Richard Rush
Verified
Reporter at the Spalding and South Holland Voice. Views own.
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Richard Rush
MP presses for meeting with PM over pensions
South Holland and the Deepiings MP Sir John Hayes is pressing for a meeting with the prime minister to battle for women . Sir John has been a long-time supported of the WASPI women who were let down when the age of retirement was changed. “The Parliamentary Ombudsman has set out in detail how the WASPI women were let down, and suggested financial redress in response. The Prime Minister suggested he agreed with this just before he took office, now is his opportunity to come good on this.
Drainage group marks three years
A group campaigning for authorities which oversee areas with drainage boards, set up by South Holland District Council, is marking three years of work. There’s now 41 authorities in the Drainage and Flood Resilience Group, formerly the Internal Drainage Board Special Interest Group. It argues authorities like South Holland which have drainage boards are at a disadvantage because it has to give a large proportion of its council tax to them.
100 years of roots in the village
The centenary of a local group has been marked by the planting of a tree recently. The ladies from Pinchbeck St Mary’s Mothers’ Union planted a cherry tree at Pinchbeck War Memorial on October 9. It commemorates the centenary of Pinchbeck Mothers Union (1921 to 2021) and the 150th anniversary of the worldwide movement, (1876 to 2026), which was founded by a lady called Mary Sumner.
Big Lidl plans for new town store
LIDL has submitted plans for a new supermarket in Spalding. It wants to build a bigger store off Bourne Road at the corner with Monks House to replace its current Winsover Road location. If passed, it will cover 2,184sqm of which 1,357 would be the sales area, There would also be 120 car parking spaces. Application documents also state the firm wants to create new footpaths to the site. A World War II pillbox is on the land and it is designated a heritage asset.
Larder set to be in black from ball
Don your tuxedos and frocks for a night at the casino, all in aid of a local charity. The Holbeach Community First’s annual ball is back on Saturday, November 14, raising money for the Holbeach Food Larder Christmas Appeal. This year’s theme is Night at the Casino with Holbeach Community Centre the venue. The Crazy Apes will be performing after a three course dinner with wine.
Tulips’ FA Cup dream is over
Hopes of a money-spinning FA Cup first round trip to Plymouth Argyle were dashed as Spalding United crashed out of the competition on Tuesday in Worcestershire. A 4-0 replay defeat at Southern League side Alvechurch brought the Tulips’ run to an end after they had been hauled back to draw the original tie 2-2 at the Sir Halley Stewart Field.
Butchers to close after 127 years
A butchers with 127 years of history in South Holland behind them is to close. Bennett Butchers, currently on Winsover Road in Spalding, will close its doors on November 28. Partner Andrew Parsons made the announcement on Sunday alongside a picture from 1910 of his great grandfather Henry Bennett’s former store on London Road in the town. Andrew said: “After 127 years of trading in Spalding, it is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I announce the closure of Bennett Butchers.
Extra CCTV idea to curb town drug issue
Extra CCTV and lighting could be put up in part of Spalding where businesses say drug dealing is a regular occurrence. The Spalding Business Improvement District (BID) is looking at funding the extra cameras and provisions in Pied Calf Yard and Chapel Lane, its manager Sarah Fletcher told a meeting of Spalding Town Forum on Tuesday night (October 20).
Fun history meets aimed at kids
A series of workshops aimed at bringing history to life for young people are being put in Spalding over the next few weeks. The fun hands-on sessions are being hosted by the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society and will focus on local folklore and the Stuarts. Two of the events will be in the forthcoming half term break and all will be at Spalding Baptist Church, on Swan Street. The first History Hunters – Fenland Folklore and Legends is from 1.30pm on Sunday, October 25.
Man in his 70s seriously injured in Moulton collision
A pensioner in his 70s has been seriously injured in a collision in Moulton. The incident occurred at the crossroads between Cob Gate, East Gate, Hog’s Gate and East Cob Gate near Moulton around 1.20pm on Friday, October 16. It involved a DAF lorry and a silver Kia Sportage. The Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance was among the emergency services that attended the incident. A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said: “The driver of the car was seriously injured.
