The weekend’s warm temperatures resulted in “a number” of alcohol-related incidents in Spalding.

Police had “a very busy Saturday night”, with five prisoners in custody overnight following several outbreaks of alcohol-related violence.

It was almost like mid-summer in Spalding’s Ayscoughfee Hall gardens at the weekend.

Temperatures soared to about 18C in Spalding on Sunday, with families throwing off their winter woollies to picnic in the grounds or enjoy a snack outside at the cafe.

The Met Office said after a cooler start, the warm weather will return towards the end of the week.

Councillors were warned not to risk jobs in Donington in spite of a plan for 51 homes there being described as “awful”.

Permission to build 39 houses and 12 apartments next to haulage firm Turners Donington Ltd was deferred at South Holland District Council’s planning committee following concerns about noise and lack of road access to some of the homes.

Westleigh Developments Ltd and New Hall Park Ltd want to build the homes on a brownfield site accessed from Malting Lane.

Coun Roger Gambba-Jones, chairman of the committee, said councillors should tread carefully when asking about the noise impact from Turners on the homes.

He said: “Donington is a growing community and this plan is very disappointing.

“But if Turners get too much hassle from this they could easily up sticks and move, costing jobs.

”The same happened with Machins of Holbeach.”

Martyn Glencross loves most things about the village where he lives, West Pinchbeck.

He loves its rural nature and the fact that it is quiet.

He and his wife Karolina have made lots of friends in the village and got involved in the parish church, St Bartholomew’s.

The couple appreciate the fact that the school their five-year-old daughter Zoë attends, St Bartholomew’s Church of England Primary School, is close to where they live in Six House Bank.

The only blot on the landscape is the village’s lack of facilities.

When they moved there five years ago from Fleet Hargate Martyn says there was a Post Office.

Unfortunately that closed within six months of them moving into the village.

Martyn says: “Really, we noticed there is nothing there. No shops, no nothing.”

Martyn and Karolina, like most other residents, have to drive a couple of miles to Pinchbeck for their nearest shops and even further for a greater choice of facilities.

Martyn has limited mobility following a car accident in which he broke his spine when he was younger, and some days is forced to use a wheelchair.

Understandably, he spends a lot of time on the Internet or pursuing his other hobby, taking photographs of local scenes – when he and Karolina, who is also his carer, are not busy.

However, an incident involving a stray dog he came close to hitting with his car spurred him into creating what he hopes will be a useful resource for everyone in West Pinchbeck.

He has set up a Facebook page called the West Pinchbeck Voice which he says is for everyone to use to share information with others.

That might be news about forthcoming events, warnings about bogus callers and burglaries, or even appeals for help when a family pet goes missing.

Luckily, Martyn’s near miss with the dog ended happily. Some young girls who witnessed it recognised the animal and so were able to return it to its owners.

Martyn imagines his page could be useful for sharing this type of information.

He said: “I thought if people were to lose their dog they have more chance of finding it if they put it on to this page.

“People can advertise local things like events or things happening in the village, such as if there were bogus callers in the area or a burglary they could warn other local people.

“They can put anything up there but I have clearly stated I won’t tolerate any abusive posts. It’s purely an informative page for the people of West Pinchbeck.”

Within a day of launch, ten people had signed up – and some were sharing pictures of their children dressed up as literary characters for World Book Day.

Martyn Glencross would like as many people as possible living in West Pinchbeck to join up to his new Facebook page, the West Pinchbeck Voice.

He feels confident it will take off – just a day after launching it ten people had signed up and people Martyn speaks to are responding positively.

Some have already posted pictures of their children dressed up for World Book Day, but the site could prove useful for all kinds of things.

Martyn says: “It is a page for all the villagers to post their old stories and pictures of the lovely village.

“It will have other benefits for the locals though. For example, if a villager loses their dog then they can post a message on the page and it might mean the difference between getting their pet back or not.

“People can post what they want so long as it is to do with the village. All I ask is that it is not abusive or the person will be removed.

“The only criteria is people must live in West Pinchbeck to be added.”

Martyn will administer the site to keep an eye on content, but is already planning to upload some of his own photographs of local scenes.

