Last week’s editorial linked the wonderful and continuing success of our Rotary Swimarathon with the extraordinary story regarding the statue of Margaret Thatcher.

Grantham has failed quite shamefully, to show any proper recognition of its most famous daughter in over 20 years since she left Downing Street. Must we wait until after her death to honour her?

On the one hand we show the world our confident and successful face in the annual Swimarathon, and now the global Swimarathon, and at the same time our timid and fearful attitude to the placing of a statue in our town!

Over the past nine years there have been many letters in your paper supporting the idea of a fitting memorial, but always there are the vocal minority of left-wing views from those who obviously detest her.

Surely it is time to put away those unworthy attitudes and recognise Lady Thatcher as Grantham’s gift to the nation of its first woman Prime Minister!

If we have the will, and the courage to override the nay-sayers, the means will become available, and we will not be shamed in the national newspapers as we were last week.

David Close

Welbourn

Love her or hate her, let’s face it, everyone knows about Grantham because of Margaret Thatcher.

After all, she was the first female prime minister this country ever had.

And there is no doubt whatsoever that tourists from all over the world would flock to her home town if we gave her the same treatment that Nottingham does for Robin Hood or more recently, Leicester on behalf of Richard III.

I know the only similarity between them is their fame as opposed to their beliefs. But to heck with that and austerity! We should spend a bit to earn a bit and help Grantham to become as great as it wants to be.

Don’t pussyfoot around arguing about a once decapitated statue. Tuck its head underneath its arm if need be and put it on display. Maybe the novelty value will attract even more visitors and repay the outlay a hundredfold.

A major Maggie exhibition with interactive displays, town trails, ‘Rotten Borough Revisited’ events and other attractions would add the Wow factor. As would special showings of Meryl Streep’s hit film. In fact, why not invite the top star herself (Meryl, I mean) to open the whole affair.

We could have Carole Thatcher hosting a thoroughly intriguing, if disgusting TV reality show; a documentary on a search for Maggie’s long lost son Mark and even an extravaganza series of live ‘Spittin’ Image’ shows at the Guildhall Theatre using the original puppets.

Personal appearances of Maggie’s beloved Cabinet members, if they’re not too busy with their television shows.

And, of course, the reopening of her famous birthplace restaurant, The Premier. More food for thought.

Dare I suggest a Maggie Thatcher theme park?

Naturally the potential is endless and it might even be possible to squeeze in some history about Sir Isaac Newton, the father of science as we know it, or the man infamous as the worst ever Poet Laureate, another former Granthamian.

Come on, show us the true meaning of monetarism. Don’t just build new homes. Let’s have new hotels and everything else that goes with being a major tourist attraction. Perhaps even a Thatcher memorial brewery or do I go too far?

What do other local people think?

Where would all the money come from for such an ambitious project?

That’s easy! Private donations from all the millionaires who prospered due to the Thatcher Government policies and at our expense!

Peter Clawson

Welham Street,

Grantham

Well, it didn’t take long did it? Nick Boles opens his mouth and puts his foot in it again!

Whenever was it more clear that a politician, who failed dismally in the last place he tried to win, but gets “parachuted” into a nice, cosy, safe seat, in an area he knows nothing about (nor particularly cares about), proves to be totally out of touch with the people of his constituency?

Proof again, (if ever it was needed) that our political class are, to quote a very apt slogan “all in it together” and couldn’t care less about the rest of us.

Joe Adkins

Worcester Road

Nine competitors from Grantham Swimming Club successfully qualified for the 2013 Lincolnshire Long Distance County Championships.

The event was held last Saturday afternoon on home ground at The Meres leisure centre where the team recorded some great swims.

The first swimmer to win a medal at the championship was William Hawkes who finished third, just narrowly missing out on second. Thomas Lewis was was not so lucky and finished fourth, missing out on a medal by less than three seconds.

However, both boys clocked very impressive personal bests – by 50 seconds. William also set a new club record for 11-year-old boys in the 1500m and 800m as a split.

