Two Lincolnshire records were broken at Grantham Swimming Club’s club championships at The Meres leisure centre.

Nine-year-old Freya Colbert swam a superb 400m individual medley and bettered the old county record by an astonishing five seconds.

Leah Roughan, 13, Leah also delivered a superb performance, breaking the county record in 200m butterfly, to rank herself second in Great Britain for her age group.

Amazingly, 36 club records were also broken at the championship, displaying showing great strength amongst the current crop of swimmers: Leah (11), Freya (10), Sophie Culpin (5), Billy Reed (3), William Hawkes (3), Hannah Ford (2), Molly Colbert (1), Archie Tagg (1).

Leah has already qualified for next year’s Nationals, while Sophie, William and Molly qualified for the Midland Championships.

Abigail Farkas, Issie Schofield, Thomas Lewis, Georgie Proctor and Amelia Peters are all close to Midlands qualifying times.

Qualifying for the Lincolnshire County Championships for the first time were Hannah Berwick, Isabel Ingleton, Annabel Roberts, Sophie Sutton, and Aidan Wright.

Nottinghamshire Junior League

Under-17

South Kesteven 9

Worksop B 1

South Kesteven continued their excellent start to the season with a convincing home win.

Back-to-back victories and maximum points ensures that South Kesteven remain among the pacesetters at the top of the league table.

South Kesteven comprised captain Carl Jennings, Andrew Watson, Harry Simpson and Jack Railton.

l Travelling away to Newark, Grantham Badminton Club men’s third team played a two-pair Devon team in Newark League Division Two. Of the rubbers played, Rob Howbrook with Declan Hill claimed an unbeaten two, while Josh Gould with Chris Graves took one. Carl Jennings with Andrew Watson had an off night, failing to add to the score, which with the three conceded rubbers, completed a comfortable 6-3 victory to Grantham.

Also away were the men’s fourth team who were beaten soundly by Bottesford in Division Three of the Newark League. Ian Witham with Dave Chambers put in a stunning performance, winning a rubber and taking both the other opposition pairings to exciting third game deciders. But the other Grantham pairings – Chris Graves with Brian Coyle and Dean Patel with Daniel Watson – struggled throughout and their side went down 8-1.

The men’s second string entertained Lincoln St Andrews at home in Newark League Division One. Captain Martin Chambers with Dave Coleman picked up a single rubber and reserve Andrew Watson with Martin Peat almost added another after a three-game battle. Declan Hill with Carl Jennings stepped up as reserves but did not add to the score which ended 8-1 in favour of the visitors.

Police are investigating a series of fires in Grantham which are believed to have been started deliberately.

Officers were called to Sandon Close, Grantham, in the early hours of this morning after a report of bins outside a house being set on fire. The fire also damaged TV and phone line cables to the house. No one was hurt.

This follows a similar incident in Hill Avenue, Grantham, in the early hours of November 24. This time bins at the bottom of a driveway were set on fire.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the fires, or anyone with any information, to get in touch with them as soon as possible.

Call Lincolnshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 22 of November 26. Or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

United Counties League

Division One

Thrapston Town 2

Harrowby United 1

Harrowby United suffered their second defeat in four days in what was definitely a game of two halves at Thrapston Town on Tuesday night.

Harrowby dominated in the first half and caused the Thrapston defence all sorts of problems. And they could have gone in front three times within the space of a few minutes inside the opening quarter of an hour.

Martin Wormall’s flicked header let in Lee Shaw who opted for power rather than placement and saw his shot smash against the cross bar and bounce away to safety. Less than a minute later, Tom Vorley sent Shaw racing into the penalty area only to see his shot beat the home keeper Liam Fox but strike the foot of the post and stay out. Not long after, a Kahmeel Spence header, from a corner kick, was saved by a stretching Fox at the foot of his right hand post.

The Arrows did go in front after 27 minutes when a through-ball led to a 50-50 challenge between Wormall and custodian Fox just inside the Thrapston penalty area. The Harrowby striker reacted first to the loose ball and kept his nerve to steer into the net as defenders closed in.

After 38 minutes, a fine run down the left by Shaw ended when he laid the ball back to John Currall on the edge of the area. The new signing from Bourne Town got a shot away but the effort was too close to Fox and saved comfortably.

The game was turned on its head in the second half as the home side pinned Harrowby back for long periods and the Arrows were thankful to young keeper Aiden Hotchin for keeping them in the game with a string of saves.

