SATURDAY (August 3)

Cricket

South Lincs & Border League

Premier Division – Belton Park v Lindum, Skegness v Billingborough, Welby v Grantham.

Division Two – Grantham 2nd v Claypole, Pinchbeck v Welby 2nd, Billingborough 2nd v Moulton Harrox 2nd.

South Notts League

Division A – Belvoir v Ellerslie.

Division C – Gedling Colliery 3rd v Bottesford.

Division E – Whatton & Aslockton v Farndon.

Division F – Ravenshead v Belvoir 2nd.

Division G – Bottesford 2nd v Notts Unity Casuals 2nd.

Division H – Bingham v Ruddington.

Division L – Caythorpe 4th v Belvoir 3rd.

Division N – Notts Unity Casuals 3rd v Whatton & Aslockton 2nd.

Division P – Belvoir 4th v West Bridgford Legion 2nd.

Division R – Thrumpton 3rd v Bingham 2nd.

Football

Friendly

Grantham Town v Grimsby Town (kick-off at noon).

SUNDAY

Cricket

Grantham & Melton Association

Division One – Belton Park v Barkby United, Bottsford v Pickwell Leesthorpe & Somerby, Empingham v Buckminster.

Division Two – Harlaxton v Sproxton, Welby v Bingham.

Division Three – Barkston & Syston v Thorpe Arnold, Croxton Kerrial v Queniborough, Melton Mowbray v Belvoir Colts, Skillington v Egerton Park.

Newark Alliance

Division Four – Belvoir v Kegworth Town 3rd.

TUESDAY

Cricket

Burrough League

Division One – Queniborough v Belvoir.

Football

Friendly

Loughborough Dynamo v Grantham Town (7.45pm).

THURSDAY

Football

Friendly

Carlton Town v Grantham Town (7.30pm).

Harrowby United recorded a second pre-season campaign friendly win at Dickens Road on Saturday.

The Arrows enjoyed a 4-1 victory over Eastern Counties League side Blaby and Whetstone Athletic, with goals coming from a Liam Harper hat trick and Craig Wilson.

Blaby, to their credit, travelled over from Leicester with a few players missing but still provided decent opposition and both sides benefited from a good workout.

Earlier in the day, Harrowby’s under-17s acquitted themselves well against Lincs League side Grantham AFC, going down narrowly 3-2 to a late goal.

l Harrowby lost by the odd goal in three to United Counties League Premier Division outfit Boston Town at Tattershall Road on Tuesday night.

In a very competitive pre-season game, the first half was an even affair with a very direct Boston forcing the pace, but the Arrows troubled them on the break, bringing two fine saves from keeper Ricky Drury.

The only goal of the half came when a cross to the far left hand side post was headed in off the post by Ollie Maltby.

Harrowby were far from overawed by their one step higher opponents and got themselves level on the hour mark through skipper Simon Bolland who burst into the Boston penalty area to reach a through-ball first and neatly finish past the advancing Drury.

Boston’s winner came after 72 minutes when a corner headed out by Jack Whyley was fired through a crowd of players, leaving Jack Drury in the Harrowby goal unsighted.

The Arrows looked for an equaliser and went close a couple of times through Lee Shaw who dragged a shot just past the post and Dan Reidy whose powerful shot from 25 yards was tipped over the bar by Drury.

l United’s pre-season continues on Saturday when they entertain Central Midlands League side Newark Town at The Environcom Stadium. Kick-off 3pm.

Drumming prodigy Caleb Preece has become the youngest person to reach the top grade for drumming.

Caleb, 11, has been taught by Lloyd Courtenay, drummer with the The Barron Knights.

Lloyd said: “He has done amazingly well and I’m so proud of him. He is naturally talented - you can’t get to that level without being amazingly talented.”

The next step for Caleb, a King’s School pupil who lives in New Beacon Road, may be a diploma. However, he will have to continue without his long-time teacher.

Lloyd said: “I’m a rock drummer and I can’t teach him what he needs to know next. He’s going to have to move on from me I’m afraid. He has to do composing and things like that.”

Caleb plays with the Big Band at the King’s School. Lloyd said: “It’s quite funny to watch as he’s such a little lad amongst all these grown-ups.”

Lloyd teaches out of East Midlands Sound & Lighting on Saturdays at The Old Malthouse off Springfield Road, Grantham.

