Lincolnshire Men’s League

Grantham 101

Spalding 86

R Adams, P Hainsworth, N Smith, Joe Lewis won 23-17; M Carter, R W Smith, M Parker, B Allen lost 17-23; T Asher, J Kime, M Eurich, Jay Lewis won 20-18; I Cole, J Duke, J Stanfield, A Brunton won 27-8; B Smith, D Abernethy, R Payne, J Pask lost 14-20.

Lincolnshire Mixed League

Grantham 85

Stamford 108

M Palmer, M Goodchild, B Goodchild, J Pask lost 13-25; L Appleyard, B Patten, M Appleyard, I Cole won 22-13; J Woods, J Hall, G Hall, D Woods lost 18-22; S Richards, W Stevenson, D Sykes, C Goodley lost 17-27; K Germany, P Greer, R Murphy, R Turnbull lost 15-21.

Inter Club Competition

Grantham 104

Melton Mowbray 77

S Richards, A Woodward, C Parkin, R Baxter lost 16-25; W Stevenson, K Germany, R Murphy, R Turnbull lost 14-18; J Asher, D Raisford, J Kime, T Asher won 22-11; M Barrett, S Payling, R Barrett, L Payling won 20-15; J Woods, I Ludwig, A Ludwig, D Woods won 32-8.

Jack High Competition

Vacu-Lug 60 Bingham B 54, Long Bennington 42 Barnstone 57, Great Gonerby 34 Bottesford 66, Barnstone 45 Vacu-Lug 57.

BELTON WOODS

Belton Woods Golf Club held its annual gala presentation evening at the adjoining hotel where 150 members and guests attended to celebrate and present prizes and trophies to the successful competition winners of the season.

The master of ceremonies, George Forbes, introduced current club captain Colin Sneesby and lady captain Becky Foster to present the prizes.

Club champions for 2013 were for the men, Nick Watson, and Megan Illingworth for the ladies. Golfers of the year were Graham Bell and Carole Stothard.

After the formalities, guests enjoyed a four course dinner and a night of dancing and revelry.

l Round three of the Winter League produced a very close finish with Jim King and Andrew Watson beating Robin Harris and Nick Watson into second place. Third were Tony Stapleton and John Harrison. All pairs finished tied on 42 points and were only separated by a countback.

The fourth round of the league was also a close one. Winners were Paul Perrin and Jeff Earl who beat Nick Watson and Robin Harris into second place on countback. Michael Allison and Colin Tweedie were third, only 0.5 of a point adrift.

Leading the league are Michael Allison and Colin Tweedie with 53 points. Joint second on 48 are John Harrison and Mr Tony Stapleton, together with Chris Anderson and Dan Fowler.

STOKE ROCHFORD

Seniors

Last week’s Stoke Rochford seniors’ Winter Warmer was a teams of three ‘Save it or Dump It’ best two scores from three on each hole, with four groups of three holes to count.

Winners were Brian Ayto, Cliff Mills and Mike Palmer with a score of 60 points, on countback from Charles Donnison, Tom Keegan and Tony Smith. In third place were Brian Keighley, Phil White and Greg Ewart with 59.

SUDBROOK MOOR

A two club and a putter stableford on Tuesday morning, with a hidden Santa charity raffle, saw the regular nucleus of Sudbrook Moor ladies raise £44 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The Bird of the Year Trophy was won by consistent performer Amanda Roberts whose four wood, wedge and putter helped her card 32 points, with an outward nine of 20 points.

Runner-up by one point was Maureen Bradford. There was a countback on 30 points between Trinette Speck and Joan Doughty, with Trinette’s back nine of 19 points taking the decision for third place.

SATURDAY (December 7)

Football

Northern Premier League

Premier Division – Grantham Town v Ashton United (3pm).

United Counties League

Division One – Harrowby United v St Neots Town Saints (3pm).

Central Midlands League

South – Barrowby FC v South Normanton Athletic (2pm).

