Lincolnshire police are appealing for information to help find missing 14-year-old Mollie Howard.

Mollie was last seen around 7.30pm on Tuesday evening (September 30) when she left a friend’s address on Northumberland Avenue, Stamford and was reported missing when she failed to return there as expected around 8.45pm.

Officers have conducted a number of enquiries in relation to her whereabouts and have made attempts to contact her directly but with no success so far.

Attempts are still being made to find Mollie and officers would like to hear from anyone who might have seen her.

She is described as being of slim build, around 5ft in height, with short hair in a pixie-style cut and pale skin. It is not known what clothing she was wearing at the time she was reported missing and she is not thought to have been wearing any make-up.

Officers would like Mollie to know she is not in any trouble but to please contact her family, friends or Lincolnshire Police to let them know she is okay.

If anyone has seen Mollie they are asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident 461 of 30/09/2014.

An application has been submitted to South Kesteven District Council to turn a Grantham warehouse back into an indoor cricket centre.

The Mark Fell Cricket Academy want to reintroduce the sport at the unit on Dysart Road with a three-lane indoor centre.

The academy based in Lincoln is run by former professional cricketer for Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire Mark Fell, who also coached the England Under 19 team and currently coaches Lincolnshire County Cricket Club teams.

The plan is for the centre to offer small group and one to one training sessions with junior and senior cricketers, including coaching of the county squads, with a maximum occupancy of 18 cricketers per session.

A resident who campaigned for CCTV to be installed to catch flytippers at University square earlier this year is outraged to discover a camera smashed and rubbish once again piling up.

Having lived in Oxford Street since 1987, Libby Simpson was dismayed to see the extensive amount of rubbish being left along its alleyway with College Street.

Consequently as part of the Clean and Green campaign, South Kesteven District Council spent £900 clearing 3.5 tonnes of waste from the area and had CCTV cameras installed in March.

However these have now been smashed and with rubbish returning Mrs Simpson is calling on the council and police to take action.

“These people want catching and dealing with summarily. They have no respect for themselves or for anybody else,” she said.

SKDC’s Operations Director, Ian Yates, responded: “The trial of using CCTV cameras has proved successful in identifying individuals involved and acted as a strong deterrent as the volume of fly tipping has reduced significantly. We are aware of the vandalism to the CCTV camera in University square and we are working with a supplier to find a more robust solution. We have informed the police who are investigating.

“All properties were visited in the areas with educational leaflets to assist in improving the situation and encouraging responsible behavior. Waste operatives visit University Square on a daily basis in an effort to ensure that the area is kept as clean as possible due to the behavior of a minority of the residents.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact SKDC by calling 01476 406080.

Grantham has gone fur crazy for a regular visitor to the Pets at Home store, with a photo of the now famous feline gathering more than 1,500 likes on the Journal’s Facebook page.

The ginger tabby known to staff affectionately as ‘Chubbs’, or by his full title ‘Lord Chubbington’, appears to have taken the shop by its word and very much made himself at home.

Shop assistant at the pet retailer on Sankt Augustin Way, Hannah Snow, says ‘Chubbs’ has been coming to the store for the past three years.

“He’s quite bolshy, quite a character. It’s his shop really and we just walk around in it,” she said, explaining their chosen moniker for the moggy.

‘Lord Chubbs’ is actually known as Marshmallow to his owners, who live in a nearby flat and are aware and amused by his alternative address.

They have even gone to the store to collect him for a vet’s appointment knowing it was the best place to find him, and indeed when the Journal visited he was having a nap in a favourite spot amid the aisles.

Pointing out the food bowl, bed and toys left for ‘Chubbs’ by the checkout, fellow shop assistant Laura Elliott added: “We get lots of customers who like to buy treats for him. We all love him and he is very well known to everybody.”

Now the clever cat has become an online hit too, with his almost daily wait for the shop’s doors to open captured in a photo taken by Genevieve Nesbitt. It has prompted many readers to post their own stories about Chubbs, who must be Grantham’s most famous furry resident.

Belton Park juniors crowned a magnificent season with a win over their northern counterparts from Forest Pines.

The Belton juniors, who had already won the South Lincolnshire Final earlier in the summer, travelled to Boston Golf Club who were the hosts for the Junior League Finals.

The match was played in a good spirit and Belton Park prevailed over Forest Pines 2-1. They now go on to play at Frilford Heath next August, representing Lincolnshire in the Junior Champions Club.

The first game out was between Harry Glenn and Will Walker, from Belton Park, and Will Graham and Kieron Raworth-Hayes, with the 4&3 victory going the way of Forest Pines.

