Staff of Bird and Co solicitors and friends will take part in a gruelling race for charity on 
October 11.

The team of 19 from the expanding business based in Grantham, Newark and Lincoln, will run the 11km Men’s Health – Survival of the Fittest race in Nottingham, while battling their way through muddy obstacles such as skips filled with ice cold water and sections of the River Trent.
Partner Chris Jeyes said: “This year started tragically with the sudden death of Jane Overland, but in spite of the obstacles we’ve had a successful year. It’s time we faced some different obstacles to give something back for the community.”
Money raised will go to the Newark & Notts Child Bereavement and Loss Centre (formerly Sue’s Place), and CLAPA, the Cleft Lip and Palate Association.

Mr Jeyes said: “Sue’s Place was one of Jane’s preferred charities and we all thought we should do something in her memory. We hope she’d be proud of us, battling through the mud. We’re also raising money for CLAPA, after one of our team members had a nephew born with a cleft lip,”

The team’s sponsorship page can be found at http://www.justgiving.com/company/birdandco


United Counties League

Premier Division

Holbeach United 5

Harrowby United 1

Harrowby United travelled to champions elect Holbeach United midweek and, despite an encouraging performance, came away on the wrong end of a five goals to one scoreline, the home side returning to the top of the league.

Conceding two early goals left the Arrows with a mountain to climb. The first, with less than two minutes played, when a hopeful through-ball from Holbeach saw young keeper Aiden Hotchin slide out to gather, only for the ball slip out of his grasp and gift an easy tap-in for former Grantham Town man Jamie Clarke on his Holbeach home debut.

Three minutes later, Liam Harper set up a shooting chance for Sam Hill but the shot drifted wide. After nine minutes, a corner from the left by Scott Webb was headed goalwards by Arrows man-of-the-match Jack Whyley, bringing a fine save from Tigers keeper Nick Conroy who tipped the ball over the crossbar.

The second goal after only 12 minutes came from a Harrowby goal kick which was headed straight back, unchallenged, behind the Arrows back four. Tommy Treacher held off Whyley and fired home from just inside the penalty area.

Harrowby looked to get back into the game, Harper shooting wide after 22 minutes after good work from Martin Wormall, and a free kick into the area five minutes later caused panic in the Holbeach area as Billy Stubbs’s flick-on just eluded Wormall and Harper at the far post.

Holbeach increased their lead in the 69th minute when substitutes Danny Spencer and Lee Dube combined, the latter firing low past Hotchin from the edge of the area.

Dube’s second and Holbeach’s fourth arrived from a header two minutes later after another former Gingerbread, Gary King, crossed from the left.

Dube turned provider for the fifth goal, unselfishly squaring the ball for Jake Duffy to tap in with three minutes remaining.

Harrowby’s never say die attitude paid off a minute later when they grabbed a consolation goal through Hill. The Harrowby skipper got forward from midfield to head home a fine cross from the left by John Currall.

Harrowby United: Hotchin, Weatherstone, Clarke (Currall, 51), Stubbs, Whyley, Harper, Hill (c), Payne, Webb (Peberdy, 83), Wormall, Shaw. Subs not used: Atkinson, Mayes, Scothern.

SATURDAY

FA Cup

Second qualifying round – Stamford v Grantham Town (3pm).

United Counties League

Premier Division – Harrowby United v Newport Pagnell Town (3pm).

Grantham & District Saturday League

Premier Division – Caythorpe v Beehive United, Cranmer Arms v Aslockton Cranmers Reserves, Blue Pig v Barrowby.

Rugby

Midlands League 3

East (North) – Melton Mowbray v Kesteven (3pm).

Notts Pennant League

Group 2 – Kesteven 2nd v Ashbourne 3rd (3pm).

Cricket

South Lincs & Border League

Division Two – Burgh & District v Belton Park 2nd.

SUNDAY

Football

Grantham & District Sunday League

Arion Premier Division – Ropsley v Osbournby Rangers, Witham Wanderers v Long Bennington, Helpringham Rovers v Nobody Inn Athletic.

Arion Division One – Nobody Inn Athletic v Totemic, Holdingham v Ancaster Athletic, Colsterworth United v Digby Lions, Ruskington v Caythorpe Sports & Social.