Lincolnshire League

Supplementary Cup, first round – Grantham Athletic v Sleaford Town Reserves.

Grantham & District Saturday League

Premier Division – CK Dons Reserves v AFC Three Gables.

Culverthorpe Cup – Ancaster Rovers v Greyhounders, Barrowby Reserves v Croxton AFC, Bottesford v Ancaster Rams, Newark Flowserve FC v Bottesford Reserves, White Horse Sleaford v Cranmer Arms.

Lincolnshire Intermediate League

County Cup, quarter-final – Grantham Town v Grantham Town Youth.

Rugby

Midlands League 2

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

Merit League

Market Rasen 3rd v Kesteven 3rd.

Friendly

Sleaford 2nd v Kesteven 2nd.

SUNDAY

Football

Grantham & District Sunday League

Premier Division – AFC Red Lion Ruskington v AFC Harrowby.

Division One – Colsterworth United v Ropsley FC, Totemic FC v Long Bennington FC.

Charity Shield, second round – Caythorpe Sports & Social FC v Ancaster Athletic, FC Osbournby Rangers v Springfield AFC, Lions FC v Nobody Inn Athletic, Ruskington FC v Helpringham Rovers.

TUESDAY

Football

Lincolnshire Intermediate League

Steve Asher Memorial Charity Cup

Second round – Lincoln United v Grantham Town.

FOOTBALL RESULTS

Northern Premier League

Premier Division – Frickley Athletic 3 Grantham Town 2.

Doodson Sport Cup

Second round – Grantham Town ?? Gresley FC ?

United Counties League

Division One – Northampton Spencer 1 Harrowby United 3.

Lincolnshire League

Grantham Athletic 2 Lincoln United Reserves 5.

Grantham & District Saturday League

Premier Division – Ancaster Rovers 2 Ancaster Rams 6.

Memorial Cup – CK Dons Reserves 6 Newark Flowserve FC 2.

Nottinghamshire FA Junior Cup

Retford Town 1 Greyhounders 3.

Grantham & District Sunday League

Premier Division – Helpringham Rovers 2 Springfield AFC 9, Lions FC 4 AFC Harrowby 4, FC Osbournby Rangers 6 Ruskington FC 2.

Division One – Long Bennington FC 7 Witham Wanderers 1, Colsterworth United 0 Totemic FC 10, Ancaster Athletic 0 Ropsley FC 7, Caythorpe Sports & Social FC 2 Nobody Inn Athletic 2.

Lincolnshire Intermediate League

County Cup – Bottesford Town 0 Grantham Town 2.

South League – Northgate Olympic Blue 0 Pointon 3.

Trains are running to an amended timetable on the East Coast main line due to severe weather conditions.

Train operator East Coast says services south of Newcastle are currently running to an amended timetable with extended journey times.

The operator is advising customers not to attempt to travel on its services north of Newcastle today due to severe weather conditions including high winds. All East Coast services north of Newcastle are currently suspended and no alternative road transport is possible.

Customers already travelling to destinations north of Newcastle are advised to return to their point of origin, with tickets for today valid for travel tomorrow.

Customers can check the www.eastcoast.co.uk website for live service updates and travel information before making a journey. Updates are also available by following @eastcoastuk on Twitter or by calling National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950.

An East Coast spokesman said: “Network Rail has taken the decision to close all rail routes north of Newcastle due to a combination of high winds plus fallen trees and other debris falling onto the track.

“Our advice to all customers travelling south of Newcastle today is to please check for the latest information before setting out, and to allow extra time to make your journey. Customers intending to travel to stations north of Newcastle are advised not to attempt to travel today owing to the severe weather conditions.

”We apologise to all customers for any inconvenience caused by today’s disruption to train services.”

Due to the revised timetable in operation, there will be no seat reservations on East Coast services today.

A terrified dog was rescued today (Thursday) after it was spotted trapped behind a grill near a stream which runs along a Grantham retail park.

