A woman who rescued a new-born hedgehog from certain death says it is time to release her spiky companion - though it will break her heart to see him go.

Marguerite Atter of Ermine Street, Ancaster, came across the hedgehog last September when he was just a few days old when she spotted what she thought was a fish floating on a lily pad in her garden pond.

Marguerite said: “I saw the gaping mouth and thought it was a fish but then I realised it was a tiny hedgehog.

“I think a bird must have dropped him because he couldn’t have climbed up to the pond.

“He was all yellow and prickly and I didn’t think he would survive.”

But Marguerite researched how to care for the hedgehog and what they eat. She found he grew healthier and stronger each day on a diet of hedgehog food, meat from the butchers’ shop and, his favourite - chicken.

However, Marguerite knows the time has come now for Mr Prickles to move on - but she is reluctant to release him in her home village of Ancaster.

She said: “I don’t want to release him here because, every time I see one in the road I will wonder if it’s him.

“There was one dead in the road the other morning and I had to rush into the house to make sure he was still here. I was so worried about him.”

Marguerite will be sad to lose Mr Prickles but hopes to re-home him at a hedgehog rescue centre in Boston.

She said: “I will very much miss him. It will break my heart.

“But he has got to go as it’s not fair on him to keep him.”

Mr Prickles is not the first animal she has kept that is out of the ordinary.

Growing, up her father had monkeys in their home .

Marguerite said: “They were almost as big as me!

“I wish I still had one now, to be honest.”

Grantham Athletic Club teenager Joshua Brown collected two gold medals at the Schools Invitation competition in Dublin on Saturday.

Representing England and competing against athletes from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, Priory Ruskin Academy student Joshua went into the event hoping to perhaps pick up a medal in the under-17 400m hurdles. But he triumphed in style to take the win in 55.43sec, with his nearest rival crossing the finish line in 56.05.

Josh’s second goal came when he ran a leg of the 4x400m relay with the England team taking victory in 3:26.17.

l Grantham AC’s Lewis Davey flew to the top of the UK rankings for under-13 high jumpers with a leap of 1.58m in the National Youth Development League meeting at Derby last Saturday.

It was a 13cm beating of his previous best of 1.45m that already equalled the Grantham AC record. Lewis also finished first in the 100m and 200m.

James Hall and Ethan Richards-Cole produced personal best performances in the 200m and javelin respectively. In the under-13 girls, Abbie-Mae Smith achieved a PB in the 150m.

PBs were attained in the under-15 girls by Letitia Barrowcliff (1500m, long jump), Paris Duffree (high jump), Gabbie Lord (shot), Saskia Hunt (shot) and Ruth Payne (javelin). The girls finished first in both the A and B strings at discus, javelin and hammer.

Results: Girls under-13, 75m - 8A M. Holmes 13.2s; 150m - 8A A.-M. Smith 26.4s pb, 8B M. Holmes 26.6s; 70m hurdles - 6A A.-M. Smith 16.8s.

Girls under-15, 100m - 6A A. Newell 14.8s, 3B F. Ireland 14.1s; 200m - 5A F. Wilson 29.4s, 2B K. Davis-Bavi 29.3s; 800m - 5A K. Newell 2m 45.6s; 1500m - 5A L. Barrowcliff 5m 41.6s pb, 2B S. Hunt 5m 56.7s; 75m hurdles - 2A F. Wilson 13.6s, 2B H. Payne 13.3s; high jump - 4A P. Duffree 1.40m pb, 4B K. Newell 1.15m; long jump - 4A H. Payne 4.48m, 4B L. Barrowcliff 3.85m pb; shot - 4A G. Lord 5.35m pb, 3B S. Hunt 4.68m pb; discus - 1A A. Newell 17.80m, 1B R. Payne 17.05m; javelin - 1A P. Duffree 19.66m, 1B R. Payne 18.49m pb; hammer - 1A G. Lord 19.79m, 1B R. Payne 16.15m; 4x100m relay - 3 Grantham AC 57.0s.

Boys under-13, 100m - 1A L. Davey 14.2s; 800m - 5A G. Halton 2m 49.6s, 1B A. Hunt 2m 38.5s; high jump - 1A L. Davey 1.58m pb cr; javelin - 5A G. Halton 10.40m.

