The presentation was made at the Willoughby School in Bourne by the Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA) after their pigeon came first in a competition.

The Willoughby Wonderer, which is sponsored by the East Midlands region of the RPRA, won the school section of the national One Loft Race, which meant the school won a whopping £500.

The region have continued the sponsorship so that the pigeon, bred by Eileen and Rodger Rout, can be raced again next year.

Pictured: Children with headteacher Adam Booker, Eileen Rout, Richard Carlton (RPRA East Midlands Region President) and Rodger Rout.

UKIP’s parliamentary candidate in South Holland has now paid off the final outstanding amount of £660 owed to his former council, which had originally billed him for a total of £3,670 for inappropriate use of its chauffeur driven car.

Leicestershire County Council says David Parsons used the car “inappropriately on 28 occasions”.

A council spokesman said: “This amounted to £3,670. A court order was obtained this autumn for the repayment of the final £1,500 – plus court costs.”

The spokesman said the council received the final payment from Mr Parsons on Friday.

It was a press report following Mr Parsons’ adoption as UKIP candidate for South Holland that revealed there was money still owed for use of the chauffeur driven car, but Mr Parsons said yesterday: “It’s been repaid.”

He said he had not agreed with the county council’s case but agreed to pay something.

Mr Parsons explained: “We did come to an arrangement where I would pay them some of the money back, whilst not admitting any liability, and that’s been done. I agreed in the interests of not stringing them along to pay them a sum of money, which I have done.”

Mr Parsons (64) was also censured in 2012 by a sub committee of Leicestershire County Council, where he was Tory leader, for delaying payment of travel costs, said by Leicestershire County Council to amount to £4,090, to a body called East Midlands Councils (EMC).

There was a settlement and money was repaid – Mr Parsons apologised and said it happened because he was doing “a heck of a lot of jobs at the time”.

So far as the delayed EMC payments were concerned, the county council standards sub-committee decided Mr Parsons had disregarded four key principles of public life – honesty, integrity, accountability and leadership.

But Mr Parsons said: “The body which made that allegation – which I strongly refuted – has now been abolished.”

Police inquiries into his affairs didn’t lead to a prosecution.

A spokesman for Leicestershire Police said: “Leicestershire Police carried out an investigation into financial irregularities. The Crown Prosecution Service decided there should be no further action.”

Mr Parsons said he cooperated fully with the police inquiry and “there was no evidence whatsoever of wrong doing”. He’s now focusing on campaigning.

UKIP’s chairman in South Holland, Paul Foyster, said: “I believe in giving a bloke a second chance and I think he will be a good MP. We always knew this was going to be a problem area, but he’s got such deep experience and we need people with deep experience.”

University Academy Holbeach is first and only school in Lincolnshire to win the pfeg’s Centre of Excellence Award.

The school, which is one of 25 to win the award, won due to the fact that it delivers money and finance lessons across all year groups to a high standard.

Following the award presentation, head of maths Jackie Hallett and pfeg organiser Jane Chandler presented two one hour workshops to other delegates, who are now aiming to follow in their footsteps, on the topic of teaching and learning.

They shared their innovative ideas on delivering money and finance outside of the National Curriculum and schemes of work, some of the projects and day’s events that the maths department organised and ran to enthuse the students whilst imparting information.

Pictured: Jackie Hallett (centre right), head of maths and pfeg Financial Champion, and Jane Chandler, (centre left), UAH pfeg organiser, along with the Chief Executive, Michael Mercieca, (left) and Jaime Graham, (right), Director of C & R, Santander who presented the certificate and award.

Year 5 children from Ayscoughfee Hall School, Spalding, visited Burghley House in Stamford to experience a Tudor Christmas. Their exciting day began when they met Henry VIII and ended with a chilling ghost story in a candlelit room.

They learnt about Tudor customs in the Great Hall and the children played traditional games and dazzled with their Tudor dancing.

Headteacher Clare Ogden said: “The children looked amazing in their costumes, especially in the setting of a real Tudor House. An enjoyable day which brought their history topic to life.”

