Firefighters have dealt with separate car blazes in Long Sutton and Wyberton within the last 24 hours.
A crew from Long Sutton was called to a car that was alight in Park Lane just before 1am this morning (Monday).
Two water hose reels were used to put out the fire.
It followed a car fire in West End Road, Wyberton, shortly before 4.40pm on Sunday.
The fire was put out by firefighters from Boston with a water hose reel.
Families and visitors to Holbeach can look forward to a new festive event in the town next month.
The Holbeach Hub, in Boston Road South, is to host its own Christmas Day on Sunday, December 4, between 10am and 4pm.
Dance and martial arts displays, food and gift stalls and a Santa’s Grotto are some of the events promised at The Christmas Day, a replacement for Holbeach’s annual Christmas fayre that was called off by lead organiser Les Ward last week.
Coun Tracey Carter, South Holland District Council member for Holbeach Town, said: “The Holbeach Hub trustees heard, with sadness, that one of the Christmas fayres in the town is no longer going ahead.
“We have been approached by a number of people who were going to be involved in the event and have therefore decided to hold a Christmas Day at the Holbeach Hub.”
The Christmas Day event is totally unconnected with the Holbeach St Nicholas Christmas Fayre, organised by members of the town’s All Saints Church, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4.
Coun Carter said: “The trustees feel that it would be great Holbeach to offer its residents two venues to visit on Sunday, December 4, with the Holbeach St Nicholas Fayre on as well.
“However, we will be offering different stalls and events at the Hub, therefore complementing the existing Holbeach St Nicholas Fayre which has run successfully for the past two years.”
Anyone who can help The Holbeach Hub with its Christmas Day should either contact Coun Carter on 07719 189528 or Coun Kay Piccaver, of Holbeach Parish Council, on 07935 155058.
Half of British children will own a mobile phone by the age of ELEVEN, according to new research.
The study of 2,000 parents shows the average child will receive a phone worth £120 on their eleventh birthday, and will then spend two hours every day glued to the device.
But four in 10 parents end up regretting giving their youngster a phone at such a young age - as by their teenage years the child is transfixed by the likes of social media, texts, and computer games.
Incredibly, researchers found one in 20 children will own a mobile handset by the age of SIX as parents give in to primary school peer pressure.
Owning a mobile phone comes at a price for parents - in addition to the £120 upfront fee, mums and dads will be expected to replace the phone at least twice due to it being lost, stolen or damaged.
Dan King, Nationwide’s Head of FlexPlus Current Account, which commissioned the poll, said: “Mobile phones have become central to our lives, so it’s not surprising that more and more young people are being given a phone.
“With children as young as primary school age being entrusted with a device, parents shouldn’t be surprised if it needs replacing or repairing on more than one occasion.”
The study, which considers mobile phone ownership amongst children, reveals two thirds of parents will allow their child to have internet access on their device as soon as they get it.
And 28 per cent of kids are then allowed to use their phone all day without any supervision from an adult - despite 46 per cent have access to social media channels.
A third of parents fear their children spend far too much time on their phone - with one in eight kids spending more than four hours a day chatting to mates and playing games.
According to the data, one in 10 children will use their mobile during the school day, and 12 per cent will log in to their phone as soon as they get home from school.
Just 10 per cent of children can wait until after dinner before checking their phone.
That’s on top of the £163 parents spend on securing a new mobile phone deal or device for themselves.
Just one in six parents will limit their child’s phone usage to emergencies only - with many admitting their child uses their phone for a range of activities.
Six in 10 children use their phone to play popular computer games, while 54 per cent will watch videos on the likes of YouTube and other social media channels.
More than half of youngsters will spend much of their time surfing the internet, and 49 per cent regularly listen to music.
But many parents purchase a phone for their children because they want them contactable at all times - 55 per cent want the flexibility to stay in touch and more than a third cite safety fears as a reason for getting a handset for their children.
Unfortunately, purchasing a phone only ADDS to the worry parents have.
A fifth of parents are concerned their child’s phone has now led to them not enjoying enough quality time with the family, and 16 per cent are concerned their child is missing out on face-to-face interactions with others.
One in five mums and dads understandably worry about how much they are having to spend on phone calls, apps, music and games.
As a result, two thirds of parents control how long their child spend on their phone by limiting their credit (42 per cent), confiscating the device in the evenings (21 per cent) and introducing strict rules on phone use (16 per cent).
