The time was right for a Grantham golfer when he scored a hole-in-one during a recent club competition and was rewarded with a limited-edition BOSS watch as recognition for the achievement.

Martin Billson, 53, scored his ace on the 170-yard, par-three third at Stoke Rochford, and the 20-handicapper was rewarded with membership of the exclusive BOSS Watches H1 Club and a specially-commissioned, commemorative timepiece.

The luxury German brand has once again pledged to reward club golfers with an exclusive watch for every hole-in-one recorded during a club competition in 2014 after giving away £600,000-worth of limited-edition mementos in 2013 – and Martin was among the latest to achieve the feat this year.

Stephen Brydon, commercial director for MGS Distribution, the official licenced UK distributor for BOSS Watches, said: “Congratulations to Martin on achieving golf’s Holy Grail of a hole-in-one.

“To the majority of amateur golfers, recording a hole-in-one will be the most memorable thing they achieve in golf – a once-in-a-lifetime experience probably – and we want to ensure they have much better memories than merely a dent in their bank balance after buying drinks in the clubhouse.”

The scheme is open to any golfer whose club uses HowDidiDo – a free-to-use, web-based social network for golfers – and anybody playing in official club competitions is eligible. Currently, more than 1,800 clubs use the website.

No extra registration is required to participate in the BOSS Watches promotion as all official club competitions are recorded on the HowDidiDo system, so holes-in-one are noted and automatically ratified by the golfer’s club.

In addition to the limited-edition watch, Martin was also awarded membership of the exclusive BOSS Watches H1 Club which offers its members access to exclusive benefits and merchandise.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue attended a report of a fire in a furniture store on Swingbridge Road at 8.35pm last night.

However on arrival firefighters from Grantham’s wholetime and retained teams discovered that there was no fire, just steam from a kettle in the kitchen area that had been mistaken for smoke.

Bingham’s Toothill Sixth Form College student Josh Spencer is heading for the USA this summer to take up a prestigious football scholarship.

The Boston United youth team player will be joining West Virginia Wesleyan College in August to study and play for the Bobcats soccer team. Josh will have the opportunity to combine his university studies alongside playing high level football for the next four years.

Josh and his family were delighted to have secured the soccer scholarship through the PASS4Soccer Scholarship Network. His achievement in winning such a high value scholarship and placement is in recognition of both his academic achievements to date and his athletic ability.

Josh said: “Studying in the USA offers me the opportunity to not only develop academically but to also develop further as a player. I am most looking forward to living and playing in a country I haven’t visited before. It will hopefully be a great experience and enables me to train in a professional environment.

“I chose West Virginia Wesleyan as they have a highly successful soccer programme that has developed greatly in recent years and I look forward to contributing to the team’s progress moving forward. Along with this, the university is situated in a spectacular location, one in which I look forward to living in.”

Josh will have access to excellent facilities while also having the opportunity to play in front of crowds of fans.

Places in the PASS4Soccer Network are now available for students seeking to enter a US university

soccer programme in August 2015 and 2016. PASS4Soccer will be holding trials in Stockport, London, Birmingham and Newcastle.

Interested players should register online at www.pass4soccer.com

Children’s author Rachel Hamilton will be signing copies of her first book “The Case of the Exploding Loo” which has had great reviews.

Rachel will be signing in WH Smiths on Saturday (July 5) from 2pm followed by a reading in Pizza Express. Rachel splits her time between Dubai and the Grantham area where her mother lives. Rachel is a former Grantham College 
student and has studied at Oxford and Cambridge and has worked as a teacher and in an ad agency. She is 
married with two children aged nine and 11.
Rachel said she had wanted to write a book since she was four-year-old. 
She is also a former winner of a creative writing competition run by the Grantham Journal.

On Wednesday, Rachel visited Caythorpe Primary School where she spoke to the children. In her talk she spoke of how reading helped change the behaviour of children while she was a teacher (see the video)

Local businesses using the district’s public litter bins could face prosecution for not abiding to their trade waste agreements.

South Kesteven District Council is asking the local community and business owners to avoid using the district’s public litter bins for household and commercial waste.

