Grantham Town took a share of the points at Buxton on Saturday as managerial duo Ian Robinson and Gary Sucharewycz look for a good run-in to the end of the league campaign.

The Gingerbreads went behind on the stroke of half time but levelled midway through the second half in a much improved 45 minutes.

Robinson said Grantham were unlucky to concede before the break: “We matched them for the first half and defended well. After the break, we were more direct when we needed to be, but moved the ball about well at times too. We could have had more than the one goal.

“However, we have got to be happy with a point from that game.”

Battling away and now just three points below Grantham, Stocksbridge Park Steels picked up two wins on the trot this week – and still have three games in hand.

Second from bottom Kendal Town might still be the Gingerbreads’ saviours, trailing Grantham by nine points, although with seven games still to play.

Robinson said: “Stocksbridge Park Steels have started a good run as well. But we expect to pick up points from a number of games between now and the end of the season.

“We want to finish the season strongly and get as many points as we can.”

Bassingham single-seater racer Jack Harvey has impressed in pre-season testing prior to the start of the 2013 GP campaign next month.

Now driving for ART Grand Prix, has finished consistently within the top four at tests at Estoril, Barcelona and, most recently, Silverstone.

Estoril and Barcelona saw Harvey face some tricky track conditions with heavy rain falling throughout much of the tests.

At both of the first two tests, ART Grand Prix worked solidly to develop the car throughout each of the sessions. As the tests progressed, Jack was able to find more pace which saw his lap times drop consistently.

The MSA Team UK driver finished the three-day test at Estoril in P3 and the two-day one in Barcelona in P2, having done a total of 126 laps.

The final pre-season test at Silverstone saw dry but extremely cold conditions. At the end of the first day, Jack was running P4 and by the end of the second day he was up to P3.

Jack said: “We’ve made some significant steps forwards over the course of the three tests. The new GP3 car is a fantastic car and noticeably different to the 2012 version, both in terms of increased power and handling.

“As with all new cars, we had a few issues at the start of testing but these have successfully been resolved and the lap times reflect this. As a team we have consistently been running in the front and we head into the start of the GP3 season in a good place.”

More than 20 members of Stoke Rochford Golf Club’s “Thursday Gang” gathered for the second time to play a competition in memory of much-loved former regular Jack Leaton.

Lots were drawn for teams of three, with the best two scores to count on each hole, and it was the trio of Tim Beard, Mike Nixon and John Booth who finished 3 up against the course on a cold, blustery April day.

After the competition, Jack’s widow Sally and their daughter Katie Genever joined the players for a meal and presented the unusual trophy, made by Thursday regular and former Stoke Rochford greens chairman Gerald Morley, to the winning team.

The trophy has three elements – a golfer to represent Jack’s love for the game, a footballer to represent his lifelong support for Peterborough United and a model car to signify Jack’s business as a car dealer at Tallington, near Stamford.

l A birdie at the final hole was enough to see Philip White win the April Monthly Medal competition, which also doubled as the PGA Pro-Am Qualifier.

Philip, playing off a handicap of 11, shot a gross score of 77 to finish on net 66 – a total of four under par. He was joined on that score by fellow competitors Mike Nixon and Paul Verner, but scooped the top prize thanks to a stronger finish than his rivals.

The lowest gross score of the day went to Glen Barlow who shot 75.

Seniors’ section

Stoke Rochford seniors suffered a home defeat to Stanton on the Wolds in their first match of the season.

The captain and vice-captain set good examples by winning the opening games, but most of the rest of the team were unable to get the better of the visitors who won the annual fixture for the first time since 1996.

Results:

Stoke Rochford 3½

Stanton on the Wolds 4½

Mick Rance and John Wright won 4&2, Barry Coop and Ray Elsome won 5&4, Mike Dickinson and Ray Beal halved, Greg Ewart and John Callow lost 2&1, Mike Nixon and Cliff Mills lost 1 down, Ernie Armstrong and Keith Eddy lost 3&2, Roy Rowe and Richard Leverett lost 4&3, Don Werner and Roger Nicholls won 2&1.

l There were further woes for Stoke’s seniors the following day when the juniors whitewashed them 4-0 to regain the Terry Braime Trophy.