A stranger tried to lure a seven-year-old girl away from her home, prompting her mother to voice a stark warning to parents.

The little girl was kicking around a football on a playing field near Chestnut Grove, Grantham, on Saturday afternoon when the man approached and tried to lead her away.

Her mother, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “She came running in, she was absolutely mortified.

“She said he kicked her football and asked her to go around the corner and play with him.”

The mother called the police immediately, and rang round neighbours to warn them.

She said: “The police were absolutely brilliant, they came round straight away and did searches of the area.

“But my daughter told the police officer that he’d went away down an alleyway, which leads on to a big field by the A1. So there are many ways he could have gone from there.”

Concerned for the safety of other children, the mother wants to warn parents in case the man tries to entice another child away.

She said: “I want other parents to be aware, especially now it’s the summer holidays. Really, really keep an eye on your children.

“If my daughter hadn’t been clever enough to come in the house, if I had disregarded it and just said ‘go back out and play’ I would never have forgiven myself if he’d come back, or taken another child.”

Lincolnshire Police spokesman James Newall reiterated the warning to parents. He said: “Clearly, this child did the right thing in going home.

“If you haven’t already, please talk to your children about ‘stranger danger’ and give the appropriate advice.”

The man is described as being in his 20s/30s, fairly tall with scruffy, spiky brown/black hair and wearing a white t-shirt and white shoes/trainers.

If anyone saw someone fitting the description on the Earlesfield estate around the time of the incident, at 6.30pm, they are asked to call police on the non-emergency 101 number. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

A community group has donated over £5,000 to Grantham Hospital to pay for cardiac equipment.

The hospital’s cardiology department received the money from the Grantham League of Friends, and has spent it on three portable heart monitors.

Stephanie Baker, chief cardiac physiologist, said: “The number of patients we treat in the cardiology unit has increased significantly from 600 in 2009 to 1,400 in 2012. Heart rhythm disturbances often require urgent attention and this new equipment will help to ensure our patients receive the best care possible.”

The monitors record a patient’s heart rhythm, from 24 hours up to seven days. They are used for patients with palpitations, dizziness, temporary loss of consciousness and shortness of breath, and can also assess the condition of a pacemaker.

Chairman of the Grantham League of Friends Simon Needham said: “We are extremely happy to have been able to raise this amount of money for such important pieces of equipment.

“We like to donate to different departments each time we raise a significant amount of money and are proud that we can support departments across the hospital through our fund-raising efforts.”

A kitten found wandering near to a busy road in Grantham is being kept safe until its owner comes forward.

The little black cat, a male, was picked up near to the Lion Gates to Belton House, in Belton Lane, Grantham, at around 5.30pm on Monday night.

He was discovered by Team Norway, a group of adventurers who have featured in the Journal several times as they prepare for a trek across Norway later this year. The group was out training for the challenge.

The kitten, described as very friendly and clearly well looked after, is staying at Avenue Veterinary Centre, in Avenue Road, Grantham, for the next few days.

If you are his owner, or you can help reunite them with the moggie, call the vets on 01476 564490.

The organisers of Bottesford car boot sale have signed up to a partnership with Leicestershire County Council’s Trading Standards Service to keep their event free from fake goods.

The partnership is part of the national ‘Real Deal’ campaign aimed at keeping sellers of fake goods away from markets and car boots sales.

Due to the success with some of the county’s town markets, the scheme is now being rolled out to car boot sales across the county - but only when a car boot operator has demonstrated they are committed to and can comply with the scheme, including working with Trading Standards to keep their car boot sale fake free.

Councillor Pam Posnett, cabinet member for Trading Standards, said: “We are pleased to be able to accept Bottesford car boot into the scheme. By signing this pledge, the operators are assuring consumers that they won’t sell counterfeit goods, which are more often than not of poor quality and, on occasions, unsafe and dangerous.”

Mick and Julie Emmerson organise Bottesford car boot sale. Mick said: “It was an easy decision to sign up to Real Deal with Leicestershire Trading Standards. The guidelines set out were already being used by us at Bottesford for years.

“We don’t want fake or contraband goods on our site. We have been established for years and our customers, buying or selling, tell us it’s the best boot sale in the area. They call us the friendly car boot sale. I can’t see why anyone running legitimate markets or car boots would not want to sign up to Real Deal.”