The pooch had somehow found its way behind the grill between the railway line and Dysart Road retail park.

A shopper spotted it and got the attention of two police officers, who called in firefighters to help to free the pet.

Roy Atkin, 59, of Sturrock Court, Grantham, was walking his own dog when he saw the rescue and caught it on his camera phone.

A post has become available for an Activity Leadership apprentice in Grantham.

The job will require the candidate to work on a number of local and national sports initiatives with sports clubs, district councils and voluntary clubs. The candidate will be placed with Positive Futures Lincolnshire. They will be paid a minimum of £80.40 per week and the placement lasts for 12 months. A coaching position with Positive Futures Lincs may be offered at the end of the placement. To apply, visit the National Apprentice Services website at www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Patients at Grantham Hospital who are at risk from falls are benefiting from new equipment following a donation by a group of volunteers.

The hospital’s League of Friends donated £6,500 to pay for nine sets of sensor mats, which can be placed under a patient’s mattress or chair and sets off an alarm when that person is about to get up.

Staff can respond more quickly and possibly prevent injury to the individual – other patients are not disturbed as the mats can be connected to a vibrating pager.

The mats can also be programmed to play a voice message to the patient, to reassure them and encourage them not to move, which is particularly useful for those who may be disorientated or confused.

Jo McCall, senior sister for Ward One at Grantham Hospital, said a 28 per cent reduction in the number of falls had been recorded there in the last 12 months now that staff assess patients who are at risk of falling.

She said: “We’re extremely grateful to the Grantham League of Friends for their generous donations and fantastic fund-raising 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 sensor mats are one of a series of measures introduced by United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust to help further reduce the risk of patient falls.

A risk and mobility assessment is completed upon admission and patients at risk of falls are checked to make sure they have safe, non-slip footwear, whether they have visual impairments and their medication is reviewed. Staff also ensure those at risk have their call bell and drinking water within easy reach and that the area around them is free of clutter.

Simon Needham, chairman of the League of Friends at Grantham, said: “We are delighted that our fund-raising efforts and the help of our supporters has enabled us to provide this equipment on all inpatient wards at the hospital.”

A church service for people who find it hard to celebrate Christmas will be held at St Wulfram’s Church on December 10.

The Blue Christmas Service is a quiet meditative service held in association with ChristChurch and will start at 7pm.

One of the organisers, Jack O’Dell, said: “Last year, we found that having someone to talk to over a cuppa after the service was very important to people. So if you are able to help on the evening by welcoming people, helping with refreshments, chatting to people, please let us know. Last year’s service was very moving.”

This year’s service will be led by the Rev June Rowland and the Rev Jane Campbell.

For more information on the service or to offer any help call Mr O’Dell on 01476 573984.

Grantham Kesteven Rotary Club will have sent £15,500 worth of equipment to the Philippines and Kenya by the end of next week.

Its Trade Aid scheme is intended to give people all the tools they need to start a career, whether as a builder, blacksmith, mechanic or teacher.
Eighteen boxes have been sent via National Police Aid Convoy to equip workshops at a school in a famine-hit area of Kenya. The school, Kianjai Polytechnic, is supported by Bottesford-based charity Friends of Kianjai.
A further 12 boxes of tools are about to be shipped to the Philippines, as families recover from Typhoon Haiyan, which killed thousands of people last month and left many more homeless. The boxes will go from Southampton next week.
Trade Aid is a scheme designed to help people start a career, whether they are recovering from a disaster or are working for themselves for the first time.
The aim is to make people self-sufficient so they don’t have to rely on aid.
Information: www.trade-aid.org

Pictured is Rotarian Rob King as he unloads a van loaned by charity sponsor Asher Swimpool Centre, based in Fulbeck.

Distraught members of a youth drama group have said an emotional goodbye to their long-serving teacher whose post was axed because of council restructuring.

