Almost half of farmers in the region are more optimistic about the coming year than they were 12 months ago.

That’s one of the highlights of a survey by chartered accountants Duncan & Toplis.

The survey showed that renewable energy is increasingly being seen as a viable investment opportunity – more than a quarter of farmers surveyed had invested in renewable energy schemes last year, and of those who had not, 46 per cent were considering doing so this year.

Only 39 per cent of those surveyed were looking to expand by buying more land, choosing instead to focus on existing assets and make them work harder, the firm said.

Rural driving tests and restricted licences for young drivers are among measures being suggested to reduce casualty figures on south Lincolnshire roads.

A new survey has revealed the county to be the third riskiest in Britain for young drivers aged 17 to 26 who are involved in an accident resulting in death or serious injury.

The survey by Road Safety Analysis (RSA) is in support of a new campaign by the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs and NFU Mutual called Drive It Home, supported by TV presenter Matt Baker and London 2012 gold medal showjumper Nick Skelton.

On average, almost 400 collisions a year take place on rural roads in Lincolnshire involving young drivers which is 34 per cent more than the national average.

One in 78 young drivers are involved in a collision on a rural road ending in an injury, with only north Lincolnshire and South Glamorgan having worse figures.

John Siddle of Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership said: “The RSA report is not new news but the problem is with all drivers, not just young drivers in Lincolnshire.

“We have one of the largest rural road networks in the country, most of it with a national speed limit, and most people in Lincolnshire use a vehicle to go out and travel.”

Holbeach Hurn fresh and prepared potato business QV Foods has done its bit to encourage youngsters to appreciate the humble spud.

The company took part in The Potato Council’s Grow Your Own Potatoes project that teaches primary age children about potatoes.

Over a million children signed up to learn where potatoes come from, how they grow and that they are a healthy food. It’s a hands on activity so perfect for youngsters.

Last Monday was harvesting day for the 76 pupils aged from nine to 11 from Long Sutton Primary School who took part in this year’s scheme.

After their hard work the youngsters enjoyed a snack of potato wedges with coleslaw prepared by QV Foods Limited staff.

The event was organised by Mariola Baszkiewicz with the support of other employees. Mariola said at the end of the event the school was presented with two gifts: a greenhouse and a compost bucket containing gardening equipment.

Long serving Poppy Appeal collectors will be honoured by Spalding Royal British Legion at a buffet dance open to the public.

Joyce Doades, from Weston Hills, has been a collector for 41 years and will receive a bar to add to her RBL medal.

Yvonne Edgoose, from Spalding, will be recognised for her 30 years’ service and Trevor Carr, also from Spalding, for his 15 years.

Spalding Poppy Appeal coordinator Peter Lyon said: “None of the three belongs to the Legion – they have decided over the years they want to support the Poppy Appeal.”

The buffet dance, with live music from the Hayley Brothers, starts at 6.30pm for 7pm on Friday, June 28 and will be held at Spalding Services and Social Club in High Street.

Doreen Hewitt, Spalding branch membership secretary, said the event is open to all and tickets cost just £7.

She said the Legion needs to raise £45million to continue its work with ex-service people and their families.

The Legion is holding a race night with a fish and chip supper at the same venue on August 1 and tickets are £5.

For tickets please contact Mrs Hewitt on 01775 766113 or visit the Services Club.

Chris and Gill Eley’s garden in Kellett Gate, Low Fulney, is open from 10am to 7pm on both next Saturday and Sunday, June 29 and 30.

There will be no shortage of seating – or reviving food and drinks – because Gill is planning teas, coffees and cakes, as well as sandwiches and quiches around lunch time, in the garden as well as in the marquee.

Visitors will be able to find a peaceful corner to sit and enjoy the refreshments as they take in the beauty of the garden as tables and chairs and benches are to be found everywhere. There is also a large seating area on the patio.

