The son of a Grantham man found dead after overdosing on a mix of drugs has called on the police to find two people who saw his father during his final hours and still remain unidentified.

The body of 48-year-old father-of-five and grandfather-of-four Ian Addison was discovered on Inner Street, Grantham, in the early hours of January 20 this year.

Two people were arrested on suspicion of murder before they were released without charge.

At Grantham coroner’s court yesterday (Thursday), a conclusion of drug-related death was made by coroner Paul Smith after hearing all the evidence, including the results of a post mortem.

In a statement, pathologist Dr Hamilton said a variety of drugs were found in Mr Addison’s blood, including a fatal 4,900 nanogrammes per milillitre of mephedrone or ‘MCat’. Traces were also found of morphine, cocaine, codeine, benzoylecgonine, cocaethylene and pregabalin and olanzapine, the latter of which was prescribed medication for a personality disorder. Dr Hamilton concluded that Mr Addison died from mixed drug toxicity.

While acknowledging that his dad was a long-term drug user, after hearing all the evidence in the inquest his son Terry Addison said: “There are still a lot of things that don’t add up.”

The court heard how Mr Addison’s body was discovered after a Citroen C2 containing four people coming back from buying drinks at the World Star shop on London Road turned into Inner Street.

Passenger Devoney Campbell, 20, described how while in the car he spotted the soles of a pair of white trainers, and realised it was a person lying on their back by the side of the road. He told driver Emma Parker, 31, to stop the car and he jumped out, ran over and on checking the body realised it was Mr Addision whom he knew. Mr Campbell tried for a pulse on Mr Addison’s neck, and noted that he had already lost colour in his face and that his eyes were open staring at the sky, with no sign of breathing.

Miss Parker called an ambulance at about 12.30am and was advised over the phone how to perform CPR, making, she estimated, about 600 compressions. The police then turned up and took over using a defibrillator brought from the police station.

Although when police arrived only Miss Parker and Mr Campbell were at the scene, CCTV on a nearby industrial unit confirmed that there had been four people in the vehicle. As Miss Parker and Mr Campbell failed to tell police this during interview, a decision was made to arrest the pair on suspicion of murder.

Police then obtained a statement from a third occupant of the car, Dario Spencer, who admitted that he left the scene because he said it was apparent to him that Addision was already dead, and because he had cannabis on him and was worried about the police turning up. He left with a man he continued to refer to as an ‘unknown male’, walking around town together before going their separate ways near Sainsbury’s. Mr Spencer said he returned home beween 3am and 4am.

Evidence was then given by Detective Sergeant Simon Todd, stating that after Miss Parker’s emergency call at 00.38am, police attended at 00.45am to find her giving CPR to Addison. Officers reported that he showed no signs of life, and that while he had lost some blood from an injury by his right eye and had grazes on his legs, the physical injuries were consistent with a stumble or a fall. “There is nothing to indicate that there was an assault or an argument,” said DS Todd.

Mr Addison was taken to Grantham Hospital and, despite further attempts to resuscitate him, his death was confirmed at 1.40am.

Mr Campbell and Miss Parker were taken to Grantham police station and questioned. However, police later concluded that they did everything they could to save Addison’s life.

DS Todd also revealed that the same CCTV camera also captured footage of a male believed to be Mr Addison stumbling and falling over, as well as an unidenfitied individual who appeared to try and pick him up, but then left about half an hour before the car arrived. The footage was described as ‘very dark and very unclear’.

“From the evidence that we have and from the pathologists report there is nothing to indicate any third party involvement in his death,” said DS Todd.

The coroner and family members also heard how on January 18, Addison had been seen by a housemate in his room at shared accommodation in Harrowby Lane drinking alcohol and smoking a crack cocaine pipe.

They heard evidence from Anthony Holmes who knew Addison for over 20 years back from when they lived in Boston. Mr Addison had gone to Mr Holmes’ address on Edward Street on January 19, and the pair were seen drinking lager and Addison also admitted to his housemate Caroline Stamp that he had been taking MCat.

Miss Stamp said Addison would drink two to three bottles of rum, vodka or whiskey a day, in addition to 12 to 13 cans of lager. In her statement she suggested that Addison might have been coming back from the cash machine at the post office, but no cash was found in his wallet on his body.

