Witham Wheelers took part in the first round of the 2016 Lincolnshire Cyclo-Cross League at Sleaford Rugby Club on Sunday, in pleasant warm and dry conditions.

In the under-12s, a large field of almost 50 riders saw Jessica East ride well for 17th overall and fifth girl.

From a club perspective, the veterans race is the most competitive with five entries in the 85-rider field.

At the end, less than 50 seconds separated four club riders with Dave Moulds just getting the better of Sean East. Paul Conneely faded a little over the closing laps after a fast start, while Simon Cocker moved up well after a slow start and a fall on the third lap, after clipping the top of the dismount over the planks.

Dave Miller rode well in the 60+ category having now fully recovered from last year’s broken collar bone.

The race was won by Rick Lister (Team Ford Ecoboost) in 45.18.

Results: 26 Dave Moulds 52.07 (7th Vet 50), 27 Sean East 52.13 (19th Vet 40), 30 Paul Coneelly 52.39 (8th Vet 50), 31st Simon Cocker 52.56 (9th Vet 50), 68th Dave Miller @ 1 lap (9th Vet 60).

In the final senior race, brothers Adam and Reece Egner battled it out with Reece taking the family honours. Winner was Ben Turner (HMT with JLT Condor) in 56.30 after a race-long duel with George Thomson (Sleaford Wh). The outcome was ultimately decided half way round the last lap when George lost his front wheel on a tight corner as Ben attacked.

Results: 16 Reece Egner 1.03.38, 25 Adam Egner @ 1 Lap (3rd Junior).

There were no club participants in the under-16 event but with a good field of more than 30 riders there was a competitive race, eventually won by Finn Mansfield of the MI Racing Academy in 24.16.

Grantham Squash Club’s Saturday night doubles competition saw three pairs scoring 10 points.

Results: Norman Starks and Charles Adcock 10, Ian Tyler and Myk North 10, Phil Tordoff and Rob Epton 10, Mel Smith and Ian Chivers 8, Richard Pearson and Pete Berry 7, Nick Stacey and Phil Shaw 7, Alison Clare and John Sheppard 6, Phil Jones and Peter Banks 5, Vic Skier and Del House 5, Dave Gash and Sarah Bailey 3.

An event to be held in Grantham tomorrow (Thursday) will encourage people to foster.

Lincolnshire Fostering Service is encouraging people to step up to fostering and find out more from experienced carers at the event.

More foster carers are needed, especially for teenagers (including those who have been remanded to local authority care), children with additional needs and disabilities, and brothers and sisters who need to be kept together.

Nationally there is a shortage of foster carers for teenagers, and Lincolnshire is no exception.

Lizette Watts, Team Manager for the Fostering and Adoption Recruitment Team, said: “The shortage of foster carers coming forward for these groups of children and young people means that they can wait a long time for a placement, missing out on the vital support and nurturing which most of us take for granted.”

Foster carers will be on hand to share their experiences at the Guildhall in Grantham tomorrow (Thursday, September 29), between 7pm and 9pm. For more information, or to book your place go to www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/fostering

Ms Watts added: “Anyone who has been thinking about fostering can come along to the event for an opportunity to listen to the real life experiences of foster carers and ask questions about what in involves. Staff will also be available to answer any questions on the evening so come along and see what exciting opportunities are out there.

“If you have ever considered fostering, please don’t rule yourself out. Carers are needed from all walks of life and Lincolnshire Fostering Service offers ongoing training and support.”

John Deere Limited’s special 50th anniversary celebration and heritage event at Langar over the weekend was a huge success for visitors and participants alike.

An estimated 14,000 people from across the UK and Ireland attended the weekend’s festivities, which included activities and entertainment for the whole family.

The Mayor of Rushcliffe, Councillor George Davidson, officially opened the event on Saturday morning, with the Gator utility vehicle ride and drive track and a guided tour of the Langar premises proving to be particularly popular.

In addition, the machinery parades and working field demonstrations of tractors, ploughs and combines of all ages represented probably the largest ever gathering of John Deere heritage equipment outside the US.