Sam Sutton and Alex Wright won the second game on the 17th hole and the third and final game saw Tom Cooper and Ollie Mitchell triumph 5&4 for the 2-1 overall match victory.

Belton Park junior team pictured being presented with the trophy from Lincs Union of Golf Clubs president David Brotherton are, from left – Tom Cooper, Ollie Mitchell, David Brotherton, team captain Harry Glenn, Will Walker, Sam Sutton and Alex Wright.

Gents

Betterball Stableford: 1 Kevin Winfield and Manny Barker 47pt (last 6), 2 Mark Duffree and Rob Harvey 47 (back 9), 3 John Kirkup and Tim Shaw 47.

The final of the 36-hole Scratch Knockout took place between Chris Haynes and Chris Burns, with Haynes winning 5&4.

Some high quality golf was played between the two with Haynes seven under par for the 32 holes, and Burns three under.

Ladies

September Medal: Division One – 1 Sheila Mason 87-19=68, 2 Ann Bartlett 85-17=68, 3 Sue Walker-Sherriff 88-19=69; Division Two – 1 Diane Dixon 99-28=71, 2 Sue Addis 99-28=71, 3 Kathleen Bell 94-23=71.

l The Summer Knockout final saw Jacqui Barson play very well to defeat Ina Wood.

BELTON WOODS

Seniors

Mike North celebrated a double victory by winning both the Memorial Cup, which is played over two rounds, and the Marshall’s September Monthly medal, with a fine 69.

In the first round of the Memorial Cup, he recorded a score of 75 giving him a total of 144. This gave him a two shot lead over Colin Musson (68 and 78=146) and third placed Peter Stephenson who had a score of 74 and 75 (149).

In the monthly medal, Mike’s score of 69 was sufficient to give him a three shot lead over runner-up Denis Manton.

Results: 1 Mike North 69, 2 Denis Manton 72, 3 Tony Slipper 73 ocb, 4 Henry Knight 73, 5 George Forbes 74 ocb, 6 Bob Clarke 74 ocb, 7 John Browne 74, 8 Pete Stephenson 75, 9 Mike Whitington 76, 10 Phil Stannard 77.

In the September Stableford, Tony Slipper emerged victorious with 44 points.

Results: 1 Tony Slipper 44, 2 Alan Lowen 41, 3 Ian Nisbet 40, 4 Colin Thornton 39, 5 Richard James 38 ocb, 6 Roger Hanratty 38, 7 Phil Stannard 37 ocb, 8 Dave Toule 37 ocb, 9 Tom Lamin, 10 Pete Stephenson 36.

Carholme 3½

Belton Woods 4½

George Forbes (c) and Mike Whitington halved, Pat Stanford and Dave Toule lost 3-2, Mick Hall and John Bratt lost 5-4, Alan Lowen and Colin Musson lost 9-8, John Williams and Mike Gulliford won 3-2, Ian Nisbet and Peter Bishop won 2-1, Colin Thornton and Richard James won 5-4, Pete Stanley and Bob Clarke won 6-5.

SUDBROOK MOOR

The entire South Lincs Seniors’ League was represented in a grand end-of-season social day at Rutland County Golf Club.

Formidable scoring was the order of the day in the betterball stableford format. Gedney Hill, Pottergate and Kirton Holme took home the top three prizes. Sudbrook Moor’s John Chatburn was fourth on countback and best team performance went to Pottergate.

The matchplay season shield was presented to Gedney Hill who have won the title the past six seasons.

l The Tuesday ladies entertained Pottergate in a combined teams Texas scramble medal for teams of four.

Team Iris, with home players Amanda Roberts and Joan Doughty, were the winners, and visitors Anne Cooper and Sue Claughton returned a fine scorecard of five under SSS, narrowly squeezing out Team Jasmine – Mags McArthur, Pam Cox, Diane Prettie and Kathy Woodcock.

There is plenty of live music in Grantham over the next week. Take your pick...

FRIDAY (October 3)

Wall Flower Blues Band, at Chameleons.

TI Funk, at Oscars.

Hung Like Hanratty/Boycott The Baptist/The Sour Blisters/Bruce Tality, at Rumours.

CJ Hatt, at The Atrium.

SATURDAY

The Forever Test, at The Castlegate, 9pm.

Tumbling Pigeons, at Oscars.

Roustabout, at Chameleons.

Colin Powell, at The Railway Club.

Dave Knight, at The Electric Club.

WEDNESDAY

Open Mic night at Oscars.

THURSDAY

For All The Wrong Reasons/They Say Fall/Breathe In The Silence/Summer Cities, at Rumours.