Five illegal workers were found in a police and Home Office Immigration swoop on the Curry Inn at Quadring on Thursday.

Home Office Immigration Enforcement say the restaurant could now be left with a fine of up to £50,000 – £10,000 for each man – unless its bosses can prove that pre-employment checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document.

Checks found that three members of staff were visa “overstayers” from Bangladesh – all three men, aged 24, 28 and 32 have been taken into immigration detention pending their removal from the UK.

Two other Bangladeshi men, aged 36 and 38, had outstanding immigration applications which did not entitle them to work in the UK. They were escorted from the premises but not detained as they were entitled to be in the country.

Four immigration officers, supported by three police officers, visited the restaurant in Main Road just after 6.30pm.

Home Office Immigration Enforcement said the restaurant closed for the evening.

But it has since been open for its restaurant and takeaway customers.

Rachel Challis, from Home Office Immigration Enforcement, said: “Where we find people who are in the UK illegally we will seek to remove them.

“But we are also looking to target the employers who take on illegal workers and encourage illegal immigration in the process.

“We are happy to work with businesses to let them know what checks need to be done on staff, but those who choose to break the law will face heavy financial penalties.

“I would urge anyone with specific and detailed information about suspected illegal working to get in touch.”

Police say the illegal workers came from various addresses in Cambridgeshire, Hampshire and Cheshire.

Last week I attended a meeting to hear a report on the current situation in regard to Sutton Bridge Parish Council’s decision to seek guidance in respect of getting a judicial review of South Holland District Council’s granting of planning permission for a gasifier/incinerator plant at Sutton Bridge.

I had previously attended a meeting at which the council had agreed to make a capped sum of £10k available for this purpose. We were told that having spent some £2,500, a majority of the council decided they would not take the matter any further, on the premis that this would bankrupt the Council. This despite the fact they still had £7,500 left.

The meeting had been called by Shirley Giles, a pensioner, who had offered to fund the £2,000 out of her own pocket, but the council refused.

As we were told that such developments were planned for areas of least resistance, such decisions, of those by both the parish and district councils, should come as no surprise.

The meeting was told, at some length, of the history of these plants, the potential impact of emissions, both through

the six stacks to be erected and the heavy increase of HGVs also the potential danger of placing such a plant next to

the existing power station, near to the Wash and in an area of potential flooding.

A previously-held petition was signed by 950 residents, but totally ignored. So much for the Localism Act.

In conclusion, failure to defeat the planned development will confirm the feeling that Sutton Bridge, with an additional power station, gasifier/incinerator and wind farm, is a dumping ground.

Still we can draw comfort from the promised 30 pieces of silver, sorry, money for local community projects.

And anyway, who cares?

BJ Smith

Sutton Bridge

The following planning applications have been submitted to the councils:

South Holland District Council

Mr and Mrs G Ibrahim, Rose Cottage, 21 Station Road, Gedney Hill. Residential building plot.

Gosberton House School, Westhorpe Road, Gosberton. Works to Gosberton TPO.

Lincoln Diocese, The vicarage, 5 Church Street, Holbeach. Works to trees in conservation area.

Lincolnshire County Council, Sutton Bridge Children’s Centre, Anne Road, Sutton Bridge. Retain mobile buildings used for Sutton Bridge Children’s Centre and Sunbeams Playgroup (retrospective).

Mr N Hutton, 109 Woolram Wygate, Spalding. Demolish bungalow and build one chalet bungalow and one bungalow (resubmission).

Mr and Mrs G Ibrahim, Rose Cottage, 21 Station Road, Gedney Hill. Detached double garage.

Miss J Cummings, 3 Harlequin Drive, Spalding. First floor extension above garage (amendment).

County Interiors, Apple Way, Pinchbeck. Vary condition, limiting occupation/use of premises.

Mr J Allwood, 12 Hall Gate, Moulton. Works to Moulton TPO.

Whitworth Bros Ltd, Whitworth Mill, Barrington Gate, Holbeach. Replacement sign.

Mr J Honnor, Pipwell Manor, Washway Road, Saracen’s Head. Works to Saracen’s Head TPO.

