Nottingham Forest Supporters’ Club (Grantham branch):
Forest are away to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, kick-off 5.20pm, and at home to Ipswich Town on Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm.
Bookings are being taken for away games at Hull City on March 16, 3pm, Burnley on April 1, 3pm, and Cardiff City on April 13, 3pm.
For details contact Bob Taylor on 01476 550242.
Grantham Town Supporters’ Club lotto (sponsored by Galaxy Fish Bar), winners (23-2-13):
£200 – 285 A. Matsell; £10 – 496 Mrs O’Brien; £5 – 975 J. Hamilton, 372 J. Bainbridge, 610 L. Feneley, 194 M. Tomlin, 709 S. Bilner, 298 J. Hempsall.
Chief constable of Lincolnshire Police Neil Rhodes has been suspended from his duties over “potential conduct matters” which have been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) for investigation.
Police and crime commissioner for the county Alan Hardwick has confirmed the suspension of Ch Con Rhodes while investigations take place.
A statement read: “Following consultation with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), the matters in question have been referred to them.”
The commissioner has appointed deputy chief constable Alec Wood as acting chief constable with immediate effect.
Police have arrested and charged a Grantham man with robbery and possession of an offensive weapon after around £600 was stolen from Costcutter in Springfield Road, Grantham.
Police have charged 31-year-old Dale Sumner of Huntingtower Road in Grantham after he was arrested yesterday (Feb 25).
He has been remanded in custody.
Views of people across South Kesteven are being sought on a proposal to reduce the number of district councillors from 58 to 55.
The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England has launched a six-week public consultation as the first part of an electoral review which will also consider changes to the number, names and boundaries of South Kesteven District Council’s wards.
Commission chairman Max Caller said: “This is your chance to shape your council for the future.
“We are asking people across South Kesteven whether they agree that 55 councillors is the right number to represent the district in the future. We want to know if you think 55 is the right number of councillors to be able to take decisions effectively and whether it’s the right number to represent the interests of all the district’s communities.
“If you don’t agree that South Kesteven should be represented by 55 councillors, we want you to tell us your alternative and why you think there should be more, or fewer, members of the council in the future.
“Once we have taken a view on the number of councillors, we will re-draw ward boundaries to accommodate those elected members and we will ask local people to have their say during that process as well.”
The commission has already considered evidence submitted to it by SKDC. Its proposals on the total number of councillors will be published in May, followed in October by draft recommendations for a new pattern of wards for South Kesteven. This will be consulted on and final recommendations will be made in March 2014. New electoral arrangements would come into effect for the council elections in 2015.
* Have your say online via consultation.lgbce.org.uk, e-mail reviews@lgbce.org.uk or write to: The Review Officer (South Kesteven), Local Government Boundary Commission for England, Layden House, 76-86 Turnmill Street, London EC1M 5LG. The consultation closes on April 8.
* For further information, visit www.lgbce.org.uk
Midlands League 3
East (North)
Kesteven 32
Southwell 12
The cold made handling difficult as both teams tried to settle into the game.
Kesteven were determined to play their usual open game but found it hard to break down the Southwell defenece. The breakthrough came when the ball was worked out to right wing Taylor. The youngster showed great poise to run along the touchline and squeeze in at the corner.
Southwell were determined to keep pressure on Kesteven and were unlucky to have their number eight sin-binned for killing the ball. Kesteven took advantage as the pack took control and Robert Sheardown forced his way over. Then Turner, who was at number eight for the unavailable Woolerton, finished off another strong run with a fine try.
Southwell came out for the second half refreshed and Kesteven found it difficult to break out of their own half.
The visitors used the kick and chase to good effect and soon opened their account with a try, their speedy wing kicking through and winning the race to the line.
Another try followed in the same vein. This time the ball was hacked through from midfield and again Southwell won the race. The conversion narrowed the gap to 15-12 with 20 minutes to play.
Kesteven did not lie down and eventually good clean ball was won on the left. Parker found Goodrich with some space and the centre showed he was not going to be stopped as he crashed over the line for the bonus-point try.
This try the home side and Turner followed up with a great break. Midgely was on his inside in support to go over for the try at the posts. Parker added the conversion.
Right at the end, Taylor went clear on the wing and raced away to score in the corner. This brought the curtain down on a hard fought win.