Pictured: Emilia Wright, Madeline Freeman, Taylor Weibel, Lucia Kato and Liberty Turner.

Elyza Howard-Chalmers, a pupil at Edenham Primary School, has been celebrating the occasion of winning the Andrews’ Cup. Elyza, now in year 5, was chosen for the award in recognition of her excellent approach to learning and school life.

Headteacher Kris Radford-Rea said: “Elyza is very bright, enthusiastic and a joy to teach. There were many pupils who we could have awarded this trophy to, however, staff voted for Elyza because of her cheerful and energetic approach to everything she tries.

“She has made excellent academic progress as well as overcoming other challenges this year both in school and out of school, including a great public musical performance on the flute at Grimsthorpe Castle.”

Pictured: Anthony and Gillian Andrews, grandparents to a former pupil of the school and regular volunteers in school, present the award to Elyza.

We have been inundated with toys from readers who want to help make Christmas special this year for less fortunate children.

In an extra boost, Baytree Garden Centre has donated over 280 toys to the appeal for children in South Holland.

John Birch, of Baytree Garden Centre, said: “We are really pleased to support the appeal again this year.

“We have donated around 280 toys for three to six year olds.

“This appeal means a lot to Baytree and no one wants to think of children without a present at Christmas, so we hope that this appeal will help.”

You too can help the joint campaign by The Lincolnshire Free Press, We’ll Let Your House, Beales, Sainsbury’s and South Holland District Council, by grabbing an extra toy while Christmas shopping, or digging out a second hand toy that is in a good state of repair.

Take them along to one of the drop points at The Lincolnshire Free Press offices in The Crescent (open between 10am and 2pm), the toy department at Beales, the We’ll Let Your House office in Broad Street Business Centre, the customer service desk at Sainsbury’s Spalding and the reception at South Holland District Council, and they will be wrapped and presented to children who probably will not receive anything this year due to financial or social 
reasons.

Harry Drury, director at We’ll Let Your House, said: “I’m absolutely delighted with the massive, generous response we have had from the community in donating presents and would like to thank everyone for their continued support and donations – it’s humbling to see the lengths people go to in order to help those who need it the most at such a delicate time of year for certain families.

“A special thank you this week must go to John from Baytree Garden Centre for donating 288 presents to the appeal which in turn will result in 288 children who may not have received a present this year, actually now having something to open on Christmas morning. For a local business to donate so generously to their local community is extremely admiral and must not go unheard.

“I would also like to thank Jen from Acorn Childcare in Spalding who organised a dressing up day where the children paid £1 to come in fancy dress. As a result of this, they have bought several toys to donate to the campaign which again will make a lot of children in our area very happy this Christmas.”

If you need some help with toys this Christmas, send your details to kat.wakefield@jpress.co.uk or Kat Wakefield, Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian, Priory House, The Crescent, Spalding, Lincs, PE11 1AB.

The fourth annual talent show was held at University Academy Holbeach, and it showed just how talented the students are.

The three judges, Rebecca Daws, Gill Graper and Gareth Holmes enjoyed many performances, including trampoline tricks by trampolinist Olivia Casey, magic by Ewan McCraken and expressive dance by Beth Colley.

But, when it came to choosing a winner, year 11 singer Hollie Beardsmoore-Cooke, who writes her own songs, came in top, winning £100.

In second place was Shark Sandwich, a duo made up of Sean Rummage on drums and Jared Brighton on guitar.

In third place, came singer Leomi Ward and in fourth was singer Stephanie Fortune.

There was also a raffle, which was conducted by former student Russell Kirk, who dressed up as Santa for the occasion.

The show was a true community event, with Team Strides of Holbeach sponsoring the show and producing the trophies.

Laddies from Holbeach were also on hand to sell homemade ice cream and popcorn along with hot chocolate to family, friends, staff and pupils.

Year 11 student Tyler Daniels helped organise and record auditions as well as the show on the night.

