Many thanks to everyone who supported us at Notions cafe with the cake stall and raffle on Friday.

We all had a lovely day and made £300 for our cats and kittens.

Also thanks to Joan, Sandra and Sharon for helping.

Cath Rowson

Grantham ROCK

With reference to Mr Pickles’ idea about letting motorists park on double yellow lines in the country’s high streets.

We in Grantham have been allowing that for the past 10 years to my knowledge.

Mike Cook

Dudley Road, Grantham

I was so angry and disgusted to read what has happened to what was once a popular stretch of the Grantham Canal (Journal, July 26).

It used to be attractive stretch of the canal and had plenty of wildlife such as swans, moorhens, ducks and their offspring.

Now it is littered by fly-tippers.

The culprits should receive a large fine such as £10,000.

The people of Grantham need to lend their support now and help tidy-up the area.

Alan Robinson

Dryden Close, Grantham

I would like to say a very big thank you to the doctors and staff on Ward 5 for their excellent care andkindness shown to me while I was in hospital.

May we always have Grantham hospital.

Ruth Whitehouse

Barrowby

Here’s a look at what’s been going on in Grantham...

**Coach outing - Probus 88

President Robert Hardwick welcomed 57 members and one guest to the July meeting at Belton Park Golf Club. After lunch he welcomed and enrolled a new member, Derek Fisher, into the club and presented him with his member’s tie, lapel badge and handbook.

The almoner, Clive Watson, gave his report on members too sick to attend.

Social secretary David Evans informed members that there are still seats available for the September coach outing to Greenwich and the Cutty Sark.

Guest speaker was transplant surgeon Keith Riggs, who gave a fascinating talk about his work. He was thanked by Les Wilkinson.

Next meeting is on Wednesday, August 28, when the guest speaker will be Neville Maggs, talking about the Around the World Yacht Race.

Retired professional and businessmen who are interested to find out more about Probus 88 can contact Robert Hardwick (Tel: 573979) or e-mail bobhardwick99@hotmail.com

**Walks - Ramblers

Grantham Ramblers have organised a nine-mile walk on Sunday, starting in Maplebeck (off A616) at 10am. Walkers are advised to take a packed lunch and wear suitable clothing/footwear for countryside walking/weather. Everyone is welcome. For more details call 405759.

On Thursday there is a five-and-a-half mile walk starting in Brauncewell at 10am. For further details call 568701.

Other walks this month include: Thursday, August 15, starting in Redmile at 6.30pm (four miles). For further details call 01949 844019. Sunday, August 18, starting at Tetford Church, 10am (9 miles). Take a packed lunch and wear suitable clothing/footwear for countryside walking/weather. Everyone is welcome. For more details call 01949 844019. Thursday, August 22, starting in Threekingham, 10am (five miles). Further details call 404798.

**Hydropool - Arthritis Care

Hydropool members will meet on Monday at noon.

**Car parks - Resurfacing work

South Kesteven District Council has announced essential repairs will mean closures for 48 hours at two of its car parks in Grantham.

Conduit Lane car park will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, and the following week Greenwoods Row/Guildhall Street car park will be closed on Monday and Tuesday.

Signage is now on display in the affected car parks to inform users of the works.

Property development manager Neil Cucksey said customers can use alternative nearby car parks which will be unaffected. He said: “We have deliberately assigned the works to Mondays and Tuesdays in the summer holidays when we know car park usage is lower.

“We apologise however for any inconvenience the works may cause.”

Let’s take a look at what’s been happening in villages in the area of late...

*In church - Buckminster & Sewstern

Last Sunday’s Holy Communion service was held in Holy Trinity Church, Sewstern, presided over by Canon Michael Covington. Readers were Janet Hart and Linda Wesson, intercessions by Jean Lee and organist was Dinah Nixon.

On Sunday a benefice Holy Communion service will be held in Holy Trinity Church at 10am. Everyone is welcome.

A whist drive will take place in Buckminster Village Hall at 7.30pm.

On Wednesday there is a coffee morning at the Blue Dog, Sewstern at 10.30am. In the evening there is Zumba in Sewstern Village Hall at 6.15pm.

Bingo will be held in Sewstern Village Hall tomorrow (Saturday) at 7.30pm.