BELTON PARK

C Team

Belton Park 3½

Rutland County 2½

Belton Park names first: Tony Davies and Stewart Boylan halved with Kevin Moxham and Andy Vernon, John Cooke and Bob Rogers beat David Rippin and David Whitehead 3&1, Simon Denton and Ross Denton beat Roger Overton and Cliff Knapp 3&2, David Nock and Clive Horn halved with John Chatburn and Ian Dimbleby, Dave Wing and Ben Bayliss halved with Gerry McIntyre and Chris Palmer, Ian Carroll and Robert Pask lost to Pete Sis and Jordan Taylor 4&2.

Seniors’ section

Belton Park 3

Radcliffe 5

Bill Brogan and Shaun Boney won 6&5, Fred Williams and Tony Robinson won 3&2, Tony Noble and John Clarke lost 3&2, Willie Baudraun and Terry Bond won 1 up, Manny Barker and Keith Ball lost 2&1, Dave Langley and Collin Farringdon lost 2 down, Alan Addis and Barrie Stainton lost 1 up, Mike Robinson and Mike Monaghan lost 3&1.

Ladies’ section

The Marjorie Moore Trophy was closely contested last Tuesday, with the winner being decided on countback.

Emerging victorious was Linda Midgley with a score of 71, just beating Norma Howitt into second. Third place went to Marjorie Thompson with a score of 74.

BELTON WOODS

The weekend’s monthly medal competition was a strokeplay with full handicap allowance, played on the par 72 (CSS 74) Lakes course.

Division One, for handicaps of 12 and below, was won by Master Chris Anderson with a score of 71. Runner-up was Alex Scorer and Graham Bell was third, both of whom scored 73.

James White triumphed in Division Two (13 and above) with 71. Second with 73 was Nick Amos and Tony Hardy (74) was third.

Ladies’ section

Belton Woods ladies took on Sleaford in the Daily Mail Classic foursomes competition for pairs. In a closely fought encounter, Belton Woods lost the national knockout match 3-2.

Seniors’ section

Belton Woods 7

Rutland County 1

Alan Lowen and Colin Thornton won 2-1, George Forbes and John Sabin won 5-4, Mike Whitington and John Bratt won 6-5, Pat Stanford and Mick Hall won 5-4, Ian Nisbet and Ray Woodcock won 4-2, Bob Clarke and Henry Knight won 2-1, Les Vine and John Robertson lost 3-2, Steve Hudson and Roland Shepperson won 6-5 .

SUDBROOK MOOR

Dave Guy leads the Thursday Seniors’ Summer Eclectic after the first week, ahead of Bryan Heydinger, Rod Edwards and John Came. Maurice Green’s carded 45 stableford points to reduce his handicap from 19 to 16.

Tony Sealey was in the prizes in Category 4 on 37 points, ahead of Barry Kay, Paddy Doherty and Rod Edwards. In Category 1-3, Tony Rose (34) was two points in front of John Costall.

l Top points were earned by John Costall in the Senior of the Year Medal roll-up. Maurice Green was overall runner-up, followed by Ted Johnson, Bryan Shelley, Mick Massingham, Harry Cruickshank, Steve Squires and Jim Brooks.

l The monthly Junior Intermediate Medal was won by Steve Bradley and daughter Olivia. Second were Trevor Eldred and grandson Robert, who also recorded a birdie two on the third. Joshua Smith and Jared Hackney birdied the seventh.

Top of the Order of Merit are Trevor and Robert, ahead of William Hopkins and Charlie Hare.

When Margaret Thatcher visited Grantham in 1995, for a book signing, I, as Town Mayor, invited her to my parlour for what, it transpired, was her first visit since her father was mayor in 1946.

As she poured milk into her tea, some was spilt on the carpet and, despite my wife Delia’s assurance that it would be dealt with after she’d left, a tissue was immediately produced from her handbag to “soak it up now or it will stain”. Lady Thatcher was able to see her father’s official portrait and to sit in the Chief Magistrate’s chair which her father would have occupied during his year of office.

