Thieves have got away with a steel gate from a field in Gedney Hill and police are on the lookout for it.
The single four-metre galvanised steel gate was stolen from a field off Mole Drove some time between 6pm on Sunday November 10 and noon on Wednesday November 13.
Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
A family whose cat disappeared on the same day that their dog died, is appealing for the people of Bourne to help return their pet.
Four-year old black and white Cody went missing from the family home in Northfields last Monday.
At the time Cody’s owners, the Smith family, were away cremating their dog at Lake View in Market Deeping, which died age 16 on the same day.
The dog had been raised by the family from five weeks old after it was rescued by Paul Smith when he was working as a police officer in Spalding.
Mr Smith said: “The women in my family are distraught, and can’t believe this has happened on the same day.
“Friends and neighbours believe Cody knows about the dog dying, and is grieving in his own way.
“This is out of character for the cat, who spends most of his time indoors, and enjoys his food, sleeping in comfort, and human company too much to be out this long.
“We have put posters up and have done a 200 house letter drop, with a £50 reward for his safe return.”
Cody was also a rescue animal and came from the Spalding branch of Cats Protection.
Anyone who has seen Cody should call 07803112340.
Bourne Town Harriers had 16 athletes competing at the second round of the North Midlands Cross Country League last weekend.
The Corby course was set out in 1km (small), 2km (medium) and 3km (large) laps for the varying age groups – and Harriers did well across the board.
The under-13s tackled one large lap, with Harrier Toby Everist clocking 13.52mins to move up nine places to 20th in the series.
The under-15 boys and under-17 women were next to run, negotiating one medium and one large lap. Luke Skinner showed great determination for the boys to achieve a personal best (PB) time for the distance of 21.36mins, with Beth Howells’ time of 23.06mins moving her up to 14th in the overall standings.
Two large laps awaited the senior and veteran women, who were next up.
Karen Clark finished in 29.21mins to move up to 30th place, while Alison Cooper – who had chosen a tough course for her first series race – showed great determination to follow her in.
Also running his first race for the club was Inigo Gillick, who was one of the four juniors in the under-11 section.
Inigo ran very strongly to finish on medium lap in eighth out of the 70 competitors in a time of 8.18mins. Maisie Brownlow (9.51mins), Matthew Colman (10.23mins) and Ellie Cooper (12.20mins) also finished well, with the team seventh overall.
The senior and veteran men, taking on one small and three large laps, were next. Jonathan Palmer (37.50mins), Phil Galpin (38.17mins) and Mick Howells (38.47) were the first three home.
The final race was the under-13 girls, with Elin James (14.04mins) and Abi Cooper (17.34) finishing well.
People in Cowbit, Moulton and Weston are invited to a meeting of Spalding East Rural Community Policing Panel tonight at 7pm.
It takes place at Weston Village Hall, Small Drove, Weston, and people living in Moulton Chapel, Moulton Seas End and Weston Hills are also welcome to attend.
The meeting is a chance to discuss concerns about speeding, illegal parking and anti-social behaviour with the area’ PCSO (Police Community Support Officer) Bev Robinson.
UPDATE TUESDAY 4.30PM: A man whose body was found in water near Pode Hole Pumping Station, Spalding, has been named today.
The body of Douglas Thomas Thompson (78) of Carrington Road, Spalding, was found by drainage workers a week ago but police delayed naming him before relatives had been notified.
A spokesman for South Lincolnshire Coroner’s Office said tests were still being carried out to establish how Mr Thompson died.
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 13 4PM: Police have today confirmed that a body found in water near Pode Hole Pumping Station, Spalding, is of a man aged in his 70s.
The death of the man, whose body was found by drainage workers yesterday lunchtime, is being treated as unexplained and police are trying to notify his relatives.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Welland and Deeping Internal Drainage Board said: “At approximately 1pm on Tuesday, our workmen noticed what they thought was a body floating in Vernatts Drain which is outside our depot.
