Motorists will soon be able to pay for parking in Grantham by phone instead of using cash.

Cashless car parking is being introduced in Grantham and Stamford from July 1, so avoiding the need to overpay because they have no change.

The system operates by drivers registering to pay with a company called Phone and Pay and it can be accessed by mobile phones, text message or downloaded as an app.

The service will be available on all 12 South Kesteven District Council car parks – six in Stamford and six in Grantham.

Portfolio holder for Well Run Council Coun Mike Taylor said: “We know the current system can cause frustration because our charges are relatively low at 50 pence for half an hour, 80 pence an hour or £1.30 for two hours. The machines we use are not able to give change and that means that if a customer only has £1 or £2 coins they have to make an overpayment.

“The new cashless system means charges are only made for the time actually used and another great advantage is that if the driver’s visit to town takes longer than was originally envisaged there is no need to go back and feed the meter – you can just extend your stay on the phone.”

Monitoring the system is also easy as all the wardens have to do is tap in the registration number of the vehicle and they can immediately see if a parking fee has been paid and what time it is due to expire.

“Initially the new system and the old machines will work side by side but eventually we hope to reduce the number of cash machines we have. However, we recognise that some people will prefer to continue to use the old machines and that we will need to provide a facility for visitors so we will always keep at least one machine on each car park.

“We think the new system will be popular with local people and it will help us to save taxpayers’ money because there will be less machine vandalism and a reduction in theft.”

To find out more about Phone and Pay visit www.phoneand pay.co.uk

You can set up an account online or you can speak to them on 0120 280 4444 and they will do it for you.

Police have confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of a young woman in Grantham on Friday.

The woman, in her 20s, was found at her home in Derwent Road, Grantham. It was reported to police at 5.38pm on Friday.

A police spokesman said the coroner would investigating the circumstances of the woman’s death.

This superb executive home is situated in the much desired village of Barrowby, near Grantham.

The location combines old buildings, cottages and manor houses with more modern properties.

Barrowby Primary School currently has an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating and has a fantastic before- and after-school club in the village which many children attend.

The village has its own public house called ‘The White Swan’. There is also a Post Office, Skinner & Son butchers and a coffee shop and deli called The Cakehole, which provides all sorts of tasty goodies and treats.

Barrowby also has its own newsletter which supports many clubs and societies, currently having three venues in the village for these clubs to use.

The property is situated in an outstanding private position along Mill Row. The spacious home has been designed to a high specification and offers enviable and stylish accommodation infused with reclaimed character and charm. Externally the property enjoys a private swimming pool and generous landscaped gardens.

Other features include a sitting room complete with exposed beam ceiling, engineered oak flooring and double-glazed French doors with side panels, offering a private garden view.

Also, a kitchen/breakfast room, with a double aspect view, features fitted wall units, granite work surfaces, cooker, integrated dishwasher and microwave, tile flooring and a walk-in pantry.

With four bedrooms, one of which is complete with a luxury en suite, this desirable property has an asking price of £575,000.

Also located in close proximity to Grantham’s rail networks where London King’s Cross can be accessed within 65

minutes, making Grantham the ideal relocation solution.

The major centre of Nottingham is approximately 20 miles away and the historic towns of Stamford and Oakham ,with their renowned public schools, are both approximately 22 miles away.

There are various excellent local primary and secondary schools in the district and two excellent and sought after grammar schools for boys and girls at nearby Grantham.

A pregnant woman who got into a fight with her ex-partner at Grantham McDonalds appeared in court.

Caroline Sykes, formerly Selby, of Garnet Mews in Grantham pleaded guilty to assault by beating.

Prosecutor Paul Wood explained that after abusive phone calls the police had advised Sykes and her former partner to meet at a neutral location in order to arrange contact with their one-year-old son.

However their meeting soon became argumentative and staff asked 31-year-old Sykes, her ex and his parents, who were also present, to leave the restaurant.

Their altercation continued in the car park and Sykes then aimed punches at her former partner’s face, with one hitting his face while she also kicked out and made contact with his shin.

The fight was then stopped by her ex’s father, and Sykes was later arrested by police.

Rory Macmillan, defending, said that Sykes had been provoked by her former partner of four years after he denied being the father of either the one-year-old or the unborn child and would no longer support them.

Mr Macmillan told the court that Sykes was a single mother relying on benefits, and that after the brawl she fully complied with the police.

Magistrates ordered Sykes to pay a fine of £110, prosecution costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £20, but no compensation was awarded.

Sixty three riders took part in this year’s Foodbank Cycle Challenge, exactly three times the number that participated last year.