Eva Keyes who, along with Mark Murfet, organised the talent show said: “I would like to thank Steve Baragawanath and the staff at the University Academy Holbeach for their support and the caretakers who are always helpful and give up their time for this event.

“I’d also like to thank the library staff Jane Reid and Rachel Sandison who sold the tickets and Monique Dee and Victoria White for all of their help on the night and in rehearsals and Russell who helps out every year and we really appreciate it.”

Popular local music veterans Sounds Force 5 will be celebrating their 50th anniversary at the South Holland Centre in Spalding in February, along with the famous Swinging Blue Jeans.

And the Blue Jeans will have a famous songwriter in their midst.

Pete Oakman was originally a very good friend of Joe Brown, and was in his backing band “The Bruvvers…but was also an avid songwriter.

When Joe wanted a song in the early 60s, Pete wrote “A Picture Of You”, which became a smash hit in 1962 and is possibly the one song that Joe still remains so famous for to this day.

Colin Ward, of Sounds Force 5, said: “It’s great to have such a fabulous and famous songwriter on the show with us…I’m sure he will be persuaded on the night to perform the song he wrote for Joe.”

Tickets for the show are selling fast, and the event is already half full…you can get your tickets from the South Holland Centre box office on 01775 764777

UPDATE THURSDAY 9.45AM: A mother and child were taken to hospital after a car and van collided in Crowland, it has emerged today.

Firefighters used cutting gear to free the pair by removing the car’s roof as a result of the collision in North Street shortly before 12.40pm yesterday.

The woman and child were taken to Peterborough City Hospital where they were treated for shock and pain in various parts of their bodies.

WEDNESDAY 2.35PM: A driver has been cut free from their car after a crash in Crowland today.

Emergency services were called to North Street where firefighters used hyraulic cutting equipment to release the driver after a collision in the town centre.

However, the person’s injury aren’t thought to be serious.

Derelict, neglected and sometimes crumbling buildings that blight the streets of South Holland are on a council hit-list to be sorted out.

But South Holland District Council, which has compiled an ever growing list of such sites, wants feedback from you so they can target first the buildings that make your blood boil.

Spalding’s Bull and Monkie pub was the first eyesore to be spruced up by the council which is determined to put back the pride in South Holland.

The Red Cow at Donington is likely to be next, but the council hopes to press forward through successful negotiations with the owner.

The reserved site for action next is the old butchers shop in Bull Lane, Long Sutton.

Among properties on the council’s list are:

• The New Bridge Inn at Glenside South, West Pinchbeck

• The former Royal Mail Sorting Office in The Crescent, Spalding

• The Bell pub in Church Street, Pinchbeck

• Derelict shops next to The Chequers in High Street, Holbeach

• The former John Nell Farm in Bridge Road, Long Sutton

• The former Bartons/Barlings butchers shop in Bull Lane, Long Sutton

• The Red Cow at Donington

The council is adding more sites to the hit list – and this is your chance to nominate a site that isn’t on the list.

The Bull and Monkie was cleared up after official notices were served on the owners – the first to clear overgrown trees and shrubs in the grounds and the second to remove graffiti.

Council leader Gary Porter said: “Once the handmade gates are fitted we will be submitting a bill for all of the work to the owners and if necessary will pursue this through the courts for payment.

“However, I still hope the owners come forward with immediate payment and that they talk to the council about their plans for the site’s future or its disposal.”

Coun Porter hopes the owners of the sites on the list will now realise that the council is serious about this campaign – and choose to do the right thing by the community and fix the problems themselves.

Let us know your grot spot by choosing one from the list above or putting forward your own suggestion – email lynne.harrison@jpress.co.uk We will pass the information on to the council, who will tackle the one with the most nominations.

A resident of Surfleet Reservoir has found himself on a slippery slope after trying to look out for a disabled elderly neighbour, who had been trapped at home because of the condition of the access road.

Tom Jones contacted the Free Press because he was unable to recoup a share of the cost of emergency repair work from Welland and Deeping Internal Drainage Board (IDB), who maintain the track,

But the IDB says it cannot be expected to use ratepayers’ money for a “bodge job” it has not authorised.

