Hayes in the House with MP John Hayes

It has become uncritically accepted by many that tolerance is the greatest of all virtues. The liberal establishment’s message is that, while people and cultures may be fundamentally different, if we tolerate almost anything we can somehow ‘all get along’.

Nowadays, to even question the virtue of tolerance is regarded as heresy. But GK Chesterton, the great Christian writer and creator of Father Brown, was – typically – right, when he wrote that ‘tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions’.

He meant that tolerance is just another word for indifference; it is the last refuge of those, who confronted with the values and strictures of other cultures, are unprepared to think about them seriously.

Multiculturalism is the most destructive example of so called ‘tolerance’.

By refusing to accept that our nation has a defining culture, rich in traditions and civilities that have evolved over many centuries, the bourgeois advocates of multiculturalism have helped to undermine social cohesion.

Rather than helping immigrants to become active participants in our society, multiculturalists tell them to ignore the values of the place they now call home because it’s better to be different, even if this means they are denied the opportunity to prosper.

Cultural and social isolation, by depriving people of a shared sense of belonging, ultimately nurtures feelings of neglect which fuel the kind of disharmony and extremism that have become a tragic reality in parts of modern Britain.

One of the first people to persuasively deconstruct the multicultural orthodoxy was Labour’s Trevor Phillips, himself the son of immigrants.

The answer to discord is not to tolerate anything, but rather to engage honestly with people from all backgrounds, rooted in an understanding that we are all part of the same nation, proud of its history, culture and values.

What we share must be more important than that which divides us.

I am driven in politics to be ‘fierce in defence of the gentle’.

That means not tolerating as much as we tolerate; none of us, after all, should choose to be tolerant of spite or cruelty.

It is strong institutions and the values they embody that protect us from brutality by elevating our sense of shared, purposeful pride.

I will continue to be fierce in defence of those values that enable us all, from wherever we start, to live gentle, harmonious lives.

The Rt Hon John Hayes MP

Tributes have been paid to charity fundraising legend and Manchester United super-fan Errol Warrick who has died aged 55.

Errol raised a staggering £34,000 over 33 years by collecting for good causes in his home town of Long Sutton.

The town’s Christmas lights, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance, a dog sanctuary, a young girl who needed to go overseas for medical treatment, and the dialysis unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn, were among good causes which had cash from Errol’s bucket collections at Lincolnshire Co-op and the BP Garage roundabout on the A17.

Errol triumphed over autism, a disability that makes learning and talking to others very difficult, to do the “job” that he created for himself and simply loved – helping 
others.

His devotion to his home town meant he was given the honour of switching on its Christmas lights in 2012.

Long Sutton Business and Trade Association chairman David Pateman said: “He’s a true legend who will be sadly missed by everyone. If I could say something to Errol now it would be ‘thank you for everything that you have done for Long Sutton’.

“He was a brilliant, absolutely brilliant guy.”

Errol suffered a cardiac arrest at the home he shared with his mum, Phyllis (89), on February 18 and died the same night in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn

Phyllis said Errol’s health had been failing for the last few years as he had diabetes and kidney problems, which meant he had to travel to Queen Elizabeth Hospital three days a week for 
dialysis.

Being a patient prompted Errol to do what he did best – he raised £1,000 for comforts for fellow patients.

Errol’s death has sent shock waves through the town.

Phyllis has received more than 80 sympathy cards and flowers from people who knew, respected and admired the man she was proud to call her son.

She said: “It makes me cry sometimes when I see what they have written in the cards – it makes me feel that he was so wanted.

“He wasn’t a really talkative boy but he was full of talk on the last day. He kept saying he wanted people to come and see him.”

Errol’s bedroom was a shrine to Manchester United. He was only ever able to attend three of the club’s matches, but watched his team on TV, had 200 club shirts, 90 scarves, almost as many hats, and an impressive collection of banners.

He was almost always seen wearing a Man Utd shirt but had country and western shirts for his other great passion.