There were two routes to choose from this year. A group of 36 riders completed the 45 mile three counties route

which went out as far west as Car Colston via Long Bennington and Bottesford and then onto Claypole before returning via Stubton, Brandon and Marston to the Belton Garden Centre.

The 20 mile route took 27 riders via Marston, Hougham and Dry Doddington and then back to the garden centre.

Rider and Foodbank trustee Phil Cranwell said: “The weather turned out to be superb; not too hot and much warmer than last year’s August ride when it was cold and overcast. Like last year, the event was publicised as a challenge rather than a race and was held to raise awareness of the Foodbank and the work it does for those local people in crisis.

“With more than triple the riders for last Saturday’s event it is hoped to top the £4000 raised last year. For every £1 raised that means a meal for someone in need. In tandem with the event Foodbank volunteers collected 700 kilogams of food generously given by ASDA customers. Warmest thanks to all the volunteers who helped the day go smoothly and to the local businesses who sponsored the event.”

The family of a young woman who suffered the stillbirth of her son are uniting for a musical performance and to raise money for charity.

Last year Ami Virden from Hornsby Road lost her son Joseph, and the family have decided to organise a night of music in his memory and to raise funds for The Lily Mae Foundation which supports those who have gone through a stillbirth or neonatal death.

The event which will see a mix of music performed by six different artists is also in aid of The Lincolnshire Down’s Syndrome Support Group.

Ami said: “Last July I lost my little boy, who was stillborn. I have had that personal experience and I want to help support others.”

It is with her family’s support that Ami has got through the difficult year, and now they are also joining her in singing for the charity night which will take place at Grantham College’s refectory from 7pm on Saturday, July 5.

Along with her mum and dad Angie and Dave Virden, her brother Lewis, grandad Pat Corcoran and family friend Patrick Clarke, Ami will be showcasing her vocal talents.

Tickets are £7.50 each with all proceeds going to the two charities, and are available by calling 01476 410331 or 07913 812342.

For more information on the charities visit www.lilymaefoundation.org and www.lincsdownsyndrome.org.uk

Grantham’s ten-pin bowling venue is being refurbished this week and its owners want to exhibit old pictures as part of the new-look.

The new-look venue will feature an American diner-style eating area and the bowling lanes will be refurbished. The bar area will also have an American theme and will be called the Cadillac Club and will cater for parties and meetings. Grantham Bowl is now closed for the work and will reopen on July 4.

As part of the refurbishment, the owners would welcome pictures of the bowling venue from earlier years and also pictures of Kemptons, the garment factory which occupied the site before the bowling venue was built.

If you have any pictures you would like to share call the venue on 01476 594817 or Fun farm on 01476 562228.

Eight members of Grantham Athletic Club competed in the popular Summer Solstice 10km race at Long Benington on Friday evening.

Sophie Stanley continued her personal best-smashing form, knocking two minutes off her time, as did new clubmate Catherine Muir.

Results: 65 Paul Davidson 42.14, 116 Sophie Stanley 45.38 PB, 124 Keith Measures 46.04, 160 Catherine Muir 47.24 PB, 243 Polly Atherton 51.44, 247 Julie Stewart 51.50, 323 John Ellerby 57.11, 328 Trudy Hanson 57.56.

Less than 24 hours later, some club members were in action again at Parkruns around the area. George Hatton had a steaming hot run at Lincoln, finishing 10th in 19.11. Meanwhile at Newark, it was Janice Anderson’s turn be be first lady over the finishing line.

Results: 10 Paul Davidson 21.41, 27 Keith Measures 24.12, 34 Janice Anderson 24.49.

Cadets from Grantham RLC Detachment took the opportunity to put their weapon handling and marksmanship training into practice on the 25m range at Prince William of Gloucester barracks.

The purpose of the day was to test the cadets against the 2 Star level of their training for shooting and until this point they had only ever shot using an air rifle. All the cadets were successful and they can now go onto to training with the larger, Light Support Weapon system and fire from distances of up to 300m.

Detachment Commander 2Lt Mark Deans said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for these young people to do something that they simply wouldn’t get to do elsewhere. They have worked really hard over the spring to get up to the required standard to go onto a range and live fire for the first time and for some it was a very exciting experience. Budget restraints mean that something that was quite routine 10 years ago make it difficult for us to undertake this type of training at local level and it has only been with the support of our headquarters staff at Lincoln and the staff from 5 Training Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps here at the Barracks that we have managed to pull this off.”

