A suspicious vehicle has been reported in the Gunby area.
The white Transit van, with a number plate similar to YL53ZZJ was seen in the afternoon of Sunday, August 10.
The vehicle is one of several suspicious vans seen in the area over the last week.
Please call 101 quoting incident number 315 of August 10 if you have any information that may relate to this, or similar suspicious vans.
SATURDAY
Football
Northern Premier League
Premier Division – Blyth Spartans v Grantham Town (3pm).
FA Cup
Extra preliminary round – Clipstone v Harrowby United (3pm).
Cricket
South Lincs & Border League
Premier Division – Belton Park v Stamford Town, Boston v Grantham, Bourne 2nd v Welby.
Division One – Billingborough 2nd v Heckington, Grantham 2nd v Market Deeping 2nd.
Division Two – Grantham 3rd v Belton Park 2nd, Lindum 3rd v Claypole, Welby 2nd v Burgh & District.
South Notts League
Division B – Bottesford v Thurgarton, Belvoir v Plumtree 2nd.
Division E – Whatton & Aslockton v Calverton 2nd, Gedling & Sherwood v Belvoir 2nd.
Division G – Ravenshead v Bottesford 2nd, Kimberley Institute 3rd v Bingham.
Division L – Madni v Belvoir 3rd.
Division M – Eastwood Town 3rd v Whatton & Aslockton 2nd.
SUNDAY
Cricket
Grantham & Melton Association
Division One – Barkby United v Woolsthorpe by Belvoir, Belvoir v Belton Park, Empingham v Bottesford, Grantham v Buckminster.
Division Two – Sholay v Croxton Kerrial, Sproxton v Syston Town, Welby v Rothley Park.
Division Three – Barkston & Syston v Grantham 2nd, Harlaxton v Colsterworth, Melton Mowbray v Skillington, Queniborough v Barrowby, Thorpe Arnold v Whissendine.
TUESDAY
Football
Northern Premier League
Premier Division – Grantham Town v Barwell (7.45pm).
A member of the public has been given an on the spot fine of £75 for dropping a cigarette end in a Grantham street.
It was served on High Street on Tuesday.
South Kesteven District Council is reminding residents and visitors alike of their responsibilities to not drop litter, including cigarette ends, on the street – or face the fine.
Portfolio holder for healthy environment Councillor John Smith said: ”We thank those residents who always responsibly dispose of their litter.
“If you smoke please remember cigarette stubs are not biodegradable so need to be disposed of appropriately. The accumulation of ends is among our key problems of litter in public areas.
“Our teams monitor and patrol public areas across the district and educate residents and visitors on the problems litter creates. This is the warning though to those who flout the rules that sometimes enforcement is the only option.
“Every item that is discarded deliberately is another blight on the streets of our towns and villages so help us to make South Kesteven clean, green and healthy by not dropping litter.”
Dropping litter in a public place in the district contravenes section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
United Counties League
Premier Division
Huntingdon Town 2
Harrowby United 1
Harrowby United’s first away trip of the season ended in disappointment as last season’s runners-up Huntingdon Town scored two late goals to earn the points.
The home side, playing their first game of the season, were quick off the mark and put the Arrows under early pressure. After eight minutes, Sam Weatherstone was given a yellow card as he brought down Jacob Joyce advancing towards the penalty area. From the resuling free kick, Billy Stubbs stuck out a leg on the end of the wall to deflect the ball behind for a corner.
Harrowby were resticted to trying to hit the ‘Croms’ on the break and after 19 minutes, on one such excursion, a deep cross from Scott Webb found Ian Ward at the far post, but the Harrowby striker’s header lacked the power to trouble Huntingdon keeper Tim Trebes.
Two minutes later, another break saw Arrows man-of-the-match Liam Harper thread a fine through-ball to Lee Shaw who produced an excellent finish, lobbing the ball over the advancing Trebes and into an empty net to give Harrowby the lead.
The rest of the half saw Huntingdon in the ascendancy but their attacks were blunted by some excellent Harrowby defending.
On the stroke of half time, the Arrows went close when a corner from the right from Harper found Jack Whyley who headed just wide at the far post.
The second half was more of the same. Harrowby soaked up waves of Huntingdon attacks. Joyce shot wide after 53 minutes and just past the hour the same player should have done better when he met a free kick into the box, only to shoot tamely straight at Jack Drury in the Harrowby goal.