Errol’s football scarf collection will go to St Mary’s Church, Long Sutton, for his funeral service at 2pm on Wednesday, March 19 so people attending to celebrate his life can wear one.

Phyllis would like people to wear something red, if they want to do so, to mark Errol’s devotion to his team.

Following the service, which will be conducted by the Rev Michaela Dean and Father Jonathan Sibley, people are invited to go directly to Long Sutton Royal British Legion Club for refreshments.

The service is followed by cremation at Mintlyn, King’s Lynn, and the family will go there before going to the club.

Errol leaves family including three brothers, Rodney Brown, Julian Warrick and Neil Warrick, and three sisters, Gillian Bathurst, Sandra Turner and Shirley Smith.

l Donations, if preferred to flowers, are for the legion club. Errol supported the club because his late father, Claude, was ex-service.

South Kesteven District Council is making a big push to give scores of people a leg up onto the housing ladder by helping them pay deposits.

For the first time in ten years, work has started on building the first new homes in South Kesteven, which covers Bourne and The Deepings, and this will add to the success of the Local Lend a Hand scheme and a project to bring empty homes back into use.

Under Lend a Hand, the council guarantees up to 20 per cent of the deposit leaving the applicant to find just five per cent.

Following an initial £1million cash injection, 43 people are now enjoying life in their new homes.

An additional £1million has been newly allocated to continue the success.

Darren Turner, the council’s strategic director corporate focus, said: “We want to do as much as we can to help would-be home owners across the district and are hoping to see more people get the keys to their own homes.

“That is why we have allocated an extra £1million in our budget to not only help people buy their first property, but stimulate another five property transactions further up the housing ladder and, hopefully, make some dreams come true.”

The council has raised the maximum purchase price for assistance from £125,000 to £155,000.

More than 100 privately owned homes have been brought back into use as part of the council’s empty homes initiative – and a fresh, six-month project starts in May to boost that number.

The council says the project is cutting down on homelessness and reducing council house waiting lists.

The authority identified 485 houses in the district that had been empty for more than six months and worked with landlords and property owners to help bring them back into use with the offer of council grants.

SKDC’s head of housing and neighbourhoods Ian Richardson said: “The council and the third party agency (Capacity Grid) commissioned to deliver the first phase of the project have been hugely successful by bringing 101 properties back into general use at a time when we have a distinct housing shortage.”

• All four flats have been sold in the newly refurbished mill on Wherry’s Lane, Bourne, following a £2.14million redevelopment of the area which has seen new retail units created as well.

15.25pm UPDATE: A Spalding man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous following this morning’s fatal crash on the A16 bypass at Crowland.

Police say the man, aged 24, is currently being questioned at Boston Police Station.

He was driving a Volkswagen Passat at the time of the accident.

The name of the motorcyclist who died, a man in his 30s from the Cowbit area, has not been released.

Police are still appealing for witnesses to call them on 01522 558855.

11.25am UPDATE: A motorcyclist in his 30s died in this morning’s crash on the A16 bypass at Crowland.

Police have not yet named the man, but say he came from the Cowbit area.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say the collision involved a Honda motorycle, a Volkswagen Passat and a lorry.

Lincolnshire Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash – or anyone who saw the vehicles prior to the incident – to contact the Collision Witness Hotline on 01522 558855.

9am: The A16 bypass at Cowbit is closed following a serious crash between a car and a motorbike at 6am today.

Details of injuries are not known at this stage.

Police say the bypass is closed in both directions at the junction of the B1357 Moulton Chapel Road.

Diversions are expected to remain in place for some time.

A spokesman for Lincolnshire Police said: “We are appealing to motorists who saw any activity involving a motorcyclist on this stretch of road this morning to contact us immediately.”

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue crews from Bourne and Market Deeping were called to a single vehicle accident on Eastgate, Bourne, shortly before 8.50pm on Tuesday.

The driver managed to get out of the car before the crews arrived. The fire crews made the vehicle safe.

Produce World was awarded Best New Edible Variety at the UK Grower Awards.

The company, which has a site in Sutton Bridge, was presented with the award earlier this month.

