A weather vane which adorned the gatehouse to Wyndham Park is being returned to its former glory thanks to a local businessman and Forces man.

Dean Ward, 49, who runs Rumours lounge bar in Market Place, Grantham, has paid out of his own pocket to have the weather vane repaired.

Mr Ward has paid £100 for the work, which is being done by Roll and Scroll, of Inner Street, Grantham.

Mr Ward said that as a former member of the RAF Regiment he wanted to do something about the vane which is a memorial to those who fought in the First World War.

The vane was taken down last year because the spindle was rusted and the vane had fallen over. One of the pointers was also broken. The parts will be repaired and the vane will be shot-blasted and repainted.

Mr Ward said: “A lot of people were moaning how it had not been put right. The council was saying it had to go to committee and so I said I would take it to Roll and Scroll and pay for it to be put back to its original condition. To their credit they said yes.”

“I’m paying for this myself to cut through the red tape and speed things up. It will take two weeks to repair and then I will give it back to the council.”

The weather vane was made by local craftsman George Musson, who died earlier this year, and mounted on the gatehouse in 1990. It is said George was inspired by a work of First World War poet Wilfred Owen. The vane should be ready in a week.

The recent rise in catalytic converters being stolen shows no sign of abating as 10 more were stolen overnight from vehicles on Harlaxton Road in Grantham on March 26.

On the same night between 7.30pm and 9.30pm a silver bicycle was taken from the garden of a property in Sterling Court.

Also on March 26 tools were stolen from a shed in Heathfield Road.

At 5.50pm on March 27 a handbag was stolen from a Silver Citroen with a registration ending with KOV at Dysart Road.

There was then an attempted theft of a bicycle on Kinoulton Court at 8pm on March 27.

If you can help Lincolnshire police with any of these incidents contact them on 101

Grantham Town joint manager Wayne Hallcro says that victory at Witton Albion tomorrow could practically guarantee the Gingerbreads’ safety.

Witton are themselves perilously close to the relegation zone, although the Cheshire side are capable of creating an upset, and Hallcro warned against complacency.

He said: “Witton can’t be taken lightly on Saturday by us. Despite what has happened to them in the last two games, we need to be 100 per cent focussed on what is a massive game for us.

“Tuesday night’s results mean that a win could see us virtually safe. Defeat could see us dragged right back into the mix again.

“We are going there to get all three points. One is not enough as far as we are concerned, so there is no point going there aiming for that.”

Grantham slipped up at Buxton last Saturday but made amends with a 3-2 victory at home to Stafford Rangers on Tuesday.

Hallcro praised his side but appealed for fans to have a bit more patience: “Tuesday night showed you don’t have to be in front first to win the game. Players know when they have made a mistake. They need encouragement not moans and groans which may only make them more nervy next time.”

A GP who has served Grantham patients for more than 20 years is retiring today (Friday), and has been overwhelmed by the response from well-wishers.

Doctor Dee Gallop, 60, has worked at Swingbridge Surgery since 1991, and said: “I have loved it here.

“It has been a brilliant job and I have been privileged to work with a fantastic team and great patients.

“I couldn’t imagine having a job I would have loved more,” she added through tears.

Dr Gallop has been inundated with cards and presents, as well as receiving lots of kind messages in a special book that has been left in reception for visitors to say their goodbyes.

“They have written such lovely things it has been overwhelming,” said Dr Gallop.

Receptionist Rachel Pattison said: “Dee’s been here for such a long time so all this is warranted. And it has been so emotional – I have never seen so many tears.”

Dr Gallop trained in Birmingham and after qualifying in 1976 worked in Suffolk before settling at the Grantham surgery.

Asked how she plans to spend her retirement Dr Gallop said: “I am going to walk in Derbyshire’s Peak District and paint watercolours and cook imaginative meals for my husband.”

However it is clear that she will continue to have strong ties to Swingbridge Surgery, as she added: “Being a GP you don’t just get to know a patient you get to know the whole family.”