After 68 minutes, another quick break from Harrowby created a chance for substitute Luke Peberdy who tried to lift the ball over on on rushing Trebes. The effort was not high enough and the keeper was able to grab the ball and avert the danger. Webb shot just wide four minutes later after a well worked corner from Harper found him free on the edge of the box.
With 11 minutes remaining, the hosts forced an equaliser when a ball out to their pacey winger, substitute William Oliver, brought about a penalty kick. As the wide man tried to knock the ball past Arrows left back Joe Clarke, it struck the defender’s outstretched arm and referee Mr Byatt had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Declan Rogers stepped up to plant the ball in the corner and level the scores.
It was heartbreak for the Arrows four minutes later when Huntingdon were awarded a cheap free kick 20 yards out after an innocuous looking challenge. Again Rogers was the man to take the kick, and again he found the bottom corner of the net with a sweetly stuck shot to secure the three points for the home side.
Harrowby United: Drury, Weatherstone (Currall, 33), Clarke, Stubbs, Whyley, Harper, Hill (c), Bolland, Webb, Shaw, Ward (Peberdy, 62).
The souvenir programme for Gravity Fields Festival 2014 is now out.
The glossy brochure features the full run down of events in this year’s science and arts festival, which celebrates Grantham’s links to the great Sir Isaac Newton.
The full-colour, 56-page programme costs £2.50 and features in depth details on every event and school workshop of the festival , running from September 24-28.
They are available from the Guildhall Arts Centre in Grantham. You can also reserve a copy by calling the Guildhall box office on 01476 406158.
More than 30 scooters led the way to St Wulfram’s Church for the funeral of well-known Grantham man Steve Woollas yesterday (Wednesday).
The hearse carrying his coffin followed the procession of scooters, all members of the Grantham Daytrippers Scooter Club, of which Steve was a founding member.
The journey began at the home of his mother Sue Woollas, in Pasture Close, heading down Bridge End Road, along London Road, St Peter’s Hill, High Street, Watergate, around the gyratory system to Brook Street and, finally, along Castlegate to the rear entrance of the church.
Funeral director Robert Holland led the coffin into the church, which was packed with family, friends and colleagues.
After the service, the scooters led the hearse back through the town and to a cremation at Grantham Crematorium. Later in the evening, a celebration of Steve’s life was held at Chameleon Music Bar, in High Street.
Steve, who lived in Harrowby Road, was killed in an industrial accident at Vacu-Lug, Gonerby Hill Foot, on July 30, where he worked as a forklift truck driver.
He leaves his three children, Leon, Emily and Jack, granddaughter Gracie-Mae and sister Alison.
As we hear a record number of students nationally are heading to university this year, a Grantham school is celebrating a record number of its students being offered places.
Walton Girls’ High School has also seen an increase in the number of its pupils achieving A*-E grades.
Principal Chris Horrocks said: “These results are testament to the hard work of both students and staff. At Walton we pride ourselves not only on excellent academic performance and outstanding extra-curricular opportunities but also providing individualised pastoral support.
“The advantage of a relatively small school is that we really do know all of our students as individuals and can provide them with the support they need to help them achieve their personal ambitions and career aspirations. I believe that our students’ confidence flourishes in the Walton environment and I am delighted that we have students pursuing a real breadth of careers from the vocational such as nursing to the academic such as law.
“In addition, we have students who have successfully secured apprenticeships. This is what the job is all about...watching students grow and develop and enabling them to fulfil their dreams.”
Year 13 pupil Maia Goree said she was “over the moon” with her results.
She added: “I can’t wait to start my biology degree and my life at university. I can’t thank my teachers enough for all they have done for me.”
Ellie Connor, who has secured a place at Sheffield Hallam University to study Fine Art, said: “I’ve had a fantastic time at Walton. I am so happy with my results. Sheffield here I come!”
Fellow pupil Sophie Radford said: “I am so pleased with my results. I can’t wait to go to Barcelona to do a dance degree.”
Chloe Coulson added: “I am so happy with my results. I have loved every minute of my time at Walton. Now I’m getting ready to start an apprenticeship at a veterinary practice in Nottingham. All my hard work has really paid off. Thanks to all the teachers who have helped me.”
It has been another “very successful year” for A-level students at Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School, said headteacher Graham Burks.
The percentage of students gaining A*-B grades at advanced level, excluding general studies, is 66 per cent.
