Witham Wheelers promoted the fifth race of this year’s Lincs League road race series last Wednesday evening.

The course used was the regular, testing 11.5-mile circuit through Hungerton, Saltby, Sproxton, Skillington and Ponton Heath. The weather was good for racing, dry and with only a gentle breeze.

The Wheelers had good representation in the race and the handicap groups all raced hard with a lively pace throughout.

Group One were caught by the fast moving second group on lap two, with Gary Rand, Dave Moulds and Crispin Bridges-Webb working well.

Groups Three and Four also came together during the second lap, with Reece Egner, John Farmer and Peter Barnes playing an active role, as well as Llewellyn Byrne. Harry Browning, riding for Pedal Pushers, was also in the action.

On the last lap, all the groups came together and as the race approached the hill for the final time the pace was hotting up as the fast boys positioned themselves for the sprint to the finish.

It was fast and furious as they approached the line with George Thompson (Sleaford Wheelers) finishing ahead of the bunch. Browning was sixth and the best placed Witham Wheeler was their youngest rider, Reece Egner, who came in 10th. Not far behind were Rands and Moulds, followed by Bridges-Webb.

There have been many letters complaining about the quality of (or lack of!) work done by the company South Kesteven District Council employs to mow the grass in parks and the grass verges.

I was walking down the road in Gonerby Hill Foot and yes, I found all the grass scattered over the pavements rather distasteful. But, what I found more distasteful was the amount of litter, eg cans, sweet wrappers etc thrown all over the pavements. Also, even more distasteful was the amount of dog waste.

Had I been a member of South Kesteven District Council, I would have been thinking , are the Grantham public really worth our care and attention? Well, some of them are not.

I am a dog owner and I always carry special bags and use them to pick up after my dog. It makes me very angry with those who are too lazy to do this. They give dog owners a bad name.

Nor would I ever throw litter anywhere except in the litter bins provided.

Yes, we want our council to work for us, but please let us all do our part too.

No one is more vocal than I am in voicing complaints to councils and various government officials, but I will give credit where it is due. We have some very caring, hardworking councillors, including councillors Ray and Linda Wootten and Coun Mike Taylor, who are stars in my book.

Joan McDaniel

Gonerby Hill Foot, Grantham

Up until now I have largely enjoyed the musings of Peter Clawson.

Now he goes for the anti-PC vote with a whole host of sublimely illogical and factually incorrect assumptions and, flimsy simplistic nonsense worthy of Jim Davidson.

What he attempts to pass off as a ‘wind-up’ is the usual lazy excuse for wishing to be unpleasant and derogatory about foreigners and he should beware of fomenting hatred. Some may take him seriously.

His assertion that ‘humour’ was an escape for his generation is laughable in itself. He actually asserts that making up derogatory names for foreigners is acceptable. Unbelievable.

Also his assertion that ‘counselling’ is a bad thing for those traumatised by the horrors of war from whatever perspective ignores many men who were shot for cowardice when they were simply suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

As for his idea that ‘a flipping good hiding’ might act as an effective deterrent beggars belief. As someone who worked for over 35 years with many children who were over chastised and traumatised by their parents as a result this is an appalling statement.

Perhaps he should apply (or maybe you should) a little judicious editing to someone who has obviously completely lost the plot.

Perhaps I have missed the point. Is it an ironic article? Irony. A connected series of words used to convey the opposite meaning to the actual words used? No. I thought not.

Anthony Hindmarch

By email

A 28-year-old Grantham man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and bailed pending further enquries in relation to the attack last month on a 76-year-old bus driver.

At around 11.50am on Tuesday, June 3, a man got on to a bus as it pulled into a stop on the High Street and assaulted the male driver.

The long-serving employee of Centrebus was taken to Lincoln County Hospital to be treated for bruising and a cut to his face.

In a statement Commerical Director of Centrebus Dave Shelley said: “All at Centrebus were so saddened to hear that one of our long-serving colleagues was attacked whilst going about his daily work driving a bus in Grantham.

“Bus drivers quite reasonably expect to be able to work without fear of assault or intimidation - buses in the town are an essential public service carrying thousands of people very week.

“Such incidents on our buses are fortunately very rare and when they do occur are shocking and totally unacceptable.”

Police are still asking anyone with information to call 101 quoting incident 189 of June 3, or alternatively the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

South Lincs & Border League

Premier Division

Welby 169 all out

Grantham 173-3

On winning the toss, Grantham asked Welby to bat.