Good causes also benefited from the event, including Dove Cottage Day Hospice, based in Statheen, which managed to raise £5,425 through a refreshment stall.

Event organiser Chris Wiltshire, John Deere’s marketing manager, said: “The children and parents of Harby, Langar and Cropwell Bishop schools did a fantastic job of selling ice cream at the event, with all profits being donated to the schools, each receiving £720. We are still waiting for all of the monies to be counted from the voluntary charitable donations made at the event, which will be shared between the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance and the Nottingham Hospitals Charity’s Saving Lives Helipad Appeal.”

There were over 200 John Deere vintage, classic and modern tractors and other heritage machines at the event, spanning 100 years of production, with at least one tractor representing every year from 1962 to 2011 – there was even a John Deere bicycle.

Some of the heritage tractor highlights included:

l a 1916 Overtime Model R belonging to Malcolm Robinson of Horncastle in Lincolnshire, which was imported from the US during the First World War to aid the war effort;

l a 1919 Waterloo Boy Model N belonging to Harry Williams of Mold in Flintshire, the first tractor produced by John Deere in the US after it bought the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company in Iowa;

l a 1924 Model D belonging to John Deere dealer Frank Sutton of Raglan in Monmouthshire, the oldest tractor in Europe bearing the John Deere name;

l a 1943 Model BN belonging to Brian Wright of Langford in Nottinghamshire, which may be the oldest working John Deere tractor in the UK, and is still used to hoe sugar beet every spring.

There were also eleven examples of the iconic 4020 tractor that dates back to 1966, the year John Deere Limited started trading from its current premises at Langar.

The company’s own specially restored model, nicknamed BEV, which featured alongside the new 620hp four-track 9620RX – the biggest tractor John Deere makes worldwide today – in last November’s Lord Mayor’s Show in London, was used as a backdrop in a special display where visitors could have their photo taken and receive a free 50th anniversary souvenir print.

Managing director Jonathan Henry said: “For me the most memorable experience was observing and listening to the emotions and comments of our visitors as they walked down the 100 years of tractor history. Everyone had different memories triggered by the line-up but one common theme, a passion for John Deere.

“The last 50 years has been a resounding success for the John Deere brand in the UK and Ireland, from new entrant to market leadership, and a testament to our core values of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation. Here’s to the next 50 years!”

Grantham Swimming Club celebrated their best ever showing at national level this summer with a haul of medals and record-breaking performances.

Fourteen-year-old Abigail Farkas was flying high after making three butterfly finals at ASA Nationals, breaking a county record in 50m butterfly and winning gold with a stunning swim at 200m butterfly.

Hayley Milne also made three finals – winning silver in 100m breaststroke and bronze in 100m butterfly.

Freya Colbert, 12, broke four county records and also made three finals, winning bronze in 200m butterfly.

Caleb Mackay made two finals, broke a county record and won a bronze medal in 400m individual medley.

Molly Colbert, Maddie Barnes, Luke Marriott and Thomas Lewis all made finals in their events, Aidan Wright came 10th in 1500m freestyle, and Eleanor Lythgoe finished 12th in the 200m butterfly.

Two swimmers from the club qualified for this summer’s British Championships.

Will Hawkes, 15, made three finals and broke three county records, and Sophie Culpin, 19, made one final, coming ninth in 200m butterfly and breaking two county records.

A couple devastated by the stillbirth of their baby girl are taking steps to set up a not-for-profit organisation and support service.

A couple devastated by the stillbirth of their baby girl are taking steps to set up a not-for-profit organisation and support service.

When Zara McDonald and her partner, Leigh Buff, lost baby Natalia in 2010, just two days before Christmas, they were heartbroken.

Now, they want to help others by giving financial and emotional support to people in the Grantham area and beyond, by setting up Born Still Still Born.

Leigh, 31, said: “Stillbirth is quite a taboo subject and we want to be able to offer support to mums and dads.”

The couple live in Grantham with their four children, Brandon, 12, Summa, 8, Learna, 7, and Talia, 15 months. Natalia is their ‘angel baby’.