There will also be a cake stall – and one or two of Gill’s friends have said they will contribute a cake – as well as stalls selling plants and vegetables. The firm normally has a vegetable stall outside the premises anyway, but all the proceeds from that weeknd will go to Help for Heroes.

To find the garden, take the B1165 out of Spalding, turn left into Kellett Gate, pass Butters’ site, and it’s on the left-hand side.

Less than one in 100 people are farmers compared to almost a quarter of the workforce 170 years ago.

A report from the Office for National Statistics reveals far-reaching changes in the UK countryside.

Between 1841 and 2011 the proportion of workers employed in agriculture and fishing in England and Wales fell to 0.9 per cent – or 200,000 people in 2011.

Farming is now the smallest industry in England and Wales, compared to 1841 when over one in five workers were in those industries. In 2011, four out of five workers were in the service industry.

In 1900, an agricultural worker fed 25 people; by 2010, that figure was 200 people.

South Holland and The Deepings MP John Hayes claimed the Government’s u-turn on stopping child heart surgeries at Glenfields is proof that ministers are listening to public opinion.

Mr Hayes, who has a key policy-making role across all Government departments, also said his primary concern was protecting vital medical services for his constituents.

“I’m pleased that the Government has suspended the decision to close the child heart care unit at Glenfields because it’s the right decision, even though it’s not exactly on our doorstep,” he said.

“I’m very committed to the delivery of services to my constituents and I’ve been concerned about the impact on them of the review panel’s recommendations because there’s a bigger issue about the delivery of public services in rural areas.

“It’s important to frame policy around the opinions of people and this decision by the Government is indicative that we are listening to people and respnding accordingly.”

The spaldingtoday.co.uk website now has a new look for its great mix of local news, sport and information.

If you’re accessing the desktop version, you will notice a fresh new design. There is also a new navigation approach to help you find your way around the website. And there’s more - a new ‘What’s On’ section, a ‘Picks of The Day’ slot on every article as well as the homepage, and an improved player for all the latest videos.

In addition, tweets, offers and services are more prominently displayed, so too contact information if you want to get in touch with the team.

The changes have been made in response to customer feedback about the previous version of the website. If you’ve been one of the many people who have been involved in our research programme, thank you for sharing your views – it’s been a great help. Existing registered users should also still be able to use their current login for commenting on the site.

There will be further enhancements to the digital experience for users of spaldingtoday.co.uk - across web and mobile - in the coming months. But all your favourite content will still be available, and hopefully easier to access as a result of the changes we’ve made. Editor Jeremy Ransome said: “I’m delighted to be able to offer this significantly improved experience for our desktop website users.

“I really believe our new-look site will help our audience to find and enjoy our great online content and services.

“But to make sure we’re doing the best possible job we can, I’m keen for as much feedback as possible.

“So please do let me know what you think by commenting online or emailing {mailto:spaldingeditor@jpress.co.uk|spaldingeditor@jpress.co.uk|Email spaldingeditor@jpress.co.uk}.”

Potentially lethal medicines and almost 100,000 illegal cigarettes have been seized in a major swoop involving four Spalding shops.

In addition, 28kgs of hand-rolling tobacco was seized, with a total duty loss estimated at £30,000.

The operation on Thursday was part of a joint initiative between HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Lincolnshire Police to clamp down on the county’s illegal tobacco trade.

Officers visited four retail outlets in Spalding and four in Boston, seizing illicit goods at a number of premises.

Although the shops are not being named at this stage, witnesses saw HMRC officers enter Kubus in the Sheep Market and goods being taken from the premises in sealed bags.

Three search warrants were also executed at residential addresses in Boston and one arrest was made in relation to the evasion of excise duty.

As well as the excise goods, police licensing officers seized large quantities of foreign made non-UK market approved medicines, the sale of which is illegal in the UK.

Sgt Jon Mellor, of Lincolnshire Police Licensing Department, said: “The packaging of these materials is written entirely in the language of the country of origin, making it difficult for customers to ascertain what they are purchasing and the hazards that may be associated with it.