On 65 minutes, he kept out a shot by virtue of the ball deflecting off his head as he made himself as big an obstacle as possible. Two minutes later, he saved well with his feet as he closed down another Thrapston attack.

In a rare second half attack from the Arrows, a free kick was controlled on his chest by Wormall and volleyed goalwards, bringing another good save from Fox.

After hitting the cross bar on 75 minutes, the home side only had to wait another minute for their equaliser. A free kick was played into the Arrows area and fell nicely for Thrapston’s top scorer Luke Cummins to fire home from six yards out.

A minute later, a ball into the Harrowby six-yard box was palmed away by man-of-the-match Hotchin but hit the unfortunate Spence and ended up in the back of the net as an own goal.

Harrowby did manage to create a couple of late chances whist trying to salvage a point. A diagonal free kick into the area was crossed back to the far post by Jack Whyley, finding Wormall whose shot from an acute angle was deflected wide.

With 90 minutes on the clock, Wormall did well down the left before crossing along the goal line where Shaw was just unable to apply a finishing touch. One final effort two minutes into stoppage time saw substitute Scott get a shooting chance which was beaten away by Fox.

Harrowby United: Hotchin, Hill, Vorley, Spence, Whyley (c), Currall {Wilson, 68}, Jaques {Lee, 88}, Kirton, Harper {Webb, 83}, Wormall, Shaw. Subs: Peberdy, Weatherstone.

SUDBROOK MOOR

Sudbrook Moor’s Christmas-flavoured Am-Am was contested on Saturday.

Drawn teams of four ladies and gents, with handicaps spread across the mixed range of 0 to 36, put two stableford scores together and brought in some excellent cards.

Graham Ritchie with his strong team of Paul Brough, Russell Hastie and Chris Wilmot carded 90 points. Runners-up with an excellent 88 were Clair Lowes, Mags McArthur, Brian Cox and Joe Green, one point ahead of third placed Phil Hall, Dan Baker, Mick Lincoln and Malcolm Edwards.

Best front nine, not in the rankings, went to Luke Rickell with Pam Cox, Ian Mason and Kev Turner on 44 points. Best back nine was Michael Green’s team of Alison Reid, Mike Koranski and Andy Newman with 39.

BELTON WOODS

Seniors

Belton Woods senior November Marshall’s Medal competition was won by Mike Learwood-Griffiths who was eight shots clear.

Results: 1 Mike Learwood-Griffiths net 71, 2 Denny Peng 79, 3 Pat Stanford 80, 4 George Forbes 81, 5 David Toule 82, 6 Colin Thornton 85, 7 Bob Clarke 86, 8 Tom Rea 93, 9 John Williams, 10 Dave Inglis 96.

David Toule was the clear winner by five points in the Monthly Stableford.

Results: 1 David Toule 40, 2 Colin Musson 35, 3 Roger Hanratty 32 ocb, 4 John Bratt 32 ocb, 5 Colin Thornton 32, 6 Roy Adlard 31 ocb, 7 John Williams 31 ocb, 8 Mike Learwood-Griffiths 31, 9 Mike Whitington 30 ocb, 10 Pat Stanford 30.

STOKE ROCHFORD

Seniors

Stoke Rochford seniors’ Winter Warmer was a teams-of three-aggregate stableford.

The early starters suffered when heavy rain and hail spoilt their round. By the time most of the late draw went out, the rain had stopped and the back nine was played in good winter sunshine.

Clear winners were Eddie Plant, Alan Dolby and Greg Ewart with 122 points. Runners-up with 99 points were Keith Dugmore, Philip Varley and Ken Taylor, on countback from Brian White, Ray Elsome and Tim Haward.

Overall lead in the series stays with Greg Ewart who opened up the gap to six points, with a total of 21. Brian Ayto has 15, with Alan Dolby, Brian White and Phil White all on 14.

Last week, Mike Palmer holed in one during the Winter Warmers, this week it was the turn of Jim Price who aced the third hole.

A rare first edition copy of Grantham-born Sir Isaac Newton’s greatest work – described by experts as “the most important work in the history of science” – sold for a staggering £338,500 at an auction today(Wednesday) and set a new world auction record for this work.

Before the auction, at Sotheby’s in London, the 1687 book, Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica or Mathematical Principles Of Natural Philosophy, had been expected to fetch between £250,000 and £350,000.