Mr Burks said he was tremendously proud of the achievements of both his students and staff, adding that despite anxiety over potential grade deflation students at KGGS have achieved “tremendously well”.
He said: “It’s been a tough year with the school community having to adopt different strategies due to the new linear approach and no examinations in January. It’s been difficult for the girls, I know they have worried, but overall they have achieved tremendously.
“I am both proud and delighted for them. We are now interested to see how others have fared and what has taken place nationally. It is the outcome for the students that matters to us most and so as usual we will be monitoring closely the numbers of students gaining their first choice option post 18.)
Students successful in gaining their first choice universities included five medics, a veterinary medic and a dentist, with a further three students going to Cambridge.
Sir William Robertson Academy’s first Year 13 students are celebrating their exam success with the school’s first full set of A-levels with glittering results.
Following the opening of its new sixth form provision in September 2012, the school and its students have been working hard towards their A2 examinations and building on the results achieved at AS level last summer.
One third of the Year 13 students achieved top grades gaining A*-B with one in five gaining all A* and As and almost 90 per cent securing a place at their first choice university.
Danny Swanwick, of Newark, gained three As with an A* in Business Studies, A in Mathematics and A in Further Maths and has secured a place at the prestigious Russell Group University, University of Nottingham to study accountancy; Tom North, of Stubton, gained an A* in Maths, A* in Further Maths and a B in Physics and is going to Lancaster University to study Mathematics; Chloe Grainger, of Newark, gained an A in Art, A in Geography and B in Business Studies and is going to Nottingham Trent University to study Fashion Management; Emily Ditton, of Carlton-Le-Moorland, gained an A in English, B in Art & Design, C in English Literature and is going to Nottingham Trent University to study Psychology with Criminology; Chloe Hill, of Newark, gained an A in Maths, B in Further Maths, C in Performing Arts and C in General Studies and has secured a place at Bishop Grosseteste University at Lincoln to study Education Studies and Mathematics; and Ellie Williams, of Brandon, gained an A in English Literature, B in English Language and C in Performing Arts and is going to the University of Hull to study English.
Headteacher Mark Guest said: “I am delighted to see the fantastic achievements of our first cohort of Year 13 students at Sir William Robertson. The students have worked so hard and have produced some exceptional results as a direct result of engaging teaching within small groups.
“As well as their fantastic individual achievements, this group of students have really helped shape the ethos and expectations of our sixth form at SWRA and we wish them well in their university studies and future careers.”
Year 12 students are also celebrating exam success with some superb AS level results. Twins James and Daniel Evans, from Coddington, gained four As (James) and three As and a B (Daniel) in their AS level examinations with James passing his A-level Mathematics a year early with an A grade.
Connor Brunsden, from Cranwell, gained two As in Mathematics and Further Maths and a B in Chemistry; Emma Braithwaite, from Bassingham, gained an A in Art & Design and a B in Mathematics; Emma Boardman, from Newark, gained three A’s and two B’s and Alexander Maughan from Ancaster gained an A in Business Studies and a B in English Literature.
The school is driven by the aim to ‘ASPIRE’ and this directs the work of all staff and pupils. In recent years it has become one of the most sought after schools in Lincolnshire, with parents recognising the benefits of choosing a very successful school in a safe, rural setting with superb pastoral care. The addition of the sixth form facility means that parents are confident that their children can continue their education in this supportive environment with high academic results.
Seb Mann, head of sixth form, said: “It has been a real pleasure guiding our first group of students through their AS and A2 courses and I am absolutely delighted with their fantastic achievements.”
Grantham College is today celebrating the best A-level results in five years.
Of particular note is Ying Didan who gained A*, A and B in Maths, Further Maths and Accounting respectively who hopes to study Mathematics with Finance at Kings College London, Kirstie Sandy who gained three high grade A levels including an A* for Business Studies and has a place on the prestigious Business Management course at Nottingham Trent University and Robert Gait who added grade As in Anthropology and Sociology to the grade Bs in English Literature and Environmental Studies that he passed last year. Robert is accepted to study Bioarchaeology at York.
College principal and CEO Linda Houtby said: “2014 has been a record year for Grantham College seeing a five-year upward trend in improving A-level results. My thanks go to the hard working staff of the college, the dedication of the students and the support they receive from friends and family.”