Our appeal to help a little girl celebrate her tenth birthday in style is off to a great start.
Readers have been sending in birthday cards so cerebral palsy sufferer Alice Bates can open them on February 3 ... but there’s a long way to go before we have the 1,000 Alice is dreaming of so she can completely cover her bedroom walls.
From the day she was born, Alice has fought daily battles against numerous health conditions and her family are so proud of her for fighting on that they want to make her tenth birthday a year-long celebration.
The family, from Long Sutton, asked Alice to make ten birthday wishes for her 10th birthday. The Lincolnshire Free Press then launched the Ten for 10 Appeal because we want to help make two of those wishes come true.
We’re collecting the 1,000 cards sent in by readers and we’re also appealing for donations towards a £5,500 timber lodge to house a therapy play room.
In order to stay well, Alice has to do many exercises and it will be easier for her if the equipment can be set out in a single room.
The Lincs Free Press Children’s Fund started the ball rolling with a £500 donation and we’re appealing for your help in finding the rest.
Could you organise a fundraiser for Alice, perhaps in your school or at a village hall, or donate just a little? Every penny will go to the therapy play room as we don’t spend anything on administration.
Please send your cards and donations to the Lincolnshire Free Press, Priory House, The Crescent, Spalding PE11 1AB. Cards should be suitable for a girl of ten and addressed to Alice Bates, c/o our address. Please make any cheques payable to the Lincs Free Press Children’s Fund.
• Alice’s family, including mum Charlotte and dad Andy, are making Alice’s other dreams come true.
If you wish to discuss the appeal, please call reporter Lynne Harrison on 01775 765413 or email lynne.harrison@jpress.co.uk
Previously ...
Let’s make it the best ever birthday for Long Sutton girl Alice
The One Show’s Rickshaw Challenge will be in our part of Lincolnshire on Wednesday.
The Children In Need fundraisers will be pedalling through Kirton, Sutterton, Fosdyke, Saracen’s Head, Long Sutton, Little Sutton and Sutton Bridge before heading off to the Norfolk border.
The charity riders have been hit by delays but if you have access to a computer you can follow them on http://pudsey.viewranger.com/ to help gauge the approximate time they will be in your area.
The riders are making a 470 mile journey from the Scottish market town of Jedburgh to central London.
The rickshaw is being pedalled by six young people who have been supported by Children in Need funds.
The One Show’s presenter Matt Baker is among those accompanying the youngsters.
• The riders are due to arrive in Skegness tomorrow (Tuesday) and hope to broadcast an update during tomorrow’s The One Show.
The following decisions have been made by magistrates at court hearings. In all drink-drive cases the legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood or 107 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine. Addresses of defendants published here are taken from the legal records held by the magistrates’ courts. V/S means victim surcharge.
Boston Magistrates’ Court
October 19
Konstantins Jevsjukovs (43), of Horseshoe Lane, Kirton. Stole gold pocket watch and Albert chain worth £4,200 from Maudes Jewellers (Boston). Community order with 100 hours unpaid work, £85 v/s, £85 costs.
Mark Evans (49), of St Matthews Close, Holbeach. Drunk and disorderly and assaulting a police officer (Holbeach). 12 months conditional discharge, £30 compensation. Original offence in respect of conditional discharge. £50 fine.
Rebecca Holloway (19), of Winsover Road, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). £120 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Callum Sendall (19), of Westwood Drive, Lincoln. Drug driving (Holbeach St Matthews). L£370 fine, £37 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months. No separate penalty for possession of cannabis.
Jake Smallwood (26), of Greenside Park, New Crofton, Wakefield. Inflicted grievous bodily harm (Sutton Bridge). 4 months prison sentence suspended for 12 months, £1,000 compensation.
Peter Evans (33), of Gaunt Close, Spalding. Entered as a trespasser a dwelling and stole a camera, iPhone, tablet and games console of unknown value and £30 in cash (Spalding). 12 weeks prison sentence suspended for 12 months with rehabilitation activity requirement. £500 compensation, £85 costs. Attempted to steal money from machine cash box to value unknown belonging to Morrisons (Pinchbeck). 12 weeks prison sentence concurrent suspended for 12 months. Stole hard drives of value unknown from Sainsbury’s (Spalding). 12 weeks prison sentence concurrent suspended for 12 months. Stole 4 Seagate hard drives worth £280 from Sainsbury’s (Spalding). 12 weeks prison sentence concurrent suspended for 12 months. £200 compensation. No separate penalty for failing to surrender to custody.