Elgoods and Sons Ltd, The Wildfowler on the Wash, Main Road, Gedney Drove End. Change of use from public house to single residential dwelling.

Mr M Thompson, 4 Saxony Way, Donington. Single store extension to provide double garage.

Mr J Kirk, 1 Delgate Avenue, Weston. Details of external materials, means of foul water disposal and affordable housing.

Lincolnshire County Council, University Academy Holbeach, Postland Road, Crowland. Demolition and rebuilding single storey section, demolition/removal of boiler house, water tank and mobile classrooms, security fencing, external works and changes to parking arrangements. Changes to colour of existing cladding of building and size of sprinkler tank and pump house previously approved.

Mr S Normanton, West Lighthouse, Guys Head Road, Sutton Bridge. Detached summerhouse/games room.

Mr K Woolsey, 13 Mill Green Road, Pinchbeck. Single storey extension.

Ventrolla, 26 Market Street, Long Sutton. Removal of upvc double glazed windows and replace with timber single glazed windows.

N Snaith, Long Drove House, Hundred Fen, Gosberton Clough. Single storey attached garage.

Mr M Yould, land adjacent Homelea, Dozens Bank, Pode Hole. Steel framed building to provide food storage and livestock shelter for rare animal breeds.

Mr and Mrs S Dixon, Priestly House, Quadring Bank. Replacement dwelling.

Mr A and Mrs J Keen, The Yews, Quadring Road, Donington. Details of boundary treatment, brickwork details and brick panel.

The Crown Estate, 77 Woodgate Road, Moulton Chapel. Two semi-detached dwellings.

Bernard Matthews Ltd, Luttongate Farm, west side of Luttongate Road, Sutton St Edmund. Ten biomass heating packaged plant rooms and associated works.


Boston Borough Council

Holly Lodge Nurseries, Streetway, Wyberton. Variation of condition permission to allow for additional occupants.

Crimond, Church Lane, Swineshead. Extension.

Pig and Whistle, Market Place, Swineshead. Residential development.

8 Hansard Way, Kirton. Single storey extension.

Holly Lodge, Streetway, Wyberton. Application to remove agricultural occupancy.

Bridge Farm House, Gauntlet Road, Bicker. Listed Building Consent for removal of front porch and rear chimney stack, installation of replacement external windows and doors.

Bridge Farm House, Gauntlet Road, Bicker. Removal of front porch and rear chimney stack, installation of replacement windows and external doors, improvements to external walls and roof and erect perimeter fence.

Threeways, North End, Swineshead. Detached dwelling.

South Kesteven 
District Council

Tidman, Reidlands, 7A Mill Drove, Bourne. Omission of chimney and alterations to elevations.

Double and Megson Solicitors, 4 Chapel View, Dyke. Compliance with conditions.

PM Recycling Ltd, Outgang Road, Baston. Steele portal frame open sided canopy with profiled metal sheet.

Grimsthorpe and Drummond Castle Trust, Mill Leys Farm, School Lane, Edenham. Variation of condition of permission.

Bates, 1 River Lane, Deeping St James. First floor extension, two storey front and side extensions.

Cross, 8A and 10 Bridge Street, Deeping St James. Extension and alterations to outbuilding to form new storey detached dwelling.

Cox, 10 Bridge Street, Deeping St James. Demolition, reconstruction and change of use of shop to residential.

Riddle, Blue Sky Plastic Recycling, South Fen Road, Bourne. Use of land and buildings for waste recycling (retrospective).

Grimsthorpe and Drummond Castle Trust, Mill Leys Farm, School Lane, Edenham. Discharge several conditions.

The following decisions have been made by magistrates at court hearings. In all drink-drive cases the legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood or 107 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine. Addresses of defendants published here are taken from the legal records held by the magistrates’ courts.

Lincoln Magistrates’ Court

February 11

Nerijus Vaikasas (38), of Holland Road, Spalding. Stole goods worth £20.95 belonging to Aldi (Spalding). £135 fine, £27 victim surcharge, £85 costs. Assaulting a police officer. £135 fine, £50 compensation.