“We informed the police who then attended the scene and our condolences go out to the man’s family.”
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 13 9.30AM: A man’s body has been found in water near Pode Hole Pumping Station, Spalding, with police treating his death as “unexplained.”
Drainage workers found the body at about 1pm yesterday and a police under water search team were called in to recover it from the water before the man was confirmed dead at the scene.
A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said they had a good idea who the man was but they are currently trying to inform family and friends, with a formal identification to be carried out “at the earliest opportunity.”
The spokesman added: “A post mortem examination will also be carried out to establish how the man died but until that time we are treating the death as unexplained.”
Unbeaten Spalding Rugby Club will be fielding a few fringe players when they travel to play Kesteven in the semi-final of the Lincolsnhire Cup tonight (Wednesday).
Victory would mean a final clash with Market Rasen or Scunthorpe for the Midlands Two East (North) leaders.
Captain Harry Sharman said yesterday: “It’s nice to have a break from the league and it should be a good game – we are all looking forward to it.
“We’ve a couple of lads at University and a couple who work away too, so it will be an ideal chance to give some of our fringe players a run-out.
Kick-off at Woodnook is 8pm.
Newport Pagnell 3, Deeping Rangers 8
Rangers scored eight at Willen Road for a second successive season as they consolidated second spot in the table behind neighbours Spalding.
Both sides had early chances before Deeping took the lead on the quarter hour, Josh Moreman’s delivery from the left turned in by defender Massimo Lagioia at the far post as Ryan Oliver challenged.
Ben Shepherd levelled after 19 minutes, moving onto a through ball and rounding keeper James Doughty to fire into the roof of the net.
On 28 minutes Newport were ahead. Shepherd’s fine run and pull back set up Joel McCormick whose shot was blocked on the line by Spencer Tinkler, but in the aftermath Lewis Stone fouled Shepherd and the spot kick was converted by Lukasz Filipiak.
Deeping were level on 32 minutes when the home defence failed to deal with Dan Flack’s cross and Matt Heron fired through a crowded area.
Seven minutes before the break Deeping were back in front. Mitch Griffiths’ deep cross from the left was turned back across goal by Oliver and Alex Beck slotted in from close range.
Five minutes into the second half Moreman scored a solo goal, working his way across the box before shooting low to Josh McAdoo’s right.
Seven minutes later Oliver converted a Beck cross and he showed smart reactions to extend the lead on 65 minutes, following up after Moreman’s jinking run and shot against the far post.
Oliver scored his third on 71 minutes, darting in to slot home after McAdoo spilled a well struck Griffiths shot.
Lively Newport substitute Ben Clarke produced a fine strike from the edge of the box to cut the deficit with 15 minutes left.
But Oliver had the last word on 77 minutes, following up after McAdoo saved Heron’s fiercely struck shot.
Deeping: Doughty, Flack, Parker, Tinkler, Stone, Burton-Jones, Griffiths, Beck (Gilbert), Oliver, Heron, Moreman (Odain).
n On Tuesday evening Deeping entertain Sleaford Town in the quarter-final of the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy and on Saturday they travel to play Wellingborough in the United Counties League premier division.
Rothwell Corinthians 4, Bourne Town 1
Bourne fell to a 15th leaguedefeat of the season as Corinths extended their unbeaten run to nine games.
Rothwell took a second minute lead through Luke Phillips and Jordan Henson added a second soon after.
Richard Nelson put Bourne back in the game, but Shaun Morris struck after 49 minutes to strengthen Corinths’ grip on proceedings. Chris Clarke rounded off the scoring in stoppage time.
Bourne: Bellairs, Wells (Penney), Kilbride, Mason, Robinson, Jesson, Nelson, Rook, Pick (Firth), Brockbank, Baines.
Holbeach United 3, Stewart and Lloyds Corby 0
Holbeach’s topsy-turvy season hit another high with this comfortable victory over the Foundrymen at Carter’s Park on Saturday.
