After 51 years in business as a barber in Grantham, John Kinnersley’s is face many know.

For over half a decade, John, 70, has cut the hair of men in Grantham from his shop in Wharf Road.

Wife Pauline said: “He enjoys every minute of his job. He should have retired five years ago but he’s so passionate about his job.”

He has cut the hair of grandfathers, their sons and their sons, and has a reputation for being a lovely man.

His career as a barber began when he left school in Sleaford at 15 and worked in a barbers in the town. When his boss opened a shop in Grantham John moved to work in it, and went to take over and open his own business in the same Wharf Road premises, where it remains today.

And 51 years on business continues to do well.

Pauline said: “He’s an incredible man, very likeable.”

John has enjoyed many sports over the years, from golf to squash, with walking and bird-watching thrown in.

Grantham Town joint manager Ian Robinson says he and Gary Sucharewycz now have a 
“settled side”.

The Gingerbreads took a point and a clean sheet from their game at Frickley Athletic on Saturday, although they exited the Doodson Sport Cup competition on Tuesday night – albeit after a battling performance against Matlock Town.

Robinson said: “We have started looking more solid at the back and look harder to beat now than a few weeks ago.

“We feel we have enough in the squad to stay in the league. Now we have a settled side, that will make a difference.”

Robinson said Tuesday had been a useful opportunity to try out different formations and even a couple of youngsters from the under-18s.

He said: “The young lads did very well against Matlock and showed that there is potential to come through the ranks. They showed they can make the step up and may well feature again before the end of the season, and certainly as we go through pre-season and into next year.”

A small but hardy crowd witnessedthe Matlock gameon a bitterly cold night at The Meres.

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.

The Gingerbreads’ 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 goalmouth 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.

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.

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.

Robinson praised the performance of Gio Carchedi who has been out a while with injury and on loan. Robinson said: “He is a player we need to use to ensure we get the best out of him.”

Grantham Town have a free admission for children offer for tomorrow’s needle match against old foes Ilkeston FC.

Up to three children, aged under-16, will be admitted to The Meres stadium with every paying adult. Adult admission is priced at £10 and additional children are £2 each. There is also a family admission price of £16 for two adults and up to three children.

A decent turnout is usually expected for the grudge match as ‘Ilson’ normally bring a fairly healthy travelling support.

Gingerbreads joint manager Ian Robinson, a former Ilkeston player, is well aware of the rivalry between the two clubs.

He said: “Ilkeston is a big game, but all games between now and the end of the season are big games for us.

“Having played for both sides, I know what this fixture has meant to fans of both teams in recent seasons.

“We want to get something from every game we play. The spice in the fixture is certainly more of a fans’ thing than something that is in our minds, or the players’.”

Robinson said regular goalkeeper James Martin was still feeling the effects of his injury, and so Jake Turner is once again most likely to be between the sticks.

+ Kick-off tomorrow (March 2) is 3pm.

SATURDAY (March 2)

Football

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League

Premier Division – Grantham Town v Ilkeston FC (3pm).

ChromaSport United Counties League

Division One – Harrowby United v Bugbrooke St Michaels (3pm).

Grantham & District Saturday League

Premier Division – Cranmer Arms v White Horse Sleaford.

Culverthorpe Cup – AFC Skillington v Bottesford, Bottesford Reserves v Heckington Millers, Buckminster United v Greyhounders, Caythorpe v Harrowby Reserves, Croxton AFC v AFC Three Gables, Rippingale & Folkingham v AFC Ancaster.

Rugby

Midlands League 3

East (North) – Belper v Kesteven.

Notts Pennant League

Group Two – Belper 2nd v Kesteven 2nd.

Hockey

Bourne Deeping 3rd v Grantham, Grantham 2nd v Peterborough 10th, Horncastle Ladies 2nd v Grantham Ladies.

SUNDAY

Football

Grantham & District Sunday League

Premier Division – FC Osbournby Rangers v Witham Wanderers, Helpringham Rovers v Three Gables Sunday, Lions v AFC Sleaford United, Ropsley Fox v Ancaster Rams.

Division One – Aslockton Cranmers FC v Totemic, Caythorpe v Nobody Athletic, Colsterworth United v Rippingale, Grantham United TRE v Ropsley.