Strike bowlers Simon Oakes and Joe Peck soon made early breakthroughs which found Welby losing their first four wickets for five runs, with both taking two wickets apiece.

With Welby in a lot of trouble, opener J. Tickler was looking to stick around whilst M. Gilbert was taking risks. This pair took the score to 100 before Gilbert departed for 53 thanks to the bowling of Neel Stevenson. His departure saw Tickler having to take more risks before he was caught by wicket keeper Rory Johnson, again off the bowling of Stevenson.

N.Bottomley and J. Bottomley continued to push the Welby score on before N.Bottomley departed with the score on 157-7. The remaining wickets fell quickly with Stevenson finishing with five wickets, Peck three and Oakes two.

In reply, Grantham lost opener Stewart Mudie early to a good catch in the slips, off the bowling of M. Whatton. This brought together David Whapplington and Martin Parmley who scored freely and took the score up to 82, before Whapplington was out for 33 off the bowling of D. Curran.

Parmley passed his 50 before he was dismissed by Curran for 57. With 37 runs required, Mark Fell (32no)and Matt Wing (20no) batted well to see Grantham home for a maximum points win with three overs to spare, securing the top of the league place.

Division Two

Claypole 330 all out

Grantham 3rd 81 all out

Batting first, Claypole took full advantage of a short boundary and put Grantham’s bowlers to the sword, in particular Rob Pealing who scored 180. It was left to Charlotte Cross to stem the tide with a season best (6-80-12).

Once the top three had departed, Grantham eventually made some headway and gained five valuable bowling points.

After a very long day in the field, Grantham were unable to get any batting momentum going with only Rahul Kumar showing any resistance with a lusty 22.

Grantham & Melton

Association

Division One

Houghton on the Hill 190-4

Grantham 194-5

Grantham won the toss and chose to bat first against undefeated Houghton.

Once again, openers P. Johnson (24) and S. Mudie gave Grantham a solid platform, putting on 46 for the first wicket.

At 55-2, Grantham set about rebuilding the innings, with Mudie and M. Wing putting together a 100-run partnership.

After another brilliant innings, the in-form Mudie was dismissed for an impressive 89. Wing scored a quick 47.

Grantham took wickets at regular intervals thanks to superb bowling by Joe Peck (2-19). He was backed up by Neel Stevenson and C. Wright who took three wickets apiece.

Although Grantham were taking wickets, Houghton were still scoring runs relatively freely and were favourites to win when they needed just seven off the last over.

But thanks to outstanding bowling from D. Ashley at the death, Houghton finished just short in a nail-biting finish.

Buckminster 240-8

Belvoir 243-1

Buckminster won the toss and elected to bat first.

Through the reliable strike pairing of Fentem (2-37) and Gibson (2-49,) Belvoir reduced Buckminster to 39-3 off 15 overs. But this brought captain Jamie Morgan to the crease who smashed 42 from 20 balls, including five sixes, and Belvoir were relieved when Denton (2-49) got Morgan stumped.

This brought Jack Berry to the crease, who bludgeoned 84 from 38 balls, including nine sixes). He was well supported by Tim Gadsby who finished on 43no.

Belvoir opener James Fellows and 15-year old-Lyndon James took to the crease knowing they were chasing six an over from the beginning. Neither looked fazed by the scoreboard pressure, and calmly went about their business by reaching 57-0 in the first 10 overs.

Both men caressed the ball around the ground with ease and went to their 50s before drinks. Fellows (64) was caught off a leading edge, but James (124no) went on to notch up a brilliant century. He was well supported by Lewis Dann (34no) and Belvoir knocked the runs off inside 35 overs.

Division Three

Barrowby 177-8

Barkston 176 all out

Having been put into bat on a decent wicket, Barrowby made a steady if unspectacular start, but were pegged back by tight bowling from A. Jameson (2-34).

Barrowby were forced to create a solid base in order to attack in the latter overs, and did so with great success as S. Jepson (38) and M. Phillips (33) scored freely to ensure that a strong total was achieved. Dominik Modd (2-31) and A. Hirst (1-32) also bowled well for Barkston.

The home side lost three early wickets as A. Barnes (3-26) and S. Jepson (1-22) continued their good form. Barkston recovered well with M. Walton (42) and L. Parker (19) kick-starting the innings.

