A new attraction at Downtown Garden Centre is sure to be a hit with youngsters.

The Gonerby Moor garden centre has on display a 4.5m long Schleich Tyrannosaurus Rex – the only one in the UK.

Toys buyer Alan Swain said: “We’re always looking for ways to improve our stores and add a little something extra. When this opportunity came up we just couldn’t say no.”

There’s also a variety of dinosaur-themed activities – visitors can win Schleich sets in the ‘Name our T-Rex’ competition, embark on a dinosaur hunt and take part in a ‘T Rex selfie’ competition.

Bottesford and District Angling Association is seeking new members.

The Association would wholeheartedly welcome new members young and old.

B&DAA has the fishing rights and holds regular matches on some three miles of Grantham Canal, from the Rutland Arms at Woolsthorpe to Redmile, plus a stretch of the Upper Witham. Throughout the year, the club also runs matches at various lakes within a 20-mile radius.

The Association also offers the ability to participate 365 days of the year, a friendly club atmosphere, coaching, support, advice and support, friendly three-hour matches every Friday night through June and July, and matches usually every other Sunday throughout the year.

There is also the opportunity to enter into the community spirit by joining the club, helping on canal clearance days and serving on the committee. Girls and women compete equally with the boys and men.

Low annual fees see full membership priced at £22, senior citizens £11 and juniors £5.

The club currently has around 40 members, of which about 25 regularly attend the organised matches. B&DAA dearly wants to see the great sport of angling thrive within the district and fervently believes the canal must be retained as a scenic resource, full of aquatic life, to be enjoyed by every local resident and by generations to come.

Fancy having a go at fishing, want to take it up again or just want to be a social member helping with the canal environment? Then ring and have a chat with Association president Brian Cross on 01949 843164.

+ The sixth Grantham Canal Friday night sweepstake match was held last week, with the half-mile stretch being used.

Eleven club anglers participated and, despite the fishing being hard, all caught fish with the match being won by Neil Fisher.

Results: 1 Neil Fisher 2lb 2oz, 2 Paul Gilbert 2:00, 3 Alan Howe 1:15.

The seventh sweep takes place this evening (Friday). All anglers are to meet at the Dirty Duck towpath gate at 5.45pm.

The next club match will be held on Grantham Canal on Sunday.

For match entries, contact match secretary Bryan Baines on 01400 318345 or 07538 876131, or for membership information check out the Association website at www.bottesfordanddistrictanglingassociation.com

Grantham beach was hugely popular with visitors at the weekend as the town’s Market Place was turned into a seaside resort.

The crowds took advantage of free buckets and spades and deckchairs, and enjoyed a traditional seaside cartoon ‘peep through board’ and Punch and Judy shows.

They were rewarded with glorious sunny spells on each day of the event, funded by South Kesteven District Council.

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Communications and Engagement Coun Helen Goral said: “Thank you to all those families and individuals who took the time to visit the beach and enjoy Grantham-on-sea!

“It was great to see so many enjoying the novelty of the seaside in the middle of one of our towns and make sandcastles in the incredible 13 tonnes of sand.”

SKDC’s Cabinet Member for Retail and Visitor Economy Coun Nick Robins said: “We’re pleased Grantham beach was such a big success for a second year.

“The team have been working very hard and exploring lots of new ideas to help increase the number of people visiting the High Streets in our four market towns and in particular on market days.”

Talented dancers have once again achieved ‘outstanding’ results in their recent exams, upholding their dance school’s 100 per cent pass record.

The youngsters, all pupils of the Grantham School of Dancing, were graded in their chosen disciplines of either ballet, tap and modern. Not only did they all pass, but they all achieved distinction and merit level.

The dancers, all aged between six and 18 years old work towards their exams each term and have around four intensive classes just before they take them.