Pregnant with Natalia, Zara was taken to Lincoln County Hospital on December 22, 2010 to be induced. Sadly, there were complications in the final hours before the procedure was carried out and Natalia was stillborn.

Struggling financially, Zara and Leigh turned to family and friends to be able afford a funeral for their baby girl.

Leigh said: “There was no help for funerals. We wanted to bury our child and have a ceremony but we couldn’t afford it.”

And it wasn’t until 2014, three years later, that they were able to afford a headstone for Natalia’s grave.

This experience has led them to work on setting up support for others, which would include making grants for angels for headstones – stillborn babies are often called ‘angel babies’.

Writing on the Facebook page, Zara, 30, said: “It’s the worst thing a parent could ever go through and I really believe with more awareness some babies’ lives could be saved.

“We would like to help fund people like us that needed help and couldn’t quite fund themselves a funeral or a headstone or plaque for their little angels.”

It took several years to get answers from the hospital about the death of Natalia, and it was with help from Grantham firm JMP Solicitors. The bond Zara and Leigh formed with JMP has continued and the firm is now helping them with the legal work required to set up a not-for-profit organisation, at no cost.

In the meantime, the first fundraising event has been organised by Leigh and Zara – a casino night at The Gingerbread Centre, South Kesteven Sports Stadium, Trent Road, on Saturday, October 1, from 7pm.

‘Bringing Las Vegas to Grantham’, players will have ‘funny money’ to play with and the person at the end of the night with the most chips will win a prize. There will also be a raffle and an auction of sporting memorabilia.

Tickets are £10 per person. To book, contact the couple through Facebook page tiny
url.com/bornstillstillborn

A married father of two who terrified a string of young women after he followed them through the streets of Grantham in the early hours of the morning before exposing himself was today jailed at Lincoln Crown Court.

Pervert Karol Mogila, who had a past history of flashing, struck in January and went on to expose himself to three women on the same night in May. He was arrested and charged but allowed bail and then carried out a further offence on a train.

Mogila, 27, of Albert Street, Grantham, admitted three charges of exposure, one charge of sexual assault and a further charge of outraging public decency during a train journey between Peterborough and Grantham.

He was jailed for three years and placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Judge Michael Heath, passing sentence, told him: “The only sentences which I can justify for these offences, which must have been frightening and distressing for each of these young women, is custody.”

Jonathon Dee, prosecuting, said “All of the offences, apart from the incident on the train, involve him following young women home after a night out and exposing himself to them. This was not in a transitory way but in a persistent way.

“One of the features of this case is that he was targeting young women walking home on their own.”

Mr Dee said that Mogila was on bail awaiting sentence for an incident where he was caught masturbating in a Grantham park when his latest series of offences began in the early hours of January 23.

Mogila followed a female student as she walked home through Grantham and after exposing himself to her he then grabbed her hand and placed it on his penis. She managed to break free and went to a nearby house and called police.

Mogila was not initially linked to the offence and on May 1 went on to expose himself in two different incidents to women, demanding that they look at his private parts.

He was arrested, charged and bailed but then in July he masturbated in front of a young woman during a train journey between Peterborough and Grantham. She complained to police and officers quickly identified Mogila as being responsible leading to his arrest again.

The court was told that Mogila was given a police caution in August 2015 for masturbating in a Grantham park and a few days later was arrested and charged following a similar offence. As a result of that matter he was given a community order by magistrates at the end of January.

Neil Sands, in mitigation, said that Mogila plans to return to his home country of Poland when he is released from custody.

Mr Sands told the court: “His wife and two young children have already returned to Poland. He will at some stage return in disgrace to them. He did have an alcohol problem but he accepts it is not an excuse for this.”

Returning to the Horse of the Year Show next week to defend their title will be Great Gonerby show rider Abigail Staff and her pony Harvey’s Magic Moment.

Abigail and Harvey claimed the NPS/Baileys Horse Feeds New Forest Pony of the Year title at their last visit.