In truth, Glen Maddison’s men were not at their best but they were still too good for their struggling visitors, as the former Sleaford boss continues to assemble a squad capable of holding its own in the premier division of the United Counties League.
Maddison had to build a group from scratch after taking over in the summer and has had to chop and change as he looks for the winning formula.
But after that wretched run of defeats, it’s now five victories on the trot as his side begins to gel.
Pivotal to that recent success and putting in great contributions to this win were returning striker Tommy Treacher and hardworking midfielder Adam Rothery, signed from Yaxley.
The Tigers started full of confidence after four straight wins and soon had their visitors on the back foot.
Tom Waumsley saw an early effort well saved by keeper David Allen, but soon notched his 12th goal of the campaign when he prodded home Andy Law’s cross from the right after a short corner.
Corby attacked straight from the kick off, Richard Moore forcing a good save from Tigers stopper Lee Overton – but it was a rare threat from the battling visitors.
It seemed a second would soon come and Waumsley looked the man to get it, testing Allen again and firing wide before right back Ashley Murrell blazed just over.
Treacher was struggling to make an impact despite his hard work but did go close towards the end of the half. He then took a short corner with Law, whose cross was dispatched by Luke Hollingworth’s towering header.
Holbeach stepped off the gas a bit after the break but never looked like surrendering their lead.
Matt Warfield’s pass saw Rothery blast a great effort towards goal, only for Allen to save under the bar, and the busy midfielder was again denied by a good save moments after Treacher also warmed the keeper’s hands.
Treacher then fired over after great work from substiture Robbie Relf and then Rothery just failed to turn in Treacher’s whipped-in cross and other sub Pedro Sevilha was denied by a good save.
The third goal finally came in the final minute when a cross from Sevilha was headed down and in by Law.
Holbeach: Overton, Murrell, Warfield, Shippley (Relf 71 mins), Sturman, Bishop, Law, Rothery, Waumsley (Dunn 65), Treacher, Hollingworth (Sevilha 65). Sub (not used): Johnson.
Walsall Wood 0, Spalding United 3
The Tulips have been drawn at home to UCL rivals Wisbech Town in the third round of the FA Vase, after this tough encounter in the West Midlands on Saturday.
The last 64 game will take place on Saturday, December 7, with Spalding boss Pat Rayment saying: “That’s a great draw.
“I didn’t mind if we were home or away, but it will be good for the fans and Wisbech should bring a few fans with them too.”
On Saturday Rayment had a depleted squad to choose from through injuries (Jonny Allen, Peter Bore, Lee Beeson), illness (Sam Mullarkey) and non-availability (Chris Hall).
Fortunately, Jamie Stevens returned from suspension and turned in a man-of-the-match performance, while the hero was undoubtedly player-coach Danny Hussey, who pulled on a blue shirt for the first time this season and played a real blinder at left-back.
He made a memorable day unforgettable by scoring the opener and played for 83 minutes before being replaced by quick attacker Louis Robinson, an 18-year-old ex-Kettering player on trial with the Tulips.
“Louis is an exciting, skilful and fast player who has been recommended to me,” said Rayment.
“He can play wide or up front and we’ll have a good look at him.”
Spalding started well against last season’s quarter finalists and went close after four minutes when Andy Tidswell sliced a good effort just wide.
It was his screaming drive that was deflected in at the far post by Hussey in the 15th minute.
Shortly afterwards Adam Jackson slipped in Dan Steadman who fired inches wide. Then Nathan Stainfield’s header found the side netting.
The home team were still battling but the Tulips gained breathing space in the 33rd minute when Tidswell latched onto Steadman’s through pass and rounded keeper Raegen Gill before slotting home.
Spalding custodian Michael Duggan earned his keep in the 36th minute with a great save from a stinging free-kick by Harry Harris.
Walsall attacked more after the interval but didn’t get any change from the Spalding defence and victory was assured in the 83rd minute when a surging build-up ended with a beautiful low drive by Mark Jones.