Kesteven: Whittaker, P. Jordan, J. Hughes, Goodrich, Taylor, Parker, Wood, Sheardown, Brown, Purvis, Pert, Cowley, Midgely, Peabody, Turner. Reps: O. Hughes, Hanson, Odams.
Notts, Lincs, Derbys Shield
Quarter-final
Kesteven 48
West Bridgford 10
A great second half performance by Kesteven saw Tony Woolerton in splendid form at Woodnook last Tuesday night.
Cooper scored the first try after five minutes. The visitors replied with a try of their own from the last move of the second half.
Second half tries by Jake Hughes, Woolerton (2), Miles, Peabody, and Taylor (2) sealed a great win for the home team. Parker kicked four conversions.
Kesteven: Galloway, Taylor, J. Hughes, Goodrich, Cooper, Parker, Lines, Sheardown, Hayward, Cowley, Ballaam, Pert, Woolerton, Peabody, Miles. Reps: Ingram, G. Smith, Hanson, Odams.
Pictured in front of the Shwezigon reclining Buddha in Bago in the “wonderful country” of Burma, are Andrew and Elaine Mayfield, plus the Journal.
The couple, of Belton Avenue in Grantham, were taking a tour, which also took in Inle Lake, Ayeyarwaddy River and Ngapali beach.
* Going somewhere nice? Why not take a copy of the Journal and send us a photo of you holding it on your trip? E-mail: comment@granthamjournal.co.uk
South Kesteven District Council is to start building new council houses for the first time in almost 15 years, the authority has announced.
The move comes as the district council’s cabinet have agreed a budget of £1 million in the financial year beginning in April and a further £2 million during the following 12 months to build an estimated 30 new homes.
The last council houses in the district were completed in 1999.
Possible sites are still being examined but construction is likely to take place on council-owned land in Grantham and Stamford with work scheduled to begin in the summer and new tenants moving in a year later.
Leader of the Council, Coun Linda Neal, said: “We have ambitious growth plans to maximise the massive potential of our district and providing social housing is very much a part of our strategy.
“Building 30 homes is a modest beginning, but now that changes in housing legislation have been made that allow us far more flexibility this will signal the start of a building programme that will run for years to come.
“As well as providing much needed homes in our district, the programme will also generate scores of new construction jobs and secure many more through the purchase of materials and services.”
The council said existing council house tenants will also benefit as £4.9 million is to be spent improving existing homes with the money coming largely from external sources.
Coun Terl Bryant, portfolio holder for housing, said: “We are also budgeting £5.7 million on repairs and care services in 2013/14 and a further £6.1 million in 2014/15.
“Providing good housing for everyone is a priority for this council and the work we are doing in both the private and public sectors is clear evidence that we are making real progress towards our goal.”
“Crikey, has Christmas come back around already?”, we hear you cry.
Don’t worry you haven’t missed the summer, this photo was taken on Christmas Day and sent in the Journal by Michael Johnson (pictured left).
He stands with wife Julie, friends Jenny and Brian Joselyn and a waiter from a nearby restaurant.
The group went away from five weeks from Christmas into January.
Lincolnshire County Council has pledged to freeze its portion of the council tax for the coming financial year.
It marks the third consecutive year the authority has frozen its portion of the council tax.
The county council is crediting an additional Government grant for making the freeze possible.
Coun Kelly Smith, executive member for finance, said: “This is a difficult time for everyone financially, and we feel it’s important to do all we can to make life easier for our residents. That’s why we decided to take the unprecedented step of freezing our share of the council tax for the third year running.
“Over the last two years the council has found savings of around £80m, while also protecting priority services, like child protection, the fire service, and road maintenance. We also have plans in place that will bring a further £45m of savings over the next two years.
“At the same time, we continue to invest in major infrastructure projects, such as the Lincoln Eastern Bypass, the Grantham relief road and superfast broadband, which will pave the way for renewed prosperity in Lincolnshire.
“However, the Government has made it clear that more needs to be done if we’re going to get the country back on track. With that in mind, we’ll be drawing sensibly on our reserves over the next couple of years while we plan the best way to make further efficiencies.
“Having said that, it’s important that everyone pulls their weight, and that Lincolnshire isn’t asked to do more than its fair share. Rural authorities like Lincolnshire still do not receive the same level of overall funding as urban areas. So the council will continue to call for a fairer deal for local residents.”