Owned by parents Kate and Terry Pitcher, Abigail and Harvey won the HOYS Qualifying class at the Royal Cheshire County Show in June and then they won again at the Royal Norfolk Show in July for the second year running.

Abigail has also qualified her other New Forest pony for HOYS. Her novice pony Farriers Forest Dream (aka Louie) won and qualified at the Stoneleigh Horse Show in August.

This is the fifth consecutive year Abigail has competed at HOYS after previously being placed on her distinctive dun Welsh Cob, Kala Flash Jack, who is very well known amongst villagers as he is seen hacking along the lanes and streets around Great Gonerby village, and stopping for the odd carrot and apple.

Tributes have been paid to a ‘kind and caring’ teenager who died from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) while at university.

Olivia Mae Woodward (19), who lived in Brentingby, near Melton, has been described by many as being ‘beautiful inside and out’ after her sudden death in her halls of residence at Sheffield Hallam University.

Olivia, who had many friends in the Melton area, had just returned to start her second year of study towards a degree in international events management.

Her mum, Lisa, said: “The overriding comment people have been saying is that Olivia was just beautiful inside and out. She was so caring and kind, she was just a lovely girl.

“She was so happy to be going back to university, she absolutely loved it. She was looking forward to meeting all her friends again and her boyfriend, Charlie, is also there. She loved the social side of it, to go out and party, and she loved to dance.

“She loved her family and friends and was so loyal.”

Olivia attended Whissendine Primary School before going to Catmose College in Oakham where she did well in her GCSEs before doing her A-Levels at Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School in Grantham.

She also worked part-time as a silver service waitress at Ragdale Hall for about 18 months before going to university, her parents said.

Having just returned to university for the second year of her studies, Olivia had ambitions to get into wedding planning said her mum, Lisa.

She added: “We’ve had so much support from Olivia’s friends and everyone at the university has been so supportive as well.”

A Sheffield Hallam University spokesman said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our students, Olivia Mae Woodward. who had just returned to the university for the second year of her studies in international events management.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with Olivia’s family, friends and fellow students at this very difficult time and we have provided support for those affected by this tragic incident.”

Olivia, who died suddenly on Sunday, September 18, leaves behind her parents Stuart and Lisa, sister Annabelle, boyfriend Charlie and her other family and friends.

Her funeral service will take place at St Mary’s Church on Friday, October 7 at 10.30am followed by cremation at Grantham for close family and friends only.

Donations for the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) charity may be left on the donation plate at the church or can be made online at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Annabelle-Woodward

Olivia’s family want to raise awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) as well as raising funds for the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) charity.

Her parents, Stuart and Lisa, had dropped her off in Sheffield on Saturday, September 17 and helped her sort out her room. Olivia later texted them, thanking them for their help and saying she ‘loved them all’.

Lisa said: “I received a text from her at about 11pm so say she’d met a couple of new flatmates, that she was having an amazing time and they were going to go out to a nightclub.

“One of her friends got a bit too drunk that night. Olivia took him back and looked after him. She got him some food and put him to bed before going to her room. I sent her a message the next day but didn’t get an answer.”

Olivia had died suddenly and unexpectedly from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) after her heart had just stopped, said Lisa.

She added: “Olivia was perfectly fit and active and she walked everywhere. Sudden Adult Death Syndrome isn’t something people are aware of which is why we want to raise awareness of it. We just want people to know about it. I think all teenagers and young people should get checked for it.”

Olivia’s younger sister, Annabelle, and Olivia’s boyfriend, Charlie, have set up an online fundraising page in her memory in aid of the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) charity. At the time of going to press it had already raised over £2,600.

The charity highlights that every week in the UK at least 12 young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions. Eighty per cent of these deaths will occur with no prior symptoms.

Since its formation in 1995, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) has been working to reduce the frequency of Young Sudden Cardiac Death (YSCD).

It supports young people diagnosed with potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions and offers bereavement support to families affected by YSCD. The charity also promotes and develops heart screening programmes, funds medical research, publishes and distributes medical information for the public and funds fast-track referral, screening and cardiac pathology services at leading UK hospitals.