Students who have taken their exams this year have been celebrating, not only today but for the past few weeks, as results have been coming in and will continue to come in over the coming weeks.
Students who have been studying BTEC courses have had their results coming in since the being of the summer, as they are marked differently to A-Levels, and have seen students gaining triple distinctions (equivalent to AAA at A-Levels) in Health & Social Care, Art & Design, Sport and Public Services. Given that the excellent results span such a breadth of curriculum areas is testament to the dedication and hard work of both the students and staff – and demonstrates the value of the college’s industry-trained staff.
Performing Arts have had a fantastic year with student Melissa McNaught gaining triple *** in her course (equivalent to triple A*s at A-Level) which is the highest grade any student on her course has received in several years. Melissa also received the Outstanding Achievement award for her course at the college’s annual awards ceremony earlier in the year where she also performed to a captivated audience.
Mrs Houtby said: “I would like to congratulate all the Grantham College students including those receiving A-level and GCSE results over the next week. Several thousand students have achieved a qualification of some sort over the last academic year with the college.
“Many have gained vocational qualifications which are highly regarded by employers and higher education institutions and increasingly we are seeing young people make a positive decision to undertake apprenticeships. The opportunity to earn whilst you learn and gain technical and employability skills are increasingly seen as a positive choice whilst still allowing part-time study at a high level.”
Grantham College offer Higher Education courses. For more information, or for details of BTEC or A-level courses, visit www.grantham.ac.uk or call 0800 0521 577.
Priory Ruskin Academy in Grantham has enjoyed its best ever A-level results, says the head of sixth form Lee Steptoe.
The overall Year 13 pass rate was 96 per cent, up two per cent on last year, with a quarter being at A-B. The Year 12 pass rate was 93 per cent, beating previous years, with A-C grades at 65 per cent.
Mr Steptoe said: “We are delighted with these results. We have shown significant improvement with overall passes above the national average. We continue to grow and offer a quality, structured environment in brand new, first rate facilitie.”
Individual success stories include joint head girls Chantelle Brookes and Vivien Frajter, and head boy Ben Oakes. Chantelle is going to the University of Nottingham to pursue nursing, Vivien to Derby to do sociology and psychology and Ben to Northumberland to do fine arts.
Meanwhile, Liam Taylor is doing architecture at Nottingham Trent, Lewis Webster paleontology at Portsmouth and Dillon Flaherty history at Hull.
King’s School in Grantham has seen an increase in its A-level pass rate on last year.
The percentage pass rate at A-level is 99.6 per cent, up from 98.2 last year. The percentage of subject entries gaining grades A*/A is 41 per cent, an increase of 10 per cent. The percentage of subject entries gaining A*-B grades is 67 per cent, up by five per cent.
Head master Frank Hedley said: “These are first-class results. Thanks go to teaching staff and to parents for all of the support given to the boys throughout their A-level studies.
“This was a superb year group. I am immensely proud of the boys and their achievements. I wish them every happiness and success in the next phase of their career.”
Top achieving students at King’s School this year are:
* Luke Wren – 5 A*, 1A and 1B grades
* Muneeb Abrar – 5A* grades
* Rory Croft – 3A* and 2B grades
* Callum Grainger – 3A*, 1A and 1B grades
An investigation into the financial affairs of the Priory Federation of Academies has led to two men being charged today.
Richard Thomas Gilliland, aged 63, now of Moraira, Spain and formerly of Collingham, Nottinghamshire has today been charged with six offences.
The charges relate to alleged frauds by abuse of position contrary to the Fraud Act 2006.
Mr Gilliland used to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Priory Federation of Academies based in Lincoln.
Stephen Roger Davies, aged 57, of Doddington Park, Lincoln who was Finance Director of the Priory Federation of Academies has been charged with three similar offences arising from the same investigation.
The men have both been released on bail to appear at Lincoln Magistrates Court at 10am on Thursday, September 11.
A solicitors’ clerk who oversaw a cocaine supply conspiracy between criminal groups in Nottingham and Grantham has been sentenced to 19 years in prison.
Leon Angel-Robinson, aged 30, of Glamis Road, Basford, headed a network of Nottingham-based couriers who supplied an estimated 45kg of the drug to a trio of drug dealers from the Lincolnshire town between May 2012 and March 2013.