It smashed the existing world auction record for this work by nearly £100,000. The previous record was £241,892 which was set at Christie’s in New York on October 8, 2001.

The copy is described by Sotheby’s as “a beautiful crisp copy” and its condition made it even more valuable and desirable for collectors. Auctioneers Sotheby’s say: “The Principia explained a system of the universe that, once established, was unchallenged until the twentieth century ushered in quantum theory and the theories of relativity.Probably fewer than three hundred copies of the first edition of Principia were printed

The rare first edition copy is in its contemporary vellum binding. Dr David Goldthorpe, a senior specialist in Sotheby’s’ books and manuscripts department,said: “This book changed man’s understanding of the universe. Newton’s Principia was the culmination of the scientific revolution,effectively ushering in the era of modern science and modern physics with its mathematical explanations of gravity and motion. Through its legacy,the book has probably done more to shape the modern world than any other ever published. Even Einstein, whose theories of relativity eventually came to revise those of Newton’s, declared that Principia was ‘perhaps the greatest intellectual stride that it has ever been granted to any man to make.”

A teenager who robbed another youth at knife point has been sent to a young offenders’ institution for four years at Lincoln Crown Court.

Reece Ward, 19, of Wroxall Drive, Grantham, denied robbing the male of £20 on April 12 this year but was found guilty by a jury following a trial.

The jury heard how Ward approached his victim in the communal entrance to flats on New Beacon Road, Grantham, and initially asked for a light before producing a pen knife and holding it against the victim’s cheek.

Recorder Julian Taylor, passing sentence, told Ward “There has to be a sentence of imprisonment and a substantial one.

“This was a serious matter. It was a knife point robbery in the hallway of a residential property at night. It is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified.”

Ward did not give evidence to the jury but denied that the incident was an offence of robbery.

Chris Milligan, defending, said that Ward had a very difficult upbringing.

“It was an awful start that he has had in life. He was initially brought up by an amphetamine addict and an alcoholic. He was taken into care and he lived in 44 different homes. He is very troubled. He needs help.”

Mr Milligan urged the judge to take into account the fact that Ward is still only a teenager and is due to become a father in a few weeks’ time.

A gym instructor is facing jail after he was convicted on Wednesday of attempting to rape a 20-year-old woman he attacked in the street.

The jury at Lincoln Crown Court took less than 50 minutes to return a guilty verdict against James Taylor following the attack on the outskirts of Sleaford.

Caroline Bradley, prosecuting, told the jury that the woman was talking to her boyfriend on her mobile phone as she walked along Lincoln Road, Holdingham. The jury was told that Taylor grabbed her by the neck and forced her to the ground where he tried to rape her.

He also robbed her of her mobile and her purse which he discarded nearby before fleeing.

The woman’s boyfriend raised the alarm, ringing 999 after hearing her being attacked while they were talking.

The victim made her way to a nearby house where she received help from the occupants until police arrived at the scene.

Taylor was arrested seven weeks later after tests revealed the presence of his DNA on the woman’s clothing.

Miss Bradley said that Taylor answered “no comment” to a string of questions and refused to even explain why he was in Sleaford.

Taylor, 26, of Kenilworth Road, Grantham, denied attempted rape on 4 May but was found guilty by the jury. He had previously admitted robbery.

He admitted he sexually assaulted the woman but denied he intended to rape her.

Taylor, who told the jury he had previously served a six year jail sentence for robbery, said: “I was looking to raise some cash. I saw her on the phone and at that point I decided to take the phone.”

He said that after taking the phone the woman asked for it back. “I pushed her and she screamed. I then took her to the floor by the neck and her clothing and covered her mouth.”

Taylor said he became sexually aroused and indecently touched the woman but claimed he did not try to have sex with her.

He said that he did not answer questions during his police interview because he was in shock at what he had done.

He told the jury “I felt ashamed. I was sorry for her and her family and for my partner and her family. I felt I’d lost everything I’d worked hard for through something that shouldn’t really have happened.”

Judge Michael Heath remanded Taylor into custody and adjourned sentence to a later date.

Roll up, roll up, roll up... for a Victorian Christmas with a curious twist.

Stoke Rochford Hall is not only welcoming guests on Christmas Day this year – for the first time in almost a century – but also bringing some authentic Victorian sideshow entertainment together with traditional crafts and gifts stalls.