Jamie Lee (21), of St Thomas Road, Spalding. Criminal damage (Holbeach). 12 months conditional discharge, £75 compensation, £85 costs.
October 24
Nedelcho Nedelchev, of Orchard Street, Peterborough. Deposited controlled waste, namely 2 sofas, on land other than in accordance with conditions contained within environmental permit (Spalding Common). £480 fine, £150 compensation, £48 v/s, £385 costs. No separate penalty for not being a registered carrier of controlled waste, in the course of business or otherwise with a view to profit, transported controlled waste.
October 25
Hazel Cooper (31), of Lenton Way, Frampton. Harassment and use of threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress and dangerous driving (Wyberton). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement, restraining order. £150 fine, £60 v/s, £150 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Lincoln Magistrates’ Court
October 18
Nigel Avison (51), of Main Street, Muston, Leics. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £348 fine, £35 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
Glen Bauckham (57), of Liams Way, Skegness. Speeding (Whaplode). £40 fine, 3pts.
Nicki Carter (43), of Acorn Drive, Gayton. Speeding (Moulton Marsh). £315 fine, £31 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months.
Casey Robinson (34), of Cekhira Avenue, Moulton Chapel. No insurance (Pinchbeck). £120 fine, £20 v/s, £40 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
Joshua Saville (18), of Kings Road, Holbeach. Driving without due care and attention (Holbeach). £330 fine, £85 costs, 6pts. No insurance. £440 fine, £44 v/s.
Luke Courtney (25), of Snaith Avenue, Fosdyke. No insurance (Boston). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than accordance with a licence.
Eaton Eldred (44), of Mitchell Drive, Spalding. Speeding (Sutterton). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £40 costs, 6pts.
Vladas Arlavicius (42), of Sybil Road, Wisbech. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
Michael Collins (36), of Newquay Road, Catford, London. Speeding (Crowland). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
Lynn Gilgannon (48), of Kingsbridge Drive, Rutherglen, Glasgow. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
Terry Gower (34), of Tarry Hill, Swineshead. Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence (Boston). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts. No separate penalty for speeding.
Kevin Hilton (42), of Cragg Close, Swineshead. Speeding (Boston). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
Lee Revell (48), of Hardwick Estate, Kirton. Registration mark not fixed to front of vehicle in manner prescribed by regulations (Kirton). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs.
Michelle Ward (32), of Chediston Street, Halesworth. No insurance (Bicker Bar). £660fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.
Bryan Morriss (31), of Fleet Street, Holbeach. Speeding (Wainfleet St Mary). £103 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.
Giuseppina Parla (37), of Park Avenue, Sutterton. Speeding (Boston). £40 fine, £20 v/s, £40 costs, 3pts.
October 19
Paul Clay (56), of Dennis Estate, Kirton. Assault (Lincoln). £50 compensation.
October 20
John Robson (69), of Godsey Crescent, Market Deeping. Failed to provide a specimen of breath (Market Deeping). £165 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Ionut Alexandru (35), of Shaw Lane, Old Leake. No insurance (Wyberton). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.
The population of Holbeach could be set for a 5,000-people spurt after plans for three separate housing schemes were given support.
More details of a 900-home development on 101 acres of land off Hall Gate and Fen Road, including an injection of more than £3 million into education, roads and Holbeach town centre improvements, have been agreed by South Holland District Council.
The plans by Ashley King Developments of Holbeach were originally approved in principle by the district council’s planning committee in July 2015, subject to certain conditions about the scheme and its impact on Holbeach being met.
A statement from the developers said: “The proposed development will create a sustainable, inclusive and integrated extension to Holbeach which respects the site’s location on the edge of a historic, rural market town.”
When it was first put forward in April 2014, opposition to it came from residents and Holbeach Parish Council which claimed that it could see the town’s population rise by “approximately 3,000-plus”.
During a public meeting about the plans in June 2014, resident Philip Wiseman said: “This development will add to the problems with parking in the town, as well as putting pressure on schools, medical services and the drainage system.”
In addition, a letter to district council planning officers from Holbeach Parish Council, which mentioned the estimated population surge said: “While the people of Holbeach appreciate homes are needed, they feel that we already have enough pockets of development on which homes are to be built.”