Police officers from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, which investigates serious and organised crime across the region, established that Robinson’s group had made the journey 90 times, transporting an average of half-a-kilo of cocaine mixed with ‘bulking’ agents on each occasion.
Co-defendant Adam Walker-Brown provided Angel-Robinson with a flat in the Carrington area of Nottingham in which the drugs were mixed with other substances ready for distribution by Nathan Stock and 30-year-old Greg Tulley, of Brendan Road, Wollaton.
On October 21, 2012, a car being driven by Stock, with Tulley in the passenger seat, was stopped by police officers in Mansfield Road after leaving the flat.
The two men were found to be in possession of 1.8kgs cocaine and other drugs. A search of the flat in Waldeck Road also resulted in the discovery of cocaine and evidence of the drug having been mixed with other substances.
Despite the arrests of Stock and Tulley, Angel-Robinson was again orchestrating the distribution of drugs on December 29, 2012, having turned to others to help him. This time, a vehicle containing two other men, Lee McNeil and Aaron Simpson, was stopped and the pair were arrested after being found in possession of half a kilo of cocaine.
Detectives established that another two associates, Shirlon Ankle and Jermaine Oram, had arranged for McNeil and Simpson to deliver the drugs at the request of Angel-Robinson. Also involved in co-ordinating the arrangements was Junior Mason. Investigation work established that Angel-Robinson had set up the delivery to Grantham-based drug dealers Martin Cooper, Marc Fardell and Jas O’Connor.
In a third incident related the conspiracy, just a week later, a vehicle being driven by Walker-Brown was stopped in Wilkinson Street in Nottingham.
A search of the vehicle found a little over half a kilo of cocaine. Detectives would later establish that it too had been intended for delivery to Grantham, and again had been organised by Angel-Robinson.
On March 7, Desmond ‘DJ’ Buchanan was arrested in Grantham in possession of 573 grams of cocaine which was to be delivered to Cooper, Fardell and O’Connor in another deal arranged by Angel-Robinson. He had been assisted once more by Junior Mason, who had supplied the vehicle being driven by Buchanan.
Mason was also arrested shortly afterwards. A search of a flat linked to him resulted in seizures of Crack Cocaine, Heroin and equipment for mixing and preparing cocaine for sale, including an industrial press.
Angel-Robinson, then a part-time solicitors clerk, was arrested on March 20, 2013. A search of Angel-Robinson’s house in Sherwood found quantities of cash, whilst drugs were also found at an address linked to him in Hotspur Drive, Colwick and traces of drugs were found during a search of a hydroponics equipment shop he ran in Colwick Road, also in Colwick.
EMSOU detectives established that Angel-Robinson had on each occasion had some significant contact with couriers and others in the conspiracy, including Cooper, Fardell and O’Connor, who were arrested in July last year. It was estimated that the street value of the cocaine trafficked by the gang was in the region of £2m.
EMSOU worked alongside colleagues from Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire police forces to execute warrants and carry out arrests. Cooper had already been the subject of a Lincolnshire Police investigation in 2012, which was taken on by EMSOU as part of this case.
Last month, following a 10-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court, eight of the defendants were found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
In addition to the 19-year sentence for Angel-Robinson, Mason, 29, of Nansen Gardens, Top Valley, and Cooper, also 29, of Calder Close, Grantham, were each jailed for 15 years, while 12-year sentences were handed down to:
- Nathan Stock, 29, of Mapperley Hall Drive, Mapperley
- 30-year-old Greg Tulley, of Brendan Road, Wollaton
- Marc Fardell, 27, of Ambergate Walk, Grantham
- Jas O’Connor, 28, of Walton Gardens, Grantham.
Reuben Patterson, 29, of Noel Street, Forest Fields, and the owner of a car used to deliver drugs to Walker-Brown on the day of his arrest, was given a three-year sentence.
Walker-Brown, 29, of Stirling Grove, Clifton, and 26-year-old Buchanan, of Penlech Walk, Top Valley, had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing. They were sentenced on 4 August to eight-and-a-half years and six years respectively.
Simpson pleaded guilty to his part before trial on 31 July. The trial of O’Neill, Oram and Ankle began on 4 August after they initially denied their part in the conspiracy. However, they all changed their pleas to guilty on 13 August and all were sentenced on 14 August.
Ankle, 31, of Duchess Street, Bulwell, received a sentence of 11 years in prison, while Simpson, 29, of Nidderdale, Nottingham was sentenced to eight years.