The council is aware of several cases within this year where unwanted waste has been thrown into the public litter bins, leaving little or no room for passers by who need to offload their rubbish. In a few cases, this has lead to bins overflowing which makes the streets and neighbourhoods look unattractive to the eye. This sends out a poor message to those who would like to visit the area.

SKDC portfolio holder for healthy environment Councillor John Smith said: “Filling public bins with private waste can create real problems.

“We appreciate businesses and residents at times can have excess waste that needs to be removed but we ask this is done in a responsible fashion and in line with their legal responsibilities.

“Where we find repeat offenders we will prosecute but we want to work with individuals and businesses to find solutions, whether it is requesting additional bins or increasing the amount they recycle.”

Residents and business owners should call 01476 406080 or email customerservices@southkesteven.gov.uk

A long stretch of the A1 southbound carriageway will be closed overnight for two weeks from Monday – with diversions sending motorists on a 38-mile detour.

The Highways Agency, which maintains the country’s major roads, has scheduled resurfacing work to take place between the A607 junction at Grantham and the A606 junction at Stamford.

The closure will be in place between 8pm and 6am each day, with diversions in place.

The official diversion route will be to leave the A1 at Harlaxton and travel south-west along the A607 to Melton Mowbray, and then take the A606 to head east to rejoin the A1 south at Stamford.

Gold medalist Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson visited charity Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) at Kesteven Rideability, Hough on the Hill, yesterday.

Her visit marked the one year anniversary of BT Sport’s charity The Supporters Club, as part of its #WeAre1 campaign. The Supporters Club selected the RDA as one of its first beneficiaries, awarding the charity a significant grant in 2013.

The RDA provides therapeutic support for disabled children and adults across the UK through horse riding and carriage driving. Money raised by The Supporters Club charity has enabled RDA to increase their capacity, supporting six local riding centres including Kesteven Rideability and as a result benefiting 502 young riders and workers.

At Kesteven Rideability, the backing has helped RDA introduce two new activities, Showjumping and Endurance. Bradley, aged 11, has autism and has recently qualified for the RDA National Championships, Skyla, aged 8 has Cerebral Palsy, and benefits from riding in the junior saddle club, and in the area there is a lot of demand for younger children such as Becky, aged 7, with Down’s Syndrome to join the Junior saddle club, but due to a lack of resources this has not yet been possible. But this July, through the backing of The Supporters Club, Kesteven Rideability will be launching a new session dedicated to Tots of the Saddle Club (for riders aged under seven years) and is looking to increase riding hours by 30 sessions over the year, amounting to an increase in participant numbers by 20 per cent.

Baroness Grey-Thompson met with young riders, observed their dressage, showjumping and skills work, and also gave them the opportunity to ask her questions. Having also met with the dedicated RDA Volunteers, she said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to be here and see young disabled people getting on horses and riding. It gives them so much freedom and confidence, it’s incredible. Without initiatives like BT Sport’s The Supporters Club, they wouldn’t be able to do as much as they are doing. It’s that additional money that makes a huge difference because so many projects like this at a local level are run by volunteers who are just trying to find money, the right people and the right things to make a difference and at this level, it makes a huge impact on young disabled people’s lives.”

Mayor of Grantham, Coun Ian Selby, a former showjumper, was also a guest. Coun Selby said: “I am always thrilled to support Kesteven Rideabilty and the fabulous work they do. It was also a privilege to meet Baronness Tanni Grey Thompson. She is an iconic woman, so obliging and so down to earth. Tanni kindly gave me an interview for my radio show; The Mayor on Sunday on Gravity FM.”

Sal Atkinson, Fundraising Manager for RDA UK said, “It was a pleasure to welcome Tanni and representatives of The Supporters Club to Kesteven, to witness firsthand the real difference that their support makes to our riders. With money from BT Supporters Club we are able to help RDA Groups like this across the UK to build capacity and enable even more young people to benefit from our activities.”

Dave Rowley, Senior Commercial Manager, The Supporters Club, said: “The Supporters Club is all about creating incredible opportunities though the power of sport. It was a pleasure to mark our one year anniversary with the visit to Kesteven and to celebrate the new opportunities youngsters have there.”