Northern Premier League

Premier Division

Whitby Town 2

Grantham Town 1

After conceding early on, Grantham had the better of the game for a long time but did not take their chances.

Whitby started brightly and Scott Matthews and Deon Meikle both made good tackles on the edge of their penalty area to deny the home side shooting space. But after eight minutes, a piece of poor defending cost Grantham.

The Gingerbreads seemed as though they would clear their lines comfortably, but Alex Simmons and Phil Watt managed to lose the ball to Matthew Waters. With Dan Haystead out of position, Waters curled his shot into the unguarded half of the goal.

Grantham began to play the better football, denying their opponents time and space while making the most of their own possession. Simmons and Jordan Hempenstall went close without testing Shane Bland in the Whitby goal.

The tide was all one way as Grantham looked for the equaliser. Chances came for Michael Towey and Simmons as good crosses went just short of their targets. When Whitby did threaten, the Gingerbreads defence was solid, with Watt and Deon Meikle winning almost everything in the air.

The deserved equaliser came eight minutes before half time. Hempenstall worked hard to keep the ball on the left and his determination allowed him to deliver a near-post cross. Greg Smith beat the home defence to crash home his header.

Smith almost gave Grantham the lead a couple of minutes later. A poor punch from Bland dropped to Smith. He tried to lob the ball back over a crowd of players, but looped his effort over the bar.

After the break, it was all Grantham for a while, but Bland was not stretched. Hempenstall had two efforts but curled one effort wide and looped the other over the bar with an overhead effort.

Laurie Wilson began to have an influence after the hour. Smith put a free header from one free kick over the bar, before Wilson and Scott Matthews worked a free kick routine that saw Wilson curl an effort just over the bar.

Whitby’s substitution after 63 minutes turned the game. Matthew Brown’s runs down the Grantham right began to open things up for the home side. He worked well with Waters and Liam Shepard to bring saves from Haystead, and after 80 minutes made the decisive move.

Another run into the Gingerbreads penalty area saw Wilson make contact and Brown went over. Mr Dicicco pointed to the spot.

Dave McTiernan hit the spot kick low to Haystead’s left. The Gingerbreads keeper seemed to have got to the ball but it squirmed out of his grasp and rolled over the line.

Grantham put the home side under pressure for the last 10 minutes but could not break down the home defence. Towey and Liam Dickens both had great chances, but both miscued their headers and missed the target.

Grantham Town: Haystead, Purcicoe, Matthews, Meikle, Watt, Wilson, Lewis (Johnson, 88), Towey, Hempenstall, Smith (Dickens, 81), Simmons. Subs not used: Batchelor, Rawden, Turner.

Att: 221

A copy of the speech Margaret Thatcher never gave due to the Brighton hotel bombing in 1984, are amongst the latest papers released by The Margaret Thatcher Foundation.

A greater insight into the late prime minister born in Grantham is also given by the memoirs of her private secretary for foreign affairs John Coles.

Extracts from the memoirs and letters reveal private conversations between himself and Mrs Thatcher following key moments during her time as PM, including the Conservative victory in 1983, and the Brighton bombing the following year.

Also released is the speech Mrs Thatcher planned to give at the Conservative party conference, but which was never heard in the aftermath of the bombing.

In a copy of the speech which was initially torn up but then stuck back together with tape by Mrs Thatcher, she builds upon her ‘Enemy Within’ speech given to the 1922 Committee, writing: “Several months ago, I used the phrase ‘the enemy within’…I was referring to those people in Britain who are the enemies of freedom and democracy itself.’

However Chris Collins from The Margaret Thatcher Foundation told the BBC that the attack on October 12, 1984 led to a “softening to fit the national mood - and a softening to fit her own stance”.

For more information on the Foundation and their release of papers relating to the former PM, visit www.margaretthatcher.org

Police say that Mollie Howard, the 14-year-old who went missing from Stamford on Tuesday evening, has been found safe and well.

They have released a statement reporting that she was located overnight, and have expressed their thanks to the public for their help in circulating the appeal.

Horses have been part of Martin Shepherd’s life since his father arranged for him to go riding with the Watkins family as a young boy.

He is now an avid horse racing fan who visits and watches equestrian events all around the UK, as well as abroad.

Moreover, among the jobs he has had over his 57 years, Martin worked at Windsor Castle putting down anti-skid material to help protect the horses.

Born and bred in Grantham and now living in Bridge End Grove, Martin is planning on going to the upcoming meet at Newmarket, as well as keeping an eye on this Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris.

