So, now we all know why McCarthy & Stone demolished St Catherine’s House on the corner of Dudley Road and St Catherine’s Road so hastily last November. They obviously wanted to beat the Conservation Area Order which came into effect at the end of January, just a few weeks after this interesting house was destroyed forever.

Meanwhile, the local bat population, which may well have been hibernating in this old building, were no doubt ignored and possibly destroyed so the “Later Living” company could achieve its aim of making as much money as possible from this small plot of land, without having to worry about any Conservation restrictions.

This is despite the local planning department insisting that provision for bats is made in the new building.

Deliberate destruction of bat habitat is a fineable offence! Does anyone know what provision was made for any hibernating bats, or even if anyone checked the whole building for evidence of roosting bats BEFORE the demolition took place?

By the time the new building is in situ, it will be far too late for any local bats who have had their habitat so brutally removed during their hibernation period for major financial gain.

I’m sure that many local people, including me and my family, will be saddened if there are no bats flying in Dudley Road during the summer months – but we do have the noise of large construction vehicles and, no doubt, increased parking problems to look forward to. Now there’s progress!

L. North

By email

A big, big thank you to doctors, nurses and staff in all departments at Grantham Hospital, who have been involved in the care of my husband, Joe Rhodes, over recent years.

I’d like to especially thank Ward 1 and the Critical Care Unit for their unfailing care and consideration to both of us during his recent stay and subsequent death.

Where would we be without our local hospital?

Thanks also to Dr Parkin, nurses and receptionists at St Peter’s Hill Surgery for looking after him so well.

Pat Rhodes

Address supplied

Staff at a Grantham hair salon are celebrating reaching the regional finals of a prestigious industry awards.

Scots Hair Design saw off the challenge of more than 1,000 entries to make the next level of competition and remain in the running for the L’Oreal Colour Trophy and Men’s Image Award.

Finalists for the awards, which are seen as the hairdressing industry’s most fashion-led live contest, will be decided at the north-west regional final in Manchester on April 10.

The salon made it through because of what the judges saw as ‘their ability to produce a modern and inspirational hair colour with a stunning editorially-inspired finish’.

The event will be hosted by television presenter Zoe Hardman, who co-hosts ITV show Take Me Out: The Gossip, alongside Mark Wright.

One of the judges will be award-winning hairdresser Trevor Sorbie, who said: “It’s an amazing achievement to make it to this stage.

“The regional finals have an amazing atmosphere and it’s great to bring talented hairdressers from all over the region under one roof.”

The Scots Hair Design team, which includes stylists Keily Harvey and Laura Sutherland, will be competing with 65 other salons from across the north-west region for the opportunity to make the final.

Each competing hairdresser’s will have just 45 minutes to make-over a model and get her to show off their work on the catwalk in front of the judges.

They wil be charged with creating a look that encapsulates the brief of a ‘well executed, inspirational, modern colour with a beautiful editorially-inspired style and finish on a female and male model, complementing an Autumn/Winter 2013/14 fashion trend to create a show-stopping look’.”

Just six salons will be in the running for the overall prizes when the 58th annual L’Oreal Colour Trophy Grand Final is held at Grosvenor House in London on June 3.

A Grantham business has been boosted in its aim to go global with interest from America and other parts of the world.

Alastair Hawken’s Grantham Gingerbread venture is already a flowering business with outlets all over the country selling the biscuits made to an original secret recipe from 1740 by William Eggleston who had a bakery in town.

Recently a number of orders have come in from abroad, notably from Nebraska and Washington in the United States. Mr Hawken, who started making the gingerbread about 15 months ago over his Panini’s business in Westgate, said: “It is phenomenal because we are not marketing ourselves there, but they are finding us on the internet. They are quite clearly very interested in the product because they are prepared to pay the expensive shipping costs. We have sold to about 20 customers in the US and around the world.”

The gingerbread is travelling even further because many customers have said they are sending it to expats and friends all over the globe, with the Czech Republic one of the latest destinations.

