Caythorpe man Tony Wright described climbing Kilimanjaro as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

But now he’s got the bug and hopes to continue challenging himself in the future.

Mr Wright, of Caythorpe Heath, spent seven days on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, reaching the summit and raising around £1,600 for the NSPCC in the process.

He said: “I’ve never done anything like that before and it was a challenge both mentally and physically.

“I was training for about eight months but you can’t prepare for the altitude - it’s either something your body accepts or it doesn’t.”

Mr Wright was part of a party of 25 who climbed the mountain alongside a support team of 90.

Temperatures plummeted to -18°C and Mr Wright and his fellow climbers were faced with a force nine gale.

Mr Wright said:

“I didn’t know anybody else but everybody bonded together and we formed a good team. Unfortunately not everyone made it to the summit.”

Mr Wright would like to thank everyone who sponsored him, especially David Wilson Trailers, PGL and Watchorn Financial Services.

A campaign group fighting against an “industrial wind farm” proposal in the district has received the backing of influential politicians from MPs and MEPs to the leader of Lincolnshire County Council.

Campaign group reVOLT is vehemently opposed to RWE npower’s plan to build five turbines standing 126.5m high at Temple Hill between Stubton and Hough-on-the-Hill.

The group held a special meeting on Friday (March 5) attended by MP Stephen Phillips, Lord Giles Radice, MEP Roger Helmer and leader of Lincolnshire County Council Coun Martin Hill - all backing reVOLT’s opposition to the wind farm.

The Journal asked Hugh Wilson, chairman of Stubton Parish Council, whether this is the biggest issue to face Stubton in living memory.

Coun Wilson said: “It is probably the biggest issue for all of the villages really. We have had a poll of the village and 97 per cent said ‘no’ to the plans with 78 per cent replying.

“We don’t want it but it will have no effect.

“Hopefully the local authority will reject it because it is wholly inappropriate but it will go to appeal and many of them are granted on appeal.

“You and I living in the area as residents - it means nothing. We feel that nothing we say has any chance of being listened to.”

MP Stephen Phillips said he would only support the building of a wind turbine in his constituency if it is supported by the people in that community.

He added: “We should only be having them at all in areas where wind is economically viable and it is not in the vast majority of Lincolnshire.

“Certainly in my constituency there is not enough wind to make wind economic without the huge subsidy it receives from the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

“I want that subsidy reduced so wind has to fight for a place in the energy mix.”

Lord Radice lives in nearby Gelston. He said: “This is one of the most inappropriate wind farm plans that has ever been put forward because it is so near villages and people. And they are so vast - there are five turbines all just smaller than the London Eye.

“Do people want London Eye-sized structures? The London Eye is fine where it is but do people want it 600 yards from where they live?

“I think it should be turned down flat.”

Ukip MEP Roger Helmer believes policies on climate change and energy is “forcing millions into fuel poverty”.

He added: “It is more than just politics - they are driving up energy prices fantastically.”

The reVOLT campaign is extremely well organised but the fear within the camp is it is fighting a losing battle in the face of Government targets on climate change and financial muscle.

Coun Wilson said: “RWE get massive subsidies from the Government that we all pay for and a wealthy landowner gets £5m - all set against a community that doesn’t want it.

“It’s not my view of democracy.”

Fire crews were called out to an accident on the A1 this morning at Colsterworth.

Two Grantham crews and one from Corby Glen attended the scene of the crash which involved one vehicle.

The crews made the vehicle safe, stopped a fuel leak from the vehicle using a sealing paste and used absorbent granules to soak up petrol on the road.

The accident occurred at around 11.35am today.

A town centre cafe has raised more than £2,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Cafe Leo in Westgate raised the money with a charity day in November by selling Cancer Research merchandise and homemade pink cakes, as well as stalls, a balloon race and an evening meal.

Jessica Vincent of Cafe Leo thanked all the staff, customers and other local businesses who got behind the fund-raising drive.

She added: “We are very proud of this figure and hope to continue our trend of an annual charity day raising money for worthy charities. We now have a new target for this year’s charity day on Saturday, September 7, 2013.”