After years of only telling the correct time twice a day, the old tower clock on Casthorpe Road in Barrowby is now working again.

The new clock movement has been designed, built and installed by Cliff Freeman of Grantham’s The Clock Shop.

Cliff, who runs the clock repair and restoration business located in Westgate, said: “The clock was also chiming in the early hours and as it’s above a bedroom I was asked to change that.”

Getting the clock ticking again was part of a renovation project by Grange Developments, who are coverting a number of properties on the site called Blue Cedar Grange.

According to the history of Barrowby’s All Saints Church, the clock tower was particularly popular with its Rector Canon Welby, forming part of his retirement gift after 50 years service to the church and village during the 1800s.

However it had fallen into disrepair and Mark Howard who runs Westborough-based Grange Developments with his wife Tammie said: “The building was literally falling to pieces, so it was wonderful to bring it back to life. For the village the clock tower is iconic.”

As well as commissioning Cliff to fix the clock, the couple have transformed the old premises using modern touches like a striking glass extension.

The renovated property has now been sold to a family, with the couple’s development of the rest of the surrounding buildings ongoing.

Grantham Athletic Club played a five-card trick at the Newark 5km Parkrun on Saturday with their quintet of runners all achieving personal best performances.

Ace in the pack was Naomi Collier who finished first lady and fifth runner overall in 20min 7sec.

Results. Newark – 5 Naomi Collier 20.07 (PB), 8 Paul Davidson 20.31 (PB), 27 Keith Measures 22.59 (PB), 37 Janice Anderson 24.18 (PB), 63 John Ellerby 26.41 (PB); Lincoln – 10 George Hatton 19.31.

On Tuesday, Keith Measures became a member of the 2,000-plus athletes who are taking part in The People’s Relay.

The 7,000km event is going round the UK’s coastline with athletes each running one of the 594 stages.

Keith joined fellow athletes Lucy Roberts and Sarah High on the 6.8-mile 563rd leg, Sandringham to Kings Lynn, on day 29.

l GranthamRunning Club’s Holly Durham completed a 69-mile ultra-marathon along the length of Hadrian’s Wall, starting in Carlisle in the morning and finishing on the Gateshead Millennium Bridge some 15½ hours later.

The route, which was far from easy, incorporated both on- and off-road sections, and is frequently tackled by runners over two days or as a relay.

l GRC’s Andrew MacAllister interrupted the family’s American summer break to finish 34th out of 648 in the Chicago Gospel 5km race, in a time of 24.09.

l Ten GRC members took part in the Newark Parkrun on Saturday.

Results: Robert Howbrook 21.10, Mark Wilson 21.59, Christopher Armstrong 22.02, Marc Tremain 23.38, Helen Brown 27.07, Gwenda Williams 28.27, Mark Hillson 28.28, Brendon Buckley 31.26, Julie Wilson 31.52, Nick Payne 40.42.

A customer has vowed to never shop at Grantham’s B&Q store again after being hit with a £100 parking fine in its virtually empty car park.

Melanie Asquith, 61, admits she broke the rules in parking her Renault van over the bay line – but questions the need for slapping on the fine when there were dozens of spaces remaining in front of the London Road store.

Having recently undergone a hysterectomy and unable to carry heavy items, Mrs Asquith chose a space close to the store entrance. But overgrowing plants meant she parked over the bay line.

Not a word was uttered by a staff member who loaded her items into the van, adding to her frustration when she returned to the van 10 minutes later and discovered a parking ticket had been left on the windscreen.

Mrs Asquith, from Allington, said: “I just couldn’t believe it. I’m not denying I was over the line by about a foot but the reason was the first bay had plants hanging over into it.

“And the car park was empty!

“I shall never, ever shop there again.”

On explaining the fine to her husband, he “had a fit” and called the store manager immediately, who said he would look into it, said Mrs Asquith. He has heard nothing back.

Keen to help other shoppers avoid the £100 fine she received, she has taken to Facebook to warn people.