Hannah Ford also delivered an impressive performance. She swam a very smart, well-paced race, and clocked the second fastest time in the club’s history in 800m, improving her time by 13 seconds. She also won the first gold medal for Grantham Swimming Club and set new club records for 15-year-old girls.

Both Bella Williams and Leah Roughan swam good races and finished second and third respectively in their age groups. Although Sophie Culpin fought hard, her race did not go to plan.

Finally, Isobel Schofield and Katie Hitchcock still managed to achieve descent personal bests despite illness and injury affecting their recent training programmes. Both still showed good spirit, with Issie recording a 12 seconds personal best and Katie six.

Pictured from left are, back – Molly Fowler, Sophie Culpin, Isobel Schofield and Katie Hitchcock; front – Thomas Lewis, Bella Williams, Leah Roughan, Hannah Ford and William Hawkes.

I was disappointed to read Nick Boles’ column (Journal, February 8), about Grantham Hospital.

The Shaping Health document does indeed talk about keeping some sort of Accident and Emergency Unit at Grantham Hospital. However, that is not much use if they do not actually treat you if you need surgery. It is no good being told: “That’s a broken leg you’ve got. You will have to go to Lincoln to get it fixed.” That is not what I expect from an Accident and Emergency Unit.

I was also alarmed to see Mr Boles apparently supporting the proposed cuts to the Maternity Unit. Yes, there are problems with a midwife-led unit, which is why we support a consultant-led unit. Many of us had hoped that, as MP for Grantham, Mr Boles would support having such a unit in Grantham.

The Shaping Health document is misleading. For example, it does not specifically state that the Midwifery Unit is closing.

Having spoken to rather a lot of Grantham mothers recently, while collecting petition signatures, I can assure Mr Boles that most want(ed) to have their babies in Grantham.

I hope that, on reflection, Mr Boles changes his mind. I am therefore sending him a copy of this letter, with a copy of our petition. This calls for: 1. The return of a fully operational A&E Unit, with only exceptional cases being transferred. 2. A consultant-led team to return to our Midwifery Unit. 3. The provision of an Acute Stroke Unit. 4. Return patient and carer transport should be provided where it is necessary to transfer patients. I do hope Mr Boles signs it.

On a more general point, we are collecting the last petition forms this weekend. Thank you to all those who have already signed it so far.

If you have not got your petition forms back to us yet, please do. If you have not signed it yet, please do.

We shall be collecting signatures in Grantham Market tomorrow (Saturday) or you can contact us on 01476 574748.

John Morgan

By e-mail

A loan shark preying on the most desperate and vulnerable people in our society has set up in Grantham.

That is the warning issued by Trading Standards through its special “Illegal Money Lending Team” set up to counter loan sharks.

The team has sent notices out to organisations in Grantham warning them: “a suspected illegal money lender – a loan shark – may be operating around the Grantham area; in particular working from the town centre”.

Grantham Foodbank, an organisation which provides food to those in crisis, was one of the organisations warned of the threat.

Brian Hanbury of Grantham Foodbank said: “It is vital people stay away from loan sharks. Underground lending can be very, very dangerous and will bring more pain to an already painful situation.

“This often leads to violence and threats and needs to be eradicated in our town.”

The Foodbank is already putting information into parcels of food to warn people about the dangers of loan sharks.

When asked if there are people in Grantham susceptible to loan sharks, Mr Hanbury said: “Unfortunately the answer is a big yes.

“We have two wards – the Harrowby ward and the Earlsfield ward – which are deemed to be near the top for deprivation. We are estimating there are almost 6,000 of our neighbours in and around town that struggle to make ends meet.”

Mr Hanbury added: “Our hope is that the intervention of food parcels prevents the need to access high rated loan systems, both legal and illegal, giving families a breathing space to bring their finances under control.”

Trading Standards have seen loan sharks charge as much as 131,000 per cent APR. The body is pushing an awareness campaign in Grantham and district.

Trading Standards warn that loan sharks:

*Start out being friendly – they are often heard of via friends. It is only when repayments are missed their behaviour changes.

*Offer little or no paperwork surrounding the deal.