A belligerent knock from A. Johnson (42) seemingly ensured that Barkston were heading for victory. However, late wickets saw them needing 10 from the last over and they fell agonisingly short as Barrowby continued their winning streak.

South Notts League

Division B

Collingham 208-5

Belvoir 193-9

Belvoir’s middle innings was stifled by 23 overs of accurate seam bowling, backed up by excellent play in the field.

At 108-5 from 38 overs, a further one hundred were needed in eight overs. Ross Denton (36 from 33 balls) and Matt Harland (13 from nine) put up a defiant and vigorous resistance until Harland was bowled.

Matt Irvine and Fraser Fentem battered Belvoir on to a fourth batting point but the asking rate was far too high. Danny Gibson earned the two points for the losing draw by blocking the last few deliveries.

Earlier, Collingham had set a reasonable target through a mixture of solid defence and measured aggression.

The pick of the Belvoir bowling was an 11-over spell of seam from the steadfast Irvine.

Burrough & District League

Division One

Belvoir 145-6

Uppingham 133-5

Batting first, Belvoir posted a tricky but gettable total in what turned out to be a very close fought game.

Penford (28) and Lewis (48) got Belvoir off to a racey start. With a below par score looking likely, Dann (38) upped the pace to strike much needed runs in the final overs to give Belvoir much needed impetus for thesecond half.

Uppingham started well before the Belvoir bowlers began to drag the game back in their favour. Harland running Collins out with a direct hit with only one stump to aimat proved to be a key moment.

The game ebbed and flowedand Uppingham began to settle in and took the attack to Belvoir. Ashwin looked to be leading the home side to victory only to be outdone by a smart piece of keeping by Lewis.

Salamon Cup

Belvoir 114-8

Ashby Carington 80-5

Some very tidy bowling by the Ashby side
resticted Belvoir to 114 off their 20 overs,
taking regular wickets to ensure Belvoir could never get on top.

Hubbard (31) was the only batsmen to dig in, realising early in his innings that 120 might be enough on a difficult batting wicket. Denton (20) and Butterworth (7) proved to score invaluable runs in the final five overs, giving Belvoir a glimmer of hope and forward momentum going into the next phase of the game.

Troop (2-26) and Buckby (3-14) particularly impressed for Ashby.

After the early wicket of Smith, Taylor (27) and Troop (11) put a dampener on things and began to dig in against some hostile
bowling from the Belvoir strike.

With the game in the balance, up stepped Fentem to pile on the pressure, bowling his four overs for eight runs in a critical part of the game, backed up by his fielders who clearly wanted the victory.

Bottomley’s figures were 2-15, again impressive.

Ashby finished on 80-5 off their 20, although the winning margin does not give enough credit to how close the contest was.

Four friends of the late Danny Walsh are preparing to cycle from Grantham to Skegness and back in his memory.

On July 28, a year after Danny was killed, they will set off from the Market Cross and cycle over 100 miles in a day raising money for Lincolnshire and Nottingham Air Ambulance, the charity chosen by the Walsh family.

Organiser Jon Duffy said: “I wanted to do something in Danny’s memory so I organised this - it’s been a very difficult time for his family and friends so this is a tiny challenge compared to what they have been through.

“I can’t thank everyone enough for the support and donations so far, especially my work Autocraft Drivetrain Solutions in Belton who have bought us printed cycling jerseys to wear on the day.

“We all hope to raise plenty of money for this charity which was chosen by Debbie Walsh herself.”

Anyone wanting to donate can get a sponsorship form by popping into either John’s Hairdressing on London Road, The Tattoo Shop on Commerical Road, Harrowby FC, Westgate Club or the White Lion pub on Bridge End Road.

To mark its win as the Grantham Journal’s Salon of the Year 2014, aUK received a special certificate on Thursday.

On receiving the award from editor Paul Richardson, aUK’s co-director Sally Todd said: “We are delighted and thrilled, and what is really nice is that it is the public who voted for us.”

Afterwards the Journal was shown behind the scenes of their impressive extension, which when completed in September will see their premises at The Old Malthouse on Commerical Road double in size to include an exclusive fitness suite and new hair salon.

The expansion will also enable them to add even more beauty, health and spa treatments to their already extensive list, along with yoga and pilates classes.

For more information and to make an appointment, call aUK on 01476 568378 or visit their website www.ukhairbeauty.com

My wife and I didn’t know what to expect when we went along to the Olde Barn at Marston on Friday, to a concert performed by the Brook Street Big Band, which comprised of local young musicians.

