Tony Davies’ 21st year as Belton Park ‘C’ Team captain got off to a fabulous start with an impressive 5½-½ win over Rutland County.

Team vice-captain Ian Carroll and his partner Gary Clark took the honours as top pair in the match, winning their game 6&5.

Rutland County captain Gerry McIntyre congratulated Belton Park on a fine victory, thanked the catering staff for a superb meal and green staff for a wonderful golf course.

Results: Tony Davies and Stewart Boyland beat Gerry McIntyre and Ian Dobson 3&2, Ian Carroll and Gary Clark beat Deggie Palmer and Dave Rippon 6&5, Neil Gray and Colin Mason beat Dave Waddell and Pete Sciliano 3&2, Andrew Macgowan and Robert Pask halved with Barry Cheshire and Geoff Osborne, Dave Wing and Ben Bayliss beat Roger Overton and Frank Thibault 2&1, Roy Allen and David Lee beat Rod Goss and Reg Parker 4&3.

Tony said it had been an honour to have been asked back as ‘C’ Team captain in 1997 by chairman Eddie Bone, club captain David Harris and match chairman Simon Pullen and, 368 matches later, he thanked general managers Trevor Ireland and Steve Rowley for the support they had given him.

After thanking his wife Penny for her patience and vice-captain Ian for his support during his ongoing tenure, Tony added: “I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed every minute and continue to do so. I would like to thank all the members who play for the ‘Dream Team’ and the great spirit they bring to all our matches; you are a credit to Belton Park.”

Seniors

Belton Park seniors welcomed Sleaford Golf Club to play the match over the Brownlow course last Tuesday.

Following an overnight frost, the match began in dry but bitterly cold conditions with a wind that can only be described as ‘lazy’, but mercifully the day remained dry and bright.

All of the players from both teams remarked on the superb condition of the course and congratulated the greenkeeping team on their tremendous work.

Many of the games proved to be tight affairs with three going to the final green but, with the home advantage proving significant, Belton team ran out 5-3 victors. There were wins for Graham Secker and Peter Long, Frank Overton and Trevor Collis, Dave Martin and Colin Farrington, Steve White and Tony Noble, and Tim Stubbs and Dave Langley.

SUDBROOK MOOR

New in office as Sudbrook Moor’s ‘A’ Team captain, Simon Green had his squad attired in splendid new colours, thanks to the generosity of the sponsors who facilitated both the quantity and quality of the uniform.

The South Lincolnshire Scratch Matchplay League scene started across the region last Saturday and a home game brought the gents of Thorney Lakes up from the furthest point south of the county.

Sudbrook Moor were on excellent form, with four of the six pairings being new combinations and coming off the course later having proved to be solid and successful selections. The team added two match points to the new league table, with a 5-1 victory.

Results: Josh Smith with Martin Greene won 7&5, Rob Keddie with David Lee won 4&2, Martin Corby with Ben Richards won 3&1, Craig Machin with Jon Machin won 2&1, Andrew Green with Nigel Corby won 4&3, Simon Green with Keith Maclachlan lost 2&1.

The Elsham Trophy is an annual Lincolnshire Matchplay Knockout, open to all the county golf clubs.

The format is tough, with a six-man team playing foursomes – a pairs event with alternate drives and alternate shots.

Sudbrook Moor’s first round draw saw them travel to Boston Town Golf Club on Friday evening, where they put on a really confident performance, in fairly tough April wind, to finish 4 down.

The match was played over 54 holes, with each match having to complete its 18 holes, regardless of where the match may have reached a conclusion out on the course.

Results: Martin Corby with Ben Richards lost 5 down, Nigel Corby with Keith Maclachlan lost 2 down, captain Simon Green with Phil Hall won 3 up.

STOKE ROCHFORD

Seniors

Greetham Valley 4

Stoke Rochford 4

Stoke Rochford seniors opened their competitive season with a visit to Greetham Valley where they halved the match.