The full extent of the plans include a “one-form entry” primary school, plus an investment of more than £2.1 million into education around Holbeach, and a £1 million contribution to the planned A151/A17 Peppermint Junction roundabout.
There are also conditions for a £150,000 contribution towards traffic signals and pedestrian crossings in Holbeach town centre, as well as a £5,000 contribution towards regenerating the town centre.
District councillors also backed initial plans for up to 650 homes to be built near the A151 in Holbeach.
A statement from applicants Lincolnshire County Council said: “We intend to deliver a development that is sustainable and responsive to its surroundings, to the benefit of Holbeach and the wider South Holland area.”
Based on parish council estimates for the Hall Gate/Fen Road development, the new homes on land to between the A17 and A151 could see an extra 2,000 people living in Holbeach.
Plan unveiled for 900 homes in Holbeach
Thousands of people in towns and villages across South Holland attended Remembrance Sunday parades and services.
Spalding had its traditional parade from Market Place to Ayscoughfee Gardens, where the Rev John Bennett led a service attended by more than a thousand people.
The chairman of South Holland District Council, Coun Michael Seymour, and MP John Hayes were among those laying wreaths at Spalding’s war memorial in the morning – both men also attended the traditional afternoon parade in Holbeach, which started at the community centre and finished at the town’s war memorial.
Young and old, including Second World War veterans, took part in the parades and services.
Colin Jackman, chairman of Spalding branch of The Royal British Legion, said: “The parade went very well.”
As well as air and army cadets, youngsters from the Scouts took part in the parade and service.
The choir from St Mary and St Nicolas Church sang in bright autumn sunshine as wreaths were laid by civic leaders and ex-service organisations. Members of the public also left their own tributes at the foot of the memorial.
In Holbeach, Stamford Brass played during the parade and played Last Post.
A cracker of a Spalding Christmas Market will be held in the town centre on Sunday, November 27.
Former town centre manager Dennis Hannant returns to oversee the festive event that he began organising before he left his post at the end of August.
From 10am to 2pm there will be around 25 stalls centred on Hall Place selling a wide variety of products, including seasonal plants and wreaths, Lincolnshire cheese, crafts, jewellery, Forever Living products, and clothing.
There will be the chance for grown-ups to sip mulled wine, or enjoy teas and coffees, and fun for the youngsters too as an electric go-karting track will be set up in Sheep Market and Rotary’s Santa Claus will be in town.
Street performer Alfie the Elf will join the celebrations to show off some of his tricks and have fun with shoppers.
The Salvation Army Band will be playing seasonal tunes and Christmas carols to help get everyone in the festive spirit.
Mr Hannant said: “I think it’s going to be really good.
“I am hoping people will come in their numbers and have a great time.”
Last year’s Christmas Market was postponed for a week due to forecasted high winds but Mr Hannant hopes there will be no disruption this year.
Today (Tuesday) and on Saturday, market traders are due to dress up for Dickensian Christmas Markets.
Tulip Radio’s popular School Choir Competition this year starts at 10am on Friday, December 2, at St John the Baptist Church, Spalding, and it will be combined with a veterans’ badge presentation by South Holland and the Deepings MP John Hayes.
Among other attractions lined up are Carols around the Christmas Tree, due to take place on each Saturday in December, and a Polish Santa Claus Day on Tuesday, December 6.
Various bands are due to take part in the carols and the entertainment will be complemented by other groups.
• The town’s tree is due to have new lights this year thanks to investment agreed by the town centre management board and donations made by district councillors from their ward budgets.
The much sought-after Lincs Skies Calendar is now available in Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance shop in Spalding Sheep Market, with all proceeds being donated to charity.
Produced by Lincs Skies and featuring the 12 winning photos from a recent Lincolnshire Big Skies competition on the @LincsSkies Twitter page, it shows the best of Lincolnshire’s beautiful skies all year round, from perfect summer days with no cloud in sight to frosty, fog-covered winter scenes.
The colour, A3 wall calendar would make the perfect Christmas gift and is on sale for £9. You can also buy a copy online at www.lincsskies.com or in a range of smaller shops and businesses across Lincolnshire, all listed on the Lincs Skies website.
Rachel Rodgers, who started @LincsSkies in March, said: “I’ve been completely overwhelmed by the support from local businesses and the online Lincs Skies community, all of whom helped to get the calendar idea off the ground.