We came away amazed by the performance this youthful band had given us.

The talent on display that evening, both by instrumentalists and vocalists, was astonishing and on par, if not better, than many professional swing bands we have seen.

Well done to everyone concerned for a brilliant evening that made us really proud to be Granthamians.

Ian and Celia Saddington

Warwick Close, Grantham

The recently opened Teaspoon Tea Company in The George Centre has raised £217.31 as part of Marie Curie’s Blooming Great Tea Party campaign.

On June 25, £1 from the sale of every pot of tea was donated to the charity by Teaspoon, while there was also a tea quiz testing customers’ knowledge and a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses.
Owner Pamela Merryweather said: “ We had a fantastic day, and want to say a big thank you to all who attended to make the day a success. The support of the local businesses with raffle prizes enabled us to raise lots of money for this worthy cause! We will definitely be holding a tea party next year.”

Crazes may come and go, but a 10-year-old is making the most of the latest must-buy item in order to raise funds in aid of Help for Heroes.

Loom bracelets, which are similar to friendship bracelets but consist of small coloured elastic bands, have been selling out across the country.

As the craze reached Grantham, Bethia Wright from St Vincent’s Road realised that they were a great way of fundraising for charity.

She first had the idea after suggesting to her older brother Matthew, 13, who always wears the Help for Heroes official wristband, that she could make a loom version in the charity’s colours.

Despite not having any family connection to the military, with many of her fellow students at St Anne’s Primary School having parents in the forces the cause has been as popular as the bracelets.

So far Bethia has raised £70.98 through friends and family, making 77 bracelets using 4,158 bands in the red, dark and pale blue colours of Help for Heroes.

Bethia explains: “I have made them using my fingers or my loom”, and having registered as an offical fundraiser with the charity she has until the end of August to collect as much money as possible.

The whole family has got behind the fundraising, with mum Teresa selling bracelets to friends and their children, dad Colin taking them into work and Matthew also helping to spread the craze at his school, St Hugh’s.

Teresa said: “It is quite something for a 10-year-old to decide to do. We are very proud of her.”

Grantham and District Table Tennis Summer League concluded last Monday.

Elgre Ancaster were crowned champions ahead of Cranmer, with Ancaster Sports in third place.

Organisers Matt Weavers and Simon Mableson were delighted with the players’ support throughout and said the league had been a huge success.

Organisation for the winter league is getting underway and the GDTTL annual meeting takes place at the Railway Club on August 13 at 7.30pm.

Teams are asked to consider their numbers and all new ones will be welcomed.

Team Elgre Ancaster are pictured with their £50 prize money.

A corridor of precious protected wildlife is being ruined by people driving their 4x4 vehicles and motorbikes through it.

Now a zero tolerance approach is being taken against people who drive along the The Drift and King Luds Entrenchments, a 4km route between Skillington and Denton, part of the Viking Way.

Irresponsible vehicle owners have driven along the route, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), churning up the trail causing deep ruts and leaving behind muddy trails which make it almost impassable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

It is illegal for people to use motorised vehicles along this section of the Viking Way. Four prosecutions are in progress at the moment. Signs warning people against using their vehicles on The Drift have been vandalised and stolen.

Concrete bollards and concrete blocks secured deep into the ground, known as dragon’s teeth, have recently been installed to prevent larger vehicles using the route. But the blocks are spaced so as to allow horseriders and carts through, meaning that motorbikes can also get through.

PC Nick Smith, based at Grantham Police Station, said: ”Like many officers I have spent hours patrolling the Viking Way trying to advise and inform people that they cannot be there on quad bikes and in 4x4 vehicles. Even though there are signs in the area some are genuinely surprised and compliant with requests to leave the area and not return in vehicles, while others simply do not care and have even tried to outrun officers when we have attempted to stop them.This is simply not acceptable. There are very prominent signs in the area telling people how they can use the area and we are now refusing to believe that people do not know they shouldn’t be there in motorised vehicles. We will not tolerate this any longer and anyone using the area inappropriately will feel the full weight of the law that protects the site.”

The Drift was designated an SSSI in 1984. It is home to 10 types of butterfly and to several declining, ‘red-listed’ songbirds such as the yellowhammer, skylark, corn bunting, linnet and song thrush. Surveys have shown a dramatic decline in the habitat due to reckless use of vehicles.

