Grantham area campaigners are joining others around the country in forming an ‘NHStival’ choir in protest against the “demise” of the health service.

Melissa Darcey and Sarah Stock, of Fighting 4 Life Lincolnshire, have organised a choir practice in St Wulfram’s Church on Wednesday, 7pm-8pm.

Melissa said: “NHStival choirs from across England are forming to sing to celebrate our NHS.

“The song chosen is Coldpay’s ‘Fix You’, and we have had permission from their head office to sing the song.

“Many counties have formed their own NHStival choir and once we have had enough practice we will be recording each of our choirs and making a mish-mash Band Aid-style video to highlight the demise of our NHS in each local area and to celebrate in song what our NHS truly means to us.”

Anyone who wishes to back the campaign but does not want to sing is invited to go along to show their support.

Grantham riders Peter Cocker, Karl Baillie and Steve Young (Giant Rutland Wattbike Team) rode the Tour of the Wolds at Louth on Sunday.

The second round of the HSBC Spring Cup over 102 miles featured 150 riders, including all the top UK-based professional riders.

The pace was on from the start with well over 25 miles covered in the first hour as the race headed up the Wolds to Caistor, and the combination of the hills and string cross winds meant that more than half the field was already in trouble and dropped from the main bunch.

Peter and Karl were holding their position well in the main bunch and were still in contention after three laps of the 15-mile circuit as the bunch turned back towards Louth with only 50 riders left in the field.

Then the JLT Condor team went to the front and split the bunch in the strong cross winds and after 70 miles Peter and Karl were finally dropped, and entering Louth only 21 riders were left to tackle eight laps of the finishing two-mile town centre circuit.

The race was won by Austarlian Brenton Jones (JLT Condor).

l The first week of the Witham Wheelers 10-mile time trial league saw a great turnout of 46 riders, including a real mix of novice and experienced riders, young and old, male and female, with a good representation from Belvoir Tri Club.

A stong westerly wind frustrated, although there were still some personal best times on the evening, showing the benefit of a winter’s training.

Quickest rider on the evening by almost two minutes was Karl Baillie (Giant Rutland Wattbike) in a rapid 22min 18sec. Second was Adam Egner in 24:14 with junior Robert McAndrew making a big two-and-a-half minute improvement to 24:38. Last years scratch league winner Henry Gould was back in fourth on 25:02 with Stephen Hobday first of the veterans in 25:13.

Louise George was the fastest lady in 28:28 whilst Joshua Gibson was quickest youth rider in 31:36.

Signing on at Grantham Cricket Club on Gorse Lane is from 6pm on Tuesday with the first rider to start at 6.45pm.

Results: 1 Karl Baillie 22:18, 2 Adam Egner 24:14, 3 Robert McAndrew 24:38 PB, 4 Henry Gould 25:02, 5 Stephen Hobday 25:13, 6 Matt Broad 25:15, 7 Mick Egner 25:19, 8 Simon Cocker 25:25, 9 Michael Smalley 25:44, 10 Ehren Courtman 26:05, 11 Chris Pugh 26:16, 12 Dave Strickson 26:25, 13 Matthew Kingston-Lee 26:26, 14 Graham McAndrew 26:44, 15 Tony Hardenberg 27:10, 16 Tom Feeley 27:12 PB, 17 Gary Tudbury 27:15, 18 Mark Wilson 27:20, 19 Steven Perks 28:09, 20 Raymond McCaughey 28:10 PB, 21 Richard Manton 28:19, 22 Louise George 28:28, 23 Dave Miller 28:47, 24 Gavin Kettle 28:53, 25 Sophie Hunt 28:54 PB, 26 Kyle Fisher 29:00, 27 Nev Chamberlain 29:25, 28 Cameron McRae 29:29, 29 Chris Crawford 29:35, 30 Bill Harrison 29:45 PB, 31 Tracey George 29:51, 32 Guy Haws 30:01, 33 Wayne Searle 30:12, 34 Phil Smith 30:46, 35 Mick Smith 30:52, 36 Phil Gibson 30:57, 37 Joshua Gibson 31:36, 38 Joanna McGrath 32:54, 39 Eleanor Crawford 33:03, 40 Julie Clark 33:09, 41 Tim Webb 33:35, 42 Isobel Hobday 34:02 PB, 43 Andrea Egner 34:04, 44 Vicky Safarris 34:13, 45 Natalie Eastaugh DNF.

Grantham Running Club’s Andrew Pask joined 55,000 runners on the famous Champs-Élysées for the start of this year’s Paris Marathon.

