Neighbours have praised pensioner Billy Hall after he sprung into action to help a man who was suddenly taken ill.

Mr Hall, 70, a retired plumber and heating engineer, had to knock down an alleyway gate and squeeze through a partially blocked door to reach the elderly victim.

He was then able to put into practice first aid tips learned years ago as he fought to keep the 79-year-old man warm and conscious.

He said: “I remembered that you had to keep victims awake and I was anxious he shouldn’t get hypothermia, so I just kept talking to him and was able to wrap him in a blanket.

“I went on a first aid course when I was working on building sites but never had to use it until now. But I am glad I knew what to do, because I could never have forgiven myself if I had not been able to help.”

More than an hour after the drama began the man was taken by ambulance to Grantham Hospital, where he is understood to be recovering.

Mr Hall was sitting down to Sunday lunch at his daughter’s home in Kingston Avenue, Grantham, when the alarm was sounded by a neighbour who heard cries for help.

Mr Hall, who has trouble walking after suffering foot injuries in an accident at work in 1988, said: “I dragged myself across the road to the house where the cries were coming from, only to find my way blocked by a bolted gate.

“I managed to rip the door down and then came to an outhouse door which was stuck. The man had collapsed inside and his foot was against the door, stopping me opening it.

“I am 6ft tall, but thin - my daughter says I need to put on some weight - and I was able to prise open the door and squeeze through.

“The man was in a terrible state. He was frozen stiff and couldn’t get up. He was shaking like a leaf and I was afraid he might go into shock.

“My daughter went to get a quilt and blanket and I talked to him while we waited for a response to our 999 call.

“People have told me the man keeps himself to himself, but I kept talking to him about all sorts of things for more than an hour.

“When police officers came they forced open the door.

“I was worried that I had damaged the gate, but the police told me not to be concerned and to go and have a cup of tea.”

Mr Hall visited the man in hospital on Tuesday because he was anxious to find out if he was all right.

He says the experience has highlighted for him how people should keep an eye out for neighbours, espcially the elderly and vulnerable.

He said: “We should all keep an eye out for our neighbours. You never know what could have happened.”

A police spokesman confirmed officers were called to Kingston Avenue at about 2pm on Sunday over concerns for an elderly man.

He was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Grantham Town make the short trip down the A1 to take on Stamford in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup tomorrow (Saturday).

In their last four games, local rivals The Daniels have drawn 1-1 at home to Blyth Spartans, won 3-2 at Lincoln United in the last round of the FA Cup, lost 2-0 at home to Barwell, and lost 3-1 at Ramsbottom United.

Top scorer is Ryan Robbins with eight, and ex-Gingerbread Jordan Smith has scored twice.

Laurie Wilson will be available to the Gingerbreads and loan player Alex Simmons has been given the go-ahead. Grantham will be without Jack McGovern and Paul Grimes, and Alex Haughton has left the club.

The FA Cup will be on display in the Stamford clubhouse where football fans can have their photograph taken.

Kick-off is 3pm.

Wednesday will see the Gingerbreads back in league action they head north to Whitby Town.

In their last three games, Whitby Town have drawn 2-2 at home to Marine, won 2-0 at home to Ramsbottom United, and won 2-0 at Belper Town.

Kick-off is 7.45pm.

As the crops in the fields are harvested, Lincolnshire Police expects to receive an increased number of reports of illegal hare coursing in the county.

Its response to that is Operation Galileo, a tried and tested operation which aims to tackle the incidents of hare coursing and sends a clear message to the perpetrators - ‘You are not welcome in Lincolnshire’.

Evidence shows that hare coursers bring other forms of criminal activity and usually come from outside the county. They cause damage to the land and alarm to local communities.

Today (Friday) Lincolnshire Police held the annual launch of Operation Galileo.

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Davies opened the event. He said: “Last year we saw fewer incidents of hare coursing and we want to reduce that figure further. Operation Galileo is about letting criminals know we are out there and letting our communities know that we will protect them.”

