A convicted shoplifter has had his curfew extended because the electronic monitoring company were unable to install the necessary equipment on two occasions.

On March 12, Paul Kavanagh, 33, of Harlaxton Road, Grantham, was sentenced to serve a three month community order comprising a electronically monitored curfew to remain at home between 9.30pm to 5.45am, seven days a week.

However, Kiran Patel from Lincolnshire Probation informed magistrates that when the company attended Kavanagh’s shared property to install the equipment on March 13 and again on March 14, no-one opened the front door.

Both times they posted a letter through the door notifying the defendant of their visit, after knocking three times and on the second occasion calling a phone number which went to a voicemail saying ‘This is Kav’.

On March 16 they received a phone call provided on the letters from Kavanagh, who questioned why they couldn’t come at a specific time, and then hung up.

Mr Patel explained that it was usual for the company to attend around the time of the curfew, when the defendant would be expected to be at home, with them visiting at 8.41pm and then 9.31pm.

Lisa Elkington, defending, said her client accepted the breach but explained that he lived in the attic whereas others lived in the front room where a dog was seen at the window and in the upstairs bedroom where a TV was heard during the visits.

With no doorbell at the property he said it was extremely difficult for him to hear if no-one else answered the door, and that he was probably asleep at the times they came after working long hours in the building trade.

In court Kavanagh added he had no problem with having the tag, but questioned again why they couldn’t give him a definite time.

Magistrates agreed with probation’s recommendation to extend the order and curfew by a month to ensure three months are still served.

A sex offender who avoided justice for a quarter of a century by stealing the identity of his lover’s husband has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

Michael Anthony Evans (formerly Kime) has been jailed for a total of 15 years after being convicted of 10 counts of sexual assault that took place more than 25 years ago, and perverting the course of justice.

Evans, 62, who now lives in Margate, Kent, fled his home in Grantham with his friend’s wife in 1988, three weeks before a court hearing at which he was due to answer charges relating to a sexual assault on a young girl.

Lincoln Crown Court heard jilted Martyn Foster, 59, was left to bring up two daughters aged under-six after his wife Susan, 61, disappeared from Grantham with Michael Evans.

But Michael Evans was finally brought to justice in 2013 after police discovered the runaway couple were still living together in the South East of England and had used Mr Foster’s identity to help evade the authorities for over two decades.

Mr Foster, who still lives in Grantham, had reported his wife missing after she walked out in May 1988, but he never saw her again and knew nothing of her fate until she was tracked down during a routine cold case review two years ago.

The jury heard while on the run Michael Evans worked on farms fruit picking for cash in hand. He also used Mr Foster’s birth and marriage certificates to obtain a passport allowing him to travel to Crete to work picking olives when the season in Kent came to an end.

Then when Michael Evans settled down he found regular work on a farm which meant he needed a driving licence. Instead of using his own name he passed his test and obtained his licence in the name of Mr Foster. The couple later changed their names by deed poll to Evans.

Following a trial at Lincoln Crown Court, Michael Evans was sentenced on Friday to 12 years in prison for 10 counts of sexual assault that took place in the Grantham area of Lincolnshire between 1983 and 1988, and three years for one count of perverting the course of justice.

Passing sentence recorder Gareth Evans QC described the victim’s evidence as “heart-breaking”.

The recorder told Michael Evans: “You are a controlling man. You used and abused this girl for your own sexual purposes.

“You then disappeared for 25 years. It was a matter of luck that they found you and brought you to trial. The jury convicted you. They did not believe what you said. They did believe the girl. It is quite clear she is damaged by what you did to her.

“I have no doubt that a substantial prison sentence is what is required.”

The judge spared Susan Evans an immediate jail term after accepting she was not the main player in the conspiracy. She was sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for two years.

Recorder Evans told her: “The two of you allowed Michael to evade coming to court for over 25 years. It wasn’t accidental that you embarked upon that process and you took a serious part in allowing it to continue and allowing him to adopt a name that wasn’t his but in those 25 years there is no evidence, apart from this, that you have done anything criminal.”

Speaking after the conclusion of the case, DC Nigel Smith, the senior investigating officer, said: “The offences Evans carried out were truly awful, aggravated even more by the fact that he decided to go on the run rather than face up to the crimes he committed all those years ago.

“I am pleased with the sentence given to him by the judge today and hope that seeing him brought to justice offers some solace to his victim and some closure after 25 years.