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“Additionally, such overseas medicines may not be subject to the rigorous testing and licensing regimes of their UK counterparts, designed to ensure product safety.”

The illegal tobacco goods seized from shops in Spalding were found within particularly complex concealments. These were located with the assistance of specially trained tobacco detector dogs.

HMRC spokeswoman, Clare Merrills, said: “Low-cost tobacco products can seem very attractive, with local people lured into purchasing them at what seem like bargain prices. The truth is these goods have been smuggled and these sales are unlicensed and unregulated. This illicit trade has a devastating impact on legitimate retailers and the local community, with those involved not concerned if they are selling to children and underage young people.

“I would urge local residents and businesses to help in the fight against crime by contacting the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000 with any information relating to illegally imported goods, tax evasion and fraud.”

Many of the cigarettes seized were common brands which would have been smuggled into the country. Some of the brands however, such as Viceroy and Minsk Slims, are not manufactured in this country and are not destined for the UK market. These cigarettes are often obtained in large quantities by organised crime gangs who smuggle them into the UK.

They are then sold illegally in residential areas, pubs and clubs and some small independent retail shops. It is believed that the hand-rolling tobacco seized is counterfeit.

Sgt Mellor said: “This is a clear example of partnership work at its very best. The result is a credit to the combined efforts of all agencies involved including South Holland District Council who understand the impact that such illegal activity can have on the local community.

“Lincolnshire Police Licensing Department together with HMRC and Trading Standards, take a very robust and proactive stance. This seizure sends a clear message that we will not tolerate the import or sale of counterfeit products in our county.”

A man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm following a neighbourly dispute in which ‘threats to kill’ were made.

The 62-year-old man was arrested after police were called to Willington Road, Kirton, at around midnight last night (Wednesday), in response to a dispute between neighbours.

A police spokesman said that due to the circumstances of the report, armed police were sent to the incident.

The man was taken to Boston Police Station and is being interviewed this morning.

Forecasts of rain have not dissuaded thousands of people to take to the Lincolnshire Showground for day two of the 129th Lincolnshire Show today (Thursday).

Already the morning has seen a flypast from the Red Arrows and the Countess of Wessex has been spotted taking in the atmosphere.

Former England rugby union star Mike Catt is the sporting guest of the day and will be fielding questions in a Q&A debate later this morning.

Watch the video to see some of what happened on the morning of day two.

Thursday: A man accused of causing the death of Tim Osbourn by dangerous driving in Bourne Road, Spalding, was this morning sent for trial at Lincoln Crown Court.

Paul Walken (42), of Chapel Lane, Folkingham, is also accused of two other offences following the road traffic incident on September 14 last year – failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident.

Spalding magistrates sent Walken to the crown court on unconditional bail for a preliminary hearing on July 4.

No pleas have been entered.

Thursday: A Donington man charged with causing death by dangerous driving was today sent to Lincoln Crown Court.

Mark Spindler (40), of Quadring Road, is accused of causing the death of Keith Tyler on the A16 at Crowland on November 20.

Spalding magistrates extended his unconditional bail to the crown court hearing on July 4.

No plea has been entered.

Libraries in Holbeach, Crowland and Donington face the axe in county council spending cuts unless volunteers or companies step forward to run them.

Lincolnshire County Council is slashing libraries under its control from 47 to 15 in a bid to save £2million.

Spalding Library is one of ten “Tier 1” libraries that will be kept by the council and open up to 50 hours a week.

Libraries in Crowland and Long Sutton are safe too in “Tier 2”, but it’s not clear what their opening hours will be.

The cutbacks will involve job losses but Coun Nick Worth, executive councillor with responsibility for libraries, says the number of jobs going will depend on the types of organisations taking over the libraries.

He said 70 per cent of the library service budget is made up of staffing costs.