Mr Addison’s son Terry is still looking for answers. He and partner Katie Storr are sad that he won’t be around to see the birth of their second child on August 5, a daughter who they intend to call Brooklyn. “I was close to him. He was always there for us when we were growing up, and made sure we had everything that we wanted,” added Mr Addison. “What I don’t understand is the person who looked on and put him back down. Why can’t they find him? And the fourth person in the car.

“There are still a lot of things that don’t add up.”

That’s right. New research from Car Dealer Reviews, which studied accidents across the UK using government statistics, has concluded that older drivers are now more susceptible to crashes than adolescents.

In fact, any driver over the age of 25 is considerably more probable to crash than someone aged 16-19, in many cases this is two-to-three times as likely.

Notably the elderly, aged 60+, are twice as responsible for accidents across the UK as teenagers, notching up 12% of all crashes.

Of all the collisions across the UK, 11% occurred in the East of England with just 9% taking place in the East Midlands - now theoretically the nation’s second safest area to drive after only the North East.

Within our area, no county were worse offenders for motor accidents than Lincolnshire which was responsible for 21% of the crashes in the East Midlands and Essex which contributed 24% of all accidents in the East.

Unsurprisingly, the small county of Rutland is seemingly the safest place to be a driver with just 1% of all regional accidents occurring there.

Both Norfolk and Suffolk have been recorded as considerably more dangerous than the city of Peterborough (4%) accounting for 14% and 13% of the incidents in those areas.

Cambridgeshire as a whole contributed a modest 11% of all the crashes in the East of England.

Further research from the site exposed the Vauxhall Corsa as the most crashed vehicle in the UK. Other cars likely to cause your insurance premium to skyrocket included the Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 206, Renault Clio and most surprisingly the Volkswagen Golf.

More than 750 took part in the Grantham Running Club’s annual Summer Solstice 10km road race.

Taking part in the race were a good mixture of experienced club runners, together with a lot of first timers including many new to running who had successfully completed a 10 weeks to 10km course from the The Meres leisure centre under the supervision of the running club’s team of coaches.

Fortunately the temperature dropped in the evening and on the fast course many runners, including the most experienced ones, were able to extract personal best times from a route round Long Bennington.

Local runners featured prominently at the front of a quality field with Matthew Kingston-Lee finishing third in a personal best 34min 10sec. In the ladies’ race, GRC’s Nicky Jefferson also claimed the final podium place in a time of 39:30. In total, GRC had 25 runners complete the race despite having most of their members helping marshal the event.

All runners were given a goody bag and a commemorative “Summer Solstice 2015” glass. As they waited for race director Gordon Geach to make the presentation, David McKee from Living Health and Sophie Hunt were on hand for post-race massage.

Other results: 32 Stuart Sinclair 38.00, 44 William Parkin 38.56, 49 Nicky Jefferson 39.30, 69 Gavin Meadows 40.12, 120 Thomas Williamson 42.42, 131 Andrew Spencer 43.17, 139 Andrew Atter 43.35, 230 Warren Stark 47.24, 231 Neil Emerson 47.35, 232 Catherine Davies 47.35, 243 Tommy Napier 47.44, 278 Liam Vincent 48.44, 285 Anthony Chamberlain 49.01, 289 Gerry Hyde 49.23, 345 Janette Dunderdale 50.48, 362 Lorna Fox 51.29, 406 Simon Ashworth 53.38, 472 Suzanne Britz 57.03, 507 Katie Hill 58.21, 529 Yvonne Buckley 59.57, 538 Nicholas Jones 1.00.43, 541 Justyna Gill 1.00.56, 542 Margaretta Murray 1.00.48, 580 Anthony Burton 1.04.00.

If you were in the Isaac Newton Shopping Centre last Saturday you would have seen the Trefoil Guild’s tombola raising funds for their group and the Grantham Journal Children’s Fund.

By doing so they raised just over £300. The Trefoil Guild’s Maureen Hill said: “We want to say thank you to the people of Grantham who gave so generously to the two charities.” The Journal team is also grateful for the funds which will go towards our Legoland Summer Sizzler Appeal.

The Trefoil Guild allows adults to explore the world through Guiding. Although to many being a Guide suggests one’s childhood years, the guild offers the same opportunities and world experiences to both older men and women too, with no age limit.