“I also hope it shows others that the police never stop working to bring to justice those who have acted unlawfully. If you have been a victim of a crime similar to this it is never too late to report it. If you are an offender who has carried out similar horrendous crimes then be assured that the police will catch up with you and ensure that you are held accountable.”

Planning applications before South Kesteven District Council include:

Allington

S15/0634/HSH - Mr an dMrs I. Ashby - Demolition of existing garage and erection of replacement, Wayside, Main Street.

Barrowby, Great Gonerby

S15/0383/MJNF - Mr W. Cheung - Installation of solar farm (14.82ha) and associated equipment and infrastructure, land south-east of Pasture Farmm, Allington Lane, Allington.

Billingborough

S15/0989/HSH - Alan Mear - Insertion of one dormer window, Spring Wells Cottage, 1 Spring Wells.

Carlton Scroop

S14/3598/OUT - Rob Oliver - Four detached houses and gardens, land adjacent to The Old Manor House, Charity Street.

Caythorpe

S15/0840/FULL - Mr and Mrs P. Atley - Erection of dwelling with vehicular access from Back Lane, land to rear of 29 High Street.

Claypole

S15/0861/HSH - Mr and Mrs R. J. Ingleton - Demolition of existing garage; erection of two-storey side and single storey side/rear extension, 24 Tinsley CLose.

Grantham

S15/0834/LB and S15/0926/HSH - Georgina Newton - Construct car port, alterations to garden wall (including new timber gates and external alterations), Maltings Cottage, 2 Mill Drive.

S15/0907/DC - Susan Grant - Approval of details reserved by Condition 2 (materials) of S14/2307, 13 Dudley Road.

S15/0939/CWC - Anne Dew - Confirmation of compliance with conditions associated with planning permission S05/1342, Springfield Business Park, Springfield Road.

Great Gonerby

S15/1078/HSH - Simon Jackson - Single storey side/rear extension, 53 Holden Way.

Heydour

S15/0956/HSH - Mr G. Blaiklock-Morgan - Proposed single storey side extension to dwelling, 4 Hillside Bungalows, Aisby.

Ingoldsby

S15/0797/FULL - Carl Whitfield - Erection of building for use as a dog obedience centre and relocation of stable, The Paddocks, Back Lane.

Irnham

S15/0815/TCA - Kimberley Benton-Jones - Removal of one Scots pine, on eyew and one willow tree, reduce crown of one yew tree by 50 per cent and crown raise one yew tree by 30 per cent, Manor House, Corby Road.

Little Ponton & Stroxton, Londonthorpe & Harrowby Without

S15/0948/FULL - David Epton - Erection of four 15 metre lighting columns, Kesteven Rugby Club, Woodnook.

Londonthorpe & Harrowby Without

S15/0329/FULL - Arquiva Ltd - Installation of two antennas, 1.8m satellite dish, equipment cabinet and ancillary equipment, land off Newgate Lane.

Long Bennington

S15/0675/ADV - Matthew Wilkinson, Lincolnshire Co-op - Display of internally illuminated totem sign, 27 Main Road.

S15/0950/ADV - Matthew Wilkinson - Two internally illuminated fascia signs, 27 Main Road.

S15/1014/DC - Ablehomes Ltd - Approval of details reserved by Conditions 6 (hard and soft landscaping), 8 (surface water) and 11 (surface water drainage) of S10/2176, Elm Farm, Lilley Street.

Pointon & Sempringham

S15/0706/HSH - Mr A. Price - Alterations to roof, 12 High Street, Pointon.

Rippingale

S15/0778/FULL - Barry Bevan - Change of use of land to residential, demolition of an existing dwelling and erection of a replacement two-storey detached dwelling, The Windmill, Main Road.

S15/0791/HSH - Mr J. Nelmes - Single storey side extension to dwelling, The Pantiles, 9 Middle Street.

S15/0828/FULL - Fenside Motors - Continue use for the purpose of repair garage and vehicle dismantling facility siting of two storage containers, erection of canopy and boundary fencing, The Workshop, Main Road.

Sedgebrook

S15/0966/HSH - David Stage - Proposed link extension to front of dwelling, 5 Abbey Lane.

Westborough and Dry Doddington

S15/0819/HSH - Jane Ford - Single storey rear extension to dwelling, The Ings, Town Street, Westborough.