In an international field, Andrew, opting to wear a vest with his native Welsh colours, was cheered on with shouts of ‘Allez Pays De Galles’ and ‘Come on Wales’ throughout the 26.2-mile course.

On an unusually warm day, Andrew took every precaution to keep cool, utilising any bit of shade available. Feeling strong at midway in 1hr 33min 33sec, Andrew sensed it was his day. With other runners slowing around him, he held on to the pace for the last few miles for a strong finish in front of thousands of supporters at the Arc de Triomphe.

Finishing in the top four per cent, Andrew’s time of 3:07:34 was a big personal best, earning him a UK Athletics ranking over the distance.

Meanwhile, another runner from the club chose to enjoy the sun in the Yorkshire Half Marathon.

The 13.1-mile race took place in Sheffield and headed up out of the city to the edge of the Peaks before descending back into the city.

Chris Limmer was running his final race before the London Marathon and was hoping to be within a few minutes of the 1hr 20min he ran at the Newton’s Fraction half in March.

The first 10km were a glorious struggle and the long drag out of the city was really worth it for the stunning views into the countryside to one side and looking down on Sheffield from the other.

Chris kept up with a pack of runners containing the leading lady and was able to up the pace as the course began its descent. The lack of shade meant he was not able to completely freewheel down to the finish.

Every water station counted and provided much needed cooling. Chris kept going and let gravity do its bit; he overtook the first lady and nearly caught a couple of other competitors but did not quite have it in his legs to pull himself in front.

This did mean that rather than a 1:19:00, he had to settle for a time one second faster than he ran at Newton’s Fraction in 1:20:04, finishing 28th out of more than 5,000 competitors and a real confidence booster ahead of London.

Police are investigating the death of a badger believed to have been unlawfully killed.

The dead animal was found yesterday (Wednesday) in Colsterworth Road, Skillington, at 11.20am.

A police spokesman said: “It had a large rope tied around its front leg, had a large wound to its abdomen that could have been caused by a dog, and a cut across its head that may have been caused by a spade.

“We are investigating as we believe this animal, which is a protected species, may have been baited.

Anyone who was in the area at the time and has information is urged to call Pc Aaron Flint on the non-emergency 101 number, quoting incident 150 of April 12. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Grantham area defendants brought before magistrates sitting in Lincoln recently include:

Lewis Alec Armstead, 18, of Hobart Road, Grantham: admits being drunk and disorderly in Market Place on February 12 and committing a furthur offence while subject to a conditional discharge imposed on December 1 for offences of threatening behaviour and assaulting a police constable in Market Place. Armstead was fined £60 and £120 and ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Scott Chapman, 31, of Larch Close, Grantham: guilty of using a Vauxhall vehicle in Trent Road on August 15 without insurance. He was fined £660, ordered to pay a £66 victim surcharge and £85 costs and his driving licence endorsed with six penalty points.

Gemma Francis Goddard, 28, of Lymn Court, Grantham: guilty of using a Ford Transit in Elmer Street North on July 28 without insurance. She was fined £660, ordered to pay a £66 victim surcharge and £85 costs and her driving licence endorsed with six penalty points.

Chelsea Jayne Wilson, 27, of Manor Drive, Great Gonerby: guilty of using a Vauxhall vehicle in Manthorpe Road on August 1 without insurance. Wilson was fined £660, told to pay a £66 victim surcharge and £85 costs and her driving licence endorsed with six penalty points.

Caron Jyotica Patel, 35, of Station Road, Grantham: admits stealing perfume worth £242 from Boots on January 29 and having in her possession a quantity of class A drug cocaine in Westgate on February 7. She also admits committing a further offence while the subject of a suspended sentence made on December 2 for two offences of theft. Patel was committed to prison for four weeks to run concurrently with an activated 16-week suspended prison sentence. She was also told to page a £115 victim surcharge.

Martynas Motiejuskas, 26, of Dysart Road, Grantham: guilty of using a Mercedes vehicle in Broad Street without insurance and with two very small children who were not wearing seatbelts, on April 16, 2016. Motiejuskas was fined £800, ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge and £85 costs and his licence endorsed with six penalty points.

Tammy Jay Chuter, 33, of no fixed address: admits stealing two Marc Jacobs gift sets worth £79.98 from Boots on December 27, failing to surrender to custody on March 2 having been released on bail and committing a further offence while subject to a community order made on November 15 for three offences of theft. Chuter was committed to prison for six weeks to run concurrently with an activated 10-week suspended prison sentence. She was also ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge.