Mr Jones said: “I tackled Welland and Deeping IDB in May this year about the dangerous condition of the access slope, which was threatening to unseat leaseholder, Greta Meecham, from her mobility scooter.

“Greta had written several times to the IDB to request a repair to the surface.

“The purpose of my intervention was to see if an affordable compromise could be reached in the short term, having been quoted £5,000 by the IDB.

“Greta has 50 per cent paralysis following a stroke, having totally lost the use of her right arm and leg. If she is unseated in her mobility scooter when descending this four in one gradient, a possibly fatal fall could ensue.

“So I put essential repairs in hand at my expense and at minimal cost. All my co-freeholders have repaid their 1/22 part of this cost, but the IDB refuse to pay their 4/22 parts, amounting to £52.

“Residents here are appalled at the refusal of the IBD to address the humanitarian aspect of this dilemma, especially since they receive a substantial annual ground rent, not just from Greta but from three other leaseholders who also use this access slope.”

Greta was last featured in the Free Press in 2009, after falling twice on the gravel track leading to her home.

She said: “I’ve lived here for about 50 years and until 2005 paid £300 ground rent a year. Now it’s £3,700. Because of the state of the access slope, I couldn’t get out in my mobility scooter and wrote several letters about it to the IDB. I told them that if I fell and damaged my mobility scooter it would cost them a lot more than £52.”

IDB chief executive Karen Daft said that under a legal covenant residents are responsible for an equal share the cost of the upkeep of the road. She said: “I contacted residents in 2012 regarding resurfacing the road and had less than 50 per cent response.

“We have been in touch with Mrs Meecham on several occasions. The quote for resurfacing was £4,125 - that’s £187.50 per resident.

“The access slope would have been repaired by now, had the situation not been complicated by the emergency work.

“Before any repairs can be done, that has to be removed. We do not know who owns the land either side of the slope, which we would need to access, and so we have been unable to do anything. The matter is now with solicitors.

“We cannot expect to spend ratepayers money on a bodge job.”

A young couple behind a blooming flower business in Holbeach Drove can plan for expansion after winning the right to build their own home.

Russell (30) and Charlotte Holmes (25) have been living in temporary housing after South Holland District Council turned down a bid to build a mobile home at Morningside Nurseries in Dog Drove 
North.

The couple want to build a three-bedroom home at the site, but planning officers claimed there was no need for a house over fears their business wouldn’t be able to meet living costs.

But Russell and Charlotte are set to starting building work early next year after the council’s planning committee voted 14-0, with one abstention, to give planning permission to the couple for their new home.

Charlotte said: “It’s absolutely brilliant news and the response we got from the planning committe couldn’t have been better.

“It was lovely to hear how complimentary and supportive they were about our case, although it did come as a shock to us.”

Russell and Charlotte started their flower and cabbage growing business six years ago and have seen sales double over the last three years.

“We were very disappointed when the planning officer recommended refusal because we thought the council was supposed to back cases like ours,” Charlotte said.

“But we just knuckled down and got more information together to show the planning committee that the temporary accommodation we’re living in now costs us more to heat than a three-bedroomed home would.”

The latest from our girl about town

Come on motorists! Give cyclists a break – or at the very least don’t attempt to overtake when there clearly isn’t room to do so, putting the cyclist’s life at risk, as witnessed by Angel on Wednesday morning on High Bridge in Spalding.

* Having just returned from a trip out to Moulton Chapel on the B1165 Angel was interested to note a stretch of road that was covered in mud as a result of tractor activity and, a short distance away, a car in a ditch. Wonder if the two were connected in any way?

* Angel is certainly a big Christmas fan, happily sporting Christmas jumpers while listening to Christmas hits in November and itching to put the decorations up. However, one thing Angel can’t quite get her halo-topped head around is car antlers. Yes, that’s right. Antlers which you stick on your car. I’m sure they’re more likely to cause damage to your car than conjure up the festive spirit we all love. Is there any point to them? Angel thinks not.