To view the forms and plans of any planning application: www.southkesteven.gov.uk/planningsearch

A Grantham man charged with possessing 87g of cannabis and pepper spray, contrary to the firearms act, will appear before Lincoln Crown Court.

Byron O’Connell, 36, of Elvaston Court, Grantham, entered no pleas to charges of possessing with intent to supply 87g of cannabis, valued at approximately £600, and to possessing a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid, namely pepper 
spray.

The offences are alleged to have been committed on February 1 this year.

O’Connell will appear before Lincoln Crown Court on April 27.

He remains on unconditional bail.

An unemployed man who was in line to get a driving job, has been disqualified for drink driving for 16 months.

The court heard how at 4.10am on March 22, defendant Bracko Oppong, 28, of Goodliff Road, Grantham was seen getting out a taxi with a woman before getting into a silver Ford Focus.

Police were notified that Oppong had been drinking in the town centre, and followed the Ford Focus. The defendant pulled over and officers could smell alcohol on his breath. Oppong failed the roadside test, and back at the police station gave a reading of 57 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

Lisa Elkington, defending, said Oppong had gone out at about 11pm, and was ‘not thinking straight’ after finding out that his grandmother was gravely ill, who did later pass away.

After having some drinks in town Oppong did leave in a taxi, but he took this to where his car was parked, and did intend to drive home.

There was no evidence that the defendant’s driving was impaired, added Miss Elkington.

Oppong who lives with his fiancee of three years and has no previous convictions, had been offered a job as a driver after taking a career break, but acknowledged that he wouldn’t be able to accept it and was ‘extremely disappointed in himself’ said Miss Elkington.

Magistrates sentenced him to a disqualification lasting 16 months, with the chance to reduce this by 16 weeks through completing a rehabilitation course.

He must also pay a £110 fine, a £20 victim surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.

Lincolnshire County Council have announced road works starting on May 5 on the A607 in Normanton-on-Cliffe.

The carriageway reconstruction and drainage works will take place from May 5 to May 29, with night-time road closures from 7pm to 6am.

A diversion route will be signposted and access to properties will be maintained.

For further details on road works taking place across the county, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/roadworks or follow on Twitter @LincsCC_roads

The court heard how police were called to a domestic incident by the defendant, only to find him with a cut throat and after a scuffle ended up charging him with resisting arrest.

Christopher Roberts, 29, formerly of Kedleston Road, Grantham, pleaded guilty to resisting officers in the execution of their duty on March 19.

Prosecutor Marie Stace described how police received a call from Roberts saying that his partner was ‘going ballistic’, before he called back saying they didn’t need to attend in a slurred voice, while a female could be heard talking calmly in the background.

Officers decided they would still go to the property, and found Roberts upstairs with a slit to his throat, and claiming that his partner had done it with a Stanley knife.

However as they questioned him he kept changing between saying she had done it and saying she hadn’t, and his partner claimed that he had attacked her.

The row appeared to have started after another woman had called that evening, added Miss Stace.

After arresting his partner, police then went to handcuff Roberts, but he tensed up before lashing out and charging towards another officer standing at the front door.

Roberts was restrained on the floor, but again tried to charge at officers and was kept against the wall until a police van arrived and he was taken to the police station.

Nicola Grey, defending, described it as ‘a very regrettable incident’, and said Roberts had drunk a significant amount of vodka, and couldn’t remember being taken into custody, but he was upset at being arrested.

Roberts was fined £135, and must also pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.

A local businessman has had his hair dyed in the colours of his chosen charity ready for his run in the London Marathon.

Nicklaus Streeter, 37, of Barkston, is running the marathon for the first time to raise funds for Coeliac UK. On Monday he had his hair dyed blue by James Meadows who runs Bladerunner in Grantham.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease caused by intolerance to gluten. There is no cure or medication for the condition. The only treatment is a lifelong, strict gluten-free diet.

Nicklaus, who has run several marathons before, said: “My cousin, Emma, will not mind me saying she isn’t much of a runner at all.

“However, she made the most important run of her daughter - and my goddaughter - Imogen’s life, by running with her to the local surgery when she was extremely poorly. At this point her diagnosis started and treatment and help followed up until the present day. With the correct diet the beautiful Imogen is fit and healthy and will stay so.