Last year there were 163 prosecutions – all bar one of those prosecuted had previous convictions. Therefore Lincolnshire Police understands that it is not just about the activity of hare coursing itself, but also about the associated criminal activity.

Chief Inspector Stuart Brinn explained that Officers would be using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) in the fight against hare coursing. He said: “Hare coursing, as well as being illegal, causes disruption and alarm to members of our rural communities. Evidence shows that people who participate in it usually come from outside Lincolnshire. ANPR plays an important role in helping us to track suspects as they come into the County.”

Please contact the police on 101 to report suspicious activity straight away. Ideally, take note of vehicle registrations, times and locations. Even information such as the make, colour and direction of travel of vehicles can be extremely valuable to in the fight against hare coursing.

Grantham College this week announced that it is to sponsor the Gingerbreads Soccer School.

Headed by Grantham Town chief executive Keith Horton, the soccer school has a team of FA qualified coaches, including Paul Teare, and is open to both girls and boys aged six to 16 of all abilities.

The school numbered 100 players last year and the football club is aiming to double that this time around.

The first session began last Saturday.

Mr Horton said: “The club are celebrating their 140th anniversary and we are extremely pleased to partner with Grantham College to deliver a Football in the Community scheme.”

Grantham College design students have been tasked with creating a logo for the soccer school.

The soccer school runs on Saturday mornings from 10.30am to 11.30am on the pitches at the rear of the stadium. The next six-week rota begins on November 1.

South Lincs & Border League

Division One

Grantham 2nd 221-6

Woodlands 46 all out

Grantham started the last game of the season knowing anything above nine points would give them the title.

Losing the toss, Grantham got off to a shocker and were soon in trouble at 39-4 which was credit to some great seam bowling.

It needed a good partnership after Martin Parmley fell for 21 and it came from Danny Ashley (29) and Danny Bates.

The pair saw off the Woodlands attack and then timed their counter perfectly until Ashley fell, bringing the swashbuckling Addy Parker to the crease.

His shot-a-ball 24 contributed to a match winning tally, with the hard-hitting Bates finishing on 113no.

The reply went to script with Sammy Peters nipping out the first two wickets before Parker weighed in with the ball, claiming 4-13 to steamroller Woodlands for 46.

This completed an epic week in Grantham Cricket Club’s history, with both the first and second teams being crowned champions of their respective divisions.

Division Two

Grantham 3rd 133 all out

Claypole 137-7

For the final game of the season, Grantham travelled to Claypole needing three points to take them up to fifth in the league.

Batting first, only Phil Abbott (34), Rahul Kumar (35) and Harvey Stevens (13) made any headway.

In reply, Claypole got off to the worst possible start losing both openers for ducks to the rapid bowling of Kumar (30-3 off 6) and he soon had a third wicket at 12-3. Claypole then rallied and limped home to finish seven wickets down.

Grantham have finished a credible fifth in the league this year. The youngsters in the side have developed during the season and delivered some solid performances. The more senior players have chipped in with some valuable runs and wickets. Towards the end of the season the team have delivered their best run of results for some years.

Grantham & Melton Association

Division One

Grantham 132-8

Houghton-on-the-Hill - 136-6

Last game of the season and Grantham stuck to tradition by losing the toss, and were asked to bat.

A gritty partnership between Ady Wing (16) and Danny Ashley (43) was followed by a great fight from M. Wing (17) and S. Oakes (23) but ultimately Grantham struggled to push on for runs through the tight bowling attack.

Houghton then got off to a shaky start with the bat, finding themselves 47-3, but the small total set never looked in any real danger, and they chased the target down for the loss of six wickets to be crowned champions.