Mrs Asquith said: “I think the general public needs to now about it. I’m sure there are signs up in the car park, but when you don’t have to pay you don’t look for them.”

B&Q was unable to provide a comment before the Journal went to press yesterday (Thursday).

BELTON PARK

Belton Park beat the weather and Woodhall Spa to reach the 50th anniversary finals of the Elsham Foursomes competition on Friday.

An afternoon downpour almost put pay to the fixture, but thanks to some sterling work on the greens by watching members, the course was presented in its normal excellent condition.

Three pairs from each side competed to form an aggregate match score, and it was a tight affair through the first nine holes with both sides having dominant periods of play. As all three matches passed through the turn, it was hard to pick a winner, but with a fantastic display of golf over the closing holes it was Belton that ran out comfortable winners.

The team captained by Nigel Harris will now go forward to the finals day on August 17 when they will be joined by teams from Carholme, Sleaford and Kenwick Park.

Final results: Chris Haynes and Chris Burns won 4 up, Matt Haynes and Will Walker won 4 up, Steve Mitchell and Leon Bell won 3 up (Belton Park beat Woodhall Spa 11 up

Gents

Midweek stableford – 1 Ollie Mitchell Jnr 43pt, 2 Sam Hill 38; lowest gross – John Kirkup 39.

l Belton invited their guests to play in the gents’ invitation. The day was split into two shotgun starts with prizes presented for both morning and afternoon stableford competitions.

Results: am – 1 Andy Goy and James Rushby 47, 2 Paul Green and Colin Borwell 43, 3 Tony Gleave and Richard Smith 39, 4 Doug Tweedie and Colin Tweedie 38, 5 Darrell Froggatt and Steve Pinner 38, 6 Stephen Turton and Graham Turton 38; pm – 1 Phillip Shaw and G. Cushing 45, 2 Nigel Evans and Roy Evans 43, 3 Keith Meadows and Mick Green 43, 4 Greg Meehl and Paul Bullard 42, 5 Roger Blakeman and Paul Clarke 42, 6 Paul Perrin and Colin Sneesby 41.

Seniors

Eighteen mixed teams of over-55s competed for the Isobel Hockley Trophy last Thursday.

With perfect weather, the course in first class condition and excellent company, everyone enjoyed a good day’s golf.

The winning scores were very good and belonged to the pairing of Sue Addis and Nick Craft.

Results: 1 Sue Addis and Nick Craft 38, 2 Anthea Nicholl and Dave Godfrey 37, 3 Ina Wood and John Carr 36 ocb; front nine – Sheila Mason and Dave Dobney 20, back nine – Sue Walker and Terry Bond 20.

l Belton seniors narrowly lost away at Seacroft on an excellently prepared links course.

After a few holes, the Belton players managed to make the required adjustment to their games and everyone enjoyed the course.

Seacroft 5

Belton Park 3

Bill Brogan and Phil Shaw lost 1 down, Trevor Collis and Dave Dobney halved, Dave Jackson and Shaun Boney lost 3&2, Alan Addis and Norman Halliday lost 4&2, Dave Langley and Peter Hawkins won 1 up, Andrew Cookson and Keith Ball halved, Dave Martin and Willy Badraun won 3&2, Brian Mole and Terry Bond lost 3&2.

Ladies

Stableford Competition: Division One – 1 Julie Hamer 41, 2 Janni Pask 37, 3 Ann Bartlett 35; Division Two – 1 Jacqui Barson 40, 2 Sally Knight 38, 3 Paula Marshall 34.

Mixed

Gordon Foster Cup: 1 Mark Sutton and Gill Briggs 43, 2 Gary Scott and Issie Guest 40, 3 John and Anna Clark 40.

STOKE ROCHFORD

Seniors

Stoke Rochford 5½

Spalding 2½

Mike Nixon and Mick Rance won 1 up, Brian Ayto and Roger Nicholls halved, Brian Keightley and Ray Elsome won 3&2, David Hamilton and Tim Haward won 3&1, John Wright and Ken Taylor lost 5&3, David Hamston and David Hudson lost 4&2, Brian Barry White and Phil White won 3&2, Roland Slack and Eddie Malloy won 1 up.

