Virtually all of Pointon FC’s junior teams are flying high as the club looks to expand.

A few years ago some like minded dedicated parents started on a path with the aim of creating a friendly, family-based ethos at Pointon FC.

With dedicated volunteers and coaches, player numbers have increased dramatically and the teams currently playing in the Mid Lincolnshire and Grantham Youth Leagues include an under-11s, under-14s, under-15s, and two under-16s, as well as a Lincs Intermediate League under-18s team. Currently, all but the under-18s are top of their respective leagues.

Last season, Pointon FC forged links with primary schools in the county by hosting a schools tournament which was a great success and raised funds for St Gilbert’s School. Another tournament is planned for May this year.

Already looking to next season, Pointon intend to create two new teams in the under-7 and under-10 age categories.

Any boys or girls interested in playing, or parents interested in coaching or managing, should contact Elliot Newman on 07514 944964. Elliot can also be contacted if you are interested in sponsorship of the successful FA Charter Standard-qualified club.

On behalf of Pointon juniors, Elliot thanked all the boys for their efforts so far this season, the parents for their commitment, the groundsmen for their untiring efforts despite the dreadful weather, and the committee and coaches “without whom the club would not exist and continue to evolve”.

When are people going to realise that buying a property with no off-road parking facilities does not entitle them to the sole right to park on the road outside said properties?

So, buying a house in the the town centre entitles the owner to a lifetime of free, town centre parking? I’m afraid not!

I would think that these people would have been aware of potential parking issues when they considered buying a town centre property? So why buy one?

It’s a case of first come, first served. A car tax payer can park wherever he or she wishes on the Queen’s highways and byways, where no restrictions apply.

If Grantley Street residents want their own parking spaces they should have to pay for such privileges.

If I were a resident of Grantley Street or similar, I would be more worried about emergency services access. I have spent many a wait behind refuse lorries trying to get up and down these streets, where vehicles are parked both sides of the road, leaving barely enough room for a domestic car to get through.

I t would be interesting to know how a fire engine or ambulance would manage to get to a property with this parking issue.

Rather than residents-only parking, how about alternate parking on each side of the road to allow easier access for all?

No, because it would mean too many logistical problems with residents’ safety first?

No, ‘I want my car outside my house’ is obviously more important.

Or, ‘I want my cake and eat it’ is more like it.

Name and address supplied

With regards to the front page story about commuters parking around residential streets (Journal, January 17), we have a similar problem in the Redcross Street/Alford Street/Park Road area.

I was on a committee trying to get resident parking several years ago, but to no avail at the time.

I would gladly sign a petition for it to happen and pay a “reasonable” fee for a permit.

Mrs P. Lucas

Alford Street, Grantham

I am not sure that I go to the same leisure centre that some of your correspondents refer to in the Journal (January 24).

Maybe I have merely been fortunate up to now, but I do go swimming three times a week, early in the morning and I would like to point out that I have never found the changing rooms to be “dirty and smelly”.

The staff have been fine when I have been dealing with them, and as for the cost, I pay annually and so this works out at less than £1 per session, which I feel is pretty good value.

These amenities are never going to be perfect, and in the past there have been annoying closures due to lack of staff, and the changing rooms are a little cold when you get out of the pool.

Apart from these, I am content with both the value for money and the service which we get.

John Lax

By email

Why is Grantham contemplating such a modernistic cinema?

This type of architecture is dated, and already out of style. It is not beautiful and will probably not age well. Other cities have been replacing this style of building for some time.

If the public needs a cinema, why not create a classic building which will blend in with Grantham’s Georgian and Victorian past?

Also, as pointed out by a Journal reader, the focus of watching films is now in the home, not in a multiplex cinema.

Please reconsider before spending money on what may turn out to be a white elephant.

G. L. Reid

By email

SUDBROOK MOOR

Sudbrook Moor’s main club January midweek stableford was won by Neil Baker.

Playing off nine handicap, Neil carded 39 points (CSS 38) and received a handicap cut.

Best of Category 4 was Clive Winters on 32 and best lady was Fiona Hutton with 43, which reduced her handicap. Lorna Jackson was second on 38.

Steve Davis won the twos sweep in its entirety which justified a solid card of 35 points.

Phil Hall sits at the top of the Eclectic for gents and Lorna leads the ladies.

l The seniors’ January Texas Scramble medal was won by John Johnson with his team of John Ronan and Harry Peel with an excellent score of five under par.