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League

Premier Division

Grantham Town 2

Whitby Town 3

Grantham Town were pretty much run ragged in the first half and went a goal down when Alex White knocked the ball in after a corner kick.

Whitby doubled their lead on 23 minutes with Nathan Mulligan getting the slightest of touches to Ibby Hassan’s seemingly goalbound free kick.

The visitors continued to be generally superior in all departments and at times the Gingerbreads were reduced to being little more than spectators.

Grantham went further behind after 36 minutes when White headed in his second after a perfectly executed corner kick.

The Gingerbreads failed to capitalise on any rare Whitby mistakes and went into half time without a goal to their name.

But Grantham came out after the break with the bit between their teeth and pulled a goal back on 53 minutes when Jamie McGhee ran clear down the left and lobbed Whitby keeper Nick Liversedge.

With their tails up, Grantham scored a second time three minutes later when Greg Smith headed in Sam Purcicoe’s cross.

The Gingerbreads had the chance to level on 59 minutes when Gio Carchedi was tripped in the penalty box, but Liversedge dived the right way to save Smith’s spot kick.

The game continued in an end-to-end fashion but neither side was able to find the back of the net again.

Grantham Town: Turner, Purcicoe, Ridley, Meikle, Hawes, Lewis (Elliot, 90), Watson (MacVicar, 77), Nwadike (c), G. Smith, Nightingale (Carchedi, 52), McGhee. Subs not used: Hannigan, K. Smith. Att: 100.

Many readers will know Jim Allen as a former sports editor at the Journal, a role he filled for seven years.

Jim’s career in journalism also included a decade as editor of the Grantham & Melton Trader, which was taken over by the Journal.

His newspaper work gave him the opportunity to interview prominent politicians such as Margaret Thatcher, Douglas Hurd and Kenneth Clarke as well as sporting legends like George Best, Brian Clough, and Ian Botham.

Jim will also be well known to some as author of ‘The Grantham Connection’, which was published in 1986 and featured on Yorkshire Television.

He also wrote ‘Grantham Cinemas - When the curtain falls’, a study of all of the cinemas which have existed in the town.

A keen gardener, Jim saved a vandalised tree planted by Princess Diana on St Peter’s Hill.

He now spends his retirement exhibiting his acrylic paintings annually at the Guildhall Arts Centre, some of which have been sold to people in France and Australia.

Caricature by Terry Shelbourne

ChromaSport United Counties League

Division One

Harrowby United 3

Rushden & Higham United 0

Revenge was sweet for Harrowby United on Tuesday night as they comfortably beat a Rushden and Higham side that had inflicted the Arrows’ biggest defeat of the season back in November.

The three-goal margin flattered the visitors who, with more ruthless Harrowby finishing, would have been on the end of a hiding.

The opening goal came after 33 minutes through man-of-the-match Craig Wilson whose quality finish was preceded by a mazy run in which he beat three defenders before shooting calmly past Aaron Doughty in the Rushden goal. Three minutes later Wilson set up Scott Webb whose curling effort was easily saved by Doughty.

After 42 minutes, Wilson burst through Rushden’s defence, latching on to a Webb pass, but was unable to finish his one on one chance with the keeper, shooting just wide of the left hand post. He made amends a minute later however, with a ball through to Martin Wormall whose low left foot shot beat Doughty for his 35th goal of the season.

The second half was equally one sided and substitute Liam Harper was unlucky when his first touches of the match saw him run on to a flicked header from Wormall before shooting inches wide.

Jack Drury made his only real save of the game after 61 minutes, blocking with his legs after a rare break from the visitors. The game became even more comfortable a minute later when the Lankies were reduced to 10 men with a straight red card for violent conduct against striker Craig Lawman.

Harrowby’s third goal arrived after 67 minutes when another great pass from Wilson was taken on by Webb who rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into an empty net.

Match ball sponsor was S.A.O Carpentry & Joinery of Grantham.

Harrowby United: Drury, Hill, Vorley (Preston, 67), Hodgkin (c), Whyley, Webb, Peberdy (Harper, 56), Kirton, Bolland, Wormall, Wilson (Lee, 73). Subs not used: Weatherstone, Brothwell.