February 17

Richard Hare (27), of Woolram Wygate, Spalding. Driving while using a mobile phone (Sutterton). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Timothy Knight (35), of Thames Tunnel, East Street, Crowland. Driving while using a mobile phone (Cowbit). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Jonathon Warfield (35), of Branches Lane, Holbeach. Speeding (Cowbit). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Deividas Cernys (34), of Telford Court, Spalding. Speeding (Threekingham). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Ronald Thompson (52), of Tasman Caravan Site, Peterborough Road, Eye. Speeding (Whaplode). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Lauren Arthur (22), of Viking Way, Thurlby. Allowing someone to use a vehicle without proper insurance (Bourne). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Samuel Johnston (29), of Meridian Close, Boston. Speeding (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

James Mason (28), of Viking Way, Thurlby. No insurance (Bourne). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than accordance with a licence.

Scott Reynolds (27), of Livingstone Drive, Spalding. Failing to give driver ID (Nettleham). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Ivars Rupulis (28), of Windmill View Court, Willoughby Road, Boston. Speeding (Wyberton). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Claire Capps (33), of South Street, Swineshead. Failing to stop after an accident (Woodhall Spa). £337 fine, £33 v/s, £85 costs, 7pts. No separate penalty for failing to report an accident and driving without due care and attention.

Steven Hewitt (43), of Woodgate Road, Leverington. Speeding (Whaplode). £60 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Noshy John (42), of Swanspool, Peterborough. Speeding (Cowbit). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Ingrid Justice (33), of Fields View, Benwick. Speeding (Cowbit). £75 fine, £20 v/s, £40 costs, 5pts.

Kevin Turner (55), of Royal Oak Drive, Wickford, Essex. Speeding (Cowbit). £75 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Andy Watt (58), of Lee Avenue, Algarkirk. Speeding (Butterwick). £60 fine, £20 v/s, £40 costs, 3pts.

February 24

Laimis Mechouskis (30), of Opportune Road, Wisbech. Failing to give driver ID (Tydd Gote). £400 fine, £40 victim surcharge, £85 costs, 6pts.

Scott Reynolds (27), of Livingstone Drive, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for defective windscreen and defective tyre.

Simon Hughes (22), of Childers Gate, Sutton St James. Being the driver of a vehicle which illegally stopped within the limits of a pelican crossing (Skegness). £35 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Lloyd Hurford (24), of Lime Close, Burgh Le Marsh, Skegness. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £225 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Egijs Kovalevskis (26), of St Thomas Road, Spalding. Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. £65 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Jane Sanderson (48), of Almond Walk, Sleaford. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £60 fine, £20 v/s, £25 costs, 3pts.

February 26

Sharon Thomas (43), of Hereward Road, Spalding. Stole fragrances and cosmetics worth £72.96 belonging to Boots (Lincoln). £75 fine, £20 victim surcharge. Stole clothing worth £78.90 belonging to Primark. £75 fine.

Boston Magistrates’ Court

February 10

Andrew Box (40), of Waterside Court, Double Street, Spalding. Carrying a lock knife in public (Spalding). Community order with curfew for four weeks and electronic monitoring, £60 v/s, £85 costs.

Deniss Ukolovs (25), of The Granary, Bedford Place, Spalding. Stole meat worth £22 belonging to Sainsbury’s (Spalding). 12 months conditional discharge. Stole gammon worth £56.28 belonging to Late Shopper, Spalding. £28.14 compensation, £15 v/s.

February 12

Piotr Dlugosz (43), of Hardwick Estate, Kirton. Stole curtain tie backs worth £36 belonging to Oldrids, Boston. Had a Stanley knife blade for use in the course of, or in connection with theft. Community order with 100 hours unpaid work, £60 v/s, £85 costs, Stanley knife blade to be forfeited.

Lukasz Labiszak (30), of Hardwick Estate, Kirton. Had a Stanley knife blade for use in the course of, or in connection with theft (Boston). £110 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, Stanley knife blade to be forfeited.

Benjamin Chapman (30), of Queens Avenue, Spalding. Stole electric razor worth £50 belonging to Wilkinsons (Lincoln). Community order, £65 fine, £60 v/s.

February 13

Victor Lilburn (71), of Cranmore Lane, Holbeach. Two counts of falsely claiming pension credit. 24 months conditional discharge, £100 costs.