Runners-up 1.7 shots behind were John Costall, Colin Henfrey and John Came.

l Graham Mackinder’s 44 points won him a recent stableford in a seniors’ Thursday morning qualifier, winning on countback from Ken Wingad.

Alfie Kent won last week’s stableford with a card of 44 points, from John Chambers (38), Bob Watson (36) Joe Green (36) and Sue Watson (35).

The twos pot went to husband and wife Bob and Sue Watson.

STOKE ROCHFORD

Seniors

Stoke Rochford seniors played a 1-2-3 stableford as their Winter Warmer competition.

Winners with 77 points were Roland Slack, Alan Jessop and Nev Marris. Runners-up with 75 were Mike Palmer, Mike Nixon and Ray Elsome, with 74 Ron Kent, Steve Major and Les Cooper third on 74.

There was no change at the top of the table where Phil White remains overall leader with 37 points. Alan Dolby has 35 and Brian Ayto 33.

I recently saw doctors at Grantham Hospital and the treatments I needed were at other hospitals. This came as a surprise.

Whereas I appreciate the need for economies within the NHS, I am very concerned that Grantham Hospital now has reduced facilities. I feel this is a major cause of concern for the people of Grantham and its catchment area.

How long will it be before the Journal announces Grantham Hospital is to close?

I had to use NHS transport to the other hospitals, that is another expense for the NHS.

If there are further houses to be built along the proposed East/West bypass, then the need for Grantham Hospital will be greatly increased due to an increase in population.

The residents of Grantham need to save their hospital now, before a closure 
announcement occurs.

Mr F. S. Jessop

Grantham

Mid Lincs League

Under-12 League Cup

Quarter-final

Barrowby 5

Woodhall Spa 0

A fantastic team performance by Barrowby saw them progress through to the semi-finals of the league cup with ease.

All the damage was done in the first half. They used the wind to their advantage, with goals coming from Hands, Foister, Read and a double from Wright.

Against the wind, Barrowby knew they were going to have to defend well and that they did.

And with stand-in goalkeeper Down making three fantastic saves, there was no way through for Woodhall Spa.

Barrowby will now entertain Louth in the semi-finals of the competition.

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

Under-14

Hykeham Tigers 0

Long Bennington 1

An Alfie Terry headed goal from a set-piece midway through the second half was enough to see a battling Long Bennington home in a fairly evenly contested match.

Man of the match was Terry.

Long Bennington: Panchmatia, Traves, Cox, Horton, Patton, Baker, Evans, Coulson, Picker, Terry(mom) Marshall, Lund.

Under-16B

Great Ponton 3

Spilsby 0

Great Ponton pressed from the kick-off, with Brendan Dixon feeding Charlie Copley who hit the Spilsby crossbar.

Then winger Matthew Rawsing went on a weaving run and narrowly missed the target.

Again the home side pressed, with Macauley Hughes firing past the post, and the deadlock was finally broken when Dixon sent Copley through and he smashed home the opener.

Striker Copley turned quickly in the area and hit home with a clinical finish to double his tally and Ponton’s advantage.

Ponton continued to dominate in the second half, with Dixon, Rawding and Elliot Hutchinson all narrowly missing and also finding the Spilsby keeper in good form.

But there was no stopping Copley heading home from a corner kick to complete his hat trick.

Ponton man of the match awards went to defender and captain Conor O’Leary, midfielder Josh Allen and Copley.

Ponton: Cook, Willett, Cornish, O’Leary, J. Hutchinson, O. Hutchinson, E. Hutchinson, Rawding, Copley, Brain, Bradley, Allen, Hughes, Dixon.

I have news for the narrow-minded bigoted, ignorant Little Englanders who have started a petition against the Islamic centre. You don’t speak for me when you arrogantly call yourselves people of Grantham.

If it was not the Muslim minority, it would be some other racial minority. As an Irish Catholic, maybe our church is too big and we should really have our services in a shed.

Be wary the people of Grantham, the Muslims are here and they are going to convert you all to Islam.

Dermot Mills

Manor Drive, Great Gonerby

I heartily agree with the views of my neighbour, Claire Williams, in response to Jacob Stuart’s article.

I live next door to Claire and not only overlook CCTV and the proposed site (for an Islamic centre) for the build, but my property also fronts onto the route to Mowbeck Way.

I find this proposal will be a gross intrusion into my family’s home and home life. Whoever it may be intruding.

