Police are hunting burglars who got into a home in Deeping St James on Wednesday.
It happened some time between 12.30pm and 5.20pm at a house on Church Street but there is no information on whether any items were taken.
Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 365 of July 31.
A plea for volunteers to help feed patients in hospital has received a mixed reaction across South Holland.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) is launching a new project this autumn to provide help to patients during mealtimes.
The Dining Companion Project at Pilgrim Hospital in Boston will support patients to eat and drink and will help to aid recovery and enhance the patient experience.
Some Spalding Guardian readers asked if they would help said it was “another money saving” exercise. They asked why staff were not doing it and were concerned about who would be feeding patients and whether or not they would be CRB checked.
Others said they had been happy feed relatives in hospital and wanted to get involved because “it would look good on their CV.” Under the plans, Dining Companions will go on to wards at mealtimes to help staff support older patients who require assistance or who have difficulty feeding themselves.
The project supports a national campaign by Age UK which encourages staff to implement seven simple steps to prevent malnutrition in hospitals, including the introduction of protected mealtimes and assessing patients for signs of malnourishment.
Cheryl St Hilaire, voluntary services manager at ULHT, said: “We are very excited about this new project, which will support both patients and staff and offers a new type of volunteering experience.
“All Dining Companions will be given specific training before starting in their roles and will be subject to all the necessary checks due to having direct patient contact.”
Katy McMillan, Specialist Dietitian for United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Supporting our patients to receive good nutrition and hydration is one of the most important aspects of our care. The new dining companion project is a further example of this.”
ULHT is currently recruiting volunteers for this new and worthwhile project. If you are interested in offering a couple of hours a week to support the Dining Companion Project, then contact the Voluntary Services Department on 01522 597838 (Ext 7838) or email voluntaryservices@ulh.nhs.uk
Three times world darts champion Martin “Wolfie” Adams added an extra point to this year’s Deepings Beer Festival at the weekend.
The event run by Deepings Rugby Club at its home in Deeping St James was held in support of Rugby for Heroes, a charity helping servicemen and women adjust to civilian life and overcome traumatic experiences during their careers in the armed forces.
A Challenge Wolfie event in the main beer tent opened the weekend and there was also a host of live music provided from bands based in the area, as well as a raffle.
Mark Owen, rugby club chairman, said: “This event is key for us each year and we were delighted that with the kind support of Martin, many club volunteers and the visiting public, we raised over £1,000 through the weekend raffle and Challenge Wolfie.
“Beerfest isn’t possible each year without the hours and hours of support from volunteers and supporters of the club and we would like to thank everyone who have enabled the event to run with the success that it has and to keep it as a free festival for the Deeping St James community.”
Pictured are Kate Smith, sons Daniel and Oliver and their grandad Keith Mitchell. Photo: SG270713-153TW.
A new government strategy that will show agriculture as innovative, rewarding and business-focused will help sell it to the next generation of growers.
That’s the response of NFU president Peter Kendall to the new Agri-Tech Strategy aimed at bringing science and agriculture closer together.
About £160 million will be invested establishing Centres for Agricultural Innovation and an Agri-Tech Catalyst fund will improve the translation of research into practice.
Mr Kendall said: “Showing agriculture as an innovative, rewarding and business-focused sector will make it a career of choice for the next generation of farmers.”
The NFU is asking farmers to pledge beet tonnage in support of its 2014/15 price negotiations.
To date it has received over 5,668,908 tonnes of contract pledges.
The NFUhas held meetings where growers could ask questions about the progress of discussions with British Sugar to achieve a fairer price for UK beet growers.
The NFU is confident a resolution can be reached with British Sugar.
Pupils at a Holbeach primary school raised the roof with their end of term production.
Years Five and Six at the William Stukeley Primary School took part in a summer production of Gel – based on Grease the movie. It featured a boy gang who damaged a Holbeach youth theatre group’s property – and a pink ladies’ group. But they were all friends in the end and sang ‘Something Good will Come of This’.
Youngsters started their NCS period with a week in Cheshire on an expedition where they had to cope without using mobile phones and learn rock climbing, canoeing, raft building and archery.