It was the first time they have avoided defeat there since 2011, a good start for seniors captain Jim Price.

Results: Jim Price & Brain Ayto lost 6&5, Brian White & Don Werner won 2&1, Phil White & John Wright won 4&3, Barry Coop & Brian Keightley won 4&3, Stephen Major & Mick Rance halved, Mike Graves & Mike Dickinson lost 6&5, Ernie Armstrong & Mike Nixon halved, Mike Thornton & Glyn Staines lost 4&3.

Ladies

Last Saturday saw the ladies compete in their relevant handicap trophy competition.

Silver Rose for 0-20 handicaps was won by Joan Lennard with a net 70. Marlow Midway for 21-28 handicaps was won by Elaine Kirby with a net 79, whilst the Leverett Cup for 29-36 handicappers was won by Hattie Dow with a fantastic 46 points. In the last month, Hattie has reduced her handicap from 36 to 25.

Recent medal results: April 1 – 1 Phillippa Smith net 72, 2 Joan Lennard 72, 3 Pauline Haggerty 73; April 19 – 1 Sue Booth 70, 2 Joan Lennard 70, 3 Marion Carvath 71.

The match played between lady captain and vice-captain teams was won 3½-2½ by the former,

The ladies’ league match played against Lincoln ended in a half. The first friendly match of the season at

home against Sleaford finished in a win, 3-1 to Stoke Rochford.

BELTON WOODS

Juniors

The junior section at Belton Woods recently organised a Masters Nine-hole Stableford competition.

This is designed to get all the younger and up and coming golfers to take part in some friendly competition, and also to give them the chance to play on the main courses

After some extremely good golf and very hard fought games eventual winner was James Hooper with 36 points.

Runner-up with 39 points was Connor Bungay, with Alfie Newton third on 41.

The first FUEL Academy competition was held on the very tricky nine-hole academy course and was won by Seb Foyster with 17 points.

Second was Archie Littlecott with 18 points, whilst third with 19 was Jack Parker.

Two Co-op stores have raised thousands of pounds for local good causes.

The Co-op stores in Ancaster and Bottesford have each raised funds for three causes.

When a Co-op member buys own-brand products from food stores or a funeral plan or funeral from Funeralcare they receive a five per cent reward for themselves with a further one per cent going to local good causes. All those one per cent rewards, plus the proceeds of the carrier bag charge in England, has resulted in a total £66,000 pay out in Grantham.

Ancaster Co-op has raised money for Ancaster Primary School (£2,219), the Naomi Fardell Fund (£2,500) and Ancaster Pre-School Playgroup (£2,192).

Janie Talton, who organises fund-raising at the Ancaster store said the store was really pleased and surprised at the amount it had raised. He said: “We were really surprised because we have only been open just over a year and to raise £6,911 in six months is really good.”

Last week, the Botttesford store invited its three local charities to the store for the presentations of their cheques. The store has raised more than £1,000 for each of its charities - Dove Cottage, Bottesford Youth Club and Friends of Bottesford Primary School.

There were free refreshments and cakes for customers and passers-by. There was also a raffle on the day to win a hamper and a quiz for people to win prizes.

Store manager Steve Barnes said: “The day in general is a bit of a celebration and a big thank you to our loyal customers and members who have helped raise over £1,000 per charity,”

Those involved in the Grantham Hospital campaign have been monitoring the decisions affecting the future of our hospital and local health services.

Last Friday I visited officers at Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) to find out what has happened to the referral of the decision by United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust to temporarily close our Accident and Emergency Unit at night.

The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP Secretary of State for Health had referred the decision to an Independent Review Panel (IRP).

Despite several months now there is no news.

Furthermore, the recently published minutes of the last LCC Health and Scrutiny Committee show that there is not one - but two stages our case must go through within the IRP process.

First high level, and if it is determined the case should go further, a detailed IRP, at which point wider consultation will be carried out and we should be able to submit evidence.

The slow progress of the case does not reflect the urgency of the situation.

