Lincolnshire Police’s acting chief constable Alec Wood insists he and the force are still in the dark over the suspension of chief constable Neil Rhodes.

In an internal interview with the force, the acting chief constable revealed that the circumstances of the suspension of Neil Rhodes on February 26 remain unknown.

As reported, Mr Rhodes was suspended by Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire Alan Hardwick over ‘potential conduct matters’.

In the interview with the force’s head of communications, Tony Diggins, Mr Wood said: “The decision has been taken entirely by the police and crime commisioner, the force and myself included have no knowledge of the circumstances why Neil Rhodes has been suspended.

“All I can say is I have been asked to step up as acting chief in the interim and I’ll do my very very best to lead this force forward in the next weeks and months.

“As soon as I am in a position to tell people what’s happening I will do that.”

The acting chief constable said his priority in the interim, along with acting deputy chief constable Keith Smy, will be to maintain Lincolnshire Police’s ‘excellent service’ to the public.

Lincolnshire Police say the decision to suspect Mr Rhodes was a ‘neutral one’ and have not commented further.

The matter has been referred to The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) who will decide whether to investigate further.

Watch the video to see the full interview with Alec Wood.

A rare early autograph group from all the “Fab Four” members and inscribed “lots of love from The Beatles” will be sold at The Grantham Auction Rooms on Wednesday (March 6).

The autographs were obtained early in 1963 when the group had just recorded their first album.

They were one of several bands who played a gig in Nottingham at the Elizabethan Rooms on March 7, 1963. The compere for the evening obtained the Fab Four’s signatures in their dressing room.

Resident valuer and auctioneer, Luke Handley, said: “Considering their career together spanned less than a decade, the legacy left behind by The Beatles is considerable.

“Their influence on popular culture, fashion and style has no equal, even now, fifty years later and cannot be underestimated.”

The autographs are framed glazed and mounted with the script: “Elizabethan rooms, Nottingham, March 7 1963, show compered by Keith Gordon. Supporting acts on the night, Jerry and the Pacemakers, Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas, and The Big Three.”

Does your workforce have the best players in Grantham?

Then you can prove it whilst raising money for the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

Ambitions Personnel is organising a one-day football tournament set to be held on May 23 at the Meres Leisure Centre called the “Charity Inter-Company Six-a-Side Football Challenge 2013”.

The aim is to get around 24 teams from companies around Grantham - big and small - to enter sides in the hope of raising more than £1,000 for Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

Rob Carter of Ambitions Personnel said: “It won’t be hugely expensive, we are just asking each player to pay £5 each to raise money.

“At the moment we are getting some good interest from employers.”

There will be numerous prizes handed out including “Best Dressed Team”, as well as awards for the winners and runners-up.

The event will run from 6pm until 9pm.

For more information or to sign up call Ambitions Personnell on 01476 574514 or e-mail: grantham@ambitionspersonnel.com

Lincolnshire Police’s acting chief constable Alec Wood insists he and the force are still in the dark over the suspension of chief constable Neil Rhodes.

In an internal interview with the force, the acting chief constable revealed that the circumstances of the suspension of Neil Rhodes on February 26 remain unknown.

As reported, Mr Rhodes was suspended by Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire Alan Hardwick over ‘potential conduct matters’.

In the interview with the force’s head of communications, Tony Diggins, Mr Wood said: “The decision has been taken entirely by the police and crime commisioner, the force and myself included have no knowledge of the circumstances why Neil Rhodes has been suspended.

“All I can say is I have been asked to step up as acting chief in the interim and I’ll do my very very best to lead this force forward in the next weeks and months.

“As soon as I am in a position to tell people what’s happening I will do that.”

The acting chief constable said his priority in the interim, along with acting deputy chief constable Keith Smy, will be to maintain Lincolnshire Police’s ‘excellent service’ to the public.

Lincolnshire Police say the decision to suspect Mr Rhodes was a ‘neutral one’ and have not commented further.

The matter has been referred to The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) who will decide whether to investigate further.

Watch the video to see the full interview with Alec Wood.

ChromaSport United Counties League

Division One

Northampton Spencer 3

Harrowby United 4

Harrowby secured a hard fought victory on Tuesday night to avenge defeat earlier in the season against the Millers.