Mr Hawken hopes to export the gingerbread on a much larger scale in future. Negotiations are also under way with Lincolnshire Co-op which looks likely to sell the biscuits in its 50 outlets.

About 4,000 gingerbread biscuits are made every week, but this will grow to 12,000 by June. The biscuits are hand-made and it takes an hour to make 150 of them. But Mr Hawken has invested in a new machine which is normally used to make boilers - that is carp bait for fishermen! The machine can make 80 balls of dough in three minutes. The balls of dough are important to make the dome-like shape which is characteristic of the Grantham Gingerbread biscuit.

For more information on the history of Grantham gingerbread, stockists and for orders, go to www.granthamgingerbread.com

SUDBROOK MOOR

Sudbrook Moor’s senior stableford saw members contesting the annual Singleton Cup.

The event had a superb outcome for 19 handicap Alfie Kent whose 47-point scorecard (23 out, 24 back) cut him to 17.

Winner of Category 4 was Colin Henfrey who carded 43 points for the runners-up prize.

Ken Jameson enjoyed a good day for third overall with 41 and Dave Guy (39), Tony Sealey (37) and Graham Mackinder (37) all looked good.

The twos sweep was shared between Alfie (2), Dave, Graham and Colin.

Alfie and Pete Farmer stay secure at the top of the Eclectic with three events remaining.

BELTON WOODS

Belton Woods’ monthly medal qualifier was a strokeplay competition played on the par 73 Woodside course, with 72 CSS.

Results (net of full handicap): Division One (12 and below) – 1 David Charlton 71, 2 Andrew Hey 72, 3 Stephen McAndrew 73; Division Two (13 and above) – 1 Master Joshua Mackey 70, 2 Andy Williams 72, 3 Steve Allen 72.

STOKE ROCHFORD

Seniors’ section

Stoke Rochford seniors played the latest round of their Winter Warmers Series as a best two-from-three stableford with one joker per player.

Winners with 90 points on countback were Les Cooper, Keith Eddy and Don Werner. Runners-up, also on 90 points, were seniors captain Mick Rance, Brian White and their sleeping partner Malcolm Edwards. Joe Kime, Alan Jessop and Ron Kent were third with 86.

Seventy-five seniors have played in the competition which reaches its final and deciding round this week. In the tussle for top spot, Phil White has led for some time but the latest result saw his brother Brian overtake him. Brian now leads with 35 points from Phil on 33, with Brian Ayto third on 30 points.

Four young Grantham rowers – three from King’s School and one from Priory Ruskin Academy – took part in two national races in London at the end of last week.

Rowing for Newark RC, the J17 (Year 12) quad competed in the Schools Head of the River Race along with 300 other boats on the Oxford versus Cambridge boat race course.

In their first race on the Thames Tideway, and competing against 18-year old crews, they were pleased with their performance, coming in eighth place against the older rowers. It was especially impressive as two of the crew, Ashley Cowley and George Mitchell, should compete as J16s (Year 11) and were already rowing up a year group to form the quad. They are looking forward to returning to the Thames next year when they will no longer have such an age disadvantage.

The same quad of Ashley Cowley at bow, Max Bradbury, George Mitchell and Luke Wren at stroke, then moved across London to the Olympic rowing lake at Eton Dorney, where they took part in the national Oarsport Junior Sculling Head. Competing against other J17 crews, they came away with gold medals, rowing the 5,400 metre race in 18.596 minutes and beating Westminster School into second place by 0.2 of a second.

Amongst the many clubs and public schools beaten by the Grantham crew were two boats from Eton, the King’s School (Ely) and Henley Rowing Club.

Newark Rowing Club was also able to field three quads of girls in the competition, most of whom attend KGGS. The WJ14 quad of Jenna Draycott, Sophie Eaves, Katie McLaughlin and Gabrielle Price (with Hannah Fulton as cox) raced in one of the largest events of the day with an entry of 51 crews. They rowed extremely well, coming in sixth place against some other very strong and competitive crews.