Dance teachers Michelle Baker and Anita Lane are very proud of their pupils success. They said: “Once again, the results were outstanding and reflected the fact that all the students worked really hard. Their commitment maintains the 100 per cent record of Grantham School of Dancing in examinations. They should be very proud of their achievements.”

Results

Ballet: Primary Grade, Distinction, Nancy Sharpe, Paige Stutely, Violet Darmon, Imogen Wright, Gracie Taylor, Esmae Mcguffie, Maisie Cole and Katy Degnan. Grade 1, Distinction, Sydney Platts, Ali Cockerton, Charlotte Chadwick, Evie Cassie, Skye Kightley, Jessica Jones, Cara Arthurs and Lottie Smith. Grade 2, Distinction: Emma Purdy, Evie Turner, Elspeth Smart, Kate Grainger and Ella Hulse. Grade 3, Distinction, Brooke Welsh, Cerys Arthurs, Emily Hudson and Savannah Wright. Grade 4, Merit Abbie Phillips. Grade 5, Distinction, Isabella Rossington, Chloe Hull, Merit, Bethan Smith.

Modern Grade 1, Distinction, Brooke Ridgeway, Imogen Wright. Merit, Brooke Dolby, Lauren Jackson. Grade 3, Distinction, Bethany Richardson, Leah Maslin and Mia Jennifer. Modern Inter-Foundation Level, Distinction: Shannon Mcguffie, Rebecca Mahony and Phoebe Collins. Intermediate Level, Distinction, Lucia Evans.

Tap Grade 2, Distinction, Alexia Lane, Sophie Richardson, Isabella Taylor and Skye Kightley, Merit, Sophie Timms, Mia Jennifer, Hannah Nicholls and Evie Whitfield. Tap Intermediate Level, Distinction: Shannon Mcguffie. Tap Advanced 1 Level Distinction, Lauren Herbert and Sophie Wright.

A new surgeon specialising in shoulders and elbows has started work at Grantham Hospital.

Consultant shoulder and elbow surgeon Alun Yewlett is working at Grantham and District Hospital as the lead for upper limb surgery.

Mr Yewlett is an experienced consultant, with special interests in shoulder and elbow surgery, reconstruction and replacement. Prior to his appointment at Grantham, he was working as a consultant in his native South Wales.

Mr Yewlett has completed many fellowships and trained with some of the world’s best elbow surgeons. He hopes to build on his experience of working in several internationally recognised centres of orthopaedic excellence and bring that expertise to the shoulder and elbow service at Grantham and the wider Trust.

Mr Yewlett trained in Wales to become a consultant in 2014. The United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust said he believes in working with colleagues across our hospitals for more complex cases to both share experience and improve patient outcomes.

The trust says Mr Yewlett believes that good quality research should underpin clinical practice and has published more than 35 articles in peer reviewed journals in addition to several chapters on shoulder and elbow trauma in a textbook for orthopaedic trainees and is currently a lead author on the soon-to-be published British guidelines for joint problems.

The trust says at Grantham hospital, Mr Yewlett broadens the expertise of the consultant team, meaning that more orthopaedic procedures can be carried out locally in Grantham and Lincolnshire. He has already introduced a shoulder ultrasound “one stop” clinic. For patients who need a shoulder ultrasound and a guided injection, this allows them to have everything done in one visit, rather than having to return at a later date. Feedback from patients has been excellent for this service to date.

Mr Yewlett said: “When I joined ULHT I was delighted to find a very dedicated, professional and welcoming orthopaedic team. I look forward to contributing to the future successes of the department at Grantham and District Hospital.”

Last weekend saw Grantham Sunrise Rotary Club hold its annual Charter Party and welcome its new president.

Around 100 Rotarians and guests attended the event, at The Old Vicarage in Honington, where they enjoyed a buffet from the Lincolnshire Larder and music by Grantham musician C. J. Hatt. A ceilidh led by Charlie’s Aunt followed.

Grantham poet Val O’Dell recited some poems which she had written especially for the event, while assistant district govenor Peter Berry was among those enjoying the day.