In a high scoring game, the first goal did not materialise until the 40th minute. Callum Peach’s shot came back off the Harrowby crossbar and fell kindly for Munyardazi Matiyenga to tap home from three yards out.

The Arrows levelled just before half time when a superbly flighted free kick into the box by Tom Vorley was met by Simon Bolland who glanced a header past Jack Bartley in the home goal.

Harrowby took charge after the interval and were in front within five minutes of the restart. Weatherstone’s cross was volleyed off the post by Martin Wormall and rebounded to Bolland whose follow-up was blocked on the line. Man-of-the-match Craig Wilson slotted home from an angle.

Harrowby thought they had made the game safe with a double from Wormall provided a three goal cushion. His first came on 67 minutes after he chased down a poor back pass to fire past Bartley. The second was on the break when Wilson knocked a great ball out to the left. It was carried on by well by Wormall who held off a defender before calmly shooting past Bartley with 10 minutes remaining.

The Millers went down to 10 men after Liam Tuck was red carded for wrestling Weatherstone to the ground. But Spencer were not giving up without a fight and reduced the arrears just in the 90th minute with a scrambled goal from substitute Lee Unwin.

In the third of an unbelievable 12 minutes of stoppage time, fellow substitute Paul Pickering brought Spencer to within a goal with another scrappy effort after the ball had pin-balled around the Harrowby penalty area.

Harrowby held out to take home the points and stay above Spencer in the league.

Harrowby: Drury, Hill, Vorley, Hodgkin (c), Whyley, Webb {Peberdy 72}, Kirton, Bolland, Weatherstone, Wormall, Wilson. Subs not used: Mayes, Pete, Harrison.

I was pleased to read that SKDC will be building new council houses in the next few years.

The ‘right to buy’ scheme seems to have really depleted the stock of houses available to people in need, so it is well over due.

I am of the opinion that council and social housing should really be for society’s most vulnerable. This includes the disabled, families on low incomes and those at risk of homelessness.

I’ve been reading other residents’ comments on this new development, however I feel that people are unrealistic in their expectations.

Some people have suggested that the money could be better spent paying private landlords. In my opinion, private landlords should really be a last resort for vulnerable people or people on low incomes.

For private landlords, their main aim is to make money from their investment, not provide good quality housing to people or at an affordable price. It is a business.

It seems the rental market has really picked up in recent years because people cannot afford to buy a house.

Private landlords will rarely struggle to find a tenant at the price they want.

This is the complete opposite to SKDC who want to provide safe and affordable housing to people who may otherwise be in cramped or unsafe accommodation or perhaps even on the streets.

I think people should look at the wider implications for the project and realise how many people it could help in the long term.

It’s certainly a step in the right direction.

* Do you agree with Alison’s points on news from South Kesteven District Council that it is to build new council houses? E-mail: comment@granthamjournal.co.uk

Police arrested the driver of a car after it crashed into a ditch on the High Dyke, Grantham, yesterday evening.

The driver failed a roadside breath test. Members of the roads policing unit attended the scene with colleagues from the dog section.

Youngsters from across the Grantham area were given a chance to shine on Friday at the Colsterworth Festival of Performing Arts schools day.

Held at The Meres Leisure Centre, the schools day followed the dance element of the festival held in Corby Glen last month.

Festival chairman Julia Kerby said: “The schools day at The Meres was a great success, with nine schools entering the different categories.

“The atmosphere on the day was amazing and everyone felt that they were amongst friends. Our adjudicators all commented on how well all the children performed and what an enjoyable day it had been for everyone.”

The final festival day was in Colsterworth on Saturday, where two venues hosted music events while a third hosted drama.

Mrs Kerby said: “Yet again the friendly atmosphere of our festival was commented on and all three adjudicators praised both the high standard of the performers and the smooth running of the event.

“It’s hard to believe that our 17th festival has come to an end but plans are already in place for our 2014 festival.

“Grateful thanks must be given to the dedicated and hard working committee of seven and the tireless band of volunteers who have made this years event such a resounding success!”

