Nine students from West Grantham Academy St Hugh’s have made it through auditions and secured a place in Lincoln’s pantomime early next year.

All of the students who auditioned recieved a role. They will be busy with rehearsals for the next few months to learn the song and dance routines.
The performance of Peter Pan will run from February 20-23 at the Theatre Royal in Lincoln.
Anita Harvey and Jacob Summers were cast as Lost Boys, Leah Stocks, Ryan Parker, Poppy Breeze Brice, Terri Parker and Shai Clarke as pirates and Chloe Summers and Rachel Carr as Indians.
Teacher Gillian Brady said: “We are proud of them and are very much looking forward to seeing the producition!”
All of the students are in the performing arts gifted and talent programme at St Hugh’s.
At the auditions, they had to sing and dance in front of the directors on their own.
After everybody got through the first round, they were seperated into groups depending on the roles they were auditioning for, and eventually learned that everybody had got a part.

What a disgrace Sunday’s Christmas lights switch-on was.

The poor children of St Mary’s School were singing their first song when along came the pipe band and took over. The children had to stop singing and listen to the band. There was no other choice. Afterwards they were allowed to continue singing.

Well done to St Mary’s School, they did a wonderful job. Credit to them all, but disgrace to the organisers for the poor timing.

J. and S. Webster

The Avenue, Grantham

I would like to thank the kind and observant gentleman who alerted me at the doctor’s surgery on Monday, that several of my wheel nuts were missing from my car.

I was due to go to Nottingham later that day and it would not have been safe to do so.

And to the morons who put my life in danger by removing them from my car (all to save less than £15) please think next time!

Val Marsden

North Parade, Grantham

Last week’s Journal correspondent “Name supplied” seems to have forgotten, either by accident or design, that we live in a Christian county with an official religion of Church of England and, as such, that is what is mainly taught in our schools.

This is how it was when I was at school and, in my opinion, that is how it should be today.

But that doesn’t mean other doctrines, such as Islam, should be banned or even excluded from our children’s education. More that they should have every opportunity to study all faiths, so they can make up their minds which is for them.

At King’s we had prayers and attended the parish church for our founder’s day services etc, but the actual lesson in class was Divinity and included many different aspects of religion.

Finally, as someone who was brought up to be patriotic, I base my life on the ‘When in Rome’ idealogy and would hope others would respect my views even if they don’t agree with them.

Peter Clawson

Welham Street, Grantham

Colsterworth Colts under-16s completed a marathon bike, run and rowing session at Stoke Rochford Hall gymnasium to raise funds for their Barcelona tour next Easter.

They completed 800 miles in total – the distance between Colsterworth and Barcelona, where they will play against local Spanish teams and visit the Camp Nou stadium.

Twenty players and parents averaged 40 miles apiece to complete the sponsored event in a total of six hours.

A great effort from everyone raised £1,200.

The Colts thanked Stoke Rochford Hall for the use of their facilities.

Grantham Police Station will be the venue for a recruitment event for Special Constables.

The event will take place on Wednesday, December 18, from 7pm, with an introduction by the NPT Inspector followed by talks from serving Special Constables about all aspects of the role from the recruitment process to the training they receive and the experiences they’ve had since becoming operational officers.

There will then be an opportunity to talk to officers afterwards over tea and coffee.

To book a place on this event call the Resourcing Team on 01522 558235.

Grantham MP Nick Boles was in town today (Saturday) to promote his on-line petition to bring free car parking into town.

Mr Boles handed out leaflets to local businesses to encourage them and their customers to support his campaign for two hours of free parking in the town’s car parks. The launch of the campaign coincided with Small Business Saturday, which aims to encourage people to support their local independent businesses.

Mr Boles says free car parking in the town will “save our town centre and restore its heart”. He also said: “To celebrate Small Business Saturday I am launching a Free Parking campaign. I am calling on our local council SKDC to install exit barriers on all its car parks and introduce two hours free parking on a permanent basis.”

Earlier this week, the leader of the council, Coun Linda Neal, attacked Mr Boles’ proposals, saying they were totally at odds with council policy which was designed to encourage people “to linger longer”.

To {http://www.nickbolesmp.com/free-parking-petition|sign Mr Boles’ Free Parking petition visit www.nickbolesmp.com/free-parking-petition}

Northern Premier League

Premier Division

Grantham Town 0

Ashton United 1

One second-half goal determined Grantham Town’s fate as they lost in a dour affair at The Meres on Saturday.

The first half started off fairly frenetic with a early chance for Town’s Greg Smith who found himself booked in the 19th minute after a mix-up with Ashton keeper Paul Phillips who over-balanced, hit the post and fell into his own goal with the ball in his arms. Referee Mr Plowright blamed Smith.

In the 25th minute, United’s Matthew Chadwick headed wide with Grantham keeper Dan Haystead stranded, and he was not far off with an overhead kick six minutes later.

Smith sent his 33rd minute header straight to Phillips while, at the other end, Grantham had another let-off when Dale Johnson fired wide with only Haystead to beat after a defensive lapse.

There were further chances at both ends for Smith and Chadwick, but the half ended goalless.