The charity carries out cardiac screening for people aged 14-35. Its simple, painless electrocardiogram (ECG) tests (taking only five to 10 minutes) can detect the majority of cardiac abnormalities most likely to affect young people. For most people a single screening will suffice when there have been no symptoms and there’s no family history of cardiac conditions.

Symptoms to look out for include chest pain during exertion, breathlessness, palpitations, dizziness and fainting.

For more information you can visit www.c-r-y.org.uk and www.testmyheart.org.uk

To make a donation visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Annabelle-Woodward

The Rector of St Wulfram’s Church has given his support to the Grantham A&E protest ahead of today’s meeting in St Wulfram’s Church.

Father Stuart Craddock said: “We’re delighted to be asked to host this event, and will do all we can to support the campaign.”

The meeting will be a question and answer session with Dr Suneil Kapadia, medical director of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) starting at 12.30pm.

A plea has been made for as many people as possible to turn up for today’s meeting. District councillor Ian Selby said: “There is concern that the venue is too large for such a meeting and we need to get as many people to attend as possible, especially as the meeting is being held at a time when many people are unable to attend. Please spread the word and encourage people to come along. It really is vitally important.”

Dr Kapadia made the decision to close Grantham A&E overnight for three months from August 17. He says he cannot guarantee that services will return to normal once that period is over.

The meeting is due to finish about 2pm.

There was prize winning and personal bests for Grantham Running Club as six members headed to Nottingham on Sunday to take part in the Robin Hood Half Marathon and Marathon.

First to finish for GRC in the half marathon, which incorporated the British Athletics National Half Marathon Championships, was Matthew Kingston-Lee who initially was not overly enthralled with his 1hr 16min 33sec performance until the final race positions were announced. They saw him finish an impressive third in the V40 age category and 29th overall in a race of more than 6,000 finishers:

“I went into the race feeling a little under the weather and my legs didn’t feel good from the moment the starting gun fired. The new opening half of the race was particularly hilly and twisty and I wasn’t really enjoying myself.” commented Matthew after the race.

“When I heard I’d finished third in my age category I was extremely pleased, especially considering the race incorporated the National Championships. The top two were out of sight for me, even if I’d run better than I’ve ever done, so I’m happy to have achieved the best possible result with the minimum amount of effort!”

Finishing together in 1:33:19 were Nick Rossington and Andy Atter. The two worked as a team through the race pacing each other.

Andy was delighted to secure a big new PB, taking over five minutes from his previous best set in 2011: He said: “I knew I was in good shape - I had in target a time of around 1:34:30, so I am delighted to have run as quick as I did on a challenging course.”

Competing in the marathon with more than 1,100 other finishers were Paul Davis, Nick Payne and Gav Meadows. Paul ran a very solid marathon on his debut over the testing 26.2-mile course, coming home in a highly respectable 3:38:18 for 197th position.

Nick also ran a fine race, demonstrated in his final mile being the quickest, to slice just shy of five minutes from his old PB, clocking 3:50:45. Gav, who is targeting the Valencia Marathon in November, felt the efforts of the Equinox a week earlier in the closing miles of the race. Nonetheless, he did well to finish in 3:52:05.

If you questioned how a gang featuring an unemployed actor, a chef, a masseuse and a waitress could afford to live in an upmarket apartment in the sitcom Friends - you’re not the only one.

Which? Mortgage Advisers has calculated the cost of 5 of the most famous fictional homes and how much you’d need to save for a 10% deposit to secure your dream home.

Northern Premier League

Premier Division

Grantham Town 5

Coalville Town 1

Grantham Town turned on the style in the second half with four goals adding to Harry Clifton’s 45th minute opener at The Meres on Tuesday night.

A fast paced first half saw chances for both sides as played swung from end to end.

Coalville threatened first, with former Gingerbread Karl Demidh’s curling left-footed free kick forcing a solid catch from Jake Turner in the third minute. Four minutes later, Nathan Watson’s well-struck snap shot just curled away from the far post.