Boys under-15, 100m - 3A J. Hall 12.5s, 6B J. Palin 14.6s; 200m - 4A J. Hall 25.3s pb; 1500m - A E. Richards-Cole 5m 24.7s; long jump - 7A J. Palin 4.11m; javelin - 3A E. Richards-Cole 26.38m pb.

Bottesford and District Angling Association’s seventh Friday sweepstake was fished on Grantham Canal at Woolsthorpe and won by N. Fisher.

Results: 1 N. Fisher 12lb 14oz 10dr, 2 D. Hicklin 9.15.00, 3 A. Howe 9.12.00, 4 B. Cross 9.07.00.

The association’s next match is for members only and takes place on Sunday at Portland Waters, draw 9am.

Lincolnshire Police is appealing for information after a 37-year-old Grantham man was charged with eight offences including the rape of a child under the age of 13.

David Sewell appeared at Grantham Magistrates Court on Friday.

Should anyone have any information which they feel could assist this investigation or have any concerns in relation to this they should contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting Incident 154 of July 26 and provide their name, address and telephone numbers and the investigating officers will be in touch as soon as possible.

Police are appealing for vigilance from farmers and land owners this weekend following intelligence that there could be a rave planned within the County.

The organisers of such events avoid giving specific details regarding location in order to avoid detection but Police suspect that there may be an attempt to hold the event in the South or North Kesteven area.

Police are calling for residents to ensure that barns, outbuildings and gates are secured or blocked and for any suspicious activity to be reported. This might be large gatherings of people or unusually large convoys of vehicles. Please report any information via the non emergency number 101 with the incident reference number 531 of the 24th July.

Insp Rich Hammond said, “For us, early warning is key to disrupting these events. We welcome any information about when or where this event might be held. We also want to send a clear message to the organisers that they are not welcome in this county and we will take action where possible to make sure they know this.”

Firefighters were called to South Witham in the early hours of this morning where two cars were on fire.

The crews from Corby Glen and Stamford attended Wimberly Way, South Witham to extinguish the fire which also involved some fencing.

There was also heat damage to the plastic guttering of a nearby house, timber cladding of a shed and a wheelie bin.

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner (sounds like he actually commissions it) Alan Hardwick hails a downward trend in reported crime in the county.

But as with the coalition’s wildly publicised similar nationwide claims it seems that the emphasis should be on the word rather than what has really happened.

Having ‘reported’ witnessing a number of crimes being committed in and around Riverside ‘sheltered accommodation’ I have noticed with some reservations that, not only have the police apparently failed to follow these up, they don’t appear to have even ‘recorded’ them either.

When I tried to obtain reference numbers for these ‘reported’ offences, there weren’t any.

The particular crimes I refer to and actually witnessed included: breaking and entering, drug dealing and using, violence, theft and anti-social behaviour, which were presumably omitted from those much vaunted, so-called statistical reductions. Motoring offences I have also witnessed and tried to report without much luck include: illegal parking, drink driving, speeding, etc, etc.

Obviously many offences are going to be missed if you don’t have enough (or any) Bobbies on the beat, Mr Hardwick!

Oh and by the way! What happened to the 1,000 new volunteer police officers we were promised countrywide when you took office? I haven’t seen any of them patrolling the streets of Grantham!

Peter Clawson

Welham Street

Grantham

Recently I had a small operation at Grantham Hospital and spent some time on the day ward.

Despite there being staff shortages, the nurses on the ward were very reassuring and helpful and the care I received from them was first class.

Thanks to all of them for their kindness.

Sue Berridge

Durham Close

Grantham

I would like to thank the Reel Cinema for last Saturday’s National Theatre Live broadcast of Macbeth, which starred Kenneth Brannagh.

The performance which was broadcast from the Manchester International Festival was truly magnificent. The play opened with torrential rain falling onto a stage caked with mud (I think it was peat) which created a real sense of the untameable power of nature.

The three weird sisters were the most wonderfully spooky and malevolent witches as they twitched, danced, sang and prophesied Macbeth’s doom. The hand-to-hand fighting was rough, bloody and realistic.

This is the second ‘live’ broadcast shown at the Reel Cinema - last month we had the ballet Swan Lake from St Petersburg.

Previously we have had to travel to Stamford, Nottingham or Spalding as our nearest venues showing National Theatre live performances. On Saturday we could walk around the corner.