On a previous visit to sign copies of her first volume of memoirs, security considerations had led to her leaving the Guildhall by a side door but, on this occasion, the large crowd gathered outside was an encouragement to leave through the front door and to spend time talking with them. Eventually an imperious call of “Where’s Dennis” summoned her husband to join her from his conversation with my son Sebastian, then reading politics at Sheffield University, who still values his signed copies of her memoirs, recommended by Sir Dennis Thatcher as a “good read”.

Two days later I received a personal letter of thanks for the hospitality which had been received and signed photographs for my two members of staff who had been at school with the then Miss Roberts.

In the millennium year Lady Thatcher donated a hassock bearing Grantham’s coat of arms to St Wulfram’s Church, in memory of her father.

Robert Hearmon

Mayor of Grantham

1995-96 & 2010-11

Manthorpe Road, Grantham

It was with great sadness that I heard of the death of Margaret Thatcher, a great lady from our town who changed our country and made it a better place for so many.

She proved herself in so many ways and whatever your political beliefs, I think everyone has to agree that she achieved a great deal throughout her life, if nothing more than being the first lady Prime Minister to win three general elections.

Love her or loathe her, you have to admit that she was one ballsy lady and stood up for what she thought was just and good, from the Argentinian Junta to Arthur Scargill, she took them on and won.

I hope that the good people of Grantham rally round and fight for a statue of our Iron Lady, they should be proud to come from the same town as such an inspirational figure.

Debbie O’Keefe

By email

Margaret Thatcher was indeed a divisive character.

As a former member of the Armed Forces, I applaud her for sending a task force to retake the Falkland Islands.

Sadly, I don’t think our present Prime Minister has the character or the backbone to do the same today.

What I have against her, is the introduction of the Right to Buy for council tenants, which has caused the present crisis in social housing, by reducing the housing stock. Although, it should be noted that the following Labour government, during their 13 years in office, have also contributed to the housing crisis by not building enough council housing.

Love or hate her, she will probably be the only female Prime Minister this country will ever have.

Personally, I don’t think there should be a public statue of her in Grantham – people have long memories of her time in office. Perhaps a statue of her in Grantham Museum?

Geoffrey Wildman

By email

Margaret Thatcher was possibly the greatest and most misunderstood leader of our time. She was an inspiration to all women.

It was such a shame that she died without any close family by her side.

It is terrible how some groups of people across Britain feel they need to show themselves up and celebrate not her life, but her passing in this disgusting manner. They are what makes Britain bad.

Denise Stevenson

By email

Obviously, this week there has been an outpouring of grief, opinions and passion from the residents of Grantham after the passing of the town’s most famous daughter.

Worldwide tributes were paid, Grantham Museum opened a book of condolence and the media descended on Grantham in an unprecedented, if not unexpected way.

Margaret Thatcher inspired admiration and revulsion in equal measure. Whatever your political persuasion, her achievements as a woman remain unmatched in UK politics.

Her legacy is for much more qualified people to debate than I. I was two years old when she became Prime Minister, and 13 when she left office. The impact of her politics were most keenly felt by my parents’ and grandparents’ generations.

There is a growing groundswell of the population who have no reference to what that era was like. Thatcherism will always be a benchmark that modern Conservatives hold themselves to. Harking back to an age where they feel that the UK was born again.

I believe that a new brand of political era should be developed where your politicians can be enablers, mediators, constructive individuals that bring communities together to achieve greater goals. Where Thatcherism focused on the individual, I feel we should work towards a sense of community self-worth. Delivering on projects that make a real difference to the lives of everyone, from the vulnerable to the comfortable. Where everyone feels they can contribute to society, irrespective of their personal wealth or lifestyle.

I don’t want us to talk about the haves and the have nots. I don’t feel it is necessary to stir up anger towards different sections of our communities. I feel it is important to come together to achieve a prosperous future for Grantham. A future without limits.

Three groups of artists together with seven individuals will hold an art exhibition in The George Centre, Grantham, from April 20 to 27.