Tulips: Duggan, Canoville, Jackson, Stevens, Stainfield, Webb, Cotton, Steadman, Jones, Tidswell, Hussey (Robinson 85 mins). Subs (not used): Lowery, Ebdon, Roberts.
Attendance: 105.
Thieves raided a patio at a home for the elderly and stole their pride and joy – garden ornaments bought through their own fundraising.
Brunlea Care Home, in Surfleet Road, Pinchbeck, looks after dementia sufferers among its 19 residents.
The life-size and life-like garden ornaments were much-loved conversation pieces as residents admired chickens, cockerels, owls and tortoises through the dining room window.
Care home manager Tracey Laud said: “They absolutely loved them, they really did.
“We have got a couple of residents who are really quite poorly and we would sit them near the dining room window so they could look at the ornaments.”
One resident was so attached to the collection she was given her own chick.
The care home already had some ornaments but added more to the collection three weeks ago, using £100-plus raised at a barbecue.
Mrs Laud said: “We split the proceeds from the barbecue between Macmillan Cancer Support and ourselves.
“We do try to raise a little bit for the community.
“We don’t raise a great deal because we are only a small home and that makes the theft all the worse, really.”
Around half the collection of ornaments disappeared over the weekend.
“They came over the gate and onto the patio to take them,” said Mrs Laud.
The manager was worried about a possible theft when the new ornaments were set out, but was reassured by other members of staff that they would be okay.
Mrs Laud said: “It wasn’t a drive-by theft because you can’t see them from the road.”
l Anyone with information on the theft – or knows where the ornaments are now – can call police on 101.
A man who was nearly three times over the legal alcohol limit when he crashed a car near his home had never passed a driving test.
Krzysztof Nowak (21), of Low Road, Holbeach Hurn, admitting driving with excess alcohol, without a driving licence and without insurance on October 19 when he appeared before Spalding magistrates on Thursday.
Jim Clare, prosecuting, said Nowak drove a Citroen Xsara into a ditch and a later breath test showed 94 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of his breath, the legal limit being 35 microgrammes.
Rachel Stevens, mitigating, said Nowak had been on a “short test drive” on a slippery road after working on the car for a family member but he knew he shouldn’t have driven before passing a test.
The case was adjourned until November 28 for a probation report to be done.
Five was the magic number in the Spalding and District Table Tennis League (sponsored by Vital Recruitment) last Wednesday night.
With two postponements out of the fifth round of matches, just five were played and they all resulted in 5-0 wins.
The semi-final of the Moulton Shield also saw Bladerunners’ Tomascz Dobryzn and David Gibson win all their games against Defenders in a first against second tie.
Such was their dominance on their way to the final that only two of the games ended in close scores.
They will meet Haz Beans, who had played their semi previously, in the final on December 4.
By the end of the evening Defenders, who had moved their scheduled match forward, had lost second spot to South Holland.
In the only top flight match played, their contest with Outsiders also ended in straight ends for Richard Hammond and John Gilbert.
In Division Two, Insidious, whose match was postponed because of illness, lost out most as they are now 16 points off the top though they do have two games in hand.
Leaders Castle Sports overcame Tornados for their fifth whitewash, with potent pairing Nicola Wilkinson and Mike Mulligan dropping just one end.
Second placed Dark Knights found Ha’st tougher, being forced to a fifth end in one singles and a fourth in the doubles.
Lower down the table Mine’s a Pint also gained from Insidious’ misfortune, moving above them after their win against Casey’s Pingers.
Jeremy Hitcham and Andrew Hay completed their first fiver, having been on the receiving end twice.
However Pingers’ Mick Nurse nearly spoiled the party with both his singles going to the fifth end.
Leaders Long Sutton suffered their first Spalding and District Billiards League beating since the opening day of the season after going down 4-3 at Crowland A last week.