TUESDAY

Football

ChromaSport United Counties League

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

FOOTBALL RESULTS

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League

Doodson Sport Cup, fourth round – Grantham Town 1 Matlock Town 2.

Premier Division – Frickley Athletic 0 Grantham Town 0.

ChromaSport United Counties League

Division One – Northampton ON Chenecks 4 Harrowby United 5.

Grantham & District Saturday League

Premier Division – Greyhounders 1 Buckminster United 0, Harrowby Reserves 1 White Horse Sleaford 1, Heckington Millers 3 Bottesford 3.

Division One – CK Dons 3 Rippingale & Folkingham 2, Bottesford Reserves 0 Croxton AFC 1.

Grantham & District Sunday League

Premier Division – AFC Sleaford United 2 Helpringham Rovers 2, Ruskington 1 FC Osbournby Rangers 3, Thurlby United 6 Witham Wanderers 1.

Division One – Grantham United TRE 3 Colsterworth United 1, Long Bennington 1 Springfield AFC 2, Ropsley 2 Nobody Athletic 1.

Grantham Youth League

Under-11

Barrowby Lions 4

Colsterworth Colts 1

Barrowby attacked from the very first whistle but struggled to get the breakthrough thanks to some brilliant defending and excellent goalkeeping from Colsterworth.

Chances came and went and it looked liked it was going to be one of those days. The deadlock was broken right on half time with Wright finally stroking the ball home after a scramble in the penalty area.

Colsterworth keeper Finlay was again in inspired form in the second half, making save after save to keep the Lions at bay.

The second goal finally came when man-of-the-match Evans beat his marker and finished from the edge of the box. Barrowby’s third duly arrived after some neat play down the right from Down, and his cross was finished at the back post by Hands.

The absolute clincher was scored from distance by Mayfield, beating two men and firing into the top corner from all of 20 yards.

Colsterworth scored the final goal of the game. After a massive kick from the goalkeeper, Barrowby’s defence had pushed too far up the field. The ball sailed over the top and the Colts’ centre forward raced away and finished with aplomb.

Barrowby: Dodwell, Tonge, Cooper, Johnson, Evans, Federson, Mayfield, Hands, Read, French, Down, Wright.

Gonerby 2

Great Ponton 1

Gonerby started brightly with Coates denied by a fine save from the Ponton keeper.

The home side took the lead after Meffen set up Baker who calmly slotted home. Gonerby continued to put pressure on the Ponton defence, but a quick break by Ponton against the run of play produced the equaliser. Coates and Baker both went close for Gonerby before half time.

The home side continued to press in the second half with shots from Chapman, Bridges, and Coates, until Coates scored a well deserved winner with a long range free kick.

Gonerby’s man of the match awarded jointly to Hardy and Coates.

Gonerby: Meffen, McNulty, Baker, Nowak, Coates, Hardy, Grieh, Burridge, Scott, Williamson, Ballaam, Chapman, Bridges.

Mid Lincs League

Sleaford 1

Gonerby Yellows 2

Gonerby continued their winning ways and Matt Eyre scored after 15 minutes with an excellent 35-yard free kick.

However, the home team cancelled out the lead with a neat finish, making it all square at half time.

The visitors started very strongly in the second half, putting Sleaford on the back foot, and were rewarded with some superb skill from Matt Eyre who put his team ahead for the second time.

Sleaford tested Daniel Hibbert and were denied a goal by the in-form keeper who pulled off an exellent save. A Tristan Crane goal line clearance helped secure the points for Gonerby.

Man of the match went to Cameron McIntosh and Alex McIntosh.

Gonerby: Hibbert, Clater, C. McIntosh, Smith, A. McIntosh, Pickering, Hotchin, Geeson, Eyre, Baker, Hutton. Subs: Bond, Crane, Ellis-Millar.

Under-15A

Barrowby 4

Clayton 0

Playing their best football of the season, Barrowby soon got on top and scored when Oliver Reid prodded home the rebound after the keeper saved his header.

Ollie Hayward crossed for Reid to double the lead. A Hayward corner was converted by Ryan Evans to make it 3-0.

Rampant Barrowby’s fourth was the goal of the game. Man-of-the match Reid received the ball with his back to goal, spun and hit a shot from 25 yards, hard and low into the back of the net to complete a superb hat trick.