Planning change ‘democracy loss’
A major overhaul of the planning process will see council staff making more decisions while fewer applications will go before elected members. The move has been described as an erosion of democracy and one that was designed to help other areas of the country achieve more housing stock. Elected members from partnership members South Holland, East Lindsey and Boston Borough councils all attended a briefing on the new rules, which come into force at the end of this month.
Leila ready to lose her locks
A Spalding High School student is about to lose her locks for a second time to help children battling cancer. Leila Kay Hawley, 11, is donating her hair to The Little Princess Trust charity which donates wigs to children losing their hair through treatment, or because of medical issues. Leila, of Holbeach, already donated her hair three years ago, aged eight, when she also raised more than £800 for the charity in memory of her grandmother Wanda Kay who lived in America.
Council wants money back
Council bosses will write to the Government to ask that the authority is reimbursed for the costs of a stalled council shake-up, saying ‘residents should not be left to pick up the bill’. South Holland District Council is set to call on the Government to give back the money the authority spent on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) – a process of major change which could see smaller councils scrapped in favour of larger replacements, writes Local Democracy Reporter Oliver Castle.
Pensioner in court for sex offences
A Spalding pensioner who admitted sexually touching an under-age girl and sending her inappropriate messages was given a suspended jail sentence on Monday. Alan Hares, 78, was interviewed by the police after the matters were reported by the victim in May last year. Lincoln Crown Court heard Hares used the social media application Snapchat to send the complainant persistent messages. Clarkson Baptiste, prosecuting, said the comments became inappropriate after a short period of time.
John first to use new treatment
A Spalding man was the first person in the county to use a new radiotherapy treatment machine that NHS staff say can save lives. John Ralph, 77, was the first to use the Halcyon Linear Accelerator (LINAC) at Lincoln County Hospital. It delivers external beam radiotherapy, using high-energy X-rays or electrons to destroy cancer cells while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The new machine is initially being used to treat patients diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Plea after latest Spalding Flower Parade cancellation
The Spalding Flower Parade for 2027 is the latest to have been cancelled with organisers urging volunteers to come forward to ensure it has a future. In January this year’s event was cancelled to focus on next year’s with organisers saying it didn’t have the £90,000 needed to put on the event. The money was intended to roll over to putting on the 2027 parade on May 8 and 9.
Two drivers admit their role in man’s drain death
Two drivers who admit manslaughter after a man died in a water-filled drain would have joined the beating of another driver if it was necessary, a court heard on Friday (16). Sean Burlton, 28, drowned after the car he was a passenger in left the road and entered a ditch on Counter Drain Drove, in Tongue End, on November 24, 2023. A court heard Burlton was in a Ford Focus that had tried to ram a VW Touran being driven by his new girlfriend’s ex-partner, Richard McMullon.
Crackdown on hare coursing
Lincolnshire police have launched Operation Galileo in a bid to prevent illegal hare coursing across the county. The force has issued a tough new warning: ‘Don’t even think about it’ to anyone considering taking part. Operation Galileo deters, catches and prosecutes people who hunt illegally with dogs to kill hares and is led by the police’s Rural Crime Action Team. Members use resources and expertise from colleagues both in the county and further afield, including the National Wildlife Crime Unit.
New life for unused barn?
A steel barn could be converted into a new home if a planning application to South Holland District Council is approved. The storage building has been on the site, north west of Moulton, outside of the main settlement area at High Road.
Ex-firefighter takes double gold
A former Spalding firefighter came home with a clutch of medals after competing in a European games for the first time in ten years. Terry Day spent 26 years as a fire officers at Spalding and retired in 2006 when he took up athletics. He was also a pilot on Spalding Water Taxi and remains a branch delegate with The Royal Naval Association. He has previously competed in the European and World Police and Fire Games and the World Firefighter Games until 2016.