* Angel was having a gentle tootle in her car along High Street, Gosberton, but had to slow down from the 30mph limit on Tuesday evening because there was a slow-moving vehicle in front – none other than Santa Claus on his sleigh and his wonderful helpers from Spalding Lions. Now that’s a first for Angel and, yes, she’s still a big Christmas fan.

* This may be a coincidence, but ever since the Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian started publishing petrol prices, it seems they have been falling. Angel knows petrol prices have dropped nationally but Spalding’s prices are often lower than those in Boston – something unheard of a little while ago.

Decades of misery for drivers using the A17 in Holbeach could be over if a £2.4 milllion bid for Government cash succeeds.

A long-awaited roundabout at Peppermint Junction, where the A17 merges with the A151, is the centrepiece of a project being championed by a group committed to boosting economic growth in Lincolnshire.

Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has applied to the Government for cash under its Growth Deal programme which brings together public and private funding for capital projects in the county.

The bid was confirmed by Holbeach county councillor Nick Worth at a parish council meeting in the town on Monday, with a decision on whether the bid has been successful expected in January.

Speaking to the Guardian after the meeting, Coun Worth said: “A number of projects across the county have been submitted for Growth Deal funding through Greater Lincolnshire LEP.

“One of these projects is a proposed roundabout at Peppermint Junction where the A151 and A17 meet.

“This £2.415 million project will provide something much-requested in Holbeach, making access onto the A17 safer and reducing heavy traffic in the town.

“It would also unlock employment and residential land to the west of Holbeach which is nothing new as this has been part of the area’s local plan for some time.

“This is a major project, with potentially massive investment coming into Holbeach, that I have been lobbying for for some considerable time and I am hoping to get some good news in the new year.”

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

November 3

Daniel Cadd (32), of Sykes Lane, Saxilby. Speeding (Whaplode). £100 fine, £20 victim surcharge, £40 costs, 3pts.

Gary Hammond (37), of Hillings Way, Pott Row, King’s Lynn. Speeding (Spalding). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £40 costs, 4pts.

Andoslaw Kandalski (27), of Love Lane, Spalding. Driving while using a hand-held mobile phone (Spalding). £300 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts. No separate penalty for defective rear light.

Olga Kulveciene (60), of St Thomas Road, Spalding. Driving without due care and attention (Spalding). £245 fine, £25 v/s, £85 costs, 5pts.

Cheryl Oakes (46), of Park Avenue, King’s Lynn. Speeding (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Carole Burton (51), of Severn Road, Spalding. Failing to stop after an accident whereby personal injury was cause to another person (Spalding). £135 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. Driving without due care and attention. £65 fine. No separate penalty for failing to report an accident.

Richard Hartley (53), of Carleton Road, Norwich. Speeding (Swineshead). £100 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.

Antanas Juskovas (31), of The Crescent, Spalding. Defective tyre (Spalding). £100 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.

Julie Cole (52), of Nutts Lane, Holbeach. Speeding (Whaplode). £65 fine, £20 v/s, £20 costs, 3pts.

November 5

Paulius Peciulis (20), of NFA. Stole various items worth £48 belonging to Pound Stretcher (Spalding) and stole groceries and hardware worth £143.39 belonging to B&M (Spalding). 6 months conditional discharge.

November 8

Janis Mitenbergs (27), of Kellet Gate, Low Fulney. Stole three bottles of port worth £27 belonging to Sainsbury’s (Spalding). £130 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Boston Magistrates’ Court

November 5

Shaun Godfrey (41), of Albert Avenue, Gedney. Assault (Gedney). Community order, £285 compensation.

Vytautas Kairys (23), of Trinity Street, Boston. Dishonestly undertook or assisted in retention, removal, disposal or realisation of stolen goods (Holbeach). Stole groceries worth £127.50 belonging to Aldi (Spalding). 10 weeks prison sentence suspended for 12 months, 80 hours unpaid work. No separate penalty for taking a pedal cycle without consent (Weston).