Cyclists of all abilities are being urged to sign up to the Grantham SpireCycle to raise money to help repair the St Wulfram’s spire.

The event will be held on May 11 and is being organised by Simon Hopkins Electrical Services of Grantham.

Sponsorship forms are available from Asda in Grantham or by logging on to www.spirecycle.co.uk

A warm-up cycle is being held on April 21 and anyone who takes part will receive a free health club day pass curtesy of the Olde Barn at Marston.

Businesses are also being asked to come forward if they are interested in sponsoring shirts either on an individual basis (£50) or team (£200).

For more call Jeana 01476 452 177 or e-mail j.bentley@sh-es.co.uk

We escaped the cold weather for a short while by stowing away on a cruise around Australia’s Sydney Harbour with Brian Bruce, of Colsterworth.

Brian said: “The Harbour Bridge and Opera House are only two of the attractions at what must be one of the most beautiful harbours in the world.

“Jackie and I shall be back in Australia next year for our granddaughter’s wedding. Meanwhile, though it’s nice to go travelling, it’s oh so nice to be home.”

* Are you going anywhere nice? Why not take a copy of the Journal and have a photo taken just like Bruce did? Send your photos to: comment@granthamjournal.co.uk

SATURDAY (March 16)

Football

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League

Premier Division – Grantham Town v AFC Fylde (3pm).

Grantham & District Saturday League

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

Culverthorpe Cup, first round – Cranmer Arms v White Swan Barrowby.

Rugby

NLD Shield

Semi-final – Kesteven v Glossop (2.30pm).

Notts Pennant League

Group 2 – Ranby v Kesteven 2nd..

Lincs Merit League

Kesteven 3rd v North Hykeham.

Hockey

Cambridge Nomads 3rd v Grantham, Grantham Ladies v Lincoln Roses 2nd.

SUNDAY

Football

Grantham & District Sunday League

Premier Division – FC Osbournby Rangers v AFC Sleaford United, Three Gables Sunday v Helpringham Rovers.

Division One – Nobody Athletic v Caythorpe, Totemic v Colsterworth United.

Sunday Knockout Cup, quarter-finals – Ancaster Rams v Ropsley Fox, Lions v Grantham United TRE, Ruskingtonn v Ropsley.

Lincolnshire Intermediate League

Premier League – Grantham Town v Sleaford Town JFC.

South League – Cranwell JFC v Young Dons.

TUESDAY

Football

ChromaSport United Counties League

Division One – Thrapston Town v Harrowby United (7.45pm).

FOOTBALL RESULTS

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League

Premier Division – Grantham Town 2 Whitby Town 3, Rushall Olympic 3 Grantham Town 1.

ChromaSport United Counties League

Division One – Harrowby United 3 Rushden & Higham United 0, Harrowby United 6 Rothwell Corinthians 0.

Grantham & District Saturday League

Premier Division – Ancaster 1 Buckminster United 5, Bottesford 1 Cranmer Arms 1, White Horse Sleaford 2 White Swan Barrowby 4.

Division One – Caythorpe 5 AFC Skillington 0.

HITS Consultancy Senior Cup, semi-final – Heckington Millers 4 Harrowby Reserves 1.

HITS Consultancy Junior Cup, semi-final – CK Dons 2 AFC Three Gables 1.

Grantham & District Sunday League

Premier Division – Ancaster Rams 5 FC Osbournby Rangers 2, Witham Wanderers 2 Helpringham Rovers 2.

Last Wednesday, the Government continued its campaign against the lowest paid in society by engineering a successful vote in the House of Lords to abolish the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB).

The AWB was created in 1948 and set minimum pay rates as well as conditions such as sick pay, holiday entitlement, tied housing and many other employment provisions for farmers and farmworkers.

