With reference to the article in last week’s Journal regarding the Southern Relief Road. I am at a loss to understand how the proposal ‘takes the A52 away from the High Street’ as quoted.

For this to happen, traffic approaching the town from the west on the A52 will have to turn south on to the A1, at what is already an extremely busy junction and will necessitate a turn across traffic leaving the town. The existing traffic level means that at times there is a queue waiting to do that turn, and the vastly increased numbers attempting this manoeuvre will mean almost permanent queues, which will encourage drivers to use the existing route through the town.

I am not aware of any plan to modify the junction of the A52/A1 so that through traffic will find it easier to turn on to the A1 and use the planned new stretch of road.

It seems to me likely that the lorry driver network will quickly work out that it will be easier and quicker to use the existing route unless such changes at that junction are made. It will also be necessary for satnav manufacturers to ensure that anyone planning to travel from west to east and vice versa are routed via the new arrangements. I know from personal experience that this is not always the case.

David Payne

Barrowby Road, Grantham

I am pleased to say that I voted in favour of the Southern Relief Road. This has been talked about for many years and to finally have a plan that will provide Grantham with some much-needed relief from the lorries and cars travelling through the town, can only be beneficial for the town centre.

I do understand that some people will be worried and concerned about the bypass. Some probably do not want one, but I believe that the positives of helping the town centre and the town as a whole, completely outweigh any potential negatives.

I must say how disappointed I was that it was not a unaminous decision from the committee and that Coun Charmaine Morgan saw fit to use this application as a political tool which was extremely disappointing but unfortunately not surprising. Her argument regarding moving the traffic from one place to another is, in my opinion, flawed. The traffic will flow from the A52 Somerby roundabout along the relief road and A1 to rejoin the A52 near Barrowby, meaning the cross town traffic will be diverted. She quite clearly misunderstood the proposal or was simply finding faults to be opposed to the scheme for her own political purposes.

Grantham needed this road and I for one look forward to using it.

Coun Adam Stokes

Grantham St John’s Ward

As members of staff who have supported Rock Challenge at KGGS in recent years, we were saddened to read the letter in last week’s Journal.

KGGS does value Rock Challenge and sees it as a great opportunity to involve a large group of students whose enthusiasm is for dance. The KGGS Rock Challenge Family is a close knit community which brings students of all ages and talents together. It’s not just about dance; it’s about set design, costumes, make-up, sound track, stage management and much, much more. KGGS really does value this and fully appreciates the positive impact Rock Challenge has on our whole community. We have no intention of turning our back on the Rock Challenge Family but want to perform more competitively in the future. We have decided not to participate this year but are already making our entry for next year.

In recent years we have performed in the Premier Division. Our performances look spectacular when performed at the Meres Leisure Centre, but when we compete at the Northern Finals against teams from the North of England, Ireland and Scotland, we are outperformed every year by teams that are better prepared. The fact is that we are neither well enough prepared nor performing at the level required in order to compete at the right level this year. Rather than give an uncompetitive performance this year and be disappointed, we are hoping to raise our game and perhaps make the top six next year, better prepared.

The Oxbridge comment was completely unfair and misinformed. Typically 100-plus KGGS students go to universities each year, admittedly more than 50 per cent do go to the top selecting universities. Typically only three or four students gain places at Oxbridge. This last year, 89 per cent of our Y13 gained places at their first choice university.

One or two students who will be leaving this year are disappointed and being quite negative. The rest of the Rock Challenge Family is looking forward to continuing to meet regularly and preparing for a spectacular performance next year. Watch this space.

Rock Challenge Committee

KGGS

Two students at West Grantham Academy St Hugh’s have tasted success in a cooking contest judged by celebrity chef James Martin.

Adam Childs, 16, and Chloe Smith, 12, were chosen to take part in the regional heat of the Red Tractor Make it with Mince Challenge 2013 in Cambridge and James Martin was there to see them prepare their dishes. Adam made Moroccan Lamb Rolls and his dish won him second place. Chloe gained a Highly Commended award for her Sunday Roast with a contemporary twist. 
Adam, who would like to become a chef, said he was “over the moon” with second place and Chloe said she was very proud with her award.
St Hugh’s Principal Louise Bennett said: “I am always proud to see students who have had the confidence to find their element.”
Food technology teacher Shelly Easom said: “They put in a lot of hard work before the competition stage. I am incredibly proud.”
Adam and Chloe won certificates, books signed by Martin and signed chef’s jackets.