*Increase the debt or add additional amounts.

*Refuse to tell the borrower the interest rate, how much they still owe or how long they will be paying back.

*Take items as security. This may include passports, driving licences or even bank or post office cards with the PIN to withdraw directly from borrowers’ accounts.

*Resort to intimidation, threats or violence.

Richard Wyles, South Kesteven District Council’s head of finance, said: “We would always encourage our residents who find themselves in a position of requiring additional funding to consider taking out borrowing from only reputable and established companies, for example, high street banks.”

A flat-bed lorry shed a 20 tonne concrete block on to the A607 at Harlaxton.

The 10ft long block crashed to the ground, splitting it in two and leaving debris across the road.

Two further concrete blocks remained on the lorry.

Delays are reported in both directions.

ChromaSport United Counties League

Division One

Harrowby United 0

Olney Town 0

Harrowby United recorded their first draw of the season in a goalless stalemate with Olney Town.

On chances created, Harrowby should have been home and dry by half time. The first came in the third minute when the Arrows crafted an opening for Martin Wormall who shot straight at the Nurserymen keeper Stuart Dorrill.

Lee Shaw burst through the Olney defence on a solo run after 11 minutes but saw his shot was deflected away for a corner. Shortly after, Shaw’s cross from the right flank was only half cleared to Scott Webb whose shot was also blocked at the expense of a corner kick. From the corner, the ball found its way to an unmarked Sam Hill in the six-yard box, but his shot hit the inside of the post and somehow stayed out.

Olney always looked dangerous on the break and Jack Drury in the Arrows goal was forced to save with his feet and then dive acrobatically to his right to palm away a shot from the resulting corner.

Just after the half hour mark, a smart piece of work from Liam Harper allowed him to release Shaw out on the right. Shaw’s teasing cross was inches away from being converted by a stretching Wormall.

As half time approached, another corner into the box found Hill who was unable to get a shot away before the ball was scrambled clear. More good work from Shaw, on the stroke of half time, saw his cross headed just wide by a diving Wormall.

The second half saw more of the same. A Jack Whyley header from another corner was saved on the line. A Wormall shot was saved by Dorrill, the ball rebounding to Simon Bolland whose shot came back off of the right hand post.

Harrowby had two good shouts for penalties waved away by referee Mr Johnson, the first when Wormall was brought down from behind in the six-yard box, and the second when a Sam Kirton shot from just outside the box was stopped by a defender’s outstretched hand.

Harper had a good chance after 65 minutes but shot wide. Kirton then hit a screamer from distance which was tipped over the bar superbly by Dorrill.

A final chance in stoppage time was created by Wormall who shot just over the frame of the goal to leave the Arrows frustrated in the knowledge that it was two points dropped rather than a point gained after dominating so much of the game.

Man of the match was Jack Whyley.

Harrowby: Drury, Weatherstone, Preston, Hill, Whyley, Webb (Peberdy, 75), Kirton, Bolland (c), Harper, Wormall, Shaw. Subs not used: Sheridan, Gibson, Mayes, Lewis.

An out-of-work woman who admitted defrauding TX Maxx out of almost £100 said she soon hopes to take up a new job as a scuba diving instructor in Egypt.

Claire Baker of Croake Hill, Swinstead, near Grantham admitted two charges of defrauding TK Maxx out of a total of £96.98.

The court heard how Baker bought coats from TX Maxx then swapped the tags with cheaper coats bought from elsewhere before returning them.

Baker defrauded TX Maxx in Grantham out of £36.99 and defrauded the Peterborough store out of £59.99.

Judith Armstrong defending, said: “She has made a one-off mistake. There has been nothing prior and nothing since.

“Everything indicates she made a serious error for which she is truly sorry.”

Miss Armstrong told the court Baker is looking to make a fresh start.

She added: “She is trying her best to get a new job but it is proving quite difficult.

“But she has managed to locate a job as a scuba-diving instructor in Egypt.”

Magistrates gave Baker a six-month conditional discharge.

She must also pay £96.98 in compensation to TK Maxx and £40 in costs.

