A call for women to volunteer for munition and other work was made in Spalding Corn Exchange in 1917.

A meeting had been called by the Peterborough Advisory Committee on Women’s War Employment and there were representatives there from a Government munition factory and of a large dye works.

Those gathered were told the object of the meeting was to appeal to all the women and girls of Spalding and district to “go to war work of urgent national importance”.

They heard: “The call to women for military service in France had been responded to so nobly and generously that recruiting had had to be stopped.”

However, the chairman felt sure the women present aged 18 to 40 would show equal patriotism and “respond heartily to this call for volunteers to work to provide the munitions to help the boys at the front to win the war”.

They were not asking the women then working on the land to volunteer for this work, it was explained.

They were told: “We want to see the war won by our men, aided by our women, and it will then stand to the everlasting credit and honour of the women of England that they shared in the greatest victory in the greatest war in the history of the world.”

It was said that 30,000 women were needed immediately for munitions.

The Government, trying to beat the German monopoly of the dye trade, was trying to establish the dye industry in this country. A large number of women were required, and if they proved satisfactory, permanent positions would be open to them.

The wages were 24 shillings a week for 48 hours, and arrangements were made by the firm for the housing of employees – 15 shillings a week would cover all expenses of board, lodging, laundry. Working “trousered uniforms” were provided.

A South Holland farmer is helping to shape plans to cut flood risk and safeguard 
water supplies in the county.

Mark Tinsley spoke at the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnerhip (LEP) launch of the Water Management Plan, which was devised with a wide range of partners, including drainage boards.

He said then: “Greater Lincolnshire is a growth area which is planning to create 100,000 new homes and 29,000 new jobs and grow its economy by £8billion by 2030.

“My ambition is that we don’t see flooding and water supply as two separate issues but as two sides of the same challenge.”

He says two flood alleviation schemes are almost complete, one in Louth costing £6.5million and another in Horncastle costing £8.1million.

Projects in the pipeline include the £100million Boston Barrier, prompted by the tidal surge of December 2013, when nearly 600 businesses and homes were flooded.

Another involves £1.175million to be spent on raising sea banks at Wrangle, between Boston and Skegness.

There are no flood alleviation works planned for South Holland because each scheme is devised around perceived risk and this area has been well protected by drainage boards as well as a major engineering project in Spalding.

Mr Tinsley, who chairs the Greater Lincolnshire Water Management Board, says the installation and the opening of The Coronation Channel in 1953 “was a brilliant idea”.

“It was put in to substantially reduce the chances of flooding in Spalding,” he said. “Literally by putting in that channel they are reducing by approximately half the amount of water going through the middle of town and, therefore, reducing the risk.”

Because of a predicted long-term flood risk, that hinges on failure of sea defences, the EA now insists some Spalding new build homes must have habitable floors at a minimum height of 1.8m above the outside ground level.

Lincolnshire makes up 17 per cent of England’s floodplain but is also one of the driest places in the country and prone to drought.

Boston’s Black Sluice Drainage Board pumps a vast quantity of water out to sea but Mr Tinsley believes it could be stored in reservoirs to meet Lincolnshire’s future needs.

He said: “Anglian Water are driving that because they know they are going to need a lot more water on the east coast by 2050.”

• What do you think? Email lynne.harrison@
iliffepublishing.co.uk

A joint effort to tackle disorder and minor crime in Crowland has started this week as figures show that incidents have nearly doubled this year.

Police and South Holland District Council officers will be carrying out weekly “engagement events” aimed at youths in the town who, it is claimed, regularly hang around the town centre at night.

Figures provided by the police to Crowland Parish Council members at its meeting on Monday showed that reports of burglary, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour (ASB) had jumped by nearly 50 per cent over the past year.

There were ten burglaries, nine reports of criminal damage and 33 incidents of anti-social behaviour reported to police between December 2016 and March 2017, compared to a total of 36 a year earlier.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said: “South Holland District Council and Neighbourhood Policing Team officers will be conducting joint events in the area to engage with the youths, educate them and enforce where necessary and appropriate.

“They will also be seeking to engage with members of the public and encourage them in the reporting of incidents of ASB so they can be dealt with effectively.”

Frustration over the amount of low-level crime and disorder in Crowland was reported by our sister newspaper, the Lincolnshire Free Press, last month.

Criticism over the lack of a police presence in the town led to a meeting between parish councillors and senior police officers last week.

Coun David Ringham, chairman of Crowland Parish Council, said: “I thought it was quite a constructive meeting where we were able to put our feelings across.

“Some of those feelings were accepted, including the fact that we were very concerned about this problem with the youths and what’s happening with them.

“We felt that they were the priority at the moment and we’re here to help them with anything we can do.