Every night local people, without public transport are forced to travel miles to their nearest A&E and local lives remain at risk whilst the unit is closed.

It is beginning to feel more like a stalling exercise.

This Monday health campaigners from across Lincolnshire came together to attend a meeting hosted by Healthwatch Lincolnshire, our local health watchdog.

Representatives from SOS Grantham Hospital, Fighting4Grantham Hospital, Fight4Lincs Lives joined campaigners from Louth, Boston Pilgrim and Skegness.

We all put our concerns forward and shared the action we are taking.

We share the common goal of protecting vital local hospital services.

We were therefore extremely concerned to hear that the Lincolnshire Sustainability Transformation Plan (STP) is to be further delayed, and, is unlikely to be published until next year.

It is particularly concerning because firstly, according to NHS England’s website: http://lincolnshirehealthandcare.org/en/stp/ it is published waiting public consultation, and secondly, Lincolnshire Health and Care (LHAC), led by their new chairman John Turner (from NHS Scotland), can make changes to health services in the meanwhile not deemed significant without referring to the public.

As this includes the entire restructure of some GP practices it is clear such decisions also need public scrutiny.

LHAC has identified some key areas they will consult on including Accident and Emergency, Women and Children, Stroke, etc but the lack of an overall work programme I feel reflects the poor management within LHAC, and, denies us visibility of what is happening to the health services we all pay for.

Stakeholder groups will be consulted yet interestingly, none of our campaign groups are included, which is an issue raised with the watchdog.

As we work together to defend and improve our hospital services across Lincolnshire a final point was made clear. The outcome of the forthcoming General Election will determine the future of our NHS and our local hospital services.

A businesswoman with more than 20 years experience in hair and beauty has set up her own salon in the town.

Mel Wade managed the hair department at aUK in Grantham for seven years before setting out her own venture, The House of Hair, which opened for business on Monday in Westgate.

Before moving to Grantham Mel worked in London for 20 years. She is originally from Yorkshire and intended to go to London only for a year.

As well as hairdressing, House of Hair will do nails, eyebrows and lashes. Mel said she decided on the name The House of Hair because she says the salon has a ‘homely feel’. She said the service would be ‘professional’ and and ‘reasonably priced’.

Mel is being helped by her friend of several years Katie Jude-Plant who has taken on the front of house duties.

Mel said: “I have been doing this for 20-plus years so I thought it was time I did something for myself.

“Katie was a client of mine several years ago and we became the best of friends and it is good to have her helping me out.”

For more details call the salon on 01476 562222

A group of local gamers is celebrating after picking up an award at Salute 2017, the biggest independent one-day wargaming and gaming event in the UK.

Members of the Grantham Strategy and Gaming Club went down to the Excel Centre in London for the event, which took place on Saturday.

Peter Ball from the Grantham club said: “Our participation game Discworld Witch Racing around the Unseen University from the stories by Terry Pratchett won the Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Game trophy.”

Grantham Strategy and Gaming Club has been in existence since the early 1980s and meets every Thursday at the Church rooms at the Church of Ascension on Edinburgh Road, Grantham.

Members play a mix of games including Euro style, historical, Sci-Fi, fantasy and roleplaying.

Three members of Grantham Running Club joined more than 600 other runners to compete in Nottingham AC’s Easter 10k, held in Wollaton Park.

Suzanne Britz, Martin Carter and Nev Chamberlain found the cool temperature ideal for tackling the two laps of the cross-country course.

First of the trio over the line in this early season tester was Nev in a time of 48:43, followed a little more than a minute later by Martin in 50:16.

Finishing in 53:43, Suzanne the race as preparation for forthcoming triathlons.

Denton Street Market returns tomorrow to put a sparkle in your extended weekend.

This popular May Day event has over the last 28 years carved itself a traditional slot for traders and public alike with its busy market in a conservation village setting and something for everyone.

On Monday organisers promise the usual entertaining blend of village produce, children’s entertainment, charity stalls, bric-a-brac galore, street traders of every description and colourful ranks of bedding and border plants.