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Doodson Sport Cup
Fourth round
Grantham Town 1
Matlock Town 2
Grantham Town exited the knockout cup competition with a battling performance in front of a small crowd on a bitterly cold night at The Meres on uesday night.
The biting wind kept the pace of the game high throughout, with the Gingerbreads dominating and taking the lead in the first half, until the visitors bounced back with two goals before half time.
The first 10 minutes was virtually all Grantham’s with the visitors showing nothing of note going forward.
Nathan Watson’s seventh minute header was cleared off the line, and the resulting goalmouth scramble failed to come up trumps for the Gingerbreads.
Grantham continued to be lively, passing the ball with ease, and looked assured going forward – although their defence was yet to be tested.
The pressure paid off and the home side went in front after 14 minutes. Gio Carchedi put a delightful ball through to Kallum Smith who slotted home.
Rhys Lewis’ 18th minute header went awry and at the other end, Matlock’s real first chance was a free kick from the corner of the penalty area, but it was lifted well over the bar.
The Gingerbreads harried and tussled in midfield, frustrating the visitors’ with every twist and turn. Deon Meikle cleared the danger when Matlock’s Gareth Davies delivered a dangerous cross into the home 18-yard box with 28 minutes played.
Meikle was Grantham’s saviour again two minutes later when he raced to cut out Massiah McDonald after a good ball in from Anthony Griffiths Jnr.
More delightful interplay in midfield set up Smith again, but Matlock keeper Jon Kennedy managed to smother the ball first.
The game turned when the visitors were awarded a penalty in the 35th minute after Adam Yates was fouled in the box. Bradley Grayson stepped up to level the scores.
The equaliser completely revitalised Matlock and suddenly the Gingerbreads were under the cosh. The Derbyshire side were rampant up to half time and went in front on 43 minutes when McDonald slotted into the bottom left hand corner.
Grantham’s goal came under attack three times in the first minute of the second half but they managed to keep the ball out of the net.
Grayson continued to look dangerous and carved his way down the right flank on 50 minutes to deliver a beauty of a squared ball across the face of goal. Fortunately for Grantham, McDonald was unable to stretch far enough to make contact.
The visitors were awarded a free kick after Griffiths Jnr was fouled 20 yards out after 56 minutes. James Ashmore drove his effort hard and direct but Grantham keeper Jake Turner parried at the near post.
Troke miskicked his half volley just after the hour and at the other end Joe Leesley got on the end of a long free kick but Turner blocked well again.
The Gingerbreads’ best chance of levelling came in the 67th minute. A flowing, incisive move saw Watson find Smith, who slotted through to Carchedi, but he stumbled under pressure in the box.
Matlock could have extended their advantage in the 72nd minute but Grayson’s header hit the far post. The ball was still live but Turner did well to smother it with McDonald and Grayson waiting to pounce.
Meikle cleared from a dangerous Matlock free kick in the 78th minute and the Gingerbreads managed to tighten the reins for the remainder of the game, although an equaliser never really looked on the cards with the visitors defending to the hilt.
Grantham Town: Turner, Leggett, Bray, Meikle, Lewis, Nwadike (c), Watson, Troke, Carchedi, Nightingale, Smith. Subs: Drury, Pease, Rawdon. Att: 81.
Student Elizabeth Bass has won a prestigious European harp competition in Cardiff.
Elizabeth, 18, of Harston, was one of 39 harpists from around Europe to take part in The Lyon & Healey Award Competition.
She became the youngest competitor to win one of the four awards of £2,000. She plans to use the award to further her musical education, including investing in additional tutoring with professional harpists.
The competition, which took place in Europe for the first time, was the centrepiece of a three-day International Harp Festival held at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff.
Elizabeth, who attends Oakham School, said: “It was a hugely inspiring three days, full of amazing recitals, lectures and master classes. Playing in the competition and in the final recital in front of a packed audience of professional harpists was hugely nerve-wracking, but I was overjoyed to be chosen as one of the winners.”
Director of Music Peter Davis said: “Elizabeth clearly has an exciting musical future ahead of her. We are extremely proud of all her achievements, which include her recent offer of a Scholarship to study at London’s Royal Academy of Music after she has finished her A Levels at Oakham.”
Grantham Tennis Club’s Mini League players took on Boston at Eastgate on Saturday.