For the first time in its history the Hall will be open right through the whole Christmas period. New events for 2013 include a traditional feast on Christmas Day, a roast lunch on Boxing Day and a two-night Christmas break (24-26 December).

The last time Christmas lunch was served on Christmas Day was in 1933 when it was still the ancestral family home of the Turnor family, but Stoke Rochford will be turning back the clock even further in the run-up to Christmas – when the Victorian stone mansion plays host to entertainment direct from the 1800s. An indoor Victorian Christmas Market (Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December) will not only host stalls selling traditional crafts and gifts – ranging from period furniture and jewellery to fused glass art and fairy art - but all the “atmosphere, wonderment and fun” of a Victorian travelling fairground curiosity sideshow.

Visitors to the free family event can experience Victorian deception and humbug with theatre production ‘The Palace of Curiosities’. Adding to the seasonal atmosphere, there will be an outdoor skating rink (tickets for 30 minute skating sessions, including boot hire, will cost £2 for adults and £1 for children up to age 16), and festive refreshments, such as warm mince pies, spiced mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. A Christmas themed buffet lunch will also be served on both days (12.30-2.30 – booking required) while the Bar and Bistro will also be open from 10am each day.

A student on a gap year inadvertently caused chaos in Tasmania when he was reported missing while on a night out.

Joe Stuttle, 19, from Billingborough, spent the week before last touring Tasmania on a bike as part of his gap year in Australia.

On the Saturday night he planned to stay at Launceston Gorge national park, where he chained his bike and his bag containing all his belongings, including his passport, to a fence. He went for a walk into town and ended up staying at a new friend’s house.

However security staff at the gorge became concerned when they found Joe’s bike the following morning and raised the alarm. Search and rescue teams, including emergency service volunteers and police, were assembled.

The police were giving a press conference when Joe returned to the car park wondering what all the fuss was about. Joe explained he had just gone into town to make the most of his last night in Tasmania.

Launceston Gorge is a known suicide spot and police were moments away from calling in divers and helicopters to carry out a search of the area.

Joe said: “When I came back in the morning, I found my bike stolen. Thankfully there were 30 officers in hiking gear from state police so I asked them and it turned out they were looking for me.”

Joe apologised for causing such worry and said he was grateful that Australian authorities had taken the incident seriously.

He added: “There was an incredible fuss but it’s a reflection of the fantastic work of Tasmanian police. They phoned people I knew in England and Australia, organised search parties and informed my family. But when I sauntered back like an idiot, they didn’t even seem to mind. They were just happy I was safe.”

Joe said: “I shouldn’t have left my passport and everything out all night.”

Joe plans to spend the next 11 months in Australia.

Neighbours to the site of a large-scale development in Grantham have aired their thoughts at a public consultation, where their comments also led to a change of name.

They were giving their views on the Southern Quadrant development planned for land between Spittlegate Level and Somerby Hill, coupled with a relief road to join the A1 and A52.

For some, the relief road and 3,700 homes will be a boost to Grantham but for others, particularly neighbours to the 500 acre site, the additional homes and traffic will have a detrimental impact.

Some used the opportunity to voice their concerns to landowner Buckminster Estates and town planning and development consultants Ancer Spa.

Andrew Russell-Wilks, of Ancer Spa, said: “There was a strong desire to have the relief road built, and general discussion about the timing of it, and I completely understand that. Some said you’ve got to build the road before you start the development. We explained that in our view they could both start at the same time.

“By the time the road opens the amount of houses we could have with people in would be no more than 100. Some thought that was fair, some people said they don’t want any more traffic until the road is built.”

In total, 112 people attended the open event. Among the points raised were traffic congestion, employment uses proposed, the impact on Grantham Hospital, the impact on existing houses closest to the scheme, and also whether the development should be called ‘Spittlegate Heath’ or Spitalgate Heath’. As many will know, both spellings have been used historically. Developers had originally chosen to spell it ‘Spittlegate’ but following conversations with neighbours they have switched to ‘Spitalgate’.

The development will be for up to 3,700 new homes and around 110,000 square metres of employment buildings, together with new primary and secondary schools, shops, surgery, pub, restaurant, community centre, open spaces, allotment land, sports facilities and cycleways.

Cheveley Park and residential areas off Bridge End Road will be the most affected when building work gets underway. Screening to protect privacy was a hot topic, one which Mr Russell-Wilks said would be considered.

He added: “Clearly, there’s going to be change and people feel a bit uncertain about the future and the unknown, but we came out of it with a warm feeling.”