Tracy Ann Finney, 36, of Stour Court, Grantham: admits stealing make up from Superdrug on January 31 and failing to comply with the requirements of a community order made on April 15. Finney was made subject of a community order to include rehabilitation and told to pay an £85 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Wayne Pulfrey, 27, of Ermine Close, Grantham: guilty of using a BMW vehicle in Newgate Lane, Londonthorpe, on July 29 without insurance and otherwise than in accordance with a licence. He was fined £120, ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £85 costs and his driving licence endorsed with six penalty points.

Thomas Urbonas, 23, of Hamilton Road, Grantham: guilty of driving a Suzuki vehicle in Dysart Road without insurance and otherwise than in accordance with a licence on August 12. He was fined £280, told to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £85 costs and his driving licence endorsed with six penalty points.

William John Collins, 77, of The Northings, Barrowby: found guilty of harassing a woman by making phone calls, sending letters and attending her home address in Evesham, Worcestershire, between November 24 and December 12, 2016. Collins was handed a restraining order banning any contact with the victim and attending her address. He was also fined £406 and ordered to pay a £40 victim surcharge and £200 costs.

Charmane McMillan, 31, of Kestrel Court, Grantham: guilty of permitting another to drive a Vauxhall vehicle in Trent Road on August 15 without insurance. She was fined £660 and ordered to pay an £66 victim surcharge and £85 costs and her driving licence endorsed with six penalty points.

Stephen William Paton, 23, of Kinoulton Court, Grantham: guilty of driving a Peugeot vehicle in Barrowby Road on August 20 otherwise than in accordance with a licence and failing to stop when being told to do so by a police constable. Paton was fined £40, told to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £85 costs and his licence endorsed with three penalty points.

Kavan Thomas Haggan, 19, of Avon Close, Grantham: admits using a Volvo vehicle in Five Gates Lane, Belton, on February 19 without insurance. He was fined £200, ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £85 costs and his driving licence endorsed with six penalty points.

Louis Jose Bonnefin, 77, of Harlaxton Road, Grantham: admits driving a Peugeot vehicle in Morrisons car park on February 21 with 40 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35mcg. He was fined £100, ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Andrew James Kay, 27, of Edward Street, Grantham: admits stealing a jacket and Easter egg worth £13 from Asda on March 8. Kay was discharged conditionally for six months and told to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Grantham Tennis Club’s first Aegon match of the season on Sunday away at Boston.

It was a great day to start as the sun was shining bright, and the men’s team comprised Paul White, Tom White, Rob Start and Adam Tapson.

The team got off to a good start, winning both doubles rubbers. The singles then started and Grantham won three out of four rubbers to give an overall result of 5-1 to Grantham.

Women’s Aegon county team played Louth in their first match of the season. Sarah Patton, Sophie Fletcher and Megan Jones won singles, whilst Liz Stokes played well but lost against tough opposition. Mel Bloodworth stepped in to play a great game of doubles. Strong wins for both home pairs meant Grantham celebrated a convincing overall victory of 10-3.

Star of the match was Sarah Patton who did not concede a game in either her singles or doubles.

Sunday also saw Grantham Ladies Aegon National team host Lady Bay for their second match of the Aegon season. Having lost their first match of the season to Bridgnorth Tennis Club, the ladies were keen to record a win.

The team got off to a great start with Lydia Walker, Laura Cooper and Sam Parker all recording wins in their singles matches. Lydia played extremely well to win comfortably in two sets, with Laura and Sam digging deep to both win in three sets.

These three wins put the team in a great position to win the match overall, only needing one victory in the round of doubles to take the match overall. Maia Dunn and Laura Cooper had a tricky match against strong opponents and unfortunately lost in two sets, whilst Lydia Walker and Sam Parker held strong and gave the team victory.

Following on from the success of last year’s Festival of Excitement, the Grantham Journal Children’s Fund is set to hold another fantastic event for disabled children and their families.

Held again at the Prince William of Gloucester Barracks, on the edge of the town, the festival will take place on Saturday, July 15 and will feature all the favourites from last year.

The highlight will once again be rally car experiences, courtesy of the Dukeries Motor Club. Drivers associated with the club will bring their rally vehicles to the barracks and youngsters – and adults – will be able to enjoy a thrilling ride on a dedicated track (persons must be at least 4ft 6ins in height to be a passenger in a rally car while it is moving).