A new loyalty card encouraging people to use Grantham shops more often has been warmly welcomed by the town mayor after he was presented with the first one.

Coun Frank Turner pledged to start using his ‘Spend Local’ card, which is designed to help independent retailers compete better with the large chains and multiples.

It is available in 22 participating stores in the town, allowing shoppers to take advantage of special offers and discounts.

“This a big step in the right direction,” said Coun Turner. “It’s a big help to some of the smaller businesses and good publicity for them. I will certainly be visiting our local shops and using my new card.”

The ‘Spend Local’ card, which has been launched 
by Grantham Retailers 
Association, costs a one-off payment of £1 with most of the proceeds being donated to a charity, which has yet to be confirmed.

David Charles, who founded the association, said he was confident the numbers would grow as more retailers signed up for the scheme.

He said: “I am very excited about the card launch. Anyone wanting the card can visit any of the participating retailers and take up offers from everyone on the list. It is a great way to promote local business and raise money for charity at the same time.”

The card is available at the following participating stores: Belvoir Gallery, Buster’s, Busy B’s Bridals, Cleaned and Heeled, DIVA, Empire Designwear, Estilo, Grantham Computer Centre, Grantham Health Store, Gurkha Square Indian restaurant, Fancy Goods, Hair Design, Harris Beds, Jenny Wren, John Cussell Jewellers, Juice-E-Vaporium, Liberty Rose Tea Rooms, Marren Tiles, New Era Italian Restaurant, Phoenix Gallery, Printhub, Simmonds Music, The Boutique, Thorold & Kent plus The Trickling Tap and Westgate Gallery.

l For more information about the card and details on joining the association, log on at www.gra.uk.net

A Grantham scout master has been jailed for 18 years after pleading guilty to 49 child sex offences involving nine victims.

David Sewell, 37, of Valley Road, Grantham, pleaded guilty to the charges, including the rape of a boy under the age of 13, sexual assault of boys under the age of 13, sexual touching, voyeurism and the possession of child sex abuse images.

Lincolnshire Police’s investigation into Sewell, whose youngest victim was just 10 at the time of his offending, was prompted when a local man reported historic sexual assaults to officers in July this year.

Lincoln Crown Court heard that Sewell abused his position of trust to build relationships with parents and gain access to his young victims.

Head of Lincolnshire Police’s Public Protection Unit, Supt Rick Hatton, said: “Sewell is a very dangerous predatory paedophile and his crimes have had a profound and lasting impact on several young people’s lives.

“The systematic and planned grooming of these young people illustrated the calculated and manipulative offending of Sewell, who placed himself in positions where he had access to children and could gain their trust.

“We would like to thank those victims and their families, who have come forward to report these crimes. Those involved have been through a horrendous ordeal and their bravery in then giving evidence for these legal proceedings has helped bring the offender to justice.

“We hope that Sewell’s conviction helps them, in some sense, to move forward with their lives. Lincolnshire Police and our partners in Social Services will continue to offer the families involved as much support as possible”

Northern Premier League

Premier Division

Mid Lincs League

Under-14

Long Bennington 4

St Helens 1

A Tom Baker goal for Long Bennington was all that separated the two sides in a fairly even and open first half.

St Helens drew level after half time when Bennington failed to clear a corner.

A Dan Cox effort from the edge of the box gave Bennington the lead before further goals from Baker and a fine solo by Liam Lund gave them a well-deserved victory.

Bennington, Panchmatia, Traves, Durham, Horton, Patton, Terry, Coulson, Baker, Marshall, Cox, Lund, White, Evans.

Under-12A

Swifts 1

Barrowby Lions 4

Barrowby Lions earned a hard fought victory and went ahead after two minutes with Wright crossing from the right for skipper Evans to head past the stranded keeper.

Swifts looked very lively up front and equalised after 25 minutes from a deflected effort from the edge of the area.

Barrowby regained the lead with a guided finish from man-of-the-match Wright.

Cooper increased the advantage further with a cracking finish past the unsighted goalkeeper from 25 yards.

Evans scored Barrowby’s final goal when the keeper punched the ball on to his head and into the net .

Barrowby: Read, Down, Fedorson, Johnson, Evans, Edwards, Cooper, Wright, Hands, Foister, French.