Sitting alongside Girlguiding, the groups agree to follow the exact same ethos, with over 1,100 guilds up and down the country, abroad, and even solely online.

With a strong pledge for helping people, many will pass on the skills they learn to local Guiding and Brownie groups.

Some members will also offer a helping hand in the aftermath of natural disasters, as well as other international problems.

To get involved call 0800 169 5901.

King’s School welcomed the MCC to their North Parade ground on Friday for their annual confrontation on a glorious day.

MCC won the toss and elected to bat first on a what looked like a very good batting track.

The weather was very hot and after one early breakthrough by Adam Wilson, when the score was only eight, it soon became apparent that it was going to be hard toil for all the bowlers.

The MCC added 70 runs for the second wicket and this was followed by a century partnership for the third, taking the total on to 180 before lunch, with D. France scoring 106 and Tom Banham 76.

After lunch, MCC declared on 238-3 from 44 overs. The wicket takers for King’s, were Adam Wilson (1-43 off 10 overs), Alex Dempster (1-34 off six overs and Fergus Myles (1-5 off two overs).

The school made good progress by reaching 52-2 in 15 overs, with Dan Wilson scoring 30 and Alex Dempster 22, but after both players fell in quick succession it was down to Harry Brewin and Matt Law to rebuild the innings. They managed to take the score up to 99-4 from 27 overs.

Then, the MCC captain Chris Dring brought himself on to bowl spin. This led to a King’s batting collapse as they were skittled out for 114 in 38 overs, with Dring finishing with figures of 4-16 off six overs. The MCC nominated Alex Dempster as man of the match for the school.

Plans are underway to transform Dysart Park’s play area, after designs incorporating disabled-friendly equipment were presented to the public at Sunday’s family fun day.

Prior to the event, Libby Simpson, chairman of Dysart Park Action Group, contacted playground experts Playdale and three suggested designs with differing budgets were produced. These were displayed at the action group’s stall on Sunday so that the public could have their say.

“Obviously the favourite was the most expensive option, because it has the most equipment,” said Mrs Simpson. “It’s going to take a lot of hard work, but we’re going to aim for that option which costs £90,000.”

She added: “We’re going to be doing a lot of fund-raising – I’ll be pestering everybody in town for their pennies!”

The group will also receive support from South Kesteven District Council and hopes to get grant funding through SKDC’s community fund scheme and WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Limited), which donates money raised from landfill tax to local causes.

Fellow action group member Hannah Martin said: “The plans for the play area will incorporate play equipment which can be used by both abled and disabled children. The play area is in desperate need of updating.”

Libby adds: “We want to create something that can be used by all the children in the area, including those with a mental disability.”

The plans have come as welcome news to the Grantham Disabled Children Society. Chairman of the society Kaz Smith said: “It is a positive step for Grantham – there are lots of disabled children in the area with no play equipment they can use.” Examples Kaz would like to see are accessible swings and roundabouts wheelchairs can be strapped on to. They also plan to help fund-raise for the project.

n To donate contact Hannah at Yorkshire Bank on the High Street or Libby at Press Gang on London Road.

Lincs ECB Premier League

Grantham 166

Skegness 145

In the first of the return fixtures, Grantham hosted Skegness at Gorse Lane.

In the first meeting between these two teams, Grantham managed a winning draw, failing to take the final wicket and secure the victory.

Following the storm on Friday night, there was a leak under the covers and the start of the match was delayed by half an hour to give the pitch time to dry. But when the coin came down in Skegness captain, Norman Brackley’s favour, he had no hesitation in asking the home side to bat on a tricky and inconsistent wicket.

Karanjit Bansal was the first to fall on his first delivery when the ball deviated and took the outside edge. Fellow opener Dan Webb (25) worked hard at the top of the innings but, as the wicket deteriorated, batting became quite an ordeal.

Skegness’s seam attack tore through the Grantham batsman as they struggled to counteract the misbehaving pitch. Attack was the best form of defence it seemed as David Whapplington (22) and Joe Peck (27no) took the Grantham total to a respectable 166.

Pick of the bowlers were Norman Brackley and Brendan Young, both finishing with figures of 3-29.