Carl Ward (49), of Spalding Common, Spalding. Three counts of assault (Spalding). Community order with 150 unpaid work, £60 v/s, £85 costs.

Ingus Laipnieks (29), of Livingstone Drive, Spalding. Allowing someone else to use a motor vehicle when thee was no insurance (Spalding). £180 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Martins Ritenis (22), of Havelock Street, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £150 fine, £20 v/s, 385 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Vytas Simkues (25), of Wood Lane, Quadring Eaudyke. Being in charge of a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol (Quadring). £265 fine, £27 v/s, £85 costs, 10pts.

Dale Tautiene (50), of Patriot Close, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). 12 weeks prison sentence suspended for 12 months, £80 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 36 months. No separate penalty for driving while disqualified.

Daniel Whadcock (18), of Scottlethorpe Road, Edenham. Drink driving (Spalding). £185 find, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 24 months.

Matthew Moore (35), of Nayland Drive, Clacton-on-Sea. Assault (Whaplode St Catherine). Community order with 60 hours unpaid work, restraining order, £100 compensation, £85 costs.

November 12

John Cooper (28), of Fen Road, Holbeach. Drink driving (Holbeach). £110 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 17 months.

Nerijus Rozaitis (32), of Juniper Crescent, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). £250 fine, £25 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 2 years. No separate penalty for no insurance.

Martin Smaje (57), of Cross Winds, Holbeach St Marks. Drink driving (Holbeach St Marks). £350 fine, £35 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 3 years.

November 13

Richards Gudovskis (18), of Horseshoe Lane, Kirton. Two counts of trespass and theft (Kirton). £75 fine, £50 compensation. No action taken on breach of a conditional discharge.

Mark Hall (45), of Bull Lane, Long Sutton. Drink driving (Holbeach). £210 fine, £21 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 17 months.

Nathan Wilson (35), of Ledgards Drive, Wyberton. Assault and damage to a panic alarm to the value of £50 belonging to Lincolnshire Police (Boston). Community order with 40 hours unpaid work and requirement to participate in building better relationships programme, £50 compensation, £60 v/s, £85 costs.

James Caraccio (43), of Balmoral Avenue, Spalding. Stole a pedal cycle (Spalding). 38 days prison sentence, offence was committed during the operational period of a suspended sentence and also re-sentenced on other offences, £80 v/s.

Skegness Magistrates’ Court

November 4

Anthony Walker (58), of Middle Street, Rippingale. Unlicensed vehicle (Rippingale). £70, £93.34 back duty, £90 costs.

Hayley Wicks, of St Johns Street, Holbeach. Failing to notify transfer of vehicle (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

Andrew Wilson (48), of Vicarage Close, Cowbit. Motor insurance offence (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £110 costs.

A woman who stole £638 from Bourne Rugby Club was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay the money back by a judge.

Marie Cope (39) admitted taking the cash after volunteering to run the club’s kitchen, Lincoln Crown Court heard.

The court was told Cope ran the kitchen for a full season without any problems but then gave in to temptation during her second year in the role.

Stuart Lody, prosecuting, said the kitchen ran a float of £50 and expected takings of around £100 per week.

Mr Lody told the court Cope made a first payment to the committee but then failed to give them any other money.

When the club pursued Cope for the money a cheque for £638 was sent back as “return to sender.” The police then became involved.

Andrew Vout, mitigating, said Cope had no previous convictions and could afford to pay back £50 a month to the rugby club.

Cope, of Station Road, Grantham, admitted a single charge of theft from Bourne Rugby Club.

She was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay compensation of £638 to Bourne rugby club.

Passing sentence Judge John Pini QC told Cope not to resort to dishonest means if she fell in to financial difficulties again.

Judge Pini said: “You volunteered to run this kitchen and in the first year it seems it went very well but in the second season you were tempted to take money.

“It was a breach of trust. You were trusted by them and the cheque bounced for £638.

“I accept it wasn’t your intention to volunteer especially to steal, but that is what happened.”

A 50-year-old man has been charged with driving while being more than twice over the legal alcohol level limit.