February 17

Tomas Sinkevicius (44), of Hannam Boulevard, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding) and driving while disqualified. 12 weeks prison sentence suspended for 12 months with 200 hours unpaid work, £80 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 36 months. No separate penalty for no insurance.

Tomas Smilgin (22), of London Road, Spalding. Failing to provide roadside breath test (Boston), driving while disqualified (Spalding). 12 weeks prison sentence suspended for 12 months with 200 hours unpaid work, £80 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 3 years. No separate penalty for no insurance.

Joseph Piskula (41), of Bowditch Road, Spalding. Drunk and disorderly (Spalding). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £100 costs.

February 19

Stuart Brunt (24), of Copes Way, Chaddesden, Derby. Trespass in search of game (Holbeach St Marks). £500 fine, £50 v/s, £85 costs.

Byron Gordon (32), of Samuel Johnson Close, Streatham, London. No insurance (Spalding). £110 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 8pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Regarding your story about missed doctors’ appointments: If more surgeries had a “walk-in” surgery then appointments would not be missed. If you are feeling unwell you want to see a doctor that day, not in a week’s time.

I also fail to see how a doctor not seeing a patient can cost money.

Margaret Martin

via email

A teenager who was arrested in the early hours of Friday morning, on suspicion of aggravated burglary in Holbeach, has been charged.

Ryan Crane (18), of Cranmore Lane in Holbeach, has been charged with the aggravated burglary of a property in Arthur’s Avenue.

Crane will appear before Lincoln Magistrates today (Saturday).

There will soon be some new COPS on the beat in Spalding - helping local police officers sniff out crime.

Dog owners are being invited to sign up for Canines on Patrol (COPS) - a county wide campaign where eagle-eyed residents report anything suspicious spotted on their daily walks.

The launch takes place at Rooke’s pet store in High Street on Saturday, March 15, and owners who sign up will get an information pack, incident log and a COPS ID badge for their dog.

Even though they will be wearing the COPS badge, dogs won’t be expected to chase any criminals. While they carry on sniffing, it is their owners who could spot something vital.

PCSO Kim Marlowe, who is launching the campaign with PCSO Lisa Waterfall, said: “Dog walkers have always been important sources of information for us.

“Because they walk at regular times, they are more likely to spot if someone hasn’t drawn their curtains that day and may be sick, or where a window has been broken.

“Once when I was walking my dog I came across some dumped stolen lead which I wouldn’t have found on my normal patrol.

“Becoming a COP acknowledges how important dog walkers are to the police.”

Crime reduction advice will be given to members to make them aware of current incidents.

Members will also be told how to safeguard their animals and personal possessions.

The Rooke’s launch is between 10am and 4pm. Dog owners can also get their pets microchipped for free thanks to the Dogs Trust.

Another launch will be at Baytree Garden Centre on April 12 before COPS is rolled out across South Holland.

An open letter to all it should concern.

As a long-term resident of Moulton, I feel empowered to make my views known. I found Moulton to be a most desirable conservation village, spoilt only by having the equivalent of an industrial site at its heart.

It has many of the essential village amenities – a pub, a church, a surgery and a 
couple of shops, including a post office.

However, the longed-for peace and quiet is regularly disturbed by juggernauts using the B1357 through the village despite there being plenty of alternative routes. Houses shake when one of these monsters goes by!

A neighbour tells me that during the earthquake of February 2008, she thought it was a very long juggernaut passing! Another neighbour has been forced to increase her glazing from double to triple in order to sleep at nights.

In addition, for those who live just outside of the village these ever-larger leviathans prevent access to the village amenities (school, surgery, shops, church and buses) by foot or bicycle without taking life in hand (there is no footpath or lighting).

And the reverse holds true: villagers are prevented from walking or cycling in the countryside.

I do not know how much of this unwelcome traffic was generated by Gardmans (the site began originally as a small local blacksmith) but it must have had some effect.

Since Gardman has closed we have noticed there is much less heavy traffic passing. Nor do I know what plans the owners of the site have, but I do believe everything possible should be done to dissuade both heavy traffic from the 
village and to prevent the re-establishment of an industrial site which should never have been introduced into a conservation village in the first place.