Fiona Kimberley-Pope has been an inspirational leader of Down 2 Earth (D2E), for youngsters aged eight and over, for 14 years.

She has run three sessions a week for different age groups at the Guildhall in Grantham, developing their social skills as well as their dramatic talents, and co-ordinating regular shows.

But a reorganisation of the way South Kesteven District Council runs the group led to Mrs Kimberley-Pope’s part-time role being lost - to the anger of parents as well as the children involved. A performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was her last show.

“I was stunned and absolutely mortified to be told by letter that I was losing my job after giving 14 years’ service,” said Mrs Kimberley-Pope.

“It was an emotional last show. The children mustered up some pennies and bought me a bouquet of flowers and a necklace. When they presented me with them we were all bawling our eyes out.”

Mrs Kimberley-Pope also runs a Saturday youth theatre group at St Mary’s Church in the town and she hopes some of the youngsters she was working with get involved in those sessions. She said her work with D2E was vital in giving young people improvisational and performing arts skills to help build their confidence for auditions and productions.

Mrs Kimberley-Pope added: “We had a girl working backstage for the last show, called Amy Arms-Rawden, who is 19 and she has been with me since she was eight.

“I recently heard from Jonathan Wooldridge, who is now working in panto at Drury Lane in London and he said our D2E sessions gave him the bug to get into theatre.

“It’s a shame we might lose all these connections in the future.”

Mrs Kimberley-Pope’s role will be absorbed into that of Anna Wilson, the education and youth arts officer for the Guildhall and Stamford Arts Centre. The district council said D2E would still run sessions for young children on Tuesdays and for seniors on Fridays.

Andrea McHugh, whose 14-year-old daughter attends D2E sessions, said parents were angry that Mrs Kimberley-Pope’s role had been removed and they were concerned their children would not get the same support and quality of teaching they have enjoyed in the past.

Paul Stokes, the council’s head of community assets, said: “There are no plans to cut funding from the D2E group and in 2014 it will continue to offer the chance for young people to develop their performance skills in acting, singing and dancing and the chance to perform in a professional theatre.

“There has been a staffing restructure to help run the group more efficiently and we’re looking forward to working with the groups.”

Annual productions planned for next year are The Addams Family Musical, May 1 to 3, and Disney’s The Little Mermaid, on June 27 and 28.

The senior group meets on Fridays and the younger group on Tuesdays. New members can find out more by calling the Guildhall Arts Centre on 01476 406158.

Pupils at Barrowby Primary School raised money to create a ‘story circle’ in their wildlife area in memory of a former pupil.

The school’s former headteacher, Sylvia West, donated a story-telling chair when she left the school, and the students raised the money to add more seating. They dedicated the area to Pierre Barnes, who tragically drowned last year aged 12 while on holiday with his family in France shortly after he left Barrowby Primary School for King’s School.
The Year 6 youngsters raised money by selling refreshments, organising a fun run and hosting a restaurant night. The students cooked and served the meals, and their parents could pay to attend.

A Grantham man has been jailed after he was caught red-handed selling Class A drug heroin in the centre of the town.

Leon Lindridge, 28, was watched by plain clothes police officers as he met with another man in Stanton Street close to the town’s Morrisons car park.

Andrew Howarth, prosecuting, told Lincoln Crown Court: “They saw a man walk from the car park and use his mobile phone. Shortly afterwards an older man was walking from the direction of Westgate. That was the defendant. They acknowledged each other.

“The other man produced a quantity of bank notes. The officers correctly identified the incident as a drug deal.

“The defendant was seen to reach into his trouser pocket and produce a packet which he threw towards the other man. Both men ran off.”

Mr Howarth said the men fled in different directions but were pursued and arrested.

The man seen exchanging the notes with Lindridge apparently in return for a packet had eight wraps of heroin on him.

Police later found evidence of drug taking when they searched Lindridge’s flat nearby.