“I’m really grateful to the judges of the competition and the sponsors, without whom I couldn’t have funded the printing costs.
“The best part is that if we sell all the calendars we print, we will raise a significant amount of money for the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, a fantastic Charity that helps to save lives every day.”
Each time the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance are called out to an emergency situation it costs around £2,100. On average the crew attends three incidents a day, 365 days of the year. Each year the charity needs to raise £2.1million to keep flying and saving lives.
Sally Crawford, deputy chief executive of the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, added: “The Lincs Skies Calendar is a perfect gift for friends and relatives. It is quite fitting that the calendar features photos of some beautiful skies as our crew spend a lot of time in the air and often see for themselves some stunning sights.
“The glossy calendar is of good quality and is beautifully designed. It is the ideal way to enjoy the beautiful big skies of Lincolnshire whilst helping to keep our Ambucopter flying and helping to save lives.
“We’re delighted that Rachel chose to support our Charity and are excited to be selling the calendars in our shops across Lincolnshire.”
Voluntary groups, public and private sector businesses have until Monday to apply for a share of £160,000 worth of funding for Greater Lincolnshire.
The Feasibility Fund, managed by Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) to promote investment and economic activity across the county, is open to any scheme aimed at business development and job creation.
Individual grants of up to £50,000 are avaiable, provided organisations and businesses can come up with at least half of the costs towards schemes that have gone beyond an initial, “pilot” stage.
Ursula Lidbetter MBE, chairman of the GLLEP, said: “We recognise that many organisations have the interest, enthusiasm and ideas to bring forward new development opportunities that will help us to achieve our shared ambitions for local economic growth.
“We are therefore keen to use some of our resources to help those organisations complete the detailed technical and feasibility works required and drive the best proposals forward to the point of commercial reality and delivery on site.”
For more details about the Feasibility Fund, visit www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk
Tesco stores in Holbeach, Market Deeping and Bourne are asking shoppers to help elderly and vulnerable people by taking part in a Christmas Gift Box Appeal this weekend.
The three stores, as well as Tesco sites in Wyberton Fen and Sleaford, will be open for you to donate small items, such as sweets, chocolate, socks and puzzle books, up until Sunday.
Staff at all five stores will then fill the gift boxes before giving them to the elderly and people who are vulnerable in their area this Christmas.
Next month, the filled gift boxes will be wrapped and delivered by Tesco colleagues to their selected charities.
Martin Reece, store manager at Tesco in Market Deeping, said: “This is the first time that 25 Tesco stores in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire have teamed up to run a Christmas gift box campaign.
“We are proud of the efforts of all colleagues who are contributing their time and we are looking forward to giving back to the charities in our community this Christmas.
“We hope this campaign is as important to our customers as it is to us and are able to participate this week.”
A building at Bourne Cemetery and a home under renovation in the town have both been broken into and “trashed”, according to police in the town.
The cemetery building in South Road and a home in Alexandra Terrace, being renovated for an elderly man, were both targeted between 8pm on Sunday and 7am on Monday.
Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident numbers 54 and/or 62 of November 14.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The Pennygate Foundation in Spalding is £500 better off after a donation by the Spalding Masoinic Lodge.
The money came from the Masonic Provincial Benevolent Fund and was presented by Mason David Turner to project manager Brenda Wickham.
The Pennygate Foundation, based at Spalding’s Pennhygate, is a community project that provides help and services for the community of Spalding and district following austerity cutsin areas important to health and wellbeing.
The £500 will be used towards the upkeep of the Foundation’s mini-bus.
Photo (SG101116-900TW)
Spalding Lions have released their Santa Timetable for 2016 and he will be visiting the following locations with them, in his new sleigh, sponsored by European exhibition specialists Euro Concept International from Spalding - .
On Thursday, December 1 he will be in Donington, visiting Market Place, Station Street, Barnes Road, Cowleys Road, Malting Lane, Town Dam Lane, Salters Way, Beech Grove, Chestnut Avenue, Ash Court, Top of Laurel Close, Maple Way, Flinders Road, Summerson Close, Lindum Way, Orchard Close and Mill Lane.