Under-16A

Barrowby 5

Boston 2

A sharp looking Barrowby went in front when Sam Evans calmly slotted home.

Evans and Olly Reid then interchanged smartly to provide Will Barron with Barrowby’s second. Boston were awarded a controversial penalty to pull a goal back.

Evans hammered home to restore the home side’s two-goal buffer.

The visitors scored a second time after the break before Reid raced on to a through-ball and smashed home Barrowby’s fourth. Man-of-the-match Evans rapped things up from the spot.

Barrowby: Asplen, Scott, Wingad, Hollingworth, Hayward, Evans, Goode, Barron, Reid, Lawniczak (c).

Newark Youth League

Under-12

Newark 3

Gonerby 1

Gonerby dominated the first 15 minutes with Coates, Meffen and Baker all going close but Newark scored twice on the break against the run of play.

Newark added a third after the break before man-of-the-match Bramley set up Robson for a consolation goal for Gonerby.

Gonerby: Baker, Bramley, Burridge, Coates, Grieh, Hardy, Meffen, Nowak, Robson, Scott, Williamson.

Grantham Youth League

Under-12

Grantham Flames 0

Gonerby 8

Gonerby were quickly out of the blocks with a dominant display in the first half.

Baker netted four times, Coates three and Bramley once for an 8-0 half time lead.

Flames battled superbly in the second half and man-of-the-match Hardy and Coates went close to extending Gonerby’s lead.

Novak, Hardy and Grieh all defended well.

Gonerby: Baker, Bramley, Burridge, Coates, Grieh, Hardy, Mcnulty, Nowak, Robson, Rowley.

Patients at Grantham hospital are benefiting from new equipment following a generous donation by a group of volunteers.

The Grantham League of Friends has donated £6,500 to the hospital to purchase nine sets of sensor mats to help support patients who have been assessed as being at risk of falls.

The mat can be placed under a patient’s mattress or chair and is connected to an alarm which is activated when the mat detects that the person is about to leave their bed or chair.

An alarm will then sound to alert staff, allowing them to respond more quickly and prevent injury to the patient. The mats can be connected to a pager which can be set to vibrate to avoid disturbing other patients.

The mats can also be programmed to play a voice message to the patient, to reassure them and encourage them to stay where they are until a member of staff arrives, which is particularly useful for patients who may be disorientated or confused.

This is one of a series of measures introduced by United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust to help further reduce the risk of falls in patients.

A falls risk and mobility assessment is completed upon admission to identify if the patient is at risk of falls.

Patients identified as being at risk of falls are checked to make sure they have safe, non-slip footwear, are assessed for any visual impairments and their medication is reviewed to make sure they have not been prescribed any drugs that might increase their risk of falls.

The patient’s environment is also regularly monitored to ensure essential items such as the call bell and drinking water are within easy reach and that the area is free of clutter and unnecessary equipment.

Jo McCall, Senior Sister for Ward 1 at Grantham, said: “Assessing patients for their risk of falling means that we can take action to reduce that risk. It really works in improving the care that we provide to patients and we have seen a 28% reduction in the number of falls at Grantham in the last 12 months.

“We consult with family members and carers so they are involved in all decisions around implementing measures to reduce falls that we feel will be of benefit to the patient.

“We’re extremely grateful to the Grantham League of Friends for their generous donations and fantastic fundraising efforts.

“We are already seeing a benefit from the new sensor mats in helping us to further reduce the risk of falls at the hospital and have had great feedback from our patients and their relatives.

“The wife of one of our patients who was admitted to the Emergency Assessment Unit was able to record a message for her husband who can become quite confused and disorientated. She thought it was wonderful that she was able to reassure him, even when she wasn’t in the room.”

Simon Needham, Chairman of the League of Friends, said: “We are delighted that our fundraising efforts and the help of our supporters has enabled us to provide this equipment on all inpatient wards at the hospital and will contribute to a safer environment for patients at risk of falls.”

Why, oh why can’t the Highways department be sensible?

The newly-fitted lamppost on the A52, between Grantham and Sedgebrook, has already been hit and buckled.

Why can’t they install the chevron boards that other corners have and, even better, fit the ones that flash when vehicles are approaching. There is a power source as the lamppost is there and I’m sure the farmer gets fed up with lorries and cars demolishing his fence and landing in his field.

Is it going to take a death to make them act, rather than just fixing the fence all the time?