There will also be fairground rides, rides in Centrebus double deckers, inflatables, dance performances, music, exotic animals, face painting, a sensory space and more.

The Grantham Journal Children’s Fund, a registered charity, has supported families with disabled children for over 30 years, and it is these youngsters who are at the heart of the day. All attractions, activities and facilities are being organised with their needs in mind to ensure they have a wonderful day they and their parents, carers and siblings will remember.

Chair of trustees Roy Wright said: “This is an event designed to bring families of disabled children together, giving them an experience of thrills and fun that they can all enjoy.

“It is planned that throughout the day there will be something happening that everyone will enjoy.”

Toilet facilities will have full disabled access, plus there will be a tea tent and food stalls.

Entry, activities and food will be entirely free of charge, paid for by the charity.

Admission to the festival is by invitation only and it will not be open to the public on the day.

We are asking families and disability support groups and organisations to request forms and further information by emailing shaz.me@hotmail.co.uk

Places are limited so we ask that forms are requested early to avoid disappointment.

* The charity relies on fund-raising activities and donations to be able to carry out the work it does, not only to put on events and trips but also to provide grants for adapted facilities at home, medical equipment and more. Trustees, and the families we support, are grateful to all individuals, businesses and groups wishing to raise funds for the Grantham Journal Children’s Fund.

For information, email marie.bond@granthamjournal.co.uk

Having won the regional finals earlier in the month, Cliffedale Primary School U11 girls went through to the ESTTA Butterfly 2017 National Finals last weekend.

There were many age groups from U11s to U19s for both boy and girl teams. The spread of 31 teams showed the geographical dominance of the sport through funding, academies and table tennis being on the school curriculum.

The event for the girls started at the intensity they left the regionals. Cliffedale’s first round was with The Pilgrim School, Rochester, who became eventual overall winners, losing 7-1. The second round was no different, the girls put on a stronger fight facing eventual runners-up St Andrew’s, Plymouth, but it was closer than it suggested in a 6-2 loss.

The third round was to decide the final placings and Lucy led the charge with her “come on” game cry and fist punch when she nudged ahead and then went on to win to lift the team. Hannah faced off a difficult match to just lose and it was clear this round was going all the way.

Ella followed suit after Lucy’s win and eventually the outcome went down to a countback. As expected it came down to the final match and final set with Chloe, who had fought back from two sets down to 2-2, with her team and parents cheering her on. Emotions were running high as it finished in a tie-break situation, resulting in a 12-10 defeat.

The girls deserved third, missing out on second by just two points, but came away Regional Winners and fourth best U11 girls’ school team in country – an incredible feat for an after-school club and also a fantastic way for friends to finish their primary years together.

An inquest has found that a 98-year-old man who fell out of a window of a care home died as a result of his injuries.

Kenneth Snell fell from his bedroom window at 
Belvoir House Care Home in Grantham on November 19, 2015, and died at Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham four days later.

In a narrative verdict, assistant coroner Richard Marshall said that that Mr Snell was allocated a single bedroom on the first floor of the care home in August 2015 when he was expected to stay in for respite care, but he remained there until November.

Mr Marshall said that Mr Snell suffered multiple fractures and was taken to QMC, where he died on November 23, 2015.

The verdict says he died of “bronchopneumonia as a consequence of immobility due to the injuries sustained in the fall”.

Mr Marshall added: “The windows in the house were in a poor condition and although there were security chains in place these were inadequate in that they could easily be removed by occupants, as happened in this case.”

Before his move to the care home, Mr Snell had been living at home with support from neighbours. He had a number of medical conditions typical of a person of his age.

Zeenat Jagroo, of the home’s service provider, told the Journal: “We are very sorry for what happened and we take full responsibility. We immediately resolved what we had to put in place.”

Last year, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited the care home, in Brownlow Street, and in its report said Mr Snell had opened a window and tried to lower himself down because he “wanted to go home”.

The CQC said the care home required improvement with regards to safety and leadership, stating: “The concerns related to an 
accident that had occurred when a person who lived in the service had opened a window that was located above the ground floor level.

“They had fallen out and been injured.”

During the CQC inspection it was discovered that the window out of which Mr Snell fell had been fitted with a safety latch which did not comply with national guidance.

The inspector said the latch was not lockable and that the window could be opened in a way that “increased the risk of accidental injury”.

A Grantham businesswoman has been shortlisted for three awards as a franchisee of The Creation Station.

Suzie Smith, 36, owns the franchise for Grantham and South East Lincoln and has been put up for the Franchisee of the Year, People’s Choice and Best Can-do Attitude awards.