Angie Lillistone, of Natural England, said: “This site is designated as an SSSI because it contains one of the rarest wildflower habitats within England. It is estimated that 98% of wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1930s and that one species of flowering plant has been lost from Lincolnshire every two years since 1900. Repeated use by motorised vehicles has led to the loss of many of the species here. It is not acceptable that the actions of a few people have reduced what could be a beautiful area for the public to enjoy to a muddy and often impassable track.”

District Councillor Ray Wootten, chairman of The South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forum, said: “We support the actions taken by Lincolnshire County Council Highways Department to install barriers. A minority of 4x4 drivers and trail riders, due to excessive use, have put at risk this site of special scientific interest. We also support Lincolnshire Police in the prosecution of any person found driving or riding a motorised vehicle, who despite warnings have ignored signs which prohibit motorise traffic.”

An exhibition and two concerts will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War at St John’s Church, Spitalgate.

The commemoration will be called Grantham Remembers. The concerts will take place on Saturday, November 15, 
at the end of a two week exhibition starting on November 1.

The concerts, one in the afternoon and another in the evening, will feature St John’s choir directed by 
Geoff Winter. The concerts will also feature traditional music and songs from the Great War. Belvoir Wassailers will take part together with local folk groups and soloists. Poetry and prose will be read during the concerts.

Entry will be free, but special commemorative booklets will be on sale and proceeds will go to the Royal British Legion and Friends of St John’s Church. The Legion will also be selling poppies.

The exhibition will be set up in the church for people to visit. It will be a combination of the history of the war in general and a focus on local history.

Local historian Malcolm Knapp will be giving two talks in the church. On November 1 he will talk about “Bygone Grantham, World War 1” and on November 8 there will be a talk about his visits to the Somme and Ypres.

Charmaine Morgan, who is helping to organise the event, said: “This will commemorate not only the Machine Gun Corps at Belton, but also the Royal Flying Corps, now the RAF, which played such a vital role in the war and whose 
pilots were trained in Grantham and Harlaxton. Representatives from the Armed Forces will be invited with the community and dignitaries.”

Grantham library has been a vital source of material for the exhibition.

Schools will also be invited to the exhibition and classes will be able to visit as part of their curriculum and it is envisaged pupils will be able to do a number of activities.

There will also be a focus on local people who played an important role during the war including first policewoman Edith Smith and Alfred Ball, who attended King’s School and won a Victoria Cross.

Mrs Morgan would also like to hear from any organisations who would like tickets for larger groups or any businesses who would like to sponsor the exhbition. If you can help with the exhibition or would like group tickets email charmaine725@btinternet.com or call 01476 574748.

For more details on the education programme associated with the exhibition call Jayne Robb on 07828 039628.

If you can help with period items for the exhibition call Patsy Ellis on 07758 388526.

Tickets will be available from the Guildhall Arts Centre box office and the library on 
a first come, first served basis.

Grantham Bowl has a new look and hosted an American themed evening to celebrate its reopening.

Guests arrived in fancy dress and were entertained by band Sebastian who played a selection of Rock ‘n’ Roll classics.

Mayor of Grantham Ian Selby cut a celebratory cake and enjoyed a game of bowling on the new synthetic lanes.

Bowling competitions were held throughout the evening and a team from the University of Nottingham won the best score of the night.

The old wooden lanes have been taken out and donated to a number of local projects.

The restaurant has been transformed into Jak’s Diner, complete with red and white booths and chequered floors. Guests were served samples from the new diner menu, which includes ice-cream sundaes, milkshakes and alchoholic hardshakes.

The refurbishment includes a new Hollywood themed party room, decorated with 1950s memorabilia and life size pictures of Hollywood’s elite.

A man who grew up in Grantham has published a book containing fond memories of the town, time spent in the country and tales from his own family history.

Neil Sentance, who now lives with his family in Dorset, has been writing articles for a website called Caught By The River, an online forum for artists of all kinds.

And now a series of these articles has appeared in a book called Water and Sky: Voices From The Riverside.

Neil, pictured with a copy of the book, grew up near the Witham in Grantham, but his grandparents owned a farm in Foston and Neil spent many an idyllic summer playing in the area as a youngster.

In the book Neil explores his family history and the landscape in which they lived. Neil, who used to live in St Vincent’s Road and was a pupil at King’s School, said he his delighted with the book and feels very “humbled” that his writings have been published.