Stephen Vickers, managing director of Buckmister Estates, said a thriving town centre is key to the success of Spitalgate Heath.

He said: “This is about Grantham. The scheme is only a success if the centre of Grantham is a success. So we will play our part and where we can we will try and take the leading role in helping to improve the centre of Grantham.”

Public consultation is necessary prior to the submission to South Kesteven District Council of the outline planning application.

The children of St Gilbert of Sempringham C of E School at Pointon showed they could make a profit last week by baking biscuits on a budget and donating the extra money to Children in Need.

Class 3 was given a budget and tasked with deciding what biscuits to make and how much to charge for them.

The children baked, marketed and sold the biscuits without any help. They set up a market place in the hall and raised £60 for Children in Need.

All of the children at the school and St Gilbert’s Kindergarten also made a donation to come to school either in their pyjamas or something spotty for the day, raising another £139.

Grantham Town’s new community coach has wasted no time in putting some wheels into motion.

Darren Bills was appointed to help take the town’s major football club into the community and the former Blackstones FC assistant manager already has plans afoot.

Darren this week announced a partnership with community radio station Gravity FM whose plans include reporting live from a home game at The Meres once a month.

He also revealed that he has secured the club a four-figure additional sponsorship deal with Grantham taxi company Discount Cabs.

The Gingerbreads will be playing two friendlies against fellow town club Harrowby United at Dickens Road, with all gate receipts going to the Arrows. Darren said they were also looking to link up with Barrowby FC.

He said: “We are trying to help out other clubs in the town.”

Other plans in the pipeline are to give away tickets to youngsters in town on Saturday mornings prior to home matches at The Meres.

Darren said that he and Grantham Town chairman Peter Railton, and perhaps a player, would be distributing presents to children in the Kingfisher Ward at Grantham Hospital this Christmas.

MP Nick Boles has launched a petition in a bid to bring in two hours of free car parking to Grantham and so help save the town centre.

He wants people to sign the petition on his website to call on South Kesteven District Council to install exit barriers at all its town centre car parks and bring in the free parking period.

He made the announcement in his fortnightly column in the Journal.

When approached by the Journal, Councillor Linda Neal, leader of SKDC, said the authority did not believe free car parking would provide the answer.

“There are lots of things central government could do to help businesses that would have a far greater effect than the impact a district council would have by providing free two-hour parking,” she said.

However, there was immediate support for the idea from Grantham Business Club and Grantham Retailers Association.

Association chairman David Charles commented: “This is fantastic news for town centre businesses. I would urge people to sign the petition and go for this.”

Stuart Pigram, chairman of the business club, said: “This is a positive step and might help in all sorts of ways, because it will suit people who want to drop something off or pop into town for an appointment and do a light shop or bit of other business as well. It adds something.”

He continued: “The council will still get revenue from long term parking and this could ease congestion on side roads.”

Mr Boles said: “If we want to save our town centres, and see them restored as the bustling heart of our communities, we need the local council to give them a level playing field.”

But Coun Neal said: “Our research has revealed the town is busiest at the weekend and in the only multi-storey car park, on Welham Street, it is only 20 per cent full then. The reason is there is lots of free parking in the town centre and local people know where they can go without having to pay.

“And on Sunday, car parks are free anyway.”

She continued: “The effect of the council providing free parking would be that the cost of running them in Grantham – about £470,715 a year – would fall on everyone, rather than on the people who use them.”

She said existing charges were among the cheapest in the county and the cost of installing exit barriers would be around £70,000 and, in any case, some car parks could not have barriers put up without significant investment above that figure.

Coun Neal outlined the significant investment the council had made in Grantham town centre, including £2m for regeneration of Market Place, Westgate and Wide Westgate, £200,000 partnership scheme for repairs to period buildings, £85,000 on a Shop Front Improvement Scheme, Rate Relief schemes, a free business advice programme and a Think Local campaign, among others.

She continued: “Internet shopping is not going to go away and it is something that affects every town, not just Grantham. Despite this, we are addressing the issues in a number of ways by working with groups like the GRA, the business club, networking forums and the Eocnomic Forum to improve retail conditions in the town.

“As economic conditions are showing signs of improvement nationally, I am sure these projects will soon be bearing fruit.”

l What do you think? Will you sign the petition? Is the council doing enough? Let us know at: comment@granthamjournal.co.uk

There will be a chance to see plans for a zebra crossing outside St Anne’s School on Harrowby Road, Grantham, on Saturday (November 30).