“I am delighted to be running the London Marathon for Coeliac UK this year. I have raised more than £1,000 to date and hope to break £1,500 come the big day. I am very happy to do my bit to raise awareness of coeliac disease by running the London Marathon.

“If it means that just one more person thinks that it’s worth getting tested as a result then that would be fantastic!”

To sponsor Nicklaus, go to {http://www.justgiving.com/Nicklaus-streeter1|www.justgiving.com/Nicklaus-streeter1} or you can text your donation by texting NIMY77£ followed by the amount to 70070

Coeliac UK’s Awareness Week is taking place from May 11 to 17.

A Sleaford man has admitted to possessing 55.45g of cannabis, which was discovered in a beanie hat while police executed a search warrant.

Richard Robinson, 37, of St Johs Close, Sleaford, pleaded guilty to possession of the class B drug.

At 3.40pm on January 9, police conducted a search warrant at a property on Aire Road, Grantham, with Robinson in attendance.

Inside a black beanie hat officers discovered a plastic bag, in which was three further bags containing a total of 55.45g of cannabis.

Robinson said it was for his own personal use, and after checking his mobile phone police found no evidence that he was supplying the drugs to elsewhere.

During interview he added that he bought the cannabis eight months before and had forgotten it was there, with police noting that it was very dry.

Representing himself in court, Robinson asked magistrates to show him leniency and apologised for his offence.

He explained that he had been unemployed since a driving ban had prevented him from continuing his work on a farm.

Magistrates fined Robinson £75, and also ordered him to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.

Grantham and District North Road Club’s opening race of the new season was won by Mr and Mrs Dedynski of South Witham.

Eight members sent a total of 120 birds from Wetherby and the race was sponsored by Wellies fish and chip shop.

Results: 1 K. and P. Dedynski 1327.2, 2 K. and P. Dedynski 1323.7, 3 T. Ballaam 1261.2, 4 T. Ballaam 1260.2, 5 O. Clark 1241.1, 6 G. Smart 1162.3, 7 G. Smart 1152.6, 8 J. Norris 1118.8, 9 O. Clark 1098.1, 10 D. Fowler and son 1088.9.

l Grantham United’s first race of the year was won by D. Parker and son.

Eight members sent 152 birds from Bubwith.

Results: 1 D. Parker and son 1604, 2 C. Creighton 1601, 3 Mr and Mrs L. Gilbert 1600, 4 C. Creighton 1591, 5 C. Creighton 1591, 6 D. Parker and son 1582, 7 D. Parker and son 1560, 8 Mr and Mrs L. Gilbert 1520, 9 Mr and Mrs M. Colyer and son 1480, 10 Mr and Mrs L. Gilbert 1466, 11 Mr and Mrs D. Dixon 1462, 12 G. Wilson 1450, 13 Mr and Mrs D. Dixon 1441, 14 Mr and Mrs D. Dixon 1421, 15 K. Hollingsworth 1380, 16 J. Ramm 1354.

A 26-year-old who drove with twice the legal limit of alcohol in his breath ended up crashing into a ditch.

Elviss Sveicis, of Kedleston Road, Grantham, pleaded guilty to driving with 70 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath at Gonerby Moor.

Prosecutor Marie Stace outlined how at 2am on March 21 a taxi informed police that a burgundy BMW was in a ditch on Occupation Lane.

Officers attended and Sveicis identified himself as the driver. Although he was coherent they could smell alcohol on his breath, and after testing positive at the roadside he was taken to the police station.

During interview he fully admitted drinking four pints of beer in town that evening before driving to drop off two friends.

Lisa Elkington, defending, highlighted that her client had no previous convictions and had shown remorse during his interview.

Miss Elkington added that the defendant’s job as a self-employed artificial grass fitter for gardens and football pitches, was not at risk with a disqualifcation because someone else could drive the van.

Sveicis was banned from driving for 18 months, with the opportunity to reduce this by 18 weeks through completion of a rehabilitation course.

He must also pay a fine of £200, a victim surcharge of £20 and prosecution costs of £85.

The semi-finals of the Vale of Belvoir League Knockout Cup were played on Friday night.

Kings Arms defeated Rose and Crown 9-7 to reach the final in which they will face BCC who beat Bull Inn B 11-5.

The most 180s were thrown by M. Hutchinson of BCC.

The final will be played at WSC on May 1.