Grantham 2nd are from left, back – Jake Unsworth, Oliver Clawson, Danny Bates, Louis Greetham, Sam Peters and Alex Kettle; front – Adam Parker, Danny Ashley, captain Adrian Wing, Martin Parmley and Matthew Wing

Other players who have contributed this year are Paul Johnson, Josh Mihill, Rory Johnson, Fergus Myles, Phill Abbott, Will Abbott, Rahul Kumar, Adam Shaw, Alex Cross, Charlotte Cross, Greg Mihill, Mohammad Bhat, Harvey Stevens, Mark Donnellan, Jared Hackney, Alex Hackney, Max Everett, Will Leadenham, Jordan Grosse, James O’Neill, Rohan Nurse and David Langsford.

Everyone seems to moan in your letters page when things go wrong – I just want to congratulate someone for things going right.

I visited the recycling centre on Alexander Road on Sunday morning to offload a van full of garden waste – what fantastic service from the staff. They couldn’t have been more helpful and even helped me throw my rubbish into the crusher.

It beats me why some idiots drive five miles out of town to fly-tip when we have this brilliant service on our doorstep.

Well done.

Mr K. Fardell

Wensleydale Close, Grantham


Mid-Lincs League

Under-17A

Welton 1 Great Ponton 6

Great Ponton started their league campaign by storming into an early lead when skipper Adam Gait hit home from 20 yards.

Macauley Hughes doubled the lead from 25 yards and Nathan Ford-Paid burst through the Welton defence to make it 3-0. Gait added a fourth before half time.

Welton fought hard after the break and pulled a goal back, but it was nullified by Ponton striker Charlie Copley.

Ford-Pain slotted home a sixth to seal victory.

MoM: Gait, Brendan Dixon, Josh Brain, Hughes. Others: Cook, Renshaw, Doughton, Miles, Rawding, Copley, Ford-Pain, Moffat, McDonald.

Under-13

Great Ponton 3 Welton 2

Ponton took the lead through Kye Hull but found themselves level before half time.

Man-of-the-match Hull restored Ponton’s lead, but Welton replied once again.

Marshall Bancroft scored a stunner to give Ponton all three points.

Ponton: Musgrove, Sharman, Hare, Angeloni, Short, Chappell, Kielczewski, Evans, Okoth, Naylor, Bowen, Bancroft, Hull.

Under-12

Pointon 3 Spilsby 2

Pointon gifted Spilsby an early goal but levelled through Colby. The home side went into half time 2-1 down when Spilsby scored on the break.

Man-of-the-match Colby brought his side level once more before Ben Dudley converted the winner.

Newark League

Under-13

Gonerby 5

Grantham Flames 2

Gonerby took the lead after an unfortunate own goal by the Flames, then Coates doubled the lead with a powerful finish from a superb long ball from Hardy.

Stewardson made several good saves to deny the Flames, but Jefferson continued his great form, beating two players before a cool finish. Jefferson scored yet another before the break.

Baker made it five with a fine finish from a tight angle, but Flames showed real character, fighting back to grab two well deserved goals in the last 10 minutes.

Gonerby MoM: Stewardson.

Gonerby: Baker, Blanchard, Bramley, Coates, French, Gascoyne, Grieh, Hardy, Jefferson, Lima, Mcnulty, Meffen, Robson, Stewardson, Williamson.

I would like to comment on the seemingly contradictory and politically motivated views expressed by Councillor
Charmaine Morgan, often backed up by her husband John, who uses further column inches to back up those views. Surely, one household’s view is getting enough coverage!

On the topic of the new cinema, which Coun Morgan is clearly setting herself against (backed by Mr Morgan on the letters page), while I would agree that it would be better as a privately funded venture, no firm is going to go through the hostile and unpredictable planning committee process created by some of our councillors such as Coun Morgan.

In her column on Setember 12 she bemoans some councillors for not supporting more council housing in the southern quadrant, even though such a decision has not been made; but then she was the one who opposed the development on traffic grounds, having voted against the bypass on grounds of increased traffic.

I believe the extra council houses she now so wants will also create traffic, so this can only be a political issue.

I would also love to know the outcome of Coun Morgan reporting the council to the police over the state of the canal. Have the police taken any seasonal blue-green algae into custody?

And please, we do not need an extra layer of bureaucracy in the form of a town council. Making a smaller group of politicking individuals responsible for developing our town will surely be the final nail in it’s coffin!