Wins from Derek Tinkler (O20) and Neil Burton (R80) sunk Sutton, despite a 36 break from Sean Swinburn (O20).
Bizarrely, Sutton stretched their lead at the top to 7.5 points after Pyramid A saw off second-placed Consti B 5-2. A 51 break from Mick Johnson (O160) was in vain for the high fliers.
Elsewhere, Holbeach A’s Hugh Pinner (O170) made breaks of 64 and 58 to help seal a 5-2 win at Consti A and Crowland B’s Rob Childs (O190) made a 62 break in a 5-2 loss at Consti D.
There was also a fine 55 break from Sid Shaw (O10) in Donington’s 5-2 win over basement boys Gosberton.
South Holland Singers are performing Vivaldi’s Gloria and Songs from the Proms at a concert at St Mary & St Nicolas Parish Church in Spalding on Saturday (7.30pm).
Conductor is Robin Carter, organist is David Carter and Caroline Sumner is on keyboard.
Tickets are £10 each on the door and students are free of charge.
Buy tickets in advance from Bookmark in Spalding, Hawkins Hardware in Holbeach or contact Jacqueline on 01775 760757.
A charity night for Help for Heroes is being held at Spalding Services & Social Club in High Street tomorrow (7pm).
Music will be from the Haley Brothers and there will be laughter with comedian Robby Jacks.
A giant raffle with 30 prizes donated by local independent businesses includes treats such as a meal out for two, a wash, cut and blowdry and Playbarn vouchers.
Tickets are available from the bar at the club for £5.
Contact 01775 723955 for more details.
MP John Hayes firmly believes his vote to retain the controversial “bedroom tax” was the right one for South Holland.
Labour had made great play about securing the Commons debate and the vote on Wednesday on a welfare reform policy which it staunchly opposed, claiming it would scrap it if it won power in 2015.
In South Holland, the number of council house tenants affected by the benefit change is 374.
Mr Hayes said there was no question of him voting against his party.
He said: “This is part of our welfare reform to make things fairer.
“I am very aware of the demand for council houses in South Holland and the people who can’t get on the waiting list.”
However, not all residents believe the reform is fair.
Commenting on our Facebook page, readerJulie Stalford said: “I think it’s disgusting that you have to pay bedroom tax.
“I have lived in my house for 26 years and now they say I should give my home up to help others with bigger familyies. It’s all wrong.”
Hannah Katerina-Yelena Jessen said: “The trouble is some of us were moved by the council into properties technically classed as two-bedroom because there are very few or no one-bedroom properties available.
“Even though there isn’t anywhere to move to we are still forced to pay the bedroom tax.”
A spokesman for South Holland District Council said: “The district council is constantly striving to assist people who have been affected by the change, including events such as last month’s Match and Move, which enabled people to look into swapping their homes to better suit their needs.”
For further information on swapping properties, call the housing team on 01775 761161 or email info@sholland.gov.uk
Long Sutton 1st failed to find the top gear of recent performances as they went down to a 3-1 home defeat against Waltham Forest in Premier B on Saturday.
After conceding early on, Sutton did equalise before the break through good work from Sisson.
In the second half the home team dominated but were hit twice on the break and suffered the agony of the normally reliant Harrison striking the post from a penalty stroke.
No such problems for top-of-the-table Spalding 1st, however, as they brushed aside third-placed Ipswich 2nd 5-0 in Division 2N.
Salvatore Cunnington unleashed an absolute screamer into the top corner from the edge of the D to put Spalding ahead and they doubled their lead when Tom Wilson rounded the last defender and clinically finished on his reverse.
After the break, Josh Rowbottom skilfully deflected in the third from a penalty corner, Russ Watts grabbed the fourth and Callum Clarkewrapped up the victory.
Title rivals met in Division 3NW, where Long Sutton 2nd were thrashed 5-1 at March 1st.
Sutton conceded early on but were level at the break after good work from man of the match Ross Gavaghan and Jeremy Watt released Ben Shore who rifled home.
