The year in headlines: A look back at the Lincolnshire Free Press in 2022
Reporter Bridie Short delves into the archives to remind you of the top stories this year...
January
The new year began with calls for police to step up after a series of dog attacks in the area.
One owner had to spend £7,000 to help her Jack Russell recover following an attack from a pack of lurchers near Spalding’s Coronation Channel.
Meanwhile a study revealed people’s changed perceptions of Spalding.
Residents said they felt they were ‘not happy’ with the town and feared it wasn’t the place it used to be following a survey.
One councillor called findings a ’worry’ but reiterated the area had ‘good schools and education’ and had done good work on crime reduction’.
February
Fed-up residents renamed their street ‘ Pothole Drive’.
People living down Spalding’s Churchill Drive demanded a rate rebate for the ‘disgusting state’ of their road.
Brave eight-year-old Harriet Barnett ensured her family got to safety after their car skidded on black ice.
Storm Eunice caused havoc as a bus and lorry were blown off the road.
March
We reported on the demands made against level crossings causing misery in our area.
This was after the barriers failed on Winsover Road for the third time in a couple of months.
One woman created a campaign to help Ukrainans fleeing the Russian invasion.
Anna Davis was pictured with the hundreds of donations at Weston Church.
A village was warned to get their act together after a controversial plan for 150 homes was passed.
There were fears the character of Weston would be lost.
In March we reported on a call for getting on with the long awaited leisure centre plans.
Bosses were told they needed to make quick progress on the new updates for the Spalding leisure facilities.
April
Just 27 people were ticketed for flaunting the traffic rules in the town centre, it was discovered.
The Market Place is pedestrianised between 10am and 4pm however these rules were broken in the past year with no consequences.
Following a series of roadworks in Sutton Bridge many cafe owners in the surrounding areas were hit hard.
Harold Payne from the Anglia Motel lost thousands of pounds from losing customers due to roadworks taking place on the A17.
We reported on the dedicated daughter who was ‘proud’ and ‘honoured’ that a major campaign was named after her mum.
The campaign was made to tackle the dangers of illegal cigarettes in honour of June Buffham who sadly died in a house fire.
Archaeologist Richard Buck wanted to be let into the site of the Castle Sports Complex to uncover its past.
May
In May 2022 we reported on the ‘bittersweet symphony’ of South Holland.
An art leader called to ‘cherish’ the town centre, given that it follows on from council cuts.
Campaigners held a minute's applause in solidarity with staff at the South Holland Centre.
We reported on the £100k paid out to a consultancy firm working on the Castle Sports Complex for the last five years.
Councillors said they were pleased with the work however, opposition members said they found the figures 'worrying’.
There was a desperate need for nursery places.
Families were struggling as nearly 100 pre-school places were in need to meet Spaldings ‘massive shortage’.
A couple were hit with a 200% council tax rise after taking on a derelict cottage.
Karin and Schalk Bornman felt like they were being punished.
June
We covered the majestic celebrations that took place in our district for our Platinum Jubilee special.
It included a lovely picture spread of people around our area getting together and putting on different events.
The people of Spalding were asked what they want the town centre to look like.
The planning strategy for the future of Spalding was ‘nothing is off the table’ and we got all the details.
Exciting talks about the Spalding Flower Parade coming back were held - but called on the public to rally around for help.
Stephen Timewell said it would ‘definitely go ahead’.
Residents were urged not to lose faith in the council's ability to tackle fly-tipping in the area.
One complaint stated the council were ‘impotent’.
July
We reported on the inconsiderate parkers and litter louts warned to be hit in the pocket if they continued to ignore rules.
There were almost 1,500 parking tickets given out as well as offenders in court for spitting and littering in the area.
The Spalding High School were rewarded with three honours at the Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian Education Awards.
It was the fourth time in seven years the school was crowned.
Patients were left frustrated over a Spalding GP surgery that closed.
Based at the Johnson Hospital the service was set to close with more than 3,000 people in need of finding new doctors.
We reported on the demand for action after some local shoppers were fed up with the aggressive motorists going through the town centre.
The shoppers said action was needed to enforce Spaldings pedestrian zone otherwise ‘there will be an accident’.
August
In this headline for August 2022 we covered the ‘ludicrous budget’ which was not enough for play areas in our area.
Spalding councillors demanded more money to be put into maintaining the district's playgrounds to encourage young children to play outside.
We reported on two devastating house fires that left one man dead and another family with nothing left.
A traumatised mother was forced to give birth on the floor outside a locked hospital.
We reported on the terrible two-year wait children were having in order to get orthodontist treatment to fix their teeth.
These children were having to face trips of 100 miles plus for appointments.
September
In September 2022 we reported on the couple unable to get home due to flood damage.
Pamela and Roger Campbell were forced out of their home for at least six months after it was damaged in flash floods that affected the area.
Following the death of Queen Elizebeth II we reported on Lord John Taylor of Holbeach who got to know Queen Elizabeth II.
This was during his time acting as the Captain of the Honourable Corps of the Gentleman at Arms - as a ceremonial bodyguard.
Another headline for September 2022 announced the major reservoir plans revealed to be coming to the area.
There were promises made of an economy and tourism boost however fears over residents losing their homes.
We reported on the front line fight for food security in South Lincolnshire for this September 2022 headline and how the government needed to understand the key role the district plays as inflation increased.
October
A violent thug who attacked a 94-year-old in his home was sent to prison.
Georgel Cimbala was traced after DNA was discovered on the frail victim's walking stick.
There were plans for a new investment zone to put forward a new status in Spalding and Holbeach.
We reported on how this would help South Holland in boosting the area's economy.
November
A motorist travelled the wrong way up a one way system in the town.
Many traders feared another accident would happen if improvements to signage were not improved.
We reported on the 23-hour wait patients in our area were having to wait for an ambulance.
The headline included a special report as to how this was affecting the district.
Residentswere urged to show their support after a leisure centre plan was axed in the Deepings.
Fears were raised amongst councillors and residents around Spalding to make sure a similar ‘betrayal’ doesn't happen again.
We reported on the brave man who grabbed a gun from a shop raider.
The shop worker didn't give it a second thought and was praised by the judge.
December
As the rise of energy costs continued to soar we reported on carers in the area struggling to look after their loved ones.
This comes as 51% of family carers in the UK were in debt due to the cost of living crisis.
There was to be a crackdown on tackling anti- social behaviour in our area.
South Holland District Council were planning to get tougher on fly tipping, anti-social behaviour and littering to sort out our district.
There are hopes that Holbeach's Beer and Music Festival could be saved after fears the popular event would be unable to continue.
Do you have a story?
If so, get in touch by emailing editor jeremy.ransome@iliffepublishing.co.uk