David Bull, head of Leicestershire Trading Standards,
said: “The campaign is proving to be a real success and provides consumers with confidence that they are purchasing genuine goods.”

June’s 129th annual Lincolnshire Show promised a photo finish – and it didn’t disappoint!

Organisers have brought the traditional county show to the masses using Twitter over the past two years, but now you are invited to see how the show is put together with a time lapse video of the 129th annual event.

The county’s biggest celebratory event filled the Showground with activities, entertainment, music, shopping, displays and visitors for two days in June, but the set up and breakdown took a phenomenal 240 hours and an impressive 365 days to plan.

Two cameras placed at key vantage points on the Showground took photographs every 30 to 60 seconds, every hour.

Overall, 25,000 photographs have been edited down to two minutes of final video by local company Epix Media to give an insight into just what makes the Lincolnshire Show run.

See the sun rise over the picturesque Showground, the marquees appear in seconds, 60,000 people enjoying the event and the Clydesdale Bank Main Ring alive with events and then see it vanish in minutes.

Will King, from Epix Media, said: “It’s been an incredible project to work on. Our cameras were shooting for eight days and collected over 25,000 images, which then became over 16 hours of footage, edited into just two and a half minutes.

“There’s lots going on in every frame and so I’m sure people will have fun watching it over and over spotting all the little details!”

Photo: Kamara Photography

A spate of overnight burglaries have been reported in the Vale of Belvoir and further afield in Nottinghamshire.

Among incidents reported in the Vale are the theft of cash from an ‘honesty box’ in Redmile by an unknown male in the early hours of last Wednesday, while several items were stolen from an outbuilding the same village the night.

At around the same time, two padlocks were snapped at a stable in Clawson Lane, Hose, and a quantity of goods stolen. Nottinghamshire Police is reportingsimilar incidents in nearby Whatton and Bingham. also predominantly overnight.

Anyone with crime information is asked to call police on the non-emergency 101 number.

Members of Grantham Swim Club are pictured with their certificates after the latest “distance night” at The Meres leisure centre last Saturday.

Swimmers completed distances varying from 10 metres to 3,000 metres, including cystic fibrosis sufferer Steven Carter who swam one mile.

Club instructor Ange Taylor said: “Well done to all our swimmers and thanks to all who helped in counting the lengths.”

Kesteven Rideability started their silver jubilee celebrations early when five riders returned from a successful weekend at the RDA National Championships at Hartpury College, near Gloucester.

The riders, who all have varying levels of disability, took part in a range of dressage competitions with walk only, walk and trot and walk, trot and canter tests. Each rider competed in a championship test and rreestyle test at their level.

The riders were supported by a team of volunteers who made sure the horses were beautifully turned out for each performance and kept the riders cool, calm and collected on a very hot weekend.

On Saturday, Tracy Yarnell was thrilled to win the award for the highest score of the day at her first national competition, beating more than 180 riders from all over the UK. Sophie Taylor was the overall champion in the Grade Two championship test and won the junior freestyle section.

Emily Johnson rode Fronerthig Delyn Aur, a new pony recently purchased by Kesteven Rideability, and finished with a huge score of 80.5 per cent to win the freestyle test on Sunday.

Ryanna Hate beat off strong competition in the Grade I-V test with a very good score of more than 70% and was only narrowly pipped into second place. Sarah White rode two accurate tests to gain third and fifth positions in her first competition.

Tracy and Sarah also collected their gold and silver Dressage Anywhere medals which they won as part of an online competition run over several months, culminating in an online championship show.

The funding for the group’s trip to Hartbury College was provided by Grantham Rotary Swimarathon.

The group, based at The Paddocks Riding Centre, Hough on the Hill, is celebrating 25 years of providing horse riding in the Kesteven area this month. The upkeep of the group’s horses is paid for by Hills Poly-Print Ltd, Shipley Fabrications, Chandlers, Honington Grange, Avenue Vet Centre, Rimmer Brothers, the Sheard family, Alyx Snowball, Ros Wentworth, and Jane and Vince Heslop.

Bottesford and District Angling Association’s eighth and final Friday sweepstake was won convincingly by N. Fisher who clinched the series with a total of 14 points.

Runner-up overall with 21 was A. Howe and C. George (23) was third.