There will be m ore than 200 paintings on show of various styles. All original artwork will be available to buy with prices to suit all pockets.

The three artists’ groups represented will be

Grantham Art Club, Vale of Belvoir Art Club and Oasby Art club. The seven individuals are: Pauline Stephens, Val Rath, Margaret Hayward, Dennis Hobbs, Sarah Watson, Michael Weston and Eddie Lilley.

For more details on the exhibition call Pauline Stephens on 01476 567148.

One person was treated by ambulance staff following an accident involving two cars on the A15 near Rippingale this afternoon.

Two fire crews from Corby Glen and Bourne attended the accident at about 12.20pm. The crews made both cars safe. They helped staff transfer one person to an ambulance.

The bridge over the river Witham on the A52 through Grantham has reopened following three weeks of repair work.

The Bridge End Road structure was closed on March 25. Workmen have waterproofed the deck of the bridge. This involved taking up the road surface, cleaning the concrete deck and then spraying it with a liquid resin compound before resurfacing the road.

Residents complained about heavy goods vehicles turning around near their homes after missing or ignoring the ‘road closed’ signs. One woman complained to the Journal after her car was damaged by a lorry turning round in Bridge End Road.

Do different authorities in the town liaise with one another?

We live on the Sunningdale estate which, until April 1, had a half-hourly bus service Monday to Saturday.

Last month, at least two new dropped kerb bus stops were added to Sunningdale, where the bus runs. We already had some installed two years ago.

Now the new bus timetable is out, our service is the worst to be hit by cuts. There is no proper service after 13.45, once an hour, and none at all on Saturdays.

Why waste money making stops for a reduced service? The ones we have would be adequate.

The money would be better spent filling in the local potholes.

Kate Davis (Mrs)

Wentworth Drive, Grantham

Baroness Thacher deserves nothing less than a full state funeral.

She was simply the greatest Prime Minister to date after Sir Winston Churchill.

She makes today’s politicians look plain weak and ultra-lightweight.

She had a steely determination to do her upmost for her country.

Yes, not everything she did was perfect, but at least she gave it her best shot.

She curtailed the unions, she defended all our interests all over the world and she gave the EU a bloody nose over our rebate – a rebate, incidently that Blair just handed back.

I have always had a soft spot for Maggie, while not always agreeing with her, but she would always have got my vote – always.

On Tuesday I received an email from a Kenyan friend of mine offering condolences – that goes to show the stature of this woman.

She was a giant amongst wimps and she will be greatly missed.

Roy Coldham

Peascliffe Drive, Grantham

If Grantham wants to have a memorial to Margaret Thatcher, may I suggest that the shamefully unused building of the old Grantham Hospital be revived and turned into a community centre and cafe, for the use of visitors and residents.

It would be a fitting memorial and restore a beautiful building, which after all, is on a main road into Grantham and is seen by all. It does not give a good impression of either the hospital or the town at present.

She did, after all, hate waste in the NHS and cut out useless layers of administration from it.

It would be far more useful than a static lump of obscure “art” like the attempt in the Market Place.

Mrs J. Squires

Caythorpe

I would like to say a huge “Thank You” to all involved in the St Barnabas Grantham Hospice Easter Chick Campaign.

We were hoping to raise £1,000 but thanks to those who made the chicks, donated the cream eggs, sold the eggs and the public who bought them, we have raised the magnificent total of £2,067 for our local hospice.

Well done to everyone involved. What a team!

Sandra Hollingshead

The Chick Lady

St Barnabas Volunteer

As major an event as Mrs Thatcher’s passing might be, I was staggered by the arrogance shown by the various film crews who saw fit to park all over St Peter’s Hill, including on the green and, more frustratingly, in the designated taxi rank.

One BBC vehicle in particular (a large bus) took up the space of at least four taxis.

It is hard enough for us cabbies to earn a living without having to dodge squatters on our place of work, which we pay for the privilege of using.

Does the council give them special dispensation in such circumstances or do they simply not care? If I parked my taxi on the green on a Monday to go and do my banking, I know exactly what would happen.

Simon Wright

By email

I would like to say a big thank you to my wonderful carers and Paul, our new milkman.