Lincolnshire Police are very keen to trace a man who was allegedly the victim of a robbery and / or an assault but never came forward to report his experience.

At just after 4am on March 16, a report of a robbery at St Peters Hill in Grantham was received by police.

Two men, Ramanus Mastiatis, 24, and Mantas Saulyrtis, 22, were arrested and later charged.

Police have identified and spoken to two alleged victims, but it is believed that there may be a third victim - a man dressed in a grey jacket.

Despite an appeal at the time, this man has not yet come forward, and police are urging him or anyone who knows who it might be to call 101.

The Friends of Wyndham Park Nursery School would like to thank everyone who kindly supported the fund-raising tombola held in Asda on Saturday, February 1.

We raised £153 thanks to your generosity.

Helen Culham and Nisha Ladva

Residents say plans for five houses will be dangerous because the road leading to their homes is too narrow and cannot accommodate more traffic.

A plan for five homes on land at the back of Gladstone Terrace and Prospect Place in Grantham was approved in 2009 with access to two of the homes via Prospect Place. Now applicant Peter McQuillan is seeking permission for access to two more of the homes via Prospect Place.

The decision is now in the hands of the Planning Inspectorate after a decision on access was deferred by the planning committee at South Kesteven District Council.

Objector Jayne Newman, whose house in Prospect Place is situated next to the entrance to the plot of land, said: “Quite frankly I am livid. Everybody here in Prospect Place is in disbelief building could go ahead. The little road I believe was once just a cobbled track and it is simply too narrow, too steep and dangerous , and the visibility splay on to Manthorpe Road is approximately 40 yards.

“Also a member of my family has autism and a new baby has arrived next door but one and the thought of such vulnerable young ones stepping out blindly into the path of some 16 extra vehicles is not a happy one.

“My gate and front door are in the line of traffic and if these plans go ahead it’s not safe.”

Ms Newman has put together a petition of residents objecting to the development.which will be sent to the Planning Inspectorate.

Mr McQuillan said: “The good burghers of Prospect Place appear to have been misled into signing a petition which deals with a long-established planning consent rather than the current issue which is a minor variation allowing two further vehicles to exit the site via the existing access of Prospect Place.

“The petition has been orchestrated by Ms Newman who suggests that it is in someway prompted by her concern for the safety of the community. That suggestion is at odds with her offer to withdraw her objections entirely in return for a guaranteed parking spot within the development site.

“Apparently adding her car to the traffic flow does not endanger the safety of residents and is clearly motivated by pure self interest.”

Ms Newman denies making any offer to drop her objections in return for a parking space. Neighbour Tom Cox did, in principal, agree to this but says nothing has ever been put in writing.

June and Tom James celebrated their diamond anniversary yesterday (Thursday).

The couple met when Tom was based with the army at Marchwood in Southampton and June was working in the NAAFI.

Tom explained: “Every Monday I used to go up to the NAAFI for some matches just to speak to her.”

Soon it wasn’t just the matches creating sparks as the pair started courting and were married at St. John’s Church near the base.

Tom then took his new bride to meet his parents in Liverpool and still remembers a special act of generosity.

“We didn’t have much money and a stranger in the train coach who found out we had just got married bought us a tray of treats,” he said.

The James’ have enjoyed an exciting life with Tom’s job working with cranes and earth-moving equipment in the army taking him to Palestine, Cyprus and Singapore.

“When Tom went to Singapore me and the family went with him,” added June.

They are now settled in Caythorpe, and are marking their diamond anniversary with a family meal.

They had five children but sadly lost a son in a motorcycling accident, and have three grandsons.

Asked what the secret of their 60 years together was, Tom added: “My good looks and her brains.”

A student from Grantham College has been selected to run in the London Mini Marathon next month.

Jake Richardson will represent the East Midlands in the three-mile sister event to the main London Marathon on April 13.