• Friday, December 2 will see him cover the rest of Donington, taking in Park Lane, Gleed Avenue, Church View Close, Church Street, Main Road, Church Lane, Browntoft Lane, Manchester Way, Badgate Lane, Crosslands, Mill Lane, Mallards Reach, Saxony Way, Highfield Road and Market Place.
• Monday, December 5, Quadring: Town Drove, Casswell Drive, Boyfields, Ashwin Gate, Dovecotes, Ludlow Gardens, Watergate, Charlotte Walk, Gosberton Road and St Margarets.
• Wednesday, December 7, Gosberton: High Street, Park Close, Bowgate, Lila Drive, Churchfleet Lane, Poachers Hide, Welby Drive, Cambridge Gardens and Low Gate.
• Thursday, December 8, still Gosberton: Mill Lane, Rutland Gardens, Medway Close, Poplar Drive, Belchmire Lane, Godfrey Avenue, Whitehall, Salem Street, Wargate Way, Field Close and Westhorpe Road.
• Monday, December 12, Pinchbeck: Brayfields, St. Marys Avenue, Rose Lane, Wimberley Way, Harpe Close, Mountbatten Avenue, Independence Drive, Edwina Avenue, Viceroy Drive, Burma Avenue, Kelly Close, Viscount Close, Pennytoft Lane, Penway Drive, Pennyfields, Mayfield Close and Cherryholt Lane.
• Wednesday, December 14, still Pinchbeck: Rotten Row, Laxton Gardens, Southgate, Orchard Close, Rose Lane, Fennel Road, Wayet Road, The Chase, Primrose Crescent, Westfield Drive, Forge Crescent, Knight Street, Top of Guildhall Drive, Main Road Church to the Bull, Bear Lane, Brownlow Crescent and Glen Avenue.
• Thursday, December 15 si the final night in Pinchbeck, visiting Birch Close, Captains Beck, Poachers Gate, Meadow Close, Crossgate Lane, Flaxmill Lane, Crossgate Crescent, The Hawthorns, Milestone Lane, Main Road, Oldhams Drive, Horsepit Lane, Ranville Close, Oakland Way, Town Farm Close and Church Street.
• Monday, December 19: West Pinchbeck, Six House Bank Crossroads, Starlode Drove, Elizabeth Crescent, Linden Way, Rural Avenue, Edinburgh Walk, Glenside South to Blacksmiths Row, Dozens Bank back to Bridge.
• Tuesday, December 20: Weston, High Road, Small Drove, Dean Close, Park Court, Delgate Avenue, Broadgate, Armstrong Close, St. Mary Close, Beggars Bush lane Junction to Baytree, High Road, Edgefield, Wimberley Close, Hutchinson Gardens, St. Lamberts Grove and Park Road.
• Wednesday, December 21: Surfleet, Chip Shop, St Laurence Close, Main Road, Stockhouse Lane, Surfleet Road, Mermaid Pub, Sunnydale Close, Station Road, School Crescent, Glen Gardens, Kingfisher Drive, Heron Close and Riverside Pub.
I write regarding the refurbishment of the Holbeach Road branch of McDonald’s.
Having visited the restaurant last week, I have to say that I found the experience depressing and the waiting time unacceptable.
It was 8.50am on a Thursday, which could hardly be regarded as a peak time.
I didn’t want to use the new kiosks, and always pay with cash anyway (the kiosks only accept cards), so I went to the counter. Nobody was there.
A member of staff did call out that someone would be with me as soon as possible.
An assistant duly arrived and took my order. I got a till receipt with an order number at the top.
There is a screen (similar to those in Argos) displaying which orders are being processed.
The new-fangled approach is to prepare each meal individually, which rather goes against the concept of fast food.
The staff, fewer in number than before, were rushed off their feet coping with drive-through requests, with four windows now in operation.
Finally, my food was brought up to the counter to collect ... eight minutes after I placed my order.
While I was waiting, I observed other customers who had sat down to wait. All of them waited inordinately long for their meals to arrive.
In short, the refurbishment is a retrograde step. It takes far longer to get your meal than before.
By the time I left 20 minutes later, there were 15 people in the queue, some with kiosk orders, some having ordered or about to at the counter.
You could tell that the staff were completely overwhelmed.
Now, this particular restaurant usually gets very busy towards midday, and especially in the summer or when schools are out.
It just isn’t going to cope with the typical customer footfall one normally sees.