The Government was seeking to abolish what they considered an overly bureaucratic anachronism. And to do so they avoided using the elected House of Commons, preferring to push the bill through the undemocratic House of Lords. They also ignored their own consultation, including the views of the farmers and the farmworkers, which showed the 63 per cent were against the abolition of the AWB. They refused to be swayed by the fact that by abolishing the AWB they would be taking £247 million out of the pockets of the lowest paid in the country according to DEFRA’s own figures.

It is clear who the main beneficiaries of this move will be. It will be the big agri-bosses and the major supermarkets that are determined to drive down costs by pushing down worker’s wages towards poverty levels. Scrapping the AWB will affect the livelihood of over 150,000 agricultural workers across the UK, a significant number in Lincolnshire.

If we tie this news in with the continuing cost of living crisis that is being perpetuated, increasing energy and fuels costs leading to price increases in the basics that we all need, then we can see that by driving down wages the government is completely out of touch with the rural communities it claims to hold close to its heart.

I feel that the scrapping of the AWB is one more step on the path where the Government want to limit aspiration, drive down wages and continue its attacks on the vulnerable. This step puts the livelihoods of many people in Lincolnshire at risk.

One of the biggest parties ever to hit the Grantham area is heading this way with some big name stars on the bill.

Globally recognised DJs Shapeshifters will be headlining at One Big Party with BBC Radio DJ Dave Pearce playing the latest and greatest in dance and house music at Arena UK, Allington, on Friday, April 5, and are expected to attract a few thousand fans to the venue. Organisers have already sold 700 tickets.

The evening will start at 9pm with some warm-up DJs, followed by Dave Pearce from 1am to 2am and finally Shapeshifters from 2am to 3.30am.

The event will take place in two permanent giant marquees at the arena. As part of the event there will also be a photo area where you can have your pictures taken with the celebrities. There will be bucking broncos, hot food and a licensed bar. There will also be a taxi rank at the venue. Taxis, bar, food and photos will cost extra on top of the ticket price.

Organiser Lloyd McAuliffe, who lives in Grantham, said: “Nothing like this happens around here and I hope people get behind it and support it.”

Lloyd is keen to tell people this is not a disco, but a large-scale event with £220,000 worth of lighting and staging equipment attracting people from all over the region and further afield. On the night there will be a free coach service every 15 minutes from Asda in the town centre between 8pm and 10pm and 3am to 4.30am.

Tickets to the event cost £25 and are available by calling 0800 0469476 or go to www.onebigparty.co.uk where you can buy tickets and get more details about the event.

The Journal has two pairs of VIP tickets, each pair worth £100, to give away for the event. These will allow our lucky winners to jump the queue and enter the VIP area where they can mingle with the stars who will also include big TV names Joey Essex and Jessica Wright, of The Only Way is Essex fame. The tickets also give access to the VIP bar and an area next to the DJ booth. See this Friday’s Journal to enter the competition.

There is a winners’ concert and presentation of trophies on Saturday, March 16, to bring this year’s Grantham Music Festival to an end.

The concert is at ChristChurch, Finkin Street, at 7.30pm, and tickets cost £3 on the door.

Results for this year’s Grantham Music Festival are as follows:

Jazz solo for piano - Eleanor Smith.

Guitar solo (secondary school, key stages 3-5) - John Fleming.

Pop music solo or group - 1 David Bauer, 2 Elliott Smith-Rasmussen.

Thursday

String solo (grades 1 and 2) - 1Jessica Godby, 2 Aakash Jansari, merit Hannah Coffey, Kirsty Lambelle-Rudd, Rachel Williams, Gregory Scotland, Hattie Towns.

String solo (grade 5 and 6) - 1 Disha Singhania, 2 Isabel Leach.

String repertoire (secondary schools, KS3) - Taran Duval.

String solo (grades 3 and 4) - 1 Phoebe Leach, 2 Hio Cheng Au, m Jenni Boddy.

String repertoire (primary school) - Rachel Williams, 2 Agatha Parkin, m Adam Bartlett, Kellan Poole, Katie Shatan, Emma Coffey.

String solo (prelim grade) - 1 Yasmin Bursnall, 2 Amelia Whitfied, m Laila Godwin, Anais Castro, Hesler Parkin, Joshua Parrott, Isaac Kendon, Bella Kerr, Phoebe Rowland.