The highlight of the afternoon was the handing over of the ceremonial chain of office from past president Ian Brodie to the new president, Lez Jones.

Lez is a relative newcomer to the world of Rotary, and only the third president of Grantham Sunrise, a club which has only been running for a few years.

He said: “We are a club that likes to roll up our sleeves and get involved in local community projects, and also raise and distribute funds for local worthy causes, and this year will see us even more active in the community.

“It’s going to be a great year for all the Sunrisers.”

Ian was presented with a photo book of his achievements over the past year by Lez.

Among the guests, which included Rotarians from Melton, Sleaford, Bourne and Lincoln, was ex-Sunriser Cristine Parau, who returned to her former club to present a pennant from her new club in Manchester.

The sun shone down on the event, which continued until sunset.

John Cussell Jewellers celebrated being the East Midlands stockist for Alex Monroe jewellery with a launch party at its shop on Saturday.

As all Alex Monroe Jewellery is hand made in England, staff hosted an English-themed picnic in the Westgate shop. Customers and passers-by were offered glasses of Pimms, cake and cucumber sandwiches.

Alex was made famous by his bumble bee necklace which has become a sell out icon of his brand, regularly seen on style icons including Emma Watson, Sienna Miller and Claudia Schiffer.

Jenni Cussell said: “Alex Monroe has been sold in store’s such as Liberty’s and Harrods for some years now so it’s great that we can bring the brand up to Lincolnshire.

“We’re really excited to be collaborating with such an individual and eclectic designer who encapsulates Englishness in all his designs.”

Grantham Running Club dominated the podium at the 30th annual Notfast Open 10k road race on Sunday, with Holly Durham, Catherine Payne and Penny Hodges taking the first, second and third ladies’ prizes respectively.

The club was well represented, with 16 members tackling uncomfortably warm conditions to complete the popular road race hosted by Newark’s Notfast Running Club.

Starting at Newark Rugby Club, the course took runners through Kelham and South Muskham before circling back towards Kelham on to the home straight along the A617 and the finish line.

The conditions and steep climb at 6k were reflected in the times of participating athletes with none of the GRC runners achieving personal bests. Despite this, Gavin Meadows maintained his recent run of solid performances for GRC, securing 11th place overall with a creditable time of 40:42. After a difficult race, Richard Payne was second GRC male home in a time of 44:08, citing his performance as one he’d rather forget. In his first outing in GRC colours, newcomer Stefan Latter posted a sound performance, finishing in a time of 47:03.

Following on from recent success at the Summer Solstice 10k, Holly Durham put in a credible performance and claimed her second prize in as many weeks by finishing runner-up female with a time of 42:52.

With on the day entrants ineligible for prizes, Holly took the prize for first female, with team-mates Catherine Payne and Penny Hodges moving up the rankings to secure second and third female.

After a convincing performance, Suzanne Britz claimed her first running accolade, securing the prize for second in her age group. Suzanne commented. “I can’t believe it! I’ve never won a prize before for running.”

GRC results: Gav Meadows 40:42, Holly Durham 42:52, Richard Payne 44:08, Catherine Payne 44:46, Penny Hodges 45:00, Stefan Latter 47:03, Robert McArdle 48:13, Kevin Kettle 48:38, Stuart Baty 50:23, Paul Durham 51:55, Suzanne Britz 52:10, Nicola Cottam 52:43, Caroline Davis 54:37, Gavin Skinner 55:43, Jacqueline Jacobs 59:20, Nicola Fahy 1:00:04.

Grantham’s Wado-Ryu Karate Club held its first celebration course at The Meres leisure centre last Sunday, which was a great success, bringing in people as far away as Holland and Ireland.

The course was taught by world master Kuniaki Sakagami 8th dan, Keith Walker 5th dan and Lee Minion 5th dan. It was enjoyed by all and covered many aspects of wado-ryu karate

Club instructor Angie Emms 5th dan said: “We covered body evasion, counter and attack, tanto dori and many other technical applications.