Food is always a special market feature with teas in the village hall, hot bacon and sausages available and a marquee selling cold rolls and drinks in the school yard.

St Andrews Church will be open with displays and organ music and Guide Dogs for the Blind fund-raisers and dogs will be exhibiting in the churchyard. Schoolchildren will dance around the maypole.

Birds of prey from Belvoir Castle will be on display around the market, with a special hawking day always a popular raffle prize.

Local fund-raisers GOLAG will have a stall to spread an environmental message as part of its ongoing fight against a threatened quarry on Gorse Lane.

Road closures swing into operation at 5am, affecting Denton’s Church Street and Park Lane with the area around St Andrews Church, school grounds and a picturesque parkland paddock all hosting stalls and entertainment.

Visitors are asked to park in signed car parks whenever possible, with a large field made available by the Denton Farming Company.

A licensed bar will operate thanks to Oldershaws Brewery who stepped in to help after the sudden closure of the village pub.

Denton is a real combined village effort, with residents manning their own stalls among more than 100 traders. Proceeds are divided between the village hall, Denton School Fund, the Church and other village causes.

Debbie Nicholls, one of the organisers, said: “We do our best to organise a popular and safe event but our small organising committee cannot do it on its own. Villagers put up with the disruption, turn out their bric a brac for our own village stall and then help on the day to lay on a great event. It’s a great community effort.”

A group of serving Royal Air Force personnel have cycled 82 miles in a single day in their ‘Tour of Lincs’ to raise funds for the Royal Air Forces Association.

Starting and finishing at RAF Scampton, the cyclists called in at all five of the major RAF stations in Lincolnshire, including RAF Cranwell. The other stions they visited en route were Waddington, Digby and Coningsby.

They have so far raised £450, including Gift Aid. If you would like to make a donation go to https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/tourdelincoln

Event organiser, Senior Aircraft Technician Stu Coutts, said: “Recently the Association made a huge difference to the lives of some of our RAF personnel overseas.

“They had been living in basic accommodation while on operations, with limited comforts there. The association funded the purchase of equipment to improve living conditions on the deployment.”

A cat rescue charity in Grantham desperately needs people to home its cats.

Cath Rowson, of ROCK animal rescue, says her cat pens are full. She said: “All the cats are neuteredbefore they leave us and are flea and worm trated. We can also microchip them.

“We have no kittens yet, but need to home the cats to make room for more cats and kittens as they arrive.

“We have our food bins in Morrisons and Kennelgate. There is also a food bin at Downtown garden centre or food can be left on my doorstep at 41 Redcross Street or at Kirk’s Vets, Sandon Road.”

Grantham ROCK is hosting a large tombola on Saturday (April 29) from 9.30am outside Morrisons.

For further information call Cath on 01476 571636 or go to www.granthamrock.co.uk

Wyndham Park in Grantham will be the venue for traditional crafts and dancing on May Day.

Activities for all the family will take place between 10am and 2.30pm tomorrow Monday (May 1).

These will include crafts for children to join in, including May Day baskets, flower masks and flower pot pictures.

The traditional spring holiday is acknowledged in many cultures and to mark the celebration there will be the opportunity for children to plant seeds in pots to take home.

There will be traditional dancing displays by Grantham School of Dancing around the Maypole.

Lincoln and Micklebarrow Morris Men will put on their traditional Morris dancing.

Cafe Indulgence will be open throughout the day.

If you are looking to hire that perfect formal suit for your forthcoming wedding, you no longer have to look outside Grantham.

Men’s clothing specialist Empire Formal Tailor, on St Peter’s Hill, has expanded their range of stylish wedding wear.

Previously they sold morning suits but, in response to local demand, have now introduced a hire service as well.

Owner Chad Vinodchadda said: “We always listen to our customers and local demand.

“We had a lot of people come in and ask if we would offer this service as no one else was doing it locally and we were more than happy to introduce a hire service.