Simon Rhoades,

Haddon Road, Grantham

A unique opportunity for a nature lover to acquire their own little piece of countryside is on offer near Grantham.

Three plots of woodland covering an area the size of 17 football pitches are being sold by estate agents Smiths Gore.

The nationwide specialist agents have set a guide price of £45,000 for the plots, which are either side of the A1, north of Barrowby.

William Douglas, who is handling the sale, said: “The land has been owned by a family for many years and they have decided to sell. It is very rare to get little parcels of land like this come on the market and we have already had quite a lot of interest.”

The three plots are a mix of different types of woodland and offer a chance to enjoy being outdoors and have some commercial potential.

Barrowby Thorns is 9.82 acres of mainly deciduous woodland, east of the A1 and west of Great Gonerby.

Mr Douglas says it makes for a pleasant and attractive “hobby woodland” with a central access track.

Eleven Plus Plantation, by the junction of the A52 and A1 at Barrowby, is 5.15 acres of Scots Pine and Norway Spruce.

Lewis Leefe Plantation covers 2.58 acres east of the A1 and south of the railway and is mainly growing poplar.

Mr Douglas said: “There have always been small coppices dotted about on less productive land which farmers have not been able to use, but It is particularly rare in Lincolnshire to find small, individual areas of woodland for sale because farmers don’t tend to bring them to the market and a lot of the land is retained by long-established estates.

“So here we have a rare opportunity for someone to own their own private woodland, where they can enjoy nature, spot wildlife including birds and rabbits, walk the dog, collect firewood and get away from it all for a while.

“There is also the potential to sell the pine and spruce, which is useful for fencing posts and rails and in the building trade.

“It’s adds up to a unique chance for someone to own a little bit of rural England, at a relatively affordable price.”

Smiths Gore is also marketing an 18 acre woodland at Newark and has put a guide price of £110,000 on the two lots if sold together.

The land went on the market about three weeks ago and Mr Douglas said he was looking to conclude a sale in the next couple of weeks.

Anyone interested in becoming the new owner is invited to make an offer through Smiths Gore’s York office on 01904 756303.

Headteacher of St Sebastian’s Primary School, in Great Gonerby, sent in this photo of pupils, with this report:

Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity – Making Life Better for seriously ill children – is a cause that the staff and pupils from St Sebastian’s Primary School wanted to support through their participation in their Dahlicious Dress Up Day.

Friday, September 26, saw a host of Willy Wonkas, Oompa Loompas, Fantastic Foxes, Enormous Crocodiles, Sophies and BFGs, along with a whole range of other characters, take over the school!

Under a proposal agreed by David Cameron last week the Scottish Referendum took place.

As media and political debate focussed on the impact in Scotland of a Yes result, it was clear among those of us not in Scotland that our NHS, our economy, our national security and our way of life were at risk.

However, unlike the Scots, we were unable to take part in one of the most important elections in our nation’s history making the referendum a democratic travesty. The whole situation needs a thorough examination. We need a fair and democratic solution.

The people of Grantham may spot a parallel in local politics as important decisions about the future of our town are made at district and county level. Even the smallest rural parishes have more say than Grantham residents in key areas including planning matters. For example, the Southern Quadrant development (Spitalgate Heath) outline plans are now in public consultation. The parish council AGM of Londonthorpe and Harrowby Without quite rightly received a presentation from SKDC planning officers this Wednesday. I have sought parity for residents and businesses of neighbouring Grantham St Anne’s, St John’s and Harrowby wards. SKDC officers have agreed to consult further in this instance, but there is no automatic provision for district ward consultation under the current planning structure.

Another Conservative leader whose judgement is in question is leader of LCC Coun Martin Hill. His cabinet is still in the spotlight given the outcome of the library campaigners’ judicial review. Today (Friday), at LCC’s full council meeting, the Labour Group is calling for LCC to re-think library service cuts. Despite losing 90 computer hours a week, Grantham residents had little say in the consultation process. We had no collective voice for our town.