Neil said: “I grew up in the town until the age of 12 and then we moved to Old Somerby. I spent a lot of time at my grandparents’ farm in Foston. The Witham was a fixture that ran through my childhood.”

Neil works in publishing, although his full-time job is on the academic side of the business. He said: “I have always dabbled in writing and I think when you reach your mid forties you become more interested in family and family history. I became interested in merging the landscape with my family history. I realised my family was rooted in a particular place – south west Lincolnshire – where the name Sentance is particular that that area and I wanted to explore my family history and that landscape and see how they reacted.”

Neil is married to Kate and they have a seven-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter. Neil has lived and worked in London and other cities but says the family “gravitated” to a more rural part of the world in Bridport, Dorset, while the children were young.

Neil added: “The countryside is very important to me. The book is thematically organised but I have used the River Witham as a central point and then wrote about my family through the last 100 years.”

The book is a collection of memories, some of them from Neil’s holidays in the 1970s and 80s as well as a depiction of the people who lived and farmed in the area.

The book also includes photographs of family members, dating back to the early 20th century. Neil describes it as “part reflection, recollection and part reimagination”.

He says those remiscences of childhood are “ingrained” in his memory, but he has also had help from family members including his grandmother who is in her 90th year, who has been a great source of material. The book has received a great deal of praise, not least from travel writer Robert MacFarlane, who wrote The Wild Places. MacFarlane said of Neil’s book: “It is wonderful to read such experiment of voice, tone and vision.”

Voices from the Riverside is available to buy for £12. Go to caughtbytheriver.net and click on the Water and Sky 
tab.

Villagers have taken it into their own hands to provide affordable housing in Wilsford, near Ancaster.

Faced with the loss of young people from the village and local services, they set up a Community Land Trust and they now own 10 affordable family homes that will be rented to people who live or work in the community for generations to come.

Lincolnshire County Council released a site in Wilsford, next to the village hall, and North Kesteven District Council topped up the funding from the Homes and Communities Agency to build the homes.

A similar scheme has been set up in Pinchbeck.

The schemes are being built in partnership with Lincolnshire Rural Housing Association (LRHA), which will manage the homes on behalf of the 
trusts. Westleigh Homes is building the houses in Wilsford and worked closely with the land trust on the design of the buildings.

John Mather, of Lincolnshire Community Land Trust, which supported the villagers through the whole scheme, said: “I have been delighted to be able to support the people of Wilsford and Pinchbeck achieve their ambition of providing badly needed affordable homes – a wonderful legacy that shows the power of community group action.

“From the first inkling of an idea through to the homes being built, both communities have been supported by Lincolnshire Community Land Trust. It provides hands-on advice and guidance to any community wanting to have ownership and control of 
assets that will benefit their residents. This may be affordable housing, but equally it could be a pub or allotments or any land or buildings important to the community.”

In Lincolnshire and other largely rural counties there is a significant lack of affordable housing. In these areas wages tend to be low.

Figures from the National Housing Federation show that the average house in Lincolnshire now costs more than eight times average local wages.

John Howes, chief executive of LRHA added: “LRHA has always been committed to providing high quality affordable homes in the county’s villages and market towns, but working this closely with communities and seeing them take the lead has been inspirational. I am looking forward to others following the path blazed by Wilsford and Pinchbeck.”

A special celebration will take place in Grantham this month to mark the 90th anniversary of Wyndham Park.

The events and activities will run between 10am and 2pm in the park on Sunday, July 27, organised by The Wyndham Park Forum with the Old Pavilion Tea Rooms.

The event is themed to celebrate the opening of the war memorial park, but there will be activities not strictly belonging to the 1920s, but with children in mind. So for the youngsters there are a couple of bouncy castles and a climbing wall (manned by the Army Cadet Force), and a hand-turned Victorian Roundabout! There will also be skittles to play, and cans to knock off, a bit like a coconut shy.

Also for the children, 
Betty Elmer will be telling stories at 11am, noon and 1pm. Her stories are suitable for all ages and will include a special story called the Mighty Chestnut Tree – all about Wyndham Park.

The Grantham and District Model Boat Club will be putting boats on the river and there will be an opportunity for visitors to have a go.

The Wyndham Park Bowls Club will also be having a Fun Day for everyone to join in.

Around the park there will be a variety of craft stalls - ranging from fashion jewellery, vintage clothing, garden ornaments and other craft items, plus loads more.