“We have already had a lot of interest and even have bookings up to 2018.”

Empire has been trading in the town for nearly 20 years and has built up an enviable reputation.

Morning suits come in three different colours - black, grey or navy - and there is a huge choice of accessories, with 35 different waistcoats to choose from and an extensive range of cravats, ties and bow ties.

“We pride ourselves on our personal service,” said Chad. “We invite people to come in and have a preliminary appointment to discuss their requirements. There is then a fitting and another nearer the date of the wedding for any final adjustments. We want to ensure the suit looks perfect on the day.

“And if you hire five or more suits in addition to the groom’s, you get the groom’s for free.”

Empire can supply morning suits for children as well, from the age of one upwards, and can cater for any size up to a 64in chest.

They also offer three-piece dinner suits for proms, parties or formal work functions, and have introduced a hire service for these as well should you prefer to hire rather than buy.

I would like to explain to the residents of St Vincent’s Ward why I “Crossed the Floor” at the last Council meeting.

Initially I was not happy with the way our leader, Cllr Bob Adams, was deposed. Bob was, and remains, a very popular person with all council members regardless of political colour, efficient, principled and he has a keen sense of humour.

However I was prepared to wait and see. I became increasingly unhappy as the plans of the new administration unfolded. Primarily I cannot understand the reasoning behind increasing the Cabinet posts, from six to nine, and the increase in the number of committees, with no explanation as how these increases are to be funded.

Also there are major structural alterations being made to the offices to accommodate the increase in the new administration’s staff, again no explanation as to funding. My own personal view is that funding can be achieved by a) Increasing the Council Tax; b)Carrying out a major re-hash of the aleady approved Budget; c) A close look at staffing levels, and all that implies.

It could also be a combination of any of the above, However, I shall continue to represent the residents of St Vincent’s to the best of my ability, this time without the Party restrictions.

I will do this as an Independent for the next two years, and you can rely on me to work hard on your behalf.

Coun Mike Cook

St Vincent’s Ward

Grantham

Having tried to report this issue with Highways and the Council websites, and being unable to fathom out the somewhat complex procedures and sites not being available when I have tried, I would ask you to highlight the following.

Over the last six months or so the A1 and the A52 has seen a huge increase in large, lorry and trailers full of baled straw travelling on our roads.

If you travel behind one of these loads and have to put your wipers on in order to see ahead you will understand my point, plus, the roads and vergers are full of the finely chopped straw, which feeds into and blocks drains.

Skip collection firms are by law obliged to cover the skip in order to stop any fallout. Any driver with any unsecured load may well be pulled over and fined. Why/how do these companies get away with it ? Blocked drains = flooding and cost of clearing. Driving conditions behind these vehicles = ac cidents. Straw rubbish into car radiators and wiper functions = car breakdowns from overheating and poor visibility.

Whole manner of questions as to why it is allowed, perhaps Lincs Highways can lead the way and ban them until covers are placed on the load.

It is also strange that these wagons seem to travel up and down the A52, fully laden, in some sort of circle. Am I missing some sort of deal that includes mileage, or are the drivers just lost ?

Sorry, but just must add my final point, as this is a local issue and non political I hope it takes priority over what will be Mr Andrews’ letter telling us all to vote for Jeremy, it does seem that whatever he writes is published, perhaps in the hope it generates responses, which I will also decline.

Stuart Allan

By email

A group looking to erect a memorial that will honour those that have lost their lives on Lincolnshire’s roads has received backing from an East Midlands housebuilder.

Persimmon Homes East Midlands has chosen to back The Lincolnshire Road Victims Memorial Fund with a £1,000 donation. This comes courtesy of the housebuilder’s Community Champions scheme which backs two charities in the region with up to £1,000 each month.

The memorial will give those touched by tragedy on Lincolnshire’s roads a place to reflect on their loss.

The initiative is the brainchild of the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership after member Anne Bourne sadly lost her daughter, Louise Nuttell, to a collision on the A52 in 2004.