BELTON WOODS

A golf marathon was held at Belton Woods last Friday to help raise funds for captain Ian Williams’ nominated charity for this year – the British Heart Foundation.

The Dawn to Dusk golf marathon involved four members of the junior section playing continuous rounds of golf from 4.15am until exhaustion and blistered feet hit at around 9.30pm.

They completed six rounds of golf and raised more than £1,000 for BHF.

Golfers taking part were, from left – Ben Richards, Ryan Smith, Alex Scorror and junior captain Jonathon Stapleton.

They were supported during the day by various members of the golf club including captain Ian.

Seniors

Belton Woods 6

Carholme 2

George Forbes and Mike Whitington won 3-2, Richard James and David Toule won 1-0, Henry Knight and John Bratt lost 4-2, Alan Lowen and John Sabin won 1-0, Ray Woodcock and Norman Tidy won 2-1, Colin Thornton and Roger Hanratty won 2-1, Phil Turrell and Ian Nisbett won 5-3, Ed Kitching and Mick Hall lost 4-3.

Vale of Belvoir Bowling League won away against League of Country Bowling Clubs on Sunday.

Belvoir triumphed by 106 shots to 87, with the rinks drawn three apiece. The match took place at Flowserve Bowls Club in Newark.

Results: Belvoir names first – I. Cole, K. Bell and J. Tyler beat P. Goodson, R. Barnes and J. Millington 23-6; T. Dennett, G. Taylor and M. Dring beat K. Topper, T. Crampton and J. Cole 16-13; L. Payling, P. Carlton and A. Stafford lost to B. Barber, B. Stevens and D. Goddard 15-17; K. Drew, N. Drew and J. Parker beat R. Thornton, M. Thornton and P. Franklin 25-4; R. Payne, C. Goodley and M. Eurich lost to D. Humpherson, M. Gosling and D. Humpherson 14-23; M. Smith, R. Holt and E. Smith lost to A. Brailsford, B. Davey and K. Brailsford 13-24.

Grantham & District Bowls Association

Trophy Trebles

First round

R. Tilley lost to P. Jordan 22-29, M. Lyon lost to L. Turner 19-23, R. Lewis lost to A. Blackburn 16-22, C. Abbott AW v A. Brunton CON, B. Veasey CON v M. Massingham AW, Jay Lewis beat A. Hoole 21.12, A. Stafford beat G. Taylor 23-16, T. Oxley CON v N. Davis AW.

Downtown Superstore Trophy

Second round

Jay Lewis beat P. Musson 28-13, C. Abbott beat R. Lewis 16-11, B. Powell lost to B. Papworth 11-23, D. Woods CON v T. Oxley AW, N. Davis lost to M. Beaton 10-18, P. Jordan beat L. Turner 25-6, M. Eurich beat M. Massingham 24-10, M. Lyon beat A. Hoole 18-9.

Harry Hardy Cup

First round

B. Papworth beat P. Jordan 21-17, L. Blankley lost to R. Atter 8-21, J. Pask CON v D. Holton AW, M. Halls lost to M. Eurich 13-21, L. Thompson CON v C. Davis AW, P. Edwards CON v Kev Wilson, D. Woods CON v A. Brunton AW, L. Turner beat W. McLean 21-14.

Hospital Bowl

First round

Grantham beat Corby Glen 76-52, Bottesford beat Great Gonerby 91-56, Colsterworth beat Dysart Park 72-60, Vacu-Lug lost to Long Bennington 60-69.

Grantham League

Three-wood

Grantham 53

Swayfield 45

Grantham names first – J. Duke, A. Curtis and P. Harby drew with B. Marston, J. Bainbridge and N. Davis 19-19; R. Summer, T. Asher and Joe Lewis lost to I. Richardson, R. Halsey and H. Mumby 11-15; T. Whatmore, T. Oxley and Jay Lewis beat M. Sharpe, M. Lyon and T. Harwood 23-11.