Barrowby: Asplen, Evans, Cardoso (c), Wingad, White, Lawniczak, Page, Evans, Scott, Croke, Reed, Hollingworth, Evans, Hayward.

Nominations are in for the Journal Business Awards and there is a very exciting selection of businesses entered this year.

Now, judges will whittle down the entries to three candidates, all of which will be invited to the presentation evening in a VIP marquee in front of Belton House on April 10.

Each category is sponsored, and the latest to climb on board in Hood Parkes & Co, sponsor of the Independent Retailer Award. Other sponsors are: Viking Signs, HSBC, Downtown, The Trust Group, Longhurst Group, CGC Event Caterers, SKDC, the National Trust, Bede Events and All Bunched Up.

Next week, readers will be asked to vote for their favourite eaterie entered for the Great Food Award. Don’t miss it!

lFor details of corporate tickets or sponsorship, contact Linda Pritchard on 01476 562291 or linda.pritchard@jpress.co.uk

Grantham Shotokan Karate Club’s David Anderson attended a Dan grading examination with the British Karate Association in Manchester, with Sensei Brian Seabright (7th Dan) and a panel of 4th and 5th Dan instructors.

After an extremely demanding test of basic techniques (kihon), sparring (kumite) and forms (kata), David was awarded his second degree black belt (2nd Dan).

Other successful Grantham students were David Anderson, John Winter, Beth Frankcom, Jonathan Mellors, Rachael Hobster, Scott Howitt, Emma Jackson, Andrew Murr, Matthew Murr, Mark Fells, Sean Marsh, Jacob Neale, Elvis Williams, Molly Fells, Caz Neale, Thomas Neale, Theo Fells, Tim Young, Jon Henderson, Owen Goulding, Ethan Wen-Lefman, Olin Wen-Lefman, Oliver Durant, Jack Street, Paula Winter, Louis Piggott, Amelie Piggott, George Russell, Oliver Marsh, Jack Young, Ben Filby, Mitch Jewitt, Luke Thompson and William George.

Club chief instructor Geoff Dixon (5th Dan) said: “We are extremely proud of everyone this weekend, our students have trained hard for these gradings and their efforts have clearly paid off, which can be seen in the results we have achieved.”

l Members from Grantham Shotokan Karate Club travelled to Lincoln on Sunday to train with clubs from Bingham, Kettering and Grimsby on a special training course with guest instructor Sensei Shane Balmer (5th Dan).

Shane has more than 40 years’ martial arts experience that not only includes karate, but also judo, boxing and wrestling, and he is chief instructor to the Rokakai Karate Organisation.

More than 80 people attended the course that looked at techniques to improve flexibility, kicking and power, as well as incorporating different strategies for self-defence.

l Grantham Shotokan train on Sundays and Tuesdays at Allington and Bottesford Village Halls respectively. For more details contact Elizabeth on 07546 203682 or e-mail grantham.karate@btinternet.com
Alternatively visit www.grantham-shotokankarate.moonfruit.co.uk/

Grantham Labour Group member Charmaine Morgan writes:

Ill-considered Government changes to housing benefit known as the bedroom tax, along with council tax and council rent increases will be proposed in full council this week.

Council tax benefit changes will be cemented too. For some people this council budget will be life changing. Approximately 6,000 local residents in private and council homes are affected by the council tax benefit changes and more than 1,057 affected by the bedroom tax. The council does not have a duty to re-house everyone. The Labour Group is proposing that the council adds to the Government’s discretionary payment fund to provide some protection from a rent arrears situation that could leave them in crisis. We also support measures to help those affected with moving costs. But we can do nothing for the tenants to compensate the thousands of pounds they may have spent on their home in the belief they would be staying until they chose to leave under the Government measures.

It is good news that the council will be building 30 new council homes, though the sale of houses continues.

To offer hope to local people the Labour Group will propose a range of initiatives to encourage tourists into Grantham. This includes a new craft centre located in the heart of town. We also propose an exhibit and statue/bust of Lady Thatcher.

Contrary to some rumours, despite our personal strength of feeling about her, we feel the controversy and outside interest around Lady Thatcher provides an opportunity to attract international tourists to our town, who spent £11bn in our region last year. This cannot be ignored. A secure location such as The George Centre or museum is recommended. It is now up to the Conservatives to join us and support these proposals.