The bad weather never made a bit of difference to the service they provide.

Maureen Papworth

Church View, Great Gonerby

The “catalogue of blunders” by East Midlands Ambulance Service (Journal, April 5) may shock many readers.

EMAS, with its £150 million budget, delivered the worst response times of all 12 ambulance services in the country (eg a 10-hour delay to respond to an 89-year-old man after a fall at home). They may plead mitigation that East Midlands has a more sparsely distributed population than some other regions. However, a population density can have nothing to do with breaking a patient’s neck in a fall from a stretcher, or failing to keep classified drugs secure.

Readers regularly compliment both hospital and ambulance staff for the excellent service they have experienced; however, there were 53 “incidents” in a single year.

Without knowing the details, including how an “incident” is defined, it is difficult to comment on the six which were “downgraded”. When is an incident not an incident? And six other incidents were defined as “near misses” – so that’s all right, then – is it?

If a “radical shake-up” can transform performance, why has no one shaken (not stirred) EMAS before now?

Brian Bruce

Bourne Road, Colsterworth

Thirty years after it opened its doors, Grantham Hospice is launching a major new fundraising appeal.

And to help the campaign get off to a successful start, the Journal is running a series of features about the hospice and its vital work.

Last week, we focused on the broad range of services offered by Grantham Hospice, in Barrowby Road, for people with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and/or their carers.

This week, we look more closely at one of the services, day therapy.

No two days are the same for occupational therapist Karen Atkin – and she would not have it any other way. Karen has been working at St Barnabas Hospice for the last eight years and in that time has worked in the community and at the in-patient unit and now works full-time with the day therapy south team.

She said: “My role is to help patients maintain their independence, set realistic goals and help them achieve those goals. I take a holistic approach so I look at the patient as a whole – their environment, their emotional and psychological well-being and their functional abilities. It’s all about treating the patient, not their condition.”

Karen explained that after patients are referred to her she will carry out an initial assessment, looking at how they are coping with their daily living, personal care, meal preparation, home environment and well-being and safety. Following that assessment she will look at a treatment plan.

Karen said: “That might be as simple as ordering the piece of equipment they need. It might also be working on their upper limb mobility, their fine motor skills, their memory problems or emotional state.”

Karen is keen to emphasise the importance of rehabilitation in her role. She said: “Why shouldn’t people live well regardless of their diagnosis, enabling them to remain independent physically and mentally as long as possible?

“It might be really important for some people to be able to wash their own face and brush their teeth, in which case I can find ways of helping.

“It’s all about helping people live with their condition and finding ways to cope.”

As well as helping patients retain their independence, Karen offers a range of creative writing opportunities, helping people to explore thair feelings and emotions.

She recalls one of her success stories. Karen said: “Soon after day therapy opened we had two ladies come to us, both with facial cancers, which caused them both quite a lot of distress. We thought it would be a good idea to let them meet and do some creative writing in the form of collages, looking at how they viewed themselves.

“They became good friends and it allowed them to be open about how they felt and talk about how they and their families were coping.

“One of the pair, who had had facial surgery, was anxious about how she looked and would constantly talk with her hand covering her face. She hadn’t been out for several months and coming to St Barnabas was a very brave step for her.

“After just one session she felt confident enough not only to go to her local shop by herself, but eventually to look in the mirror again – something she hadn’t been able to do for months.

“The two ladies gave each other such strength and it was a real privilege to watch their friendship grow and their confidence return.”

Day therapy is available for anyone over the age of 18 with a life-limiting condition. Occupational therapy is just one of the many services offered.

The service runs every weekday from 8.30am to 4.30pm. For more information, call 01476 513545.

On Monday the Rotary Club of Grantham hosted Georgia Hannant, who returned from the Rotary International Youth Exchange programme.

Georgia spoke about her time playing violin with groups of international musicians in San Diego, California. She praised the club for setting up and sponsoring her visit and ended by playing a movement of Hindesmith’s solo violin concerto.

Details of the Rotary Youth Exchange Programme can be found at www.youthexchange.org.uk or secretary@granthamrotary.org