I wonder how Jacob Stuart would like to live here? Five prayer times per day, 365 days a year, the resulting noise and air pollution will be intolerable.

Like Claire, I couldn’t care less how the building will be occupied. I care about increased traffic and erosion of my privacy and my home plus the parking chaos.

I am no way a racist and never have been. I am a realist.

F. N. Cunningham

Alexandra Roa

For the first time South Kesteven District Council will take part in a flag-raising event to mark Commonwealth Day.

Over 500 Commonwealth flags will be raised throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man in March to mark the event as local authorities and civic dignitaries, community groups and charities throughout the British Isles host ceremonies.

The new unique initiative enables people in their local communities to become involved and join with others nationwide in associating themselves with widespread public expression of commitment to the Commonwealth and the values it stands for.

A specially written Commonwealth Affirmation will be read out at each ceremony before the raising of the Commonwealth flag at 10am on Monday, March 10.

In South Kesteven the event will be held outside SKDC’s council offices in St Peter’s Hill in Grantham, led by Chairman of South Kesteven District Council Cllr David Nalson.

Coun Nalson said: “I am delighted that SKDC and myself will be part of a historic moment to truly dedicate Commonwealth Day and everything the Commonwealth stands for.

“Publically signalling the continued role it plays around the world in the 21st century and the values it represents is an opportunity we are proud to have been offered and to be part of.”

Tony Worth, Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire for ‘Flying the Flag for the Commonwealth’ said: “The Commonwealth of Nations, which grew out of the territories which made up the British Empire, reflects the rich diversity of mankind. It promotes cooperation and understanding between nations. Commonwealth Day is marked as the second Monday in March each year. For the first time on March 10 2014, 65 years after the founding of the Commonwealth in 1949, Commonwealth flags will be flown by all local authorities in Lincolnshire and throughout the British Isles as a public expression of commitment and appreciation of the values that the commonwealth stands for.”

Charity teams will mark the day by taking Commonwealth Flags to the top of the UK’s four highest National Peaks and use the occasion to raise funds for their worthy causes: Cancer Research UK - Scafell Pike, England; Help for Heroes - Ben Nevis, Scotland; Walking with the Wounded - Mount Snowdon, Wales; and Fields of Life - Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland.

Commonwealth Flags will also be flown at many locations of special significance including the four capital cities of the United Kingdom, and Land’s End, the Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia.

”This will be the largest, single, raising of the Commonwealth Flag in the history of the Commonwealth”, said Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR, Pageantmaster and originator of Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth.

“The success of this year’s event bodes well for 2015 and the future as we extend the invitation to participate and involve all 53 countries of the Commonwealth and UK overseas territories, to make this the largest-ever annual occasion involving local communities throughout the worldwide Commonwealth family.

”I am also delighted that the Virdee Foundation, a well respected, world-wide charitable Foundation has accepted my invitation to join this project for the lifetime of the event, especially as I have always been convinced that this annual occasion will grow in size and stature over the next few years,” he added.

Peter Virdee, Chairman of the Virdee Foundation said: “The Virdee Foundation is delighted to be a part of this initiative, working closely alongside Bruno, to enable us through the ‘good will’ of those taking part, to assist us in donating charitable funds raised by those taking part, to the important cause outlined above.”

His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, said: “Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth is a most imaginative way for people in local communities – wherever they live, learn or work – to join together with others throughout the Commonwealth in a spirit of respect and understanding to celebrate the variety and unmatched diversity of our global family. I welcome and commend it.”

An interactive map run by Esri UK shows where all of the flag-raising events are taking place around the country at www.esriuk.com/flyaflagmap

Those taking part will be receiving their Commonwealth Flags on Monday, February 10 2014, in advance of the event.

A 53-year-old man appeared at Grantham Magistrates Court accused of assaulting a woman by beating her in South Witham on December 8 last year.

Perry Arndt, of no fixed address, denied the charge and the case was adjourned by magistrates to May 14 at Grantham court for a trial.

Mr Arndt was granted bail on condition he made no contact with six named people, did not go to Great Close, South Witham, did not go to a specified address in Bourne Road, Colsterworth, and did not enter the Co-op store in Colsterworth.

The case against a woman accused of three counts of harrassment and criminal damage has been put back to February 18 by Grantham magistrates.

Lisa Marie Clarkson, 29, of Marratts Lane, Great Gonerby, is charged with criminal damage, valued under £5,000, to a black Renault Clio on September 19, 2013.