Sutton battled in the second half as March upped their game, but they could not stop the home side scoring four more.
Spalding 2nd stay top of Division 4NW after a 3-0 victory at Bourne/Deeping 3rd.
Against a normally tight defence, the goals came from Joe Higgins, Rob Dalton and Glenn Perkins.
Long Sutton 3rd beat Bourne/Deeping 4th 7-3 in Division 5NW.
Sutton led 4-1 at the break, with Gary Hales scoring them all. Edward White scored the goal of the game in the second half and James Baker added a sixth before an own goal sealed the victory.
Second placed Spalding 3rd also netted seven and conceded just two against third placed Newmarket 2nd in Division 5NW.
It was only 2-1 at half time after goals from Tom Shinkins and Peter Gray but after the break Spalding came out all guns blazing.
Shinkins completed his hat-trick and also among the goals were Darren Gooby (2) and Rob Tilbrook.
Spalding 4th suffered a narrow defeat, 3-2 at Horncastle 2nd, in Division 6NW (N).
It was derby day in the same division, where Spalding 5th thumped Long Sutton 4th 4-0.
Sutton’s youngsters came up short in this enjoyable game against a classy Spalding outfit.
A sweet short corner strike from Ed Sly broke the deadlock as Spalding went 1-0 up into the break,
The second half saw Spalding gradually tighten their grip on the game and Mark Smith-Hughes made it two after excellent work by David Dorey.
Dominic Ibrahim tucked home number three and Mark Smith-Hughes added a fourth minutes from time.
Spalding roared through to the last 16 of the National Vase with a 6-1 thrashing of high-flying East Midlands Division 1 team Coalville.
In front of a large crowd, Spalding started well and were a goal up from their first penalty corner after three minutes when a shot by James Doolan was deflected in by Josh Rowbottom.
A defensive lapse gifted a goal to Coalville, but the home side regained the lead when Saracen Cunnington netted.
Russ Watts made it three from close range and James Doolan finished off a fine team passing move to make it four.
Prolific striker Cunnington scored the fifth on the stroke of half time with a trademark drag flick from a penalty corner.
Spalding dominated after the break but didn’t add to their tally until the final minute through Watts.
Man of the match was Brendan Morris.
Spalding Girls u18 enjoyed a terrific 3-2 victory over Norwich City Girls u18 in the first round of the Girls U18 Plate.
Rachel Perkins scored from a penalty corner after just six minutes for Spalding and ten minutes later Di Bevan doubled the lead with a cracking shot.
After the break, City pulled one back and it took a penalty save from Becky Warr to keep the lead intact.
However, Perkins scored a second to fire her team through to the last 16.
Spalding Ladies 1st shared the points with City of Peterborough Ladies 2ndafter a 1-1 draw in East Women’s Hockey League Division 2NW.
After a goalless first half, Spalding keeper Becky Warr made some cracking saves before the city team finally took the lead.
But with just five minutes left, Tori Needham set up Kelly Slater, who pushed home an equaliser.
In the day’s derby battle Long Sutton Ladies 2nd beat Spalding Ladies 2nd 4-1 in Division 3NW.
With a quick goal in the first 20 minutes from AJ Bunyan, Spalding were looking fit and strong.
However, Long Sutton got themselves back into the game when capitalising on defensive errors and went into half time with a 3-1 lead.
The equaliser came from Leanne Woodhead following a Lisa Baker pass, and another came when Millie Lamming slammed home Lisa Baker’s great cross.
Following some more great work in the middle of the park, Leanne Woodhead sealed the win with a fourth and final goal.
Spalding Ladies 3rd thrashed Horncastle Ladies 2nd 8-0 in Division 4NW (N).
Samantha Foston found the back of the net first, quickly followed by Ellie Holland.
Fiona Carrigan scored two fantastic goals and Alison Wild also netted one before Foston bagged another three.