He qualified for the race for 11 to 17-year-olds after completing trials at Loughborough where he had to finish in the top six. There were 20 runners in his qualifying race and he managed a creditable fifth place.

l Four out of the six Grantham Athletic Club runners that competed in Parkruns last weekend reduced their personal bets over the 5km distance.

Keith Measures reduced his by a massive 30 seconds, Adam Madge knocked 22 seconds off his, while Saskia Hunt and Janice Anderson cut theirs by 12 and four seconds respectfully.

Results: Newark – 12 Paul Davidson 20min 48sec, 25 Keith Measures 23.32, 41 Janice Anderson 25.39; Lincoln – 5 Adam Madge 17.52; Peterborough – 21 Aaron Hunt 20.50, 68 Saskia Hunt 24.04.

With the start of the new Wellbeing Service beginning on April 1, there have been attempts to resolve uncertainty surrounding support for vulnerable people and the future of current staff.

The new service replaces the Supporting People programme, including county commissioned housing related support provided by South Kesteven District Council.

Support will instead be provided by the Lincolnshire Independent Living Partnership formed between local charities and the county’s housing associations, which together will tender for services.

However, due to an apparent break-down in communication between SKDC and Lincolnshire County Council during the handover process, staff have received contradictory information.

Wardens in particular have been affected, with one reporting how they received a letter dated March 4 about potential redundancies, the same day they were told in a consultation redundancies would not be available.

Since then, steps have been taken to protect some jobs, with a SKDC spokesman stating: “A number of positions have been retained, however some staff are at risk of redundancy although the number is likely to reduce as the council works to redeploy people into suitable roles during their notice period which in some cases is up to three months.”

Another staff member whose role remains under question said: “We still don’t know anything really, apart from that the support won’t be anything like they receive now.”

This has caused anxiety amongst elderly people, including Spire View resident Kenneth Barnston, 81, who said: “We have 100-year-olds here and two of us are blind. It is going to be difficult without the same staff.”

A 90-year-old resident at Greyfriars said: “It’s going to leave me with nobody, and you get friendly with the wardens.”

At one point last week, councillors angry at the changes considered calling an extraordinary meeting to discuss the issues.

Coun Charmaine Morgan said: “There has been a lack of democratic process.

“The decision to end the warden service didn’t go through the relevant policy development groups.”

SKDC’s head of housing and neighbourhoods Ian Richardson said: “Our focus throughout the change has been to respond to questions from our tenants and other residents and we can reassure everyone that those who need alarm monitoring services will continue to have them in place from April 1.”

In a statement addressed to service users, assistant director of public health at LCC Tony McGinty said: “We would like to reassure you that although the services you currently receive are changing, many things will still work as they do now. The alarm service you currently receive will continue to work as it does now, whoever it is provided by.

“If you have an emergency and push your alarm, someone will answer and the appropriate response will be made, whether that is calling a family or friend, or requesting emergency services.”

Meanwhile assessments of the estimated 1,200 tenants have begun, with Mr McGinty adding: “If you have already been assessed by the new service, the Wellbeing Service will start in full for you on the 1st April and you will be able to benefit from a response service which operates 24 hours a day as well as any other services agreed with you.

“If you have not been offered an assessment yet, you do not have to do anything as the service will contact you. If you have any problems please give us a call on 01522 782 140 from April 1st.”

Students with learning difficulties and those who struggled at school are successfully entering the world of work thanks to placements arranged at local businesses by Grantham College.

In September 17-year-old Jack Mcmeeking, who is on the autistic spectrum, started work experience one day a week at Café Bilboe on Kings Walk as part of his Skills for Work course at the college.

Jack gained skills last year at the college’s Café.com, with learning development curriculum manager Lisa Smith explaining: “The first year is in house so a bit more of a secure environment for the students to learn those skills but also to build their confidence.”

Café owners Linda and Bryan Bilboe were so happy with Jack that they decided to offer him a paid Saturday job.

Jack said: “It shows other people in the community that people with learning difficulties can do the job, and can listen to instructions.