The 35-year-old mother of one lost her life along with Kathleen Stephenson, Darren Smith and Anne’s niece Sarah Wilkinson, while Anne’s eldest daughter, Amanda Meeds, suffered 27 breaks and fractures in the tragic head-on collision.

Anne said: “The memorial will give those that have been unfortunate enough to have loved ones involved in such events a place to remember them.

“We have acquired a strip of land at Westgate Woods in Boston, which we plan to make accessible to everyone.

“Plans are in motion to construct a shelter on site with seating, and we’ve already planted lime trees at the memorial.

“We have raised over £18,000 since last March thanks to a range of events in the community including street collections, tombolas and Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme. We have so many more events planned too.

“Our community is very close-knit and we’ve been lucky enough to receive a fantastic backing for the project.”

Nova Eames, head of sales at Persimmon Homes East Midlands, said: “After reading Anne’s application for funding we were so touched by her heart-breaking story. This memorial will give people a space to reflect on the loved ones they’ve lost on our roads and we really can’t think of a better cause to back.

“We would love to hear from more clubs, groups and good causes as we look to allocate more funding over the coming months.

“All we ask is that the group or charity has already worked hard to raise money themselves, and we will then match this effort with funding of up to £1,000.”

To apply for funding, visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity and fill in the simple application form.

The Rotary Club of Grantham held a St George’s Day lunch at The Chequers Inn at Woolsthorpe on April 23 to celebrate the Club’s birthday.

This was the first time the club had changed from its usual formal evening event. President Neville Thompson said: “I wanted to get away from the formal occasion and have a more relaxed atmosphere with the emphasis more on enjoyment than listening to long speeches.

“It’s time to change the perception of this fantastic organisation to better reflect our more modern approach to charitable work. We need to get away from the idea that we are a club of “old gentlemen having lunch” to the reality of a vibrant and forward thinking club working for the community. We work really hard to help the young in the town”.

Eighty guests attended the event when President Neville awarded Paul West with a Paul Harris Award and Bob Brownlow with a Paul Harris Award plus Sapphire, both for their work in the community.

Rotarian Glenys Robertson was made Rotarian of the Year and Humphrey Platts was given a long service certificate for having achieved 40 years of continued service to Rotary.

Four ambitious students from The Priory Ruskin Academy have become the first students in the country to achieve the National Baccalaureate at KS3.

Martha Bensley (Y7), Emily Hollis (Y8), Ciara North (Y8) and Kaan Yaldiz (Y8) have demonstrated complete commitment to their studies, the academy and wider community through the achievement of their ‘Ruskin Respect Awards’, an award scheme developed by the Academy that recognises students who go the extra mile in five key areas: Aiming High, Learning, Health, Community and Creativity.

In addition to their participation and achievement in the Ruskin Respect Awards the students have also undertaken an independent learning project, which was presented to a panel, and completed a ‘reading passport’, demonstrating they have engaged in a wider reading programme.

Tom Sherrington, Chair of The National Baccalaureate Trust, praised the ‘brilliant’ students when he visited the Academy to see the work they have undertaken to achieve this prestigious awards.

Mick Oliver, Assistant Head who has worked with The National Baccalaureate Trust to introduce the award at KS3 said: “At Ruskin we believe in a rounded education, so we are hugely proud to be the first school in the country to grant the KS3 National Baccalaureate to our students. We are particularly proud of the four dedicated students who achieved the award first. They are trailblazers!”

John Andrews’ eulogising comments on his Costa Rican holiday suggesting we should scrap our Armed Forces would leave this country isolated with no friends or supportive neighbours.

His interesting argument ignores history and the negotiating power of ‘sabre rattling’ if and when required. I don’t think lucky Costa Rica actually needs an army.

This mini nation is in a strategic area a mere 200 miles from the once US protected ‘Canal Zone’ in Panama. I’m sure if Costa Rica, which is only a 100 mile wide strip surrounded by ocean on two sides, did feel any threat from its two neighbours it would just call on the US for support.