“The council understands the problems there are in regards to police manpower and we’re happy to meet with the youths because if they have got issues, then we can deal with them.”

A leaflet drop is taking place in Crowland so that people can report crimes to police on the 101 non-emergency number.

Coun Ringham said: “We’ve set up another meeting to see what action is taken.”

Sisters Chelsy Sharpe and Lacie Cambridge are saying it with flowers – and much more – at their shop, Florals, in Long Sutton.

Chelsy (27) and Lacie (23) are catering for all kinds of family occasions from their premises in Hoddins Way, including parties, christenings, weddings, funerals and anniversaries.

“We don’t just do flowers,” says Chelsy. “We can literally organise the whole party, really.”

Among items in stock are a big selection of helium balloons, a wide range of cards for special occasions and wrapping paper.

There’s also a sweet cart for hire.

The sisters have set a room aside so customers can discuss arrangements for their big events.

And they are determined to keep their prices “reasonable”, while maintaining the look of luxury.

Chelsy was running the business from home for a start but decided the switch to new premises would give their customers a greater opportunity to look at the goods they have on offer and to discuss services face to face.

Lacie said: “We just wanted to open a shop where the prices aren’t expensive.

“We are mums ourselves and we know how much kids’ parties can cost – and weddings.

“We wanted to have things at a reasonable price, affordable, but still maintain the luxury side of it.

“We are very family-orientated and, because of that, we have a little private room where we can talk to customers.”

The sisters are ex- pupils of the former George Farmer School at Holbeach.

Chelsy is married to Danny and they have three children. Lacie is married to Jarred and they have four daughters.

• Do you have a new business success story to share? Email lynne.harrison@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Fundraising duo Jackie Gargett and Donna Kent are staging a fashion show to help a charity build two new homes in a deprived area of Mexico.

The friends and work colleagues at NFU Mutual in Camel Gate, Spalding, will run their show at Weston Hills Village Hall in association with Lincs Fashions.

The show runs from 7pm-9pm on Tuesday, March 28, and promises this season’s fashions from the likes of Next, Wallis and M&S with at least 50 per cent off the ticket value. There will also be local models on the catwalk so the audience can experience a great night out.

Jackie (57), from Weston Hills, decided to support M10 Missions because her nephew, Ryan Coe (15), will travel to Mexico with his school this summer to help with the charity’s work, which includes supporting orphanages and women’s refuges.

Jackie and Donna (30), from Sutterton, have been fundraising for a variety of good causes, including the Spalding-based Agape Care foodbank, for the last six years.

Jackie said: “There’s no better excuse to support charity when there’s fashion involved, especially when cheap as chips retail therapy is on offer.

“It will be such a fun night, and even better for knowing that great work will be done because of it.”

Jackie is originally from the north east and Ryan is at school in Newcastle.

He will go to Mexico in August with teenagers aged 16-18 years.

“Ryan says he will experience life in a Third World country for himself instead of watching it from behind a TV screen,” said Jackie.

On the fashion show night, all money from the £3 ticket price sales and the refreshments sold will go the charity.

“We will be selling homemade cakes and tea,” said Jackie.

Please call Donna on 07809 737006 to buy your fashion show tickets.

• Are you doing something to help a great cause? Email lynne.harrison@
iliffepublishing.co.uk

Top scorer Scott Coupland brought up Deeping Rangers’ century of league goals as they took another step towards runners-up spot.

His second goal of the afternoon was the Clarets’ 100th so far this season in the ChromaSport & Trophies United Counties League Premier Division.

Jason Kilbride got the opener on 36 minutes and Coupland soon doubled the advantage.

Scott Mooney’s second-half effort was disallowed for offside and Eynesbury Rovers were reduced to 10 men before Coupland struck again.

However, it was another day to forget for Holbeach United.

The Tigers went down 3-0 at Wellingborough Town who took control with goals from Jack Wisniewski, Adam Speight and Jake Gillingwater at the Dog & Duck.

Bourne Town shared six goals with Whitworth in Division One.

The Wakes went ahead through Scott Dore after two minutes and he made it 2-2 just before the half-hour mark.

Jack Humphries put Bourne ahead with seven minutes left but Dore was dismissed for a second bookable offence and the Wellingborough side levelled four minutes into stoppage-time at Abbey Lawn.

Bradley Bauress got the only goal as second-placed Witton Albion beat promotion rivals Spalding United in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division South.

EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

First Division South: Basford 1 Gresley 0, Carlton 0 Bedworth 0, Chasetown 0 Sheffield 0, Leek 0 Belper 1, Market Drayton 2 Lincoln 1, Northwich 1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 4, Romulus 0 Rugby 3, Shaw Lane 2 Newcastle 1, Spalding 0 Witton 1, Stamford 1 Kidsgrove 1, Stocksbridge Park Steels 4 Loughborough Dynamo 2.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Knockout Cup semi-final: Desborough 2 Wisbech 2 (1-4 on pens; Wisbech to play Yaxley).

