From the 11th of February to the 11th March in 2010 I worked each Thursday at the Spalding and Lincolnshire Press as a reporter ringing up and investigating on diary stories.
Below is a collection of the articles I wrote:
18.02.10- The Spalding Guardian
Book deal-
A former Gleed Girls' School student and her son have successfully had their book published. Fleur Eassom came up with the idea of the book when her son Canyon wanted to hear a bedtime story about spinal adjustments he received after birthing difficulties. Fleur set out with her son to develop the story around a wizard teaching a frog to adjust his attitude towards life. And after the former Holbeach woman saw the illustrations by Nicky Tsierkezou, she decided the book had to be published and established Healthy Elph publications. The book is now available to pre-order from Amazon and Waterstones and is making its way through school libraries across the countries.
23.02.10- Lincolnshire Free Press-
Snowdrops out early-
Snowdrops have come out early this year at St Mary's Church, Whaplode- perhaps surprisingly after a tough winter. The plants usually appear any time after Christmas and act as an indicator that spring is on the way. The plants usually appear any time after Christmas and act as an indicator that spring is on the way. Churchwarden Roy Willingham said: "Snowdrops have been appearing every year for as long as I can remember." Other plants set to appear after the snowdrops are daffodils and bluebells. Roy made an open invite for anyone to go to the church and take a look.
Shrove Tuesday event brings in £346-
Pancakes and coffee were on the menu on Shrove Tuesday in the idea of the Jenny Freeman Lodge hospice in Spalding. The two-hour event at organiser Lorna Webb's home also had various stalls for visitors to browse, including one selling cakes. She began making pancakes at midnight the night before and produced 250 with the help of six friends. Lorna who has been running the event for 25 years told the Lincs Free Press: "People came from all over and we had lots of people supporting us. The Jenny Freeman Lodge is a good thing to support." The event raised £346.15
25.02.10-
New kitchen for Memorial Hall-
Memorial Hall in Whaplode St Catherine has had its kitchen refurbished- and is now a much more attractive proposition to hire. Thanks to fundraising efforts from the community and parish council, including a Christmas party, table top sale and weekly hobby clubs and coffee mornings, there was a donation from Holbeach Parish Council of £1000. The overhaul cost was £3000. The project was helped by the payback scheme where youths who have offended help with the decoration. The fresh features include new sinks and cookers and plans are being made to buy new catering tables. Whapolode Parish Council secretary Mandy Rye said: "The new kitchen is lovely." The hall is fully equipped with cutlery and plates supplied and is available for hire.
Shows planned to boost community spirit-
A show organiser hopes the events he is putting on in Pinchbeck will help foster a sense of community spirit. Alan Hansard's recent event as Pinchbeck Village Hall saw about 90 people entertained by comedian Sid Dennis and tribute act Abba Eyes. The "money money money" made at the show will go towards putting on the next event- with rock band The Alma Boobies and local Kamikaze Hotshots set to take stage on April 24. Mr Hansard said "I am trying to get Pinchbeck's community back together. Hopefully it will take off after a few events. It is not about making money it is about making people happy. If I see people go home happy then my day is complete."
Tombola brings in the cash for Macmillan-
A tombola fundraising event at a Spalding shop has been extremely busy. Bon Marche in Spalding held the event in the in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief. The tombola ran from Tuesday, February 16 until Saturday the 20th. One of the organisers, Diane Beeken, said the store had been "absolutely inundated" by people donating their unwanted Christmas gifts to be used as prizes. The event raised £100 in the first couple of days alone and weekly funds are raised by the company through selling Macmillan badges.
04.03.10 Spalding Guardian-
Money for Lourdes trip-
An innovative race night raised £1,200 for charity. Organised by Spalding undertakers Mark and Sue Forth, the snail race at St Norbert's Community Hall raised cash for the church's Lourdes 2010 project. It is raising £10,000 to take a part of less able and sick pilgrims from Spalding and Holbeach to Lourdes in September. Father Jim Burke said: "Mark and Sue got involved with the project after conducting a funeral at the church and spotting some details about the trip.”Once they realised the project involved people from the outside the church as well they decided to help and organised the snail race." The couple recently presented a cheque to Mr Burke. He added: "We have raised about £6000 so far and we are very grateful for this donation." The Pilgrims will travel on a medically equipped called a Jumbulance and will be accompanied by trained nurses.
11.03.10- Spalding Guardian-
Spruce-up for town charity shop-
A charity shop in Spalding has undergone a major refurbishment. The St Barnabas Hospice Shop in New Road, which supports local charities like Spalding’s Jenny Freeman lodge, was re-opened by South Holland and the Deepings MP John Hayes. Volunteer manager Lisa Thomas was very pleased with the shop's new look and thinks it's helping sales. She said: "There is more space and a fresher look and it looks less cluttered. Overall it is much more welcoming and thanks to that we've had a few good days." Any money raised from the shops stays in Spalding and helps to fund local hospices.