Winners will be announced at the 15th annual ‘Creation Station Inspiring Imaginations’ Conference in Bristol on Friday, April 21.

Suzie, a mum-of-three, of Hartington Close, said: “I am so delighted to have shortlisted for the award. I have been running the Creation Station in Grantham and South East Lincoln for over two years now and to receive such recognition is amazing.

“I love running my own business but I particularly love being able to inspire so many local families by getting creative and having fun. My team and I have seen so many babies and children develop and flourish within our weekly classes and after school clubs which makes all the hard work so worthwhile and hugely satisfying.

“It really is a rewarding job and I am so thrilled to have been shortlisted for three awards.”

The Creation Station aims to inspire children’s imaginations and supports families and carers with engaging art and crafts classes, clubs, parties and events for children and adults.

Founder and managing director Sarah Cressall said: “Our franchise team make great positive contributions to their local community and really help children, families and adults to be creative and have fun together.

“I am very proud of all of our team, so judging the awards is really tough. Each year our franchise owners are becoming more and more successful and the calibre is really high.”

Information: call 07584 425097 or email suziesmith@thecreationstation.co.uk

A proposal for 100 houses on a greenfield site to the eastern edge of Grantham has been submitted to the planning authority.

Leeds-based Arkle-Boyce Architects is behind the plan for a five-hectare swathe of land off Harrowby Lane, to the back of Fifth Avenue.

It is currently a field used for grazing animals, with a significant slant. Architects say the level issue would be mitigated by creating “plateaus of development”.

The applicant states: “[The site] has been carefully designed to open up the impressive setting of Grantham to the public.

“With its picturesque views and integration of existing rural circulation routes, informal green spaces have been woven into the masterplan for the benefit of the wider community.

“The new neighbourhood will form strong links with the surrounding area whilst creating an identity befitting of this distinct location.”

The homes would be predominantly two storey with some two-and-a-half storey heights. It is proposed there will be four two-bedroom, 72 three-bedroom, 21 four-bedroom and four five-bedroom properties in total.

Each house will have a garden measuring the minimum 75 sq m.

A focus of the estate – referred to by the arcitects as a ‘garden village prototype’ – would be a central shared space and green spine with houses facing inwards, while a high level pedestrian walkway would feature a viewing platform to take in the scene of the town and beyond.

New footpaths and play spaces would be provided.

* To view the planning apllication in full, visit www.southkesteven.gov.uk and search for application S17/0566.

Grantham Town continued their great run of form with an important win against Rushall Olympic at The Meres on Saturday, followed by an impressive away win at Coalville Town midweek.

The six points has propelled them right into the battle for the play-off places and they go to rivals for a top five spot, Buxton, tomorrow (Saturday) knowing that a good result is vital.

The club have now been defeated only once in the league in the last 23 games with 15 wins and seven draws in a run that has seen them shoot up the league and reach a league cup final against Bamber Bridge which takes place on Wednesday at Leek Town.

After the win at Coalville on Tuesday evening, Gingerbreads manager Adam Stevens was full of praise for his young team.

He said: “I live in the town [Coalville], so a win against Coalville was sweet and well deserved, but we have no time for celebrating as we now go to Buxton on Saturday and will have to perform again. Then on to Corby on Easter Monday and the cup final on Wednesday – and a visit to league champions Blyth on Saturday. So an extremely busy week ahead.

“It’s a bit hackneyed I know, but in our position every game really is like a cup final.”

Regarding that subject, the Integro Cup final on Wednesday has engendered a lot of interest in the town and the club expect to take at take at least three coaches to the game.

Supporters club chairman Ian De’ath expressed his delight with the response: “I have been contacted by many fans enquiring about travel arrangements, so we expect to have a big following at the game . . . and names are still coming in. It should be a great night for all connected with the club.”

Striker Felipe Barcelos will come back in contention for the cup final, following a three match ban, to strengthen the manager’s striking options. Stevens believes this will be vital to the club’s chances. He said: “We need to keep the squad fit and sharp and Felipe’s return is an important bonus for us as he offers another striking option.”

Whatever happens over the next eight days, the Gingerbreads have had a great second half to their season.

Stevens tasted success in his time as manager at Coalville with an FA Vase final appearance at Wembley and hopes his young Gingerbreads team can bring success: “It is a tough ask but the lads are up for it, and we have momentum. I guarantee we will give it our best shot and see where that takes us.”

l Integro League Cup Final travel: Coach departs The Meres at 5pm on Wednesday. Cost is £12 for supporters club members/£15 non-members). Email supportersclub@granthamtownfc.com

Here’s 30 of the latest vacancies available through Grantham Jobcentre.