Lincolnshire Intermediate League

South Under-18 – Navenby v Harrowby United.

Cricket

Grantham & Melton Association

Division Two – Welby v Queniborough.

TUESDAY

Football

United Counties League

Knockout Cup – AFC Kempston Rovers v Harrowby United (7.45pm).

WEDNESDAY

Northern Premier League

Premier Division – Whitby Town v Grantham Town (7.45pm).

FOOTBALL RESULTS

Northern Premier League

Premier Division – FC United of Manchester 3 Grantham Town 1.

United Counties League

Premier Division – Wisbech Town 4 Harrowby United 1, Holbeach United 5 Harrowby United 1.

Grantham & District Saturday League

Premier Division – Barrowby 1 Aslockton Cranmers Reserves 0, Beehive United 7 Bottesford Reserves 1, Caythorpe 3 Croxton 2, Greyhounders 0 Cranmer Arms 2.

Grantham & District Sunday League

Benny O’Meara Sunday Knockout Cup, first round – Holdingham 4 Digby Lions 4 aet (Digby won 5-4 on penalties), Long Bennington 2 Nobody Inn Athletic 4 aet, Ancaster Athletic 2 Totemic 6, Colsterworth United 1 Nobody Inn Athletic Reserves, Witham Wanderers 2 Caythorpe Sports & Social 3, Helpringham Rovers v Ropsley AW, Ruskington v Lions HW.

Lincolnshire Intermediate League

South Under-18 – Harrowby United 0 Collingham 2.

Two former senior members of staff at the Priory Federation of Academies – which includes Grantham’s Priory Ruskin Academy – are to appear in court again in January to face charges.

Richard Gilliland, the former chief executive, and Stephen Davies, the former finance director, are both accused of fraud.

Gilliland was excused from attending a brief hearing at Lincoln Crown Court this morning (Thursday) when Judge John Pini QC set down a timetable for the progression of the case.

Gilliland, 63, formerly of Collingham, Nottinghamshire, but now living in Moraira, Spain, faces a total of six charges.

Davies, 57, of Abingdon Avenue, Lincoln, appeared in the dock and was granted unconditional bail. He is accused of three charges of fraud.

Both men were ordered to appear back before Lincoln Crown Court on January 30, when a plea and case management hearing is due to take place.

A bar in Grantham will host a charity auction in aid of the Fire Fighters Charity.

The auction of promises will be held at Rumours Lounge Bar in Market Place on December 6. The charity has joined with Rumours owner Dean Ward to hold a fun evening with music, games and the auction.
Laura Harden, Regional Fundraising Officer, said: “‘All those who come along will be raising funds for The Fire Fighters Charity, which supports injured firefighters and their families. Every year, thousands of firefighters are injured whilst protecting the public. Every 37 seconds in the UK, firefighters are called to an incident, putting their lives on the line, and sometimes sustaining physical injuries whilst carrying out their duties.

“The Fire Fighters Charity is here for firefighters during their times of need, and assists thousands of individuals every year, by providing pioneering treatment and support.

“It costs £9 million a year to keep the charity running and with no government funding we are completely reliant on the generosity and enthusiasm of our supporters, so please consider joining us on the night as your support really will make a huge difference.”

Tickets cost £3 to include nibbles and a ten per cent discount off drinks. For tickets call Laura on 07798 72560 or email lharden@firefighterscharity.org.uk or go to http://t.co/TK84ewY1WM

Grantham Hockey Club enjoyed a good season opening victory last week but are struggling to get a team together for this Saturday.

The squad is depleted with injuries and players still on holiday and the club is appealing for players to help them out for their away fixture at Bourne/Deeping.

The team will meet at The Meres at 2pm where transport will be waiting.

If you can help out, contact David Braunton on 07967 566943 or email towercaptain@hotmail.co.uk

Eagle-eyed plane spotters might just have caught a glimpse of the Avro Vulcan XH558 on its ‘Cold War Tour’ of England at around 3.45pm this afternoon.

The jet-powered bomber headed towards Grantham en route between RAF Cottesmore and RAF Waddington towards the end of its near two-hour flight.

But it skirted west of the town rather than east as was proposed in the flight plan – presumably as it was running slightly behind schedule.