A town council gives us a voice. We are petitioning SKDC to complete a community governance review. The review would identify costs associated with a town council for consideration. Grantham residents on the electoral register may sign the petition. To help with petitioning call 07429 334260.

Corby Glen and District Horticultural Society held its annual open show at The Ron DawsonMemorial Hall, on Sunday.

Despite fewer entries in comparison to previous years, the committee reported that the “previously established high quality of entries was maintained, especially the floral, vegetable and photographic classes”.

The Willoughby Cup for the best exhibit in the show, went to a vase of five ‘Billy Bell’ large intermediate chrysanthemums, entered by Wendy Parrott.

A spokesman said: “The committee looks forward to the 2015 show and hope it returns to the high level of entries achieved in previous years.” 

Winners:

1 Onions 3 round, A Marke; Onions 3 flat, A Pern; Onions 1 large, A Skelton; Onions red 3 dressed, N Cook; Shallots 7 pickling, A Marke; Shallots 7 culinary, K Smith; Carrots 3 with 50mm tops, K Smith; Beetroot, 3, A Marke; Potatoes, 5 white or coloured, A Perna; Runner Beans, 5 With stalk, A Perna; Marrow 2 Max 38cm A Marke; Cooking Apples, 3, A Perna; Dessert Apples, 3, D Duff; Tomatoes, 5, A Skelton; Cherry Tomatoes, 7, D Duff; Leeks 3, long A Skelton; Leeks 3 pot A Perna; Parsnip 3 A Perna, Marrow 1 heaviest, A Skelton; Pumpkin 1 heaviest, A Marke; Any other vegetable, R Bremner; Any other fruit, A Perna; Dahlias vase of 5, 1 variety, K Smith; Dahlias Large - 2 blooms, A Skelton; Dahlias Large Cactus - 2 blooms, K Smith; Dahlias Medium - 3 blooms, A Marke; Dahlias Medium Cactus - 3 blooms, A Skelton; Dahlias Small cactus - 3 blooms, K Smith; Dahlias Vase of Pompoms - 6, K Smith; Dahlias Vase of minature ball - 3, A Skelton; Dahlias 3 vases of 3 - 1 variety, K Smith; Pot Plant Flowering, R Halsey; Pot Plant Foliage, D Duff; Perennial Flowers Vase of 5 mixed - min 3 variety, D Duff; Gladioli Vase of 3 spike, K Smith; Vase of any other flowers, R Storey; Fuchsia Upright 6” pot max, R Storey; Fuchsia trailing 6” pot max, R Storey; Arrangement of Flowers, Fruit and Veg Max 60cm footprint, A Marke; Xanth Single Bloom, W Parrott; Xanth 1 vase 3 incurved, A Skelton; Xanth 1 vase 5 intermediate, W Parrott; Xanth 1 vase 5 medium, W Parrott; Xanth 1 vase of 5 any, W Parrott; Children 7 and under Veg animal, M Andrew; Children 8 - 11 inc Picture any medium, R Easey; Children 12 -14 inc Picture any medium, G Fleury; Adult Painting and Drawing Painting in oils or acrylics, A Halsey; Adult Painting and Drawing Drawing in watercolour, R Connolly; Adult Painting and Drawing Picture in any mixed media, S Fleury; Jar of Chutney Homemade, R Storey; Jar of Marmalade Homemade, D Duff; Jar of Jam Homemade, S Fleury; Jar of Lemoncurd Homemade, D Duff; Decorated Cake Decoration only judged, S Fleury; Sausage Rolls 6, G Fleury; A Bread loaf, D Duff; Apple Pie Double Crusted 20cm max, S Fleury; Quiche - Any 20cm max, E Fleury; Knitting, M Fraser; Homemade Greeting Card 15cmx10cm max, J Fleury; Needlework Garment or item, M Fraser; Tapestry Framed Counted Canvas, R Storey; Photography Sport, J Cook; Embroidery framed, S Woodman; Photography, sport, J. Cook; Photography Wildlife, A. Greetham; Photography Portrait, R Halsey.