Through his detailed know-ledge of the best trainers and jockeys, Martin has enjoyed numerous large wins, although he is careful to keep any tips to himself.

When he is not cheering at the final furlong, Martin enjoys going both game and clay shooting, being a regular visitor to Orston Shooting Ground.

He also used to play rugby for Kesteven Rugby Football Club.

Lincolnshire Police officers are supporting and promoting a new initiative called ‘Door 2 Door, Your Key to a Safer Journey’ to raise awareness around personal security.

It is part of the force’s ongoing support of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, who they have worked with for a number of years to promote safety awareness and action days.

Last week Sally Picker, Crime Reduction Tactical Advisor based in Grantham, promoted the Door 2 Door initiative at Grantham Hospital ahead of a National Personal Safety Day taking place on Monday (October 6).

Sally has also been to Freshers Week at the University of Lincoln and given out hundreds of cards offering advice on how to stay safe, such as:

* Plan your route ahead

* Use busy, well-lit streets

* Avoid wearing headphones or chatting on your mobile

* Carry a personal alarm

* Keep valuables out of sight

* Sit in busy public transport carriages or near the driver on an empty bus

* Only use licensed mini-cabs and taxis

* Stay alert

* Walk confidently

Sally said: “As a force, Lincolnshire Police have supported the Suzy Lamplugh days of action for several years. The Door 2 Door campaign has been one of the best ones yet! It has helped us to highlight simple steps to increase personal safety.

“This campaign has been very timely with the influx of new students at the University in Lincoln but also to assist us in Grantham following recent reports of indecent exposure.

Lincolnshire Police are encouraging people to follow the campaign on Monday’s National Personal Safety Day via Twitter using #NPSD14.

For more information on the Suzy Lamplugh Trust visit www.suzylamplugh.org

A 35-acre patch of land at Allington has been targeted by solar farm developer Belectric.

As with the proposal reported above for land near Ingoldsby, the applicant has so far only submitted a screening opinion request to SKDC, asking whether an EIA is necessary.

However, Belectric has gone a step further, setting up an information evening on Tuesday. It will be held at the Reading Room in Barrowby between 3pm and 8pm.

The Buckinghamshire-based developer has revealed its intention to submit a full planning application by the end of the year.

The land earmarked is 200m west of the A1 and would be accessed via Allington Lane and Gonerby Lane.

It is currently used as agricultural land.

According to Belectric, the energy generated from the three-metre high solar panels would be enough to power 1,600 homes each year.

It’s life span would be 25 to 30 years, after which it would be decommissioned and “returned to its original agricultural use.”

* To view this application for screening opinion, go to www.southkesteven.gov.uk and enter S14/2664 in the planning application search field.

Nick Boles MP was at Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School today to officially open their new arts and drama block following a £1.2 million building project.

The creation of the new buildings, which also include extra classrooms, ICT suites and an extended sixth form common room and study area, was assisted by a £470,000 Education Funding Agency grant.

At the unveiling of a plaque to mark the opening, headteacher Graham Burks thanked Nick Boles for his help in securing the funds which enabled the building project to take place.

After a tour of the new premises, Mr Boles said: “It is fantastic, and I’m so pleased that Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School have taken advantage of becoming an academy to achieve this transformation in their science, arts and sixth form buildings.

“They are some of the best school buildings I have seen.”

Mr Burks added: “We are really delighted with the support that we have received from Nick ever since he became MP. He has always looked after us and his knowledge and advice has been a great support to this project.”

A Grantham nursery took 28 children on their first outing to Sherwood Pines.

Clarence House Day Nursery, of Barrowby Gate, took the youngsters, aged two to four years, to explore the forest and do the Gruffalo trail. They built dens with logs and played in an adventure playground. They also searched for natural objects using a list of describing words such as furry, spiky and smooth. They took the objects home to make nature mobiles out of them and these are now displayed in the cloakroom.

The nursery, formerly Hill Top Nursery, was taken over in May by Mark Wilsher and underwent a major refurbishment.

Nursery manager Laura Kenny said: “Since Mark took over we have undergone a huge refurbishment in order to create a homely, bright and stimulating environment for all of the children who attend. The indoor areas have been redecorated and a new floor has been put in two of the play rooms. The staff have worked hard to create areas for children to explore creatively and build on their independence and team building skills.”

An academy is enjoying the results of a complete overhaul of its music department with the addition of new instruments and computer software.

Charles Read Academy, in Corby Glen, has made a substantial investment in improving music facilities at the academy with the complete redevelopment of the existing building as well as new instruments and the installation of cutting edge-music software.

Craig Keady, Deputy Principal, said: “Students now have access to more instruments in a much better environment - they are grasping the opportunities that this offers.