I do think the village will be best served by a residential, rather than a commercial, development of the site.

Google Earth tells me there is room for several houses and this increased population would boost trade to the post office and stores, butcher, fish and chip shop and the local public house.

Moreover, such housing would provide employment to local builders.

It is undeniable that the local authorities have a duty to discover what the population thinks, and to use that knowledge to inform any decisions. In this case the opinions of those residents on the B1357 through Moulton are of especial relevance.

Furthermore, I know that Cambridgeshire and Leicestershire are not alone in implementing traffic policies which seek to protect villages and their inhabitants (especially playing children and the elderly) by dissuading, or indeed banning, heavy lorries from travelling through them.

I urge everyone at parish, district and county council level to find out what the people think before making decisions.

This is a rare chance to make our village even more beautiful; let us not waste it.

James Crosby

Moulton

Crooks who trashed Lincolnshire’s speed cameras have run up a £1million-plus repair bill in just four years – and put lives at risk.

Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership say the level of vandalism – chiefly burnings – is one of the highest in the country.

Four cameras, including one on Spalding’s A16 bypass, have been trashed this year and repairs will cost more than £100,000.

John Siddle, spokesman for Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, says the county has seen a 42 per cent drop in killed or seriously injured collisions since the cameras were launched in 2000.

He said: “Ten to 14 years ago, over 100 people died on our roads every year – we are down in the thirties now.”

The county’s 51 cameras are placed in spots where death or injury has occurred and Mr Siddle says to have any out of action means lives are being put at risk.

It also means the cameras generate less cash to fund road safety measures such as courses for at risk motorists, including young car drivers.

Mr Siddle says the cameras are mostly targeted by people trying to hide criminal behaviour or escape a speeding conviction.

Last year, a lorry driver paid another man £80 to burn a camera at Hemswell Cliff, near Gainsborough – and both ended up in jail.

Mr Siddle said: “The guy who burned the camera had got a record for various things, but the lorry driver himself was absolutely clean. From a personal point of view, I feel very sad that the lorry driver took that decision and literally ruined himself. He will carry that conviction for every job he goes for.”

A man has already been charged with one of this year’s camera attacks and two more are being investigated – one for damage to the Spalding camera.

Mr Siddle said: “Out of four burnings, we have got three people to look at. We are very happy with that. The money for the cameras doesn’t come from the taxpayers – it comes from the speeders.”

He said the Spalding camera was placed to slow A16 vehicles heading towards standing traffic queuing at the roundabout and, while it is out of action, drivers won’t have that reminder to brake.

Speeding remains at epidemic levels, despite its direct links to crashes causing death and life-changing injuries, and between 1,000 and 1,200 people caught on camera or by police attend speed awareness courses in Lincolnshire every month. Some are caught out of county and opt to do the course here.

Drivers travelling within a certain level above the speed limit get a choice of a £100 fine and three points on their licence – or pay £90 and escape the points to go on a speed awareness course.

Out of the £90, £35 goes to the police – and £55 (up to £66,000 a month) to fund road safety measures.

Blogger Trish Burgess writes for the Free Press

Did you notice how well the Netherlands did at the Winter Olympics?

A country which is as flat as South Holland and lacking snow managed to chalk up 24 medals to take fifth place in the table.

But then 23 of the 24 were for long track speed skating – a sport at which the Netherlands has always been strong.

If Holland is able to dominate the sport of long track speed skating, shouldn’t South Holland get in on the act too?

Historically the people of the Fens, like the Dutch, were famous for their skating talent. It began as a mode of winter transport: skating along the dykes was a useful alternative to negotiating rutted and muddy roads.

As a sport, fen skating reached its peak in the second half of the 19th century.

National and international championships were held at locations including Thorney, Vernatt’s Drain and Cowbit Wash.

Fen skaters were athletic, strong men, mostly labourers keen to gain financial reward as the prizes could be quite significant. One of the most famous champions was William ‘Turkey’ Smart, the first of a dynasty of skaters from Welney in Norfolk. He raced for many years, often against his closest rival and brother-­in­-law William ‘Gutta Percha’ See.