**Events - Great Ponton

There was a good turnout for the annual duck race, held in Dallygate field. Races were started by Coun Gordon Taylor and Mandy Goulding sold ducks. Jean Taylor manned the tombola and Mrs Cruickshank sold raffle tickets. The barbecue and drinks area was manned by Mrs M. Jackson, Mr P. Jackson and Coun Harry Watson. Helpers were Bruce Felton and others.

The caravan rally held in the playfield was hosted by Lindum D. A. and raised £28 for playing field funds.

There is an unclaimed prize in the duck race - ticket 126, Sue-le-Gray.

Next event at the village centre is on Saturday, August 10, from 8pm to late, when there is a comedian. This is an adults only event.

Playing field committee members are wanted for charity fund-raising. Please contact Gordon (Tel: 01476 530482).

**Walking group - Wilsford

The parish council does not meet during August, therefore the next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 24 in the small room of the village hall. The first 10 minutes of the meeting will be Open Forum, where members of the public can address the council in person on matters of concern.

The Darby and Joan Club will take a break during August and will meet twice during September, on Wednesdays 4 and 18.

A new walking group - the Wilsford Wayfarers - has been set up and the group are enjoying walking the local footpaths and bridleways. Everyone is welcome to join them for the next two walks on Wednesdays, August 7 and 21, leaving the village hall at 6.30pm. The planned route is between three and five miles.

For further details contact Jacky Scott-Combes (Tel: 01400 231062) or Lindsey Townhill (Tel: 01400 230445).

The WI welcomed local author Lois Fenn, who gave a fascinating talk on her life in Hull at the beginning of the Second World War and her evacuation to Lincolnshire.

Next meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 17 in the village hall at 7.30pm. The topic is Help for Heroes, when there will be items for sale and a talk about the work of this organisation.

The 28th Wilsford Open Horticultural Show will be held in the village hall on Saturday, September 7. The fees are 20p per entry and entries can be taken to the hall between 9am and 11.15am on the morning of the show. The hall will close for judging between 11.45am and 1.15pm and reopens to the public at 1.30pm. An auction of produce will take place at 3.30pm.

Trophies from last year’s show should be returned to Betty Groves by August 4 at the latest.

The village hall committee met with members of the playing field committee to discuss joint ventures. Thanks to the efforts of Gary, Iain and their teams, £1,500 was raised from WILFEST which will benefit both groups. The merger is continuing with Debbie Scott handling all paperwork involved.

A race night will be held in the village hall on Saturday, September 21. Doors open at 6.30pm with the first race at 7pm.

Tickets, priced £6 adults, £4 children, can be purchased from the post office or from Jacky (Tel: 01400 231062) or Clair (Tel: 01400 230563).

The Book Group will next meet on Monday, September 2 at 8pm in The Plough.

They have chosen The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Shaffer and Barrows. They are now members of the Lincolnshire Library Scheme which enables them to borrow books.

You’d be nuts to miss out on this week’s top property!

This individual four-bedroom detached house in Main Street, Sudbrook, called The Hazels, is on the market with Grantham agents Wisemove for £249,950.

Built in 1980, the home offers spacious accommodation, a single garage, outbuildings and a hot tub.

The accommodation is entered through a partially-glazed door to the entrance porch, which leads to the downstairs cloakroom and the entrance hallway.

There is an understairs alcove in the hallway and doors to lounge, kitchen and dining room.

The lounge faces the front and has an inset multi-fuel burner with raised slabbed hearth and brick side panel and mantlepiece. There is a dado rail in the dining room, which features a floor to ceiliing tilt and turn door/window.

There is a ceramic tiled floor in the kitchen, which has a range of wall and base units with roll-edge work surface over, one-and-a-half bowl sink the drainer and swan neck mixer tap, windows to side and rear and a door to the conservatory. There is range cooker with extractor over, pantry, integrated fridge and door to the inner hallway which leads to the utility room and rear exit door to the garden, which is fully enclosed and has a patio, two outbuildings at the back of the garage, gravelled area, raised block paved area with brick-built barbecue and shrubs, trees and a lawn area.

Off the landing are four bedrooms and a family bathroom, which has a corner bath with shower, twin sinks and a toilet.