The two other newly-formed crews of Suzi McMillan, Emma Stewart, Lilly Morten and Amy Fenhoulet raced in a coxless WJ16 quad, and Georgia Powell, Steph Hennesey, Hattie Swindells and Hannah Fulton raced in a WJ15 quad, coxed by Gabrielle Price. Both put in solid performances, finishing mid-ield in races with large entries. The WJ15 quad finished 23rd out of 51 entries.

George Mitchell and Ashley Cowley have been selected to represent the East Midlands in the J16 double sculls race at the national Junior Inter-Regional Regatta being held at the National Water Sports Centre in April. George is hoping to win a medal in this race for the second year running, having rowed in it as 15 year old in 2012 and won silver with Luke Wren.

PIX: The first shows the lads rowing on the Eton Dorney Lake, from left to right Ashley Cowley, Max Bradbury, George Mitchell and Luke Wren.

The second shows the quad with their medals in front of NRC’s new clubhouse, same order.

King’s School under-16s brought home a bronze shield from the All England Schools Finals at Walsall on Saturday.

Their opening game of the day was against one of the best drilled sides in the country, Manchester Grammar. King’s scored in the first 30 seconds, with Fletcher and Bosworth adding one apiece each. Manchester were visibly stunned as King’s defended well to leave the score 3-3 at half time.

But a strong second half from Manchester made the final score 7-3, leaving all for King’s to do in the later games to make the play-offs.

Kings played to their strengths in attack and led 3-1 at half time against Alleyns. The second half saw a strong period for the opposition but a 4-3 King’s victory meant the play-off position would be decided on the outcome of their last game against Bolton.

King’s were 3-2 down at half time to Bolton and finally lost 9-2. A3-2 win over KES in the play-offs secured them the bronze shield.

Special mention went to Luke Greenwood who won all but one of his ball swims, and player of the tournament was Adam Found with some outstanding and agile goalkeeping.

King’s under-16s are, from left (goals) – Tom Roe (1), Adam Found, Aidan Monaghan (1), Charlie Wilkinson, Luke Greenwood, Phil Fletcher (2), Jack Shennan (3), Dan Bosworth (5) and Josh Adams.

DeVere Belton Woods has been awarded the GolfMark Accreditation high achiever status.

The national scheme recognises high standards in the development and care of juniors and beginners in golf.

Belton Woods was assessed on coaching and playing, club environment (including sports equity and ethics), and child protection and duty of care.

Now awarded by GolfMark, Belton Woods can now look forward to recognition from Sport England as a Clubmark facility.

Pictured from left are – Belton Woods ladies’ team captain Becky Foster, director of golf and leisure Andrew Cameron, club professional Iain Fulton and junior golf organiser Darren Woods. Photo: 037D

Pete Hartley will be playing for the first time at the Grantham Conservative Club together with the Club’s old favourites The John Patrick Trio with John on piano, Zoltan Deckany on bass and John Gibson on drums.

Hartley is one of the most experienced and in-demand musicians in the country – a virtuoso violinist, mandolinist, bandleader and composer. He also has a long-held love of the gypsy jazz style, inspired by the likes of Django Rheinhardt, Stephane Grapelli and Yehudi Menhuin. The event takes place on Thursday, March 21, and doors open at 7pm for an 8.30pm start. Entry is £10 for members and £12 for non-members. For more information call 01476 564899.

The Funhouse comedy club in Grantham returns on Thursday, March 28, with an appearance by comedian, writer and raconteur Tom Wrigglesworth.

An articulate and natural performer, the charismatic and talented Wrigglesworth involves his audience like they are old friends. His warm and hilarious tales, told with passion, never fail to captivate his audience.

Suppport comes from quirky impressionist James Dowdeswell who has appeared on such TV shoes as Russell Howard’s Good news, Celebrity Deal or No deal and who has also played The Count in Ricky Gervais’ Extras. His intelligent and inventive story telling is delivered from a strange, highly entertaining perspective.

Completing the line-up is the enthusiastic Larry Dean, with his sharp and individual, surreal stories. Compere for the night is the friendly and welcoming Spiky Mike.