String solo (beginners, primary school) - 1 Shivani Jansari, 2 Oliver Flavin, m Archie Parrott.

String solo (beginners) - Elliot Smith-Rasmussen.

Piano solo (grades 7 and 8) 1 Hannah Grain, 2 Hio U Tsou, m Isabel Cocker.

String repertoire (secondary school KS4) - 1 Ellen Porter, 2 Braimah Kanneh-Mason.

String solo (grades 7 and 8) - 1 Emilia Pearce, 2 Sara Rigby.

String solo (open) - 1 Ellen Porter.

Woodwind repertoire (open) - Costanza Pearce.

String repertoire (open) - 1 Sheku Kenneh-Mason, 2 Isabel Cocker.

Family group - 1 Costanza and Emilia Pearce.

Friday

Piano solo (grade 2) - 1 Hannah Underwood, 2 Taran Duval, m Francesca Lenton, Elizabeth Hindmatch.

Piano solo (beginners, primary school) - 1 Alice Rossington, 2 Holly Riordan, m Travis Williams, James Grainger.

Piano solo (prelim) - 1 James Grainger, 2 Millie Hindmarch, m Ella Marshall, Ella Edwards, Dominic Hubner.

Piano solo (grades 3 and 4) - 1 George Topham, 2= Sam O’Sullivan, Sadie Langdon, m Elliott Smith-Rasmussen, Elisha Rooke.

Piano solo (grades 5 and 6) - 1 Emilia Pearce, 2 Nic Jones, m Disha Singhania, Josie Read.

Piano repertoire (secondary school, KS3) - 1 Konya Kanneh-Mason, 2 Hio U Tsou, m Zoe Grain.

Piano solo (beginners secondary school) - 1 Francesa Hall, 2 Safia Hall.

Vocalor instrumental solo (adult beginners) - James Donaldson.

Piano duets (beginners) - Safia Hall and Francesca Hall.

Piano duet (primary school) - 1 Alice Rossington and Isabella Rossington, 2 Sam O’Sullivan and Joe Parker.

Piano repertoire (primary school) - 1 Isabella Rossington, 2 Helen Braybrook, m Tejomayee Ganeshi, Elizabeth Hindmarch, George Croudace.

Piano duet (secondary school, KS4) - 1 Disha Singhania and Zhuoran Yue, 2 Hannah Grain and Zoe Grain.

Handbell ringing group - 1 St Vincent, 2 St Wulfram’s, 3 Bretherton.

Piano repertoire (secondary school KS4) - 1 Hanna Grain, 2 Disha Singhania.

Piano repertoire (secondary school KS5) - Sara Rigby.

Piano repertoire (open) - Jeneba Kanneh-Mason.

Piano duet (secondary school, KS5) - 1 Greg Mihill and Georgina Langdon, 2 Sara Rigby and Emilia Pearce.

Saturday

Senior citizens, vocal solo or duet - Jurgen Matussek.

Equal voice choir (open) - 1 Diocese of Lincoln Ladies, 2 St John’s Ladies.

Church choir (open) - St John’s.

Mixed voice choir (open) - 1 St John’s, 2 Grantham Choral Society youth choir, m Elsham Singers.

Songs from the Shows (open) - 1 David Bauer, 2 Emma Boone.

Gilbert and Sullivan operetta (open) - Kate Landy.

Songs from the shows (secondary school) - 1 James Clack, 2 Abigal Mahony, m Nakeisha Creed, Rebecca Mahony, Katy Thomspson, Nathan Read, John Bowskill.

Monday

Woodwind repertoire (primary school) - Francesca Lenton.

Woodwind repertoire (secondary school KS3) - 1 Annabel Lenton, 2 Josie Read.

Woodwind solo (grades 1 and 2) - 1 Madeline Hubner, 2 Isabella Gardiner.

Woodwind solo (grades 3 and 4) - 1 Hannah Benson.

Woodwind solo (grades 5 and 6) - 1 Alisha Selby

Brass solo (grades 1 and 2) - Samual Davie.