Results - DRAMA

A04 - Set Piece Prose Reading (with text) C - Years 5 and 6 Isabel Hobday Dunelm Cup

A04 - Set Piece Prose Reading (with text) A - Years 2 and Under Millie Hindmarch Alice Cup

A01 - Prose Reading (with text) G - Open Lynda Wesson Globe Trophy Janet Hart Globe Trophy

A01 - Prose Reading (with text) A - Years 2 and Under Millie Hindmarch Stables Trophy

A06 - Sight Reading D - Years 7 to 9 Joshua Lewis Belton Cup

A06 - Sight Reading G - Open Heather Butterworth Chambers Cup

A06 - Sight Reading C - Years 5 and 6 Lillian Yorris Wright Cup

A08 - Duet or Group Acting (from published script) G - Open Paul Cope & Mark Wesson Olivier Cup

A12 - Composition - Prose or Verse C - Years 5 and 6 Lily Grace Owen Arro Cup

A02 - Verse Speaking (from memory) B - Years 3 and 4 Emma Joy Recitation Cup

A02 - Verse Speaking (from memory) A - Years 2 and Under William Lees Little Star Trophy

A14 Story Board - story told from 3 items to be provided by the adjudicator on the day D - Years 7 to 9 Joshua Chapman Foxton Cup

A05 Set Piece Verse Speaking (from memory) B - Years 3 and 4 Rollo Granger Cursice Cup

A04 - Set Piece Prose Reading (with text) B - Years 3 and 4 Georgia Penfold Harecastle Trophy

Results - MUSIC

M01 - Instrumental Solo C - Years 5 and 6 Chloe Tyler Piano Snake Charmer Pamela Wedgwood East Midlands Sound & Light

M01 - Instrumental Solo B - Years 3 and 4 Agatha Parkin Violin Gavotte from Mignon A Thomas Headland Cup

M04 - Instrumental Solo - Music written after 1950 C - Years 5 and 6 Georgie Hatchman Guitar One Hand, One Heart Leonard Bernstein Howitt Cup

C - Years 5 and 6 Finlay Stewardson Guitar Howitt Cup

M13 - Descant Recorder Solo - Set Piece C - Years 5 and 6 Barnaby Chapman Descant Recorder Legend Brian Bonsor Moontide Music trophy

M12 - Beginners (under 1 year of playing) A - Years 2 and Under Charles Hatchman Piano Haunted Castle Endeavour & Excellence Trophy

M12 - Beginners (under 1 year of playing) B - Years 3 and 4 Neve King Piano Na Todce Rybicki White Lion Cup

M13 - Descant Recorder Solo - Set Piece A - Years 2 and Under Lily Purse Recorder Quilty Cup

M05 - Vocal Solo C - Years 5 and 6 Zara Miles Skinny Love Bon Iver Kerby Cup

M05 - Vocal Solo D - Years 7 to 9 Sophie Spilsbury Voice TBA Vocalist Trophy

M05 - Vocal Solo E - Years 10 and 11 Lizzie Emery vocal On Your Eyes are Dark and Beautiful Matyas Seiber Songbird Trophy

M01 - Instrumental Solo A - Years 2 and Under Tiffany Wong piano Jogalong Alan Bullard Trek Trophy

M06 - Vocal Duet F - Under 19 Years Bryony Parker & Jamie Cope Vocal CAS Cup

M11 - Veteran Solo - Vocal or Instrumental (Senior Citizens) G - Open Alan Greenslade Vocal Bring Him Home Kretzmer/Boublil/Schonberg Twyford Cup

M08 - Songs from the Shows - Vocal Solo C - Years 5 and 6 Katie Thorley voice ‘where is Love?’ from ‘Oliver’ Lionel Bart Clay Cup

M08 - Songs from the Shows - Vocal Solo F - Under 19 Years Lucy Allen Vocal Music of the Night Andrew Lloyd Webber Show Stoppers Trophy

M01 - Instrumental Solo D - Years 7 to 9 James Blay Trumpet Romance Thorvald Hansen Millennium Bowl

M01 - Instrumental Solo E - Years 10 and 11 Emily Tyler Piano Passaggio Einaudi Millstone Cup

M12 - Beginners (under 1 year of playing) C - Years 5 and 6 Lily Grace Owen Piano Canon in D Pachelbel Rising Star Shield