Tickets for the show, upstairs at the Atrium cafe-bar in the High Street, are £8 in advance, available from www.funhousecomedy.co.uk Doors open for the show at 8pm and it starts at 8.30pm.

Two very different styles of dance can soon be enjoyed at the Guildhall, Grantham.

An amateur production of Cats, featuring students from the Star Academy is staged on Friday and Saturday, March 22 and 23, and a cast rejoicing in African influences appears on Wednesday, March 27.

The youth group Star Academy will bring to life one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most popular musicals in two shows, at 7.30 each evening and in a 3pm matinee on the Saturday.

Then on the Wednesday, Bawren Tavaziva brings a cast of exhilarating dancers to the Guildhall for Greed, which resonates with both his Zambabwean upbringing and his life in the UK.

In this show, Tavaziva faces up to the allure of the seven deadly sins and considers the differences between African and Western cultures.

The performance is supported by the Arts Council of England and is at 7.30pm.

Anthony Hindmarch seems to think that everything which is wrong in Grantham is the fault of Margaret Thatcher, and to that end she does not warrant a statue or any recognition as a daughter of the town who achieved the greatest office in the land.

He needs to look out and see what the world thinks of this woman.

I was born and raised in Grantham, but was desperate to leave this “small town” environment and moved to London.

Over the years I have lived and worked in many parts of the country, returning to Grantham several times a year, and have often wondered what it is in the psyche of the Granthamian which does not understand the wider world stage on which Margaret Thatcher stood and was admired as Prime Minister.

There are two sides to every story - the first is that the state should look after us, whether we make a contribution to the communal financial pot or not, and it seems that Anthony Hindmarch falls into this category.

The other is that we should stand on our own two feet as far as we can, and endeavour to improve our lot - with the welfare state there to support us when we fall on hard times. Margaret Thatcher fell into this latter camp, encouraging people to work hard, better themselves and care for their families.

She made this country great again after years of Labour mis-rule and neglect, when the unions held sway.

If you didn’t live through the 1970s of the three-day week, when the electricity was off for most of the day, the dead were left unburied and the streets were strewn with rubbish, then you cannot imagine how dreadful life was for everyone. Margaret Thatcher changed all that.

Anthony HIndmarch and others like him need to think outside their “Grantham bubble” and see just what this woman achieved on the world stage.

Jean Comben

By email

Our museum has been taken over by Thatcher fans. I have a question: Who is representing us on the Trustees?

Any exhibit should be jointly agreed by local historians of differing views, all aware of the pitfalls and committed to a balanced picture.

As for a statue. This is just a recipe for aggro. May we aks whose bright idea that was? Not somebody with Grantham’s best interests at heart.

Brynley Heaven

By email

A woman charged with stealing goods worth more than £250 from Currys in Grantham faces a trial.

Kerry Askew of Uplands Drive in Grantham denies the theft charge which relates to an alleged incident on February 11.

A trial will be held on May 7 at Grantham Magistrates’ Court.

Askew was bailed with the condition she does not enter any retail premises except Lloyds Pharmacy in New Beacon Road and the Co-op in Princess Drive.

Memories of the death of a son caused a mother to turn to drink before getting behind the wheel.

Deborah Crisp, of The Drift, Barrowby, was pulled over by police at 1pm on February 21 in Morrisons car park in Grantham.

She was found to be more than twice the drink-drive limit.

Rob Arthur, defending, told the court Crisp, 49, had been thinking of her son the previous night and drinking wine.

Mr Arthur said: “Her son Matthew was murdered - I have a copy of the Journal from 2006. He was shot dead in the Yorkshire/Rotherham area.

“I also have a copy of Real People magazine which confirms he was murdered over a Valentine’s card.”

Mr Arthur said the offence took place after Valentine’s Day and before Mother’s Day - a difficult time in Crisp’s 
life.

Mr Arthur said: “She told me she got really upset because she would not be receiving a Mother’s Day card. She drank heavily and went to bed.