The winning vegetable is a Chinese leaf called Tatsoi. Although a traditional vegetable in Asia, Produce World is the first company to produce it commercially in the UK. The versatile vegetable is challenging the more widely known Pak Choi.

New product development manager Dara O’Doherty said: “Produce World is committed to trialling and growing exciting new vegetables from all over the globe.

“Tatsoi has a short growth cycle, taking only a matter of four or five weeks from planting to harvest.”

Lambing is well underway at George Thompson Farms at Holbeach Hurn with at least 15 lambs gambolling in the spring sunshine.

A team made up of Richard and Jane Thompson and their shepherd Steve Congreve look after about 500 Lleyn ewes and beef cattle between them on the family farm.

At the time Jane spoke to Growers, 15 lambs had been born but lambing will continue inside the sheds through the whole of March.

Jane said: “If all goes well they just lamb themselves, but occasionally they need assistance because it’s a breech, but more often than not they get on with it.”

Every ewe is scanned to determine how many lambs they are carrying, from a single lamb to one ewe carrying five lambs.

Jane said: “That is quite unusual but we have known it on the farm. Most years we get a ewe with four or five lambs.”

The ewes carrying three or more lambs are all put together in the yard and given extra feed.

As the ewes can only look after two lambs the “spares” are adopted on to ewes with single lambs.

Jane said: “Normally there are left overs, the cades, and they get bottle fed and we do that and we have young children so they help.”

A gang of teenagers attacked a couple in Spalding’s Commercial Road, knocking them over and kicking them on the ground.

Police say a 40-year-old woman went to Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital for treatment to her injuries following Saturday night’s attack, but was released from hospital the same night.

The second victim was a man of 38.

Police say the couple were approached by “a large group of teenagers, who knocked them to the ground and proceeded to kick them” at about 11.30pm.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said: “Police are particularly interested in talking to a female, aged around 16, with shoulder length blonde hair, who was wearing a short black skirt, black jacket and black top.”

Witnesses are asked to call PC Emma Boxall on 101 and quoting incident number 490 of March 8 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

As we move into the spring the scars of a warm, wet “winter” remain visible, writes Julian Davis.

Areas of land that suffer from inadequate drainage are still boggy, and in places surface water is still evident.

Although the “tide” appears to be going out, it may be time now before the new season starts in earnest to assess the past performance and management of field drainage systems.

There was a stark contrast between soil water conditions in February 2012 and February 2014, one very dry and one very wet, illustrating the difficulty in planning and managing field drainage.

At what level do you set your targets? Under what weather and management conditions will water logging occur? What yield and performance are you losing without any visible symptoms?

Crops such as winter oilseed rape and winter barley are very sensitive to excess soil water, and it only takes a few days of adverse soil conditions to seriously erode yield. On the other hand a good drainage scheme will cost in the region of £1,000 per acre.

The local drainage boards do an excellent job of maintaining their network of drains and dykes. But many farmers don’t do enough to maintain their own, the array of environmental schemes often used as an excuse for very little maintenance. Let us not forget that the primary purpose of the drains and dykes of the Fens is the controlled flow of excess water from the land.

The National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM) as a national skills provider for the agri-food industry has welcomed an event encouraging young people to consider a career in the sector.

An Appetite for Skills initiative – Inspiring tomorrow’s food engineers – takes place tomorrow at the NCFM at Holbeach.

The centre’s head of skills and work-based learning Sharon Green said it was about engaging with young people and linking local career options and education.

She said: “We have an acute shortage of food engineers and people to fill technical roles and these two areas are critical to the sector.

“People don’t think of food engineering as a potential career. Typically, they think of wind turbines or motor sports, but there are loads of engineering opportunities in the food industry that offer an exciting career.”

To take part in the event, contact Daniel Birchmore on 01732 359990 or email daniel.birchmore@imlgroup.co.uk

The NFU has successfully secured exemptions for agricultural vehicles from unnecessary MOT testing following a vote by the EU Parliament.

MEPs finally decided to ditch the proposals this week.