A. Clark

Grantham

South Kesteven District Council is urging the public to support quality local eateries which have achieved good hygiene ratings.

Of the 965 places to eat out in the district, 684 have the top rating of five stars, 154 have a rating of four and 77 have three.

That leaves only 50 eateries with a rating of two or less.

Five stars represents ‘very good’ while none means ‘urgent improvement necessary’.

All eateries display green and black hygiene rating stickers in their windows. If you can’t see one, ask staff or check online at www.food.gov.uk/ratings

Catriona Stewart, Head of Food Hygiene Ratings Team at the Food Standards Agency, said: “The scheme is a great tool when choosing to eat out because it tells you what’s going on in the kitchen and behind the scenes.

“For local eateries, a good rating will be good for business during the festive season.”

Councillor John Smith said: “The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme makes it easier for everyone to choose to eat out in places where food hygiene is taken seriously.”

Needy people in the Grantham area will be able to keep warm this winter after 300 hot water bottles were donated to the town’s Foodbank project.

Volunteers at the St Catherine’s Road centre will distribute the bottles, along with food packs and blankets to elderly people, the homeless and people from deprived backgrounds in the run-up to Christmas.

The hot water bottles came about through the work of Grantham couple Gareth Bowles and Kim Ridgeway, who obtained them from a company in Melton Mowbray.

Mr Bowles, who works for the Tenant Shop in Grantham, said: “A firm in Melton were throwing them out. They used to put them in Teddy bears to sell but had run out of bears and didn’t need them.

“I know there are plenty of people who are cold over winter so I thought they might be very useful to the Foodbank and the people they help.”

Brian Hanbury, project co-ordinator at Grantham Foodbank, said: “It was a lovely telephone call I took from Gareth. These hot water bottles will be a great addition to what we do because there is a lot of loneliness and hardship in Grantham. People are having to make a choice of eating or heating. Food brings some warmth but hot water bottles are something to cuddle.”

Foodbank, which relies on the help of 135 volunteers, has helped 3,600 people and delivered 40 tonnes of food in the two years it has been running in the town.

The charity, which works in partnership with 65 agencies in Grantham, is preparing to launch a new initiative called ‘Restore’, which will involve giving out donated quality second-hand clothing.

Mr Hanbury added: “We will be talking to our clients to assess their situation before distributing the hot water bottles. We are already giving out blankets with the weather now starting to turn very cold.”

Anyone interested in helping at the Foodbank, no matter how much time they can spare, should contact Mr Hanbury by email at enquiry@granthamfoodbank.org.uk or by mobile phone on 07816 872561. A volunteer application form can be downloaded from the organisations’s website at http://www.granthamfoodbank.org.uk/docs/VolunteerApplication.pdf

Last Wednesday, while walking along the River Witham between University Square and Dysart Park, I came upon a fisherman fishing very close to two swans.

I asked him if he had to move his line when the swans came by. I had to ask him twice as he did not want to answer me and all he said was “No”.

I asked him if they got caught up in it and he replied “No”. Then I said: “Or don’t you care?” Again he said “No”.

I don’t know if anyone agrees, but what a rude and inconsiderate man not to care about the swans.

Name and address supplied

United Counties League

Division One

Northampton Spencer 1

Harrowby United 3

Harrowby United got back to winning ways on a difficult trip to an in-form Northampton Spencer.

The game got off to a lively start with both teams trying to stamp their authority. It was the Arrows who made the early breakthrough after eight minutes when a long ball in behind the Spencer back four was latched on to by Lee Shaw. The Arrows striker used his pace to get away before confidently slotting the ball past advancing Spencer keeper Stuart Lutter and into the back of the net.

The ‘Millers’ responded well and only a minute later were unfortunate to see a shot come back off the inside of a post straight into the arms of a grateful Jack Drury in the Arrows goal. Shortly after, Drury was called into action again when he made a good save from a free kick just outside the penalty area.

Spencer equalised after 14 minutes when, after getting in behind the Arrows defence wide on the left, the ball was pulled back to Matt Long who finished with a low shot into the bottom corner.

Harrowby created further chances in the half, one when a free kick into the Millers penalty area was headed down by skipper Jack Whyley to Scott Webb who unselfishly chose to square the ball when a shooting chance seemed the better option. On the stroke of half time, another dangerous ball into the area was stabbed wide by Kahmeel Spence from a couple of yards out.

