Athletes from Grantham Athletic Club took on the challenge of the National Relays, and match two of the Lincs Cross-country League last weekend.

Twenty-six runners represented Grantham AC in the relays at Berry Park, Mansfield, last Saturday.

The senior men’s team of Arthur Short, Paul Davidson, Mark Gray and Mark Tucker broke into the top 140 finishing teams, with Arthur posting the fastest leg of 19min 56.25sec. The second group of John Ellerby, Bill Lord, Chris Hunt and Phil came 157th out of 189 teams.

The senior ladies comprised Victoria Hardwick, Dawn Hunt and Sophie Hunt and all ran with true grit and determination.

In the juniors, Naomi Collier was 31st in her leg and Polly Atherton 43rd. Billy Orridge finished 66th in his leg.

The under-17 boys had a full team comprising Josh Lord, Jake Hornby and Ben Thompson, with Jake running the fastest leg to finish 68th.

Other results: Under-13 girls - 75 Letitia Barrowcliff, 95 Saskia Hunt; under-13 boys - 40 (Ethan Richards-Cole, William Tucker Kyle Seetul-Drew), 74 (Aaron Hunt, George Hatton, Angus Sharp).

In the Lincs League under-11s at Skegness last Sunday, Helen Braybrook won race four with Frances Sheard not far behind. Holly Smith and Jordan Seetul-Drew completed the team. Jake Hornby led from start to finish in the under-17 boys.

Other results: Senior men - 8 Arthur Short, 16 Paul Davidson, 29 Mark Gray, 30 Chris Armstrong, 33 Mark Tucker, 45 John Ellerby, Stewart Broughton, 50 Dave Eldridge, 55 Phil Hall; senior ladies - 14 Polly Atherton, 18 Caryn Garner, 28 Grace Plant; under-13 girls - 6 Letitia Barrowcliff, 9 Saskia Hunt; under-13 boys - 3 William Tucker, 4 Kyle Seetul-Drew, 6 Ethan Richards-Cole, 9 Aaron Hunt, 17 Angus Sharp, 18 William Watters; under-15 girls - 8 Kerry Smith.

A trio of runners from Grantham AC took part in a Remembrance multi-terrain 11km event at Fineshade Forest, near Stamford, on Sunday.

Caryn Garner completed the undulating course in a commendable time of 54min 50sec for 100th overall and fourth in the FV50 category.

Grace Plant (63.12) finished 169th overall and Philip Garner (63.37) 174th.

l Ropsley Road Runner Tony Johnson competed in the five-mile Poppy Run at Boston on Sunday.

Tony was the second veteran to finish and came in fourth overall in 31min 0sec.

Poor children in Kosovo will be overjoyed to receive shoeboxes filled with gifts and treats from pupils of Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School.

More than 675 shoeboxes were filled by students, who were given an hour to put their boxes together.

As the task was given during Enterprise Week, it was a great opportunity for the girls to learn skills such as thinking innovatively and decision-making.

Teacher Caroline Rees organised the shoebox collection.

She said: “The atmosphere was really lovely, really Christmassy. All the students were coming down in droves and we put the boxes into a huge pyramid. It was overwhelming and really wonderful that they had taken the project and run with it.”

The boxes will be distributed as part of Operation Christmas Child.

Local businesses helped tremendously with the shoebox project, donating items for pupils to add. KGGS would like to thank McDonald’s, Wetherspoon’s, Wilkinsons, Pavers at Boundary Mill, Jane Shilton at Downtown, Rymans, Asda, B&M, The Pound Shop and Matalan.

More than 250 young musicians helped to mark the 10th anniversary of the Lincolnshire String Celebration at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre on Saturday.

The huge annual gathering of musicians has been thrilling audiences at The Meres for 10 years. A full Meres witnessed the highly talented Lincolnshire Youth Cello Orchestra and the Lincolnshire Youth String Chamber Orchestra play the venue before being joined by the 250 members of the String Celebration Orchestra for a rousing finale.

The Celebration Orchestra is made up of young musicians brought together each year from all over the county. Their ages and abilities vary from near beginners to advanced players. Many of them have lessons with the Lincolnshire Music Service which supports the event and some go on to perform in professional ensembles in London and abroad, and sometimes return to Lincolnshire for the event.

Music for the event is arranged to suit the wide range of playing abilities and this year it included a selection of music from West Side Story, Toy Story 2, Clog Dance, and Pomp and Circumstance. The musicians were also joined this year by professional harpist Eleanor Turner who gave a special performance.

Project organiser Juliet Riley, of LMS, who lives in Grantham, said: “It was wonderful. Every seat was taken and there were many positive comments. Eleanor was superb and people said they were blown away by her performance. You would not believe that many of these youngsters are almost beginners. You have to hear it to believe it.”

The leisure centre is one of the few venues in the county that can accommodate around 300 musicians and will continue to host the celebration, but next year will be a little different as the organisers have decided to alternate this with a wind and brass celebration, arranged by LMS.

Detailed plans drawn up by South Kesteven District Council on the future of Grantham have been thrown into doubt after being branded “unfit for purpose” by a planning inspector.

Roland Punshon of The Planning Inspectorate was appointed by the Secretary of State to look at the district council’s plans for the future of Grantham which includes the building of at least 5,529 houses between now and 2026.

In a highly-critical letter written to the district council, Mr Punshon outlines his “substantial concerns” about the council’s Development Plan Document which sets out where housing development in Grantham should take place and what it should look like.

Mr Punshon said: “I have a number of substantial concerns about the soundness of the Grantham Area Action Plan. In my view the Development Plan Document is seeking to deal with an extremely complicated situation but is too simplistic and fails to deal properly and comprehensively with circumstances which are likely to arise.

“As it stands I fear that within a very short period the Development Plan Document will be found to be unfit for purpose.”

Mr Punshon recommends the council scraps the Development Plan Document and starts again - which will require costly re-working and re-publishing for another lengthy consultation process.

Mr Punshon has told the council that the modifications to the DPD which would need to be made “would be so substantial that...they would effectively amount to the DPD being re-written”.

He added: “I consider that the most appropriate course of action would be for the council to withdraw the DPD; make the changes necessary to address these concerns; republish the whole plan for consultation and submit the revised DPD for examination.

“I realise that this is an undesirable course of action for the council and it is only with considerable reluctance and regret that I have come to my conclusions. However, in this case, I do not consider I have any practicable alternatives.”

The long-awaited Grantham bypass seems further away than ever today as South Kesteven District Council’s planning officers were told to go back to the drawing board and come up with a new plan for the future of the town

The Grantham Area Action Plan and the Development Plan Document have been years in the making at significant cost in both time and taxpayers’ money.

Now both have been rejected as planning inspector Roland Punshon believes them to be so flawed that they are beyond saving.

The Journal was contacted by a landowner this week who was one of those who complained to the inspector that his land had been unfairly overlooked in the council plans.

His objection was upheld and he was successful in convincing the planning inspector his piece of land should not have been excluded but sees little reason to celebrate given that “hundreds of thousands of pounds of tax payers’ money must have been wasted”.

He said: “This is a disaster for Grantham. It means the work on the bypass will start in years, not months.

“It is also a disaster in the amount of money that has been used and wasted. It must be hundreds of thousands of pounds - if not more.

“The biggest question is ‘how have the council got it so wrong?’”

MR PUNSHON’S CRITICISMS:

Lack of policy direction - Mr Punshon criticised the council’s planning policy, saying “without a clear policy context the council’s approach would amount to little more than planning by appeal” and describing the lack of a clear policy was a case of “the tail wagging the dog”.

Inadequate reports - He described a report on the North West Quadrant development (NWQ1) as “inadequate in terms of the guidance and direction it provides” whilst also describing a report into the Southern Quadrant (SQ1) as “inadequate”.

Site selection for developments: He said: “In my view the process was unsound and did not show full consideration of all of the potential options for sites.”

Mr Punshon added: “The evidence document contains some clear errors and omissions in its assessment of sites...these errors and apparent omissions reduce my confidence in the thoroughness with which the weighing of the merits of individual sites has been undertaken.”

Business: The plans identify 16 hectares of land for employment but part is taken up by highway infrastructure improvements and part of the residential developments in the Souther Quadrant would involve the loss of “a substantial area of” existing employment land. Mr Punshon said: “It is unclear whether this loss has been taken into account in the council’s calculations.”

The Core Strategy also says there should be a business park built in Grantham which is unaccounted for. Mr Punshon said: “The GAAP does not specifically identify land to accommodate a high quality business park as is required by the Core Strategy.”

Bridge: As part of the North West Quadrant plans the Pennine Way Link Road and rail bridge will be built between Barrowby Road and Pennine Way. However, concerns were raised about how this will be paid for. Mr Punshon said: “Although the Section 106 agreement requires developers of the first phase to contribute to a ‘bridge fund’ as development progresses, the council concedes that the contributions would not be sufficient to pay for the bridge to carry the Pennine Way Link over the railway.

“How the necessary additional finance would be raised is unexplained.”

Tracy Janjevic, assistant manager at HSBC in Grantham, faced her fear of heights and leapt from a plane to help raise more than £4,000 for charity.

Tracy was joined by her colleagues Liz Wibberley and Stephen Hutchby as the trio took the plunge to raise cash for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Support them by logging on to justgiving.com/teams/tracysbigjump

One of the highlights of the Grantham festive calendar is on the horizon but volunteers are needed to take part.

There are fewer more uplifting sights than a 100 or so fund-raisers dressed as Santa Claus sprinting (or more often walking briskly) away from the starting line - this year in Wyndham Park

The 2012 Grantham Santa Fun Run and Walk will be held entirely in Wyndham Park on Saturday, December 1, with people completing two laps and a total of 2.5km.

This year’s race will raise cash for the British Heart Foundation, the Rotary (Charity) Foundation and St Wulfram’s church.

Last year’s event was a big success and organisers hope the Grantham Santa Fun Run will gain increased support year-on-year.

Organiser Courtney Finn said: “This year it is going to be a joint effort between Rotary, the British Heart Foundation and St Wulfram’s.

“Last year was our first and we raised about £1,600 which helped the BHF’s good work and was a contribution towards the £360 per day that it costs to run St Wulfram’s.”

Christmas music from Premier Cru will help set the mood and everyone who completes the route will get a special medal from the British Heart Foundation. Bring your sponsorship form with you on the day. You can return your sponsorship money by making out a cheque payable to Grantham Santa Fun Run and sending it to: 1 Bellwood Gardens, Grantham, NG31 9LT.

Grantham carer Chloe Fardell has been named “Barchester Apprentice of the Year” for 2012.

Chloe, who works at Newton House in Barrowby Road, Grantham, was selected for the award ahead of all of the apprentices at Barchester care homes scross the country.

Valerie Betts, clinical manager at Newton House, said: “Chloe started working at Newton House in October 2010 on a bank contract as a carer. She soon showed herself to be invaluable and was offered a permanent contract.

“Chloe commenced her NVQ 2 Apprenticeship in care in January, 2011 and has developed and blossomed in this role over the last year. Chloe is bubbly and enthusiastic and was so excited when she completed her apprenticeship.”

Chloe received a cheque and bouquet of flowers from Lesley Hart, general manager at Newton House, and Valerie Betts.

Chloe now mentors new staff through the induction process. Her next plan is to do the Health and Social Care award at level three.

Valerie said: “She is an asset to the Brownlow community, as well as to Newton House and Barchester.”

Firefighters were called to a factory in Gonerby Hill Foot this afternoon (Wednesday).

Five pumps, from Grantham, Brant Broughton, Corby Glen and Sleaford, were called.

The fire caused damage to a heat exchange unit and purifier in the roof space.

The cause is reported by Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue as being accidental.

Fancy a five-tier popcorn wedding cake as a little something different for your special day? Or perhaps giant banoffee ball wedding favours?

If the thought is tickling your tastebuds, you should give Happy Tizing a call.

The family business is run by Steve Turner, 45, his wife Kristy, 45, and their son Lucas, 14, who live in Harlaxton Road, Grantham.

Fun foods is their speciality, from serving popcorn, waffles and candy floss at corporate or special events, to creating bespoke treats as gifts.

Unusual flavours such as chilli and bubblegum give the popcorn extra zing, while popcorn pizzas is another quirky idea the family dreamed up as an unusual gift.

Steve said: “Doing this as a family keeps us together, and if it takes off it could be a business that Lucas could take over later on.”

Steve is happy to talk to potential customers about special gifts or event ideas. To find out more, visit www.facebook.com/HappyTizingPopcornHire or call either 07423 164281 or 07768 273528.

Grantham & District Saturday League

Premier Division

Harrowby United Reserves 0

White Swan Barrowby 2

Swans went into this match with bags of confidence, and with Harrowby needing nothing more than three points to stake any claim on the title.

Only two minutes had elapsed when Scothern came out for a cross that he misjudged. He palmed the ball on to the head of Warner who headed into an empty net to put the Swans 1-0 up.

Harrowby started to gain in confidence through set plays, with Turner supplying some pinpoint deliveries into the box, but they still trailed by the single goal going into the break.

The second half saw the midfield battle to gain control of the game heat up. Warner and Radford found themselves outnumbered at times in the middle, but just edged this battle.

On the hour mark, the Swans gave Harrowby a mountain to climb when Radford ran on to a loose ball on the edge of the box and unleashed an unstoppable drive into the bottom right hand corner.

The second goal seemed to spur Harrowby on and saw them peppering the Swans’ goal on every attack, with the experienced Flavell in goal denying them their breakthrough.

United went closest to scoring in injury time when ex-Swan Conboy found room at the far post, only to hit the woodwork from eight yards out.

Swans’ man of the match was Liam Warner. Match sponsor was Grantham Honda and Spraytech sponsored the ball.

Grantham & District Saturday League

Premier Division

Bottesford 4

Greyhounders 2

Bottesford recorded their second win in as many weeks with a hard fought victory over their local rivals.

Greyhounders started the better of the sides, retaining possession with some fluid passing. Yet neither side could create a clear cut opportunity, though Bottesford keeper Ben Loomes had to make two outstanding saves from excellent long range shots.

It took a set-piece to finally break the deadlock with Greyhounders stabbing home a corner from inside the six-yard area. Strangely, this seemed to settle Bottesford’s nerves and they began to get into the match. They soon levelled when Theo Wilkinson’s header was saved, only to fall to Cameron Corkett who made no mistake from 10 yards.

Corkett then gave Bottesford the lead from the penalty spot before Wilkinson got in on the act to give Bottesford a 3-1 half time lead.

Bottesford improved again in the second period, despite spells of Greyhounders possession were resolute at the back.

Wilkinson had what looked a perfectly good goal ruled out moments before Corkett did actually extend the lead. He rounded the keeper to complete his hat trick and a fine individual display.

Greyhounders ensured a nervy finish with a well struck free kick, but Bottesford held out to claim a deserved victory in a derby game that was played in a great spirit by both sides.

Grantham & District Saturday League

Premier Division

Cranmer Arms 2

Ancaster 4

Ancaster ended their run of poor results with a gritty performance against a much improved Cranmer side.

In an evenly contested match, Cranmer took the lead when one of many long balls caught the visitors high and square, allowing the home forward to run through and finish well. Reid and Watson failed to take good chances for the visitors in first half.

Shortly after the break, O’Brien carelessly gave the ball away in his own half and after running virtually unchallenged, the home winger finished well to give Cranmer a two-goal lead.

To their credit, the visitors were soon back in the game after Hare was brought down in the box. He got up to stroke in the penalty.

This spurred on Ancaster and they were soon level when Watson burst through and finished off the post.

A fine pass from Fowell found Williamson who calmly beat the keeper, and the impressive Fowell sealed the victory with a near post header from a corner

Leeson, in goal, was in fine form for the visitors and Nash was named man of the match.

Two men who intervened to stop a street mugging in Grantham town centre have been praised by a judge and each awarded £300 out of public funds.

A security guard and store manager went to the aid of the 16-year-old victim as he was being attacked in Wharf Road, detaining both Calvin Joseph and his accomplice Dylan Keane until police arrived at the scene.

James Cleary, prosecuting, told Lincoln Crown Court: “Joseph had the victim in a headlock while Keane went through his pockets.

“(The security guard and store manager) had been following the defendants because of their behaviour in a nearby shopping centre.

“They restrained both defendants until the police arrived. This was despite Keane threatening (the security guard) that he would petrol bomb his house and kill his children.”

The victim, who suffered a minor injury to an ear, was able to retrieve his wallet as well as some cigarette papers and tobacco which was taken from him.

Mr Cleary said that both Joseph and Keane were drunk when they were detained and Joseph was subsequently taken to hospital. He was abusive both to police and hospital staff.

Joseph, 18, who was living in a bail hostel in Lincoln, and Keane, 18, of Queensway in Grantham, each admitted robbery on October 12. Joseph was given 21 months at a young offenders’ institution and Keane recveived 18 months.

Judge Sean Morris praised the behaviour of the guard and manager.

He said: “They rescued this young man from what could have been an even worse ordeal. They did not stand idly by.”

Chris Jeyes, defending Joseph, said: “He recognises that he has problems he needs to deal with. Much of his offending has resulted from his use of alcohol. This was essentially a drunken rampage.”

Chris Milligan, for Keane, said his client had been drinking for seven hours before the incident, adding: “This is a young man brought up by two alcoholics. He has had very little chance in life at all. He has not been taught right from wrong as he should have been.”

A remarkable Jack Russell-cross will be competing at Crufts in the New Year.

Five-year-old Fred, a Jack Russell crossed with a spaniel, will be competing in the dog agility section despite previously having being booked in for an operation to have a leg amputated.

Fred was found to have a tumour in his leg which became infected. Following an MRI scan and other treatments, Fred’s owner, Beverley Kirkham, took Fred to Dovecote Veterinary Hospital in Castle Donington.

Beverley of Little Ponton said: “We walked in expecting Fred to have his leg removed but the vet decided to double-check everything and found one small part of the bone that was still solid.

“He took two-thirds of the bone out and since then it has all regenerated and re-grown.

“We’re so lucky to have had such a really good vet who wanted to check everything.”

Fred still had more hurdles to jump over before earning his spot at Crufts as he fractured the same leg not long after the operation.

Beverley said: “We were told to treat him as we always treat him and let him get used to the leg, so that’s what we did.

“We even re-started his agility training and he won the British Agility Association’s British Open. Then he went to Newark and won so qualified for Crufts.

“ It’s amazing. He’s lucky to be alive, never mind have four legs and be going to Crufts.”

Fred was picked from his litter by Beverley’s son, Louis, 14, who has trained him in dog agility since he was a puppy.

Beverley said: “Louis has trained him literally from walking.

“He’s a bit nervous about Crufts because it’s such a big thing but he’s really looking forward to it.”

Crufts will be held March 7 -10 at the NEC, Birmingham.

Hundreds of motorbikes are expected to take part in the annual Toy Run between Bottesford and Grantham on November 25.

The motorcyclists, of which around 500 are expected, will meet at The Red Lion at Bottesford at around 9am before setting off towards Grantham at around 11am under police escort.

They travel with some of the toys to the Meres Leisure Centre, where they stop to listen to a speech by the organiser and get refreshments, before heading off to Homestart at Melton.

Organiser John Bartlett said: “It’s brilliant, this is the 23rd year. I’m very much looking forward to it. All of the toys collected at Grantham, which are usually a lot, are picked up by the Salvation Army and distributed around the area.”

Bikers have been known to travel from as far as Cornwall to take part in the Toy Run, which any motorcyclist is welcome to join. Toys can be donated to the riders when they reach the Meres. Around 800 toys are usually collected. Information: 01780 762531.

Three illegal immigrants were caught in UK Border Agency raids on two Grantham takeaways.

Last Wednesday, officers visited the Peking Wok, in Wharf Road, and two Chinese nationals were arrested.

The first was a 45-year-old woman who had overstayed her visa, and the other was a 19-year-old man who had entered the UK illegally.

On October 23, officers went to Emperor’s Kitchen, in Westgate, where they arrested a Chinese man, aged 32, after checks showed that he had no right to be in the UK.

All three remain in detention while the agency takes action to remove them to China. Both businesses were served with potential fines of up to £10,000 per worker which will have to be paid unless they can prove they took sufficient steps to confirm their right to work.

Rachel Challis, from the UK Border Agency, said: “Any foreign national who is in the UK illegally should be in no doubt that they will be found, arrested and removed from the country.”

Information: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

Rock your night away at Infernos in Grantham High Street on Saturday, November 24, as Metal Mayhem V hits the town.

The event, starting at 7.15pm, will feature Overdrive, Dirty Harry, Wrecklass Necklass and Saxonised.

Tracey Abbott from Overdrive said: “If you like rock music it’s aimed at you.”

The band, which originally formed in the ‘70s, has a new line-up featuring lead singer David Poulter, the original bass player Ian Hamilton, Tim Hall on keyboards, Ian ‘Scratch’ Padgett on drums and guitarist Tracey.

Tracey said: “It has been good getting our old bass player back. It’s 35 years this year that we’ve been at it.”

They are currently in the process of recording their final album, which is being produced by Chris Tsangarides, who has worked with the likes of Black Sabbath. The album will be called The Final Nightmare and features tracks, which the band wrote years ago but have never previously been recorded.

Overdrive is used to playing to crowds of thousands especially where the following is strongest, in Eastern Europe, but they are looking forward to playing to their home crowd with the bands.

He added: “It’s nice when young bands come up, it’s like watching us 30 years ago, they’ve got a lot more energy than we’ve got.”

Tickets are £5 in advance from East Midlands Sound and Lighting, Fox UK Music, Piggott and Hall or www.seetickets.com

An action group battling against plans to close Grantham’s ambulance station has been astounded by the strength of feeling from the Grantham community.

In just a few days, members of Last GASP have managed to gain hundreds of signatures and backing from shops and surgeries in the town centre and rural areas.

All are against proposals by the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) to replace stations across the region with hubs, ‘community ambulance posts’ and standby points.

Several hundred signatures of support were given on Saturday alone, as members Susan Swinburn, Mark Bartlett, Councillor Bruce Wells and Coun Ian Selby went out into the town centre.

Coun Selby said: “We got an absolutely terrific response. People were queueing up to sign the petition.

“All in all we’ve had an incredible reaction. There’s a sense of anger with what EMAS is proposing. There’s also a sense of the people wanting to do something to try and stop these proposals.”

Coun Selby said he hopes the common belief that decisions are already made before public consultation even starts is not true in this case. He added: “We can only do our best.”

EMAS chief executive Phil Milligan has said the aim of the ‘Being the Best’ review is to build a stronger future for the service. He said: “We have launched a ‘Being the Best’ programme to improve the way we work as an organisation; to becomethe best ambulance service we can be.”

Last GASP will man a market stall in Grantham tomorrow (Saturday). Members of the public are urged to go along.

In addition, a public meeting will be held at King’s Hotel in North Parade, Grantham, on Thursday. Coun Selby said it is “vital” that people go along to show strength in numbers.

Last GASP needs as much help as it can get from the public. If you would like to support the action group, call 07766 269720 or e-mail: ian@ieselby.freeserve.co.uk

l A dampener on Saturday’s efforts by Last GASP came as Coun Wells and Mrs Swinburn were ordered to leave The George Centre amid outcry by members of the public nearby.

Coun Wells said a security guard arrived and told them to leave the centre immediately.

He added: “What’s the problem with The George, that they can’t allow a petition to save the local ambulance station in the centre?”

Hilary Pearce, manager of The George Centre, told the Journal yesterday (Thursday) that the group had not booked a place, although had she been made aware of the group’s cause she would have given them the go-ahead. She added that Last GASP would be welcomed back into the centre.

Just 16.14 per cent turned out in South Kesteven to vote in the police and crime commissioner elections yesterday (Thursday).

Votes are still being collected, with the count due to start early this afternoon.

More people turned out to vote in South Kesteven than did in North Kesteven at 15.84 per cent, Lincoln City at 14.05 per cent, South Holland at 12.23 per cent and Boston at 14.27 per cent.

Standing in Lincolnshire are independent David Bowles,independent Alan Hardwick, Conservative Richard Davies and Labour’s Paul Gleeson. The candidates will have to wait until this evening for the official confirmation of who has won the election.

The elected candidate will set priorities, deal with the police budget and hold chief constables to account.

In turn, the Lincolnshire Police Crime Panel is tasked with examining and questioning the actions of the police and crime commissioner.

Ray Wootten is a panel member, and also a county and district councillor.

He told the Journal this morning: “I’m disappointed with the turn-out. I would have expected more people to have voted in the important election of a police and crime commissioner, as this person has the power to control decisions in policing.”

* Keep checking the website for news on the elections.