Natalie Arnold (16) of Whaplode Drove, one of the Tulip Radio group, said: “We all faced our fears at one point, including deep water, lightning and heights.”
They then moved on to Boston College for a week of lectures and to sample life as a student at university.
Mary Miniguano (16) said: “We got to experience what it would be like to stay in a dormitory and it gave me the confidence to study medicine at university.”
The Umbrella in Spalding hosted week three where the youngsters learnt about the community project they were working on before a charity bag pack in fancy dress at Morrison’s, Pinchbeck, that raised almost £300 for homeless and vulnerable persons’ charity Framework.
Sarah Holmes (28), NCS team leader, said: “Our aim is to get the youngsters to understand that NCS is an opportunity to get involved in their communities.”
Help the NFU gain a better understanding of the industry’s employment shortages by taking part in its online survey at www.nfuonline.com/websurveys/emp0613v2
The survey will help to ensure the industry is attracting the right number and calibre of recruits.
In general terms, the law states that everyone is free to leave their estate to whomsoever they please, so long as they have mental capacity to make a will and are free from undue influence at the time of signing it.
However, there are exceptions to this principle, and there are also many occasions where claims are made on estates by those who are not happy with the content of the will.
Claims of this type have increased massively over recent years; ‘The Independent’ recently reported the number of cases in the High Court has increased by 700 per cent since 2008.
The total number of disputes across England and Wales is likely to have increased even more than this, as many are settled prior to reaching court.
Claims can arise for different reasons but generally fall under one or more of the following headings:
• Lack of testamentary capacity.
• Lack of knowledge and approval.
• Undue influence.
• Estoppel.
• Mutual wills.
• Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
Whilst it is impossible to prevent a claim being made against an estate, appropriate action and a carefully drafted will can help avoid such claims being successful, especially if the person drafting the will is expert in assessing mental capacity.
All work and no play makes for a dull boy – or girl – as the saying almost goes.
The Sir John Gleed School, Spalding, understands that and so makes sure to mix serious study with opportunities for fun and rewards.
Picture 1: A total of 39 Year 10 students, alongside their BTEC Sport Level 2 qualification, completed the Sports Leaders UK Level 1 course.
They had to plan and run the South Lincolnshire Primary Football Festival, plan and lead a one-hour coaching session and look into fair play in sport, the role of officials and progression options open to them.
A certificate for Callum Pite, who died at the start of the year, but who had completed the criteria for the Sports Leaders Level 1 Qualification, was accepted by his mother.
Picture 2: Continued hard work by 68 Year 9 students was rewarded with a trip to Alley-Catz Bowling in Spalding. Pictured are: front (from left) – Ivan Freitas, Tayla-Mai Tomlinson, Martyna Ronduda; back – Adam Morton, Hannah Louise Barrett, Ian Billinghurst, Ed Figg, Mary Pitcher, Jonathan Lockie and Chloe Lee.
Picture 3: Students who successfully undertook the Accelerated Reader programme or who took part in the UK Maths Challenge and UK Intermediate Maths Challenge received certificates.
PCSO Natalie Hines has just completed her second week on patrol in Spalding town centre.
Here is her update on what has been happening - and an invitation to visit the recruitment roadshow and maybe even join here one day.
Have you heard of the Great Fire of... Spalding or the river Westlode in town?
No, it’s more than likely that you haven’t, unless you have done a lot of research into local history.
Now, with the publication of a new booklet, it’s possible to take in the town’s history and its historic landmarks during a series of three short walks.
Produced by The Friends of Chain Bridge Forge, Historic Walks is a guide to three walks: Spalding Town and Markets, the port of Spalding and its merchants, and Ayscoughfee Hall, the parish church and river Welland.
Geoff Taylor, chairman of The Friends of Chain Bridge Forge, said: “Spalding has a rich history which is often forgotten and the forge thought by creating this booklet we could get visitors and the community to explore it and appreciate its treasures.”
Each walk is described in detail and illustrated by a simple map.