Lincs ASC

Grantham 70

Bassingham 33

Grantham names first – J. Asher, B. Sowerby and T. Asher beat C. Treadwell, C. Newton and D. Parnell 21-8; D. Pimm, R. Smith and B. Adams beat D. Blanchard, C. Baker and D. Thacker 23-9; R. Barnes, A. Curtis and Jay Lewis beat P. Ward, M. Wright and S. East 26-16.

Billingborough Open gardens weekend will be held in aid of St Andrew’s Church.

The gardens will be open on Saturday and Sunday, July 5 and 6, and entry is by programme at a cost of £3 per person. Schoolchildren get in for free.

Ten gardens of varying size and features will be open. A plant stall at Ivy House, Folkingham Road, will be open and refreshments will be on sale at the church.

The church will also host a model railway exhibition and an exhibition by Billingborough Art group.

The gardens are open from 11am to 5pm. Programmes are available from the post office, and from the church or Ivy House on the day.

With more than 760,000 sold worldwide, the first C1 has laid down quite a marker. Matt Kimberley bundles himself into the new one to find out whether it can fill some very big boots.

The old C1 had problems, and as you’d expect, the new one has largely fixed them.

The boot has been made bigger, the styling has been made more unique and there’s some excellent technology on board. Add softer, comfier seats and you’ve got a Citroen that blends the old and the new with a side order of cheerful three-cylinder engine buzz.

Citroen describe the C1’s face as having a ‘mischievous gaze’, and for once I can engage with the PR waffle. The cutesy, round eyes are framed by slanted eyebrows and a big, cartoonish grinning grille that makes it look like the car might be up to no good.

There’s no getting away from it – the C1 falls down a bit on space compared to some of its rivals. The boot is only 168 litres (ignore Citroen’s 196-litre figure unless you want to use the bare metal of the partly-empty spare wheel well beneath the boot floor), which is bigger than before but still way behind the likes of the Hyundai i10 and Skoda Citigo, Volkswagen Up and Seat Mii trinity.Forget about putting adults in the back, too, unless you can push your seat right forwards and still drive safely. At least there are a few good cubbyholes and cup holders dotted around the cabin.

In the lower-powered version of the 1.0-litre engine, whose lower price and extra frugality make it the one to have, there’s a slight tendency to border on stalling when pulling away, so it’s not the most confidence-inspiring for learners... unless they like a challenge.

For a car that many folks will say is better looking than the, err, ‘dramatic’ Toyota Aygo, the news that it undercuts the Japanese motor by a good few hundred pounds will be like sweet music. In fact, against all its rivals it looks like fair value or better. It’s a good-looking and capable all-rounder.

This car summed up in a single word: Chipper

Corby Glen Primary School holds its summer fete on Friday (July 11) from 6pm to 8pm with a Wild West theme.

Attractions at the fete include a saloon bar and grill, runaway train, tin can alley, pony rides, bouncy castle, stalls, games, climbing wall, competitions and plenty of entertainment.

All proceeds will go towards a new shelter/outdoor classroom for the children.

Entry is free and fancy dress is encouraged.

Wouldn’t it be great if just for one year politicians of all persuasions came out with honesty and facts?

No more manipulation of statistics we have become so used to, in order to suit their own points of view.

Simply the truth, whatever the consequences, and a chance for us all to make a real and valid choice when we vote in the May 2015 General Election, as well as the promised EU referendum, county and district council polls.

Imagine figures reflecting the actual amount of unemployment, inflation, immigration, the deficit and all other vital information.

What a fantastic bonus to vote in any form of referendum and be sure you are making the right decision.

To be able to believe correctly that everyone from fat cat bosses and bankers through to hard-working employees at all levels are getting a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work and all paying the proper amount of income tax on their earnings.

That the unemployed really are there through no fault of their own and the disadvantaged, handicapped and vulnerable all receive deserved treatment.

I declare an interest in thinking the state pension should reflect more accurately what senior citizens have contributed to our great nation during their working lives.

For young people the politicians should be scrapping all obstacles to acquiring education and skills needed to help make our industries the envy of the world again.

Get rid of tuition fees altogether for British youngsters.