Vocal solo (secondary school KS3) - 1 Rebecca Mahony, 2 Lewis Taylor, m Lauren Wilson, 2 Elliott Smith-Rasmussen, Katie McGough, Nakeisha Creed, Francesca Longden.

Partnership class (open) - Abigail Mahony and Rebecca Mahony.

Vocal solo (treble) - Niamh Morrissey.

Folk song solo (school ages) - 1 Chris Eldridge, 2 Brendan Cox.

Vocal duet (secondary school) - Maya Thompson and Katy Thompson.

Vocal repertoire (secondary school KS3) - Rebecca Mahony.

Vocal solo (secondary school KS4) -1 John Bowskill, 2= Brendan Cox, Abigail Mahony.

Vocal repertoire (secondary school KS4) - 1 John Bowskill, 2 Disha Singhania, m Isabella Bradstock, Abigail Mahony.

Vpocal repertoire (secondary school KS5) - Costanza Pearce.

Leider (open) - Disha Singhania and Corinne Glover.

Tuesday

Woodwind solo (prelim grade) - Jordan Scott.

Vocal solo (primary school) -1 Elissa Foster, 2= Jake McDonald-Pike, Charlotte Taylor, m Isabella Gardiner, Joshua Cox, Harriet Owen, Tigerlily Bell.

Piano solo (grade 1) - 1 Amelia Dennis, 2 George Croudace, m Sophie Craven, Laura Elliott.

Vocal duet (primary school) - Jacob Baker and George Cowgill.

Songs from the shows (primary school) - 1 Jake McDonald-Pike, 2 Joseph Williams.

Large instrumental group (primary school) - 1 Donington Cowley Endowed Primary School chamber orchestra, 2 The National School orchestra, m Donington Cowley Endowed Primary School wind band.

Instrumntal group (primary school) - Grantham Preparatory School senior wind band.

Recorder group (primary school) - Grantham Preparatory School.

School choir (primary school) - 1 St Mary’s Catholic school, 2= Grantham Preparatory School choir, The National School senior choir.

Small instrumental group (primary school) - 1 Charlie Foulds, Freddie Thomas, Adam Bartlett, Rose Osborne and Alex Holt.

Instrumental duet (primary school) - 1 Mary Hardiman and Hattie Towns.

Instrumental hgroup (secondary school) - 1 Hannah Coffey and Celeste Drouin Davies.

Folk song solo or group (open) - 1 KGGS Close Harmony, 2 The King’s Men.

Vocal group (secondary school) - 1 The C Sharps, 2 Vocal Youth.

School choir (secondary school) - Kesteven and Grantham Girls School.

A successful fruit farm is relocating in order to expand on its level of production and become a greener company.

Belvoir Fruit Farms, which sells bottled fruit drinks, including cordials, both nationally and internationally, is set to move from Belvoir in Grantham to Bottesford.

Despite some objections the business’ plans to relocate and expand were approved by Melton Council at a development committee meeting.

The business, which currently operates from two separate buildings, a main office and production premises, in Belvoir, is set to move to Barkestone Lane in Bottesford, south of the A52.

The business’ plans include the refurbishment and expansion of an existing agricultural building at the new site, which will become the new base for its production line, it also plans to erect a new office building on the land, as well as expand on its Elderflower orchards located nearby.

Concerns were raised during the planning process about the fact that more traffic, including heavy goods lorries, would be using Barkestone Lane, a single track road, if plans went ahead. However, the Highways Agency advised that if four passing bays were installed between the site and the A52, it would mitigate against increased traffic.

Terry Anthony, who has lived in the house adjacent to the site for over 30 years, also raised concerns about the noise which would be caused not only from traffic but also from the general running of the factory.

However, the business said that sound absorption and reduction materials would be installed into the proposed building.

Pev Manners, owner of Belvoir Fruit Farms, said: “We are thrilled that the council has granted permission for the expansion, it’s necessary for us because we are to constricted at the minute due to space and it will allow us to increase sales and jobs.

“We chose the location because we need to be close by to our flower orchards, it was also important that we remained within the Vale because of our brand name.