The final Sencit League matches have been played at Grantham and District Indoor Bowls Club, with unbeaten Dysart Park finishing worthy overall winners.

They triumphed by just one point in a very close final game against Barnstone to complete their 10-game winning tally, ending with 87 points with a plus 234 shot difference.

Long Bennington were defeated by Bottesford in their final game but still finished as overall runners-up with 59 points and plus 39 shots.

League chairman Len Payling, of Barnstone, presented the Dysart Park captain with a monetary award and the winners’ shield.

Results:

Dysart Park 55

Barnstone 54

Jenny Waterall, Len Thompson, Ray Chesterton, Alan Briggs drew with Jean Hogg, Ann Parker, John Parker, John McCandless 20-20; Georgina Kemp, Joy Hobbs, Roger Dingley, Brian Roberts lost to Peter Jaques, Winston Snowdon, R Morley. Ray Smith 15-24; Linda Bainbridge, Brian Waterall, Ann Collins, Frank Evans beat Helen McCandless, Sheila Payling, Brian Hogg, Len Payling 20-10.

Long Bennington 45

Bottesford 63

John Morris, Jan Orrey, Rita Baxter, Michael Dring lost to Ceth Richardson, Roy Barnes, John Millington, William Shores 17-19; Eileen Eggleston, Judy Morris, Sue Marris, Graeme Hall beat Paul Hewitt, Maureen Parsons, Roger Payne, Jim Parsons 22-11; Jeanette Hoole, Joy Hall, Brian Garton, Peter Fordham lost to Peter Bennett, Margaret Payne, Ruth Murphy, Roger Turnbull 6-33.

l Vacu-Lug Bowls Club’s first event of the new outdoor season will be an open afternoon at its greens at Arnoldfield Sports Ground on Saturday between 2pm and 4pm.

The club invites all to have a taster of bowls and join members for a tea or coffee. Coaching is available if required.

Any inquiries should be made to Bruce Allen on 01476 403773.

Vacu-Lug’s first game is against North Scarle in the ASC Metals Sunday League on May 3.

Grantham Dramatic Society’s last show, Blackadder Goes Forth, has been nominated for a National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) production award.

The nomination recognises the high standard achieved by the cast and crew in bringing the challenging show to the stage in November last year.

The show’s director, Helen Pack, said: “This is so thrilling. It’s a cliché but it really is an honour just to be nominated! The whole team worked incredibly hard on this production, including the technical team at the Guildhall, and we’re proud of the high standard we achieved. This nomination is the icing on the cake.”

John Skerritt, who played Blackadder, added: “I’m so proud of the cast and crew for what I believe is a well-deserved nomination. Not only was it GDS at its best, but it was also a great commemoration for the centenary of the First World War.”

GDS will find out at a NODA event in June whether their show has won the award for the East Midlands region.

NODA is an association representing the needs and issues of amateur theatre groups and their members across the UK.

Boundary Mill in Grantham has raised an incredible total of more than £14,500, for their charity of the year Rainbows Children’s Hospice.

During the year the store has sold a range of Rainbows merchandise, staff have dressed up in onesies and made cakes, and former employee and guitarist Charlie Russel organised two fund-raising musical evenings hosted at the Atrium free of charge.

Katie Baxter, head of community and events at Rainbows, said: “It is staggering and wonderful how much they’ve raised. The money will go towards supporting the poorliest children in the East Midlands, and help to create some happy times and memories.”

She added: “It will also help to raise the profile of the hospice, which supports families from this area and all across the East Midlands.”

General manager at Boundary Mill, Veronica Wellman, said: “Staff vote for their charity of the year and this is such an emotive cause. We have had a fantastic time supporting Rainbows, and the staff have put a lot of effort into events, going over and above with their fund-raising.

“Hopefully it will bring a little bit of light to those families Rainbows supports.”

Bassingham single-seater racing driver Jack Harvey’s chances of getting another Indy Lights race under his belt were ruined on lap one of the Long Beach race when he was taken out by the number 18 car.

Jack headed to the Californian track on the back of two second-place finishes in the opening rounds of the Indy Lights 2015 Championship in St Petersburg. His aim was simple – to go one better and secure a race win.

The Racing Steps Foundation-backed driver started the weekend strongly, posting strong lap times in both practice sessions.

On Saturday afternoon, the 12-car field took to the track for the qualifying session. In an electrifying display, Jack timed his flying lap to perfection and posted the fastest of the session with just seconds to spare.