The master bedroom has built-in wardrobes, as does the second bedroom.

To the front is a block paved drive with parking for up to eight vehicles.

WISEMOVE

1 Watergate, Grantham NG31 6NS

Tel: 01476 561000

Website: www.wisemove-property.co.uk

Email: grantham@wisemove-property.co.uk

The cause of a blaze at Grantham Hospital yesterday (Sunday) was an electrical fault.

Fire crews from Grantham, Brant Broughton, Corby Glen, Sleaford, Billingborough, Stamford, Lincoln South and Market Rasen attended the fire, which broke out in the hospital’s boiler house at around 7pm.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue has reported damage by fire, heat and smoke to a first floor workshop, fire damage to pipes and lagging on the ground, first, second, third and fourth floors, and light fire damage to contents on the second floor.

The electrical fault is believed to have occurred on the first floor.

By 9pm, the operation had been scaled right down, with just one fire crew remaining on the scene.

An argument over a phone charger led to a man being CS gassed by police.

Liam Dickson of Beechcroft Road, Grantham, admitted wilfully resisting a constable after being arrested outside a home in Manor Drive, Great Gonerby.

Dickson had gone to the address to get the charger back from his ex-partner but police officers were called when he began shouting and banging on the window.

The 23-year-old was described as “agitated, angry and in drink”.

Dickson was told he must leave the area but refused to go.

After being given one more chance he was told he would be arrested to prevent a further breach.

However, Dickson was reluctant to go quietly.

He told officers: “Come on then, try and arrest me. It’s a good job there’s two of you.”

Dickson tensed up, preventing officers from putting on handcuffs and, in the struggle, one officer “bumped into the wall”.

A neighbour came out to ask Dickson to calm down as he was upsetting her children but Dickson continued to struggle in an attempt to get free.

One officer then took out his incapacitant spray and twice warned Dickson he would use it if he did not stop resisting.

Dickson was then sprayed, allowing officers the chance to get him onto the floor and handcuff him.

Dickson refused to give a comment in his police interview.

In court he was representing himself but only spoke to tell magistrates: “I don’t want to say anything.”

Dickson was fined £110.

He must also pay £85 costs and a £20 surcharge.

A man accused of outraging public decency was told his case has been put back a fortnight.

Carl Jackson of Harrowby Lane, Grantham, is accused of “committing an act outraging public decency by behaving in an indecent manner, namely masturbating in public”.

Jackson, 30, has yet to enter a plea to the court to the charge.

He will next appear at Grantham Magistrates’ Court on August 14.

Alert McDonalds staff contacted police after serving a customer in the drive-thru they suspected was drunk.

Mariusz Jedrzejczyk of Cannock Road, Wolverhampton, admitted a charge of drink-driving after police found he was twice over the drink-drive limit at 3am.

Jedrzejczyk went to the McDonalds drive-thru in Bridge End Road, Grantham. He was then followed by an unmarked police car and stopped in Houghton Road, Grantham.

Bill Fraser, defending, said: “It is his first conviction and he fully co-operated with police.”

Jedrzejczyk was banned from driving for 20 months and fined £200. He must also pay £85 costs and a £20 surcharge.

Police officers who asked a man to leave London Road in Grantham were given a mouthful of abuse.

Lee Prince of Second Avenue, Grantham, admitted a charge of being drunk and disorderly in the St Catherine’s Road area following a 2.15am incident on July 12.

Officers came across Prince and another man outside Gurkha Square restaurant.The pair were described as “loud and excitable”.

Prince, 25, became angry when officers gave them a direction to leave the area.

Prince told the officers: “You haven’t got s**t on me. Get a proper job.”

He added: “F***ing police. I hate them. Everybody hates them.”

The officers were still content to allow Prince and his colleague to leave but Prince continued his abuse, this time at a distance.

Prince turned and shouted “f***ing pricks”.

The final insult was to turn and give the officers the middle finger with both hands. He was then arrested.

Bill Fraser, defending Prince, said: “The language was due to the drink he had been consuming with his colleague.

“He regrets that language and regrets being drunk and disorderly, hence his plea today.”

Prince was fined £75 and must pay £85 costs and a £20 surcharge.