“Autism is not a bad thing, it’s a good thing and you can do lots of things with it.”

Across from Café Bilboe is fitness and beauty business Bodyrock, where fellow Grantham College student Keegan Larcombe, 18, has also been doing work experience.

Keegan is on the college’s Pathways course, designed for students who were disengaged at school or found formal education a challenge.

“I messed up a bit in school, but I’m doing alright now,” she said.

As well as studying maths and English on her course, Keegan is gaining employability skills including CV writing and interview practice, and like Jack has had the opportunity to do a weekly placement.

Originally Keegan applied for the opportunity at Café Bilboe, but then the chance to work at Bodyrock came up and it has been the making of her, as she said: “Hopefully I’ll get my own salon one day.”

Jack and Keegan are just two examples of Grantham College students who have benefited from the work experience aspect of their courses, and such opportunities are increasing following the EFA’s £1 million investment.

This is enabling the college to open a new area specially catered to students with learning disabilities, and also offer day provision for young people with a learning disability or difficulty.

l Anybody who is interested in the learning development courses can contact Lisa Smith on 01476404394.

Bike thefts are an ongoing problem in Grantham, reports Lincolnshire Police.

According to officers, the Dudley Road area is a particular hot spot for thieves.

Residents are advised to lock up their bikes or store them in sheds or garages.

Anyone with information on a bike theft, or who needs to report suspicious activity, should call police on 101.

Police are warning households and businesses to ensure their premises are secured following an attempted burglary and shed break-in overnight.

The attempted burglary took place in Gonerby Hill Foot, and the shed break-in in Harrowby.

PCSO Jackie Fulker said: “Please be vigilant – make sure you are locking your premises at night securely and any outbuildings or sheds are secure.”

Information to police on the non-emergency 101 number.

With reference to the housing development on Barrowby Road, I attended the public consultation on March 13 and found the goalposts have been moved again.

When I moved into my house off Barrowby Road in 1998, our then councillor, thelate Gladys Foster, assured me that no one would be building houses on the proposed site until the bridge over the railway was put in place to alleviate the traffic problems we all have on Barrowby Road.

I was informed later that 750 houses would be built first and then the bridge would be put in place.

At the above meeting, it is now in the planning stage to build another 1400 houses on the Poplar Farm development according to the planners I spoke to, but they couldn’t give me a straight answer regarding the bridge.

It is imperative that this bridge is built as soon as possible, as the traffic into Grantham from Barrowby Road is gridlocked, particularly at weekends, and this causes the residents to do their shopping in Newark and Melton, a loss to Grantham businesses.

Henry Taylor

Wells Close, Grantham

Thanks should go to Coun Ray Wootten for stating the case for the needs of Grantham people to receive treatment at the local hospital of which they can be justly proud.

Who are these “hospital officials” who say the expanding population (including the predicted ageing) is not enough to sustain a fully functional hospital? Any relation to Jane (no plans) Lewington and Alan (trust me) Kitt, who keep chipping away at our hospital whilst continuing to redirect patients to Lincoln by costly ambulances?

I’m sure money could be saved by the ULHT by slim lining the numerous boards and commissions, because despite tons of expensive paper being churned out in what’s laughingly called “Public Consultations”, Grantham people’s views are not taken into account. We will again be presented with a fait accompli that will certainly not be in the best interests of Grantham patients.

If 8,000 signatures making clear patient needs can be ignored for some flawed reason, how can we be sure our hospital gets a well-deserved fair deal?

Jane Bennett

Springfield Road, Grantham

Once again Nick Boles is trying to pull the wool over our (the pensioners) eyes.

In his column he says the time has come to thank the pensioners who have been more prudent in recent years, for their patience and forbearance, and for the Government now to share with them some of the fruits of our economical revival.

It hasn’t been the case that most of us have understood that our sacrifice was necessary as he put it, the pensioners haven’t had any choice, just like it or lump it.

The Budget is going to allow pensioners to take a larger lump sum out of their pension pots tax-free and scrapping the rule that forces them to buy an annuity.