She is also accused of harrassment without violence against a company, Autocraft Drivechain, between October 6 and October 26 last year by making numerous unwanted calls to them and by attending the premises.

She is also accused of harrassment without violence against a man in Grantham between October 3 and October 27 last year and harrassment without violence against a woman in Grantham between October 4 and October 20 last year.

Miss Clarkson was given bail on condition she does not make contact with three named people, with employees of Autocraft Drivechain and does not visit the company.

Planning applications before South Kesteven District Council include:

Barrowby

S14/0322/DC - Mr and Mrs J. Clark - Approval of details reserved by Condition 8 (joinery details) of S12/2730, plot adjacent 3, Casthorpe Road.

Belton and Manthorpe

S14/0300/HSH - Mr and Mrs D. Finch - Single storey side extension, 14 Baysdale Grove, Grantham.

Castle Bytham

S14/0168/FULL - Mr and Mrs A. Rowe - Single storey dwelling (with basement accommodation), land adjacent Russet Place, Clipsham Road.

Caythorpe

S13/2904/FULL and S13/2915/LB - Mr J. Wish - Conversion of barns to three dwellings and erection of three garages, Court Leys, Brandon.

S13/2816/FULL and S13/2907/LB - Mr J. Wish - Change of use of barn/cart shed to form single dwelling, Fair View Cottage, Brandon.

S13/2937/FULL - Robert Alder - Conversion of buildings to form two dwellings and parking area, The Old Rectory, 6a Church Lane.

S14/0228/TCA - Mr C. Bennett - Removal of robina and reduction in height of fir tree by 2.5 metres, 7 The Cottage, Frieston Green, Frieston Road.

Colsterworth

S14/0320/TCA - Roldano Morselli - Reduce two cherry and one willow tree by three metres and reshape by two metres, fell two willow trees, Willow Lodge, Water Lane, Woolsthorpe by Colsterworth.

Corby Glen

S14/0294/FULL - Colin Smith - bungalow and outbuilding, The Paddock, Swinstead Road.

Denton

S14/0229/FULL - Mrs D. Williams - Application under Section 73 of the Town and County Planning Act 1990 to allow for amended hard and soft landscaping scheme and parking/turning area. (Variation of conditions 5, 6, 8 and 11 of S10/0540), The Wagon Hovel, Hilltop Farm, Croxton Kerrial.

Fulbeck

S14/0088/FULL - David Nelson - Rear conservatory; glass curtain wall under existing eaves overhang on the east elevation facing courtyard, to create enclosed porch; retention of boundary wall; continuation of use of land as domestic garden, The Courtyard, Sudthorpe Hill.

S14/0089/LB - David Nelson - Retrospective application for conversion of former stables to domestic dwelling (including retention of attached boundary walls); rear conservatory; glass curtain wall under existing eaves overhang on east elevation facing courtyard, to create enclosed porch, The Courtyard, Sudthorpe Hill.

Folkingham

S14/0268/LDE - John Kime - Occupation of bungalow and garage without compliance of Conditions 2 and 4 of planning permission SK.6921 - Lawful Development Certificate Existing, 3 Sleaford Road.

Grantham

S14/0083/LB - Geraldine Gale - Installation of fascia sign and projecting sign, 83 Westgate.

S14/0189/DC - Mr G. Burks - Approval of details reserved by Condition 2 (materials) of S13/1670/FULL, Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School, Sandon Road.

S14/0233/ADV - McDonalds Restaurant Ltd - Relocation of illuminated gateway sign, four totem signs, one poster board, one customer ordering display and canopy and erection of one illuminated customer ordering display and canopy, one totem and one non-illuminated side-by-side directional sign, McDonalds Restaurant, Bridge End Road.

S14/0299/HSH - Mr and Mrs C. Crawford - Demolition of conservatory and erection of single storey rear extension, 2 Toll Bar Road.

S14/0314/HSH - Mr M. Kelby - Extension to form front porch and pitched roof over existing garage, 24 Rushcliffe Road.

S14/0329/TCA - Mr S. Neller - Removal (to ground level) of three leylandii trees, 4 Church Street, Grantham.

Great Gonerby

S14/0265/AG - Robert Jenkinson - grainstore, land off Newark Hill.

Gunby and Stainby

S14/0183/FULL - Jamie Jackson - stable/garage block and use of paddock/field for equestrian uses, Tower Hill Farm, Water Lane, Stainby.