The cadets also visited the National Memorial Arboretum recently as part of their military knowledge training. Eleven Cadets and three members of the adult staff made the trip to Stafford where they took part in a guided tour of the site which took in the “shot at dawn” memorial which serves to remember all those who were convicted of cowardice when suffering what is now referred to as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The volunteer

guides from the Royal British Legion explained how soldiers would be court martialled without any representation and once convicted sentenced to death by a firing squad made up from soldiers from the same regiment as the convicted soldier.

Cadet LCpl Amelia Pattinson, 14, and Cadet SM Ryan Pell, 17, read out a letter written by a convicted soldier the night before his execution and another by a member of the firing squad after carrying out his duty in which he reflects on knowing the soldier he had to shoot. One of the most striking moments for the cadets was the realisation that some of these men were a similar age to themselves when they were executed. The cadets finished their tour by holding an act of remembrance in the “Greek Garden” where Cadet LCpl Alex Madejska laid a wreath on behalf of the detachment in memory of all those who have given their lives whilst in service of their country.

2Lt Deans said: “This was one of the most worthwhile learning experiences the detachment has undertaken and it was clear from the response from the cadets that they really got something from it, particularly those cadets who have had relatives who have served in the armed forces.”

The case of a 53-year-old Grantham man who pleaded guilty to ABH, damaging a marble table and common assault has been adjourned because he has yet to be interviewed for a pre-sentence report.

Christopher West of Shakespeare Avenue had previously entered guilty pleas to charges of assaulting a woman, occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault of the same victim, and criminal damage. Magistrates adjourned sentencing to July 7 so West could be interviewed by the probation service and a report prepared, and he remained on conditional bail.

Grantham Tennis Club men have finished mid-table in the Aegon League.

They played their last game of the season against a powerful Bourne side at the weekend.

The team, consisting of Simon Cormor, Tom White, Alex Gordon and Joe Patton, wanted to finish the season on a high. Cormor managed to win his singles but they were unable to get another result and suffered a 10-2 defeat.

l The club men’s first team played their second match of the summer season away at a strong Burton Waters team, with a side comprising Darren Taxis, Richard Cragg, Jonathan Cummins, Andrew Isaac, James Drennan and Paul White.

They played some great tennis but the Bourne side were extremely tidy, with only Taxis and Cragg managing to win two of their matches.

The Grantham team will be hoping to have put the 7-2 loss behind as they go into their next match against Grimsby on Sunday.

l Grantham ladies’ fifth team had a match at home against Caunton. The team of Christine Cragg, Loralee Petkovic, Pip Jones, Cerys Jones, Angela Tapson and Pauline Stukins played well and enjoyed the day, but were undone by the strength of the Caunton side.

l Grantham’s mixed fourth team travelled to North Scale last Friday. The team, consisting of Rob Isaac, Wendy Bland, Jerry Bland, Holly Richardson, David Todd and Jette Rasmussen, played some great tennis to take the win.

The pairings worked well as they battled their way through the matches to take victory in the end quite comfortably 58-41.

They have now won three out of three matches and are in a great position to be promoted to the First Division.

l Grantham’s mixed second string played at Mansfield in the Notts League with the comprising Pam Aust, Josh King, Liz Frobisher, Paul Kimberley, Rosaline Elphick and Mark Ottey.

They played some great tennis against the equally tough Mansfield, but the home side narrowly managed to edge the victory.

A 43-year-old man has pleaded guilty to five counts of stealing goods from supermarkets in Grantham.

Raymond Binnie of Sidney Street, Grantham, was charged with three counts of stealing razor blades from Morrisons, one count of stealing a DVD player from the same store, and a further count of stealing toiletries from the Co-op on Dysart Road.

Prosecutor Tracey Ross detailed how on March 6 he was seen by staff walking out of Morrisons in the Isaac Newton centre with the DVD player valued at £29, and was caught on CCTV taking £125 worth of razor blades on April 21, having previously taken razor blades of an unknown value from the supermarket on February 27 and 28.

In the latest incident Binnie was caught on CCTV taking £15.24 worth of toiletries from the Co-op on May 14.

Bill Fraser, defending, asked the magistrates to give his client credit for his early guilty plea.

He added that Binnie who had been remanded in custody since May 29 had been assaulted by fellow prisoners and currently had brusing to his face.

Mr Fraser added: “A drug rehabilitation order is what he really needs”, although no direct reference to drug taking was made in court.

Although magistrates warned Binnie that they had been ‘minded to go the custody route’, they ruled that Binnie should serve a supervised community order lasting 12 months, and attend Addaction for six months.

Binnie must also wear an electronic tag and comply with a curfew to remain at his home on Sidney Street between 7pm and 7am for three months and paycompensation totalling £225.24.