Grantham’s best early opportunity came in the 19th minute, with new striker Filipe Barcelos’s close range glancing header bringing a good reaction save from Ravens keeper Matt Coton at the foot of the post.

Barcelo had another chance to open his Gingerbreads account on his debut five minutes later, after he was gifted the ball in the box, but the Brazilian-born Italian somehow lifted the ball over the bar, under pressure from two defenders and Coton.

Grantham upped the pressure on the visitors as the half wore on, to slowly become the dominant force. Barcelos teamed up increasingly well with fellow front men Luke Shaw and Grant Ryan, but the opening goal finally came on the stroke of half time through Clifton.

Shaw got on the end of a long ball and ran down the left side before cutting back to Clifton who rifled in from the outside of the box.

Grantham almost doubled their advantage in added time after Shaw was fouled at the side of the penalty area. He got up and curled in a nice free kick that forced Coton to punch out for a corner kick.

Supporters were barely back in their seats before the Gingerbreads struck again after the break. Grantham caught Coalville napping with a quick move involving Shaw and Ryan, ending with Danny Meadows firing in off the far post.

The home side looked to have scored their third through Ryan in the 52nd minute, but Coton somehow trapped the ball with his legs following a good move again involving Shaw. Six minutes later, Barcelos struck the post on the end of another flowing attack.

Coalville still posed an occasional threat on the break, and the Gingerbreads did well not to let complacency become an issue. The Ravens went close in the 63rd minute from a Watson free kick, but Turner punched his goalbound strike out of danger.

Grantham went 3-0 up 10 minutes later in comical fashion. Under pressure, Coalville defender Dean Freeman headed back to Coton, but the Ravens keeper was only able to get a finger to the ball and it bounced on into the net.

The Gingerbreads extended their lead on 80 minutes, Clifton scoring his second after he got on the end of a Rhys Lewis ball and stroked home with his left foot.

With five minutes remaining, the visitors managed to pull a goal back. A lapse in concentration allowed former Gingerbread Massiah MacDonald to fire in through a gaggle of legs from 18 yards.

But Grantham were not done either and Barcelos was finally rewarded for his impressive debut when he belted in from a Michael Hollingsworth cross to seal victory in the 89th minute.

Grantham Town: Turner, Wildin, Storey, Carr, Galinski, Meadows, Clifton, Lewis (Hollingsworth, 80), Barcelos, Ryan (Saunders, 80), Shaw (Burrows, 73). Subs not used: Durkin. Att: 151.

Police are appealing for help to find a number of men’s wedding rings which were stolen from a car in Harlaxton near Grantham.

The theft happened during the evening of Monday September 26 and the morning of Tuesday September 27.

The rings are a mixture of gold and silver and have Allied Gold Ltd somewhere on them – a London marking with a leopards head.

The jewellery is unique as they have a dual hallmark for mixed metals – many also show a small unicorn on the hallmark.

The rings were stolen without boxes and were not in trays, so it is thought they could be offered to local residents loose.

If you believe you have been offered one of these rings, or have information, please call 101 quoting incident 77 of 27 September. to report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

On the same night, same location, a horses metal water trough and a petrol lawnmower were taken from a stable.

An audience of more than 200 people gathered at St Wulfram’s Church yesterday (Thursday) to bring Grantham Hospital bosses to task over the closure of A&E at night.

Many members of the audience made their anger plain at the meeting where Dr Suneil Kapadia, medical director of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, and chief operating officer Mark Brassington explained their decision to close the A&E department for three months between 6.30pm and 9am.

The 90-minute meeting was regularly punctuated by heckling and groans of disapproval.

The meeting was organised by campaign group Fighting 4 Grantham Hospital and hosted by the Rector of St Wulfram’s, Fr Stuart Cradduck, who earlier tweeted: “We’re delighted to be asked to host this event, and will do all we can to support the campaign.”

On more than one occasion it was put to Dr Kapadia and Mr Brassington that it was believed they were planning to close A&E and downgrade it to an urgent care centre.