Results: 1 N. Fisher 17lb 12oz 0dr, 2 D. Hicklin 6.10.09, 3 C. George 5.14.08, 4 B. Baines 3.06.09.

Sunday’s match at Portland Waters produced some impressive hauls of fish, with J. Harrison coming out on top.

Results: 1 J. Harrison 71.12.00, 2 D. Scott 64.00.00, 3 S. King 61.04.00, 4 A. Howe 56.00.00.

The next match is Grantham Angling Association and Bottesford DAA versus Collingham at Milliennium Ponds on August 11. The draw will take place at the White Hart, North Scarle, at 9am.

Grantham Life Saving Club enjoyed a fantastic end to its season.

An amazing amount of awards were handed out by the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s Ian Doherty at the club’s presentation night, including Survive and Save medals.

As well as training at The Meres, the club has this year been using other venues. Club secretary Diane Found said: “We have been lucky enough to have training in the reservoir at Rutland Water and the sea at Chapel St Leonards, allowing members to build on their skills and encouraging them to behave safely around any type of water.”

If you are interested in joining Grantham Life Saving Club, you must be aged seven years or older and be able to confidently swim 25 metres. Annual membership is £66 with an additional cost for rookie badges and Survive and Save Courses.

For an application form for September or further details, contact Diane on 07961 067784.

Grantham Town’s pre-season campaign success shows no sign of abating as the Gingerbreads look to topple Conference Premier side Grimsby Town at The Meres tomorrow (Saturday).

Grantham put in an impressive performance to beat Boston United 2-1 at home last Thursday night, and then defeated Rainworth Miners Welfare 1-0 away on Saturday – making it six friendly wins out of six.

Joint manager Gary Sucharewycz said the game against Conference North side Boston had given the Gingerbreads a good defensive test.

He said: “Four on four is hard work for anyone. We looked solid and organised throughout the team. Everyone did their jobs and won the ball back well.

“In the second half, we stepped up the tempo and had more attacking play. We defended as a unit, but after the break we were sharper as a team.

“To kick on this season, we need a strong squad and we are getting everybody up to speed well with what we want from them.

“We know we have the technical ability and we are getting the workrate right to do well next season.”

Supporters should note that tomorrow’s game against the Mariners kicks off at 12 noon. The Gingerbreads visit Loughborough Dynamo on Tuesday evening (7.45pm) and Carlton Town on Thursday (7.30pm)in further friendlies.

+ Grantham Town’s new Soccer School enjoyed a successful launch with more than 20 local children attending the first two sessions.

The school takes place at the club’s Meres stadium on Saturday mornings from 10.15am.

A team of fully trained coaches put the young players through a series of basic skill exercises, followed by a quick match. Further training on advanced skills included tutoring on taking free kicks and penalty shoot-outs. The fun sessions last an hour and all seven to 11-year-olds are welcome to attend.

Town commercial manager Stephen Cardy said: “Come down and join in. We’re sure you’ll enjoy it.”

Despite thunderstorms circling the area, there was still a good turn out of 25 riders for the Witham Wheelers 17-mile circuit time trial last Tuesday.

The course started on Gorse Lane before taking in two laps of a circuit from Croxton Kerrial to Saltby and back to Wyville.

Juveine Karl Baillie (38min 5sec) was the clear winner by more than two minutes but the next seven riders were separated by less than a minute as the general standard continues to improve.

Runner-up was John Pilgrim in 40.36 with Martin Hedley third in 40.54. Fastest lady was Suzanne Holdsworth in 52.00.

For full results visit www.withamwheelers.co.uk

A vintage car racer enjoyed his best result of the season at Mallory Park last Sunday.

Driving his 1959 BMC-engined Gemini single-seater, Richard Ellingworth finished a creditable second in the Formula Junior Front Engine pre-1960 race at the VSCC meeting.

The John Taylor Memorial Race saw Richard in wheel-to-wheel action with tough opponent Ian Ashby.

Richard qualified third on the grid out of 18 cars in slightly damp and cooler conditions that expected.

He took the lead on the first corner and held hard-chasing Lola driver Ashby off until the 10th lap when he was passed going into the fast Gerrards corner. Richard stayed on Ashby’s tail until the chequered but was unable to pass him.

Richard said: “I was pleased with second as Ian is an ex-FA driver and one of the best classic racers on the circuit.

“Overall, it was a great weekend, with the credit going to my dad Jeff and mechanics Dean and Dave for preparing the car.”