So thank you to all those on St Catherine’s Road who have made this possible - and please may we have many more.

Pat Clark

Harrowby Road

Grantham

I would like to send my heartfelt thanks to the people who came to my aid last Friday when falling and dislocating my shoulder.

The kindness shown by the three ladies who helped me onto the pavement in the town centre should be noted, along with the care and professionalism demonstrated by staff at Grantham Hospital, including Dr Abdul. My thanks to them all.

Mrs J. A. Price

Barrowby Road

Grantham

I would like to thank everyone who supported our coffee morning in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care nurses. We raised the amazing sum of £1,166.13.

Thanks to Stuart (Gonerby PO), family and friend who made our total possible.

Margaret and Tim Fisk

Grantham Rd

Great Gonerby

Grantham Running Club’s Abi Schofield was delighted to finish in sixth place in the Women’s Running 10km race series at Nottingham.

In a field of almost 340, she recorded 44min 17sec for the distance, coming in just one place behind model and charity fundraiser Nell McAndrew, with whom Abi is pictured.

The race was part of a series of women-only events specially designed to overcome any barriers women may feel in taking part in this type of event, with touches including tea and cake for all finishers.

l GRC’s Catherine Payne and Robert McArdle took part in the St Ives 10km amongst a field of 500 runners.

Catherine picked up the prize for first in her age category in a time of 43:23, with teammate Robert finishing in a season’s best 45:02.

Businesses along Springfield Road are feeling the pinch as drivers do all they can to steer clear of Grantham’s major roadworks.

And some business owners feel the highways department of the county council is not making enough effort to make things run smoothly.

Criticisms include not re-opening the road on weekends, not having a four-way traffic light system and signage which gives drivers the impression they cannot access Springfield Road.

Ali Wells of Wellies Fish Bar said: “I think the roadworks are definitely putting people off. The road signs are almost in the middle of the road, blocking people coming as far down as they are able to go.

“They are really making people feel like they shouldn’t be coming this far. A lot of people don’t realise you can still come one way.

“I’ve spoken to Costcutter and the corner shop and they are both down. It’s affecting a lot of people. It’s a nightmare, especially now they have blocked the bottom of Belton Lane.”

Simon Morley of East Midlands Sound and Light, of The Old Malthouse, believes Highways could have helped businesses by tackling the problem in a different way.

He said: “What I find most ridiculous about it is not having a four-way traffic light system - there’s no reason that I can see that they couldn’t do it.

“Obviously people are avoiding this end of town but a four-way system would allow people to get up and down.”

Matt Sinclair, owner of Mitchelson News, said businesses are grateful to their loyal customers in such difficult times.

He said: “As much as we have seen a drop in passing trade we’re also very lucky to have good, loyal supportive customers.

“We would like to see the road re-opened as quickly as possible with an end to all the problems we’ve seen along Springfield Road these last three or four years.

“Passing trade has definitely been affected but, while we’re disappointed the road is closed and would like to see it re-open as soon as possible.”

Canon Christopher Andrews of St Wulfram’s Church will take his final service next week before retiring at the end of August.

Canon Andrews has been rector at St Wulfram’s for 17 years but will be moving with his wife Christine to Bury St Edmunds to enjoy his retirement and be closer to his family.

In the second part of our farewell interview, Canon Andrews talks about the St Wulfram’s Save Our Spire appeal and what he will miss most when he leaves Grantham and the church behind.

Q) The past 12 months or so for you must have been dominated by the St Wulfram’s spire issue...

A) My goodness yes. I’m coming up to retirement and the church architect tells me we need to find £600,000 - oh my goodness. I have always said the fabric of the church is in a fantastic state...then this comes up.

Q) How have you viewed the reaction from the people of the town and beyond to the appeal?

A) The response has been unbelievable really, right from the word go. Even before the appeal was properly launched people out in the town and in the community were offering to do things. So it was clear it wasn’t just going to be us trying to do the impossible and wearing ourselves out. There were lots of people out there who I had never met before but, because it is that building and that spire, they said “yes, I want to help”. If we all looked up and the top of the spire was missing, wouldn’t it feel terrible and depressing? We have had small events and big events and to get up to £100,000 in 10 months was just amazing. If someone had said we would raise £100,000 by next July I would never have believed it.