Two Precast Concrete Mould Fitters, Grantham, Full Time, £14.50 to £15.00 per hour, Job ID 42347957

Care Assistant, Grantham, Full Time, £7.50 per hour, Job ID 42344471

Service Assistant, Grantham, Part Time (less than 30 hours), £6.03 to £7.38 per hour, Job ID 42341731

Vehicle Damage Assessor/ Estimator, Grantham, Full Time, £25,000 to £35,000 per year, Job ID 42336556

Semi Skilled Joiner, Grantham, Full Time, £13.00 per hour, Job ID 42198415

Laser Cutting Estimator / Fabrication Estimator, Grantham, Full Time, Wage to be confirmed, Job ID 29801744

General Operative, Grantham, Full Time, £7.50 per hour, Job ID 42347920

Cleaner, Grantham, Part Time (less than 30 hours), £7.50 per hour, Job ID 42346581

Nursery Nurse Apprentice, Grantham, Full Time, Wage to be confirmed, Job ID 42351179

Assistant Manager, Grantham, Full Time, Wage to be confirmed, Job ID 42333642

Primary Teacher, Grantham, Full Time, £22,467 to £38,250 per year, Job ID 42348025

Bar Staff, Grantham, Part Time (less than 30 hours), Wage to be confirmed, Job ID 42348490

Customer Service Representative / Account Executive, Grantham, Full Time, £21,000 to £27,000 per year, Job ID 42345028

Trainer - Mortgages, Grantham, Full Time, £25,000 to £30,000 per year, Job ID 42344131

Chef De Partie, Caythorpe, Full Time, £20,000 to £23,000 per year, Job ID 42309508

Warehouse Operative, Grantham, Full Time, £8.00 per hour, Job ID 42318587

HGV Technician, Grantham, Full Time, Wage to be confirmed, Job ID 42306343

Building Project Manager, Grantham, Full Time, Wage to be confirmed, Job ID 42294699

Sales Assistant, Gonerby Moor, Part Time (less than 30 hours), Wage to be confirmed, Job ID 42291752

Outreach Support Worker, Grantham, Full Time, £7.50 to £8.30 per hour, Job ID 40575268

Sales Assistant, Grantham, Full Time, £5.50 to £7.50 per hour, Job ID 42265552

Senior Team Member, Grantham, Part Time (less than 30 hours), £8.22 per hour, Job ID 42240046

Criticals Driver Technician, Grantham, Full Time, £15,500 per year, Job ID 42375581

Accounts Senior, Grantham, Full Time, £28,000 to £30,000 per year, Job ID 42343679

Receptionist / Administrator, Grantham, Full Time, £8.50 per hour, Job ID 42379963

Solar Sales People, Grantham, Full Time, Commission based, Job ID 42293046

Waste Collection LGV Driver/Operative, Lincolnshire, Full Time, Wage to be confirmed, Job ID 42379897

CNC Machinist, Grantham, Full Time, £10.00 to £11.00 per hour, Job ID 42375319

Staff Nurse, Grantham, Full Time, £22,128 per year, Job ID 42360368

Receipt and Despatch Clerk, Grantham, Full Time, £17,784 per year, Job ID 42249084

* To find out more about a vacancy, visit www.gov.uk/jobsearch and enter the Job ID into the ‘Skills’ search field. Change the search settings to look for jobs posted in the last 30 days

Glorious, sunny but breezy conditions greeted golfers for the Belton Park Freda Shipley Trophy on Sunday.

The competition was played in a mixed betterball par bogey format and a competitive turnout of 23 pairs battled for the trophy.

The winning pair with an excellent score of +5 were Jean Sutcliffe and Ged O’Reilly. In second place with +4 were Anita Bartys and Tom Parry, whilst third with +3 on countback were Enid and Nick Maltby.

A strong field of 77 pairs took part in the RAF Spitalgate Cup in glorious April conditions on Saturday.

Some excellent scores were recorded but the final winners,with an excellent score of 46 points were Joseph Clayton and Bruce Macfarlane, on countback from Glen Cooper and Andy Goy, and Simon Stuart and John Whaler.

In fourth place on 42 points were Brian Short and Steve Turton, on countback from Alex Green and James Meredith, and Michael Bridges and Robert Guymer.