Richard’s previous results this season were fifth in the season-opener at Donington Park and a DNF at Silverstone due to overheating while running in fourth place.

His next race is the Oulton Park Gold Cup meeting during August Bank Holiday, and he will also be taking his Gemini abroad for the French round of the classic race series.

Places are still available for children’s football fun days and a “Mini Olympic” course this month.

The events, run by One Touch Football Soccer School are for boys and girls aged four to 12 years and are suitable for all abilities.

Football takes place at Harrowby Lane playing fields between August 5 and 7 and 26-28. The Olympic days, offering activities such as hockey, tennis, basketball, volleyball and track and field, will be held at St Anne’s Primary School in Harrowby Road between August 19 and 23.

Cost is £15 for the first day and £13 thereafter for 9am till 3pm, and £12 and £10 thereafter for 10am till 3pm.

For more information and to book, visit www.onetouchfootball.co.uk

A Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir golfer has received a limited edition watch after scoring a hole-in-one during a recent competition at his club.

Neil Henfrey, 52, scored his ace on the 198-yard, par-three 11th at his Radcliffe-on-Trent. The 16-handicapper was rewarded with membership of the exclusive Boss Watches H1 Club and a specially-commissioned, commemorative timepiece.

The luxury German brand has pledged to reward club golfers with an exclusive watch for every hole-in-one recorded during a club competition between April 15 and October 31 this year. The scheme is open to any golfer whose club uses HowDidiDo – a free-to-use, web-based social network for golfers – and anybody playing in official club competitions will be eligible. Currently, more than 1,800 clubs use the website.

Neil’s award of membership to the exclusive Boss Watches H1 Club will offer him access to exclusive benefits and merchandise.

A pedestrian frustrated by her complaints about a flood-prone tunnel falling on deaf ears is calling for action to be taken.

The woman, who asked not to be named, took this photo of the waterlogged pedestrian tunnel which connects Huntingtower Road and Station Road. She has reported the problem several times to Network Rail - to no avail.

She said: “A year ago it was regularly flooded and I spoke to the Station Master who advised me that he is using this underpass regularly and has been complaining about it with no avail.

“I then contacted the Network Rail and they advised me that they would fix the drainage system as a short-term fix and would commence a bi-annual cleaning of the drainage. It seemed to have solved this problem for a few months but as you will see on the photos, the underpass is yet again flooded.

“I wrote to the Network Rail and advised them of this problem and hope that it will be sorted. The silly thing is that the drainage will not really sort the problem as the drains are not located at the lowest point, which leaves a puddle in the middle that cannot be drained.”

The pedestrian tunnel is heavily used, by commuters, shoppers and schoolchildren. But when it rains, the puddle becomes too deep to pass through on foot.

The complainant said: “I went to use the underpass on Sunday morning and there was a crowd of people in front of me who decided to turn around when they saw that it was flooded; me as well. I went there in the afternoon to take a few photos and the only people who passed through it were cyclists.

“This underpass is not supposed to be used by cyclists at all but in this state it cannot be used by anybody who do not want to ruin their shoes.”

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “We carried out clearance work to the drain around November 2012. The drain has been cleared as far as the third party drain which we believe may belong to the local authority. We are liaising with them seeking a way to resolve the issues here.

“The recent heavy rain following many weeks of dry weather overwhelmed the drain capability. We are looking to install an improved drainage system at the site.”

Other work carried out in the tunnel as a result of calls from the public includes the removal of offensive graffiti and a scheme to replace lights with vandal-proof fixtures. This was at a cost of £35,000. However, vandals are continuing to spray them with black paint.

There’s a rare chance to see behind the magnificent facade of Harlaxton Manor this month.

Harlaxton College is opening the doors of the Grade 1 listed building for one of its occasional open days on Sunday, August 11.

The Victorian landmark was completed in 1845 and remained in family use until 1892, after which it fell into disrepair. Abandoned by 1935, it was purchased two years later by businesswoman Violet Van der Elst, who restored it. During the Second World war it was requisitioned by the RAF as the officers’ mess for RAF Harlaxton. The University of Evansville began using the property in 1971 as its British campus and bought it in 1986, when a major renovation was started. The house will be open from 11am to 5pm. Admission charges are: Adults £7, senior citizens £5, children under 12 £3.