Premier Division: Deeping 3 Eynesbury 0, Harrowby 1 Newport Pagnell 2, Kirby Muxloe 7 Huntingdon 2, Leicester Nirvana 3 Boston 4, ON Chenecks 3 Harborough 2, Rothwell Corinthians 1 Peterborough Sports 4, Wellingborough 3 Holbeach 0.

Division One: Bourne 3 Whitworth 3, Bugbrooke St Michaels 2 Daventry 1, Lutterworth 1 Buckingham 1, Melton 2 Blackstones 3, Oakham 0 Potton 5, Olney 3 Rushden & Higham 0, Stewarts & Lloyds 0 Raunds 4.

Reserve Division: Eynesbury 2 Harborough 1, Irchester 3 Bourne 2, Newport Pagnell 3 Lutterworth 4, Potton 0 Cogenhoe 2, Raunds 0 Desborough 2, Whitworth 0 Rothwell Corinthians 2.

PFA JUNIOR CUP

Oundle Res 0 Bretton North End 7, Whaplode Drove 3 FC Peterborough 4 (aet).

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT LEAGUE

Premier Division: Holbeach Res 6 Uppingham 1, Leverington Sports 0 Ketton 2, Moulton Harrox 2 Langtoft 1, Peterborough ICA Sports 0 AFC Stanground Sports 2, Peterborough Sports Res 2 Sawtry 0, Pinchbeck 2 Netherton 1, Stamford Lions 3 Deeping Res 1, Stilton 0 Thorney 4, Wisbech Res 0 Crowland 0.

Division One: Glinton & Northborough 1 Oundle 3, Kings Cliffe 2 Oakham Res 2, Long Sutton 0 Stamford Belvedere 7, Netherton Res 3 Baston 3, Sutton Bridge 1 Whittlesey Res 4, Warboys 3 Moulton Harrox Res 5, Wittering Harriers 3 Spalding Res 2.

Division Two: Crowland Res 4 Parkway Eagles 3, Ketton Res 0 Ramsey 3, Langtoft Res 6 Netherton A 1, Spalding Town 0 AFC Stanground Sports Res 6, Tydd St Mary 1 Stamford Lions Res 1, Whittlesey A 3 Leverington Sports Res 1.

Division Three: AFC Stanground Sports A 7 Whittlesey B 1, Sawtry Res 7 Rutland DR 2, Stamford Belvedere Res 0 Brotherhood Sports 3, Uppingham Res 0 Farcet 4.

Division Four: FC Peterborough Res 1 Cardea 10, Netherton B 4 Tydd St Mary Res 2, Parkside 5 Long Sutton Res 1, Premiair 7 Wittering Harriers Res 0, Whittlesey C 1 Holbeach Bank 3.

Division Five A: Feeder Res 2 Eunice Huntingdon 3, Peterborough NECI 6 Orton Rangers 2.

Division Five B: AFC Orton 9 Leverington Sports A 0, British School of Sport 2 Kings Cliffe Res 2, Riverside Res 9 Wisbech Town Acorns 4.

BALCAN LIGHTING SUPPLIES LINCOLNSHIRE LEAGUE

CGB Humbertherm 0 Brigg Res 3, Grimsby Borough Res 3 Horncastle 1, Market Rasen 0 Skegness Town 4.

Supplementary Cup quarter-final: Louth 2 Sleaford Sports Amateurs 1.

TAYLORS SERVICE GARAGES BOSTON LEAGUE

Taylors Garages Premier Division: Old Leake 1 Boston College 9, Pointon 4 Coningsby 3.

Taylors Peugeot Division One: Fishtoft 5 Old Doningtonians 1, Fosdyke 0 FC Kirton 1, Horncastle Res 1 Railway 3, Kirton Town 0 Swineshead Res 3.

Taylors Ford Division Two: Boston International 2 Billinghay Res 0, Coningsby Res 6 Pointon Res 1, FC Wrangle 5 Kirton Town Res 1, Spilsby Res 5 Park 0, Swineshead A 1 Sibsey 9.

Taylors Vauxhall Division Three: Boston Athletic 5 Mareham 0, Boston College Res 2 Wyberton A 4, Holbeach Bank 2 Benington Res 3, Leverton Sheepgate Res 2 Northgate Olympic 5, Old Doningtonians Res 1 Spalding Harriers 1.