The plans will be available to see in St Anne’s Church on Harrowby Road, from 3pm to 8pm.

District and County Councillor Charmaine Morgan will be there to discuss any concerns with members of the public.

There will also be a chance to discuss the plans with Lincolnshire County Council Highways officers and local councillors on Wednesday, December 4, between 3pm and 5pm at St Anne’s School.

Coun Morgan said: “There have been a number of attempts by Lincolnshire County Council Highways Officers to improve the safety of children and parents crossing Harrowby Road near St Anne’s School. The previous proposals, which would have resulted in a significant loss of parking space, were rejected by the majority of local residents and a number of parents concerned at the loss of pick up and drop off parking space. Other concerns raised included the use of Harrowby Road by HGVs, poor visibility in the area near St Anne’s School, and speeding vehicles.

“In order to progress the original request LCC Highways Officers are proposing an alternative School Safety Crossing which will be a basic zebra crossing design i.e. without the associated extended zig-zag lines and reduced speed limit. Highways Officers are offering an opportunity to Preview these proposals with a plan to go to full Public Consultation, lasting one month, shortly.”

Hundreds of bikers roared through Grantham on Sunday for the Christmas toy run, delivering gifts to children from deprived backgrounds.

A remarkable 360 motorcyclists riding a wide variety of machines set off from the Red Lion at Bottesford laden with presents they had provided themselves.

They rode to The Meres Leisure Centre in Grantham to drop off the gifts. Members of the town’s Seventh-Day Adventist Church, based in Dudley Road, will deliver the presents, having taken over responsibility from the Salvation Army.

John Bartlett, who has organised the Christmas ride for 24 years, said: “There were 360 bikers taking part this year, which was a great turnout.

“It used to be a lot more fun when the police helped us by allowing us through the junctions.

“They didn’t have the resources to do it this year which meant we got split up whenever we went through traffic lights.”

The Deputy Mayor of Grantham, Ian Selby, and a band of helpers greeted the bikers as they arrived at the leisure centre, providing them with hot drinks and cakes.

Mr Bartlett added: “The bikers provided loads of toys this year so it was a really great effort to help children in the Grantham area.”

Jennifer Macbeth was ready and waiting with her camera for the bikers’ arrival. She said: “As a spectator, the sight was wonderful and one which should be encouraged in the future.

“I ended up driving in my car to the leisure centre, meeting the mayor and having a cup of tea with the lovely bikers. What a good cause and what a great way to spend an otherwise bleak Sunday afternoon.

“It should be this, the generous community spirit, which signifies the coming of Christmas in Grantham, not the Coca-Cola TV advert!”

The bikers also take part in an Easter egg run every year, where chocolate eggs are delivered to needy children and elderly people in Grantham. And they additionally ride from Bottesford to Skegness every summer to raise money for the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

A festive fair will be held at St Wulfram’s Church on Saturday, December 7.

The church will host the Christmas Fair from 10am to 2pm.

There will be numerous stalls, a raffle, children’s activities, including the Wuppets, live music, refreshments and the opportunity to go up the church tower.

The date in the Around Town section of today’s Journal is incorrect.

SATURDAY (November 30)

Football

Northern Premier League

Premier Division – Frickley Athletic v Grantham Town (3pm).

United Counties League

Division One – Northampton Spencer v Harrowby United (3pm).

Lincolnshire League

Grantham Athletic v Lincoln United Reserves.

Grantham & District Saturday League

Premier Division – Ancaster Rovers v Ancaster Rams, Cranmer Arms v Croxton AFC.

Memorial Cup – AFC Three Gables v Caythorpe, Barrowby Reserves v White Horse Sleaford, Bottesford v Bottesford Reserves, CK Dons Reserves v Newark Flowserve FC.

Nottinghamshire FA Junior Cup

Retford Town v Greyhounders.

Rugby

Midlands League 2

East (North) – Kesteven v Stamford (2.15pm).

Notts Pennant League

West Bridgford 2nd v Kesteven 2nd (2.15pm).

SUNDAY

Grantham & District Sunday League

Premier Division – Helpringham Rovers v Springfield AFC, Lions FC v AFC Harrowby, FC Osbournby Rangers v Ruskington FC.

