshire and nearby Cambridgeshire and Norfolk.

One such place well worth a visit is Snettisham Park in West Norfolk, less than an hour’s drive from Spalding.

Snettisham Park is a 329 acre working farm. A trip can involve many exciting adventures from seeing lambs being born, to the spectacular 45 minute deer safari.

Here you will meet a magnificent red deer herd, you can bottle-feed lambs, collect fresh farm eggs and take a walk on one of three wonderful trails.

There is also the chance to relax in the visitor centre, enjoy a light lunch, refreshments and home-baked cakes in the tea room or on the terrace, with views out over the magnificent cattle and sheep pastures.

Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome and the park is open 10am to 4pm.

Specialist crews rescued a horse from water at Ropers Gate, Lutton, yesterday morning.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue sent teams from Spalding and Lincoln after the alarm was raised at 10.15am.

Students from the Sir John Gleed School in Spalding and the South Holland Post 16 Centre have come first in the regional Rock Challenge.

To prepare for the event, the 37 Gleed pupils, eight Performing Arts students from the Post 16 Centre and staff worked hard during the school day, after school and during the February half term.

A staff member said: “They attended rehearsals and worked together as a team to be able to take our finished performance piece to Grantham. We would like to say a massive thank you to parents for their continued support of the extra-curricular rehearsals and the competition day itself.”

Apart from the performers, other students were involved in looking after lighting, video and acting as stage crew for the day.

The local community was involved in providing props, with support from Andrew & Co, Polka Dots – The Umbrella, Boswell & Son, as well as the DT technician and art department in school.

The performance piece, Let Him Have It, is based on a true story of a police shooting in the 1950s, the court case that followed and which hinged on the meaning of the words in the piece’s title, and the subsequent hanging of one of the men involved.

The students competed against five other Lincolnshire secondary schools, performing in front of parents, siblings, school staff and judges.

The local entry has been put through to the Northern Open Finals in June.

Students from Sir John Gleed School achieved success in the National Squash Schools Championship, coming sixth in the finals after playing some “fantastic squash”, according to coach Amanda Halifax.

The event was held at the England Squash Centre in Manchester.

Students who competed in the National Squash Championship finals: Jak Bembridge, Josh Wilson, Tom Hannam, George Levesley, William Pite, Sam Jarvis and Vincent King.

Polish visitors to the Sir John Gleed School paid a visit to Oak Court and Lime Court in Spalding to talk about their town to residents – and answer questions about their visit to the Spalding school.

The young people made traditional Polish cakes and biscuits to serve during their visit, which co-ordinator Mandy North said were enjoyed very much.