“The feedback from what is now going to be an annual event has been excellent. It was also good for local buisness, with students staying over.”

Also on the day, a few local Grantham Aiwakai students took exams, with a great pass rate. Students who passed were Abigail Russell 9th kyu, Charlie Cunnington 9th kyu, both first class pass, Alfie Haigh 8th kyu 2nd class pass, Rhys Howe 7th kyu 1st class pass, and Jude Wright, Issabelle Linslay, Sitara Patel, all passed 2nd class for their 2nd kyu brown belt.

The club is looking forward to hosting this event next year around the beginning of June.

Training takes place in the leisure centre main hall on Wednesdays at 6.45pm.

Angie said: “Anyone wishing to join the club and train in the wonderful art of wado-ryu karate can contact myself at emzfit@yahoo.co.uk, or ring 07793 611417 or 07906 936643.

A new look Harrowby United began their pre-season fixtures when they entertained Dunkirk FC on a warm afternoon at Dickens Road.

The visitors ran out 3-1 winners in a useful workout for both sides.

Stefan Bilyk netted for the Arrows whose squad of 17 players included four from the Grantham College and Harrowby United School of Excellence.

And so there were good early signs for the Arrows who still have new faces to look at, as well as players to return from holiday.

Harrowby United get their season under way on August 5 with a home FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie with Grimsby Borough who will be making their first appearance in the competition.

In the FA Vase, the Arrows have been drawn away at Nottingham side Clifton All Whites on September 23.

Harrowby’s remaining pre-season games are as follows: Saturday, July 15 – Harrowby United v Ruston Sports KO 3pm, Saturday, July 22 – Harrowby United v Kettering Town U21 KO 3pm, Wednesday, Julyy 26 – Harrowby United v Newark Town KO 7.45pm, Tuesday, August 1 – Holwell Sports v Harrowby United KO 7:45pm.

A falling 30ft willow tree gave neighbours in a quiet Grantham street quite a shock.

The mature tree demolished a greenhouse and fence, but fortunately no one was injured nor buildings damaged.

The tree belongs to David Feld, who was working in the study of his Third Avenue home when the tree went down – “just like the sound a tree makes in the movies!”.

He told the Journal: “The larger part fell over my back garden, demolishing my greenhouse completely – there was glass everywhere – and also across next-door’s fence, demolishing a panel or two of that, too, and into their garden.

“A smaller part fell outside of my back wall and into the garage apron. Someone called the police, who came and cordoned that area off.”

It is believed the damage to the tree was caused by a dry spell, followed by heavy rain which caused waterlogging and one of the two main trunks to split.

David added: “I’m told that the pollarded parts will grow back very quickly, so it will look more like a willow again before the end of the year.”

One of Grantham’s leading recruitment directors is celebrating after winning the title ‘East Midlands SME Director of 2017’ at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Reflect Recruitment director Cameron Ford beat 12 other candidates at the annual Institute of Directors (IoD) East Midlands Director of the Year awards in Nottingham last month. Open to all UK-based individuals, businesses and organisations, the awards celebrate the achievements of the region’s most hard-working and innovative business leaders and are open to both IoD members and non-members of director level or equivalent status.

As well as SME Director of the Year, nominees are also judged in categories including Mid-market Director of the Year, Young Director of the Year and Family Business Director of the Year.

Cameron only found out that he had won during the presentation lunch at Nottingham Conference Centre, at Nottingham Trent University, after being nominated by his colleagues based in Lincoln. He said: “I didn’t realise I’d been nominated to start off with. I filled out some documents and I was then interviewed by a panel of eight senior directors.”

Since opening the office in Grantham 12 years ago, Reflect Recruitment, located in the Market Place, has continued to strive despite operating through some tough economic times. The award was given to recognise their survival in a difficult market.