An army, by definition a land force, is therefore a superfluous and unnecessary expense for Costa Rica. Larger countries however, like ours, which over the centuries have had aggressive neighbours feel safer with some defence capability to draw on whatever the cost to our national debt. Smaller nations like Switzerland, Iceland, Tibet etc, have geographic and political factors which make them strategically unimportant, or they have protective friends.

History actually tells us in Britain three things about maintaining expensive armies. If we didn’t have armies there’d be no national debt. This means without a national debt we’d all be speaking either German, French or even Spanish. Therefore, unfortunately, national debt is a good thing.

Rod Hatherill

Lodge Way

Grantham

Places are available to book at the next Grantham Business Club meeting, on Thursday, May 18.

Speakers include the recently elected leader of South Kesteven District Council Coun Matthew Lee, Lincolnshire County

Council’s executive for highways Coun Richard Davies and Grantham Journal managing director Richard Parkinson.

Coun Lee will talk about his vision for Grantham, Coun Davies will pick up where he left off at the previous business club meeting, giving members the chance to ask questions about transport and road issues, and Mr Parkinson will give an update on the Grantham Journal Business Awards.

There will also be a hot buffet provided by Everest Inn.

The meeting is on from 6pm to 9pm, in the ballroom at the Guildhall Arts Centre.

To book your place, visit tinyurl.com/businessclubmay

Uncle Sam’s Great American Circus will return to Grantham this week, with performances beginning on Wednesday and carrying through to Sunday.

The big top will be up in Harlaxton Road in time for the first show on Wednesday.

This year’s all-new star line-up includes Tony Garcia, showing off his unique juggling skills with a very modern twist.

The Diaz sisters will amaze with grace and strength high in the roof of the big top, including contortion, balance and even hanging by their toes 13 metres above ground.

Comedy is brought by the Tony Tonito clowns with their traditional circus slapstick routines.

Direct from Kenya, the circus’s troupe of seven Zulu worriers will display their incredible acrobatic skills with tumbling somersaults and an amazing display of power on the Chinese pole.

For the first time ever at Uncle Sam’s there will be roller skating with a difference – a duo will perform outstanding tricks while skating around their platform.

The Diaz brothers will perform foot juggling like no other, as their juggling equipment for their act is each other – with incredible balance they amaze crowds with twists, turns and flips. The youngest performer is just six years old.

The ‘Wheel of Death’ features in this year’s programme with the finest wheel performers in Europe. After winning many awards the Kovachev brothers are delighted to join Uncle Sam’s for 2017, showcasing death defying feats. Meanwhile one rider, Nikolay, will perform a somersault on the outside of the moving wheel – the only artiste in the world to attempt this most dangerous feat.

A circus spokesman said: “Uncle Sam’s would not be Uncle Sam’s if we didn’t have the world famous Thunder Ball Riders, our South American team of stunt riders, who will once again amaze with their high speed motorcycle act in the giant globe, whizzing around at breakneck speeds – even riding with no hands. Seeing really is believing.”

Show times are: Wednesday, 7pm; Thursday, 5pm and 7.30pm; Friday, 5pm and 7.30pm; Saturday, 1.30pm, 4pm and 6.30pm; and Sunday, 1.30pm and 4.30pm.

The box office is open on site daily from 9.30am to 8pm.

A developer has lost an appeal against the refusal of plans to build flats on a Grantham street.

Invicta Rentals wanted to build a block of nine one-bedroom flats in Baxter’s Yard, Stuart Street.

But a planning inspector has ruled against the appeal.

Ward councillor Charmaine Morgan said: “Thanks to a community wide effort the inappropriate plan for a block of flats has been rejected by both SKDC and the Planning Inspector. A number of issues were raised, but the Inspector found the high density of the development and its impact on a neighbouring property to be the biggest concern.

“I’d like to thank everyone who worked with me on this case and members of South Kesteven Development Control committee who acted against the recommendation of officers and supported our request to oppose the application.”