This only applies to pensioners-to-be, not the millions who are already pensioners and are tied to fixed contracts with their pensions/annuities who have been affected by the mockery of these annuities and the low interest rates. What is happening to all of these?

The Conservative’s ploy with this Budget is obviously aimed at getting the pensioners’ votes at the next General 
Election.

Well I have news for them, there are two pensioners here who have not been hoodwinked.

Alan and Jane Ward

By email

As a native of the North East of England who has spent the last 21 years living in the East Midlands, I was interested in Dr Copeland’s letter in your March 14 issue.

I do not think that a direct comparison of the faciilities enjoyed by a major city with those of a small town can ever be a valid one, as the major city will always have an inbuilt advantage.

Dr Copeland has described Grantham’s negatives very well, but is very vague about the positive aspects. He speaks of the demise of Sunderland’s heavy industries, but appears to be unaware of the engineering and railway-related jobs lost in Grantham over theyears.

Sunderland’s shipyards have closed, but have been replaced by a myriad of leisure and shopping facilities. The coalmine has gone but, on its site, stands the impressive Stadium of Light. The city is also, of course, home to the most efficient car plant in Europe.

Grantham has its own charm, has a more favourable climate and its geographic location means that it is convenient for visiting any other parts of the country. Granthamians have every right to be proud of their heritage, but a spurious and flawed comparison with a much larger place is really not very helpful.

Tom Hills

By email

Northern Premier League

Premier Division

Witton Albion 2

Grantham Town 1

Grantham Town suffered a loss at lower placed opposition Witton Albion.

The Gingerbreads went behind to a Josh Hancock goal in the 24th minute.

Witton doubled their lead on 37 minutes.

A Michael Towey header pulled a goal back for Grantham before half time, but a goalless second half spelled defeat for the Gingerbreads.

Charles Read Academy in Corby Glen is showing signs of a resurgence after it was taken over by the David Ross Education Trust last year.

The school, which was part of the West Grantham Academies Trust, was threatened with closure a year ago before the Grantham-based Trust stepped in to take over. The Education Trust has taken more than 20 schools under its wing.

Mr Ross, a founder of Carphone Warehouse, spoke to the Journal on at the school.

What progress is the school making since the David Ross Education Trust took over?

We have made a lot of progress. We have made some substantial environmental improvements such as investment in new kit and harware, new tennis courts, a new entrance to the building to make it cheery and brighter for the students. We have bought 1,000 new books for the library and there will be a new indoor/outdoor area so that the students can eat their lunch outside, but come into an indoor area if it is raining. Next we want to replace the music block, because that is a temporaray building and replace it with permanent accommodation. We are also going to upgrade the science block. We are a Trust committed to investing in our academies and in our children.

Do you see any improvement in academic performance?

We have to improve the performance of our kids in exams. Last year prior to our involvement overall exam results were completely unacceptable and we are forecasting a substantial improvement in exam results. This is in the gift of the children and it’s an aspiration but we would expect a substantial improvement in exam performance.

Is the number of pupils increasing at the school since you took over?

Numbers have increased and we have had some new mid-year arrivals, but it will take a couple of years to fill the school back up.

What do you think is important for the pupils 
attending your schools?

I think responsibility to oneself and to one’s colleagues are essential lessons that you have to learn to make a worthwhile contribution to the workplace later in life. It’s at the core of what we are trying to achieve. We have done a lot of this at Charles Read. We are opening up opportunities around sport, art and music and I think this produces self-confident, self-reliant and employable young people who understand their responsibility in the community and the workplace. There are great opportunities out there if you show application and work hard. I think as you walk around this school you already see a tangible difference in the mindset of the kids. The key to all this is the ethos, the energy, the happiness; these are all factors which would encourage me to send my kids to this school. This school is on a journey and the journey is heading in the right direction. You don’t need two years to see that, but you do need a few years for the exam results to show there is tangible proof that that has happened. This is a happier, smarter, tidier school than it was. The kids are usually appreciative of this and that’s very rewarding. I enjoyed a fantastic education and if we can give more kids the opportunity to enjoy a fantastic education then it has to be a worthwhile thing to do.