In one month’s racing in 1855, Turkey Smart’s prize money was £15 5s and a leg of mutton – the equivalent of about two year’s earnings for an agricultural worker.

When the National Skating Association was established in 1879, their first one­-and­-a-­half­ mile British Professional Championship was held in Thorney.

According to the current National Ice Skating Association (NISA), a field of 32 took to the ice, including Turkey Smart and Knocker Carter. The final was won by ‘Fish’ Smart whose cash prize was given as an annual salary in instalments to encourage him to ‘keep himself temperate’.

Champions more local to us included Walter Pridgeon. In a letter sent to the Spalding Guardian last year from GB Plowman of Spalding, we heard that Walter used to skate from Holbeach St John’s to Cowbit Wash, using his familiar long stride on the frozen dykes.

The creation of the Coronation Channel in 1953 effectively put an end to regular flooding of Cowbit Wash and therefore our local, outdoor ice rink was lost.

In Sochi this year, the UK has seen its best result at a Winter Olympics for decades. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to build on this success and start to make a name for ourselves in long track speed skating again?

NISA is trying to do just this in co­operation with the Netherlands. It seems very fitting that we should be working hand in hand with the nation with whom we have co­operated and competed for nearly 300 years.

Can we produce a new Turkey Smart or Walter Pridgeon? Come on South Holland, get your skates on!

Sycamore Mini Peterborough invites locals to be the first to see the all new Mini Hatch and party like its 1959.

Sycamore Mini Peterborough invites locals to be the first to see the all new Mini Hatch and party like its 1959.

Local Mini dealership Sycamore is inviting car lovers to celebrate the launch of the all new Mini Hatch.

On Saturdayand Sunday, March 15 and 16, to coincide with the global launch, the team at Sycamore is hosting an exclusive launch event with a difference at the showroom on Papyrus Road, Werrington for all local Mini fans.

As part of the exclusive Mini experience, guests will be amongst the first in the country to have the opportunity to view and get behind the wheel of the all-new Mini Hatch.

The car has been completely re-engineered and packed full with brand-new technology, but retains a dash of the original 1959 model.

This unique combination means the slick new features contain all the spirit of the first Mini.

Mini brand manager Daniel Lynas said: “This will be a fantastic and fun-filled weekend launch.

“There will be lots of Mini activities for everyone to join in. Guests will also be able test the car’s new features and speak to our Mini experts.”

Whilst the car itself will undoubtedly steal the show, there are plenty of other activities going on at the showroom.

There will be a drawing competition to keep the younger Mini fans entertained. They will be able to use their imagination to predict what the car will look like in another 55 years’ time for the chance to win some Mini goodies.

Internally, features include the new improved Mini Connected, a far cry from the vinyl, but still oozing style.

The new original continues to be the ultimate fun drive with its twin turbo engines and re-engineered go-kart feel, just like the one before, only better.

To find out more about the launch weekend and your local Mini dealership visit www.sycamoremini.co.uk or you can call the Mini team on 01733707074.

Mystery still surrounds the death of a 22-year-old Whaplode Drove man who walked out in front a coach returning from last year’s final Spalding Flower Parade.

Daniel Frisby, of Broadgate, had everything to live for – the possibility of a new job, a new Cherokee Jeep which he had sat in only hours before and a holiday in Spain with friends.

But for reasons no-one can imagine he stood on the segregation island of a layby on the A16 at Cowbit and within seconds of being spotted by the driver stepped out and “walked quickly” into the path of the coach.

An inquest at the Red Lion Quarter in Spalding on Friday recorded a new verdict of death caused by road traffic collision.

Pathologist Dr Michael Biggs said Daniel’s death was instant from severe head injuries sustained in the collision. There were no other medical conditions that led to his death and tests found no traces of alcohol or drugs - only caffeine.

South Lincolnshire coroner Prof Robert Forrest said no-one would ever know why Daniel took those fatal steps and “walked quickly into the path of a coach”.

In spite of visiting his doctor because of mood swings, Mr Forrest said there was “absolutely no shadow of suspicion that Daniel deliberately killed himself”.

Mr Richard Frisby, Daniel’s father, described his son as being like his “best friend”. He said: “Daniel was just getting into fitness and was always running and body building. He was a construction worker and I had told him about the possibility of a job and asked for a CV.