The plans, which formed part of the EU’s wide-ranging “roadworthiness package”, would have introduced MOT-style testing for many agricultural vehicles, but the NFU argued that “prescriptive and onerous” testing would be “disproportionate, costly and bureaucratic”.

Line dancers from across the country danced for ten hours to raise money for Cancer Research.


Marion and Ron Bloye organised the event at Holbech Community Centre to mark Marion’s 60th Birthday.
Over £3,500 was raised by 180 line dancers. Some travelled from as far as Kent, Nottingham and Bradford to take part. 
Marion and Ron are part of the Sutton Streamliners and arranged for two international choreographers to lead the event.

The aunt of Karen Plane-Sanderson, who lost her life to Motor Neurone Disease, has been sponsored knitting to raise money and help find a cure for the disease. Jenny Manning has raised £460 for Karen’s Fund, which was set up by Karen’s husband Martin Plane.

She said she will not stop knitting until all the wool is used up: “I wanted to promote Motor Neurone Disease so people are aware there is no cure at the moment.”


With the risk of a £200 fine for smoking in a ‘smoke free’ public place there has never been a better time to quit.

To mark No Smoking Day in England yesterday three groups in the county came together to make quitting easier.

Smokefree Lincolnshire, Linconshire Fire and Rescue and Phoenix Stop Smoking Service are giving away a free workplace toolkit for businesses.

It’s been six years since England went smoke free. If you are caught in a smoke free zone commiting the act you could face a fine of up to £200 and businesses found not enforcing the law in the work place could face a hefty £2,500 charge.

Now there is talk of extending the smoke free regulation to prevent smoking in cars with children and restricting the sale of cigarettes to over 18s.

The workplace toolkit is available at www.lincoln shire.gov.uk

Oliver Rayner has graduated from Imperial College London with a 2:1 Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry.

The former Spalding Grammar School student is the son of Susan and Nick Rayner, of Spalding.

He has recently taken up his first post as an Assistant Technical Officer at Kings College Hospital, London.

Historically Ford is rarely first to market with a segment-busting model, but when it does make the leap the results are often enough to silence even the harshest of critics.

The Blue Oval’s first generation Kuga ‘soft roader’ was a good example of this working practice. It wasn’t the first out of the traps but it was a cracking effort.

With this second generation Kuga, Ford hopes it can maintain its high profile presence in what’s rapidly become a fiercely competitive market. For many the SUV has become the preferred choice over more traditional large family saloons and estate cars, and as engine technology has improved so running costs have tumbled to best those of more conventional alternatives.

Visually an evolution over its predecessor, this Kuga mirrors many of Ford’s current range-wide design themes. Certainly, it delivers a sharper-suited and more upmarket ‘look’, which is Ford’s plan. The same is true inside, with dark materials and glossy trim helping to promote a premium ambience that’s noticeably above its price point. Factor in the Focus-like cabin design and switchgear and it doesn’t take long to feel at home.

As a crossover vehicle, it’s not just about styling but capability too. While there’s no high-low range transmission or fancy hill descent control to save your blushes on tricky terrain, a part-time all-wheel drive system is being offered alongside a front-wheel drive option.

The former works in the background and requires no extra input from the driver. By default the Kuga is a front-drive car, but when the electronics detect changes in grip levels as much as 100 per cent of the available power can go to the appropriate axle. The only indication you have is a nifty little display showing where the power’s going.

Don’t expect Land Rover levels of competence when off-road, but slippery grassy fields and gravel tracks shouldn’t pose a problem. Likewise, anyone who tows trailers or caravans will welcome the extra ‘on demand’ traction even in the dry.

Predictably, though, the Kuga performs at its best on the road. Pitch and roll has been kept to a pleasing minimum despite the high-sided nature of the car, while ride comfort is good even on the larger wheels available on high-spec variants. The Kuga’s lofty driving position will, unsurprisingly, appeal to many buyers, and the car’s weighty steering allows you to accurately and confidently position it on the road.