Journal sports editor John Burgess managed to snap a couple of shots on full zoom from the top floor of St Peter’s House, as the Vulcan flipped its delta wings tantalising at Grantham’s town centre.

Send your photos of the Vulcan to comment@granthamjournal.co.uk

A number of street lights are to be replaced on the Manthorpe estate in Grantham.

A total of 38 lights will be replaced on Longcliffe Road and Sandcliffe Road with work starting on October 6. The work will last between four and five weeks. There will be no road closures.

A spokesman for the county council said the new lights will use 60 per cent less energy.

Here’s a list of a few events part of Grantham’s Gravity Fields which might tickle your fancy!

** Arts and craft market - Saturday’s special craft market runs from 4pm to 9.30pm with a fascinating array of traders offering tasty treats and drinks through to wonderful gifts, jewellery and clothing. Find traders on High Street, St Peter’s Hill, Narrow Westgate and St Wulfram’s Church including unusual History Heroes science based merchandise, cocktails and “mocktails” and even gourmet jacket potatoes. And the good news is that Saturday’s traditional market is open for business as usual until 2pm.

** How do they do that? Deborah Bull, a dancer for 20 years with the Royal Ballet, joins Dr Daniel Glaser at Grantham Guildhall and festival creative artists and scientists on Sunday morning for a special ‘Concept and Creativity’ debate on how to turn potential collaboration into reality. Deborah Bull, who is also delivering ‘The Dancer’s Brain’ in Grantham Guildhall and Dr Glaser will be representing Kings Cultural Institute from Kings College London - connecting the finest minds across academic research and cultural practice.

** Music to your ears - The Building of Ely: Cantata Eliensis’: exciting new festival work from three talented young composers. Sunday - St Wulfram’s Church, 4.30pm

** Metropolis: 1920s sci-fi film shown in the setting of St Wulfram’s Church - with three-hour music improvisation by Simon Johnson, organist and assistant director of music at St Paul’s Cathedral. Friday - St Wulfram’s Church, 6.45pm

Family Concert of Sci-Fi Film Music: family concert of favourite sci-fil film and TV tunes played on the organ of St Wulfram’s Church including Star Wars. Saturday, St Wulfram’s Church, 5pm.

No sooner had this year’s Gravity Fields got underway than confirmation was made that the spectacular festival will be back in two years.

The event is organised by South Kesteven District Council and at Wednesday’s launch Councillor Linda Neal said: “And the answer to the question you have all been asking is ‘yes’ the festival will be back in 2016.”

Coun Neal said that as well as the event being great for local people, the council also had another very serious objective in mind.

She said: “We want to put Grantham on the map and maximise the district’s potential as a great investment centre because, thanks to the East Coast mainline, we are only an hour from London, we have fantastic road links with the A1 on our doorstep, we are a stone’s throw from all the major Midlands cities and yet we are surrounded by beautiful countryside.

“When you add all this to reasonable property prices and a great quality of life, we believe we have an offer to match anything anywhere in the country.

“Gravity Fields gives Grantham both regional and national exposure in the best possible light as it portrays the town in a positive and cultural light and it shows potential investors that if they spend their money here there will be plenty of worthwhile things to do away from the world of work,” said Coun Neal.

She added that the council was very aware of Grantham’s links with Sir Isaac Newton, arguably the world’s most eminent scientist ever, and proud to be able to call him the town’s most famous son.

This year’s festival contains 120 events covering serious science, educational sessions for children, artistic events and other activities which are quite simply good fun.

“The outdoor events – particularly the explosive transformation of the town on Saturday – all promise to be absolutely fabulous. And I am sure thousands of people will turn out to see the fantastic things that will unfold,” said Coun Neal.

The festival started with a bang on Wednesday – as simulated rocket launches were among the amazing light effects illuminated on to one Grantham’s famous landmarks.

The Red Lion Inn at Stathern has been named Leicestershire & Rutland Dining Pub of the Year in the Good Pub Guide 2015.

The Red Lion was praised in the new guide for its “impeccable, friendly service, delicious food and interesting range of drinks”.

Ben Jones, joint proprietor of The Red Lion with Sean Hope, said: “At the beginning of the year we sat down as a team and outlined what we all thought a great country pub should be. We then set about creating that vision. This award is the culmination of everyone’s hard work.