It became clear that, after time to dry and the heavy roller during the tea interval, the wicket had settled down and was no longer offering the spitting, inconsistent bounce that the Grantham batters faced. That is not to say it was easy going for the visitors and the openers worked hard for every run.

It was a misjudgement that gifted Grantham the first breakthrough as Rohan Nurse ran out opener Daniel Nuttall (11).

Pradeep Chanditha (16) fell soon after to Karanjit Bansal (3-41) but a solid partnership of 54 took Skegness beyond the halfway point in their run chase for the loss of just two wickets.

As the runs ticked by, Grantham seemed to be losing grasp of the game until Joe Peck (3-36) started the fourth of his five spells for the day with a double wicket maiden, including a superb catch from Bansal at backward point.

With the score diminished to 32 required with four wickets remaining, the game had swung back in favour of the visitors. But three wickets in as many overs from Bansal and Simon Oakes (2-24) put the game in the balance.

The final wicket fell in the 49th over when Bansal took another stunning catch at point to the bowling of Peck.

With the victory and the 17 points that go with it, Grantham moved out of the relegation zone play Grimsby who are only five points above them in the league.

District councillors have approved a rise in the maximum loan amount available through South Kesteven District Council’s and Lloyds Bank’s joint mortgage scheme for first-time buyers.

It was recommended that the current maximum loan value amount of £147,250 be increased to £200,000. It was approved initially by the cabinet on Monday, and then at full council on Thursday.

Figures from SKDC reveal that the first scheme saw 46 applicants complete, and that the majority of uptake is in the Grantham area. As properties in PE postcodes only accounted for 19 per cent of those completed, it was concluded that the current loan amount was too low to help first-time buyers considering more expensive properties.

The increase will allow the purchase a house valued at up to £210,000, as opposed to the previous £155,000.

To find out more, call into Lloyds, in St Peter’s Hill, Grantham or on Stamford High Street.

During his 40 years as a photographer with the now defunct Grantham Guardian, Chris Windows took snaps of many famous faces.

Stan Laurel’s sister, Olga Healey, and her husband Bill ran the Plough Inn at Barkston. The above photo shows when they were visited by Stan, Ollie and Stan’s wife, Ida Kitaeva Raphael, in March 1947.

Laurel and Hardy visited Grantham again in 1952, although, unfortunately, the negatives of that occasion seem to be lost.

Stan’s sister Olga was also a performer – an actress who met local musician Bill when she was performing at the Grantham Theatre Royal.

The picture is courtesy of ‘Windows on Grantham’, an album of Chris Windows’ photos compiled by Michael Pointer.

South Lincs and Border League

Premier Division

Boston 184

Belton Park 102

On a hot day in front of Belton House, high-flying Boston completed the double over Belton to cement their position at the top of the table, whilst the outstanding bowling of 17- year-old Tom Ward, and results elsewhere, ensured that Belton remained comfortably in mid-table.

Put into bat, Boston’s normally free-scoring openers were quickly back in the hutch as Tom Ward (6-59) tore into the early order, and was ably supported by the teenagers Max Hubbard (1- 10) and Matt Law (1-17), as well as excellent catching and outfield cricket.

With Boston reeling at 77-5, skipper Tom Baxter (38) organised the Boston reply and found support in the unorthodox hitting of Scott Ellery (37).

Belton’s youngsters wilted a little in the heat and conceded 47 extras as Boston set a challenging 184.

A steady start against the Premier Division’s best bowling attack was soon undone as Dan Reynolds (8), Law and Jake Pollard (21), and a pugnacious Rohan Perera (15), were undone by the pace and seam of Andy Hewitt (2-26) and combative Ellery (2-27).

Struggling at 47-4, the introduction of ex-Lincs spinner Baxter (4-8) and Australian swing bowler Bruce Vella (2-40) meant that Belton were never able to re-build, despite a swashbuckling knock from Ward (14) and rearguard by his father, Alan, who remained undefeated on 11.

Next week Belton Park’s first team are away to a resurgent Woodhall Spa, while the second team entertain Boston’s thirds.

The Bubonic Plague spread from the dockyards along the Thames, in early spring 1665.

By midsummer it had reached Cambridge, and turned the city into a ghost town. Newton had already left before the payment was made in early August of a stipend to students by Trinity College.