The Arrows regained the lead after 56 minutes. The ball was played out to Martin Wormall on the left who held up play well, allowing Webb to overlap down the wing. Webb then produced a teasing ball across the six-yard box that was poked home on the far post by the alert Shaw for his second of the game.

Eleven minutes later, Webb shot high and wide of the goal from just inside the area but only had to wait another minute before making amends. A run down the right to the by line by Shaw saw him drive the ball across the goal and Webb was on hand to turn the ball home.

The home side upped the pressure on the Harrowby back four and had a goal disallowed for offside on 72 minutes.

The Arrows back four of Whyley, Spence, John Currall and Jamie Preston held firm during the last 15 minutes with the help of a couple of fine saves by Drury, one in particular during stoppage time when he dived acrobatically to tip round an effort that was heading for the top corner of his goal.

The win got Harrowby’s promotion push back on track, lifting them back into third position after the disappointment of defeats in their last two games.

Harrowby’s man of the match was Sam Hill.

Harrowby United: Drury, Currall, Preston, Spence (Wilson, 88), Whyley (c), Peberdy (Lee, 85), Kirton, Hill, Webb (Harper), Wormall, Shaw. Subs not used: Vorley, Weatherstone.

A one-way system in Grantham is currently closed following a road traffic collision.

Emergency services are on the scene at the Westgate/Dysart Road one-way system, where a car is believed to have come off the road and into a wall near J Kerr Floors.

More to follow.

A car has come off the road and crashed into flats in the centre of Grantham.

Emergency services are currently on scene at the Westgate/Dysart Road one-way system, where the car crashed into Great Northern Court just after 10.10am this morning (Monday).

A police spokesman said injuries to the man driving the car are not yet known. There are no reports of injuries to people in the flats hit.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue is on scene following reports of a gas leak. Residents of the flats have not been evacuated.

Nearby roads are closed and cordoned off while the incident is ongoing. Diversions are in place but motorists are advised to avoid the centre of Grantham as main roads are gridlocked.

More to follow.

A motorist injured after careering off the road and hitting a block of flats has been taken to Grantham Hospital with “potentially serious injuries”.

The man, believed to be from Grantham, came off the one-way system in Westgate and hit a flat in Great Northern Court.

He is believed to have fallen ill at the wheel. No other injuries are reported.

A police spokesman said the man had been taken to hopital with “potentially serious injuries” but was unable to elaborate.

Meanwhile, a suspected gas leak caused by the collision was confirmed and the supply has been capped. No evacuation of the flats was necessary.

Nearby roads remain closed at present.

Bottesford and District Angling Association’s Fur and Feather match took place on Sunday.

With a catch approaching 10lb, the winner by a considerable margin was D. Foster.

Results: 1 D. Foster 9.10.00, 2 Rik Driver 5.11.00, 3 N. Calcraft 5.07.00, 4 C. Walton 2.09.00; section A – A. Paton 2.06.00, section B – J. Marcier 2.00.00.

A motorist who drove almost three times over the drink drive limit was banned from the roads for four years.

Shamsuddin Ahamad, 44, of Stoke Rochford Hall, Stoke Rochford, admitted drink driving on November 8 inGrantham.

Prosecutor Daniel Pietryka told Grantham magistrates that Ahamad was seen by police in South Parade driving a Fiat Stylo at an inconsistent speed.

He was swerving across the road and on coming up to traffic lights he was braking too early.

Police stopped him and he failed a roadside breath test.

Chris Pye-Smith, defending, said Ahamad had had a battle and a problem with alcohol, but he had put that behind him.

Mr Pye-Smith said: “He is very disappointed with himself to have lapsed on this one occasion.

“He is somebody who has always held down employment.”

Magistrates were told of two previous related offences by Ahamad and imposed the four-year ban.

They also gave him a community order which included 12 months supervision and a drink-impaired drivers’ programme.

He was ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £60.

A Romanian national has denied fraud by false representation at HSBC bank in Westgate, Grantham.

Nikolae Anghel, 21, of St Lawrence Road, Sheffield, pleaded not guilty at Grantham Magistrates Court to completing a false transaction in the bank to gain £430 on April 9 this year.

Magistrates adjourned the case for trial at the court on January 31.

Anghel was granted bail on condition he did not enter Lincolnshire before that date.