“Our aim is for the Red Lion to be a proper pub offering a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone to enjoy, serving great food and great drink. Quality is very important to us.”

The Red Lion Inn has also received an award from CAMRA’s Vale of Belvoir Branch for serving the best mild ale – Oscar Wilde Mild brewed by Essex’s Mighty Oak Brewing Co – during CAMRA’s Mild in May event

Grantham swimmer Adam Meanwell represented Great Britain at the Special Olympics European Summer Games in Belgium.

The Games took place in Antwerp between September 8 and 22, with 2,000 competitors from 58 countries taking part.

A duo from Grantham Running Club took part in the Tallinn Half-marathon in Estonia.

Iain Brown and Kevin Baker started with modest expectations on the coastal route to the north of the capital but were pleasantly surprised to record 1hr 31min 23sec and 1.42.49 respectively.

l First home for Grantham RC in this week’s Newark Parkrun 5km was Warren Stark in 22.31, with Andrew MacAllister clocking 26.33.

l Three Grantham AC athletes have reduced their 5km PBs in the last two weeks.

At last Saturday’s Parkrun, George Hatton finished 12th at Lincoln. At the Newark event, Adam Madge and Janice Anderson’s fine runs were both rewarded with personal bests.

Results: Lincoln – 12 George Hatton 19.39; Newark – 8 Adam Madge 19.36, 13 Paul Davidson 20.50, 36 Janice Anderson 24.16.

At this week’s Lincoln event, it was Dean Houlton’s turn to record a PB with a very impressive 81.07 age graded percentage run.

Results: Lincoln – 6 Dean Houlton 18.03; Newark – 7 Paul Davidson 20.55, 33 Janice Anderson 24.22.

Seven years ago, Sudbrook Moor’s A Team made a progressive step from the county’s Nine Hole Golf Club League to the South Lincolnshire Scratch League.

Since then, they have twice been runners-up in the five-club league in which eight fixtures are played on a home and away basis.

This season the team has dug a little deeper to make their mark amongst the bigger, established clubs, and 2014 skipper Bruce MacFarlane has built up the commitment and confidence to bring a winning formula that has brought them to the top of the First Team Third Division.

They finished five Order of Merit points ahead of nearest rivals South Kyme.

Promotion to the Second Division in 2015 will see Sudbrook Moor takiing on Boston, Burghley Park, Gedney Hill, Toft Hotel and Greetham Valley.

Sudbrook Moor’s A Team are from left, back – Neil Baker, James Sergeant, Simon Green, Phil Hall, Pete Martin and Rob Keddie; front – Michael Green, Josh Smith, Nigel Corby, Bruce MacFarlane, Graham Ritchie, Martin Corby and Keith Maclachlan.

BELTON WOODS

Belton Woods staged its annual Allan Wright Memorial Am-Am Charity Day on its Lakes Course.

The two teams of four (any combination) took part in a stableford competition on what was a glorious September day. The competition rewarded the winners with golf breaks at other De Vere venues with prizes awarded down to and including the 10th placed team.

The winning fourball team was made up of John Harrison, Robert Spencer, Alan Howe and Richard Crowther.

Ten on-course prizes were also awarded for both ladies’ and men’s entrants, with golf shop

vouchers to the value of £50 each.

The organisers and Julia Wright would like to express thanks to everyone who supported the day in memory of Allan. A total in excess of £2,000 was raised for the Lincs and Notts Air

Ambulance.

l Belton Woods ladies’ teams have come out on top in their respective leagues.

Often up against some tough opposition and not always in the most clement weather conditions, the A and B Teams have secured promotion to Division Two and Three respectively.

A Team captain Trudi Galloway and B Team skipper Heidi Rees were both thrilled and expressed their thanks to all their team members, and are already looking to next season’s higher level of competition.

BELTON PARK

Belton Park played host to the 2014 Women’s County Finals last week.

Played over five days under the auspices of England Golf, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Hertfordshire, Hampshire, Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire had reached the finals via regional qualifers.

They played each other in a round robin format, with each match consisting of three foursomes and six singles.