A scout leader from Grantham has been charged with eight offences including two charges involving sexual intercourse with a boy under the age of 13.

David Sewell of Valley Road, Grantham, was accused at Grantham Magistrates’ Court on Friday of committing the eight sexual offences involving children over a ten year period.

Sewell, 37, has yet to enter a plea to any of the charges against him.

The case was sent to the crown court, due to the seriousness of the charges.

He will next appear at Lincoln Crown Court on August 9.

Lincolnshire Police has appealed for anyone who believes they may have further information with regard to this case to get in touch.

A police spokesman said: “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.”

A Sleaford man jointly accused of stealing from four Grantham shops in a single day had his case delayed for a fortnight.

Michael Shields, of Grantham Road, Sleaford, is accused of stealing £183 worth of clothing from TK Maxx, £52 worth of clothing from Peacocks, £30 worth of clothing from Asda and £30 worth of stationary and toys from WH Smith. The thefts are alleged to have been carried out on June 24.

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

Shields, 20, was released on unconditional bail to appear back at Grantham Magistrates’ Court, alongside a co-accused, on August 12.

A charge of grievous bodily harm with intent will be heard at Lincoln Crown Court.

Luke Garner of Burrows Close, Grantham, is alleged to have committed the offence in New Street, Grantham, on June 26.

Garner is also charged with possession of an offensive weapon relating to the same alleged incident.

Garner has yet to enter a plea to either charge.

He will next appear at Lincoln Crown Court on August 12.

He was released on bail with the conditions he does not contact the alleged victim and does not enter New Street.

Frieston’s Katie Colclough admits she was blown away as hordes of fans roared the pro cyclist down the home straight on The Mall in London during the inaugural Prudential RideLondon Women’s Grand Prix on Saturday.

And while it may have been double Olympic champion Laura Trott who claimed the crown in the pro-criterium race, just inches ahead of rival Hannah Barnes, Katie was adamant she would never forget the experience after helping Specialized-lululemon team-mate Loren Rowney claim third place on the podium.

Former European under-23 team pursuit champion Katie was part of a 90-plus strong field who thrilled fans as they raced a 1.3-mile loop around St James Park, as part of Britain’s biggest ever festival of cycling in the capital.

The 45-minute race saw the lead change hand multiple times as leading teams Wiggle Honda – including Olympic stars Trott, Dani King and Jo Rowsell – battled against Australian outfit Orica-AIS and the Barnes-led MG-Maxifuel squad.

Twenty-three-year-old Katie said she was thrilled to see Prudential RideLondon building on the London 2012 Olympics legacy of cycling in the UK. She said: “It was a pretty aggressive race, there was no hanging around, and there was always something happening. You could hear the crowd constantly and it was really impressive.

“Since the Olympics cycling has had a complete turnaround, it’s completely different. You can really see that the level of racing has really improved and there are a lot more racers in the top pool now.”

Katie finished 36 seconds down on winner Trott in 40th position after helping Aussie star Rowney into position to strike over the final 300-metre sprint. But neither Rowney or IG London Nocture winner Barnes could see off the challenge of Trott, who added the title to her multiple Olympic, World and European victories of the past 12 months.

l Prudential RideLondon took place on August 3 and 4. If you are inspired to ride, visit www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk

If you like horse riding, you’ll love this Ancaster stone period house in the village of West Willoughy, six miles north east of Grantham, because it has a range of stables, fenced paddocks and a sand school area.

On the market with Fine and Country for £548,500, Willoughby Grange is the first detached property you see as you enter the village from Grantham on the A153. It has been comprehensively refurbished in recent years to offer well-proportioned accommodation of considerable character.

There are three good reception rooms, a sun room, a farmhouse kitchen, cellar, four good bedrooms and the majority of the sash windows have been replaced with matching double glazed units; character features include high coved ceilings and open fireplaces.

The entrance hall has wood panelling with door to the cellar and stairs to the first floor. The dual aspect drawing room has an open marble fireplace with feature surround and shutter windows with window seats. The dining room is also dual aspect with feature open marble fireplace and has French doors.