Councillors have overwhelmingly voted against a proposal by the Labour group for a statue of Grantham-born former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the town. Councillors voted 40 against and only seven in favour of the idea.

During South Kesteven District Council’s full council meeting this afternoon, the Labour group presented a budget amendment proposing a competition for local artists and students to present their ideas for a statue in the town which would be put in the George Centre or the museum for security reasons. Alongside this idea it was proposed that a permanent crafts centre be established in the town, possibly with the statue in the George Centre, to attract more visitors and tourists to the town, and also that a number of noticeboards are put up in the town to promote tourist trails.

The council was accused of keeping people in the dark about plans for a commemoration of Baroness Thatcher’s life. Coun Frances Cartwright said: “People do not know about them because it is unseemly to talk about them now when she is so ill.”

Labour Group leader Charmaine Morgan said: “Given our aim is to increase the footfall into Grantham and to attract visitors from overseas who are known to have high levels of spending whilst in the UK, we believe that we must seize the opportunity for the people of Grantham to increase spending here. Last year £11bn was spent by tourists in our region. Many of those tourists came up from London. We must take more advantage, through marketing, of our links to London, and we need a package of deliverables to attract tourists in addition to our existing offering. Our Crafts Centre and Lady Thatcher statue would be a start.

“In the interest of our community the Labour Group is therefore proposing that we act together as council to put an end to the uncertainty about how we will celebrate this remarkable character as a daughter of Grantham. We ask that all parties join us and support our proposal to have a competition which will enable the participation of local educational establishments and artists to produce a suitable statue/bust alongside an exhibit which explores Lady Thatcher’s life and examines what made her such a controversial and internationally recognised figure – even today.”

With near freezing temperatures and the threat of snow, only 23 riders tackled the 63-mile route in the latest of the Witham Wheelers’ series of reliability rides on Sunday.

However the conditions remained dry and the hilly route, taking in Melton Mowbray, Tilton on the Hill and Oakham, ensured that everyone kept warm with the climbs coming at regular intervals throughout.

The riders set off in two groups that kept together until around half distance when the stronger riders from each group went ahead on the climbs around Tilton. Crispin Bridges-Webb completed the second half of the course on his own after losing contact on the earlier climbs.

This Sunday’s ride is a 100km route through the Vale of Belvoir to Long Clawson, before heading east to Little Bytham and back via Ingoldsby. First group leaves at 8.30am from Grantham Cricket Club in Gorse Lane, with a shorter ride available for the less ambitious leaving at around 9am.

As my brother is an HGV driver and I myself am a courier driver, I must respond to Alison Robson’s column (Journal, February 22).

I find her comments very small-minded. In recent months I have witnessed how drivers’ standards in general have become appalling.

And, why should my brother, who has a family, be made to work unsocial hours because people are not paying attention to the roads and their driving standards are not up to scratch? Should bus drivers and taxi drivers stop at peak times just so these bad drivers and inexperienced drivers can get to their destinations safely?

Accidents happen and it is always sad, but it is usually down to driver error, speed and other factors. The amount of drivers I see daily on their mobile phones while driving is increasing.

We all need to be vigilant. All vehicles are death traps if not given the respect they deserve.

Tina Harris

By e-mail

THURSDAY DOUBLES

Results: New Venture 0 Lavender Hill Mob 10, Old Codgers 7 Jetsetters 3, Smokey Mountain Duo 8 Spare Parts 2, Cobblers 7 Cool Runnings 3, Last Resort 2 Giraffes 8, Kanada St 2 Revrite 8.

Highs: female – HGS 200 Katie Tagg, HGH 233 Katie Tagg, HSS 502 Katie Tagg, HSH 603 Meryl Watts; male – HGS 255 Darryl Patchett, HGH 233 Darryl Patchett, HSS 688 Darryl Patchett, HSH 736 Darryl Patchett; team – HGS 487 Revrite, HGH 522 Revrite, HSS 1311 Revrite, HSH 1416 Revrite.