Sharman Burgess Boston Sports Cup quarter-finals: Billinghay 3 Woodhall Spa 2, Spilsby 10 Fulbeck 1, Swineshead 4 Leverton Sheepgate 0, Wyberton Res 3 Friskney 0.

It’s certainly a day to forget when you have more yellow cards than clear-cut chances.

That was the case for third-placed Spalding United on Saturday in their fifth home defeat of the season.

The Tulips were second best as Witton Albion showed why they are championship contenders rather than play-off hopefuls.

Bradley Bauress produced a rare moment of quality with the only goal of a poor game.

His left-foot volley on 11 minutes made the difference after Spalding switched off at a couple of throw-ins with a lack of concentration.

Soon afterwards, they were lucky as William Jones smashed a shot off the bar.

Witton’s fifth successive win – taking their unbeaten run to 12 league games in the past two months – was well 
deserved.

They looked sharper and stronger, especially before the break when the visitors were first to every ball.

Quite simply, Spalding couldn’t get going until much later.They never got out of first gear and lacked quality.

Although the Tulips were better in the second half, the reality is that the display could not get any worse.

They got nowhere near the dominance which Witton had enjoyed for at least an hour.

Ultimately, Spalding were left frustrated when a header by Kern Miller was ruled out in stoppage-time as the ball had gone out of play before Jonny Lockie delivered the right-wing cross.

Overall, though, the Tulips didn’t deserve anything out of a poor performance.

It would have been a bonus point at the end.

Hopefully, this defeat will not prove damaging but it’s all about how Spalding bounce back now.

They still have a nice gap to hold onto a play-off place and third spot would mean a home semi-final.

So there is plenty to play for – but without any doubt, Spalding must do better than this.

It took them 51 minutes to record an attempt on goal and Leon Mettam’s free-kick flew out of the ground!

Nathan Stainfield saw a header comfortably gathered but at the other end, he was perhaps fortunate not to give away a penalty.

The big chance of a late leveller fell to Stainfield 10 yards out but the ball rolled agonisingly wide of the far post.

Miller thought he had grabbed a goal but the flag had been raised by the assistant referee.

With limited options on the bench due to suspensions and a couple of players being unavailable, Tulips boss Chris Rawlinson tried to make some changes and apply pressure.

However, they struggled to break down Witton all day and couldn’t create chances or pose any real threat.

SPALDING UNITED

4-4-2: Duggan 5; Lemon 5, Miller 5, Stainfield 5, Walker 5; Beeson 5, Downey 5 (sub Field 80 mins), Varley 5 (sub Lockie 73 mins), Acar 5; Wells 5, Mettam 5. Subs not used: Butland, Heeley.

WITTON ALBION

4-4-2: Hare; Gardner, Brown, Lycett, Wilson; Tames, Williams, Owens, Bauress (sub Haywood 73 mins); Jones, Hopley. Subs not used: Devine, Omotola, Sloane, Noon.

REFEREE

Andrew Dallison.

GOAL

Bauress (11 mins, 0-1).

BOOKINGS

Lemon, Wells, Brown, Stainfield (fouls); Acar (dissent); Downey, Williams (unsporting behaviour).

ATTENDANCE

181

STAR MAN

Sponsors’ award went to Bradley Wells but nobody deserves credit.

ENTERTAINMENT

★★

WHO’S NEXT

Belper Town (H) – Saturday.

Boss Chris Rawlinson wants Spalding United to bounce back in style before they take on promotion rivals Witton Albion again next month.

The Cheshire club took three points from the Sir Halley Stewart Field on Saturday thanks to Bradley Bauress’ goal on 11 minutes.

Spalding remain in third place in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division South.

They are back home next weekend against Belper Town ahead of four successive away games – including the trip to Witton on April 6.

Rawlinson admitted: “We were poor in the first half on Saturday.

“I thought we were much better in the second half and probably the better side.

“They won the first half and we won the second half so a 1-1 draw would have been a fair result.

“They scored and hit the bar. We had two chances and didn’t take them – that’s the difference at this level.

“Witton looked sharper and having a few players unavailable has probably cost us if you want to win these games. I thought in particular we missed Nathan Whitehead in midfield. We couldn’t get going early on.

“We can take confidence that for long spells we were as good as them, if not better.

“But we were not good enough in the first half. There was a bit of arguing creeping in and we had to stamp that out.

“I was angry at half-time. It was frustrating because we had a bad 20-minute spell. We were not ourselves.

“We came out stronger in the second half and I thought we responded well.

“We’re not a million miles away but we have to bounce back with a win next time. It’s critical we manage that.

“After the defeat to Shaw Lane last month, we bounced back with six points.

“We’d like to do the same again before we play Witton away on a Thursday night.”

