Fundraising brainwave gets 7th Spalding Guides new flag and Artistic Radish Theatre group performs The Demon Barber Sweeney Todd Shock and Roll Show at Deeping St James in 1997

A fundraising brainwave from 7th Spalding Guides helped them to purchase a new group flag 25 years ago.

The group’s 11 guides sold pens inscribed with the message: ‘In your pocket or bag, help us fly our new flag’.

They raised £65, while a donation from Broad Street Methodist Church also helped their cause. Their old, thinning flag was replaced and delivered by Rev David Curran - with plenty of parents attending the service.

Meanwhile, grisly murder and mayhem came to Deeping St James when the Artistic Radish Theatre group put on a show in 1997.

The three-year-old company took The Deepings School by storm by performing The Demon Barber Sweeney Todd Shock and Roll Show.

It took a light-hearted approach to the gruesome tale, with a singing cast and eight-piece band impressing those in attendance. The group had recently performed shows like Beauty and the Beast.