Positions: 1 Smokey Mountain Duo 68, 2 Revrite 65, 3 Old Codgers 51, 4 Last Resort 47, 5 Giraffes 43, 6 Cobblers 40, 7 Cool Runnings 36, 8 Kanada St 32, 9 New Venture 29, 10 Lavender Hill Mob 27, 11 Jetsetters 25, 12 Spare Parts 17.

MARREN TILES TRIOS

Results (week 27): Magic Weasels 8 Crafty Foxes 3, Oddsods 7 9ers 4, Grumpy Old Men 10 Team Bar 1, Team Powerplay bye.

Highs: female – HGS 179 Jackie Dickson, HGH 216 Jackie Dickson, HSS 472 Jackie Dickson/Julie Newman, HSH 607 Julie Newman; male – HGS 223 Jason Cook, HGH 253 Jason Cook, HSS 571 Jason Cook, HSH 661 Jason Cook; team – HGS 574 Crafty Foxes, HGH 670 Crafty Foxes, HSS 1523 Crafty Foxes, HSH 1823 Magic Weasels.

Positions: 1 Team Powerplay 168, 2 Grumpy Old Men 154 ½, 3 Team Bar 151, 4 Magic Weasels 135, 5 Crafty Foxes 106, 6 Oddsods 100 ½, 7 9ers 75.½

A Carlton Scroop company is offering a local group the chance to benefit from a new place for kids to play, professionally created and free of charge, where youngsters can be involved in sport or just play and have fun.

The offer comes from one of the country’s leading sports pitch construction companies Fineturf. The Space2Play scheme will deliver one lucky group or community organisation a first-class natural grass pitch for kids.

Fineturf director Simon Hutton, whose project is supported by the Lincolnshire Sports Partnership and SKDC, said: “The vision is to take an area of under-used or derelict land and transform it into a quality grass pitch, suitable for a variety of sports and play.”

Mr Hutton said: “We have all watched Children in Need over the years and now we want to do our bit, but in a way that gives us control to ensure that all our efforts are going locally to those we feel need it the most.

“The days are long gone when kids can safely play in the street and so many have nowhere to seriously get active or just have fun. We are looking for groups that can channel all that young energy into action, whether playing games or developing sports talent.

“A brand new multi-purpose play area will have a positive impact on families directly and the community as a whole.”

Fineturf has worked at the some of the largest and well-known sports stadiums across the country. Its staff are experts in pitch construction, and Fineturf is offering a start-to-finish programme utilising specialist knowledge to deliver a grassed facility which follows Sport England guidelines.

“We want to benefit youngsters between five and 12 years old. We suggest a minimum area of 1,500 square metres and maximum of an acre and, depending on applications, we might be able to create two smaller pitches instead of one larger one.

“There could be opportunities to involve local business, perhaps by providing play kit or goal posts. There may be companies with unused land which would be suitable, and it would be nice to think there are perhaps partnership opportunities, for instance involving a town or parish council working with local children’s groups.”

Fineturf will be handling the full project, ideally to be completed by September 2013.

Cllr John Smith, SKDC Cabinet member green, healthy and arts, said. “It’s a brilliant offer and fits perfectly with our objectives to both make the district clean, green and healthy and promote leisure and arts. It will make a life-changing difference to a lot of youngsters and will really help us to make play and sporting opportunities available to as many people in South Kesteven as possible.”

For more details and application forms go to www.fine-turf.co.uk/space2play

Most of this year’s local London Marathon entrants used the Stamford Striders’ St Valentine 30km race as preparation for the main event next month.

Paul Rushworth was first home for Grantham Running Club, knocking two minutes off his best time for the course.

Also running well for GRC were Andrew Pask with another PB and Catherine Payne who picked up the prize for first lady in her age category, some six-and-a-half minutes ahead of her nearest rival.

Results: 46 Paul Rushworth 2hr 5min 3sec, 138 Arthur Short (GAC) 2.18.21, 150 Andrew Pask 2.19.16, 165 Gordon Geach (GRC) 2.21.90, 180 Catherine Payne (2.22.19), 182 Tony Johnson (Ropsley Road Runners) 2.22.15, 224 Scott Jones (GRC) 2.27.08, 418 Keith Measures (GAC) 2.49.47, 444 Lucy Roberts (GRC) 2.53.28, 576 Robert McArdle (GRC) 3.18.44, 599 Philip Hall (GAC) 3.38.12.

l Ropsley Road Runner Norman Gosbee finished 198th out of 284 in the annual Belvoir Challenge multi-terrain race on Saturday, recording 6hr 6min for the 26-mile event.