“We hope that the move will allow us to become more energy efficient and are planning to use solar energy to become more sustainable.”

After delivering fresh fish to one-and-a-half million customers for the last half a century, Rick Streeter has retired from the family business.

Rick’s van has been a familiar sight around Grantham and the surrounding villages as he made his daily rounds to hundreds of homes across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. There will be no more early starts and long days for him now his son Nick has taken over the reins but he will miss the job.

Rick, 65, of Welbourn, said: “I delivered to 600 customers a week and I would say I was calling on at least 20 of them when I first started delivering back in the early 1960s.

“I reckon I have served one-and-a-half million customers in those 50 years and I would say I enjoyed it 97 per cent of the time. The job is not so much about making sales, it is about meeting people and building relationships with them.”

The business was started in the late 1950s by Rick’s father, Harry, who had been concerned he was going to lose his job at an aircraft manufacturing factory. Rick joined him after leaving school in 1963 and eventually took over the business on his own.

The job involves picking up fresh fish from Grimsby early in the mornings and then delivering to towns and more than 30 villages across an area including Lincoln, Sleaford and Newark, as well as Grantham.

Rick said: “We deliver up to 30 varieties of fish every day.

“Years ago there was no farming of fish so something like salmon was a luxury back then. Now salmon is one of our biggest sellers along with the white fish.”

Rick, who is married to Janet with four children and six grandchildren, will also be well known to some readers as the owner of a fish and chip shop in Caythorpe which he ran for 25 years up to 1990.

He plans to spend his retirement mountain biking and playing golf and has no regrets about the way his career panned out.

Rick added: “It’s been a good life but I’m not a millionaire.”

I sat with a smile on my face throughout the Harrowby Singers’ production of The Wizard of Oz. It was funny. It was heartwarming. It was brilliant.

And it starred Meena, a pooch with a remarkably calm character who played a wonderful Toto. Thank goodness she is toilet trained!

Laura Bowling was an absolutely fantastic Dorothy - and to carry off every line with such pizzazz while looking after Meena was commendable.

As well as Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion were undoubtedly equal stars of the show. The Scarecrow, played by Daniel Poole was fantastic, from the voice down to the way he carried himself as the bag of straw.

Meanwhile, Steve Sale and Len Batey were brilliant as the Lion and Tin Man. Steve’s singing was incredible and Len’s acting top-notch.

The gang gelled so well together playing a group of friends. Chemistry is important when playing characters who have formed a strong bond, and this group had bucketloads of the stuff.

Sadly, the turn-out on the Singers’ opening night was dismal. Where there should have been raucous applause at the end there was not - we could not clap hard enough! You MUST see this Singers’ production - it’s fantastic, one not to be missed.

It’s on at The Guildhall in Grantham tonight (Thursday), tomorrow and Saturday.

Call the Guildhall on 01476 406158 for details or visit www.guildhallartscentre.com

The top guns were out in force in a long-awaited Newark Men’s League Division clash between Grantham and visitors Westside.

Two-and-a-half hours of voiciferous exchange ended in triumph for Grantham when Ben Johnson with Jan Bailey excelled in claiming all three of their rubbers. Captain Nick Gill with Joe Attewell claimed two further rubbers and lost their third narrowly by 30 points to 28 in an exciting third end. Martin Chambers with Toby Mills picked up a valuable single rubber to seal the 6-3 Grantham victory.

Elsewhere, Grantham men seconds travelled away to Crossed Rackets in a snow delayed fixture. Grantham struggled but Jon Ashley with Adrian Ackroyd claimed two rubbers and Toby Mills with Ian Witham brought Grantham’s tally to three. Rob Howbrook with Chris Graves had a bad night, failing to add to the total. Crossed Rackets won the other six rubbers .

In the mixed Melton League top flight, Grantham were at home to Belvoir. In a closely fought and tense match, Rob Howbrook with Sandra Jennings took two rubbers, as did Rob Scarborough with Kat Perry. In a final and match-deciding rubber, Matt Perry with Sonal Modi fought hard but lost the third end, meaning the final score was 5-4 to Belvoir.