Chairman of magistrates Ian McDonnell said: “If you do leave the country don’t

get ahead of yourself and think the fine will be on hold. Make arrangements for it to be paid while you are away.”

A teenager will have to re-take both the theory and practical parts of his driving test after crashing his car in Lidl car park.

Jakob Doran of Gloucester Road in Grantham admitted failing to stop at the scene of an accident, failure to report an accident and driving without due care and attention.

The court heard how Doran was seen driving a Peugeot 106 in circles in Lidl car park in Union Street, pulling hand-brake turns. He then clipped a kerb and lost control of the car before colliding with a parked Ford Ka, whose driver was sat inside.

Doran then drove away from the scene but was followed by a witness who spoke to him a short time later when he pulled over. The witness told Doran he should return to the car park to apologise.

Kate Hartley, prosecuting, said Doran and another male initially agreed before running away from the witness.

The parked car suffered various scrapes and scratches as well as a bent exhaust.

Chris Pye-Smith, defending, told the court Doran, 18, is studying for a chemical engineering degree at Nottingham University.

Mr Pye-Smith added: “He accepts his driving in the car park was foolish. He can only now accept the consequences of his actions, whatever they are going to be.”

Mr Pye-Smith put Doran’s actions following the crash down to “panic and being somewhat shocked”.

Doran was fined £110 and ordered to pay costs of £43 and a £15 surcharge.

He also received eight points on his licence. As he only passed his test a little over a year ago, this means he has lost his licence.

Chair of magistrates Ian McDonnell said: “You will have to take a theory and practical test again. You only have yourself to blame for that situation.

“You are at university so you are an intelligent lad but this is crazy behaviour and it has cost you, big time.”

SATURDAY (February 23)

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League

Football

Premier Division – Frickley Athletic v Grantham Town (3pm).

ChromaSport United Counties League

Division One – Northampton ON Chenecks v Harrowby United (3pm).

Grantham & District Saturday League

Premier Division – Greyhounders v Buckminster United, Harrowby Reserves v White Horse Sleaford, Heckington Millers v Bottesford.

Division One – AFC Three Gables v AFC Skillington, CK Dons v Rippingale & Folkingham, Bottesford Reserves v Croxton AFC.

Rugby

Notts Pennant League

Midlands League 3

East (North) – Kesteven v Southwell.

Group 2 – Bakewell 2nd v Kesteven 2nd.

Hockey

Grantham v St Ives 3rd, Woodhall Spa Ladies v Grantham Ladies.

SUNDAY

Football

Grantham & District Sunday League

Premier Division – AFC Sleaford United v Helpringham Rovers, Ruskington v FC Osbournby Rangers, Three Gables Sunday v Lions, Thurlby United v Witham Wanderers.

Division One – Aslockton Cranmers FC v Caythorpe, Grantham United TRE v Colsterworth United, Long Bennington v Springfield AFC, Ropsley v Nobody Athletic.

TUESDAY

Football

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League

Doodson Sport Cup, fourth round – Grantham Town v Matlock Town (7.45pm).

FOOTBALL RESULTS

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League

Premier Division – Hednesdford Town 3 Grantham Town 0.

ChromaSport United Counties League

Division One – Harrowby United 0 Olney Town 0.

Grantham & District Saturday League

Division One – Bottesford Reserves 1 Caythorpe 2, Rippingale & Folkingham 3 Croxton AFC 4.

Grantham Hospital Charity Cup – AFC Ancaster 2 AFC Three Gables 2 (Three Gables won 4-3 on penalties), CK Dons 4 White Swan Barrowby 5, White Horse Sleaford 2 Greyhounders 1.

Grantham & District Sunday League

Charity Shield – Long Bennington 2 AFC Sleaford United 7, Ropsley Fox 7 Grantham United TRE 2, Three Gables Sunday 1 Helpringham Rovers Sunday 6.

A man released on bail from Grantham Magistrates’ Court on Friday was immediately rearrested after he walked straight to Morrisons in the Isaac Newton Centre and stole groceries worth £8.74.