Many of the students continued their studies by moving out with their tutors but Newton returned to Woolsthorpe Manor alone, to continue independently with his own researches.

He found the official curriculum in Cambridge, with its focus on the classical Greek philosophers, especially Aristotle, long out of date. The tutors were continuing to teach traditional lessons established many years previously. There was little active research or even apparent enthusiasm.

Newton discovered books by recent and contemporary authors, which he read avidly. The common language of scholars was Latin, which enabled him to study works from across Europe. His mind was stimulated into new ways of thinking, yet his reading was critical, raising queries and objections directed to the authors he studied. In his notebook he listed a series of “Quaestiones”, and later a list of “Problems” both of which became the basis of future studies.

Newton arrived at his childhood home. Here at Woolsthorpe he had honed his skills of craftsmanship by making toys for his half- siblings and his landlord’s children in Grantham. For himself he carved sundials and made a water clock. Models of working mills, driven by wind, water, and even mouse-in-a-wheel power, had demonstrated motion and forces. In later years he showed pride in his making of a telescope. He flew kites, sometimes with a candle attached, no doubt to the consternation of his neighbours. By jumping with the aid of the wind behind him, he was able to devise his own scale for measuring wind speeds.

Lodging as a schoolboy with an apothecary in Grantham, he watched his landlord make medicines, ointments and household products. His landlord also used his own coinage which Newton surely remembered later when he became Warden of the Mint. He drew pictures, diagrams and portraits all over the walls of his room in Grantham, and etchings relating to his interests have been uncovered on the walls of Woolsthorpe Manor.

What a rich and diverse childhood this was. Though frequently at odds with his mother’s ideas of his future as a farmer and lord of the manor, the pull of curiosity, reading and experimenting strengthened his resolve not to work on the land.

Newton’s maternal uncle, together with his Grantham headmaster, must have recognised his potential abilities. They persuaded his mother, albeit reluctantly, to release him from his home obligations and let him go to Cambridge University. Even so she refused to pay for his studies, and he became a sub-sizar (servant) to the fee paying students.

Now he had worked his way upwards, gaining election to a scholarship in 1664 and BA in 1665, ensuring his security to a scholastic future once the plague abated.

Back at Woolsthorpe in his chamber above the hall, he was alone with his thoughts. And what thoughts they were! He was able to develop his brilliant ideas.

No, the apple did not fall on his head – see part 2 next week.

South Lincs & Border League

Premier Division

Long Sutton 210-8

Grantham 211-8

Grantham travelled to Long Sutton in search of a much needed victory. Soon after winning the toss and deciding to bowl, it appeared the visitors had misread the pitch. Long Sutton raced to 129-1 after 30 overs, with the help from some questionable decisions from the umpires.

The mainstay was P Barnes with 87. However, an excellent spell from Phil Abbott, that included four wickets and some good catches, saw Long Sutton fall away towards the end, a par score for the day.

Grantham went into their innings with momentum and started like a tracer bullet. A quick 15 for Stew Mudie, an even quicker 39 for James Cameron-Clarke, and an effortless 60 for Martin Parmley saw Grantham reach 140-2, leaving them 71 in the last 14 overs.

What had been a bad tempered game from the start was boiling up nicely. The pressure was too much for the middle as wickets started to tumble.

With 27 needed from the last five overs and only two wickets in hand it fell to Joe Farmer, who never looked in doubt as he stroked a comfortable 19no to guide his side home with one wicket and one ball to spare.

After impressing Enhance Beauty’s owner Lorna Pattendon, teenager Ashleigh Bottomley secured an apprenticeship with the Brook Street salon.

Now she has gone on to impress the Grantham Journal Business Awards judges, to be named Apprentice of the Year. The 18-year-old, of Portrush Drive, Grantham, spoke to the Journal, while Lorna has also been singing her praises.

Lorna, what makes Ashleigh the Apprentice of the Year?

Sometimes you meet extraordinary young individuals that just have an obvious passion for their chosen industry. Ashleigh first impressed me by personally emailing asking if she could be considered for the pending apprenticeship. Her e-mail was so compelling that I immediately passed it over to our salon manager to arrange an interview. What was so impressive was Ashleigh’s maturity and drive. It was simply a pleasure to experience that from a 16-year-old. Ashleigh has gone on to develop those attributes and combine them with excellent customer service skills. She works alongside her peers and takes direction from those with many years’ experience. There is always a learning curve, on both sides, but Ashleigh has consistently shown her determination to succeed and as a result we have moulded a wonderful and talented young beauty therapist. It will a pleasure to watch her grow further in her career.