Clubmates Tony Johnson and Steven Thacker took part in the Sleaford Half-marathon the following day.

Running his 200th race at the distance, Tony clocked 1.38.18 and Steven was not far behind in 1.43.16.

Stoke Rochford senior section’s Winter Warmers competition was a best two from three stableford this week, playing the stroke indices and pars from the cards of random other golf courses.

Winners with 84 points on countback were David Hamilton, Barry Coop and John Martindale, playing Reading Golf Club.

In second and also on 84 points, were Cliff Mills, Dave Hudson and Dave Waling, playing Porters Park, Hertfordshire. Third with 79 points were Ian Dobson, Keith Eddy and Don Clements, playing Ashley Wood, Dorset.

Ernie Armstrong holed in one on the 12th hole.

With three rounds left to play, overall leader is still Phil White who now has 31 points, with Brian Ayto second on 28. Mike Nixon, Brian White and Philip Varley have 26 apiece.

BELTON PARK

Thirty-five teams of four took part in the Belton Park Any Combination Am-Am.

The keenly contested competition was won by the team captained by the club chairman.

Results: 1 J. Taylor, C. Taylor, D. Capindale and T. Davies 84, 2 D. Bashford, Y. Bashord, T. Guest and I. Guest 83, 3 G. Watkin, S. Preston, S. Boylan and N. Banner 79, 4 J. Clark, A. Clark, P. Thompson and I. Whyte 78, 5 R. Downs, M. Jones, C. Horn and C. Walton 78.

BELTON WOODS

Gents’ section

The Yankee Greensomes Medal Winter League pairs re-run was played off the white tees with a ½ combined handicap.

Winners with a score of 67 were L. Williams and A. Williams. One point adrift were R. Smith and A. Scorror with 68, on countback from R. Robinson and S. Pigott.

Tying on 69, J. P. Bowers and M. Haynes beat B. Foster and R. Palframan on countback.

Seniors’ section

The captain’s team triumphed 5-2 over that of the vice-captain in the annual event.

The vice-captain’s team took an early lead by winning the first two matches and halving the next. But the captain’s team won the next five on the trot to claim victory.

Results: John Bratt and Terry Seddon beat Mike North and Brian Gibson 2-0, Alan Lowen and George Forbes beat Colin Grant and Mike Griffiths 2-1, Mike Whitington and Gordon Scott halved with Eric Bailey and Colin Thornton, Bob Clarke and Roland Stephenson beat John Billot and Tony Slipper 2-1, Ian Nisbett and Mike Gulliford beat Peter Bishop and Terry Measures 6-5, Hilton Moses and Les Vine beat John Sabin and Colin Musson 2-1, Del House and Dennis Manton beat Steve Hudson and Ray Woodcock 2-1, John Williams and Tom Rea beat David Toule and Doug Blackburn.

SUDBROOK MOOR

The first Seniors’ Medal qualifier of the year was won by Dave Guy with his four under CSS scorecard giving him 10 points.

Pete Farmer’s two over net gave him second place, from John Johnson, Harry Cutmore, David Leslie, Ken Wingad, Geoff Wilkins and Maurice Green. Ken Jameson won the twos pot with his birdie on the seventh.

The Winter Eclectic remained unchanged, led jointly by Pete Farmer and Alfie Kent, with Tony Rose and Tony Sealey creeping upwards. Other contenders are title holder David Leslie, Ken Jameson, John Chambers and Graham Mackinder.

Bottesford Parish Council has shocked villagers by putting up its council tax precept by 90 per cent.

The council agreed to increase its part of the council tax to £77,060 for 2013/14, up from this year’s figure of £43,500.

This means an increase for Band D properties from £30.25 to £57.74.

Leicestershire County Council and Melton Borough Council have frozen their share of the council tax for next year.

Ray Smart, a former pastor of the Baptist Church who runs a whist drive in the parish council rooms, said he was shocked by the increase and upset that rent on the hall was being increased by 15 per cent.