Cameron added: “Local jobs for local people are always at the forefront of our plans but its been difficult at times, especially during the recession.”

Judges at the awards commented: “Cameron and his team operate a successful business in a very challenging recruitment sector, with very strong emphasis on an ethical approach to helping employers and those looking for work.”

Winners in the East Midlands Director of the Year awards will now be entered into the national awards which take place in London inthe autumn.

More than 152,000 cigarettes and tonnes of illegal alcohol seized during raids in Lincolnshire will today be turned into electricity.

A total of 152,360 counterfeit cigarettes, 25kg of hand rolling tobacco and tonnes of illegal alcohol were seized over the last 12 months during raids by Lincolnshire Trading Standards and Lincolnshire Police.

Taken to a specialist recycling centre, the cigarettes will be broken down and made into electricity which is then fed into the National Grid.

The counterfeit liquid is mixed with food stuffs and enzymes to create gas. This gas is then burned to produce electricity, which is then also fed into the National Grid

Emma Milligan, principal trading standards officer at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We see tackling the sale of counterfeit and illegal cigarettes and alcohol as a priority. The cigarettes often contain things real cigarette manufacturers wouldn’t normally use, meaning that a carton of cheap cigarettes isn’t a good deal at all, but can actually pose a serious health risk.

“Some cigarettes do not self-extinguish and are therefore extremely dangerous. Illegal brands, such as Pect, Black Mount and Jin Lings, don’t comply with the UK safety standard of RIP (Reduced Ignition Propensity), meaning they don’t go out when not actively being smoked.

“Many bottles of alcohol including red and white wine and bottles of beer, were seized for non-payment of duty, while others were seized as they were counterfeit or fake and potentially very dangerous, containing industrial alcohol which is unfit for human consumption,

“It’s vital that these products can no longer be sold to unsuspecting members of the public, and through taking them to be recycled at least there is a positive outcome.

“If you do suspect anyone of selling cheap, illegal cigarettes or alcohol, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 to avoid tragic cases in the future.”

To find out more about the work of Lincolnshire Trading Standards, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk or follow us on @lincsts on Twitter

A large-scale, hand-knitted version of St Wulfram’s Church went on display on Friday after three years in the making.

The hand-crafted St Wulfram’s, which is part of artsNK’s county-wide Woolly Spires project, takes its inspiration from the fact that many of Lincolnshire’s churches were funded by wealthy landowners who made their fortune on the backs of the county’s iconic breed of sheep, the Lincoln Long Wool.

artsNK has worked with local community and knitting groups across Lincolnshire to create detailed woolly versions of their churches, which are knitted over a scaled down model.

Local knitting group, ‘In the Loop,’ which is based at Westgate Crafts in Castlegate, was one of the first groups to be approached by artsNK visual arts development co-ordinator Marion Sander.

Leader Delia Bowerbank said: “We were intrigued with the design challenge of the project. It took us three years to complete, working with different groups at different times. We have shared our skills and used our talents as best we could, using our ingenuity and creativity to interpret stone in knitting. We’d like to give a special mention to Pat and Jill whose hard work and enthusiasm kept us all going.”

Marion was joined by Father James for the unveiling at St Wulfram’s on Friday. She said: “The knitters have done a fantastic job and this exhibition provides a great opportunity to see their woolly model of St Wulfram’s in situ, admire the amount of detail the knitters have managed to capture and celebrate their commitment to the project.”

The woolly St Wulfram’s, together with the five other Woolly Spires, will go on show at an exhibition in Lincoln Cathedral throughout August.

Information: www.artsnk.org or www.facebook.com/woollyspires

Lincolnshire enjoyed onen of their most successful English Schools Athletics Championships for a number of years at the weekend.

Four Lincs athletes were selected to compete for England at the Schools International in Dublin this weekend, where they will be up against teams from Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Only four other counties have more international athletes than Group C Lincs.