The Reds’ match featured Martha Patton, Eve Kimberley, Aaron Fleckney and Cameron Anderson. Despite their best efforts, Grantham lost to Eastgate who had a very strong team. The mini Orange team beat Eastgate in their match with the team of Jake Gibbons and Nitesh Shaym.
The Green team were Harry Clough and Madison Cook and came up against very good players, ultimately losing 5-0 despite some really good rallies.
The Nottingham Winter Indoor League continued with Grantham’s third string losing to a strong David Lloyd West Bridgford team. The team comprised Andrew Isaac, Robert Isaac, Yvonne Walker and Liz Hewitt.
The weekend started in the same vain with Grantham’s third winter team losing to Retford 64 games to 44. The team were David Todd, Johnny Ng, Neil Robertson, Barry Priestly, John Walker and Kane Goswell. The men’s first team also lost away at Farnsfield. It was Richard Cragg, Daniel Mole, James Drennan, Ed Milner, Andrew Isaac and Simon Cormer’s third successive loss.
The ladies’ winter first team hosted Caunton and stopped Grantham’s bad run with a 69-39 victory. The team were Lianne Tapson, Charlotte Palul, Jackie Wilson, Liz Isles, Liz Frobisher and Laura Dixon.
The lady veterans’ second team faced Collingham 2nd. The team of Janet Ibberson, Pam Aust, Jo Carstairs and Jo Jones narrowly lost 5-3.
A determined woman is staging a protest outside a Grantham garage this afternoon (Wednesday).
Victoria Cook, 22, is refusing to move her car from in front of the shutters at Moss Tyres, in Inner Street, until damage to her car is repaired.
She claims that a wheel on her Vauxhall Corsa was not fitted correctly two weeks ago and as a result it flew off as she was travelling along the High Dyke earlier today.
The wheel landed in a bush while the car ground to a halt, causing damage to a brake disc. It is this damage which she feels should be fixed free of charge by the garage.
Victoria, of Manthorpe Road in Grantham, said: “I’m doing this for the safety of other drivers, to make them aware.
“I feel very strongly about this - I don’t see why I should have to pay for the brake disc when it’s not my fault.”
She was not alone in the car when the wheel came off near Ancaster. Two colleagues from the cleaning firm she works for were travelling with her, although no-one was injured. Luckily, her three-year-old daughter was not in the car at the time. Victoria said she also feels lucky that she was not driving at a faster speed at the time the wheel flew off.
Stranded with no knowledge of how to fit the spare, a couple stopped and offered help. Coincidentally, the woman’s father-in-law was said to have experienced a similar problem following a tyre-sitting by the same garage.
Victoria is refusing to budge this afternoon, having parked her Corsa in front of the garage doors. However, a mechanic at Moss Tyres, who refused to give his name, said his work will continue regardless of whether the car is moved.
He said the tyre was fitted four weeks ago and had there been a problem the wheel would have come off much sooner, denying any wrongdoing whatsoever.
He added: “When she came in here she tried to cause a scene, trying to make sure everybody knows I’ve done something that I haven’t done.”
The mechanic said he would not call the police but would instead carry on working.
A great night of music is planned next weekend to raise money for a good cause.
Adam Mason of Stamford Street in Grantham is organising the event for his 40th birthday and has invited around 25 fellow musicians to perform. Adam has set himself the target of raising between £3,000 and £5,000 .
He added: “I don’t usually get nervous before a gig but this means a little bit more. I’m sure it will be a great night.”
The event will be on Saturday night (March 9) at Chameleon in the High Street. Entry is free with donations encouraged. More: mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/adammason1
The owner of a Lakeland Terrier which has been missing since Monday is appealing for help finding it.
Louise Stone’s terrier “Billy” went missing from her parent’s home in Gelston near Hough-on-the-Hill on Monday afternoon (Feb 25) and hasn’t been seen since.
Louise said: “He was let outside and just vanished. He has disappeared for about an hour before but he has been away for two nights now and it’s just not like him - he likes his nice warm bed.”
Louise put an appeal on the Journal’s Facebook page earlier in the week.
She said: “People have been very supportive on the Journal Facebook page . The support has been brilliant.
“We’ve had people searching the surrounding areas but there has been no site of him.”
Billy is micro-chipped and wearing a light green and brown collar.
Louise said: “My partner and I are devastated and just want to know what’s happened to him. He is such a little character and everyone we know loves him and all his little habits!