“He was a good fisherman and we had been making arrangements to go fishing the next day.

“I’d been to fetch a Cherokee Jeep and looked around to see him sat in it and saying how nice it was. I told him when I was finished with it in a few months it was his and he seemed pleased. He also had plans to go on holiday with friends to Spain. There had been no indication that he was depressed or had planned to take his own life.”

Witnesses told the inquest how they thought it was unusual to see a pedestrian on the busy stretch of the A16.

Anna Fendyke was driving towards Spalding and has seen Daniel in his grey track suit stood by the side of the road. She said: “There was a bus coming from the opposite way and I saw someone in the layby run out in the road. I couldn’t believe what I had seen and stopped in the layby. Someone came out of the bus and knelt by the man and I dialled 999.

”It all happened so fast. There was no reason to cross the road because there were just fields opposite.”

The coach was carrying a marching band that has been taking part in the flower parade. A statement was read out from coach passenger Robert Alcorn, describing the moment of impact.

He said: “There was a bang and the coach swerved. It was only the skill of the driver that prevented the coach skidding off the road and risking injuring passengers.”

The driver of the Epsom coach driver Steven Ashton (62) said he had seen Daniel standing on the segregation island but had not been concerned because he had shown no signs that he intended walking out into the road.

Mr Ashton said: “He was looking at me then did something with his hands and suddenly ran towards me – it was as if he had said ‘Yes, I’m going to do it’. I felt the impact but did not time to take avoiding action – it was over in seconds. I stopped as soon as I could safely with passengers on board.”

Tachograph reports showed Mr Ashton had been travelling about 60mhp – exceeding the limit for a coach of 50mph – but he said the road was clear and he was in complete control of the vehicle.

Accident investigator PC Michelle Ford confirmed that even at 50mph Mr Ashton had no chance of stopping in time. She said: “All it would of meant is Mr Frisby would have been further in the road when he was hit.”

Police are appealing for information after fuel was stolen from a number of vehicles at a transport company in Sutton Bridge.

The thefts are thought to have occurred at the premises in Millenium Way between 6pm on Sunday and 1am yesterday.

Anyone with information should call Lincolnshire Police by dialling 101, quoting incident number 352 of 10 March. Alternatively you can report crimes anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Seeking out a perfect gift for Mother’s Day can be very costly and confusing with lots of choice so discovering a “one stop” solution for your gift is a real bonus.

Alongside the core business of florists equipment and supplies, Florist Innovations have built an Aladdin’s cave of giftware that ranges from ceramics, jewellery and handbags to candles, picture frames and small pieces of furniture.

Their diverse range has been thoughtfully chosen with the emphasis on quality and finding the more unusual pieces but customers will find that they are paying well below list prices, helping to make your budget go further.

Spalding Florist Innovations was established 20 years ago and is conveniently located just off A16 bypass on Enterprise Way.

The showroom has been redesigned and the team have been busy creating innovative displays around Mother’s Day, Easter, gardening and weddings.

Extensive new stock lines are now arriving, including spring flowers, stoneware and ornaments for the garden and quality gifts for all occasions.

With Mother’s Day approaching fast they have freshly-cut flowers, planted baskets – all of which can be gift wrapped ready to go – or they can offer a large selection of ribbons and cellophane wrap should you choose to do your own.

If you need any help or inspiration talk to the friendly staff – they are very happy to help.

They are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and due to customer demand now Saturday morning 9am to 1pm.

They are open to the public and all are welcome.

Visit them at Enterprise Way, Pinchbeck, Spalding, PE11 3YR or telephone 01775 723333.

The school council at Ayscoughfee Hall School in Spalding have been busy supporting a project called Mary’s Backpacks.

The idea of this initiative is to provide basic school items for children in other parts of the world who are less fortunate than ourselves.

Following an assembly by Ken Bush from the Rotary Club, the council wrote a letter to parents and encouraged all their friends to put together backpacks.

They were successful in making 63 backpacks to be sent away.

Headteacher Clare Ogden said it is great to see children taking the initiative and organising the other children to give this much-needed support.