Finally, and most important of all, force all political parties to stick to their manifesto pledges even after the electorate has had its say.

A World War One Centenary Concert will be held by The Belvoir Wassailers tomorrow (July 5).

Together with guests “Enchanted”, the Wassailers will perform in St Mary’s Church, Bottesford, at 7.30pm.

The concert will feature period folk songs, poetry and songs from the Great War, by the Wassailers Male Voice Choir and Enchanted who are a ladies choir.

The proceeds will be shared between the Royal British Legion and the Friends of St Mary’s.

Tickets are £6 (£5 for Friends of St Mary’s) available from the church office (01949 842859), Malcolm Owen (01949 843113), Bottesford Co-op or Bottesford Spa shop. Doors open at 6.30pm. Licensed bar available.

The English Heritage Grade 2 garden at Belvoir Castle will be open to the public as part of the National Gardens Scheme on Sunday (June 6).

The formal garden was designed by Harold Peto and replanted with roses by the present Duchess. There is a Japanese garden with camellias, magnolias and hydrangeas set in a natural amphitheatre with fresh water springs. There are many mature specimen trees, and shrubs and the spring gardens house a spectacular collection of acers, rhododendrons and azaleas. Flat shoes are essential and there are some steep paths.

Admission is £8, children £5. More details at www.belvoircastle.com

Dawn Wright has worked for the Melton Mowbray Building Society since 1992, and knows it inside and out having started at the Oakham branch, then moved to the Melton Mowbray base, and is now manager at Grantham.

James Goodliffe has been a Customer Advisor at the building society for the past four years, and his cheerful deameanour makes him popular with visitors.

They both enjoy their job and have plenty of local knowledge to assist customers.

Dawn has lived in Grantham all her life, being a former student of Belton Lane School and KGGS.

Now a mother and grandmother, she uses her Grantham expertise to advise those looking for a mortage, with this being amongst her key roles.

Outside of work Dawn spends most of her time with the family, as well as doing the gardening and going swimming.

The building society on Grantham High Street is holding a home buyer event on July 12 from 9am-12 noon, with free advice for anyone who wants to pop in.

Caricature by Terry Shelbourne

A banker is hoping for support in Grantham before he rides the first leg of the Tour de France route to raise money for charity.

Rich Lomas-Brown, from Bourne, will be getting on his bike on Sunday, July 20, to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society in Le Tour, Yorkshire.

Tomorrow (Saturday, July 5) Rich will be at Grantham market to gain support for his fundraising ride with a stall next to the Market Cross.

With this year’s Tour de France setting off from Leeds on Saturday (July 5), Rich will be joining a group of Alzheimer’s Society fundraisers to ride the route of the first stage, from Leeds to Harrogate, a few weeks after the actual event.

Rich said: “I decided to take part in Le Tour for Alzheimer’s Society because this is probably the last opportunity I’ll have to ride a Tour stage in the U.K. while I’m still fit enough to do so. And as Alzheimer’s Society is my employer’s (Halifax plc) “Charity Of The Year”, I thought I just had to do this one. I love cycling and I’m thrilled to be able to experience the first stage of the Tour De France route and ride where the professionals will have been!

“I’m hoping that by raising funds for Alzheimer’s Society more support can be provided for people with dementia. I’ve been preparing for this for the last few months by riding every weekend and competing with Bourne Wheelers during the week, so I hope it pays off.”

Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We are delighted that Rich is giving his time to support Alzheimer’s Society. One in three people over 65 will develop with dementia. It is caused by diseases of the brain and can affect anyone.”

“As a charity, we rely on the generosity of individuals like Rich to help us continue our vital work. Please back Rich in their fundraising efforts so that Alzheimer’s Society can continue leading the fight against dementia.”

To sponsor Rich visit www.justgiving.com/Richard-Lomas-Brown or see him training at Grantham Market tomorrow Saturday, July 5).

From running your local 10K to trekking the Great Wall of China, and cycling from London to Paris to skydiving, Alzheimer’s Society has a fantastic range of events both in the UK and abroad. To find out more, please visit alzheimers.org.uk/events or call 0845 306 0898.