As people follow the walk, the guide offers historical information, such as details of the 1715 fire, started in a blacksmith’s shop in Abbey Yard.
Sparks were blown by high winds on to surrounding thatched roofs and, in the space of four hours, 84 houses and buildings around the market place were destroyed. That included the town hall with its cupola, where the town bell once hung.
The guide tells us: “Ultimately the fire was contained by a naval engineer who used gun powder to blow up a property opposite the White Hart to create a fire break. Sadly, he lost his life in the explosion, the only casualty of the fire.”
The booklet is full of fascinating facts: who knew, for instance, that the carillon bells in South Holland Centre are from the original Corn Exchange that once stood on the same site, or that each bell bears the name of a serviceman lost on active service during the First World War?
It’s information about this kind of historic artefact, usually invisible to the general public in the street, that is particularly interesting to newcomers as well as people who have lived in the town for some time.
Many of us know that Spalding once had a priory, and the booklet tells us it held an important place in the town for nearly 500 years.
However, there is very little evidence that it ever existed – other than the Abbey Buildings, constructed from its materials – and so it is interesting to learn more about it.
According to the booklet, the priory was founded in Spalding around AD1052 by six Benedictine monks from Crowland Abbey, which had outgrown its available space.
The booklet tells us: “The priory was demolished in 1539 after The Dissolution. However, the materials were used in many buildings across the town.”
The Prior’s Oven on the corner of Hall Place and the Sheep Market is said to be the last remaining building of the town’s ancient priory, once forming a corner of the enclosed priory wall. Its vaulted ground floor room was built in around 1230 as the monastery prison.
We read: “Originally, this incorporated a second storey containing a bell, which tolled on the event of a public execution.”
As shoppers dart down the Hole in the Wall Passage between the market place and The Crescent – built in 1842 – they are walking in the footsteps of the monks as the passage is thought to be one of the entrances to the priory. In fact, the booklet says some of the old stones can be seen on the left of the passage as you join it from the market place.
The point where The Crescent narrows outside the offices of these newspapers is believed to be the point where the main priory entrance once stood.
Near this point is the Sessions House and the old police station, built in 1857.
We learn that the Spalding area was one of the last in the country to have a police force once it was made compulsory in 1856.
The booklet reads: “An earlier force was formed in 1830 which was disbanded after a couple of months because of the drunkenness among its members.”
Interestingly, to the right of the Sessions House was something called a House of Correction from 1826 to 1884.
Finally, to the river that ran along New Road, once called the Beast Market because cattle were sold in this part of town. The open river was called the Westlode and ran along the street’s centre to join the Welland.
The Historic Walks booklet has been produced in association with South Holland Life.
South Holland Life – www.southhollandlife.com – is a digital archive created by Chain Bridge Forge in conjunction with the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The website is designed to celebrate the history and culture of South Holland, and offers access to a huge archive of oral history, transcripts, documents and photographs.
The website is interactive, with the option to add comments and share memories on existing subjects or to submit old photographs on new topics for the archive.
The website has archive material on subjects ranging from people’s memories of the forge to the story of Spalding Flower Parade.
It also has links to the history of towns and villages in the area as well as local attractions.
Historic Walks is available for £1.50 from Chain Bridge Forge, Ayscoughfee Hall Museum, South Holland Centre and the Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian reception offices in The Crescent.
The Friends of Chain Bridge Forge are also making a video of the walks, with photographs from the past running alongside the street scenes of today.
Lincolnshire ‘s chief constable is to be a keynote speaker at a conference looking at the first year of police and crime commissioners.
Chief Constable Neil Rhodes will be among a dozen speakers , including commissioners and representatives of police and crime panels and probation services, at a conference in October.
The National Police and Crime Commissioners Conference will look at the lessons learned in the first year and the key challenges in delivering police and crime plans.
A spokesman for event organisers Capita Conferences said: “With further responsibility for making grants for other organisations and ensuring police are accountable to the communities they serve, it is essential to hear best practice and ensure that police and crime commissioners are meeting the needs of their local area.