M17 - Instrument Grade B - Grade 1 Harriet Spriggs Piano Walking Together Christopher Norton Grade 1 Trophy

M17 - Instrument Grade C - Grade 2 Poppy Daniels Piano Allegro Thomas Attwood Grade 2 Trophy

M20 - Two Skills C - Years 5 and 6 Nadia Potter Piano/ Voice 1: ‘Bear Dance’ 2: Ch;dren’s Song of the Nativity 1; Nicolai Podgornov ; 2: Frances Chesterton Newton Cup

M20 - Two Skills A - Years 2 and Under Lily Purse Piano/ Recorder Jogalong/ When the Saints Go Marching In Alan Bullard/ trad Yardley Endeavour Shield

M20 - Two Skills E - Years 10 and 11 Emily Tyler Piano/ Clarinet In un’altra vita/ Tarantella Einaudi/ C Baermann Verulam Cup

M17 - Instrument Grade E - Grade 4 Anita Wong Piano March in E flat Anon Grade 4 Trophy

M17 - Instrument Grade F - Grade 5 James Blay Trumpet Album Leaf Edvard Grieg Botanicals Cup for Music

M19 - Repertoire - Vocal or Instrumental E - Years 10 and 11 Stephanie Kwok Piano Dreamy Brian Bonsor Elland Cup

M17 - Instrument Grade D - Grade 3 Sophie Spilsbury Vocal Feed the Birds Sherman & Sherman Grade 3 Trophy

Results - SCHOOLS

S01 - Instrumental Ensemble C - Years 5 and 6 Ingoldsby School KS2 Ensemble Cup

S02 - Vocal Ensemble C - Years 3 to 6 Huntingtower Community Primary School KS2 Choir Choral Cup

S02 - Vocal Ensemble A - Years 2 and Under Huntingtower Community Primary School KS1 Choir KS1 Vocal Ensemble Cup

S02 - Vocal Ensemble A - Years 2 and Under Barrowby CoE Primary School - KS2 Choir KS2 Vocal Ensemble Cup

Best Performance The Grantham Preparatory School The Growler Shield

S12 - Choral Speaking A - Years 2 and Under The Grantham Preparatory School KS1 Choral Speaking Cup

S12 - Choral Speaking C - Years 5 and 6 The Grantham Preparatory School KS2 Choral Speaking Cup

S20 - Educational Dance Group A - Years 2 and Under William Alvey School KS1 Educational Dance Trophy

S20 - Educational Dance Group C - Years 5 and 6 William Alvey School (S20d - Yrs 5-6) KS2 Educational Dance Trophy

The new Police and Crime Commissioner’s plan for a 1,000-strong “army” of volunteer, unpaid PCSOs will cost hard-up Lincolnshire Police at least £1.8m - and that’s just the price of equipping them.

The figure came to light as the new Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire, Alan Hardwick, faced a grilling in Grantham on Tuesday night (March 5) at a special event organised by Councillor Ray Wootten.

It was Barrie Cox of Grantham North Neighbourhood Group who asked the question: “How much would it cost to uniform 1,000 PCSOs?”

After some momentary head-scratching from the commissioner and Ch Insp Mark Housley of Lincolnshire Police, the figure £1,800 was agreed upon and put forward by the pair.

Mr Hardwick said: “It’s a lot of money but I think it’s very good value for money.”

However, Mr Hardwick dismissed the relevance of the £1.8m figure as he appears to hold out little hope, even at this early stage, of actually getting 1,000 volunteers, suggesting the figure is mainly a public relations exercise aimed at getting people to apply.

He told the meeting: “It’s really about throwing out a challenge. If you say 200 then it’s nothing but people listen when you say 1,000. They listen and they get in touch.

“At the moment it’s a trickle but we are hoping it will become more.”

He added: “We won’t get 1,000.”

Travel firm Thomas Cook has announced that it is to close 195 of its agencies around the country.

The company has not yet announced if the Grantham agency, in the Isaac Newton Centre, will be among those closed. It has about 800 agencies throughout the country employing more than 15,000 people.

A company spokesman said: “It is never easy to make decisions that impact directly on our people, but we also owe it to our customers to shape the business effectively and ensure that, when they book their holiday with us, our administrative costs are as low as possible.