HAYES IN THE HOUSE: By MP John Hayes

Last week, like millions of other Britons, I enjoyed pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, a tradition dating back to the times when it was necessary to use up those ingredients to be foregone for the 40 days of Lent which follows.

Now I suspect few people give up eggs, flour or milk – the staple of pancakes – with many instead choosing to 
sacrifice luxuries such as chocolate, alcohol, or, apparently, in the case of the Prime Minister, salt and vinegar crisps.

Though Lent is a Christian observance, a period of contemplation ahead of Easter’s feast, it is also a chance for all of us – regardless of religious belief – to consider what we can go without for six or so weeks.

Such self-discipline is a challenge in the modern world, especially when one considers that the goods we consume are more easily available than ever before, and often cheaper too.

More fundamentally, much of popular culture celebrates excess, a preoccupation with living only for the moment with, for many, material satisfaction being confused with fulfilment. By contrast, the notion of restraint is seen as old fashioned, and somehow pointless.

Though consumerism has provided us with a remarkable variety of goods – in ways previous generations could scarcely have imagined – endless plenty impedes our ability to value these things. Having strawberries out of season superficially appeals, but makes them much less special.

Economists call this the law of diminishing returns; in essence, scarcity breeds desire and underpins value. Cheap supermarket food has led to huge quantities of wasted produce, and some people even think nothing of discarding low-cost clothes after wearing them a handful of times.

The environmental cost of all this is immense, not to mention the human toll, given so many cheap goods come from overseas.

Finger-tipped access to a vast choice of things lures us to what we want here and now, so subsuming need and value. Immediate gratification of material desire is fleeting, bringing only cheap thrills – the antithesis of the rich meaning behind Lent, a time for sacrifices and contemplation.

Having treats, saving up for something special, giving not receiving may seem rather old fashioned, but they all make hearts soar.

The leader of South Holland District Council has challenged the Government to cut a ‘new deal’ and bring down the nation’s £2 million homelessness bill.

Coun Gary Porter, also chairman of the Local Government Association (LGA) warned that “huge financial pressures” were forcing councils to choose between housing the homeless and building affordable homes.

The warning came before yesterday’s Budget in which Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond announced an extra £2 billion for councils to spend on adult social care over the next three years.

Coun Porter said: “Homelessness is spreading across all areas of the country and funding pressures, combined with a lack of affordable housing and private sector rents rising above household incomes, will increase it. Together, it is leaving many councils struggling to find suitable accommodation for those in need, particularly those who are young, vulnerable or with families.

“With councils continuing to face huge financial pressures, it is unsustainable for them to have to spend £2 million a day in housing vulnerable people at the sharp end of our housing crisis.

“Councils would much rather invest this scarce resource in building new affordable homes and preventing homelessness happening in the first place.”

Figures from the district council showed that it spent nearly £5,700 on temporary accommodation for the homeless in 2016/17, more than 60 per cent less than a year earlier when the bill was just over £15,000.

South Holland has nearly 30 properties which the council uses to temporarily accommodate the homeless, with any extra costs coming when those properties are full.

Coun Porter said: “Communities across the country need a new deal from the Chancellor that gives councils the ability to borrow and invest in housing.

“Also, to keep 100 per cent of the receipts from any homes they sell to replace them and reinvest in building more of the genuinely affordable home they desperately need.”

Karl and Debbie Sergison have taken the saying “out with the old, in with the new” to heart at their own corner of Spalding.

After 12 years of Sergi’s Good Food Store, Restaurant and Cookery Store, the couple’s 19th-century business base in Francis Street has been reborn as a slice of Catalonia in South Holland.

The result is Sergi’s Tapas Bar, a place for small, savoury dishes, good wine and plenty of time to make friends and slow life down to a more manageable pace.

Debbie said: “It’s a very simple concept which Karl and I got when we went to Barcelona for a weekend last year.

“Customers come in and we say to them ‘go over to the bar and take a photo of the menu on your smartphone’.

“Then we come and take the customer’s order and turn a clothes peg on their table round to red which means ‘I want to be left alone’.

“It’s a Brazilian idea where if you turn the same clothes peg round to green, the restaurant staff automatically serve you with tapas.

“The concept really works and the good thing about it is that we’re using local suppliers, with Bennett’s Butchers of Spalding and Shelly Godfrey both supporting us.”

However, it was as a delicatessen that Karl and Debbie became widely known as a niche, quirky and fashionable establishment to buy, eat and, eventually, cook food.

Debbie said: “Our opening day for the deli was October 24, 2005, which was my daughter Saffron’s seventh birthday.

“We wanted a deli after having run a restaurant in Northern Ireland and it took off so much that our upstairs storeroom had to be refitted as a restaurant which opened in 2007.