Hampshire became the new England women’s county champions as torrential rain washed out the final day’s singles, winning their morning foursomes 3-0 to maintain their unbeaten record and secure the trophy.

Final placings: 1 Hampshire 5pt, 2 Hertfordshire 3½, 3 Yorkshire 3, 4 Lincolnshire 2, 5 Buckinghamshire 1½, 6 Gloucestershire 0.

England Golf president Ray Saunders thanked Belton Park for a “truly wonderful golf course and fantastic hospitality”.

C Team

Stoke Rochford 1½

Belton Park 4½

Belton Park names first – Tony Davies and David Capindale halved with Owen McHugh and Peter Gill, Ian Carroll and Ben Bayliss beat Keith Dugmore and Harry Larsen 2&1, Dick Short and Martin Kelby beat Trevor Harvey and Eddie Malloy 2&1, Andy Stepney and Keith Smith beat Ben Boot and Ken Taylor 2&1, Dave Wing and Simon Denton beat Stan Clough and Phil White 5&4, Gary Taylor and Ivor Samways lost to Dave Doncaster and David Hamilton 1 down.

Other results: John Peberdy Am-Am – 1 Steve Brook, Paul Roper, Chris Burns and Nigel Harris 91pt, 2 Simon and Richard Tomlinson, Brian and Pete McKeown 88, 3 Matt and Chris Haynes, Sam Pigott and Brian Robinson 88, 4 Colin Powell, Ross Overton, Ben Lilley and Tom Cooper 88; Albert Bellamy – 1 Andy and Joy Stepney 41, 2 John and Anna Clark 40, 3 Richard Brighton and Jane Renfrew 40.

STOKE ROCHFORD

Seniors

There was a most extraordinary final round of this year’s Stoke Rochford Seniors’ Trophy competition.

With the best three scores to count from the six rounds played during the summer months, high scoring in the final round saw the top three players in the table after five rounds just swept aside with none of them finishing in the top four.

In this sixth round, Brian Nightingale repeated his fifth round score of 42 points to win the day, with Eddie Malloy and Brian White both scoring 40 points. White’s round included an eagle two on the 14th hole.

Overall winner and trophy champion for 2014 is Brian Nightingale with 117 points. Eddie Malloy was runner-up with 116, Eddie Plant third with 112, and Keith Dugmore narrowly missed out with 111.

Stoke Rochford 4½

Lincoln (Torksey) 3½

Barry Coop and Tim Haward won 4&3, Mike Nixon and Greg Ewart won 5&4, Ken Taylor and Brian Ayto halved, Roland Slack and John Wright won 2&1, Phil Hewes and Charles Scott lost 4&3, Chris Woof and Don Werner lost 4&3, Mike Rance and Ray Elsome lost 3&2, Don Clements and Roger Smith won 4&3.

Take one Fiat 500, add a crazy turbocharged engine, spicy bodykit and wait for the fireworks, writes Press Association motoring editor Matt Joy.

Fiat’s evergreen 500 has been turned into a fire-breathing hot hatch before by legendary firm Abarth, but the latest version is now a permanent addition to the range. Available in semi-sensible Turismo or 100 per cent barmy Competitzione guise tested here, the Abarth 500 is not for the faint of heart.

There’s a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol unit up front that offers a healthy 158bhp but more significantly 170lb.ft of torque. The exterior wears a seriously tough bodykit and gorgeous alloy wheel options, while there’s stiffer suspension and uprated brakes too. There’s some interesting touches inside too, such as the attractive metal-topped gearlever.

It’s hard not to love the Abarth 500’s looks, even though from some angles it is almost comically pumped up. From a rational point of view it has the proportions of a roller-skate, with a short wheelbase, big wheels and minimal ride height, but it just makes you want to get in and drive it.

Any notion that the standard 500 is a car ‘just for girls’ is dismissed in a flash when it’s turned into an Abarth. Those in the know recognise the badge and those that don’t are intrigued.

Drive the 595 in the manner it deserves and you’ll revel in the gloriously torquey engine, the hilariously raucous exhaust note and the way in which it dives into bends with limitless enthusiasm. It’s a car that works best when you chuck it about rather than use a delicate hand. Do so and it’s a complete riot, as well as remarkably quick.