Patrick Flynn, 31, of no fixed address, admitted theft when he reappeared at court on Monday.

Rory Macmillan, defending, told the court Flynn has no job and is receiving no benefits.

He added: “He is offending to survive.”

The case was adjourned until February 26 for reports to be prepared but Flynn was denied bail.

Chair of magistrates Ian McDonnell said: “You were granted bail twice last week and committed offences on both occasions so we are not going to give you bail.”

A man has been banned from a Grantham shop indefinitely after magistrates imposed a restraining order on him for a second time.

The court heard how Martin Hart had previously been subject to a restraining order banning him from entering Costcutter in Hornsby Road but it expired in November.

Hart, of Sycamore Court in Grantham, admitted a public order offence after threatening the manager of the store on November 25.

Kate Hartley, prosecuting, said Hart walked into the shop and began swearing, saying: “You banned me. One day I’m going to smash the shop and smash your car.”

When the manager threatened to call the police Hart said: “Call the police. I’m not going anywhere.”

The court heard how the manager of the store had experienced many problems with Hart. Mrs Hartley said Hart once tried to pay for goods with a forged £20 note, after which he was banned from the shop.

Hart also admitted shop theft after stealing a multi-pack of Toffee Crisps worth £1.49 and possession of cannabis.

Mrs Hartley said: “Green vegetable matter was found concealed in his boxer shorts. He confirmed it was cannabis and it was for his own use.”

Hart was sentenced to a three-month, 7pm to 7am curfew to be monitored electronically, a restraining order banning him from entering Costcutter in Hornsby Road to run indefinitely and he must also pay £1.49 in compensation to B&M Bargains.

Midlands League 3

East (North)

Kesteven 13

Ashby 11

Kesteven took the field looking to continue their run of success against a strong Ashby side, who normally provide a severe test.

Ashby looked the sharper side in the early part of the game, maintaining some early terrtory. Both sides made handling errors and the game did not flow well, going from scrum to scrum with the odd penalty thrown in.

The visitors opened the scoring from one such award, 35 metres out with the ball sailing between the uprights.

Kesteven rose to the challenge with typical vigour. As Doug Hayward tried to speed the game up with a tap penalty, he was stopped illegally and the Ashby player paid for his act with 10 minutes in the sin bin.

Kesteven eschewed the chance of three points from the next penalty by kicking to the corner. The forwards had several attempts to get the ball over the line, with Purvis, Turner and Sheardown going close, but the Ashby defence held.

A deep kick to the corner was not cleared by the Kesteven defence and the Ashby wing scored a try with two minutes to go before the break.

Kesteven responded well and quickly got into the Ashby 22. Again they went close to scoring only to be awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Everyone expected the easy three points except James Goodrich who quickly sized up the position and took a quick tap to force his way over for the try, turning three points into seven.

The second half went much the way of the first with Kesteven gradually getting on top but not finding the spark to break down a very well organised Ashby midfield defence.

Again Ashby worked their way up to earn a penalty chance which they converted to extend the lead to 11-7 with 20 minutes left.

Kesteven did not panic and were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts. This time Parker kicked the goal to narrow the gap to one point again with 10 minuutes remaining.

One final drive saw Ashby concede a penalty in front of the posts in the last minute. Parker kept his cool and calmly slotted over the kick to give Kesteven a win that their overall play deserved.

Kesteven: Whittaker, Jordan, Cooper, Goodrich, Hughes, Parker, Wood, Sheardown, Hayward, Purvis, Pert, Cowley, Flear, Turner, Woolerton. Reps: Carew, Midgely, Dent.

A restraining order was imposed to prevent a man from contacting his former partner.

Leonard Frankish of Princess Drive in Grantham was told the charge of harassment he faced was being withdrawn by the prosecution.

However, he agreed to the imposition of a two-year restraining order which prevents Frankish contacting the complainant, going to her address in Grantham or going to her place of work without an appointment.

The court heard that the restraining order followed the collapse of a 25-year relationship which saw the couple raise four children.