“As we improve and develop our online capabilities, maintaining a strong presence on the high street is an important part of our omni-channel strategy. Even after these changes, we will still have one of the largest retail networks in UK travel.”

Landlords who are sitting on an empty property for over two years face having to pay 150 per cent council tax as South Kesteven District Council aims to get more empty homes back in use.

However, as well as the council tax penalty, the council is also offering incentive grants to landlords to help upgrade empty houses - of which the council has identified 500 in the district - and make them available to rent to meet local housing need.

Coun Terl Bryant, SKDC portfolio holder for Good Housing, said: “We are already tackling the issue of empty homes and we are now re-doubling our efforts.

“They constitute one per cent of all homes in South Kesteven, they are a blight on communities, can devalue neighbouring homes and a property sitting empty long term is just not acceptable in these days of great housing need.”

Currently landlords and owners pay 50 per cent of the council tax charge for any property empty for more than six months.

Under the new rules they will pay the full amount after six months and 150 per cent after two years.

Coun Bryant added: “There are obviously reasons why a property might be empty short-term but our initial research confirms long-term empty homes right across the district. All are properties that can play a useful role in the community. “

SATURDAY (March 9)

Football

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League

Premier Division – Rushall Olympic v Grantham Town (3pm).

ChromaSport United Counties League

Division One – Harrowby United v Rothwell Corinthians (3pm).

Grantham & District Saturday League

Premier Division – Ancaster v Buckminster United, Bottesford v Cranmer Arms, White Horse Sleaford v White Swan Barrowby.

Division One – Caythorpe v AFC Skillington.

HITS Consultancy Senior Cup – Heckington Millers v Harrowby Reserves.

HITS Consultancy Junior Cup – CK Dons v AFC Three Gables.

Rugby

Midlands League 3

East (North) – Kesteven v East Retford.

Notts Pennant League

Group 2 – East Retford 2nd v Kesteven 2nd.

Hockey

Grantham v Bourne Deeping 4th, Grantham Ladies v Louth Ladies 3rd.

SUNDAY

Grantham & District Sunday League

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

Division One – Colsterworth United v Nobody Athletic, Long Bennington v Grantham United TRE.

Charity Shield – Aslockton Cranmers v FC Ropsley.

TUESDAY

Football

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League

Premier Division – Grantham Town v Whitby Town (7.45pm).

ChromaSport United Counties League

Division One – Harrowby United v Rushden & Higham United (7.45pm).

FOOTBALL RESULTS

Football

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League

Premier Division – Grantham Town 1 Ilkeston FC 1.

ChromaSport United Counties League

Division One – Northampton Spencer 3 Harrowby United 4, Harrowby United 1 Bugbrooke St Michaels 2.

Grantham & District Saturday League

Premier Division – Cranmer Arms 2 White Horse Sleaford 1.

Culverthorpe Cup – AFC Skillington 0 Bottesford 4, Bottesford Reserves 1 Heckington Millers 2, Buckminster United 5 Greyhounders 2, Croxton AFC 3 AFC Three Gables 4, Rippingale & Folkingham 2 AFC Ancaster 4.

Grantham & District Sunday League

Premier Division – FC Osbournby Rangers 2 Witham Wanderers 0, Helpringham Rovers 5 Three Gables Sunday 2, Lions 1 AFC Sleaford United 4, Ropsley Fox 3 Ancaster Rams 0.

Division One – Caythorpe 1 Nobody Athletic 5, Grantham United TRE 3 Ropsley 1.

Grantham Badminton Club’s second mixed team pulled off a 5-4 away win at Lincoln St Andrews in Newark League Division Two.

Sophie Turley with Jon Ashley won two rubbers from three, as did Adrian Ackroyd with Sonal Modi, while Laura Graves with Toby Mills claimed the crucial fifth rubber for Grantham.

In men’s Division Three, a very strong two-pair Woodborough beat Grantham 5-4. Carl Jennings with Andrew Watson did well to beat one of the opposition pairs but despite going close, neither Daniel Watson with Mike Woodhouse nor Brian Coyle with Dave Chambers won any more rubbers in play. Three rubbers were conceded by Woodborough’s missing pair.

Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick says the Government’s police funding formula is so against Lincolnshire ‘it’s almost unbelievable’

Speaking at a public meeting at the South Kesteven District Council offices in St Peter’s Hill, Mr Hardwick was asked by Councillor Mark Ashberry: “What are you doing to get a fairer deal for Lincolnshire?”

Mr Hardwick replied that he is working with other commissioners from other rural counties including Wiltshire in order to highlight funding shortfalls to the Home Secretary Theresa May.

Mr Hardwick said: “The funding is so much against Lincolnshire that it is almost unbelievable. It’s almost as if someone has said ‘which county shall we pillory? Okay, Lincolnshire’.

“They have drawn up all these rules which manage to make Lincolnshire come out worst every time.

“It’s not fair. Others have put up with it but it is time it was stopped, frankly.”

Mr Hardwick implied that criminals are aware of the lack of funding Lincolnshire Police has when they make the decision to travel from outside of the county to commit crimes here. He described Lincolnshire as “lucrative” for “travelling crime”.

Mr Hardwick said: “We are a massive rural county and criminals know what kind of police resources we have.”

A proposal for villagers and community groups in the district to be given speed guns in a bid to make rural roads safer has received the backing of Chief Inspector Mark Housley.

Ch Insp Housley spoke at a public meeting in Grantham last night (March 5) which was also attended by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire, Alan Hardwick.

Responding to a call for “community groups to man speed guns”, Ch Insp Housley said: “The initiative does exist, it is called the Community Speed Watch and I’m quite happy to see it relaunched and brought into communities.

“The big issue I always hear from rural communities is ‘speeding, speeding, speeding’.

“We have not got the resources to be outside every village and school but we have got members of the local community.

“We can find some funding for cameras and a bit of training then absolutely we can do that.”

Mr Hardwick spoke in favour of Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) which tell you what speed you are travelling at, often accompanied by a happy or unhappy face.

Mr Hardwick said: “I think they are very valuable tools in reducing speed.”

The village bobby may be dead and forgotten but Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick is determined to introduce what he sees as the next best thing.

Mr Hardwick, speaking at a public meeting in Grantham last night (March 5), repeatedly pressed the case for parish councils to fund or joint-fund their own PCSO.

Mr Hardwick said: “We can’t ever bring back the ‘village bobby’ because nobody could afford to do that but I want a system in Lincolnshire, and I have the support of senior officers to do this, that will be as near as dammit to people of my age to the village bobby - a presence that is truly local and will be representative of Lincolnshire.”

The proposal also received the backing of Ch Insp Mark Housley.

He said: “I have said I am happy to have parish constables.

“Some people say they are happy to be a constable but don’t want to be in the town or dealing with drunks in the town centre on a Saturday night; they want to be in their own community, in their village and if people want to do that I’m happy.

“They will get my support and I will allow them to be dedicated to that locality.”

Whether any parish councils come forward with interest in having a “parish constable” and the increase in parish precept that will entail, remains to be seen but Mr Hardwick wants to speak to councillors about the opportunity.

He said: “It is something I’m hoping to get off the ground and the message is I’m more than happy to talk to parish councils about the possibility.”

Some speakers at the meeting said they were unhappy with the current coverage the force gives to rural areas with some saying they rarely see a PCSO.

Ch Insp Housley said: “If you want me to deploy to all rural areas it will be totally ineffective but you will see a PCSO every day.”

A teenage Manchester United fan from the Bingham area was so irate at the red card given to Nani in last night’s game against Real Madrid that he called 999.

The 18-year-old called the police at around 9.20pm last night after the Portuguese winger was controversially dismissed.

He later apologised for his actions, claiming to have been caught up in the excitement.

Control Room Chief Inspector Ted Antill said: “While this recent example may be amusing, it illustrates the sort of insincere calls we have to deal with on a daily basis in the Control Room.

“They waste our time and they direct us away from genuine victims of crime, particularly if we dispatch officers out to something that turns out to be a bogus report.

“I would ask people to think before picking up the phone for emergency services. I would also advise parents to ensure your children are aware that prank calls and the reporting of made-up crimes is a crime in itself.