Lindridge, of Westgate, admitted possession of drugs with intent to supply on July 19, 2012.

He also admitted breach of bail by failing to appear at an earlier hearing.

He was jailed for 30 months.

Recorder Yvonne Coen QC told him: “This is so serious that the only sentence that can be justified is a sentence of immediate custody.”

Mark Knowles, defending, described Lindridge as “easily led” and told the court his client was introduced to heroin by friends.

He said that since being remanded into custody, Lindridge had managed to stop taking drugs altogether and is motivated to continue his progress.

A timber company has been fined after an employee severed three fingers in an unguarded roller conveyor.

The worker required extensive treatment and was unable to work for nine months as a result of the incident at Sewstern Timber Services, in Gunby Road, on March 9, 2012. As he attempted to clear blocked wood from the conveyor, his right hand came into contact with the sprockets and chains that drove the rollers and he severed parts of his middle, ring and little finger. He underwent two operations, physiotherapy, cell generation treatment and counselling.

Lincoln Crown Court heard on Friday that an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that the conveyor was inadequately guarded. The company failed to carry out a risk assessment for the machine so failed to identify the potential for harm.

Sewstern Timber Services pleaded guilty to a health and safety breach and was fined £18,000 and ordered to pay costs of £10,000.
In October, the company which manufactured and installed the conveyor belt, Armistead Engineering, admitted breach of health and safety legislation and was fined £6,667 and ordered to pay £5,715 costs.

So, who is going to pay for the free parking proposed by Nick Boles?

I understand that revenue from parking charges is in the order of several hundred thousand pounds. Not only would South Kesteven District Council stand to lose this income, but they are also under enormous pressure from Central Governnment to make savings.

Many Grantham people head off to Newark or Stamford to do their shipping. Why do they do that? Neither of these towns have free parking so what is the big attraction?

I can tell you, Mr Boles, it is because they offer a wide range of decent shops and this is where you need to focus your attention. 
Free parking will cost a lot of money and go nowhere near to solving the problem we have in Grantham until a range of more attractive shops can be established.

John Knowles

Belton Lane, Grantham

I agree with Nick Boles’ suggestion that Grantham’s car parks should be offered free of charge.

In challenging economic times, and couple with the inexorable growth of online shopping, towns need to find creative ways to stay ‘competitive’ and ‘relevant’ to a lot of people.

We need to reduce the real and perceived cost of making the trip into town; free car parking is the offline equivalent of free post and packing in the online world - it takes away a potential barrier to purchasing. Such a move is not a panacea and I accept it’s not a free option for SKDC - the revenue will need replacing from elsewhere (although it could be limited to say two hours) or other services reduced - but it feels to me like it’s worth a try to help rejuvenate our struggling town centre.

At the very least, let’s pilot it for six months and see what happens.

E. Edwards

Allington

What a breath of fresh air from Nick Boles. A politician actually proposing something practical, sensible and in language we can all understand.

He knows that people coming into town to shop want to park close to the shops. That’s one of the main reasons Downtown car park is always full. It’s the convenience. Basically, we are all lazy and want to take our cars as close to our destination as we possibly can.

The opposite of Nick Boles’ clearly expressed proposal is the council’s response. A lot of sums showing us how much it is going to cost us all, together with lots of reasons why it will not work. How predictable.

Doesn’t Coun Neal get it, the town centre is dying before our very eyes. Nick Boles is suggesting a very practical, simple way to help stop this, and it can be put into operation immediately.

If the council lose revenue from it, then let them take a look at themselves and re-cut their cloth accordingly.

It may not set the town centre on fire with teeming extra customers immediately, but it will surely be a first step in the right direction to stop the rot. If the council say it will have no effect, let them ask the retailers of Bourne what effect losing their free parking would have on them.

I urge everyone interested in Grantham’s economic wellbeing to go online and show support for Nick Boles’ campaign.

William Balderson

By email

I’m surprised the developers are choosing to call it Spitalgate.