Coun Worth said: “We are not closing any of them. We will be inviting communities to run them and providing comprehensive support if they want to do it.”

Sutton Bridge has a successful volunteer library and there are similar libraries running in Waddington and Saxilby near Lincoln.

Coun Worth says there are also some libraries in the county run by the Co-op.

He’s had a couple of people phone him who are interested in running Holbeach Library, but says it’s too early so say what will happen there.

Holbeach Parish Council chairman Terry Harrington said yesterday he was surprised and disappointed by the plan.

“I think it’s a retrograde step,” he said. “I know that people have been very happy with the library – it has been very well patronised.”

A 90 day consultation on the proposals is expected to start on July 3.

Groups running libraries would be offered £5,167 a year towards costs, up to 4,000 books and a one-off payment of £15,000 for building works or equipment. Mobile libraries will visit once a fortnight if groups don’t come forward to run the services.

The Countess of Wessex was the Royal visitor at the second day of the 129th Lincolnshire Show today (Thursday).

The Countess arrived earlier in the day but her movements were kept secret until she appeared before the media shortly after 3pm.

She went on to watch some of the action in the main ring as the afternoon wore on.

Thankfully the rain stayed away for much of the day with visitors enjoying warm sunshine despite drizzly forecasts.

Watch the video to see some more of the afternoon’s action including the Countess’ visit.

Keeeeeep dancing... and your marriage could survive as long as 50 or 60 years.

At least that’s the experience of some members of Spalding Sequence Dance Club.

Just ten of the couples who attend the club have clocked up a massive 565 years of marital bliss between them – and a staggering 1,570 years of life.

And there’s evidently plenty of life in all of them as they demonstrate as they serenely make their way round the dance floor at St Norbert’s Church hall on a Monday evening.

Leaders Dennis and Jean Pates (married 58 years) teach the class something like 40 new dances a year, so that is clearly going to keep minds and bodies agile.

However, it also requires couples to co-operate and work together, so perhaps the dancing really is responsible for the long marriages.

Not according to Ray Gostlow, who has been married to Jo for 54 years (and still rides a VFR 800 Honda motorbike).

“We have seen people stamp their feet and walk off the floor, but not here,” Ray hastens to add.

Ray and Jo, of Kirton, have danced for between 50 and 60 years, in Spalding for the past five, and say the dancing does make a difference. Ray has had a heart attack, a stroke and a quadruple bypass about seven years ago, but is dancing every week. Jo points out it also improves people’s social lives, and adds: “Sometimes it helps the marriage, sometimes not if you start arguing about it, but we don’t get to blows.”

Other dancing duos that have passed their golden anniversary are Brian and Dorothy Woods, of Frampton; Cyril and Sheila Shillaker, of Spalding – who believe it is the era they were born in that has laid the foundations for their 59 year-long marriage; and Paul and Margaret Walls, of Spalding, who elaborate on that theme by saying: “They haven’t gone through the war and the hardships that brought when you just had to make do.”

Other golden oldies are Pete and Doreen Taylor, of Spalding and Alan and Sheila Abbott, of West Pinchbeck.

Two of the couples celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary this year – Des and Rene Curtis, of Gosberton Risegate, and club treasurer and secretary Bert Williams and his wife Charlotte, who live in Spalding. Pete and Pam Collins, of Wigtoft, have been married 62 years.

Des says: “There’s only one reason for coming here – we love dancing.”

Bert and Charlotte add: “We find it the most sociable thing you can do. We have done modern when we were very young, but this is much more enjoyable and more friendly. We are all in couples and a lot of us have been married a lot of years. There must be something in it.”

Spalding Sequence Dance Club has done rather well itself in terms of longevity.

It is 61 years old and leaders Dennis and Jean Pates say they have been involved from the beginning, and as leaders since the late 1970s.

There are about 38 members of the club and, not surprisingly, some have lost husbands or wives.

However, that is not a problem as people simply join up with another singleton to form a dance couple.