A lot of the praise for the Kuga’s performance can be directed at the engine line-up. Diesel dominates this market, and Ford’s 2.0-litre unit is available in two different states of tune: 140bhp and 163bhp. Smooth, refined and potent, this family of engines offers a good blend of performance and refinement. As you’d expect, the latter is the one to have if you want the best of everything and, coupled with Ford’s optional direct shift six speed semi-auto gearbox it delivers a relaxed and unhurried experience that should appeal especially to the leisure and caravan market.

The low power diesel can also be had in front-wheel drive form, as is also the case of the 1.6-litre turbo petrol option. In 150 horsepower trim the petrol Kuga is front-drive only, while a 180 horsepower version complete with auto gearbox gets the full all-wheel drive treatment.

With Ford’s powertrain expertise a given with every new release, it has to try harder elsewhere to impress. How about a powered tailgate that opens and closes when you wave your foot under the rear bumper. It’s not as daft as it sounds, and it’s a welcome feature to have when your hands are full with shopping.

Elsewhere, the Kuga can be had with varying levels of active safety kit that mirrors what’s already been seen in the Focus such as intelligent cruise control and lane-keep assist. On the fun side, the likes of high end audio, sat-nav, Ford’s SYNC multitasking mobile phone interface make life easier, as do the standard fit clever fold-flat rear seats and adjustable boot floor.

Dynamically engaging, easy on the eye and available with a wealth of value-added comfort and safety kit, Ford’s second generation Kuga is a well-rounded evolution of an already popular SUV. Despite the increased competition in the soft-roader sector, the Kuga has the engineering strength and visual appeal to succeed.

Spalding Guardian editor Jeremy Ransome writes about the launch of our campaign...

I am delighted that Johnston Press and the Spalding Guardian are championing independent businesses with our ‘Shop Local, Eat Local, Play Local’ campaign.

The newspaper is very much at the heart of the local community so it’s appropriate that we should be offering our support – and, hopefully, the support of our loyal readers as well – to the many unique outlets at the heart of our town centre and surrounding areas.

Our high streets have been squeezed for many years by out-of-town developments and increasing use of the internet, but they are now making a resurgence and it’s up to us to help ensure that they not only survive but prosper in the future.

Increasingly, shopping is being seen as a leisure pursuit and, while the town centres must adapt to that by ensuring the facilities are up to standard and the night-time economy is supported and sustainable, we can play a part too.

Every pound spent locally can have huge benefits for the area, helping local businesses who, in turn, will employ local people.

Compared to many, Spalding is still a vibrant market town, located on the beautiful River Welland.

There is a good range of shops, some excellent schools, and I think it is one of the best places in the country to live.

The town centre contains a mix of national retail chains and a dazzling range of independent, family-owned concerns – greengrocers, restaurants, cafes, butchers, bakers and even an award-winning bookshop.

There is a town market held twice a week that sells absolutely everything, and is certainly worth a visit.

The late-medieval Ayscoughfee Hall, with its magnificent gardens is another jewel in our crown, as well as other great attractions such as the Pinchbeck Engine Museum, the Springfields Shopping Outlet and Gardens, the Bulb Museum and the Gordon Boswell Romany Museum.

The area is also famous for St Paul’s Church at Fulney, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, the designer of St Pancras Station in London.

Spalding even has its own radio station – Tulip Radio – 107.5FM.

Over the course of this year, we will be throwing the spotlight on some of the successful businesses in Spalding, Holbeach and Long Sutton town centres, while bringing you great deals to allow you to sample some of the fantastic products and services they have on offer.

And, as well as regular slots in the paper, you can check out our stories and videos online, as well as following us, and our sister paper the Lincolnshire Free Press and other Johnston Press titles across the country on Twitter using the hashtag #jpshoplocal.

Please play your part by pledging to ‘Shop Local, Eat Local, Play Local’!

South Holland has a long history of independent shops that opened decades ago and are still going strong because of support from people in the area.

The Spalding Guardian is keen for that support to continue which is why our Shop Local Eat Local Play Local campaign will be running throughout the year as a way of saying to independent businesses in South Holland, “We’re on your side.”