The stop-start nature of the game continued unabated after the break and made for a far from scintillating spectacle for the crowd.

The Gingerbreads went behind in the 58th minute. A good one-two between Gary Gee and Dale Johnson saw the former through on goal and he fired past Haystead with ease.

The visitors had another good chance four minutes later when Joe O’Neill swivelled and fired off a shot in the box, but Haystead was there to catch.

Town’s best chance to level did not come until and 79th minute. Good work down the left by substitute Jamie McGhee saw him make room to cross to Jamie Jackson in the box. Jackson laid the ball off to sub Romaine Graham but he scuffed his close range effort.

Ashton sub Martin Pilkington fired not far over in the 88th minute and the last real action came from a Grantham free kick. Lee Ridley raced through midfield towards the Ashton penalty area and was brought down. McGhee stepped up to take the free kick just outside the box and forced a good diving save from Phillips.

Grantham Town: Haystead, Ridley, Andrews, Miller, Lister, Foster, Burbeary (McGhee, 34), Nwadike (Lewis, 61), G. Smith, Jackson, Towey (Graham, 61). Subs not used: Meikle, Hawes. Att: 181

My thanks to the following for their help with Grantham Remembrance Day parade and services:

Parade Commander, Lt Paul Armstrong, Parade Warrant Officer WO2 W E Clark, to all standard bearers and escorts to all organisations which took part in the parade, to Pip Major Finlay McGee and the Waddington Pipe and Drum voluntary Band, for the continued support ofthe police, to the buglers Charles and Chris Standen and to all at Prince William of Gloucester Barracks and the cadets who formed the honour guard. Further thanks to the head master, staff and children from St Anne’s School for attending the service at the cemetery for the civilians who lost their lives during the bombing of Grantham, to all who attended the opening and closing of the Garden of Remembrance and the two minutes’ silence on St Peter’s Hill. My thanks go to SKDC for the £500 grant to cover the cost of the band, to councillor Mike Cook for his donation to cover the cost of the wreath and crosses at the cemetery service, to the Mayor, Ann and Peter in the Mayor’s Office. Also thanks to the Rural Dean and the team for the excellent coverage of all services and to Robert Holland for the loan of a Limouusine and driver. We will remember them.

Grace Knightall

Parade organiser, Branston

Our heartfelt thanks go to the lovely Sainsbury’s customers who donated to our collection on Saturday, November 30.

We met some wonderful people and were impressed with their interest in, and knowledge of, what guide dogs can do, not only for the severely sight impaired, but autistic children and the service offered by the Sighted Guide Service. Thanks to the managemenet and staff for supporting us and allowing us access - we raised in excess of £650, which is a magnificent total. Guide Dogs are supported by the publlic and obtain no funding from any government source. We will be at the George Centre on Saturday December 14, when you can meet a working Guide Dog.

Carol Brown

Grantham and Sleaford Guide Dogs Branch

A Grantham man must go to crown court charged with possessing more than a kilogram of cocaine, worth about £40,000, with intent to supply and possessing criminal property, namely £28,150 in cash.

Frank William Cheevers, of Woodbrook, Grantham, is accused of possessing 1,013.04 grams of the drug at Elkersley on July 12 this year with intent to supply it, and of acquiring, using or possessing the cash at his home adress on January 23 this year.

Grantham magistrates adjourned the case to March 31 at Lincoln Crown Court. Mr Cheevers was given bail on condition that he does not apply for a UK or any other passport and does not travel abroad. No plea was entered.

A man has denied drink driving on Spittlegate Level, Grantham, on September 22.

Neil Adrian Coupland, 48, of Castlegate, Grantham, will appear on trial at Grantham Magistrates Court on February 25.

He was given unconditional bail.

A drinker was arrested by police after he swore at them on a night out for a friend’s birthday.

John Gareth Phillips, 29, of Oxford Street, Grantham, admitted being drunk in a public place on November 16.

Prosecutor Daniel Pietryka told the court that at 3am police asked Phillips and another man to move on after they were involved in an argument in Market Place and were abusive. They moved on but stayed in Market Place and were later asked to move again. Police saw that Phillips’ eyes were glazed and he was unsteady on his feet. He swore at them and was then arrested.

Phillips, who was not represented, told the court he did not normally go out and he had just come off medication for an injured hand. He had gone out that night to celebrate a friend’s birthday.

Magistrates gave Phillips a conditional discharge for six months and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

A 58-year-old gardener dishonestly claimed benefit of £2,880 when he was also receiving a private pension.

Christopher William Lorenz, of Hough Road, Brandon, admitted dishonestly making a false statement to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance on June 19 last year while receiving the private pension.

Prosecuting, Daniel Pietryka told Grantham magistrates Lorenz had claimed the money on the basis that he was single and had no savings. He had been paid a pension since January 2010.

Defending, Bill Fraser said Lorenz was a self-employed gardener who had never been in trouble before.

He said Lorenz was already paying the money back. He added: “He accepts it was the wrong thing to do.”

Lorenz was fined £185 with costs of £100 and a victim surcharge of £20.