The event will cover topics such as funding and commissioning, the role of police and crime panels and working with victims and witnesses, giving delegates the opportunity to talk to colleagues about best practice.
There will also be discussion on the role of police and crime panels in scrutinising the work of Police and Crime Commissioners.
Police and Crime Commissioners were elected last November, but it has been a shaky start for the role in Lincolnshire.
Independent candidate Alan Hardwick, a former TV news presenter, won by 4,000 votes.
But just a few months later, in February, he was hitting the headlines when he took a decision to suspend Neil Rhodes.
Initially he refused to give an explanation for the suspension, but later revealed it was over an allegation at an employment tribunal.
In March, the suspension was overturned following a hearing in the High Court, where a judge labelled it “irrational and perverse”.
Mr Hardwick insisted he stood by his decision when he was quizzed by a committee of MPs, despite the £50,000 bill the High Court hearing landed him with.
Lincolnshire Police and Crime Panel chairman Coun Ray Wootten was also asked by MPs why it took 72 days to organise a crime panel meeting to look at Neil Rhodes’ suspension.
Mr Wootten later resigned as chairman and Norman Norris is acting as interim chairman until the group’s next meeting, which is due to be held in September.
True friendship and a word of thanks have proved profitable for a Deeping St James shopper after winning a new-look worth more than £350.
James Denniston has a new suit, shirt and tie in his wardrobe after praising staff from the T.M. Lewin menswear store at Springfields Outlet Shopping, Spalding, where he bought himself a suit and some shirts in June.
He was so impressed with the service given to him by sales associate Louise Fuller that he decided to recommend the store to a friend.
But James went one step further and contacted the store’s head office in London to tell them about his positive experience.
A Springfields spokeswoman said: “James stated that he had received excellent service, more than the usual retail shop, and that he was very pleased with his suit.”
When his friend also bought a suit from the store on James’s recommendation, he was randomly selected to receive the stylish prize.
Store manager Karen Fuller said: “I am very proud of the fantastic comments we received and it’s great to see someone local win this prize.”
Abuse towards “frontline” staff at South Holland District Council will not be tolerated.
Although incidents of verbal or physical abuse towards members of staff dealing with the public are “infrequent”, a zero-tolerance approach is in force to protect them.
In the past year, South Holland District Council has called the police three times after members of the public verbally abused staff, and once because a member of staff was physically assaulted.
Council leader Gary Porter said: “Incidents of abuse towards our staff and those of Compass Point Business Services, which provides the council’s customer services, are infrequent.
“We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse towards staff and will act robustly where it does occur.
“One incident is too many but, thankfully, cases are rare.”
Barry Bradley, the district council’s Street Scene Manager (Enforcement), is in charge of a team of three staff, whose role includes monitoring the district council’s pay and display car parks.
He said: “The lads might encounter a bit of verbal abuse now and again, but they are trained to deal with confrontation.
“Certainly it is not a big problem for us.”
Five men who fought a life and death battle to save a man from being burned to death in the blazing cab of a refuse truck are to receive top national bravery honours.
If they had not risked their lives to pull him from the blazing wreckage, recycling supervisor Ian Simmonds (42), of Ryhall, who had been a passenger in the truck, would have died an agonising death in the flames.
The horror crash happened on the A 15 at Baston on the afternoon of June 1 last year.
The driver of the car which crashed head-on into the truck was killed.
Mr Simmonds received a broken leg and arm and was badly burned but thanks to the rescuers who ignored the possibility that the blazing truck could explode killing or maiming them, he survived.
Now Carl Creasey (39), of Hubba Crescent, Swineshead, who led the rescue, is to receive a rarely awarded Royal Humane Society Bronze medal for his bravery.
The award has been personally approved by Princess Alexandra, the Society’s president.
And four other men who joined the rescue battle are to receive Royal Humane Society certificates of commendation.
In addition to the awards, they all also won the personal praise of Dick Wilkinson, Secretary of the Royal Humane Society.
Speaking at the Society’s headquarters in London, as he announced the awards Mr Wilkinson said: “They all richly deserve the awards they are to receive.