“There may be people out there in real trouble who need our help and they have to wait because we are tied up with calls like this one, reporting a referee from the television.

“It’s no joke. In this case, the man realised his bad judgement and apologised and we decided not to pursue it further. But we can and we do prosecute people for wasting police time and making false reports.”

There were 6,933 recorded hoax calls to Nottinghamshire Police in 2012, with calls increasing during holiday periods, and especially in August. This amounted to around 2% of all reported incidents.

Only call 999 in an emergency, if a crime is in progress or life is at risk. Otherwise, for police or crime-related queries call 101. To make an anonymous report you can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A celebration event was held at the Jubilee Church Life Centre in Grantham to thank stakeholders and donors who have helped to transform the former restaurant into a community space.

What was China 88 on the corner of London Road and St Catherine’s Road has been turned into a venue for community events.

The community space was officially opened by Mick McGrath from Big Lottery, Cheryl Raynor from WREN and Mayor and Mayoress of Grantham Ian and Sarah Stokes.

WREN and Big Lottery funded the creation of four rooms on the ground floor, which include toilets and a tea bar. These facilities will be used by members of the ‘Count Me In’ project which focusss on the inclusion of children with complex disabilities. Ethnic minorites will also benefit as the space will be used for English lessons, plus family activities and youth work.

Meanwhile, the county’s primary care trust, Lincolnshire County Council, South Kesteven District Council, Rotary Swimarathon and Jubilee Church members made a ‘Changing Places’ facility possible.

‘Changing Places’ was opened by the mayor and mayoress, joined by Councillor Adam Stokes, the PCT’s Phil Garner, Wendy Moore, Phil Jordan and representatives from the Cree Centre and Rotary club.

Pat Whittaker, senior leadership of the church, said: “This unique facility will enable profoundly disabled people to have dignified and appropriate toileting and changing provision, with all the necessary equipment, which is not available anywhere else in the centre of town.”

Grantham & District Saturday League

Culverthorpe Cup

Buckminster United 5

Greyhounders 2

Buckminster were looking for a marked improvement in performance and result against the team that had inflicted their first league defeat on them.

From the off there was a better tempo and enthusiasm about the home side’s performance, and it was not long before chances were being created.

Moore, Jaques and Kettle all had great opportunities to give Bucky the lead, but a combination of poor finishing and great goalkeeping from Coles kept the scores level.

Then on a rare break into the Bucky half, Greyhounders found themselves in the lead when a 20-yard strike clipped the post and went in, leaving Nicholls helpless.

Moore soon scored his first of the game to tie things up quickly. But the referee turned the game by awarding a penalty to the visitors, which they duly despatched to regain the lead.

Greyhounders grew into the game and Bucky were knocked off their stride. But having had a poor 10 minunites, the home side started to come to grips with the match once more and the last 10 minutes of the first half turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead.

Firstly Hollingworth rose like a salmon at the back post to loop in a great header, and Moore then raced through and finished smartly when one-on-one with the keeper.

The second half started well for the home side and they kept possession well and created chances aplenty. Moore had a half volley smash against the bar and the pacey Jaques had a few opportunties to open his account too.

Bucky’s fourth eventually came when a great move involving Howe, Parker and Moore set up a chance at the back post for Jaques to find the net and settle the nerves.

Moore was desperate to make amends for a poor show the previous week and slammed home a fifth to complete his hat trick and put the tie to bed.

Buckminster man of the match was Liam Jaques

Buckminster: Nicholls, Miller, Martini, Hollingworth, Bowers, Chambers, Howe, Kettle, Parker, Moore, Jaques, Fyfe, Le Hair, Tam, Chlopek.

A well-known jazz musician due to perform at a concert in Grantham tomorrow (Friday) has died.

Trumpeter Kenny Ball has passed away aged 82 after suffering from pneumonia.

Mr Ball was due to perform in the ‘Three Bs’ concert at The Meres Leisure Centre with fellow musicians Acker Bilk and Chris Barber.

South Kesteven District Council, which is behind the concert booking, has confirmed the concert will go ahead as planned.

A spokesman said: “Kenny Ball’s son has just confirmed will be joining the other two performers in tribute to his father.”