Turn down the wick and it’s a little more like hard work. The great handling comes from the stiff suspension which means bumps are felt rather than heard, but it’s a worthwhile trade-off.

There’s actually quite a bit of competition at this £18k-plus price level, and on the one hand the 595 Competitzione is far from cheap. However, it does come with a lot of kit too; items like Xenon headlights and the glorious exhaust system are all standard. Go mad with the options list and you can break the £21k mark.

This car summed up in a single word: Unhinged!

Witham Wheelers stalwart Dave Strickson set himself a challenge back in 1989 – to ride from Grantham to the Welsh border and back, in under 12 hours.

And, amazingly, time trial specialist Strickson went on to complete the epic ride in under 10 hours.

He was accompanied by a back-up team, including fellow Wheeler Ken Norton who submitted a report to the Journal.

Strickson left town on his five-speed time trialling bicycle at 7.04am on a Sunday morning and headed out on the A52 to Nottingham, and on to Derby.

Trentham was reached at 10.22am where he turned on to the A34, followed by stretches of the A53 and A51, before picking up the A525 at Woore.

Strickson reached his Clwyd sign target at the Welsh border at 11.50am, having covered 97-plus miles in 4hr 46 min.

Following a short stop for a commemorative photograph and a quick snack, Strickson straddled his steed once more for the return leg.

Norton recorded that the journey home was not so easy and the big man began to struggle on the steeper gradients.

Strickson requested his 12 geared road bike but time was lost inflating tyres.

He was back in Derby by 3pm and the support crew lost track of their charge for a while around Nottingham, with traffic lights not often being in anyone’s favour, plus the back-up guys stopped off to buy a bottle of champagne, with celebrations looking a certainty, barring mishaps.

With home practically in sight, Strickson’s weariness became apparent. Norton noted: “The chain was running further over to the left, pedal revs had dropped to 82 per minute and wheels that had run in line for mile after mile now began to wander. But his determination was still there.”

And the sight of the final climb up the hill to Barrowby must have sent Strickson’s legs to jelly.

But he took it in his stride and re-entered Grantham having covered the 194 miles in 9hr 51min 38sec.

+ Strickson’s ride still stands as a Witham Wheelers club record. Maybe, with today’s technology – aero bars, carbon frames and wheels etc – a challenge could be on the horizon?

Langar Hall near Bingham has won a Hotels of the Year award in the first Sawday’s British Hotel awards.

Alastair Sawday, founder of Sawday’s said: “We love small, intimate hotels and inns where the art of hospitality is practiced with flair. Our three Hotel of the Year winners have mastered that art in spades.”

Edition 16 of Sawday’s British Hotel guide is out on October 1, It presents the cream of the crop with over 300 entries and 40 new additions.

The guide’s entry for Langar Hall, which is owned by Imogen Skirving, says: “Langar Hall is one of the loveliest places in this book – reason enough to come to Nottinghamshire – and Imogen’s exquisite style and natural joie de vivre make this a mecca for those in search of an informal country house with a touch of bohemian flair. The house sits at the top of a hardly noticeable hill in glorious parkland, bang next door to the church.

“Imo’s family came 150 years ago, building on the site of Admiral Lord Howe’s burned-down home. Much of what fills the house arrived then and it’s easy to feel intoxicated by beautiful things: statues and busts, a pillared dining room, ancient tomes in overflowing bookshelves, an eclectic collection of oil paintings. Bedrooms are wonderful, some resplendent with antiques, others with fabrics draped from beams or trompe l’œil panelling. Heavenly food is a big treat, too, perhaps wild garlic soup, local venison, pistachio soufflé with lemon sorbet. There’s a pretty conservatory for afternoon tea that opens onto a terrace, then grounds all around for medieval fishponds, an adventure play area and, once a year, Shakespeare on the lawn. One of a kind.”

For more information on the book or any of the places featured visit www.sawdays.co.uk

A homeless man who “ran amok” in a Grantham park was today (Friday) jailed for eight months.

Merek Wrobel, 36, smeared his own blood on two members of the public who were enjoying a sunny Sunday afternoon on the Paddocks in Grantham.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Wrobel also exposed himself in the view of women and children and threw a beer can at a police officer when they were called to the scene.