It’s this sort of spirit that will see Long Sutton electrical and toy retailer Pledgers through to its 70th anniversary next year.

The family-run business was opened by Clifford “Dick” Pledger in 1945 for charging accumulators and batteries, repairing bicylces and as a shop where radios were sold.

It was eventually taken over by long-standing employee Maurice Smith in 1967 and is now run by three of his children, David and Graham Smith and their sister Gill Wysoczanski.

She said: “My father, Maurice Smith, started working with Mr Pledger in 1945 when he was a teenager repairing radios and when he took over the business, we didn’t have a choice but to come and work in the shop after we left school.

“There are six members of the family who work here now and we’re very proud to have made it through all these years.

“It’s an achievement that people have supported us since 1945 and we can help people with any problems they have with the goods they buy from us.”

“Independent shops are part of the community and without the support of local people, we wouldn’t be here.”

Meanwhile, the two main political leaders for South Holland have been quick to get behind our campaign in support of the area’s independent businesses.

Coun Gary Porter, leader of South Holland District Council, said: “South Holland is a vibrant district, with lots to offer both in terms of shopping and recreation, so I am fully behind this campaign.

“As a council, we actively support local businesses to encourage the creation of jobs which boosts the local economy and we are working hard to ensure our communities remain safe, healthy and secure.”

Coun Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We spend millions of pounds each year on goods and services from local companies and continue to work with our small firms to help them bid more competitively for our businesses.

“We also run a number of initiatives that help promote Lincolnshire products, both here in the county and further afield.

“So we’re firmly behind the Shop Local Eat Local Play Local campaign and hope you will be too.”

A veterinary nurse who has had two back operations is taking her fundraising to new heights - parachuting from a plane at 10,000ft.

Suzhy Winfield, of Vetsavers in Spalding, will be doing the Dare for Pets tandem jump in aid of the Blue Cross charity, which helps sick, injured or homeless animals.

Since joining the PDSA vets in St Thomas Road Suzhy has done a lot of fundraising for charity. As well as the PDSA, she has raised money for the RSPCA too and each year takes two weeks unpaid leave to neuter and treat abandoned dogs for the Care for Dogs rescue sanctuary in Chaing Mai, Thailand.

Parachuting for Blue Cross will be a personal challenge as well as hopefully raising £1,000 to help animals.

She said: “I used to be a keen show jumper and cross country rider with my horse, Podge.

“Sadly, I had a bad fall 16 years ago which resulted in me having two operations on my back to replace and fuse two disks so don’t ride competitively anymore - in fact, not a lot at all as my days start at 8.30am and rarely finish before 7pm.

“I also have chrones disease which is now starting to affect my joints so I have to have injections into my hips every six months.

“But I’m going to be strong and when I go to bed every night I know I’ve done my level best for the animals I’ve seen that day.

“By doing this skydive I know I’m doing something to help other animals, too.

“Blue Cross are heavily reliant on funds raised by people like me.”

To support her, visit www.justgiving.com, type Suzhy Winfield RVN in the ‘find a friend’ tab and it will take you to her page and information on how to make donations.

Have you dreamt of seeing your children leading a procession and having crowds wave to them as they pass by?

The search is on for a prince and princess to have some right royal fun during this year’s two-day Springfields Festival and Tulipmania.

Open to six to ten year olds, the tulip-themed competition will take place on day one, Saturday, May 3.

The prince and princess – plus two runners-up – will be chosen on the day. The Royal pair will lead the procession after being launched into the spotlight for a photo shoot around the event.

Winners will receive a bike courtsey of Gibbons Cycles of Spalding, £25 , a £10 voucher from Tesco at Holbeach and a goody bag. Runners-up will each receive a £10 voucher from Tesco and a goody bag.

Entrants are asked to wear a tulip-themed outfit, such as a tulip-trimmed dress for a girl or tulip buttonhole for a boy.

To enter, fill in the coupon in Tuesday’s Lincolnshire Free Press.