Belton House hosts a food and craft fair this weekend (June 28 and 29).

There will be a range of local and regional artisan suppliers and craftspeople selling jewellery, clothes, cakes, bread and liqueurs.

The fair takes place in the stableyard from 9.30am to 5pm both days.

Commercial operations manager Siobhán Scullion said: “Our annual food and craft fayre has a traditional outdoor market atmosphere. Supporting local and artisan produce is important to the National Trust and this fair gives us an opportunity to introduce visitors to quality regional flavours and crafts.”

Belton’s gift shop will also be offering a wide range of fruit liqueurs, local cheeses, chutneys and jams, an extensive range of traditional and modern recipe books and many little luxuries while the plant and outdoor shop has an array of summer planting and treats for garden lovers.

For more details call the estate office on 01476 566116.

A display of more than 100 Allied Airfix models can be seen in the Mayor’s Parlour on Saturday (June 28) as part of Armed Forces Day.

The Belvoir Model Club has provided the models which will be on display from 10am to 4pm. Entry is by donation to the Mayor’s charities and also Help for Heroes.

Armed Forces Day will be celebrated on June 28. The day raises public awareness of the contribution to the country by those who serve and have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. It also gives the nation an opportunity to show its support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, from currently serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets.

Two mixed teams from Grantham Water Polo Club battled it out at the ASA Midlands Water Polo Championships in Walsall over the last two weekends.

The youth team played two games, against Solihull and Boldmere, winning against the latter to secure the second place title.

The Academy team played three teams – Solihull, Handsworth and Boldmere. Having won two matches and drawing in the last match, the Grantham team took the silver medal position on account of goal difference.

The club congratulated both its teams on their valiant effort and team spirit throughout the tournament. Thanks were also expressed to club coach Dave Lord for dedicating his time over the last two Saturdays.

The youth team consisted of Naya Patel, Sam Lee, Josh Peters, Gareth Lord, Georgia Bosworth, Cameron Terry, India Wilkinson, Rose Bitowt, Stephen Verhaul, Ellie Robinson, Aiden Burton and Adam Smith.

The Academy team comprised India Wilkinson, Cameron Terry, Cameron Chow, Cameron Manderfield, Harry Fowler, Amelia Peters, Millie Stewart, Georgia Coyle, Tom Cotton, Will Seage, Noah Clegg, Jack Marshall and Krzysztof Fedorczuk.

A wife staged two bank robberies in a bid to raise cash after hiding the loss of her job from her husband, a court heard.

Nicola Lehair took out pay day loans to cover her lack of income and made out to her husband that she was still working.

But she found herself under increasing pressure to pay back the loans and out of desperation hit on the idea of robbing a bank.

Lincoln Crown Court heard how she tried to hide her identity by putting a black cloak over head before walking up to the counter of the Yorkshire Bank in High Street, Grantham.

Then she handed a note to the cashier which read: “Give me all the money from behind this counter. Don’t speak to anyone. Don’t look at anyone. Just give me the money. I do have a gun and will use it if necessary.”

The female cashier initially thought the incident was a joke but when she realised that Lehair was serious she handed over a bundle of notes.

Lehair, who did not utter a word throughout the raid, then made off with the £2,375.

Andrew Scott, prosecuting, said that 15 days later Lehair tried to carry out a second raid on a branch of Santander Bank at the corner of High Street and St Peter’s Hill, Grantham.

Mr Scott said: “She wore sunglasses and a dark, peaked cap. She calmly waited her turn in the queue. When she reached the counter she handed over another note.”

She again demanded money and threatened she had a gun but when the cashier hesitated she picked up her bag and walked out.

Once outside she changed her top and removed the cap and sunglasses but she was caught just 200 yards from the bank after an alert police officer spotted her carrying the distinctive drawstring bag she had while carrying out the hold-up.

Mr Scott said: “She is of previous good character. These were pre-planned bank robberies which included the threat of lethal force targeting large sums of money. There were some efforts made to disguise her appearance.”

Lehair, 28, of Goodliff Road, Grantham, admitted robbery on April 30 and attempted robbery on May 15. She was jailed for two years.

Recorder Patrick Upward QC told her: “Offences of this kind inevitably lead to a prison sentence. I bear in mind you are a woman of good character and you were under considerable pressure. No weapon was used or produced.”

Mark McNeil, defending, said: “She had a good relationship with her husband but there were various issues.

“They ran their finances separately. He was responsible for certain items and she was responsible for others.