Whatever happen to if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
HAYES IN THE HOUSE: By MP John Hayes
In advanced democracies, political earthquakes - genuine moments that shake the prevailing order and unleash significant change - are very rare. In my lifetime the rejection of the previous policies which heralded the elections of Margaret Thatcher here and Ronald Reagan in the United States counts; perhaps too the New Labour landslide of 1997 which its cheerleaders portended as a new dawn for liberalism, a claim that looks as absurd now as it was hyperbolic then.
Donald Trump’s extraordinary victory over Hillary Clinton last week was such an example of a political tremor. Many saw little virtue in either candidate or their respective pitch for the role of leader of the free world, but the American people chose a fundamental rejection of the political orthodoxy by entrusting the Presidency to someone with no history of public service who claimed he wants a clean break from ‘business as usual’.
It’s hard to predict where such a radical change of direction will lead America, let alone the rest of the world. Certainly Trump’s bombast and vulgarity are unedifying and very hard to square with English sensibilities, but perhaps we shouldn’t be too quick to despair. Mr Trump’s acceptance speech showed him in a more gracious aspect, and back in 1980 many mocked fellow outsider Ronald Reagan for his homespun ways and early big screen career - but he went on to restore prosperity, helped to end the Cold War and was a true friend to the United Kingdom. For conservatives, understandably, he is a hero.
Donald Trump frequently compared his campaign to that of Brexit, but we should be cautious about drawing too many parallels. Our vote to leave the EU was about restoring national sovereignty; Trump’s triumph seems more of a reaction to the political cabal that many Americans felt had held onto power for too long. Given the expectations that he’s fuelled, it remains to be seen whether Mr Trump is capable of rising to the challenge he now faces.
What the two results do have in common is a rejection of the liberal establishment and its values. Trump’s win, despite the efforts of much big business and most of the media – and to the surprise of the pollsters, who once again got it wrong - shows that people are fed up with a patronising liberal elite who have little understanding of, or empathy for, the concerns of the “forgotten people” that he so often speaks about.
Last week’s result was unexpected and will be unpopular with some. Regardless, America is, and will remain, our strongest ally, and the world’s great superpower in terms of economic and military might. Ronald Reagan memorably called the United States a “shining city upon the hill”; it’s time to borrow a bit of his optimism and hope.
Staff and pupils at St Bartholomew’s Church of England Primary School had ‘onesie’ thing in mind on Monday – and that was to raise funds for World Diabetes Day.
Pupils – and some of the teachers – paid a pound to wear their favourite onesie or pyjamas to make some cash forJDRF, the Type 1 Diabetes charity.
The school holds a diabetes fundraiser every year, not only to make money for a great cause but also to show support to Year 3 pupil Faith Robinson, who has Type 1 Diabetes.
Head teacher James Shawley – AKA Superman – told the Spalding Guardian: “The day went very well and the children enjoyed dressing up... as did some of the staff.”
Faith, of West Pinchbeck, was diagnosed with the chronic condition when she was just two years old after a chest infection attacked her pancreas.
Her mum, Gemma Robinson, has gone on to raise thousands of pounds for the charity through staging popular annual fundraising balls ion Spalding.
This year’s Spalding Christmas tree display is set to be better than ever, thanks to support from the new Christmas lights contractor.
Cozens UK agreed to decorate and sponsor the tree for Spalding Town Forum and will even add a further 30 feet of additional lighting.
Coun Jack McLean, Chairman of the Spalding Town Forum and South Holland District councillor for District Councillor for Spalding St John’s, said: “With Cozens handling the lights and Baytree Garden Centre having supplied a fantastic tree we can truly boast a community-led display in Spalding this year.
“I’m sure that residents and visitors to the town will appreciate and enjoy this spectacular festive spectacle.
“Cozens have been fully supportive of our situation and have continuously found innovative ways to help provide a great display at excellent value for the tax payer.”
Scott Cozens, director of Cozens UK, added: “We will do our best to make this year’s Christmas display the best one yet.”
Vehicle owners in South Holland are being told to keep them locked and put valuables out of sight after a spate of break-ins at the weekend.
There were three reports of stereos stolen from a van and cars parked in Knight Street and Poachers Gate, Pinchbeck, overnight between Sunday and Monday.
PC Craig Lockton, based at Spalding Police Station, said: “We have received a number of reports about insecure vehicles that have had valuable items taken from them.
“Please lock your vehicles and make sure all valuables are removed from them.”