Ashleigh, how did it feel to be named Apprentice of the Year?

It felt amazing! I really did not expect to win. It is wonderful having the opportunity to do an apprenticeship in beauty at Enhance, but to win an award in addition has given me a real buzz. It was an amazing night too. I really enjoyed meeting everyone from the Journal and all the other businesses there, too.

What does your job entail?

I have been the beauty apprentice at Enhance since September 2013. I currently work four days a week and attend college one day. My working day involves a wide variety of general salon duties, training in more advanced beauty techniques and performing treatments I qualified for in my previous year of my apprenticeship. I love dealing with the public, so I’m happiest when performing treatments. I have a really strong customer base now, especially for nails, which I love.

What can customers expect?

Enhance Beauty has been going for over 10 years now and I think it’s well known in Grantham for being really welcoming to clients and also very professional. We do lots of great offers – clients get the best treatments but at affordable prices. People are always surprised at how lovely everyone is here and how well the team all get on. We offer a range of treatments from CACI non-surgical face treatment to HD Brows, LVL, and nail and lash extensions. We have a reflexologist so clients really can be treated from top to toe.

Firefighters are still at the Mid UK recycling plant near Grantham as 4,000 bales of household waste and shredded carpet continue to smoulder.

Three appliances remain at the scene on Barkston Heath, four days after it began, and are dampening down small pockets of the fire.

Smoke continues to rise and residents living nearby are advised to keep their windows closed.

A Public Health England spokesman said: “Residents in areas affected by the smoke should stay indoors, and keep their doors and windows closed during periods when smoke is affecting their property.

“Motorists who have to travel through the smoke should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.

“So far, there have no been reports of any people experiencing ill effects from this fire. The fire and rescue service is on-site dealing with the fire and the other agencies involved will continue to monitor the situation and issue advice to the public, businesses and organisations affected as necessary.

“Any smoke can be an irritant and as such, if people need to be outdoors, they are advised to avoid outside areas affected by any smoke or ash, or to limit the time that they spend in them.

“Some of the substances present in smoke can irritate the lining of the air passages, the skin and the eyes. Respiratory symptoms include coughing and wheezing, breathlessness, sputum (phlegm) production and chest pain. If symptoms occur, people should seek medical advice or call NHS 111.

“Chemicals in the smoke can worsen existing health problems like asthma. People with asthma should carry their inhaler.”

Road surrounding the area are now open.

{http://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/news/local/update-roads-reopen-after-fierce-fire-at-ancaster-recycling-plant-dramatic-new-photos-of-the-battle-by-firefighters-1-6837407|For more on this story.}

Two female members flew the flag for Belvoir Tri Club at the Tallington Lakes Triathlon, near Stamford, on Sunday.

Catherine Davies took on the Sprint event whilst clubmate Louise Payne stretched her legs in the Standard (Olympic) distance.

It was Catherine’s first time racing in open water but that clearly did not faze her and she completed the swim leg in 13min 44sec – the fourth fastest female and first in her age group.

She dropped to second place following her 54-minute 20km bike leg, and nailed that runners-up spot in her age category with a strong 22:57 run. She finished seventh overall.

Catherine said she loved the whole event: “I particularly enjoyed the swim as I felt strong and confident in my ability to sight and hold my own in the crowd.

“I particularly liked the run leg, getting to overtake many of the faster bikers who had whizzed past me on the bike leg. All in all it was a blast.”

Starting a few minutes after the waves of Sprint distance competitors, Louise completed her 1500m swim in a shade over 32 minutes, placing her third as she went into the first transition stage.

 With most of her competitors riding aerodymanic time trial bikes, Louise rode the 40km bike leg on her trusty hybrid machine and managed to only drop one place in her age group. She too maintained her position after the final run – 10km completed in 50 minutes.

Belvoir Tri Club coach Karl Hunt praised Louise and Catherine’s performances: “For two ladies who are relatively new to triathlon, they both performed brilliantly. Open water swimming can be tough and they have both worked really hard at club coached sessions to improve that part of their races. I’m looking forward to working with them further in the coming months.”