When Dr Kapadia denied this and said no decision on the future of A&E had been made, Coun Ray Wootten said he was telling a ‘porkie pie’ as he had been reliably told there was a plan to downgrade it to an urgent care centre.

Coun Charmaine Morgan put to Dr Kapadia and Mr Brassington that they had put forward a plan, on August 2, to close A&E and stop acute admissions entirely to the hospital. She said this had been refused by the trust board. Coun Morgan said: “This would have left us effectively without any services at Grantham.”

But Mr Brassington said it was not true they had put forward such a plan.

Asked for a guarantee that A&E would be reopened 24 hours a day, Mr Brassington said: “We have a commitment to reopen the unit and that commitment is to reopen it as prior.”

Chairman of Grantham Business Club Darren Joint asked why, as Grantham is a centre of growth, that major growth did not seem to be taken into account at Grantham Hospital.

Mr Brassington said: “We recognise the importance of Grantham as a hospital and as a trust all the sites are important to each community. But the way that health services need to be run will different in future. We are not sure what those differences look like yet.”

Dr Kapadia told the meeting that he had never said Grantham was a level 3 unit, one which maintained a few elements of an A&E. He said that Grantham A&E lay between level one, a unit which could deal with all kinds of emergencies and an urgent care unit.

He said patients needing emergency care, such as heart attack patients, are taken to those units where they can get expert care such as Lincoln Heart Centre. He said since the centre was opened there had been a seven per cent mortality rate compared with 13per cent before.

But Dr Kapadia admitted closing Grantham A&E overnight was “not the perfect solution”. He said: “What we have put in place is the least worst solution”.

ULHT was accused of putting Grantham Hospital on the backburner and investing in Boston and Lincoln instead. Dr Kapadia repsonded by saying: “Grantham Hospoital plays a key part in the delivery of healthcare across Lincolnshire. It’s an integral part of ULHT.”

Jody Clark, who set up Fighting 4 Grantham Hospital, said she was delighted with the turnout at the meeting. She said: “There were a lot more here than I was expecting.

“I think the trust blames the Government and the Government blames the trust for what is happening. They tell me that the rural areas are quite bad as you can see in Cumbria and Cornwall as well as Lincolnshire. But I know Lincoln is more under pressure now that Grantham is closed and our A&E is having a knock-on effect which they seem to be ingoring. I think the figures they are giving us are a bit manipulative.”

The surgery in St Peter’s Hill has posted a large notice in its foyer explaining the situation to patients. The notice is headed ‘Struggling to Get an appointment?’

Catherine Dickinson, practice manager at St Peter’s Hill Surgery, told the Journal that she felt it was important to keep people informed. She said two doctors had left in the past two years who they had not been able to replace.

She said: “There are lots of reasons why we are unable to recruit doctors. One reason is that there are simply not enough doctors coming into the system. We take on locums but understandably people want to see their own doctor. We are particular about the locums we take on and they must meet the required standards.”

The notice in the surgery explains that, despite extensive advertising, suitable replacements have not been found for those doctors who have left through retirement and relocation.

The notice continues: “This will mean that you are likely to have to wait longer than you would like to see a doctor for a routine appointment. You may have to wait 2-3 weeks. perhaps longer, if you choose to see a specific GP. We will continue to have an emergency doctor available on a daily basis, but please be advised that this service is for patients with a condition or problem that needs addressing on the same day.”

The surgery says it has invested heavily in its nursing department and now has a team of specially trained minor ailment/illnesses nurses who can treat and prescribe medication for infections and other minor conditions, including hay fever, constipation, rashes and chest/throat/ear infections.

The surgery also says the situation is made worse by the fact that a number of people are failing to turn up for their appointments. Last month 324 appointments were wasted because the patients did not turn up.

Downtown has applied for permission to install an ice rink over the Christmas period for the next three years.

In the planning application submitted to South Kesteven District Council, superstore owner Oldrids asks to be allowed to temporarily change the use of a section of a plant display area, near the garden centre, for the rink.

It states: “Oldrids are looking to improve revenue by providing a temporary ice rink between the months of November and January.