“The lucky thing for us is that we opened before the Christmas of 2005 which proved really fruitful for us in that as soon as people tried it, they trusted us.”

Sergi’s Tapas Bar, and Sergi’s Good Food Store before it, are both results of the couple’s long association with the food industry which brought them together at an exclusive men’s club in London nearly 30 years ago.

Debbie said: “In 1988, I arrived in London from Liverpool with my chef’s knives and chef’s whites (overalls).

“I joined a chefs’ agency and, within 15 minutes, I got my first job at the National Liberal Club in Whitehall where Karl was head chef.

“He offered me a job when I was only 17 and this year, we’ll have been married for 22 years.

“In 1999, we moved to Northern Ireland where I was working at a catering college and Karl was working at a brand new venture in Belfast.

“Then the opportunity came up to open a restaurant in a Quaker village called Westbrook where no drinking or gambling was allowed.

“We became the very first restaurant in the village to open as a licensed premises, but when my sister moved back to Liverpool from Northern Ireland, Karl and I moved back to the UK in 2004.”

Shortly after setting up home in Spalding, the couple’s attention was turned to a photographer’s shop in Francis Street that was up for sale after more than 40 years.

Debbie said: “The shop dates back to 1835 and it was originally two shops knocked together, a butcher’s and a pub called A Slice of Beef.

“It’s quite a quirky building and it’s where we opened our cookery school in 2011 so that people could learn how we do things and make our dishes.”

If everything had gone to plan, Karl and Debbie would have been travelling through the south of France and Spalding, having sold the business on at the end of December 2016.

But when the sale collapsed, the tapas bar idea came in its place, allowing Karl and Debbie to open on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays from noon until 11pm, and Sundays between noon and 6pm.

Debbie said: We had a preview night on Thursday for all our regular customers who have turned into friends.

“We want the town to have a place where people can sit down, enjoy good food and make new friends.”

The preview night at Sergi’s Tapas Bar was a chance for friends and loyal customers to support Karl and Debbie Sergison’s latest chapter in food excellence.

Close friend Jeff Goodley, of Spalding, said: “My wife and I have known Karl and Debbie Sergison since they first set up business in Spalding about 12 years ago.

“Over the years we have been regular customers and have become firm friends.

“Like many, we were very sad when they originally decided to sell the business but understood why they were doing so.

“Therefore, the decision to rebrand the business and launch Sergi’s Tapas Bar is inspirational and I think it’s just what Spalding needs.

“Karl, Debbie and their team have worked very hard to get the new venture set up and we will certainly remain regular customers and look forward to enjoying their food, along with the amazing ‘taste of Spain’ they have created.”

Plans are coming together for the free family Easter Celebration event at the Holbeach Hub next month.

The whole day is being paid for by the Lottery Celebrate fund and takes place at the Boston Road hub on Easter Saturday, April 15, 10am to 4pm.

Free workshops will be running throughout the day, including making a felt 
chicken, mosaics, pot painting and cooking.

Ark Farm will bring along sheep, lambs and smaller animals such as rabbits and there will also be a play and egg hunt area.

And there will be seating available so you can sample items from the free buffet while enjoying the day.

There is also going to be the opportunity to speak to some of Holbeach’s local groups, such as Holbeach Rotary, Holbeach Cemetery Chapels Trust and the Holbeach WI.

And you can help the fundraising efforts of other groups, such as the Scouts, Little Miracles, Air Cadets and the youth football teams, by entering their raffles and tombolas.

There will be free facepainting and some fantastic balloon art and origami 
performers. School choirs will also be singing on the day.

A number of Holbeach shops will also be running special offers on April 15. And, in the week leading up to the event, there will be a competition where special eggs will be hidden in a selection of shops in the town.

To enter, pop into town and count the eggs that you find in the shops and bring your answer to the event. There will also be drawing and cake decorating competitions on the day. More competition details will follow in future editions of the Guardian.

Organiser Coun Tracey Carter said: “I am thrilled at how many different groups we have involved and there is something for all ages.”

If anyone wants to be involved in the day, by either 
being a steward, or by providing an item for the buffet table or raffle then Tracey would love to hear from you on 07719189528 or tcarter@sholland.gov.uk

The Priory School in Spalding is celebrating after being awarded a £10,000 grant for upgrading works on its woodland area.

The area at the back of the special school has been looked after and nurtured for many years by staff and pupils.

Now, the injection of funding from The St James’ Place Foundation means several improvements have been made.

In the natural science area eight wooden noticeboards for navigating around the woodland have been erected, a reptiles and amphibians nature area constructed and bush craft and bird feeding and mini-beast hunt areas also put in place.

The pond dipping area has seen vegetation thinned back and a non-slip platform made.