Meanwhile, clubmates Martin Jolly and Paul Letchworth contested the Bournemouth Standard Distance Triathlon.

Martin exited the English Channel swim 20th in his age group, but excellent transitions and a bike time of 1:01:46 and a 45:14 run saw him jump up through the field to seventh.

Clubmate Paul also put in a strong performance, exiting the water 14th in 14:19, however his first transition and bike leg lost him time. A 58:07 10km time consolidated his 34th place.

* Belvoir Tri Club’s swimming for beginners is at The Meres on Saturdays, 7am start.

Lincolnshire County Council has produced public health data for our district and councillors were invited to 
review their report in training.

The World Health Organisation definition considers ‘being healthy’ to include our mental state, how we socialise with others, our sexual health and our sense of place in the world.

As people become more insular with modern life this affects our overall sense of well being.

Calls to emergency services by elderly isolated people are increasing. But they are not the only people in need of help.

There were also 280 hospital stays relating to self-harming, many being single younger men, over the same period last year, highlighting the importance of maintaining good mental health and a sense of well being for all.

There is a direct link between poverty and life expectancy. In Grantham there are pockets of poverty which are among the worst in England.

Whilst overall life expectancy is gradually increasing, wealthier men in our District are likely to live seven years longer than men living in poverty. At present 13.6 per cent of our local poor children are likely to live shorter lives than their classmates unless their economic circumstances improve.

The chancellor’s budget, which purports to support those in work, whilst reducing support for those out of work, may be too blunt an instrument.

The fact we have above average levels of statutory homelessness is also cause for concern. The government must take more action to build social housing.

Last year sixty-six people, representing higher than the national average number of people, died or were seriously injured on our District’s roads. Improved driving skills and more investment in road safety is needed.

Smoking also remains a risk to our health and a quarter of us are overweight. Early intervention can save lives however.

It is possible for local people aged between 40 and 74 years to ask their GP for a free NHS Health Check. Lincolnshire’s Public Health team state this will ‘…help you take action to reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, type two diabetes and kidney disease.’

In a small group of councillors three had either personal experience or their loved ones had taken the opportunity to have a free blood pressure test only to find serious, even potentially fatal issues that had been undiscovered until then.

The NHS Health Check helpline is available on 0845 850 9850 where stroke support is also available.

Please use it.

South Notts League

Division A

Gedling Colliery 349-5

Belvoir 265

There are some days when the bowlers just do not get a look-in.

Such was the case on Saturday at Gedling Colliery. Six-hundred-and-14 runs were mercilessly plundered from 97½ overs. That is why it is necessary to praise Olly Elson (11-0-90-0) and Zaheer Rahman (16-0-75-0) for the gritty steadfastness that both showed in the face of the onslaught. Their never-say-die attitude was a lesson in Englishness.

Gedling batted first with Fred Andersen smashing the ball in all directions in a wonderful 144 (117 balls) out of the first wicket stand of 224. At this point, skipper Duncan McKeown (104) took over, racing to his century in 106 balls – a classic and intelligent innings compared to Andersen’s exciting brutality.

However, the best strike rate (126) belonged to Rhys Hayes, including 21 from his last eight balls. As well as Elson, of Belvoir’s bowlers, Greg Oldfield (3-95) at least had the consolation of the scalps of two of the top scorers.

Belvoir started brightly, looking for 350 to win at seven per over but Hayes (2-40) nabbed both openers for 24. Josh Sharpe then made a nice-looking 23.

At the other end, Oldfield (104 at a strike rate of 129) took nine balls to get off the mark before setting about the chase in earnest. He smacked nine fours in his next 20 balls, some of them scything silkily through extra-cover.

Lyndon James (28) unselfishly fed the strike to Oldfield whenever he could in the 86-run fourth wicket partnership that took the score to 179 – half way there.

But wickets were falling and Rahman was holding up one end at less than five per over. Oldfield completed his century in 75 balls but was caught and bowled by Ryan Eason (2-62) five balls later.

Belvoir captain Tom Neville (41) kept up the momentum, peppering mid-on as per usual, but
Gedling’s fourth change Danny O’Brien (3-21) had him brilliantly caught by Hayes. O’Brien went on to wrap up the tail and Belvoir finished 84 runs short.

Sixty-five fours and 14 sixes – a boundary every seven balls – entertainment!

Having been criticised for always being ‘on the back’ of local highway departments, whatever that means, I’ve eased up on the pressure recently.

What a mistake it appears to have been; a quick study of my own reveals a lack of progress in all directions.

Take the Grantham east-west bypass for instance, which we have been awaiting for much longer than I can remember. The much vaunted promise of an early start seems to have actually materialised into the felling of a few trees and yet more problems with the preferred route.

As traffic increases to virtual gridlock at times in and around the town, roads continue to deteriorate to a level similar to that in Leicestershire when they were rated the worst in the country.

Despite some progress, the pothole situation is still very much with us. Pedestrians have to dodge boy racers splashing by. This is after we had been assured that a widespread filling-in programme would solve this once and for all.

Speaking of pedestrians, the biggest danger, especially for older and infirm people, is the unacceptable state of many Grantham pavements.

One of the perils of the infamous Lyke Wake Walk across the North York Moors, which I completed three times, was the inability to put your foot on even ground for miles. Likewise local footpaths, I can tell you!

In my view the whole lot need to be totally resurfaced before more people suffer falls and broken bones. Even without these real threats, just walking from one place to another while shopping and so on is making me hobble.

Please will somebody forget the cost for once and take responsibility to prevent crippling us all!

Grantham & Melton

Association

Division Three

Croxton Kerrial 170-7

Grantham 2nd 82

The home side won the toss and elected to bat which looked the wrong decision as first Danny Aylin fell for zero and then Dave Crossland was run out for four.

With Ed Marsh and Stephen Horner at the wicket, the Croxton slowly began to recover but, with the score at 47-2, Marsh was caught in the gully for 16. It was then down to Horner and Leon Aylin to build a defendable total.

It was not long before Horner reached his 50, his first for the club which was then followed by the 50 partnership. Horner eventually fell for 67 and despite a flurry of wickets, the home side reached 170 with Aylin 51no and Jack Dilloway 21no.

In reply, Grantham lost Corby to the first ball of the innings, the first of Crossland’s six wickets and, despite some lovely shots by Jaden Fell, wickets began to fall regularly.

Fell was eventually caught by Marsh off the bowling of Crossland for 18. Stevens was caught and bowled by the same bowler and, apart from Robinson (17), no one else made double figures. The pick of the bowlers was Crossland (6-24), with Aylin 2-31 and Jack Dilloway 1-8 in support.

Barkston & Syton 130

Croxton Kerrial 131-3

Croxton won the toss and elected to field and were soon in the wickets as Dave Crossland had A. Jameson smartly caught and bowled.

There was a flurry of runs from the bat of Modd Jnr before he tried one shot too many and became Nigel Howitt’s first victim, as the ball went straight up in the air to be well taken by Aylin at slip.

From then on, wickets fell at regular intervals, Crossland finishing with 3-28 and Leon Aylin 3-25 the pick of the bowlers. There was a late rally from the Barkston tail that took the total to 130.

In reply, the Croxton openers never looked in any major trouble and soon passed the 50 partnership. Danny Aylin and Howitt were eventually parted with the score on 94 (Howitt 53, Aylin 34) and, with a double quick 25 from Crossland, the total was reached in the 26th over, with Parker for Barkston taking 3-30.

Grantham & Melton Association

Division One

Woolsthorpe 98

Grantham 102-1

It was a much more relaxed affair after the fireworks of Saturday’s match at Gorse Lane as Grantham welcomed Woolsthorpe on a cloudy afternoon.

The visitors chose to bat first, having arrived with only nine men and the young Grantham strike bowlers made swift inroads to the batting line-up.

Wickets fell at regular intervals as the visitors struggled to a total of 98. Bowlers Neel Stevenson (3-2) and Danny Ashley (2-20) made short work of the tailenders.

Despite a rain delay, Grantham then made short work of the target too.

Woolsthorpe were handicapped by only having eight fielders and openers David Whapplington (54) and Stewart Mudie (40no) dealt with the lion’s share of the runs in the first 10 overs.

A comprehensive victory for Grantham gave them a full 20 points and moved them up to fifth in the league.