McNeil, 28, of Wistow Close, Whitemoor, was sentenced to five-and-a-half years. Jermaine Oram, 29, of Gawthone Street, Basford, was sentenced to four years.
Head of EMSOU, Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Hough, said: “The five East Midlands forces are committed to delivering the national Organised Crime Strategy through EMSOU by providing the policing skills and resources needed to pursue, dismantle and prosecute criminal groups operating in our force areas.
“This is another excellent example of how EMSOU detectives, who are drawn from all five forces, are adept at unravelling intensely complex cross-border conspiracies such as this.”
“Given that someone employed as a solicitors’ clerk orchestrated this conspiracy shows a stunning disregard for the law,” said Mr Hough.
“Even the arrests of his couriers did not deter or concern him, and he simply turned to others to deliver the drugs on his behalf. It is fitting, therefore, that he should be handed such a significant prison sentence for his role.”
Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings will now follow in order to recoup some of the money and assets acquired by members of the gang through their criminal activity.
Pictured from top to bottom - Marc Fardell, Jas O’Conner and Martin Cooper.
Provisional A-level results from 37 out of 38 sixth forms in the county show an increase in higher level passes, and twelve schools with a 100% pass rate.
Despite a first drop in the national pass rate for 32 years, provisional indications from Lincolnshire schools are that there were 98.6% of A-levels passes, beating the national figure by 0.6%.
The highest grade of A* was achieved in 7.8% of entries, an increase of 0.7% on last year. This compares to a national figure of 8.2% (an increase of 0.6% on last year) showing that Lincolnshire continues to close the gap.
Thirteen Lincolnshire schools achieved a % of A* Grades greater than the national figure of 8.2%, with 8 of those achieving more than 10% for the percentage of A* grades.
Many students in Lincolnshire also follow courses that are equivalent to A-levels alongside their traditional A-levels or as an alternative to them. Although no national comparators are available at this time, initial reports from schools show that the overall pass rate has increased by 0.7% when these results are added in, with one school achieving 57.5% at grades A* or A or equivalent.
Councillor Mrs Patricia Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, said: “I am immensely proud that almost all A-level students in Lincolnshire have successfully passed their exams.
“Students put a lot of work into their studies over an intense two year period and it has really paid off. I know that they would all want me to extend their thanks to their teachers, parents and carers for supporting them so well.”
Debbie Barnes, Director of Children’s Services, said: “I know how hard it is for students to succeed in their sixth-form studies. It doesn’t happen by magic.
“Successful futures depend on the sort of dedication that our students have displayed. Lincolnshire has shown, yet again, that our young people can compete with the best the country has to offer. Well done to every single one of you and good luck with your future plans”.
Fire crews from Grantham and Corby Glen attended a vehicle on fire last night on the A1 southbound.
The fire near the B6403 junction is believed to have been caused by engine failure that resulted in a crash and subsequent blaze.
Firefighters used one hose reel to extinguish the flames.
Popular presenter Dennis Kay remains suspended from his show on Grantham’s Gravity FM radio station.
The long serving community station volunteer last presented his afternoon show more than two weeks ago.
He was suspended following on-air incident during his afternoon broadcast on Tuesday, July 29.
The station said it had launched an investigation into the incident and Mr Kay was suspended pending the outcome.
It is understood tapes of the show have been sent to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom.
Mr Kay said this week he was unable to comment until Ofcom had given its response.
The incident is said to have been linked to new scheduling arrangements at the station.
More than 35 scooters led the way to St Wulfram’s Church for the funeral of well-known Grantham man Steve Woollas on Wednesday.
The hearse carrying his coffin followed the procession of scooters, including members of the Grantham Daytrippers Scooter Club, of which Steve was a founding member.
The journey began at the home of his mother, Sue Woollas, in Pasture Close, heading through the town centre and along Castlegate to the rear entrance of the church.
Funeral director Robert Holland led the coffin into the church, which was packed with family, friends and colleagues.
After the service, the scooters led the hearse back through the town and to Grantham Crematorium. Later in the evening, a celebration of Steve’s life was held at Chameleon Music Bar, in High Street.
Steve, who lived in Harrowby Road, was killed in an industrial accident at Vacu-Lug on July 30. He worked there as a forklift truck driver. An investigation into the incident is ongoing by the Health and Safety Executive.