One hundred metres of rubber matting has also been laid to extend the disabled pathway around the site.

In the amphitheatre space, six wooden benches have been embedded into the sloped banking and a performance/stage decking space with disabled access ramps and roped balustrade built.

Head of site Barrie Taylor said: “At the Priory School we value the benefit we can get from practical and interactive activities.

“We are very lucky to have a nature area that we can utilise to enhance the education of our pupils.

“The recent work that has been completed to maximise the benefits from this area has been fantastic. 

“The seating and stage area that has been installed will 
inspire pupils to show their abilities to others in areas such as drama and English classes.

“The new platform on the pond will guarantee that our science and environmental lessons can now have a whole new practical focus to grasp pupils’ attention and enthusiasm for the natural world.

“The different habitat 
areas are exciting and pupils can’t wait to get 
involved to ensure they become inhabited.”

CABINET CALL: Written by South Holland district councillor Anthony Casson

In order to learn more about the work of the council’s licensing team I will shortly be joining them on some routine inspections.

The team regularly inspects businesses to ensure that they are complying with licence conditions.

They share intelligence with Lincolnshire Police and trading standards and take a very proactive approach to making sure that businesses in the district are operating within the law.

As a licensing authority, South Holland District Council has the power to revoke premises licences for shops operating illegally and nine such revocations have been made since January 2015 where businesses have been found to be trading illegally.

It’s worth pointing out that losing a premises licence will often hit a business hard in the pocket, because alcohol sales represent a significant chunk of revenue.

The team’s utmost priority is of course the safety of the general public and you don’t need me to tell you that illegal alcohol and cigarettes can have associated health and safety risks.

I’m looking forward to the visits and am sure I’ll learn a great deal about how the team operates.

It goes without saying that the team can’t be everywhere at once, so we would ask that if you suspect a shop is selling illegal alcohol or cigarettes to report this to us.

• On a separate note, you may have seen that the council has recently launched the ‘Bag it Bin’ campaign aimed at encouraging dog owners to clean up and properly dispose of their pets’ mess.

Our dog warden Rachel Thompson has been provided with stencil signs and spray cans and will be spraying temporary brightly-coloured ‘Bag it Bin it’ logos on paths in areas across the district that have received high reports of dog fouling.

The initial focus will be on paths and passageways near schools and other community areas.

So far we’ve had a lot of positive feedback and several people have said to me what a great idea it is.

I’m confident that the campaign will have a positive effect and if we can reduce dog fouling in the district then that will be a great achievement.

Lincolnshire Adoption Service is looking for new families to come forward and give loving homes to children in need.

An adoption event is taking place at Bourne’s Salvation Army Hall in Manning Road on Thursday, March 23, from 7pm until 9pm.

Parents interested in adopting children can meet a number of approved adopters who will be on hand to talk about their experiences and the rewards it can give.

Coun Patricia Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Children’s Services at Lincolnshire County Council, said:

“Adopting a child really can be a hugely rewarding in providing children with loving homes and the family unit most of us take for granted.

“Our adoption service is rated as outstanding and there is lots of support given to adopters throughout the process.

“Take time out to attend one of our events and find out a bit more from those who have adopted – it might just be the life-changing experience you are looking for.”

Anne Johnson, Adoption Team Manager for Lincolnshire, said: “We hope that anyone who has been thinking about adopting will come along to hear from adopters about their experiences and take the opportunity to ask questions which will help them to understand the process.”

For more information, or to book a place, call 01522 554114.

In responding to Anita Toal’s letter, Andrew Livesey (Free Press, February 28) shows himself to be not much concerned with facts.

He asserts that the recent Supreme Court case had nothing to do with holding the government to account and was brought by a publicity-seeking business woman. Is he a mind-reader? The lady concerned has explained herself publicly with apparent sincerity. There was a justifiable case to be made, and the courts 
accepted that. Contrary to Mr Livesey’s statement, the decision to leave had not ‘already been made’. A small majority of the voters had expressed their wish to leave, a strong indication to parliament, but not in itself a decision.

As for the Supreme Court, it is not a new function, it merely replaces the function previously carried out by the Law Lords, a select group of members of the House of Lords. The government of the time judged that it was better to have the job done out in the open rather than have it buried in the House of Lords.

Mrs May had sought to go ahead with Brexit without the consent of Parliament. That was a threat to the constitution, and we should celebrate the fact that it was challenged. Take a small lesson from history: In 1933, Hitler took power after a general election in Germany. One of his first moves was to ensure that his government was free to act without the consent of parliament. His decrees soon brought many institutions, including the courts, under political control.