SUDBROOK MOOR

Sudbrook Moor’s Rainbow Series, with its running scoreboard, is building very positively for Steve Martin, Malcolm Edwards and Jonny Oxby who hold the top three positions after three months.

Overall wins in the monthly events have come from Malcolm Edwards, Paul Price and Steve Martin. Best scorecards of the year have all been 46-pointers, returned by Onie Ison, who now plays off 16, Steve Martin reduced at that time to 21, and Malcolm Edwards who was cut to 18.

The 2015 Rainbow champion Onie Ison is in overall fourth position, from Michael Lincoln in fifth and Chris Wilmot sixth, 6th. Reigning title holder Lewis Anthony has not made his move yet and sits in 21st place with 89 points.

Best lady in the series is currently Zoe Martin, on 90 points, and then Helen Davidson on 67.

In its third season, this is an extremely popular format and already 74 competitors from right across the club, have put in scores. The format is stableford, and a player’s best six rounds are built into the eventual aggregate prizes.

The twos sweep is shared out after 12 events, from the usual massive pot of entry fees, and so far Phil Hall, Barry Pogson, Keith Moore, Darren Nicholson, Martin Corby, Jeff Ward, Orlando Pabunan, Chris Wilmot, Amanda Edwards, Pete Armstrong, Neil Skelton, Lewis Anthony, Dave Sharples, Ian Mason and Steve Martin are all guaranteed a dividend.

Other players with an aggregate of 100+ points this season are Darren Nicholson 108, Paul McCarthy 107, Barry Rohland 107, Ronie Alipio 107, Miles Thorndike 105, Richard Hubbert 103, Barry Pogson 103, and Michael Coupland 101.

STOKE ROCHFORD

Stoke Rochford played their first mixed match of the summer season on Sunday, at home to South Kyme.

It was the also the first time that new organisers Mags and Jim McArthur were initiated into the world of friendly mixed golf. Under their leadership, the team had a good 5½-1½ home win on a glorious sunny day with very quick greens.

Results: Jim & Mags McArthur v Ray & lady captain Sue Duncan won 3&2, Don & Dorne Werner v Paul & Sue Roberts won 2&1, Darrell Knight & Roni Proctor v Pete Zammit & Heather Dopierala lost 1 down, David & Carol Hamilton v Jody & Helen Kirchner won 5&3, Graham Manton & Jackie Witten v Geoff & Sue Annibal halved, Alan & Janet Jessop v Graeme & Lorna Cambell won 3&2, Brian & Jane White v Ian & Yvonne Prior won 1 up.

A Grantham student has won herself a place in the semi-finals of this year’s Miss England competition.

Olivia Rowland-Hayes, 18, won her place after entering the regional finals in Newark and will compete in the semi-finals as Miss Grantham.

Olivia, a Grantham College student who has autism, impressed the judges enough to win a semi-final place in the prestigious competition.

Olivia’s mother, Sabrina, said: “She is very excited and is looking forward to raising money for the charity associated with Miss England which is Beauty with a Purpose. She will try to raise as much awareness of the charity as she can.”

Sabrina said Olivia’s autism could make it difficult for her in social situations, but she enjoyed dancing, performance and gymnastics and had done well in the Newark finals.

Sabrina said: “The organisers encourage health and fitness and look beyond the make-up to get away from just the looks and focus on the beauty inside.”

She said Olivia was ‘extremely pleased’ and she and Olivia’s father, Carl, were 
really proud of her achievement.

Olivia will have a stall on St George’s Day on St Peter’s Hill to raise money and awareness for her charity.

The semi-final of Miss England will take place at Kelham Hall in Newark on June 4.

Grantham MP Nick Boles has given his support to a new Government strategy which aims to crack down on littering and fly-tipping.

The ‘Litter Strategy for England’ introduces new enforcement powers and makes a commitment to free waste disposal at the local tip. Litter louts could be hit with £150 fines, public bins would be better distributed and offenders on community sentences ordered to clear up fly-tipped waste.

Mr Boles said: “I’m glad this is something the Government is taking seriously as it’s a growing problem across my whole constituency and the wider area. We should be making it easier for residents to dispose of waste and more bins and a promise to maintain free disposal of your DIY waste are a positive commitment. I’d call on local councils to make use of further enforcement options that are available to tackle fly-tipping and littering.”

Evidence of illegal fishing on Grantham Canal has been uncovered by a water bailiff.

Jim Wheeldon, a bailiff with the Grantham Angling Association, has discovered ropes in the canal, used to catch fish.