Folk blues guitarist Sunjay Brayne will play at Bingham Folk Club on Friday next week.

Reminiscent of early Ralph McTell, Sunjay’s performances have been described as “mature and confident.”

He was nominated for the Radio 2 Young Folk Award in 2012. The show, at The Town Pavilion, starts at 8.30pm and tickets are £4 and £5 via christine.mcnair.co.uk

Ten-foot tall figures representing some of the world’s greatest scientists formed part of this year’s Gravity Fields festival.

The seven ‘Giants of Science’ were Sir Isaac Newton, Alan Turing, Rosalind Franklin, Albert Einstein, Michael Faraday, Marie Curie and Galileo.

And they were created by talented students studying art and design at Grantham College.

For full coverage of the 2014 festival, see Friday’s Journal.

A spectacular light projection display saw St Wulfram’s Church transformed into a space station tonight (Saturday).

Crowds gathered to watch as a projection of a rocket taking off into space showed on the side of the church.

It was the start of a 10-minute show, accompanied by sound effects and music.

For full coverage of the 2014 festival, see Friday’s Journal.

Grantham’s very own Chantry Dance Company put on a fascinating light and dance spectacular at Gravity Fields on Saturday night.

Hundreds watched the three performances of the show in Market Place. The performance featured Dominic North, a talented young dancer of the Matthew Bourne Company, and Rae Piper in the the principal roles. Rae runs the Chantry company with husband Paul Chantry, who choreographed Chasing the Eclipse.

Rae came up with the concept for the show which tells the story of Lumen (Dominic) and Scura (Rae), who as the son of light and the daughter of darkness, cannot be together except during an eclipse and so the quest begins to bring them together.

A new score was written for the 25-minute performance by Tim Mountain and there are eye-catching costumes by Zoe Squire. Joe Stathers-Tracy was in charge of design and a video projection.

A spectacular light projection display transformed St Wulfram’s Church tonight (Saturday).

Crowds gathered to watch as a projection of a rocket taking off into space showed on the side of the church.

It was the start of a 10-minute show, accompanied by sound effects and music.

For full coverage of the 2014 festival, see Friday’s Journal.

A procession of Giants of Science and the centrepiece of Saturday’s festivities, Colossus, made its way through town to St Peter’s Hill for a spectacular finish.

Colossus returned to St Peter’s Hill for the climax of Saturday’s festival watched by hundreds on the green.

A giant robot roamed through Grantham this evening (Saturday) as part of Gravity Fields.

It was all part of the main show at this year’s arts and science festival. The story began at around 7.15pm in St Peter’s Hill in front of the Guildhall and ended following the procession, at around 9.30pm.

It followed scientist Dr Franks and his creation, Colossus, who was sent away to avoid being captured by evil MP William Wily. While a TV crew from The Big News reported, Wily used his special forces to capture the robot with the intent of using him for evil...but, of course, the good guys always win, and Colossus was returned to the safe hands of Dr Franks.

For full coverage of the 2014 festival, see Friday’s Journal.

I was sorry to read of Mrs Helen Corcoran’s experience whilst undergoing a hip operation at Grantham Hospital.

I am also sorry for the alarm it must be causing to anyone waiting for a hip operation themselves. My own experience is quite different.

I have just undergone a second hip operation at Grantham and have nothing but praise for the skill of the surgical staff and the nursing care I received afterwards. My operation, under spinal anaesthetic, took place six weeks ago exactly. I was up on my feet the same day and home two and a half days later. My hip was naturally tender and uncomfortable post op, but there was no pain.

I am now walking without sticks several times a day (it is necessary to exercise frequently) and have no trouble with the stairs. I do, however, have to be careful not to twist the hip. I shall see the surgeon next week to be ‘signed off’ and expect to be driving immediately. In fact, I feel pretty good for 76.

Once again - thanks Grantham Hospital!

Joe Cleghorn

Sedgebrook