In fact Sheila Shillaker (she and Cyril are looking forward to their diamond wedding anniversary next year) says this occasionally works so well that these couples might go on holiday together too.

Sheila Abbott says Alan, her husband of 56 years, had a stroke, so can only do certain dances.

She adds: “He can’t do the fast dances but if there is anybody to spare they will come and ask me to dance.”

However, there’s a benefit to long-term partners dancing together: 50 years married Margaret Walls says: “You know each other so well you can pick up what the other is going to do... or not going to do.”

A homeless man, who lives in a friend’s shed, caused a disturbance outside a town supermarket after he had been pestering customers for cigarettes.

Police were called to Spalding branch of Lidl at 2pm on May 30 and spoke to Mark Jackson.

Rebecca Ritson, prosecuting, said Jackson was shouting and swearing while officers attempted to obtain his details.

He told police he hadn’t done anything wrong.

Police asked him to keep his “language down”, but he replied with a single swear word.

Officers believed he was under the influence of drugs, because his behaviour was erratic, and he used obscenities with members of the public and children present.

Solicitor David Lee said there were no drugs involved and Jackson was “totally clean” after help from DART, but he had been drinking and is seeking help from his GP.

The solicitor said there were positive signs that Jackson, who lives in a friend’s shed, is sorting out his problems.

“He feels personally ashamed because there were children present,” Mr Lee said.

Jackson (32) admitted a public order offence and was given a two year conditional discharge.

Today is the Longest Day and the Spalding Guardian and Lincolnshire Free Press will be capturing every moment on video – but we need your help.

We’re looking for as many readers as possible to capture something, anything, that they see or do on the day.

It doesn’t matter what video you take.

It could be sunrise, sunset, the chaos of family breakfast, the working daily routine or summertime fun such as a barbecue, or just your favourite place.

It should provide a great look at how we live our lives.

So, get your cameras or phones out and help us paint a picture of the county at work, rest and play.

To take part, just email us your video. You can also tweet your video using the twitter hashtag #longestlocalday.

Please make the clips no longer than 10 to 15 seconds and then email them to us at spaldingeditor@jpress.co.uk

A resident followed and detained a drink-driver who crashed into his van, but released his grip and drove home after a second man holding a bottle threatened to assault him if he didn’t let go.

Alvydas Bertulis hit Thomas Smith’s parked van in the early hours of May 26 but then – after a verbal exchange with Mr Smith – drove round the corner and hit a lamppost, damaging that too.

Marie Stace, prosecuting, said Mr Smith had just gone to bed when he heard a loud crash, looked outside and saw a Vauxhall Astra had damaged his van’s rear quarter.

Mr Smith found Bertulis slumped forward in the driver’s seat and could smell alcohol.

A man and a woman standing close by suggested he went back in the house to get a pen and paper to exchange details, but Mr Smith phoned police.

Bertulis drove off but Mr Smith drove in the direction the couple had taken and found Bertulis, who looked as though he was going to run away.

Mr Smith grabbed Bertulis’s wrists, putting them behind his back.

The man and the woman walked over and told Mr Smith he couldn’t do that and he was just to exchange details.

Miss Stace said the male then made a threat of assault if Mr Smith didn’t let go.

The male had a bottle and Mr Smith was concerned about that, released his grip and stayed at a safe distance before getting back into his car and returning home.

Bertulis (26), of Pennygate, Spalding, admitted having 97 microgrammes of alcohol in breath, nearly three times the legal limit, in St Paul’s Road, Spalding, on May 26.

He was banned from driving for 24 months, fined £465 and ordered to pay £85 costs with a £46 victim surcharge.

He can cut six months off the ban if he completes a rehabilitation course.

Solicitor Mike Alexander, mitigating, said police had only charged Bertulis with drink-driving and the court should sentence him on that alone.

When police arrived, Bertulis was standing in the street with two of his friends.

Mr Alexander said he wasn’t attempting to get away.