The ropes had a number of hooks attached to them and were slung across the canal and lef t overnight .

Mr Wheeldon said: “I found one of these ropes last week. It has 12 hooks on it and it was stretched across the canal near Trent Road.”

Mr Wheeldon described the practice as ‘barbaric’, saying the hooks are barbed and are left unattended which is illegal. He said the ropes would be collected the following day before it gets light.

Mr Wheeldon added: “We have had illegal fishing up there in the past with people having no licences, but this is just ridiculous.”

A spokesman for the Environment Agency, said: “We take illegal fishing very seriously and work hard to bring offenders to justice, as well as protect the future of the sport for legitimate anglers.

“With thousands of kilometres of watercourses to cover, our enforcement work has to be – to some extent – intelligence-led, so we welcome Mr Wheeldon’s report and would encourage anyone who spots potentially illegal activity to contact us. We are investigating his concerns and will not hesitate to take action against offenders.”

A member of a regional health support group in Grantham says she does not believe the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust wants to re-open A&E even though it has received a ‘good’ rating.

Sarah Stock, of Fighting 4 Life Lincolnshire, made the comment after a report by the Care Quality Commission gave Grantham A&E the ‘good’ rating but also put the trust back into special measures.

Ms Stock said: “I have to say I do not trust the suggestion for re-opening of our A&E to full level 1, 24/7 status like we are fighting for, due to the content of the report.

“It should be obvious to do this with Lincoln and Boston obviously struggling to meet demand, but this is not how this will play out. An “urgent care” centre is looking a likely convenient “compromise, due to the continued “staffing crisis”. I have said from day one this is an engineered crisis and one that will see our Lincolnshire hospitals downgraded and closed due to apparent “patient safety issues”.

“We are not safe without these services and the determination to force through the Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP), which are already in the process of being implemented, has just been offered to ULHT on a plate now. The suggestion to be “rescued” by other neighbouring trusts is simply unacceptable and will see their bigger plan for Lincolnshire Healthcare and “change in boundaries” also conveniently handed to them.

“We will fight this every step of the way. The CQC need to look closely at the STPs to see the connection between those and their report, which will see those services move and down-graded with no public consultation due to “patient safety grounds”.

Jody Clark, of Fighting 4 Grantham Hospital, said it was reassuring to know that Grantham A&E has received a ‘good’ rating, but was concerned it could lead to neglect of the Grantham unit.

She said: “I don’t think being in special measures will help the recruitment process when they need more doctors to fully reopen Grantham A&E. Our concern is that not only will they not get enough doctors, but that they are going to downgrade services even more when they should be opening up our A&E to support services elsewhere. Now that the trust is in special measures, changes could be made without consultation. We will continue to keep up the pressure on the board to reopen our A&E unit.”

Members of the Nottingham Forest Supporters Club (Grantham branch) are pictured before they boarded the coach to Munich, where Brian Clough’s team were set to take on Swedish club Malmo in the 1979 European Cup final.

The road trip cost fans £40 apiece, but the expense proved more than worthwhile when Forest ran out 1-0 winners, to take the prestigious silverware back home to Nottingham.

The team and supporters enjoyed their trip to the continent so much, they returned to Europe the following year to lift the cup a second time – beating Hamburg 1-0 in Madrid.

Musicians under the age of 14 will be playing in an orchestra at some of the most prestigious venues in the country.

Fourteen youngsters who play with the Oasby Music Group have been awarded full or associate membership of the prestigious National Children’s Orchestras (NCO) of Great Britain for 2017, some for the fourth year in a
row.

The nine who have gained full membership will attend residential orchestral courses in the summer with concerts in some of the UK’s top venues including Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and Colston Hall in Bristol.

They will work with conductors such as Howard Williams and Peter Stark. Eleven of the 14 are taught by NCO alumnus Laura Gardiner.

NCO was founded in 1978 by Vivienne Price MBE to provide inspiring and first-class musical training for children. Membership is open to all talented youngsters, irrespective of background or financial circumstances. NCO operates six national orchestras, offering 600 places to children aged from seven to 14.

Successful children this year are: Annabel Stevens (13), Erin Vinter (13), Agatha Parkin (12), Aakash Jansari (12), Freya Whitfield (10), Millie Hindmarch (11), Hester Parkin (10), Holly Riordan (10), 
Daisy Griffiths (10), Olivia 
Jessop (10), Shivani Jansari (9), Amelia Whitfield (9), Maya Mbogo (9) and Isaac Kendon (8).