“Without doubt they put their own lives on the line to save Mr Simmonds who was trapped in the blazing cab of the refuse truck.
“But for their action Mr Simmonds was facing an agonizing death as the fire took hold of the vehicle.”
Describing what happened Mr Wilkinson said: “The car crossed the road into the path of the refuse truck that was travelling at 40-45mph.
“Following the head-on collision, the truck came to rest at the side of the road. It was quickly engulfed in flames.
“Mr Creasey was travelling in the same direction as the car and, when he saw the truck facing him, he stopped and rang 999.
“However, the truck driver shouted that his passenger was trapped in the cab.
“Carl then abandoned his call as he saw the front of the truck become engulfed in flames and smoke.
“The windscreen of the truck had come out in the collision and despite the flames he jumped on the bumper of the truck and hooked his arms under the armpits of the trapped man and tried to pull him out.
“At this stage he was unable to get him out but he called on the others who were now present, to help him. They formed a line behind him and, with the extra weight, he pulled the man free.
“He then administered first aid to the injured man who had a broken arm, a double open fracture to his lower left leg and 11 per cent burns to his left side.
“The fire was so bad that it put the truck ‘beyond meaningful examination’.”
The others involved in the rescue, who are to receive Royal Humane Society certificates of commendation, are Adam Lessiter, of Aveland Way, Boston, Damon Lloyd, of Falklands Drive, Wisbech, Sam Penhallow and Adam Poole, both of Harlow.
No date has yet been fixed for presentation of the awards.
Police have confirmed several reports of young people in the area claiming to be selling pictures to pay for their education.
The young people are telling residents that they are deaf and to buy the art to help them fund their schooling.
Anyone with information should call police on 101.
A man accused of carrying out two murders is to face trial later this year.
Mehmet Ali Ozen (41), of Red Lion Street, Boston, denied the murders of both Charlotte Piccaver (26) and Darren Harwood (26), on April 21 this year when he appeared before Lincoln Crown Court on Friday.
Ozen also pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Keyleigh Wright (24) on the same date.
Judge Michael Heath adjourned the hearing for a two week trial scheduled to begin on December 9.
There was no application for bail and Ozen was remanded in custody.
The charges follow an incident at a property in Red Lion Street, Boston, early on the morning of Sunday, April 21.
Ms Piccaver was pronounced dead at the scene and Mr Harwood died later in the Pilgrim Hospital, Boston. Both had suffered stab wounds.
Ms Wright was taken to the same hospital where she was treated for less serious injuries.
Rafters of all ages will be messing around on the water on Sunday thanks to the annual Deepings Raft Race.
The event kicks off at 11am with, racing starting from noon with the under 16s race.
Races continue throughout the afternoon with the trophy presentation scheduled to take place at about 4pm.
The theme for this year is Hawaiian beach party, so people are encouraged (but not forced!) to don their grass skirts and leis and join in the fun.
So far there are 26 teams registered and there’s still time to get involved with entries being taken up to and on the day.
The categories this year are under 16s race, main race, fun race, ladies race and pub race.
Eight of the raft teams are raising sponsorship either for the fund to continue the raft race or for their own chosen charity.
So far 16 rafts have entered the fun race and there will be seven in the main race.
More entries are urgently needed for the pub race, which has just two competitors so far and the ladies race, which just one entry.
Raft Race chairman Kevin Barber said: “We are also struggling for under 16s so if anyone can encourage some junior teams that would be great.
“So far 14 of the raft entries are new to the event and 12 are old hands, so it’s all lining up to be a great day.”
The Iron Horse Ranch House in Market Gate is hosting a raft race party weekend, kicking off at 7pm on Friday night.
The fun continues over the weekend between 2pm and 11pm on Saturday and noon and 9pm on Sunday.
There will be food and live music on offer and admission is free.
To find out more about the raft race or to download an entry form, a trade stand form or a sponsorship form, visit ww.deepingsraftrace.co.uk and click the links.
The race’s main sponsor this year is the Boundary Fish and Chip Shop and River Restaurant.