“We are, therefore, seeking a temporary change of use for these months for the next three years.”

The ice rink would measure 19 metres by 10 metres.

Several thousand people visited the beautiful Harewood House Estate in Leeds for the Brownlee Brothers’ annual Brownlee Tri on Saturday.

Continuing to build their legacy event, Alistair and Jonny Brownlee’s triathlon saw nearly 1,600 registered participants take on the swim, bike and run course near their home town of Bramhope.

The Brownlee Brothers started the first wave of the day at 9.30am, with participants taking part in various distances – sprint, super sprint and relay races – throughout the day.

Belvoir Tri Club’s Chris Masters was amongst 854 participants on the start line for the sprint distance. His race consisted of a 750m open water swim followed by a 28km undulating bike ride and a 5.5km run.

On completion, Chris said: “I finished 23rd overall and third in my age group. It’s the second time I have competed in this event and is one of my favourite races in the year.

“The highlight was having a discussion with both Brownlee brothers about their recent race in Mexico and why the club was pronounced Beaver and not Belvoir. I’m looking forward to doing it next year already.”

It was a double action weekend for Chris as the following day he competed in his 15th triathlon of the season at East Leake, near Nottingham.

The East Leake Triathlon is one of the most established events in the triathlon season and offers a great fast and flat course. The race was a 400m pool swim, a 22km out and back bike ride and a 5km run on bridleway and paths. In a strong field of 254, Chris finished 22nd overall.

Several ‘Beavers’ were out on their bikes on Sunday’, participating in the Belvoir Blast Sportive. The sportive was organised by Two Wheels and a Piece of Cake and offered a choice of three circular road routes (28, 58 and 100 miles) with the latter route including more than 5,000ft of climbing.

Stephen Hobday took on the monster 100-mile route, whilst Catherine Davies, Sophie Hunt, Tracey Pool and Des Friel completed the 58-mile challenge.

Blake Hutchinson, Ove Andresen and Wayne Searle were amongst more than 10,000 people taking to the streets of Nottingham for the Robin Hood Marathon on Sunday.

Ove completed the full marathon in a time of 4hr 27sec and was 13th in age group out of 39. Blake came in at 4:15:16, 76th in AG out of 138. Wayne ran the half marathon in 1:48:53 for 101st in AG out of 460, beating his 2015 time by almost six minutes.

Blake commented after the race: “I suffered some cramp after 18 miles and it took another couple of miles before I could pick the pace up for a strong finish. I appreciated the great support around the route and especially from other BTC club members.”

Plans to create a huge quarry and landfill tip in countryside to the south of Denton have been dealt a blow.

Lincolnshire County Council’s planning officers are recommending councillors reject an application for a quarry and infill site on an 84.6 hectares site at Gorse Lane.

A report to councillors, who meet on Monday, states there is not a proven need for the minerals that would be extracted.

They also say there is not a need for the landfill tip that would be created from the quarry.

But the applicant, construction industry supplier Mick George Ltd, has warned it will appeal if the plans are not approved.

The proposals have generated huge protests from residents in Denton, Harlaxton and Croxton Kerrial, who formed the Gorse Lane Action Group (GOLAG) to stop the quarry going ahead

Campaigners fear the surrounding countryside will be harmed and the area will be plagued by heavy lorries, dust, and noise.

GOLAG chairperson Gaile McMillan said: “The recommendation to refuse is most welcome.

“But there is still the meeting to go and there will not be any celebrations until we see this application finally dealt with.”

A spokesman for Mick George said: “If the planning committee reject the scheme we will submit an appeal with immediate effect, but will also commence activation of the existing consented mineral reserves.

“The company are surprised planners appear to have disregarded the fact there is an existing and valid planning consent for mineral extraction extending to an area in excess of 1,700 acres.

“This historic consent if activated would have a significantly greater impact on Denton and the surrounding area than the new application, which the planners are recommending for refusal.

“If this scheme is refused then the larger scheme will simply be implemented.”

The planning and regulation committee meets at the Meres Leisure Centre, Trent Road, Grantham, at 1.30pm.