I know a large area is historically already called that, but I believe that’s because it was named after the tuberculosis hospital which was on Whalebone Lane, right next to the new estate, hence ‘spittle’. It sounds pretty disgusting doesn’t it? It doesn’t seem as though it would really attract buyers.

Jill Hopkinson

Ermine Street, Ancaster

A 91-year-old Grantham woman has presented her brother’s medals back to the RAF for safe keeping.

Christine Cooper handed the medals over at a ceremony at RAF Bardney where her brother Dennis was stationed as a gunner on Lancaster bombers.

Dennis, aged 20, was killed with the rest of his crew on their return from a mission to Bergen in Norway in January, 1945.

Dennis was awarded three medals during the war. They were the War Medal, the 1939-45 Star and the Air Crew Europe Star.

Christine and her younger brother Anthony Winch presented the medals to Wing Commander Chris Snaith, Officer Commanding IX(B) Squadron. The medals will be kept at RAF Marham where 9 Squadron is now based.

Christine, of Premier Court, said: “9 Squadron were very very pleased to take the medals. We had a lovely lunch, there were 40 to 50 people there and it was a very pleasant and moving thing to do.”

During the war, Dennis flew a number of operational missions including two to attack the German battleship Tirpitz.

He and Christine lived in Huntingtower Road and occasionally the air crew would have dinner there.

Christine has been to Norway twice to pay her respects to Dennis and the crew of the Lancaster that never returned from the Bergen mission.

There have been more comings and goings at Grantham Town this week – and it is all good news for the Gingerbreads says joint boss Ian Robinson.

Following the arrival of ex-Boston United front man Charley Sanders, who made his debut last Saturday, Grantham have secured the services of another former Pilgrim in midfield – Anton Foster – who was on show at The Meres on Tuesday night.

Robinson said: “He showed what he can do for us. He can provide legs and ability in midfield. He’ll be a big bonus for us.

“Anton Foster is a great honest footballer with a great workrate. His experience, including winning this league with Eastwood, will benefit the whole club.

“We have looked laboured at times recently in the middle. Anton will give us the example of how to play to lift us out of that. Anton will also help us to help the back four as he holds the ball well and keeps things ticking over in midfield.

“We expect that his example will rub off on the rest of the players around him and lift the whole team as a result. He has an infectious way of playing to bring to the side.”

Further tweaking to the squad has seen the Gingerbreads let go of Gary King of whom Robinson said he had fitness doubts along with the striker’s “temperament issues”.

But Grantham have held on to the impressive Ash Burbeary, despite interest from higher teams with better offers.

Robinson said: “Ash has been the subject of approaches from Alfreton and North Ferriby. Keeping him at the club is a major coup for us. We have had to push the boat out a bit to make that happen. Ash has stuck to the offer he made to us and likewise, we have stuck to what we offered him. He has shown exactly the sort of loyalty that he came to the club with a reputation for.”

After losing in injury time at Frickley Athletic on Saturday and being dumped out of the league cup on Tuesday, Robinson looked to tomorrow’s game against Ashton United at The Meres: “Ashton United are very much like us this season. They can beat anyone, but they can also be beaten by anyone. They are a physical side, as we are, so we expect a hard fought game.”

The 10-year long decoration of the Old Somerby roundabout has finally been completed with the final planting of 3,000 daffodil bulbs.

It brings the total amount planted on the roundabout between the village and Grantham to 18,000.
Old Somerby Parish Council chairman David Holmes and his team of volunteers completed the last stretch. He said: “It has been our aim to plant bulbs the whole way from the roundabout to the village and we have finally done it. The roundabout has really matured now and the flowers provide a delightful entrance to the village.”
The parish council is now considering planting some wild flowers in selected areas of the village.

Pictured after the last planting are, from left - Bill Grocock, Ray Crisp, Steve Welton, David Holmes, Rob Britton, Betty North, Will Christian and Syd North.