The English Schools event in the fourth largest athletics meeting in the world, with 110 events and seven hours of non-stop competition each day, and athletes from 44 counties taking part.

Under-17 Amy Hunt (KGGS) added another English Schools gold to the two she achieved at under-15 in the 100m, to qualify for an England place (see back page of this week’s Grantham Journal).

Leading up to the championships, Tom Evans (King’s) and Lewis Davey (Priory Ruskin) were ranked first and second in the UK in the under-17 400m, with Ethan Brown of Kent ranked third. They all won their heats in 48.87s, 49.31s and 49.43s respectively to qualify for the final.

Going into the home straight in the final, Tom was in the lead with Ethan second. Ethan made a surge in the final few metres to win in 48.22, with Lewis (48.52s) nabbing second place and an England berth by one one-hundredth of a second from a disappointed Tom.

Priory Ruskin student Praise Olalere ran well in the under-17 200m, placing second in his heat with 22.42s for a spot in the semi-finals. His semi saw him finish fifth in 22.43, missing out on a place in the final by two one-hundredths of a second.

Tom, Lewis and Praise all ran in the 4x100m relay and did well to qualify for the final in which they finished seventh, up against teams in the Group A counties.

Katie Mackintosh (Walton Girls) competed in the 300m hurdles in which she finished sixth in her heat with a personal best 45.87s.

Under-15 Gareth Lee (King’s) was on the reserve list and gained selection when an athlete was forced to with draw. In his first year competing in the 800m, he justified his place by running a gutsy race for sixth place in his heat in a personal best 2m 6.37s.

He so impressed the team managers that he was chosen to lead Lincs in the parade of teams on Saturday afternoon.

Grantham Town announced manager Adam Stevens’ latest signings this week, ahead of the Gingerbreads opening pre-season game at The Meres on Friday (July 14) night.

Left-winger Reece Morris has joined from Gresley FC where last season he won numerous awards, including joint top scorer.

Andy Wright has returned to the Gingerbreads after he was released by Lincoln City.

Also joining from the Imps is left-back Ryley Thompson.

Finally, Jack McMillan has come to Town following his release from Notts County.

The Gingerbreads’ first pre-season game should have been on Tuesday night at Dunkirk FC, but the match was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Town take on Spalding United in the Lincs County Shield on Friday, kick-off 7.45pm.

See this week’s Grantham Journal for Grantham Town’s NPL Premier Division fixtures for 2017-18.

A businessman based near Grantham believes he is close to launching two technologies which will change the face of transport forever.

Jonathan Gilbert, managing director of Neo Tech-D Ltd, says one of those technologies will take away all the harmful emissions from diesel engines. And, not only that, it will triple the miles per gallon of diesel vehicles ‘at a minimum’.

The technology uses two processes. The first changes the fuel mixture with additives derived from the air so the engine burns fuel at such a rate that emissions are reduced by 90 per cent and the mpg is ramped up. A second system then eliminates anything left in the exhaust. This means that there is no need for any external additives. They are all created in the vehicle.

As for the second technology, Mr Gilbert explains: “It is based on a new space rocket engine being developed, re-writes the rules and has only been understood and accepted by some of the brightest minds. It is a way to make hydrogen using less power than that hydrogen can return through a hydrogen fuel cell.”

This system can be fitted to an electric car and it will never need fuel, water or charging and will self-power. The only emission from this power system is water vapour.

Mr Gilbert said: “ We are currently raising £795k funding to build the first prototypes, but have been offered a train and a bus by two very large transport companies to set up the systems on. We thought however, as it is a local enterprise we’d keep the local people appraised of our progress as this develops. Our future plans are to offer the hydrogen power plants for homes, to take them off-grid, and then to scale the technology up and replace all electricity sub-stations with these 100 per cent zero carbon systems.

“Plus all the vehicles that are producing power from air, could plug into their places of work, shopping centres etc and via an app, sell this power to whomever they chose, or alternatively, gift it to local schools and hospitals.”