Grantham Youth League

Under-11

Barrowby Sharks 5

Navenby 2

Barrowby’s final home game saw their first victory of the season.

Harry Pretty game them the lead from a penalty and Barry Harrison slotted home to double the tally, before Pretty added his second.

An Aiden Toulson own goal reduced Navenby’s deficit but he redeemed himself when he fired in the goal of the game to make it 4-1.

Navenby pulled a second goal back but man-of-the-match Pretty completed his hat trick to seal victory.

Barrowby: Ward, Pretty, Toulson, Birkinshaw, Gray, Rudcenko, Macleod, Harrison, Harper.

Colsterworth 3

Great Ponton 2

Colsterworth took the lead midway through the first half and quickly added a second in this top of the table clash.

Ponton missed a couple of chances just before the break , before Colsterworth added a third to seemingly clinch the points.

Ponton had other ideas and a long range strike from Josh Crane and a clinical strike from man-of-the-match Joseph De’Ath reduced the arrears.

Under-12

Leasingham 1

Gonerby 13

Gonerby dominated with Bramley and Baker bagging two apiece and Rowley and Coates made it 6-0 at half time.

Bramley completed his hat trick and man-of-the-match Baker added another three to his tally, with Hardy, Grieh and Nowak also on the scoresheet. Leasingham scored late on.

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

Mid Lincs League

Under-12 League Cup semi-final

Barrowby Lions 8

Louth Old Boys 1

Barrowby found themselves a goal down early on but Foister equalised immediately and Cullen put them in front. Sam Wright made it 3-1 at half time.

Lions skipper Evans bagged a brace, Wright scored again and Foister completed his hat trick.

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

Under-14

Long Bennington 7

Hykeham Tigers 1

A clever Jack Marshall lob gave Bennington the perfect start and a Jack Coulson free kick doubled the lead.

Tigers pulled one back but Jack Traves restored the two goal cushion. Iwan Evans made it 4-1 at half time.

Evans headed in a second after the break and James Baker chipped number six. Alfie Terry completed the rout.

Man of the match was Tom Horton.

Bennington: Panchmatia, Patton, Horton, Durham, Traves, Terry, Coulson, Evans, Picker, T. Baker, Marshall, J. Baker.

Under-16B

Woodhall Spa United 2

Great Ponton 2

A lacklustre first half performance from Ponton saw Woodhall take the lead from a speculative free kick.

Ponton dominated in the second half and Charlie Copley scored a brilliant individual goal to equalise. But Woodhall broke away and scored the winner their efforts deserved.

Man of the match went to keeper Jake Cook, defender Harry Willett and captain Conor O’Leary.

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

Newark League

Under-12 Cup semi-final

Farndon 1

Gonerby 1

(Farndon won on penalties)

Following a goalless first half, Gonerby went behind.

Bramley went close before Meffen played him in again and he levelled the scores.

The game went to penalties, with Farndon holding their nerve to scrape through to the final.

Under-16A

North Lindum 1

Barrowby 5

Will Barron put Barrowby in front and Oliver Reid fired in a second.

Sam Evans scored a third after the break and Reid bagged his second. Ian Goode slotted home Barrowby’s fifth. Lindum scored late.

MoM: Olly Hayward.

Louth Old Boys 3

Barrowby 4

Barrowby went behind before Oliver Reid levelled.

Barrowby took the lead after the break through Kyle Scott, and Ross Hollingworth fired in a third. Louth pulled two back to level but Ian Goode hit the winner in the last minute.

Cleethorpes Town Titans 1

Barrowby 4

Unbeaten Titans took the lead but an own goal levelled the game. Oliver Reid put Barrowby ahead and Ian Goode made it 3-1 from the spot, before adding the visitors’ fourth.