There is a wood burning stove in the sitting room, which is recessed into the fireplace. This room provides access to the double glazed sun room and the kitchen breakfast room which is fitted with an attractive range of bespoke base and wall units with wooden worktops and double butler sink unit, range style cooker and a tiled floor.

Also on the ground floor are a cloakroom with toilet, basin and tiled floor, and side and rear porch areas which both have tiled flooring.

The main bedroom is dual aspect and has an ensuite shower room with shower, basin and toilet.

There are two double fitted wardrobes in the second bedroom. As well as two further bedrooms, there is a family bathroom with bath and attached shower, basin, and toilet and a shower room with double shower, basin, chrome heated towel rail and tiled floor.

The property is approached by a gravelled driveway through double wrought iron gates. There is a lawned area and paved patio area.

From the garden, there is a seperate driveway which leads to the detached timber garage/stable block which has light, power and water and includes two garages, two stables, a tack room and hay store. The remainder of the grounds include fenced paddocks and a sand school.

Fine & Country

69 High Street,Grantham,Lincolnshire NG31 6NR

Tel: Tel 01476 584164

Web: fineandcountry.com

A field of 172 took part in the inaugural golf tournament in memory of Chris Jones who was tragically killed in a car accident on Christmas Day last year.

Ninety-four members and 78 friends and guests played an 18-hole stableford format on a warm and sunny day.

Winner of the Chris Jones Memorial Trophy, which was donated by a close family friend from India – Daboo Dewan – was won by club member Steve Cullington with 41 points.

The gross prize went to Nick Watson with 41 points and a special junior prize was won by Tom Rawson with a superb 43 points

Others: member winners – 1 John Martindale 40, 2 Simon Yelland 39 ocb, 3 Andy Watson 39; lady winners – 1 Chris Rowley 40, 2 Fiona Illingworth 39, 3 June Miller 38 ocb; guest winners – 1 Steve Cartledge 35, 2 Andy Sheardown 34, 3 Alex Kelham 33 ocb; straightest drive – Janet Jessop

Two special awards were presented by the family who had their spies out on the course and Pam Watson was presented with the female “wonkey donkey” award and after a hard fought contest, the male equivalent was awarded to Rob Sheardown.

The club thanked Barry, Rachel, Will and all the immediate family, everyone who generously donated raffle prizes, all who were able to participate on the day and to everyone for their generous donations. A total of £1,600 was raised for the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance.

Grantham Town Supporters’ Club lotto (sponsored by Galaxy Fish Bar), winners for August 3 draw:

£200 – 325 Mrs Creasey; £10 – 210 S. Price; £5 – 365 R. Jones, 768 E. Charles, 166 M. Tipton, 191 D. Kelley, 853 C. Taylor, 480 D. Fardell.

A burglar who injured two police officers when he rammed their car with a 4x4 vehicle during a £60,000 raid on a timber yard was jailed for four years.

John Harty, 28, left both officers with whiplash injuries after they were called to reports of forklift trucks being stolen from the premises in Gunby Road, Sewstern, near Grantham.

Police were called to the property after a milkman spotted suspicious activity during his early morning round, Lincoln Crown Court was told,

The court heard four forklift trucks valued at over £60,000 were removed from the yard after entry was gained through the roller doors.

Stephen Lowne, prosecuting, said when the two police officers arrived on the scene they spotted one of the forklift trucks being driven by a man who got in to a 4x4 vehicle.

Both officers described how the 4x4 driven by Harty accelerated towards them and “rammed” in to their vehicle. “The 4x4 hit the police car head-on,” Mr Lowne added.

The court heard one of the officers suffered a possible hairline fracture in his back which required injections in his spine. Both officers suffered whiplash.

Harty, of Hollydene Crescent, Nottingham, was only linked to the burglary after a DNA match was made over a year later.

The father-of-five later admitted the burglary which occurred on 1 May 2010 and assault causing actual bodily harm to the two police officers.

Passing sentence Judge Sean Morris told Harty he regarded his driving as the reckless use of a weapon.

“Over £60,000 of machinery was removed during this burglary. Fortunately £40,000 worth of machinery was recovered,” Judge Morris said.

“You obviously have no respect for those whose job it is to uphold the law. They have families as well.

“There is a man here who has had spinal injections because of you.”