Marston

S14/0276/DC - Mr N. Joyce - Approval of details reserved by Condition 2 (landscaping and tree planting) and Condition 5 (disposal of surface water and foul drainage) of p/p SK/0072/57/04, QK Cold Stores (Marston) Ltd, Tollbar Road.

Pickworth

S13/3210/HSH - Mr and Mrs G. Bishop - Two-storey side extension to dwelling, Ash Tree Cottage, Shepton Lane.

Ropsley and Humby

S14/0188/FULL - Mr D. Timms - Change of use from commercial to residential dwelling, The Chapel, 24 Chapel Hill, Ropsley.

* To view plans go to www.southkesteven.gov.uk/planningsearch/

Northern Premier League

Premier Division

Grantham Town 3

Marine 1

Grantham Town battled high winds and their opposition and came out on top with a Greg Smith hat trick the icing on the cake.

The Gingerbreads faced the gale in the first half and Marine took advantage with chances early on, although neither side really imposed themselves in the opening exchanges.

The home side broke the deadlock out of the blue in the 16th minute, after Marine had enjoyed a period of possession. Paul Grimes’s bicycle kick found Smith who outwitted Marine keeper Callum Williams, who was out of his area, and tapped in from 20 yards.

But the lead was short lived and Marine drew level six minutes later after Grantham gave a free kick away 20 yards out. Connor Roberts-Nurse stepped up and deftly curled his effort over the Grantham wall and into the top right hand corner, aided somewhat by the swirling wind. Gingerbreads keeper Dan Haystead’s double-handed punch cleared another dangerous free kick four minutes later.

At the other end, Smith tried his luck from 20-plus yards in the 32nd minute but fired wide and three minutes later he turned provider for Grimes who beat his defender but had his shot tipped wide by Williams. In the last action of the half, Grimes and Gary King combined well, only for the latter’s cross to be deflected out for a corner kick.

Marine had a chance early in the second half but Haystead gathered, and King fired over a minute later at the other end. Haystead had to be alert to gather again from an on-rushing Dale Wright in the 49th minute.

Smith had another chance for the Gingerbreads two minutes later, shooting from a tight angle, but Williams was equal to his effort. Smith had the ball in the net a second time in the 52nd minute but was denied by an offside flag.

Grantham continued to pressure as Marine struggled to get out of their own half. King headed just over from a Deon Meikle ball, and Meikle himself had a shot fly over the bar in the 56th minute. Smith then hit the woodwork.

Town got the reward their efforts deserved in the 67th minute when Haystead’s free kick from the centre circle found Smith whose header drifted in the wind and over Williams into the net.

Williams saved well at the near post to deny Grimes on 76 minutes and Smith was just unable to poke his head out far enough to make contact with Lee Ridley’s cross three minutes later.

But the Grantham number 10 made no mistake with nine minutes remaining, heading in Grimes’s ball in off the post to seal victory.

Grantham Town: Haystead, Purcicoe, Ridley, Lister, Meikle, Lewis, King (Walker, 78), Towey (McGovern, 90), Grimes, Smith (Hardy, 90), Potts. Subs not used: Whyman, Hawes. Att: 182.

Net practice for Welby Cricket Club commences next Monday (February 17).

It will take place at King’s School playing field, off North Parade, between 8pm and 9pm.

New players are welcome.

For more information call Trevor Whatton on 01400 230874.

A counter-protest is planned in Grantham town centre against a demonstration by the English Defence League opposing plans for an Islamic centre.

A group calling itself Grantham Town EDL plans to protest in the town on Saturday, February 22, from 1pm, against the building of an Islamic community centre in Mowbeck Way, off Alexandra Road.

In response, a group led by Grantham man John Morgan will gather on St Peter’s Hill at 11am, aiming to keep the EDL protesters away from the town centre.

As reported, the Grantham Muslim Community Association submitted an application to build the centre in December, a move which has caused some controversy. An online petition was then set up via change.org by a group calling itself ‘People Of Grantham No Longer Silent’, which has gained 583 signatures.

Mr Morgan, of Harrowby Road, said he hopes local people will join the counter-protest to show their acceptance of other cultures.

He added: “If these people are going to march through our town then everyone should take an interest.

“I’m hoping we will get a large turnout to show they are not welcome.

“I believe in freedom of religion; the planning application is a separate issue. Freedom of religion is very important.”