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League

Premier Division

Hednesford Town 3

Grantham Town 0

Lowly Grantham Town were always going to be up against it facing second-placed Hednesford.

The Gingerbreads conceded a Ben Bailey goal after only four minutes, but kept the home side at bay for the remainder of the first half.

Aaron Rey doubled Hednesford’s advantage two minutes after the break. A 54th minute Neil Harvey strike sealed Grantham’s fate.

With league leaders North Ferriby United only managing to draw with Stafford Rangers, Hednesford are looking good with two good games in hand.

Grantham Town: Turner, Asher, Meikle, Hannigan, Hawes, Lewis, Watson, Nwadike, MacVicar, Nightingale, Smith. Subs: McGhee, Troke, Maddox, Demidh, Elliot.

Grantham Town Supporters’ Club lotto (sponsored by Galaxy Fish Bar).

February 16 winners: £200 – 429 R. Cole; £10 – 192 S. Adlington; £5 – 193 M. Baker, 119 Galaxy Fish Bar, 323 G. McCorquodale, 281 I. Welham, 134 Mrs K. Holme, 465 Mrs Coe.

February 9 winners: £200 – 173 C. Jackson; £10 – 225 P. Manterfield; £5 – 140 Mrs Boyne, 671 GSCC, 463 T. Fraher, 243 Galaxy Fish Bar, 281 I. Welham, 327 L. Selby

A woman who allowed her Westgate home to be used for the preparation of drugs fled the town after receiving threats from dealers.

Danielle Keaveney, formerly living above the Blue Bull in Westgate but now living in St Rumbolds Street in Lincoln, admitted a charge of permitting the preparation of opium on premises.

Kate Hartley, prosecuting, said Keaveney, 20, denied being involved in the cutting of drugs or with the bagging up.

She added: “She did allow her flat to be used by others. She would not state who was coming round to do this.

“She confirmed she received drugs in payment for that.”

Bill Fraser, defending, said Keaveney was forced to leave Grantham after she was arrested.

He said: “As soon as she was arrested she and her partner began getting threats from the more serious drug dealers in town. That’s why she moved to Lincoln.”

Keaveney was sentenced to a 12-month community order with a supervision requirement.

Magistrates sent a man to prison after he twice stole televisions from supermarkets after receiving a suspended prison sentence.

Martin Moore of Alexandra Road, Grantham, admitted two shop thefts and breaching a suspended sentence order.

Moore stole a LG television worth £130 from Asda in Grantham on January 16 and then stole a Techwood television, also worth £130, from Morrisons in Grantham on January 22.

Kate Hartley, prosecuting, said Moore told police he was under the influence of “MCAT”, otherwise known as mephedrone, at the time of the Asda offence.

When he was arrested for the Morrisons theft he told officers he did not even want to look at the CCTV footage.

Mrs Hartley said: “He said he did not want to see it because it would just make him look like a fool.”

Rob Arthur, defending, told the court Moore, 28, had battled heroin addiction only to go on to become addicted to MCAT.

Mr Arthur added: “He is under no illusions what is likely to happen to him today.”

Moore was sentenced to a total of 22 weeks in prison - 10 weeks for the suspended sentenced and six weeks for each of the two shop thefts - to run consecutively.

Chair of magistrates Ian McDonnell said: “It will come as no great shock to you that we are sending you to prison today.

“We think there is no other appropriate way of dealing with you because of this lifestyle you are leading.

“We cannot have you going into shops and stealing all the time. It is unacceptable.”

One television was recovered while the second was sold by Moore. However, he was spared having to pay any compensation to the supermarket.

Mr McDonnell said: “When you come out you will have no finances and we want you to have a fighting chance to get yourself back on your feet.”

A Polish man who admitted numerous breaches of his community order was re-sentenced to six weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

Andrzej Krajewski, 24, of Rathkerr Court, Norton Street, Grantham, had been sentenced to 200 hours’ unpaid work for assaulting a police officer.

Magistrates revoked the community order and replaced it with a six-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

He was also sentenced to a three-month electronically-monitored curfew from 7pm to 6am.