“We are already seeing an increased number of students learning new instruments and opting to take music at GCSE. A Glee club was established the other week and the music that is being produced through the industry software that we have purchased is impressive.”

Acting Principal Robert Sloan said the investment in music was important. “Recent studies have shown that learning a musical instrument helps to boost academic achievement and literacy levels. With this great new facility we believe that students will have a superb opportunity to develop their musical skills, confidence and their creativity.

“Along with the new 3G artificial sports pitch which is about to be installed and 
the upgrades to the science laboratories, we are making serious investments to give our students the very best environment to develop their skills and knowledge.”

I was very saddened to read in the Journal of Mike and Jean Taylor not being accepted to stand as Conservatives at the 2015 council elections.

Both have worked very hard in their respective wards with due diligence over the years.

Mike has represented Greyfriars ward as councillor and been a tower of strength dealing efficiently and timely with problems in this area.

As councillor he has supported my community group, well-liked by his constituents for his “no nonsense” approach.

At the next elections in the new Arnoldfield ward Mike and Jean in her chosen ward will, I am sure, be putting up a strong fight to retain their seats. I wish them both well.

Barrie Cox (chairman)

North Community Group

Coun Charmaine Morgan suggests that there may be a parallel between the local debate for a town council for Grantham and the recent referendum for complete Scottish independence.

There are rather obvious differences in political scale and the consequences of the two results are clearly poles (should that be polls?) apart.

Coun Morgan touched a nerve when she said “unlike the Scots WE were unable to take part”. I have, happily, been a Lincolnshire resident for several decades. However, I was born in Scotland, brought up and educated in Scotland; I have a son, daughter and three grandchildren who were born in Scotland, yet like hundreds of thousands of ex-patriot Scots, I was denied a vote by the SNP.

So I heartily agree with Charmaine that the whole situation needs a thorough examination - if not, indeed, drastic political surgery. The terms under which devolution was put in place during the Tony Blair administration, to create a Scottish Parliament and a Welsh Assembly, have been a recipe for totally chaotic unfairness - as recent events have demonstrated.

I was delighted that those Scots, who were allowed to vote, sensibly rejected independence and chose to remain in the United Kingdom. Let us hope that common sense prevails on a local scale concerning ‘The Grantham Question’, although I suspect that many may struggle to comprehend exactly what political package is on offer; if we buy one, do we get one free?

Brian Bruce

Colsterworth

The conversion of a 17th Century pub in Billingborough into housing was approved by SKDC’s development control committee on Tuesday, but not before a debate on the loss of community facilities.

Full planning permission and listed building consent was given to convert the Grade II listed pub on Victoria Street into five houses.

During the debate to determine the application, Coun Michael King warned about the increasing tendency for commercial buildings to be turned into domestic premises, and said: “If this goes ahead there will be only one pub in Billingborough.”

After citing other recent change of use examples in the village, as well as highlighting planning policy which recommends against turning commerical buildings into residential, Coun King added: “We must have the strength of our convictions in our own policy.”

I noticed the chairman of Grantham Museum, Helen Goral, has been selected as a Conservative candidate for the Arnoldfield ward.

So, my past comments about the museum’s obsession for all things Thatcher had nothing to do with the political leanings of Helen Goral, who produced some nice propaganda for the Tories and is rewarded with a possible council seat.

Dermot Mills

Manor Drive, Great Gonerby

So, a Grantham person has been fined £75 – on the spot – for dropping a fag-end in the street. Hallelujah!

It was about time; in fact, it was many years overdue. What about all the other millions of fag-ends which litter the streets of Grantham? What about all of the other litter?

Over the last week, I saw – for the first time in my 30 years in the town, as far as I can remember – SKDC litter-pickers around Grantham, in their smart (-ish) orange hi-vis jackets.

However, that was of course because visitors to the town for the Gravity Fields celebrations couldn’t possibly be allowed to think that Grantham is untidy! Those visitors would be unlikely to have seen the bottom ends of Brewery Hill and Commercial Road; the passageway between Greenwoods Row car park and Welby Street; or the area around Crown House on Castlegate, to name a few.

What those visitors who walk from the train station into town must make of the appalling litter along the passageway past the station car park, I hate to think.

Curiously, there is a dearth of litter bins in all of the above areas. Those which are in place are in any case frequently left to overflow. However, once a litterer, always a litterer. Continued education might help, as might reinforcement (fines).

One fine is a start; let’s hope that there are many more to come.

Don’t let me start on cycling on the pavements.

David Feld

Third Avenue, Grantham