“She lost her job in January but she maintained the impression she was still working by taking out a pay day loan. Her husband thought there was an income coming in and the pay day loan company was exerting pressure on her.

“She was looking on the internet at ways of making money and initially she put this idea out of her mind.

“This is out of character. She felt so desperate financially. She didn’t tell her husband. She felt in despair.”

“The money went towards paying off her debts. She is deeply remorseful. She knows she is going to lose her marriage and is going to lose her liberty.”

Mr McNeil said that nine days after her arrest Lehair was offered a job as a book keeper for an organisation which runs care homes but that came too late to help her. He said: “Had she managed to keep herself going she would have been able to pay off her debts.”

Det Insp Pete Grayson of Lincolnshire Police said: “In 20 years as a police officer I have never dealt with a woman bank robber. It is rare to get someone with no previous convictions committing an offence as serious as this.

“I know she had financial pressures but millions of people in this country have financial pressures and they don’t resort to bank robbery.”

A spokesman for the Woodland Trust confirmed that Lehair was employed by the organisation as an HR administrator and resigned her post on January 22 this year.

Police are appealing for information following a road traffic collision which occurred on Sunday, June 22, at approximately 1.15pm.

It involved two motorcycles travelling between Bourne and Grantham on the A151. The collision occurred at the junction with Lound before Edenham, on the Bourne side.

Both bikes involved were 600cc Hondas and both were red/blue/white in colour. One of the motorcyclists sustained serious injuries and was taken to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.

Police are seeking information from any witnesses who saw the motorbikes on the A151 Bourne area at around 1pm on Sunday.

Witnesses are asked to call 100 quoting incident number 250 of June 22, 2014.

The district council is asking residents for their views on its website in a bid to make it easier for people to access its services on-line.

Residents can let the council know what they think at www.surveymonkey.com/s/SKDCwebsiteconsultation

Alternatively they can fill in the survey in SKtoday that is delivered to homes across South Kesteven.

Their views will help the council form an opinion on the design, shape and content of its new website.

SKDC’s portfolio holder for Governance and Communications Coun Paul Carpenter said: “The council is keen to provide a user-friendly site which provides information and a means of contact in the way people will want to use it.”

He said: “It’s very important that we know what people would like to be able to do when they visit our website, and if they don’t, what might encourage them to do so. The number of enquiries we receive through our website is increasing all the time and we need to make sure that we are providing a site that is easy to use.

“I would encourage you to take this opportunity to have your say and complete the survey on line or through the copy you will receive in the summer 2014 edition of SKtoday. Tell us what you would like to see and how the website needs to work for you so that we can provide an even better service.”

SKDC is asking residents to complete the survey by Friday, August 1. Residents with any queries on the subjects covered in the survey should call 01476 40 60 80 or email consultation@southkesteven.gov.uk

Police closed the A1 north and south-bound for an Air Ambulance to land, after a road traffic collision on the north side at Long Bennington.

According to a police spokeswoman the accident involved a silver Vauxhall which hit the central reservation from the north side and came to a stop upside down.

They confirmed that one person was taken to hospital by road ambulance and another by Air Ambulance, with both carriageways closed while this landed.

Delays are expected while recovery of the Vauxhall from the north-bound carriageway takes place, with no other vehicles said to be involved.

The Highways Agency say one lane is closed north-bound between the A52 and A46, with delays of 40 minutes and normal traffic conditions expected from 6.00pm.

Three work colleagues have raised more than £900 after climbing three peaks in Yorkshire.

Natalie Taylor, Kayleigh Watts and Mel Papworth, who all work for the Nationwide Building Society in Grantham, joined other branches in the area to walk the Yorkshire three peaks in 12 hours, which required continuous walking for just under 26 miles. The three peaks are Pen y Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.

The women raised funds for Breast Cancer Awareness and organised a cake sale in branch and also held a raffle night at the Royal Queen. Both events were a huge success and raised £544.93 in total. Nationwide also donated £100 for each of them towards the charity and the final figure raised was £973.93.

Mel said: “Each peak had its own challenges. We completed the walk in 10hrs 55mins which was in really good time considering this was the first time any of us had done anything like this. 
“We would just like to thank our customers who showed their support by purchasing cakes and donating. We would like to thank the businesses in Grantham that donated amazing prizes to enable the raffle to be such a success. These include The Goose at the Bank, Liberty Tea Rooms, Estilio, The Gift Box, Susan Bird, Living Health, Enhance, Ami’s Nails and The Royal Queen.

“It has been humbling the amount of support we have received for this worthwhile cause. Many thanks from the three of us.”

If you want to make a donation you can do so at www.justgiving.com/kayleighwatts1