“He is a friendly little dog and would go to anyone so we just hope someone one nice and kind has picked him up and will return him.”
If you have any information then call Louise on 07860754341 or her parents on 01400 250538.
A bid to have part of Grantham designated as a conservation area has been successful.
South Kesteven District Council has created the Grantham St Anne’s Conservation Area following 12 months of campaigning by local pressure group Conserving Grantham.
The Conservation Area covers a swathe of the town east of the River Witham from Wyndham Park to Harrowby Road. It takes in New Beacon Road, including the Norman Leys arts and crafts building, the church hall on Harrowby Road, and the junction with Granville Street to include the Lord Harrowby pub. It also includes Sandon Road with the Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School, St Mary’s RC School, Grantham College and The Old Barracks. Parts of Dudley Road, including Dudley House School, St Catherine’s Road and Stonebridge Road are also included.
Members of Conserving Grantham say they are delighted by the move but the couuncil could have acted more quickly.
Member Charmaine Morgan said: “It is really good news so many local people supported our application to protect Grantham’s Victorian heritage. It is just so frustrating that our town has to lose landmark buildings, Shirley Croft Hotel and St Catherine’s House, before the council took action. We still have much work to do with other parts of the town, including the Victorian St John’s area, built to accommodate the railworkers and campaigning to protect our vulnerable wildlife habitat. Protecting our town’s natural and built heritage is important. It will not only conserve what we have but also provide opportunities for tourism and economic development in the future.”
A conservation area helps to ensure that natural features, heritage and buildings of historical interest are safeguarded. This may mean permission is needed from the local authority to make changes to any of these features.
Conserving Grantham members have applied for a larger Conservation Area in St Anne’s likely to be delivered in a phased approach by SKDC. They aim to protect more areas of Grantham from insensitive development including the area around the River Witham and the unique Victorian Street scenes around Dysart Park and Universities Square.
A map of the area can be seen at the council in St Peter’s Hill or go to www.southkesteven.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=8469&p=0
An international event born right here in Grantham has raised in excess of £100,000 in just two years.
Saturday’s event - the second ever Rotary Global Swimarathon - has raised around £50,000 so far, the majority of which will go towards helping eradicate polio.
In Grantham around 70 people came along to the Meres to take part in the event, founded by the Rotary Club of Grantham in 2012 to help raise £600 locally.
Rotary Clubs from around the globe accepted the invitation from Grantham to take part in the event, from Australia to India and Brazil.
Roger Graves of the Rotary Club of Grantham said: “We were the head office for the world on Saturday.
“We hope the event will continue to get bigger and we are delighted with the result from the weekend - particularly the fact that more and more clubs have joined in.
“Grantham really is the home of the Grantham Rotary Swimarthon worldwide.”
Around 7,500 swimmers around the world have now taken part in the Rotary Global Swimarathon in just two years.
Next year’s world event is already planned for Sunday, February 23, 2014.
Barbara Easton celebrated her 102nd birthday on Friday surrounded by her family at Welbourn Manor Care Centre in Welbourn.
Mrs Easton is originally from Ayrshire in Scotland but lived for 35 years in Grantham before moving to the care centre a few months ago. She celebrated her 100th birthday at the King’s Hotel in North Parade, Grantham.
Daughter, Mary Thompson, who lives in Grantham, said: “She keeps well, eats well and shouts at all the nurses and carers...and still give us a telling off too!”
Mrs Easton has three brothers and a daughter. She shared her birthday with fellow Welbourn Care Centre resident Stella Saccwell, formerly of Welby, who was celebrating her 88th birthday.
It’s Fairtrade Fortnight and Grantham is doing its bit with a special bake-off planned for next weekend.
The Grantham Fairtrade Town Steering Group (pictured) is behind the event which will be held next Saturday (March 9) at the Baptist Church in Wharf Road at 2pm.
The bake-off will have three categories - under 11, 11 to 16 and over 16 - and three classes - Victoria Sponge, Chocolate Cake and Fruit Cake.
There will also be a silent auction, a Fairtrade stall and guest judges.
To enter return an entry form by March 8 and bring your bake - which must contain at least one Fairtrade ingredient - along on the day.
For a form or more info call the Rev Andrew Scholes on 01476 573050 e-mail: granthamfairtrade@gmail.com