Tigers co-manager heads abroad on a high
Co-manager Callum Lawe marked his last game in charge of Holbeach United with a 2-0 win over Diss Town at Carters Park in Division One North of the Thurlow Nunn League. He is leaving the Tigers to take up a new coaching opportunity and said: “I am pursuing an exciting new adventure in Abu Dhabi, which brings some fantastic opportunities but also new responsibilities and commitments.
Cranfield goal not enough
Despite creating plenty of chances and defending well for much of the game, Pinchbeck United fell to a 3-1 defeat at home to Stapleford Town in Division One of the United Counties League. Things started well for the Knights with Josh Panton’s free-kick headed back across goal by captain Josh Balding for Harry Cranfield to tap in a fourth-minute opener.
Swift pair of goals sink Spalding Men
Cambridge City 2s 4 Spalding Men 3 Two goals inside one second-half minute condemned Spalding to defeat, after twice leading at Cambridge. Tom Amess put the visitors ahead from a 17th-minute penalty corner but City were 2-1 up just after the half-hour mark. Back came Spalding, with Joe Rogers levelling and Stuart Cunnington striking from a penalty corner after 42 minutes.
Snowden Field is place to be
First-time visitors made up almost a quarter of the 99-strong entry for the weekly Snowden Field parkrun in Crowland. Among them were tourists from London, Norwich, Nottingham, Gloucestershire and even Auckland, New Zealand. There were an impressive 21 personal bests this week, including Snowden Field regular Kim Bush, who celebrated her birthday in style by going under 34 minutes for the first time, with a time of 33mins 36secs.
Gray clears 38 for leaders but is their only loser on the night
Pyramid F took full advantage of their closest rivals playing each to move clear at the top of Division One of the Spalding & District League. A 5-1 win over Services D saw them move four points ahead. Ian Gibson (scr) won the opening frame but a high-scoring second frame saw Richard Neal (r28) beat Mark Gray (o98) 141-104 to make it 1-1, despite the home player making a clearance of 38. Pete Hodgson-Kerry (o28), Oliver Player (o28) and Carl Gibson (o28) confirmed a fifth straight victory.
Tydd aim for Spanish highs
Tydd St Giles Golf Club is targetting a triumphant treble after the men’s handicap team won the Lincs Handicap B Division with just one defeat from their eight matches and the ladies team won their league in the Lincs Women’s Golf Association. Now it is the turn of Ady Bills and Gino Ciuffini to try to make it a hat-trick after qualifying for the Daily Mail Foursomes finals in Spain.
Lightning make Egham progress
The national mixed Egham Trophy competition saw defending champions Spalding Lightning beat local rivals Boston 79-39 in the preliminary round. After the first five ends, Lightning held a strong 12-shot lead and after 10 ends were 52-24 ahead. At about 15 ends, both home and away, the lead had stretched to 40 shots, when Boston conceded the match. The first round will take place on Sunday, November 1 against Stamford.
Rose & Crown hit back
Rose & Crown C made it two wins out of two in Division One of the Spalding & District League after hitting back from 2-0 down to beat Consti E 7-2. Monty Bunn had a 104 checkout against Mick Atkin, Logan Goddard and Steve Dent both had 18-dart legs but player of the night was Ant Richardson, who had a 180 and two 17-dart legs in his win over Tom Elderkin. Josh Ford took the all-important win for The Bull against Ben Laud, with the Bull winning 5-4 against Green Dragon A.
Consti aren’t half good!
Consti are still top of the Spalding and District Billiards League, after a unusual 4½-2½ win against Gosberton B. The strange score was because Consti won two frames to Gosberton’s one but the total aggregate was the same, meaning the bonus aggregate point was shared. Winning by only five was Mick Johnson (o60) for Consti against James Parrott (r90), with breaks of 33, 30, 30 and 22. Levelling the match was Jamie Mumby (r60) when he defeated John Bellerby (r110) 200-156.