There were outcries against the courts over the Brexit-related decision, some even suggesting political control. It is striking and a matter of public record, that the newspaper that called the judges ‘Enemies of the People’ was itself a committed supporter of the Nazis throughout the 1930s.

Be careful what you wish for. We have enjoyed the protection of our constitution, including the independence of the courts, for some centuries now. In return, we need to protect the constitution.

Cedar Falls Care Home in Spalding was honoured at the recent Lincolnshire Care Awards.

The Little London Road home was runner-up in the ‘NatWest Team that has made the Difference Award’.

The event was held at the LIncoln Hotel and organised by the Lincolnshire Care Association to recognise outstanding care workers, teams and organisations.

The annual Butcher’s Pride sausage competition takes place in Spalding on Friday.

Butchers from Spalding, The Deepings and Boston will put their sausages before a panel of judges to compete for the honour of best Lincolnshire sausage, best specialist sausage and best overall.

Now in its sixth year, the rivalry between our 
local butchers continues in a competitive yet friendly way, with 35 entries last year.

The competition takes place at The Moorings in Commercial Road and judges are John Hayes MP, writer and broadcaster Alan Stennett, Keith Gott from the Federation of Small Businesses, Free Press editor Jeremy Ransome, Boston College chair of governors Peter Cropley and Elizabeth Sneath from South Holland District Council.

Mr Hayes, who started the competition, which is organised by Boston College, five years ago, said: “Why not drop in to support your local butcher or just call for a coffee and see the judging in action?”

Renditions of ‘Swing Low Sweet Chariot’ rang out from the clubhouse after the game – not to celebrate a Spalding win, but England’s defeat of Scotland in the Six Nations.

Building on an encouraging performance last week, they had control of this game for long periods, with Spalding’s forwards prominent, but they were undone with Nottingham Casuals’ scrum-half and fly-half engineering room for their backs to run in five tries.

Spalding started brightly with the scrum again going well as Mikey Watts, Josh Caley and Luke Turner in the front row dominated their opposite numbers.

Casuals were trapped within their 22, battling against thrusting forward play with pick and goes and a blind side move saw Kieran Bailey supporting to go over for the first try after six minutes.

The domination continued with scrum-half Richard Cooke always prepared to take the opposition on around the 
fringes and with the forwards effectively clearing out at the rucks, it finally looked like Spalding had developed a winning formula.

But similarly to last week, a 10-minute spell rocked Spalding with three tries conceded as Casuals’ fly-half found space to orchestrate moves for his backs, alternating between moving the ball out wide to his wingers or back inside for crash ball moves.

Spalding responded well to this setback, again mainly through the forwards, with Ash Piccaver dominant and Tom Duerden controlling the ball from scrums.

It looked like the forwards had gone over for a try but the referee was unsighted and went back for a scrum to Spalding.

However just before half-time the ball went out wide to Ben Shields, making his debut on the right wing, and an offload saw Jason Steels supporting to go over for an unconverted try.

The game became far more open in the second half but Spalding still had the upper hand with first phase play, with Mark Haighton dominating 
lineout and well supported by Bailey and the scrum still going in Spalding’s favour.

Will Shields at fly-half found room to release George Brown whose pace and determination took him deep in the opposition’s half and with a delightful pass found Brian Browne on the left wing.

Casuals’ tackle came in, but high, and with Browne only a couple of metres short of the line, the referee awarded a penalty try converted by Mikey Watts and there was only a two-point difference.

Another burst down the left wing looked to have brought another try for Spalding and the lead but was ruled out with a foot in touch on the sideline.

The game was now finely balanced but it was the visitors who stole the result with two late tries with their crash ball moves burst through defensive gaps with Spalding’s defence tiring.

Although this was another defeat and relegation almost a certainty, this display by Spalding was full of determination and some excellent phases of play.

With three tries scored and a further two efforts ruled out, there are encouraging signs for the future.

Spalding: Watts, Caley, Turner, Haighton, Hudson, Bailey, Piccaver, Duerden, Cooke, Shields, Browne, Steels, Brown, Douglas. Subs Hutson, Cole, Greaves.

Children at Holbeach Bank Primary School had an amazing curtain raiser to their science week with a visit from Starlincs Mobile Planetarium.

Friday’s visit saw the planetarium’s Mick Moore talking about the stars and our solar system.

Younger children enjoyed a further presentation on space travel while the older children focused on the space around us.

Head of school Ben Newstead said: “The children were very engaged – the children absolutely loved it.”

Science lessons continue this week with budding journalists sharpening their skills by writing news stories about the planetarium’s visit, while others focus on ways we can travel in space or space and the world around us.

Starlincs provide a range of interactive presentations to complement the National Curriculum for all key stages.

• Is your school hosting a visit? Email lynne.harrison@iliffepublishing