The Old Pavilion Tea Rooms will be serving a special period menu at lunchtime.

Throughout the day there will be live music from the Uptown Strutters Jazz Band, and the St Wulfram’s Church Choir will perform at 2pm.

A display recounting the history of Wyndham Park and how it was first planned will be in the black and white shelter, and there will be a Heritage Trail to visitors round the important features of Wyndham Park.

In addition all the usual features and facilities will be open for use in Wyndham Park. The event is supported by South Kesteven District Council.

The park was officially opened on July 10, 1924.

Choir Invisible is presenting two concerts on July 18 and 19 as official events for Nelson Mandela Day, which takes place on his birthday.

These are the UK’s only contributing events. The Grantham choir will sing South African songs for and about Nelson Mandela, led by Luyanda Jezile in the traditional call-and-response style and in all the South African languages. The 75 Invisibles deliver the a capella harmonies of Southern Africa alongside African-American Gospel and soul music, all sung in the richly-textured harmony that is their trademark sound.

Make a Joyful Noise: Intsholo Yovuyo - is the result of three months’ collaboration with leading South African singer Luyanda Jezile.

The concerts take place at The Engine Shed, Lincoln, on July 18 and at The Albert Hall, Nottingham, on July 19. Doors open 7pm for 8pm start. All tickets are £12 in advance, £14 on the door. For Lincoln tickets call into the Engine Shed (Tel: 0844 888 8766) or online at www.engineshed.co.uk Nottingham tickets are available at the Tourism Centre, in person or call 0844 477 5678 or from www.gigantic.com/intsholo-yovuyo-tickets

An Open Gardens weekend in Billingborough was a huge success, raising £2,800 for St Andrew’s Church.

Last Saturday and Sunday, there were 11 open gardens ranging from demonstrations of gardening in a small space to groomed and productive plots of one acre. The two plant stalls and the ‘pot’ stall were very popular as were all the activities which took place in the church.

These included an art exhibition by Billingborough Art Group where pictures were not advertised for sale but sold anyway; a working layout of Billingborough Station before it was closed by Dr Beeching in the 1960s by the Spalding Model Railway Club; an exhibition of historic Billingborough photographs (“The Blasson Collection”) and a stall demonstrating the village’s Emergency Plan where several villagers signed up to help.

Organiser Michael King said: “However, the real gain was the spirit of the community and the pleasure of the visitors who this year came from as far afield as Grimsby and Tokyo! The organisers woke up on Saturday morning to moderately heavy rain and feared the worst but the skies cleared and by the opening time of 11am the day was fine. That was how both Saturday and Sunday remained and the sun shone through despite the pessimistic weather forecast.”

A 22-year-old’s night out to celebrate her birthday went badly wrong when she ended up in a fight with two of her friends.

Louise Serle of Heathfield Road, Grantham, admitted to using threatening words and behaviour on her 22nd birthday.

Prosecutor Shelley Wilson told the court how on Friday, May 30 at 2.30am in the morning, Serle was waiting outside the front of the Late Lounge.

Another female then exited the nightclub and the two women got into a fight during which they punched, kicked and pulled each other’s hair.

A third woman also got involved, pinning one to the floor while Serle stamped on her shoulder.

The fight was broken up by members of the public, and because the two other women were of previous good character they received summary cautions.

However Serle has been in court for a couple of previous matters, including a conviction for common assault at the crown court for which she had recevied a conditional discharge.

In interview Serle admitted that she had been drunk after going to both Gravity and Late Lounge.

She had drunk a whole bottle of Lambrini as well as vodka and cokes.

Defending, Chris Pye-Smith said that there was no breach of the conditional discharge because the offence pre-dated it.

He also told the court that the three girls were actually friends, but the problem began inside the Late Lounge when Serle was unhappy with the behaviour of one of them towards an unknown male.

He said this friend then punched Serle in the face, giving her a thick lip which she later refused to let police take a photograph of in order for action to be taken.

Moreover Serle was then ejected from the Late Lounge, and it was after this that the fight broke out.

Pye-Smith added that Serle has a, and recevies income support and child benefit but gives most of this to her mother as she lives at home.

Magistrates ordered Serle to serve a 12 hour community order under supervision, during which she must carry out 40 hours of unpaid work.

She must also undertake a thinking skills programme and pay a victim surcharge of £60 and £40 towards prosecution costs.