The first ever female fighter pilot in the RAF was a guest speaker at a Grantham event celebrating International Women’s Day.

Jo Salter entertained an audience of 140, made up of women-led businesses, charities and organisations based in the town, when she talked about her thrilling flying career.

Jo spoke about her training at RAF Cranwell and Swinderby and how she eventually joined the famous 617 Squadron, at the event at the Jubilee Church Life Centre.

The occasion was sponsored by Grantham’s two Rotary clubs, organisation’s which are relevant to Jo’s family history.

She commented: “I love Rotary – my grandfather was a Rotarian.”

Event chairman, David Holmes, told the audience: “We are so privileged to have Jo with us today, especially with her links to Rotary, and as a pilot she is well known within Lincolnshire .”

Mayor of Grantham, Councillor Ian Stokes, and Mayoress Sarah Stokes, together with the Chairman of South Kesteven District Council, Councillor Rosemary Kaberry-Brown, who is also a Rotarian, were guests.

The organising team’s next event is a performance by trained dogs from Canine Partners showing how they help their disabled partners.

It will be at the same venue on April 29.

Grantham & District Saturday League

Premier Division

Ancaster 1

Buckminster United 5

Buckminster started brightly in this must win game for them, stroking the ball around nicely and creating some good chances. Parker hit the side netting and Moore had a couple of half-chances.

The lead came when a long ball in the box was not dealt with by the keeper and Moore swivelled to lash home from eight yards. The visitors did not build on this lead though and the passing game seemed to go out of the window for 20 minutes before half time, with Bowers looking particularly troubled by the pace and power of veteran striker Reid.

Ancaster got their reward for an improved spell when a long ball over the visiting right-back saw Watson lob the keeper from 25 yards to equalise before the break.

The second half saw a return to Bucky’s possession style of play and dominance. Finally the floodgates opened and with a slick move down the left involving skipper Martini and Jaques, the ball was whipped into the box for Moore to finish neatly first time.

Moore completed his hat trick after great work from Martini, cracking home a half-volley from the edge of the box. Moore grabbed a fourth with a well directed header.

A great cross from the left saw Hollingworth nod home at the back post to secure a great three points on the road for the league leaders.

Buckminster’s man of the match was Jason Bowers.

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

A “troublesome” street drinker often seen boozing in Grantham has been slapped with an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO).

Richard Conboy, of Redmile Walk in Grantham, must now follow strict rules which ban him from drinking in Grantham and from entering parts of the town altogether

The two-year ASBO was made on the back of a conviction made on Friday as the owner of a dangerously out of control dog that injured a council housing officer. The officer was bitten on the leg and had to go to hospital for treatment. Conboy, 32, was handed a conditional discharge at Lincoln Crown Court.

The ASBO was obtained following a partnership between South Kesteven District Council and Lincolnshire Police.

SKDC community safety officer Sandy Kavanagh said: “We work closely with the police and other agencies to deal with individuals who exploit vulnerable people and whose behaviour blights their lives and causes harassment, alarm and distress.

“We have worked for some considerable time to kerb the behaviour of this troublesome street drinker and an ASBO has now been obtained as a last resort.”

Under the terms of the ASBO, Conboy, who was involved in a series of anti-social behaviour incidents in the town, must now abide by seven conditions which will be in force until March 7, 2015. He must not:

* Consume alcohol within the whole of the Grantham area covered by the designated public places order

* Possess any container of alcohol on which the manufacturer’s seal has been broken within the same area

* Be in the company of any person within the area who is in possession of a container of alcohol on which the manufacturer’s seal has been broken

* Enter The George Centre at any time

* Enter the building or grounds of Welham Court, The Waterfront, Welham Street, Grantham, at any time

* Enter the grounds of the Riverside housing complex, Welham Street, Grantham, at any time

* Meet or have any contact with three named people

If he breaches any of the conditions without reasonable excuse he will be arrested and prosecuted and, if proved, can be sentenced to up to five years in prison.

* Anti-social behaviour should be reported to SKDC’s ASB team on 01476 406046.