Mr Smart said: “To my astonishment I read in your newspaper that the aforementioned group have had the audacity to increase the parish precept by a sum which will cost the average council tax payer in excess of two pounds per month.”

Mr Smart added: “For some years now we have been running a whist drive in the village with some 40 or so members because apart from the U3A, there is little for elderly people to do.

“In order to fund the wishes of our unelected council, for the first time our rent is being 
increased by around 15 per cent.”

Ward councillor David Wright, a member of Melton Borough Council, said he was trying to find out why the precept has been put up by so much.

Coun Wright said: “It really is an enormous hike which is unprecedented among borough councils. The biggest I have seen was last year at Stathern which was 40 per cent. I have asked for information but I am in the dark as we speak.”

Bottesford Parish Councillor Gordon Alistair Raper said the council had been “prudent and appropriate” in setting the precept.

Coun Raper said: “The reason is we have been very much underfunded for many years. We have had some issues which we have had to take into account, one of which is the county council have stopped funding for the youth club, and we have to take account of the Neighbourhood Plan.”

The council has published a list of projects for the 2013/14 year which include an investment in playgrounds of £10,000, £4,000 towards a youth club upgrade and staffing, £2,500 for the creation of a parish office, and £20,000 towards the village/neighbourhood plan.

Two of Grantham Badminton Club ladies’ matches ended with them taking victory this week.

The second string played Lincoln Albion away. Laura Graves with Sonal Modi picked up all three of their rubbers, Sophie Lamb with Sandra Jennings won two rubbers, and Sarah Bransby with Rose Bitowt claimed the sixth in a good 6-3 win.

The first team also played away at Cross O’Cliff who they impressively beat 8-1. Sophie Turley with Kerry Durham won all three rubbers as did Jaz Gilbert with Susie Steeples, while Laura Graves with Sonal Modi managed two from three.

Grantham men’s also played Cross O’ Cliff away, and notched up a good win. Nick Gill with Chris Parrot won three as did Jon Ashley with Adrian Ackroyd, while new reserve Andrew Leonard with Toby Mills won two out of three.

At home, Grantham men’s third string were narrowly defeated 5-4 against Lincoln Albion 2nd. Reserves Rob Scarborough with Declan Hill had a thrilling final rubber after picking up their first two rubbers. In the first game they went down by 30 points to 29, but battled to a 22-20 win the second. They triumphed in their final game to claim the third rubber.

Reserves Dave Chambers with Rod Tyler also had a good night, winning one rubber and narrowly missing a second in the third end. Josh Gould with Brian Coyle were not so fortunate and missed out on any rubbers.

A Grantham man will support a charity with a bagpacking day and a music quiz tomorrow (Sunday).

Martyn Ivermee is raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support after the charity’s nurses looked after his grandmother before her death in 2009. Martyn and a group of friends, Brian Reynolds, Joanne Larsen and eight-year-old Kieran Sheppard, will be bagpacking in Asda on Sunday between 10am and 4pm .

On Sunday, March 24, Martyn and Steve Phillips will be hosting the music quiz at the Westgate Social Club. Doors open at 6.30pm and there is a maximum of six people per team for the quiz which starts at 7.30pm. The cost is £1 per person. Questions will be on music from the ’60s to the present day.

Last week my three-year-old son’s sledge was stolen while sledging in the Hills and Hollows.

He was absolutely devastated and inconsolable. It was his first experience of sledging.

A group of young adults (easily 18-plus) were clearly responsible but by the time I’d got back to the top of the slope and realised, it was too late to catch them. To whoever stole it - I hope you enjoyed your time on my son’s sledge. In fact I hope you broke both your legs on the way down.

Ellie Atter

By e-mail

The 51st Grantham Music Festival starts on Wednesday, March 6, with numerous classes featuring strings, piano, woodwind and vocals in a variety of musical forms including jazz and pop.

The competition continues until Wednesday, March 13, and the festival is concluded with a trophy winners’ concert on Saturday, March 16.

ChristChurch, Finkin Street, and The Priory Ruskin Academy will be the venues for the festival.

Festival chairman Jeff Troke said: “It is very encouraging that the resurgence in entry numbers we saw last year has been more than maintained in 2013.”

If you would like to become a patron of the festival go to www.granthammusicfestival.co.uk where you can find out more about the event.