Dispersal order and extra patrols drafted to Sutton Bridge over increase in anti-social behaviour
Extra police officers have been drafted to patrol Sutton Bridge were a dispersal order has been issued for the weekend following reports of anti-social behaviour. Lincolnshire Police say they’ve taken the measures due to ‘a number of incidents’ including ‘damage being caused to houses, house doors being kicked and eggs and stones being thrown at people and properties.
Council set to be £50m over budget
A huge spike in demand for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) looks set to cause a council to go £50 million over its budget, bosses have warned. Education chiefs say there has been a rise in the number of SEND pupils in Lincolnshire’s schools as well as an increase in complex cases. They say this is partly to blame for a forecast overspend of £53.4 million for its schools budget in 2026/27, writes Local Democracy Report Oliver Castle.
Lottery boost is tonic for charity
South Holland charity Tonic Health has received a boost from The National Lottery to help those with early stage dementia and their carers in the district. It’s been granted £18,900 for its groups including the Movement4Memory sessions it puts on at all its branches including in Spalding, Holbeach and Surfleet. A Tonic Health spokesman said: “These groups provide a warm, fun, and non-judgmental space where participants can connect, share experiences, and build a strong peer-support network.
Man who armed himself with a rounders bat denies GBH
A Spalding man has denied an offence of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after arming himself with a rounders style bat. John Goble, 38, entered a not guilty plea to the charge when he appeared before Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight at Lincoln Crown Court. It is alleged Goble, of Beckingham Close, Spalding, caused grievous bodily harm to Daniel Horgan on February 16, 2026. Defence barrister Chris Jeyes asked for the case to be adjourned for trial.
GALLERY – Autumn festival thrills Spalding
One of Spalding’s most popular annual attractions, the Pumpkin Festival, returned last Saturday (October 3). Hundreds turned out to enjoy the attractions, games and stalls on offer around the town’s Market Place. From Jonathan Nicholls’ pumpkin creations to Tyrrells Farm’s tractor displays there was a host of items for people to take in. There was pumpkin carving as well as a fancy dress competition hosted by the Spalding Lions.
Changes to fire service ratified
Changes to working patterns for firefighters, which will include stopping Spalding’s full time crews being available at night, have been ratified. Previously at South Holland’s only fire station served by whole time crews, those working full time shifts also covered night time shifts. Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue says that was ruled illegal years ago, but in practice has continued with the full time staff working nights on a voluntary basis.
Grand walk helps two good causes
A Holbeach charity volunteer who was treated for a brain tumour at Addenbrooke’s Hospital has raised more around £2,000 by walking 70 miles. Liz Walker (69), who is the treasurer at the Holbeach Community Larder, walked from Addenbrooke’s to Holbeach to raise money for both the British Acoustic Neuroma Association and the Cambridge hospital. Her mammoth effort took a total of ten days and saw Liz stick mostly to the Fen Rivers Way for the challenge.
Waiting bans go back to council
Extensions to waiting restrictions in two areas of South Holland are set to be discussed next week. There had been plans to extend restriction at Lime Court in Spalding and at Broad Lane, Moulton, near the village school. The county council had planned to introduce both orders, but objections mean they will be back before members of the Planning Regulation Committee on Monday.
Village’s AI photo comp splits opinion
A village photograph competition has caused uproar as it is for AI entries only. Pinchbeck Hub, run by the parish council, is advertising the chance to ‘reimagine’ the village and its residents. The only proviso is that entries use real pictures that have been altered using Artificial Intelligence. There are eight categories including buildings, sport, churches, people and Christmas cheer.
Society goes out with a banger
An over a century old society of local butchers has closed by donating all its money to the British Heart Foundation. The Spalding and East Elloe Butchers Association has roots that date back to 1914. Its name mentions two separate branches which merged following World War Two, a time when towns and villages across the area including Holbeach, Long Sutton and Sutton Bridge were home to numerous family-run butchers.