Q) But there is still quite a lot left to raise...

A) Some of the big grants are coming in now - £272,000 from English Heritage - and we are up to around £400,000. But we still have £200,000 to go so there is still work to be done. That is quite a lot and half of that will be down to carrying on the local fund-raising.

Q) What do you think you will miss most once you retire?

A) It will be a combination of the people I have got to know at St Wulfram’s and in the town and this wonderful building. I’m fortunate to have been inspired by both. Those things together keep you going and make it all worthwhile. It has been a fantastic privilege to be here. I can’t think of many places I would rather have been. I will also miss the music and what Tim Williams has achieved these last few years. It is something we’ll look back on and think: “gosh, weren’t we lucky”.

Q) Do you have any advice for your successor, whoever he may be?

A) Or she!

Q) Of course. My mistake...

A) I don’t give advice but my hope would be that whoever comes will enjoy being at St Wulfram’s and being with the people as much as I have. It’s hard work, but it has been a very rewarding community of people to work with in Grantham, as well as St Wulfram’s, and a very rewarding building.

Grantham Town’s pre-season winning streak continued with victory at Rainworth Miners Welfare on Saturday.

A single goal was all that separated the two sides, coming from Greg Smith in the fifth minute.

Full match report to follow.

The Gingerbreads’ next pre-season friendly fixture is on Saturday when they welcome Grimsby Town to The Meres. Kick-off is at noon.

CCTV cameras filmed a man throwing a flurry of punches in Grantham town centre while a crowd of around 30 looked on.

Gino Angeloni of Dysart Road, Grantham, admitted a public order offence following the incident which took place in the early hours of July 7 in Westgate, Grantham.

The court heard Angeloni, 19, had initially been the victim of an assault which was also captured on CCTV.

However, Angeloni then went on the attack himself, assaulting a third man. He began throwing punches outside Fabric Warehouse before pursuing the back-pedalling victim into the road where he landed more strikes.

Angeloni threw his final punches once across the road before the victim left the scene.

Julian Sheen, defending, said: “His recollection of the matter was that he was assaulted and that is quite clear. You can see he is retreating.

“But there came a point where he had had enough and he went way beyond self-defence.

“He regrets that and is ashamed of what happened.”

Mr Sheen said the incident began when Angeloni was “set upon” by another male who was not charged in relation to the incident.

Mr Sheen added: “It went on from there and he entirely accepts his involvement and accepts he lost control to a certain extent and must face the music.”

Angeloni was fined £135 and must pay costs of £85.

Chair of magistrates George Hoyles said: “We have watched the video twice. It looked as if the first instance was a general flap around by everybody and then you lost your sense of direction and charged in fighting.”

Grantham and District North Road Club’s first young bird race of the season was won by club secretary John Norris, whose pigeons were the first three home.

Race sponsors were Mick and Sharon Schoffield.

Results: 1 J. Norris 1237.2, 2 J. Norris 1233.6, 3 J. Norris 1228.5, 4 D. Gilbert 1217.6, 5 D. Gilbert 1216.5, 6 D. Gilbert 1215.7, 7 D. Gilbert 1215.5, 8 M. Tudor 1211.7, 9 J. Norris 1116.9, 10 D. Gilbert 1128.5.

A 75-year-old man appeared in court charged with three counts of racially aggravated common assault.

Reginald Asher of Buckminster Gardens, Grantham, is alleged to have committed the offences in February and March of this year.

Asher denies all three charges and will face trial at Grantham Magistrates’ Court on October 25. He was released on unconditional bail.

Crown court will be the venue for a case of possession of drugs with intent to supply.

Kelvin Compton of Victoria Street, Grantham, is charged with possessing 91.47g of cannabis bush with intent to supply.

The 23-year-old is also facing a charge of possessing a weapon designed or adapted for the discharge of an electric charge.

He has yet to enter a plea to either of the charges.

Compton was released on unconditional bail to attend Lincoln Crown Court on November 18.

A man charged with fraud had his case adjourned for a week.

Thomas Cook of Melbourne Road, Grantham, has yet to enter a plea to a charge of fraud by false representation.

It is alleged the 28-year-old used a credit card to make a purchase and then claimed the card had been used fraudulently, intending to be reimbursed for the amount and keep the goods received.

Cook must return to Grantham Magistrates’ Court on July 29.