Not only did he secure pole position for Sunday’s race, he shattered the existing lap record by almost a full second.

Jack said he was happy to have qualified in pole position. He said: “It was a great result and I was very happy to be on pole. I was fast throughout qualifying and it was all about timing that final lap to get pole.

“The last five minutes of the session were pretty intense because I had to get through a lot of traffic to get the clean air needed to set my flying lap. To be on pole shows a big improvement from where we were at St Pete, where our qualifying pace wasn’t as strong.

“To get pole this weekend shows what a great team I have and how much hard work everyone’s put in.”

However, Jack’s race was over in seconds on Sunday morning when he was hit by another car on turn one of the opening lap. He nursed his car back to the pits and the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team set about trying to repair it. They did manage to get him back out on track, albeit a full five laps down so he was never going to be in contention.

Jack said it was a disappointing end to a brilliant race weekend. He said: “I didn’t even get the chance to complete one lap before my race was over.

“Although I am extremely disappointed we can look to the positives; that our qualifying pace was extremely good, and before I was hit we were all set for a race win.

“We now turn our focus to the next race where we will be looking to repeat our qualifying performance and hope for an incident-free race.”

Despite finishing 10th and not collecting any championship points at Long Beach, Jack is still in third place in the standings.

Police are still investigating the circumstances of a fatal fire in Bottesford on Sunday afternoon.

A forensics team is at the scene in Grantham Road in Bottesford where a fire broke out in a cottage and spread to the two houses on either side causing considerable damage.

The body of a woman was found in the cottage where the fire broke out, but police say at this stage they cannot confirm whether she died as a result of the fire. The woman has been identified locally as Lesley Grice.

Emergency services were called to the scene at 1.50pm on Sunday. Grantham Road remains closed with diversions in place as the investigation continues.

Meanwhile villagers have been pulling together to help those people who have had to leave their homes after they were damaged by the fire. One man and two women have had to leave their homes and a collection of clothes, furniture and food has been organised by Lynn Busby.

Maria Pride, who owns Zaro’s cafe in Queen Street, says people have been bringing their donations to the cafe.

Maria told the Journal: “We have been inundated with clothes and furniture. It has been a shock and we are all very sad because we have lost a member of our community. But it is a fabulous community and everybody has been pulling together.”

Neighbours close the site of the fire said they were shocked and saddened. Jeremy Hazelden, who lives in Fleming Avenue, behind the row of cottages, described the fire as horrendous. He took some photos of firefighters tackling the blaze. He said: “The photos are quite poignant because you can see the flames and all the smoke. It looks like the middle cottage has got most of the damage, but the roofs are linked and the fire has clearly leapt across. The photos show the back of Gavin’s house and show the flames coming up through the roof.”

Mr Hazelden said the woman who died was “a bit of a character”.

A couple who also live in Fleming Avenue were returning home on a walk when they saw the fire. One of them said: “We were coming back and we saw this thick black smoke. I think there were three fire engines at this point. There was also an ambulance with a stretcher. We did not know the lady but I think some of the older community knew her well.”

A woman who lives on Grantham Road told the Journal: “Everybody is saddened by what has happened. People are upset and there are a lot of rumours going around.”

Fire crews from Grantham as well as Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire tackled the fire on Sunday.

Ian Woods, deputy divisional commander for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, said: “Two crews from Grantham demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism, dedication and commitment, at what was a highly dynamic and rapidly developing fire situation.

“This was probably one of the hottest and most intense house fires I have been to for many years, and whilst the incident was tainted by the death of a member of the public, the work carried out by both crews significantly reduced the impact on both of the adjoining properties, and the village as a whole.”

A headteacher is ‘delighted’ his village school has done well in its recent Ofsted report.

Despite an increase of almost a third in pupil numbers since its last inspection in 2010, Great Ponton Primary School has retained its ‘good’ grade.

Headteacher Jon Clack said: “Our pupil numbers have increased in size considerably since our last inspection and it is wonderful to receive high praise for how well the children perform whilst at our school.”

One area achieved ‘outstanding’ and that was ‘the behaviour and safety of pupils’. The insepctor noted: “Pupils’ behaviour outside the classroom is exemplary. Incidents of difficult behaviour are almost unheard of and school records support this.”