Mr Gilbert said the fund-raising process was looking very bright. With the help of contacts at South Kesteven District Council, Innovate UK and Lincoln University, the process of fund-raising looks promising.

GDBA

Fellowship of Freedom and Reform

Great Gonerby 80

Long Bennington 66

D. Holton, J. White and P. Edwards beat R. Miller, C. Miller and R. Coy 30-20; L. Blankley, B. Papworth and M. Massingham lost to P. Fordham, J. Trunkfield and M. Trunkfield 22-30; M. Halls, L. Lord and I. Lord beat D. McCarroll, J. Morris and T. Braithwaite 28-16.

Grantham League

Three wood

Corby Glen 53

Great Gonerby A 46

M. Dawson, N. Lomas and M. Beaton beat J. Saxby, T. Smith and D. Holton 15-13; T. Dawson, J. Boother and B. Powles beat L. Lord, J. White and I. Lord 21-19; P. Cahill, L. Roberts and J. Simpson beat G. Hutton, D. Graham and M. Massingham 17-14.

Belvoir League

Grantham 71

Balderton 68

J Asher R Smith T Asher beat B Bunnle B Hall M Maidlow 22-16, C Dexter P Newton W Johnson beat D Morrison K Maltby C Brooks 20-17, T Sumner B Patten J Lewis beat D Main B Morrison A Bunkle 19-12, I Ludwig A Gostick A Ludwig lost to P Harris L Wild D Ellis 10-23.

Lincolnshire EBA League

Grantham 65

Washingborough 39

J Asher T Asher M Holby Joe Lewis beat D Kewith G Todd A Hanson M Maitland 22-17, B Smith M Bailey Jay Lewis A Berridge beat M Courtney P Suckling D Roome N Parker 18-11, T Sumner N Smith C Dexter B Veasey beat M Peate A Smithsdon S Martin N Martin 25-11.

Grantham and District North Road Club race from Thurso was won by Mr and Mrs Dixon of Wilsford.

Race sponsor was Tara Ballaam of Nottingham.

Results: 1 Mr and Mrs D. Dixon 1196.9, 2 Mr and Mrs D. Dixon 1189.6, 3 J. Norris 1184.8, 4 J. Norris 1181.4, 5 J. Norris 1172.9, 6 J. Norris 1148.6, 7 M. Tudor 1125.2, 8 Mr and Mrs D. Dixon 920.1, 9 J. Norris 863.4, 10 A. Tudor 625.6.

Families joined their children from Little Gonerby Infant School for the opening of their exhibition at Belton House on Saturday.

Reception children from the Diamond class and Sapphire class have spent the past two terms studying the life cycles of butterflies and used draft and critique to create observational drawings of some of the different types of flowers and butterflies that they have found.

Belton House staff showed off their work on display boards in the discovery centre with a selection of leaflets and created a gallery of art work in the courtyard. Reception class teachers and headteacher Helen Hilton were on hand to chat to parents and visitors throughout the launch.

Diamond class teacher Helen Jones said: “The launch was fabulous. Over two thirds of our reception families attended and many stayed to enjoy some time at Belton.

“A lot of the visitors couldn’t believe that the work was done by four- and five-year-olds. We even had a visitor from Japan who chose one of our activities for their visit, which the children thought was very exciting.”

It was the first time that many of the families had the opportunity to see their children’s work on display.

Mrs Jones added: “The families enjoyed coming together and were excited to be able to see their child’s work shared with such an audience, and to be able to use their activity leaflets.

“It was lovely to see very proud parents, grandparents and siblings, and some very happy children who were bursting with pride to see their work on display and to share it with their families.”

Since they started working together in May, it has been a team effort between the school and Belton.

Mrs Jones added: “We would like to thank Melissa and her team at Belton for their support and enthusiasm, and for all their help in enabling the children to share their work.”