A drunk 22-year-old man assaulted two police officers on New Year’s Day in Grantham.

Adam Lee Higgs, of Hawthorne Court, Grantham, admitted at the town’s magistrates court to assaulting a police constable and a special constable in the execution of their duty and using threatening words or behaviour towards another man.

Prosecuting, Shelley Wilson told the court that at 12.45am on January 1 in Shaw Road police found a group of people fighting. They saw Higgs punch a man in the face and both men were arrested for affray. Higgs became aggressive and attempted to headbutt one officer.

After his arrest he spat in the face of the special constable and swung his head back and hit the officer on the nose. He headbutted another officer and called him a “dirty f****** pig”.

Mrs Wilson said the violence resulted from an altercation between Higgs and another man. Higgs was acting in self defence and was very drunk. He said he could not remember spitting or headbutting the officers. He was “pumped up with adrenalin” after his altercation with the other man who accused Higgs of starting the incident by going round to his house with a baseball bat. Mrs Wilson said there was no evidence that the victim had acted aggressively.

Rob Arthur, defending Higgs, said his client’s memory of the incident was “sparse”, but he did not disagree with what the police had said. Mr Arthur said Higgs had been assessed by a mental health unit in Grantham and referred to a consultant psychiatrist because of anger and personality issues.

He said the incident had happened three weeks after his assessment and added: “There are clearly underlying anger and other issues.” These had led to his outburst that evening, he said.

Magistrates called for a report and adjourned the case until February 25. Higgs was given bail on condition he did not contact one named person.

Nottinghamshire League

Under-17 boys

South Kesteven 5

Mansfield 5

South Kesteven dropped valuable league points in their drawn home match, played out between two evenly matched teams.

South Kesteven’s nemesis was the Mansfield number one, Danny Brooker, who won all four of the games in which he was involved.

South Kesteven will need to beat Chilwell in their final match of the season to have a chance of securing the runners up-spot in the league.

The South Kesteven team were captain Carl Jennings, Andrew Watson, Harry Simpson and Jack Railton.

Under-15 girls

South Kesteven 7

Bingham (Sunrise) 3

South Kesteven recorded their first win of the season with a strong all-round team performance at Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School.

With the match tied at 2-2 after the first four doubles games, South Kesteven won five of the final six matches to secure maximum league points.

Player of the match was Holly Sparks who won all four of her games.

South Kesteven comprised captain Meg Hassall, Holly Sparks, Emma Turley and Helen Turley.

l Grantham Badminton Club scored 14 rubbers to the opposition’s 13 rubbers this week, all three matches finishing tightly with 5-4 scorelines.

Firstly, away at Loughborough College, Grantham mixed thirds took on Radmoor in Melton League Division One. By the final rubber, things were all square after Rob Scarborough with Leslie Jackson claimed their second from three in a tight third end.

Rob Howbrook with Sandra Jennings also added one win from three, and reserves Dave Frobisher with Laura Graves already had a win with one to play. And they won it in style for a valuable Grantham away win.

At home, Grantham men’s first team took on Lincoln St Andrews in Newark League Division One. Reserves Martin Chambers with Martin Peat took one pair to three ends and went close in another. Captain Nick Gill with Chung Chan had a clean sweep with three wins from three. Ben Johnson with Jan Bailey won one with one to play and steered Grantham to a useful victory in the final rubber.

In Melton League Division One, Grantham men played Meltonshire, with the opposition top pair breezing to three wins.

Grantham fought back with each pairing. Rob Scarborough and Jack Railton, Andrew Watson and Dave Chambers, and Dave Frobisher and Carl Jennings claimed a win. Rob and Jack narrowly lost a further game 29-27, failing to capitilise on their previous win.

In the final rubber of the evening, Dave and Carl went on to claim their second win with a riveting third end 26-24 victory, leaving Grantham with a narrow 5-4 defeat.

Works to the railway at Bottesford mean a road closure.

Leicestershire County Council has granted the temporary closure of Orston Lane while workers from Centurion Site Services install a relay through the level crossing and carry out refurbishment work.

The closure will start at 10.30pm on Friday, February 21, and end at 5.30am on Monday, February 24. Overnight closure between 10.30pm and 5.30am will follow until Friday, February 28.

Traffic will be diverted via Bottesford Lane, Station Road, the A52, Nottingham Road, Longhedge Lane and vice versa.