LETTERS – Speed must not be a substitute
Lincolnshire Against Needless Destruction (LAND) has responded cautiously to plans for a new publicly owned Great British Grid, warning that accelerating electricity infrastructure without addressing weaknesses in strategic planning risks simply delivering a fragmented system faster. The government is expected to announce that Great British Grid will invest directly in electricity network infrastructure, help speed up connections and support the expansion of renewable energy.
International award for school
A Spalding primary school has been recognised for its global lessons. Spalding Parish Church of England Day School has been handed a prestigious International School Award by the British Council. It recognises the schools that do ‘exceptional work in international education’.
Shed gets on their soap box
Long Sutton Men’s Shed rolled into Hunstanton recently on their own creation. The group which aims to alleviate loneliness took on a challenge of entering the Hunstanton Soap Box Derby. They set about building a sturdy soap box using all their combined skills and considerable experience and the invaluable support of their main sponsor Tears Recovery of Sutton Bridge who kindly provided the transport.
Pensioner in her 80s dies after van collision
A woman in her 80s has died following a road traffic collision with a van in Sutton Bridge yesterday (Tuesday, October 7). The incident took place at 1.45pm on Bridge Road and involved a white Transit van. A spokesman for Lincolnshire Police: “We are appealing for witnesses after a woman has sadly died following a collision in Sutton Bridge. “The collision involved a white Ford Transit van and a woman in her 80s.
Plans for padel centre return
Plans to create a centre for padel and pickleball in Spalding have been resubmitted, and badminton has been added to the proposed facilities. A previous application by Raquet Space for a centre on Bourne Road was refused earlier this year, with planners claiming it was ‘poorly connected’ and outside development limits. The South Holland District Council officers also said there was a potential conflict with the future bypass.
Woman jailed for harassing residents
A woman has been jailed for a second time for breaching court orders intended to stop her harassing council house tenants. Mia Rock has been jailed for two months by Lincoln County Court. South Holland District Council says it follows an injunction taken out in August ‘following incidents of anti-social behaviour which seriously impacted the lives of council tenants in the Spalding area’.
Big plans for Sir Halley pavilion
Plans to revamp a sports pavilion have been given the green light as a youth football club aims to boost the facilities at a town playing field. Spalding United Youth Foundation and South Holland District Council agreed a 50-year lease for the town’s Monkshouse Playing Fields earlier this year – and followed that up by seeking permission to revamp the pavilion, off Pennygate.
Thank you to Pinchbeck’s volunteers
A trust put on a special lunch recently to say thank you to volunteers in a South Holland village. Sixty people from 26 Pinchbeck organisations accepted the Pinchbeck Community Land Trust’s invitation to the event on Saturday, September 19. “Pinchbeck is a truly wonderful village to live in,” said the trust’s director and parish councillor John Smith. “The people who came along to the event volunteer their time and energy throughout the year to support our community.
Chilled upgrade to salad leaf farm
A major upgrade to facilities at a South Holland farm aims to keep salad leaves fresher from field to fork. The current salad storage and dispatch facilities at Norfolk House Farm, Gedney Marsh, need to be changed to keep up with technology. An application by JE Piccaver and Co (Jepco) sees the total replacement of the current area with and uninterrupted ‘cold chain’.
LETTERS – What if you miss your slot?
I have been following the reporting on the opening of and booking of access to the county recycling centres and do think that opening the sites seven days a week instead of closing it for two days will be the only solution to reduce any fly-tipping.
New turbine plan for farm
Plans have been submitted to replace one of two wind turbines at a Spalding farm with a newer model producing more than four times the output of the existing model. An application has been submitted to South Holland District Council for Bank House Farm, The Delph. An existing 50kw turbine standing 36m high will be replaced by a new 40m turbine producing 225kw if the application is approved.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Richard
Contact Richard, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack