A new rehabilitation consultant has been appointed to treat patients at Grantham Hospital.

Vicki Williams will work at clinics across the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which also includes Lincoln County and Pilgrim, Boston, hospitals.

Her work will also involve home visits, predominantly in the Grantham area.

Originally from Barbados, 36-year-old Vicki moved to the UK in 2003. She has worked in hospitals in Wales, London, the North East and Manchester before settling down in Lincolnshire.

Vicki will be looking after patients with brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, neurological diseases, spinal cord injuries and those who have suffered major trauma.

Her work focuses around the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation management of people with disabling medical conditions.

She said: “It’s a team-based and holistic approach which really centres on the patient and their needs. For some people their goal might be to go back to work, for another it might be to play golf again.

“We work with the patient to set the pace and their goals and it feels a lot more like a partnership. It’s about how the treatment affects their whole life and their family. You really get to know the patient and aspects of their life.”

A lorry has overturned on the A1 between Stamford and Grantham this afternoon, Monday September 12, causing long delays.

The accident has taken place at the Greetham/Stretton on the northbound carriageway.

Police are in attendance but there are long queues back towards Tickencote.

Motorists are advised to avoid if possible.

The director of public health for Lincolnshire is to retire next month after a 30-year career in the health services.

Dr Tony Hill started his current role three years ago following the transfer of public health responsibilities from the former Primary Care Trust (NHS Lincolnshire), where he held the same role, to Lincolnshire County Council.

A former hospital doctor and GP trained in Dundee, Tony has been a public health director for South Humber Health Authority and both North East Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust and North Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust.

Dr Hill, who was also formerly executive director of public health for the NHS and Council in North East Lincolnshire, said: “I have enjoyed working with a really excellent team in Lincolnshire. I shall certainly miss my colleagues.

“I am pleased that we have made some substantial improvements in the health of the people in Lincolnshire but there is more to do. We still have to persuade people that they need to take greater care of their own health and make sure they have the opportunities to do this.”

Tony McArdle, chief executive at County Hall, thanked Dr Hill for his service and said: “Tony is one of the most well-respected health professionals in the country and his guidance and leadership in all aspects of public health has been invaluable. He has played a key role in helping us work with the various NHS organisations in Lincolnshire and that has been to the immense benefit of all concerned.”

An interim director of public health will be recruited prior to Dr Hill’s departure before a full-time appointment is made.

Services at a Grantham day centre will be re-located after county councillors heard the building described as ‘old and depressed’.

The facility, at St John’s Court, is used by 24 people with learning difficulties and conditions such as Down’s Syndrome.

It is one of the day centres earmarked to be upgraded by Lincolnshire County Council as part of a £500,000 investment.

A report which went before last week’s adults scrutiny committee stated that the three-storey Grantham building was badly in need of refurbishment.

It read: “The building feels old, depressed, and downstairs has no natural light and it is damp.

“The carpets are in a very poor state; there has not been any decorating for years.”

Following a visit to the premises by county councillors Helen Powell and Sue Wray and the committee meeting, the authority’s Project Board and property team are now liaising to find a better alternative building to house the day centre in.

Justin Hackney, assistant director of adult care at County Hall, said: “Day services are much more than buildings, and lots of activities happen within the community to make the best of local facilities.

“But we have been reviewing the buildings that we use as a base for day services and investing to make improvements to them.

“People who use the centres and staff have played a key role in influencing the improvements we’ve made, which include redecoration, new equipment and building restructuring.”

He confirmed a replacement property is being sought for Grantham: “The current building is outdated so we’re looking for something brighter, with more flexible space for day activities.”

Visitors to Grantham Library will only be able to loan a book for three weeks, instead of four, from the start of next month.

The move is aimed at enabling a greater turnover of stock so customers get a wider selection of titles to choose from.

It is part of a drive by charitable social enterprise GLL to improve the library service across the county.

Diana Edmonds, head of libraries for GLL, which runs the Lincolnshire Library Service in partnership with Lincolnshire Country Council, said: “Books are the cornerstone of any library service and since taking over in April we have been working hard looking at how we can improve the quality and selection of stock on offer, ensuring it meets our customers’ interests and needs.

“Moving to a three-week loan period will help us make significant progress towards improving the selection of books our customers have to choose from.”

The change, from October 1, applies to talking books as well as physical books in all Lincolnshire libraries and community hubs.

It is anticipated the move will also reduce waiting time for publications which are not available at a given time.

GLL say improved technology and an emphasis on customer service mean items can now be easily renewed if customers need them for a little longer.

Customer services are available on the telephone from 8am until 6pm Monday to Sunday, including bank holidays, and library users can access their online account at any time if they are unable to visit any of the 15 core libraries or 32 community hubs to renew items.

To ensure customers adjust to the change in loan periods, an eight-week fines amnesty will be held from October 1 to November 26.

Mrs Edmonds added: “I would also hope that the amnesty will be an incentive for lapsed borrowers with overdue items, especially those who are perhaps worried about fines, to be encouraged back into our libraries with the promise of a clean slate and so discover all the stock and activities that are now on offer.”

Items borrowed from mobile libraries in Lincolnshire will retain the four-week loan in line with scheduled stops. DVD hire and loans to subscription groups, Listening Lincs and Home Library Service customers will also remain unchanged.

It’s been more than 20 years since George Cole graced our screens as the wheeler-dealer Arthur Daley but it seems that the image of used car salesmen as dodgy backstreet scammers is still alive and well.

In fact, the British public trust second-hand car sellers even less than bankers and estate agents.

According to the latest market report from Autotrader, only 7 per cent of British consumers say they trust used car dealerships, ranking it as the least-trusted industry in the country.

The survey of 5,000 consumers found that the used-car market was trusted 11 per cent less than the financial sector and four per cent less than estate agents - giving an idea of just how bad its reputation is.

However, when the study asked about buyers’ previous experience the statistic was turned on its head, with more than two thirds (68 per cent) said they had a significant level of trust in the dealer and only 7 per cent saying they didn’t trust the person they bought their last car from.

Autotrader’s operations director, Nathan Coe, insisted that the problem was one of perception rather than reality.

He said: “Despite most consumers having positive experiences at the dealership, the industry still suffers with a lack of trustworthiness which resonates strongly with consumers.

“Changing these perceptions will be a challenge but the reward could be substantial for the industry.”

The Autotrader report says that a lack of transparency in online research could be partly to blame for the continued poor perception of the industry.

With buyers spending an average of 11 hours online researching their purchase this is a big problem for traders, especially as just 22 per cent said they fully trusted dealerships’ websites.

The report found that a fifth of buyers claimed to have found vague or misleading information regarding the buying process and 42 per cent said that this had made the whole process more stressful.

More than a third (36 per cent) said that a lack of transparency had actually put them off buying a car altogether.

Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association, said: “Now more than ever, the majority of customers will ensure they have taken into account every single detail before committing to a big purchase. Having clear, accurate and honest information is vital in today’s market.

“A more transparent approach would help improve perceptions and benefit both consumers and businesses.”

A Grantham fitness instructor plans to raise thousands of pounds for people with terminal and life-limiting illnesses by doing a sponsored cycle ride from London to Paris.

Proceeds from Kris Eyre’s efforts next May will go to St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice Trust.

Kris, a freelance personal trainer and an instructor at the town’s Oceans Health and Fitness centre, will ride from south London, cross the English Channel by ferry and then head towards the finish close to the Eiffel Tower.

He said: “It is certainly going to be tough and I am looking forward to all the training and fundraising to help such a great cause.

“As we all know, there are many people who suffer with life limiting illnesses and the Hospice do a great job of providing palliative care for these patients and provide a wonderful support network for their families.”

Kris will begin his charity ride on May 10 from Crystal Palace before making his way to Dover.

He will board a ferry to Calais and then ride to Abbeville on day two.

The next day will see him ride from Abbeville to Beauvais following the River Somme.

Day four is the final stretch from Beauvais to Paris with the finish line near the Eiffel Tower.

To help raise fund and awareness of his ride, Kris, who is a member of Witham Wheelers cycling club, plans a series of fundraising events, such as a bike spinathon and a boxathon.

He added: “I have many great ideas for mini fundraising events, as well as collecting donations from local people via collection buckets.

“I will also be looking to raise awareness of my challenge by promoting it at local supermarkets to collect donations.

“I have a minimum of £2000 to collect but I would love more than anything to go above and beyond this and raise as much money as I possibly can.”

To sponsor Kris, text donations to KEPT82 plus the amount to 70070 (for example KEPT82£5), go online to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kris-eyre or www.doitforcharity.com/kristofer

Hundreds of people visited historic buildings and venues around Grantham over the weekend during the popular annual Heritage Open Days festival.

The event was part of a national initiative to give visitors free access to places and establishments, many of which are not normally open to the public.

Around 80 people enjoyed looking around the octagonal reading room at the Philosophical and Scientific Library Museum and Dispensary in Finkin Street on Saturday.

The building, which is now occupied by Brown & Co estate agents, was built in 1838.

The same day, there were about 100 people walking around Sir Isaac Newton’s school room at the Old King’s School. Visitors got the chance to look at school records, uniforms and memorabilia.

More than 200 people attended the public opening of the old burial ground on Manthorpe Road on Sunday. It was first opened in 1813 and has remained undisturbed since it closed 159 years ago. Several visitors took the opportunity to look for gravestones of their ancestors.

Other buildings opened for the special heritage days were St Wulfram’s Church, its tower and treasures, plus the Grade 1 listed Grantham House and its spectacular gardens.

Costumed Tudor band, Mowbray Musicke, kept everyone entertained at various venues and refreshments were served throughout the weekend.

Grantham Civic Society chairman Courtney Finn, who was one of a small number of volunteers who helped steward the festival, said: “It was lovely. Saturday was awful weather-wise and people were coming in looking like drowned rats but we still had good attendances everywhere.

“It was great to have the beautiful octagonal reading room open for the first time and we were very grateful to Brown & Co for letting us in.

“There was a very big turnout for the opening of the old burial ground and there were some very nice gravestones for people to look at.”

The theme of this year’s open days was natural England and next year it will law and order.

Mr Finn added: “The volunteers were very tired at the end of the weekend but it was a big success once again.”

A couple who organise a popular annual running and walking event are celebrating it’s 10th anniversary on Sunday.

A field of around 200 is expected to take part in the Ponton Plod, which starts out from Great Ponton Village Centre, in Archers Way, at 8.30am.

Villagers Stuart and Kath Ashley are once again co-ordinating the event, which gives competitors the option to cover a course of 12, 17 or 27 miles.

Mr Ashley said: “We have had another good entry for this year’s event. This is the 10th one but we’re not whether we will continue organising it after this year.”

Proceeds will go to the Besso children’s home in India and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Go online at www.thepontonplod.co.uk for details on how to enter.

Nottingham Forest Supporters Club (Grantham branch):

Forest are at home to Norwich City on Saturday, kick-off 3pm, and at home to Arsenal in the League Cup on Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm.

Bookings are being taken for away games at Sheffield Wednesday on September 24, kick-off 3pm, and Bristol City on October 1, kick-off 3pm.

For details contact Bob Taylor on 01476 550242.

The first three birds home in Grantham United’s race from Lyndhurst belonged to Mr and Mrs L. Gilbert.

Seven members sent a total of 119 birds.

Results: 1 Mr and Mrs L. Gilbert 1602, 2 Mr and Mrs L. Gilbert 1602, 3 Mr and Mrs L. Gilbert 1586, 4 J. Ablitt 1543, 5 J. Ablitt 1506, 6 J. Ablitt 1504, 7 D. Parker and son 1487, 8 D. Parker and son 1453, 9 G. Wilson 1453, 10 C. Creighton 1449, 11 J. Ramm 1437, 12 Mr and Mrs Colyer and son 1035.

Grantham martial arts duo Malcolm Scholes and Jill Pearce have both achieved promotion in the art of Tae Kwon-Do.

Malcolm was awarded promotion to eighth degree black-belt at a recent presentation ceremony, while Jill was promoted to seventh degree black-belt by Tae Kwon-Do International president, grandmaster David Oliver, ninth degree black-belt.

Malcolm and Jill run Tae Kwon-Do self-defence classes at the King’s School in Grantham as well as keeping busy running clubs at Corby Glen, Sleaford, Lincoln and Melton Mowbray, and now plan to open two further clubs in Cranwell and Stamford.

Malcolm and Jill have more than 74 years’ experience of Tae Kwon-Do between them and, especially for Jill, this is a ground breaking promotion as she is only the second women in the UK to reach this level within the Tae Kwon-Do Association of Great Britain.

“It was really special for us to be awarded together,” said Jill. “And I’m really honoured that my achievements within Tae Kwon-Do have been recognised in this way. I want to promote Tae Kwon-Do as a sport for all, men, women and children from all walks of life.”

Malcolm added: “We’ve been teaching for so long now and have seen Tae Kwon-Do evolve into a great activity for people from all backgrounds.

“We would like to add that Tae Kwon-Do has a lot more to offer than what you probably saw in the Olympics. Jill and I follow a syllabus where the whole family can enjoy the class and train together.” Anyone who would like further details about Tae Kwon-Do or the local classes can find Jill and Malcolm at www.tkdclubs.com

A new plastic £5 note featuring Sir Winston Churchill has been introduced into UK circulation by the Bank of England.

Designed to be longer-lasting than its paper predecessor, the old notes will start to be withdrawn. Here’s five things you maybe didn’t know about the new fiver.

£1. Long life lucre

The first print-run of 440 million new fivers are, according to the Bank of England, stronger, cleaner and safer than paper notes, lasting around five years longer. They will even survive a washing machine spin

£2. Forgery-unfriendly

The new notes contain new security features, making them harder to counterfeit - including a see-through window with the Queen’s portrait, plus Big Ben in gold foil on the front of the note and in silver on the back. To help vision-impaired people tell the difference between denominations, the new notes will have similar colouring to existing ones as well as bold numerals. The fiver is the first in a series of new polymer notes to be introduced, but will not feature raised dots - distinguishing it from the forthcoming £10 and £20 notes which will have “tactile features”.

£3. No more female fivers

The current £5, which features Elizabeth Fry, will remain legal tender until May 5 2017. The replacement of the prison reformer with Winston Churchill would have meant that no female figures (apart from the Queen) would appear on Bank of England currency. Thousands signed a petition in protest, and it was subsequently announced that Jane Austen would appear on the new £10 note from summer 2017.

£4. History and geography

The Bank of England’s non-paper note isn’t the first to be made of plastic, with governments the world over trying to perfect an anti-counterfeiting standard for currency since the 1970s. Seven countries including Australia and Canada have already only polymer notes in use. In March 2015, the Clydesdale Bank issued two million £5 polymer banknotes commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Forth Bridge.

£5 Famous faces

Sir Winston Churchill - the face of the new £5 note - was also the first non-Royal to feature on a British coin - the 1965 crown or five shilling piece. Artist JMW Turner will appear on the new-look £20 banknote, due in 2020.

Midlands League 2

East (North)

Southwell 42

Kesteven 5

Kesteven travelled the short distance to Southwell for their opening league match.

The morning rain had stopped by the time kick-off came round, with Southwell doing the honours.

Kesteven knocked on and from the scrum Southwell scored a simple try as their centre ran straight to go over at the posts. The conversion opened up a seven point lead inside two minutes.

Southwell looked a strong side and dominated possession, and Kesteven found it difficult to get out of their own half. The defence held firm until midway through the half when a break from half way opened up space for their wing to run in the second try. The conversion was good.

Life became more difficult for the visitors when Ashley Osbourne suffered an injury. Sam Durrance came on as replacement, making a welcome return after a long injury lay-off.

Kesteven did have their moments in attack when Whittaker and Wood combined to force a scrum five metres out. Southwell defended that well and finished the half with their third try out on the left. The conversion opened up a 21 point lead at the break.

Whitaker suffered a leg injury and left the field to be replaced by Curtis Dingley.

In the second half, Ks showed more resilience and enjoyed more of the game. Goodrich was making an impression and went close to opening the Kesteven account but was squeezed into touch.

Midway through the half, Kesteven’s attacking play came good as Keiran Taylor ran clear to score. Galloway missed the conversion.

From the restart, Southwell stepped offside leading to a scrum on half way. Southwell, however, pressured the visiting pack and when the ball broke loose, the home number seven picked up and ran in to score at the posts for the bonus point try.

Whitaker was able to return in place of Windsor, then Windsor in turn came back on to replace Taylor. Further disruption to the Kesteven side saw Pert replace Armstrong who suffered a cut above the eye.

Southwell mounted more attacks but the Kesteven defence held firm until the last minute. Vincent was judged to have come off side in front of the posts and was sent to the sin bin. Southwell opted for the scrum and were able to score a fifth try. They followed this up with a final score a minute later to stretch their lead to 42-5.

Southwell looked a strong side and will go far in the league. Kesteven will come back and look to get back on track against Spalding on Saturday.

Kesteven: Whitaker, Windsor, Goodrich, Wood, Taylor, Galloway, Addlesee, Odams, Sheardown, Osborne, Vincent, Templeton, Armstrong, Turner, Peabody. Reps: Dingley, Durrance, Pert.

A man who has had his first novel published at the age of 56 will be signing copies in W. H. Smith in Grantham on Saturday.

Former King’s School boy Nick Barrett, who lived in Great Gonerby when he attended the school, has written a comic novel called Michaelmas Term (or - Why is That Boy Naked?). He will be sigiing copies between 11am and 1pm.

The book tells the story of Nicky who has inexplicably passed his scholarship exam and won a place at St Onans Academy. Now his friends think he is a snob and the posh boys think he is a yokel.

The book is full of weird and wonderful characters, including a serial escapologist and an alien.

Nick has lived in Essex for 17 years where he worked as a manager for the Royal Mail until retirement.

Before that he played drums in bands and was a session musician, stand-up comedian and roadie.

Nick has always been keen on writing and the bug began when he started writing lyrics for songs. He had been thinking seriously about writing a book for a few years and when he wrote a letter to his brother about his school years and totalled 2,000 words, he realised he might have something.

Nick said: “The story is based on King’s very loosely. The teachers at King’s were great. The quality of teaching was impeccable and it’s something you only appreciate later on.

“The story is based on one or two cirumstances I remember. The characters in the book are great fun and they basically wrote it for me. But it also deals with some darker issues. There is the class divide and also bullying.”

Nick hopes another three novels he has written, one for each term of the school year, will soon follow Michaelmas Term on the bookshelves.

Nick has two brothers, one in Grantham and another near Sleaford, and a sister in Kent. He lives with his partner and their cat in Harold Wood.

He said of his novel: “I feel very fortunate. There are a lot of authors out there trying to get their work published and I am sure a lot of it is good quality. I would say to them never give up and keep that self-belief.”

Michaelmas Term is available from bookshops, Amazon and publishers Pegasus at www.pegasuspublishers.com priced £10.99.

Nick has his own website at www.nicholasbarrett.co.uk

Grantham Bowls Club Competitions winners and runners-up for 2016 have been presented with their trophies and were as follows:

4 Wood Singles - 1 T. Sumner, 2 Jay Lewis; Ladies’ 4 Wood Singles - 1 R. Sumner, 2 I. Ludwig; Senior 4 Wood Singles - 1 B. Smith, 2 B. Hodder; Men’s 2 Wood EBF Singles - 1 T. Sumner, 2 N. Smith; Men’s Pairs - 1 A. Gostick & Joe Lewis, 2 A. Ludwig & T.Oxley; Australian Pairs - 1 A. Ludwig & Joe Lewis, 2 R. Sumner & N. Smith.

l Help is wanted at Grantham Bowls Club to top dress the green and put it to bed on Sunday, 8.30am start.

Vale of Belvoir League

Grantham 56

Bottesford 54

K. Whatmore, J. Duke, T. Asher beat G. Owen, J. Millington and B. Dunclen 16-9; J. Asher, R. Turnbull, Jay Lewis lost to L. Wigley, S. Barnes, J. Emmerson 13-15; T. Sumner, B. Hodder, Joe Lewis lost to R. Barnes, S. Smith, M. Emmerson 16-18; I. Ludwig, A. Gostick, A. Ludwig lost to J. Stapleton, J. Russell, D. Patchet 11-12.

Bingham Bowling Club won the Vale of Belvoir Bowling League Knockout Cup.

The final was held at Harlaxton Bowls Club last Sunday, with Bingham winning three rinks to one and by 101 shots to 72.

Results (Bingham bowlers first): J. Parker, R. Montgomery, S. Moncaster 23 P. Gallagher, R. Claxton, J. Searle 18; I. Cole, P. Thornhill, B. Emms 32 J. Dempster, P. Burton, D. Abernethy 16; A. Brailsford, K. Hackett, K. Brailsford 17 J. Towle, J. Dawes, S. Allcorn 23; P. Robinson, A. Fallows, K. Bell 29 M. Heighton, S. Dawes, I. Howlett 15.

A motorcyclist has been seriously injured in a crash which shut the A1 northbound at Grantham for 10 hours.

Emergency Services were called to the northbound carriageway at Barrowby near the A52 about 10.30pm last night, Tuesday September 13, where a motorcyclist had been in collision with a car and a lorry.

The motorcyclist was seriously injured and taken to Queen’s Medical Centre at Nottingham for treatment.

The A1 northbound was closed whilst police carry out investigations.

A diversion was put in place but there were queues back to Great Ponton and traffic through Grantham itself was very heavy.

The road reopened at around 8.50am this morning.

RELATED: Teenager killed in hit and run on A1 at Grantham

Grantham Athletic Club’s Tony Madge competed in the John Fraser 10-mile race at Countesthorpe recently.

His time of 68min 48sec was good enough to give him a finishing position of 102nd from the 580-strong field in the Leicestershire County Championship event. Despite the undulating course, he also achieved an 80.68 per cent age-graded performance.

Clubmate Mark Tucker took part in the Northampton Half-marathon and completed the 13.1-mile course in a time of 1:43:35 and a finishing position of 167th from the 600-runner field.

In the wet and soggy conditions on Saturday, the club had six parkrunners competing.

William Tucker finished in third place at Belton, while Richard Hall keeps nudging his times lower, with an impressive run at Lincoln.

Results: Lincoln - 62 Richard Hall 24:32; Belton House - 3 William Tucker 18:30, 15 Mark Tucker 21:51, 19 Geoff Collier 22:48, 32 Janice Davidson 24:46, 46 Keith Measures 25:42.

There were very tough conditions for the LRRA 30 promoted by Witham Wheeler Martin Hedley on a variation of the Osbournby-Quarrington-Donington course.

With riders comfortably exceeding 30mph on the way out to Donington, there was complete agreement that the last five miles past Threekingham to the finish at Scott Willoughby were horrendous.

Some good performances by club riders included John Pilgrim who just missed on the top three by four seconds after unshipping his chain on the start line. Gary Symons was sixth overall, with an excellent ride by Louise George for first lady and Ehren Courtman for first juvenile. John and Gary were also credited with first and third in the handicap awards

Results: 4 John Pilgrim 1.08.56, 6 Gary Symons 1.10.39, 11 Henry Gould 1.14.10, 18 James Westwood 1.16.47, 25 Simon Cocker 1.19.49, 26 Michael Smalley 1.20.34, 30 Louise George 1.22.06, 42 David Herd 1.26.04, 45 Ehren Courtman 1.27.13, 51 John Scott 1.31.13.

l Wheelers Llewey Byrne, Adam Egner and Reece Egner rode the two-day Belvoir stage race, along with Martyn Ludlam who was guesting for Giant Wattbike.

In stage one, on a wet Saturday morning, the team time trial was a tough effort in which Witham Wheelers finished 12th out of 16, with Giant coming in sixth.

The afternoon 37-mile road race, again in torrential rain, went up Harby Hill three times. On the second lap, Adam was suffering and after getting dropped due to the high pace, he pulled out in the horrendous conditions. Reece managed to get in a breakaway group of 11 which held on until the end. Llewey and Martyn both finished in the pack.

Riders faced a brutal stage three on Sunday – a 60-mile road race with four ascents of Harby Hill and finishing atop Terrace Hill. Luckily the weather was much better, with the sun bearing down on the 50-strong field.

A group of seven broke away from the start and then the race split up every time up the Harby climb, with all the Witham Wheelers team and Martyn managing to stay in the remainder of the bunch. Coming up to the finish up Terrace Hill, all three Wheelers broke away to try and get a buffer going up the climb.

The climb was brutal at the end of the long race, and first in was Reece, followed by Llewey and then Martyn, with junior Adam coming in not far behind, having a much better day than on Saturday

Finally, the individual hill climb awaited on stage four. The 2.4-mile course starting at Woolsthorpe and climbed past Belvoir Castle, proving a tough challenge at the end of the weekend. Reece was fastest of the four locals, finishing 26th, with Martyn next quickest, followed Adam then Llewey.

Overall, both Reece and Martyn finished in the top 15 so a good weekend’s racing for the Witham Wheelers

l Witham Wheelers were represented by three riders in Sunday’s Ratae 25.

James Westwood was first home with 59.19, in almost perfect weather conditions on the very lumpy Six Hills course. Martin Hedley recorded 1.04.32 and Louise George 1.05.48, (second lady).

Eight members of Grantham Running Club joined 41,000 other runners for this year’s Great North Run on Sunday.

The world’s largest half marathon which goes from Newcastle to South Shields was run in unusually warm conditions this year, but that did not prevent fast times being posted.

First home for GRC was resident Chilean Jaime Garcia with a time of 1hr 44min 34sec. Jamie was invited by the organisers to represent his native country and was treated to pre-race VIP treatment which included a chance meeting with Mo Farah, who went on to win the race.

Liam Vincent was next across the finish line with a personal best 1:54:17, followed by Paul Durham with 2:00:40, completing his charity challenge of running 10km every day for 50 consecutive days.

Ruth Dunstan, returning to fitness, was the first Grantham lady with a solid 2:08:29, followed by first timer Amy Saggers (2:16:24) and Michelle Allbones who ran an impressive 2:18:09, almost a 10 minute personal best. Marc Tremain (2:22:54) then first timer Margaretta Murray (2:24:30) were next to receive their finishers’ medals.

l Grantham Running Club’s Nick Rossington made the trip to Mablethorpe for the East Coast Classic 10K.

The race was run in near perfect conditions on an out-and-back course along the promenade.

Nick ran a strong race to finish third in his age category and 37th overall with a time of 42:39. He was rewarded with a finishers’ medal and a goodie bag full of local produce.