“She clearly accepts the offence.”

Crisp was stopped by police the day after she had been drinking.

Mr Arthur added: “She was emotional and drank more than she normally would just because of the time of year. She does apologise.

“I would ask you to take into account the rather traumatic circumstances that caused her to fall foul of the drink-driving legislation on this occasion.”

Crisp was disqualified from driving for 16 months and fined £110. She must also pay a £20 surcharge and £40 costs.

A teenager kicked a police officer in the chest after narrowly missing with an attempted headbutt.

Nicola Deakin, of Stour Court in Grantham, admitted assaulting a police officer and being drunk and disorderly following an incident on February 16 in the town centre.

The court heard that officers were called to Westgate in Grantham after reports of two females throwing punches at one another.

Marie Stace, prosecuting, said the officers arrived to find Deakin “drunk, swaying around and shouting abuse”.

She refused to give officers her name and was verbally abusive to one of the officers “on several occasions”.

Miss Stace said that while a female officer attempted to search Deakin, the 19-year-old attempted to headbutt the officer who “managed to avoid the blow”.

Officers attempted to get Deakin into their car but the teen kicked out, striking the female officer in the chest “just below her throat”, causing the officer to fall back.

In her police interview Deakin said she had no recollection of the events.

Judith Armstrong, defending, said: “She would be the first to come forward and say she has been young and foolish. She is not proud of her actions by any means.”

The court heard Deakin was previously sentenced to a community order for two charges of assaulting a police constable on December 14 of last year.

Chair of magistrates Ian McDonnell ordered a report from the Probation Service but was unhappy the recommendations included no punitive element.

He added: “This is the second offence in 12 months for assaulting a police constable.

“They are public servants. They are not there to be attacked in the street, irrespective of whether she was in drink or not.”

Deakin, 19, was sentenced to a 12-month community order with supervision and alcohol treatment requirements.

Deakin was also sentenced to an 8pm to 6am curfew for four months and must pay £40 in costs and a £60 surcharge.

Mr McDonnell warned Deakin: “You sailed so close to custody.”

A man accused of supplying Class B drugs was given a crown court date.

Sam Degnan, of Westerdale Road in Grantham, is accused of committing the offence in Earlesfield Lane in Grantham.

Degnan, 20, has yet to enter a plea.

His case was sent to Lincoln Crown Court where he is due to appear on April 22. He was released on unconditional bail.

A man who bought a bike for £20 was arrested by police a few minutes after the purchase and charged with handling stolen goods.

Pavol Horelican, of New Beacon Road in Grantham, was seen cycling in Grantham with a bike matching the description of one which was reported stolen to police earlier that day.

In interview Horelican, 18, told police he had bought the bike 15 minutes before he was approached by police. He had been offered it for £50 but made a counter-offer of £20 which was accepted.

Marie Stace, prosecuting, said Horelican told officers he suspected the bike may have been stolen as it was worth much more than £20.

Rory Macmillan, defending, said: “He has definitely learned a lesson and does not want to come back to court again.”

The court was told Horelican is currently out of work.

Horelican admitted handling stolen goods.

He was fined £65 and ordered to pay a £20 surcharge and £85 costs.

A Grantham man accused of two counts of rape of an under-16 was told his case will be heard at the crown court.

Stephen Maskell, of East Street in Grantham, is also accused of five charges of indecent assault against a girl under the age of 14.

All seven charges date back to the early 1990s.

No plea to the charges has yet been entered.

Maskell, 49, will next appear in court on April 8 at Lincoln Crown Court. He was bailed on the condition he does not contact the alleged victim or have any unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 16.

Not guilty pleas were entered by a man accused of two sexual assaults on a woman.

David Ashton of Woolsthorpe Road, Woolsthorpe by Colsterworth, is accused of committing the offences in August of last year in Colsterworth.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction after the prosecution argued the charges were too serious.

Ashton, 26, will next appear in court on May 7 for committal to crown court.

Ashton was given bail on the condition he does not contact five named people.