A woman has denied two charges of drink driving in Grantham in November.

Binal Patel, 32, of Barrowby Gate, Grantham, appeared before the town’s magistrates where she denied drink driving in Winchester Road on November 11, and drink driving in Harlaxton Road on November 29. On the first occasion it is alleged that a breath test reading of 125 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath was given. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes. On the second occasion it is alleged a reading of 49 microgrammes was given.

The case was adjourned for trial to February 14 at Grantham Magistrates Court.

A drink driver was caught in an uninsured vehicle in Grantham.

Finbar Thomas Dunne, 32, of Alexandra Road, Grantham, pleaded guilty to drink driving on Dysart Road on September 22 and driving without insurance.

Prosecutor Daniel Pietryka told the court Dunne was stopped in a Vauxhall Vectra at 11pm by police while he was driving “at some speed”. There were three people in the car and police noticed an opened can of lager behind Dunne. He was taken to thge police station where he took the opportunity to give a urine test which read 163 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine. The limit is 100.

Defending, Bill Fraser said the the reading was “not a vast number over the legal limit.” He said Dunne was driving somebody else’s car and was not aware it had not been insured. He said the can of lager belonged to a passenger in the car.

Dunne was disqualified from driving for 12 months, which will be reduced by three months if he completes a drink driving rehabilitation course. He was fined £200 for each offence and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £20.

A groom smashed the wing mirrors and punched the bodywork of a car during his wedding reception because of the bad behaviour of some of the guests.

Nicholas Thomas Loftus, of Goldstraw Lane, Fernwood, Newark, appeared before Grantham magistrates on Monday and admitted causing criminal damage on August 30 outside Claypole Village Hall.

Loftus, 29, damaged the BMW at about 10pm in the car park of the hall, prosecutor Daniel Pietryka told the court. He said a fight had broken out between the car owner’s partner and the groom’s brother, who was best man.

When the car owner went to pick up her car from the car park the following day she discovered the wing mirrors smashed, the bonnet and boot dented and there was blood all over the off-side pillar section. CCTV showed a man kicking and punching the car. Forensic evidence led to the arrest of Loftus who made no comment to police.

Defending, Giles Tyas said Loftus had had a difficult month before the wedding.

During that time he had been surprised when, as an adopted child, suddenly his blood family had got in touch with him. A week before the wedding he had lost his job and he had suffered a nervous breakdown.

He had been to hospital and was taking anti-depressants which caused side-effects. He was not allowed to drink while taking the medication but admitted he had had a few drinks for Dutch courage on his wedding day.

At the reception there was an argument between his cousin’s partner and the best man. Another man also caused trouble and Loftus had to intervene to stop the situation escalating.

Mr Tyas said: “Mr Loftus is very upset that this has all happened on his wedding. He was extremely upset at the time and went outside to calm himself down.

“He had found himself crying in front of his father-in-law and other guests. He had a cigarette next to the vehicle in question and he does not understand why he did this. He punched a window and then both wing mirrors.”

Mr Tyas said Loftus admitted hitting the bonnet but not damaging it. He said other people had also caused damage to the car and so it was not possible to say how much damage Loftus had caused.

Mr Tyas added: “He has also been battling cancer over this year.

“He felt the world was against him and people in his family were not behaving well on his own wedding day.”

The court heard Loftus was £20,000 in debt and was under an individual voluntary agreement to pay his debts off. He had since got his job back.

The magistrates fined Loftus £350 for the criminal damage and ordered him to pay the excess of £250.

No costs were ordered, but he must pay a victim surcharge of £35.

An 18-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to two counts of arson in Grantham.

Ryan Swinnock, 18, of Sharpe Road, Grantham, appeared before Grantham magistrates on Monday. He denied arson, destroying three wheelie bins on Hill Avenue, Grantham, on November 24, and a second charge of arson, destroying two wheelie bins on Sandon Close on November 26.

The case was adjourned for trial at Grantham Magistrates’ Court on March 14. Swinnock was given bail on condition he lives at his Sharpe Road address under curfew between 7pm and 7am every day until the trial.

The case against a motorist accused of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving will be heard at crown court.

Robin James Lighton Woodward, 31, of West End Road, Frampton, Boston, appeared before Grantham magistrates accused of causing the death of Stuart William Young by driving without due care and attention on the A1 at South Witham on January 5 this year.

The case was adjourned to December 16 at Lincoln Crown Court for a preliminary hearing. Mr Woodward was given unconditional bail.

A Grantham woman will appear at crown court charged with four counts of dishonestly claiming a total of about £45,000 in benefits.

Samantha Kimberley Phillips, 33, of Dickens Road, Grantham, appeared before Grantham magistrates on Monday charged with dishonestly failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) between November 16, 2007, and May 4, 2010, that she was living with another person as husband and wife when claiming income support and of making a false statement to claim income support on April 12, 2012. She is also accused of making a false statement in claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance on April 14, 2010, and failing to notify a change of circumstances between November 19, 2007, and February 27, 2013, when claiming housing benefit.

Magistrates adjourned the case to Lincoln Crown Court for a hearing on March 31. No plea was entered.