Mr Clack was pleased with this praise of his pupils. He said: “Along with good achievement, good teaching and good leadership and management, we were thrilled to be awarded with an ‘outstanding’ for the behaviour and safety of our children. The inspector noted that ‘the pupils’ exceptional attitudes to learning have a very positive impact on their progress’.

“We are all delighted with the outcome of the Ofsted inspection report.”

Among the praise heaped on the school by the Ofsted inspector was the range of topics taught in classes, as was the range of sporting activities made available to youngsters to boost their physical well-being.

Two recommendations were made to further improve the school. They were to:

* Raise the quality of teaching to outstanding by giving pupils clear advice when marking their work, so that they always know what they need to do to improve and by checking that pupils act on the advice they are given through marking.

* Accelerate further the progress pupils make in reading in Key Stage 2, by ensuring that pupils have more opportunities to apply their reading skills both in English lessons and in other subjects.

Two couples at the same Grantham retirement home development both celebrated milestone wedding anniversaries on the same day.

McCarthy and Stone’s Martin Court development held a joint celebration on March 19 for Wallace and Kathleen Walker, who have reached their diamond anniversary, and for Trevor and Kathleen Palmer, to mark their golden anniversary.

The Walkers and Palmers who both moved into Martin Court in November 2014, were surprised with flowers, champagne, cake and good wishes from the community.

Kathleen Walker said: “We couldn’t believe it when we heard the Palmers were celebrating such a momentous anniversary so close to our own. We thought it was only right to double the celebrations, and to invite the rest of the community to join us!”

Aged 17, Kathleen met Wallace on a blind date. “That was so long ago as we’re both 80 now but it feels like only yesterday,” she said.

Their first home together was a large family home in Leeds. They moved to the development on St Catherine’s Road in Grantham in order to be closer to their family. “It was a great decision to move in here, all the McCarthy and Stone staff made it so easy and painless for us. The celebrations for our diamond anniversary are a perfect example of how well they look after us,” Kathleen added.

Meanwhile Trevor and Kathleen Palmer married in 1965 after being friends for years beforehand.

They previously lived in Leicestershire and elsewhere in Lincolnshire. Trevor said: “We moved to Grantham later in life and loved the village feel and community. However our home was becoming quite difficult to manage and maintain as we got older, so when we heard about a McCarthy and Stone development coming to the area we jumped at the chance.”

For further details visit www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk

It was a golden weekend of racing across the region for Belvoir Tri Club as the first serious races of the season got underway.

A quintet of racers represented the club at Southwell Triathlon, promoted by One Step Beyond, producing two podium positions.

Claire Armstrong finished first in her age group with an overall finishing time of 1hr 1min 7sec, whilst Adam Jackson came third in his, posting a time of 55:15.

Rounding off the excellent set of results for the club were Martin Jolly, Bohdan Dawyd – completing his 60th triathlon – and Sara Bedford, finishing sixth, seventh and 10th in their respective age groups with finishing times of 58:33, 55:53 and 1:16:44.

Further south at Grafham Water, Belvoir clubmate Kevin Gench, along with husband and wife duo Louise and Gerry Hyde, lined up against some of the country’s best duathletes as they took part in the Anglian Water Duathlon Series.

Kevin and Louise raced the Standard distance and Gerry tackled the shorter Sprint distance race, which also held the potential for qualification to the GB European Duathlon team.

The winning streak continued as Louise took first place in her age group with a finishing time of 2:40:03, and Kevin also got his feet on the podium with a second place in age group, crossing the line in 2:28:08.

Against an incredibly competitive line-up, Gerry came home with a very creditable eighth place in his age group with a total time of 1:17:51, just under two minutes outside of the fourth, place needed for automatic qualification, but well within a shout of taking one of the eight potential roll-down places.

Rounding off the racing for the weekend were Tim Dawson and Alex Ferguson who tackled the Grantham Cup cross-country race held at Belton Horse Trials, promoted by Grantham Running Club. Tim and Alex finished with times of 50:49 and 52:33 respectively.

l This weekend sees the second of Belvoir Tri Club’s Go-Tri events at Waterfield Leisure Centre in Melton Mowbray which is part of a national weekend of events in the #gotri1000 series where up to £1,000 in prize money is up for grabs for the first 1,000 entrants into races across the country.

For more details visit www.belvoirtriclub.co.uk or www.gotri.org