I have been disappointed by the reaction to your page three article (Journal, July 25) about calls for Grantham to have a town council.
The three letters published in the last two Journals have been more about party political sniping than about the real arguments for and against the idea.
And neither they nor your article have explained the strongest argument for a town council, which is that although it is the largest centre of population and economic activity in South Kesteven, Grantham is the only one which does not have a level of elected representation below the district council.
The villages have their parish councils. Bourne and Stamford have their town councils. But Grantham has nothing.
As to the arguments, let us take the additional ‘precept’ first. In that it covers some services already provided by SKDC which the town counci would take over, the effect of those changes should be broadly neutral.
True, there would be the new costs of running the town council itself, but that extra level of democracy should deliver benefits to Grantham which would more than outweigh them. To see that, one only has to consider how Grantham might perform compared with Stamford and Bourne if it, like them, ran more of its own affairs.
Their town councils both have finance committees which manage their budgets, expenditure, assets, audits, etc.
Both have amenities committees to manage cemeteries, allotments and recreation facilities - in Bourne this committee is also responsible for events like Bourne in Bloom and the Christmas lights, whereas Stamford also has a separate events committee to run festivals and special markets.
In Grantham under a similar arrangement, the town might at least get equal billing with SKDC on Gravity Fields and similar events!
And both Stamford and Bourne already have what Grantham needs most, which is a planning committee to receive copies of all applications for their areas and provide an extra level of local review below SKDC Development Control Committee (DCC).
In Bourne this committee’s title explicitly includes highways. In Stamford, the town council additionally operates a separate strategic development committee (bringing its committees total to five plus the council itself, which might help to explain its precept level!).
From the viewpoint of a relative newcomer to Grantham, a town-level voice on strategic and individual planning matters is what would make most difference to its economic development and consequent prosperity.
It would also ensure a local perspective on the value placed on community facilities and the natural and built environment. As matters stand, the views of local SKDC councillors voicing Grantham’s interests are too easily overlooked, and could easily be voted down, by the rest of the DCC.
Representations from the planning committee of a Grantham Town Council would have to be heard with more respect in SKDC and the DCC, as those from Stamford and Bourne Town Councils already are.
A Grantham town council would also solve the problem facing residents of St Anne’s ward, among others, on planning matters: because both of our SKDC councillors sit on the DCC, we have no one to actively lobby it on our behalf.
That is because if they did so, they would not be able to participate in any debate or vote about a contentious application. We therefore, unlike South Kesteven villagers, unlike residents of Stamford and Bourne, and unlike Grantham wards with at least one councillor not on the committee, have no local elected representative free to make a case to the DCC on our behalf.
But having a local planning committee to review and advise SKDC on local applications would be only one benefit. Potentially much more important would be that we could all look to a town council to develop and deliver a stronger strategic vision for Grantham, one which respects the interests of its rural hinterland, but which does not give them priority over those of the largest centre of population and economic activity in South Kesteven.
Grantham should be the economic power house of South Kesteven. It has the main line railway connection and important north-south and east-west road links.
As an incomer, I am astonished that a town with its apparent advantages has been allowed to decline to its current condition.
We need a town council sooner, rather than later, to lobby for road and traffic management improvements; to make the case for investing in its hospital and other community assets; to market Grantham to new industry investors; to take over the market and refocus the town centre until it thrives as Stamford does.
In short, to give Grantham a chance to shine again.
Some of the party bigwigs won’t like it, as their letters show. But remember that when at last you get the chance to vote for real local democracy for Grantham.
H. C. Harding
Grantham
Andrew and Linda Childs of Belvoir Gallery have been providing picture frames, prints and gifts since they opened over two years ago.
While 57-year-old Linda had a lot of previous experience as a self-employed retailer, for her husband Andrew, aged 60, it was a completely new venture.
Fortunately their joint business has been a great success, with the couple framing everything from paintings to army uniforms, medals and even a tea brick.
Outside of work Andrew is an amateur astronomer, and hopes that the skies will be clear enough this week to catch a glimpse of the Perseid meteor shower.
Married since 1999, the couple both enjoy reading too.
Between them they have three children from previous relationships and have also fostered children including a brother and a sister for ten years.
The Welby Street shop is open 9am-5pm Monday to Wednesday, 9am-5.30pm on Thursday and Friday, and 9am-4.30pm on Saturdays.
We hope they can find a fitting frame for their caricature!