Division One – Ancaster Athletic v Ropsley FC, Caythorpe Sports & Social FC v Nobody Inn Athletic, Colsterworth United v Totemic FC, Long Bennington FC v Witham Wanderers.

Lincolnshire Intermediate League

County Cup, quarter-final – Grantham Town v Bottesford Town (1.30pm).

South League – Northgate Olympic Blue v Pointon.

TUESDAY

Football

Northern Premier League

Doodson Sport Cup, second round – Grantham Town v Gresley FC (7.45pm).

FOOTBALL RESULTS

Northern Premier League

Premier Division – Grantham Town 0 Witton Albion 0.

United Counties League

Division One – Harrowby United 0 Eynesbury Rovers 2, Thrapston Town 2 Harrowby United 1.

Lincolnshire League

Ruston Sports 3 Grantham Athletic 0.

Grantham & District Saturday League

Premier Division – Ancaster Rovers 1 Bottesford 2, Barrowby Reserves 3 CK Dons Reserves 0, Bottesford Reserves 1 Ancaster Rams 5, Cranmer Arms 5 AFC Three Gables 0, Croxton AFC 2 Greyhounders 4, White Horse Sleaford 5 Caythorpe 0.

Grantham & District Sunday League

Premier Division Cup, first round – Ruskington FC 1 Helpringham Rovers 4, FC Osbournby Rangers v AFC Red Lion Ruskington HW.

Division One Cup, first round – Long Bennington FC 1 Ropsley FC 4, Witham Wanderers 3 Ancaster Athletic 0, Nobody Inn Athletic 3 Totemic 1, Caythorpe Sports & Social FC 9 Colsterworth United 4.

Lincolnshire Intermediate League

County Cup, quarter-final – Ruston Sports 5 Gonerby Youth 0.

South League – Pointon 2 Old Leake Youth 1.

A mother of three fears for the lives of her family after her house was attacked by an arsonist twice in a month.

The latest attack happened in the early hours of Tuesday morning in Sandon Close, Grantham, when a bin was set alight. The fire damage a garden gate and spread up the side of the house.

Katrina Glover said she and her husband Nigel were awoken by the fire brigade. She said the arsonist had called them himself and then ran away when he was told the police were being called.

The blaze also damaged wires outside the house which left the family with no telephone, internet or TV.

Mrs Glover’s children, Jamie 23, Keiran, seven, and Ellie, five, were in the house.

In an earlier incident on November 4, the bin was set on fire and completely destroyed. Katrina answered a knock on the door at 2am to see a man at the door, but immediately shut it.

Mrs Glover, who used to be the scheme manager for the sheltered housing in Sandon Close, says she is frightened it could happen again.

She said: “It is very scary. This is the second time in a month. My kids are terrified. Jamie has only just come out of hospital with a brain injury and he has to sleep downstairs. He says he feels like this is attempted murder.

“These were not little flames. It went up the side of the house and if it had been left the whole house would have gone up.”

She added: “There are lots of elderly and vulnerable residents around here because it’s sheltered housing. They are scared all the time now. I have lived here 15 years and it’s a lovely place to live.”

A similar incident happened in Hill Avenue, Grantham, in the early hours of November 24. This time bins at the bottom of a driveway were set on fire.

Earlier this week, Lincolnshire police confirmed officers were sent to the scene of the second fire.

A spokesman said: “Officers were called to Sandon Close, Grantham, in the early hours of this morning after a report of bins outside a house being set on fire. The fire also damaged TV and phone line cables to the house. No one was hurt.

“Police are appealing for any witnesses to the fires, or anyone with any information, to get in touch with them as soon as possible.”

Anybody with information is asked to call Lincolnshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 22 of November 26, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Spend an evening with two Tory MPs, the notice in the paper said. My initial thought was, you must be off your trolley! However, there was an added incentive, fish and chips. So I went.

Nick Boles and Douglas Carswell were the speakers.

The evening itself was a startling revelation, to see two men talk so openly about their experiences in the House, how they felt about it, Parliament and this Government in particular. Gloves off and no pulled punches. In fact, the only one who was reeling was me. I was astonished.

I would have been the first to say MPs are out of touch and in particular Tory MPs, but these two guys aren’t. They know just what is going on and if anybody reads the press, they will see that Mr Boles has upset a lot of his party with his recent Bright Blue speech.

So, am I now a fan of Mr Boles? Yes! Will I vote Conservative at the next election? Only if Mr Boles is leading from the front.

Michael Gaughan

By email