Stuart Lody, prosecuting, told the court: “The Sunday afternoon of 18 May was a pleasant day and people were in the Paddocks enjoying the open air.

“It would seem Wrobel was sleeping rough in the Paddocks at the time and had been drinking. He took exception to two people who were in the park and he became threatening and abusive.

“He then threw bottles at three men. When one of the men threw a bottle back it struck him on the body causing him to bleed. He smeared blood on his face and chest, and stripped down to his shorts.”

The court heard Wrobel exposed himself when a man asked him to put his clothes back on. Mr Lody said there were women and children present, and Wrobel began shouting at the women, calling them “ugly”.

Wrobel smeared his own blood on two men who were in the park and was then chased by police officers after they were called to the incident.

During the chase Wrobel threw a beer can at a police officer which hit him on the shoulder and exposed his bottom, Mr Lody added.

Wrobel, of no fixed address, admitted three charges of common assault, one charge of exposure and one charge of outraging public decency on May 18.

Tony Stanford, mitigating, told the court: “He has a difficulty with alcohol and tends to binge drink which lies at the root of this offending.

“His wife leaving him led to this spiral.”

Passing sentence Judge Michael Heath told Wrobel there could be no alternative to a prison sentence.

“This was unpleasant for those who had to witness it,” Judge Heath said.

Two weeks ago we asked you to have your say in the debate on whether Grantham should have a town council.

Today, we can reveal the outcome of the poll is a resounding ‘yes’.

Out of 252 votes cast, 196 were for ‘yes, while the remaining 56 were ‘no’.

The Journal launched the poll to give people living in Grantham the opportunity to have an input on a topic hotly debated by politicians in recent years.

Most recently, it was the Labour Group for South Kesteven raising the topic. Members have announced their plan to launch a petition calling for South Kesteven District Council to hold a community governance review to look at a proposal to set up a town council.

If the petition obtains more than 2,500 signatures – all must be from people on the electoral register – the discussion will have to go into the council chamber to be debated upon.

As well as casting a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote in the Journal poll, readers were able to pass comment. Many chose to do just that.

Here is a selection of comments made by supporters of a town council concept:

* “It would be local people making local decisions.”

* “We need a council to speak up for Grantham.”

* “It would be nice to have some say in what is going on, to make people feel part of things.”

* “Most definitely yes. Look what was achieved when it ws a borough council.”

* It’s obvious we need a really ‘local’ Grantham voice because we are not being heard above the ‘powers’ that speak now.”

* “It would give us some power to control our own destiny and nullify some of the effects of the current disastrous administration.”

* “Our town was a lovely town back in the day! I feel ashamed to show anyone around – it’s been ruined.”

Here is what some of those who voted ‘no’ had to say on the matter:

* “How many more levels of bureaucracy, expense and disagreement do we need?”

* “Another costly level of bureaucracy. Parish/town councils have no legislative powers. Anyone can have their say now by attending council meetings, including planning. It will mean a rate rise – is that what people really want?”

* “Not unless we become a unitay authority. I do not want another level of costs to local taxpayers.”

A trust has today announced it is no longer looking to build a new school in Grantham.

A few weeks ago the Flying High Multi-Academy Trust said it was proposing to build a new primary school somewhere in the town, depending on demand from parents. It had organised a meeting to be held on Tuesday at the Guildhall to gauge interest in its proposal.

A spokesman for the trust said: “The Flying High Multi-Academy Trust has, after reviewing all relevant factors, decided against proceeding with the proposal for a new Primary Academy in Grantham. We will however periodically review the needs of Grantham in primary education and hope that if the need arises for a new school, that we will be able to submit a new proposal.”

The Flying High Trust, based in Candleby Lane School, Cotgrave, had said it hoped to start the new school in 2016.

At the time, Chris Wheatley, Chief Executive Head for the Trust, said: “Our rationale in establishing a school in Grantham is driven by parental demand and the need for primary places. The community is eager for their children to receive an outstanding education in a highly motivated environment.

“The school we propose will be a nurturing school, firmly rooted in strong moral values, developing a community in which every child can flourish. We will have an exciting and inspirational curriculum that will be made special by a wide range of unique experiences. This curriculum will promote high aspirations and will support the development of young people with self-discipline, a strong community spirit and self-esteem.”