Vladimirs Spiridonovs is due to appear before Boston magistrates on New Year’s Eve after he was arrested by police while driving on the A16 in Spalding last Friday.

It is alleged that Spiridonovs was driving while having an alcohol level of 77 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath, when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

It’s one of 16 arrests made so far this month as part of Operation Blackwater, a partnership between police and the public to catch motorists drink driving in Lincolnshire.

People can text the word “DRINK” to 80800, followed by details of the vehicle, when and where they suspect drink driving may take place or call 999.

Police are also carrying out morning, late afternoon and night-time road checks across the county.

Expert witnesses this week told an inquest that a “freak accident” claimed the life of stock car driver Steve Newman in a race at Mildenhall Stadium.

Steve (37), of Town Drove, Quadring, was competing in the British Stock Car Championship Final on June 16 2012 when he was involved in a multi-car collision in the race’s sixth lap at around 10.35pm.

Despite efforts by medics to try and revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Fourteen witnesses including drivers, medical professionals and track staff gave evidence at the inquest.

The jury adjourned for less than an hour to reach a unanimous conclusion of accidental death.

Steve’s father Mick Newman (67) said afterwards: “I am a racer myself and we all know the rules. We all know what is involved with racing and we all take the risk.

“You don’t think it is going to happen to your son, but now everything is being put to rest, we are pleased with the conclusion.”

Assistant Suffolk Coroner Yvonne Blake said: “Two experts have described this crash as a ‘freak accident’, and others have seen similar crashes where people walked out relatively uninjured. Nobody expected him to die.

“Apart from a faint pulse at the beginning, no signs of life were felt from Mr Newman.”

A report published in January 2013 by Forest Heath District Council environmental health officer Stephanie Grayling said Mr Newman’s car made contact with the track’s perimeter fence, causing its passenger side wheel to leave the ground.

The car flipped on to its roof and was then hit by another car, driven by 19-year-old George Bolt Jr, which started the ‘bundle’ of cars that became involved in the accident.

George’s father George Bolt Sr, a seasoned stock car racer, told the inquest he had seen drivers walk away from crashes ‘20 times worse’ than that in which Mr Newman was killed.

“It is luck of the draw how it happens,” he said.

Mr Bolt Sr said accidents were not uncommon in stock car racing, but the corner on which Mr Newman crashed was not especially prone to accidents.

Fellow racer Lee Sampson said he rolled his car twice that night on the same corner on which Mr Newman’s car was flipped.

“The angle of the bend tightens as you come around the corner, bringing you closer to the fence,” he said.

A summary report by David Rudland, of the Health and Safety Executive, said Mr Newman’s car met specifications set out by industry regulator Oval Racing Council International and the roll cage in the car was made of the right material.

The stadium fence, owned by RDC Promotions, also met required height and construction standards.

There was a delay in getting Mr Newman out of the car, and he was unable to receive medical attention in the car due to the roof buckling, making it impossible to remove his helmet, and his seat being thrown forward against the dashboard and making it difficult to access his chest.

However, this was concluded not to have been a factor in his death.

Ms Blake said: “There are no grounds to consider that the roof could be cut off any quicker and medical assistance could not be given to Mr Newman until the roof was cut off.”

James Purnell, representing RDC Promotions, and barrister for Forest Heath District Council’s health and safety department Matthew Gowen both agreed the only conclusion to reach was that of accidental death.

Mr Rudland recommended the Saloon Stock Cars Association should consider carrying out a review of the way roll cages are constructed to determine if improvements can be made, and consider carrying out a review of the position of the driver’s seat in relation to the cage.

• Steve’s death sent shock waves through the racing world and drivers staged a stock car procession in tribute to the father of two at his funeral in Gosberton.

TRISH TAKES FIVE: By Trish Burgess

Panto returns to the South Holland Centre this week as Polka Dot Pantomimes brings the magic of Cinderella to Spalding.

Being the am­dram luvvie that I am, I can’t resist a panto: the whole cross­dressing, thigh­-slapping shebang.

I starred in my first ever panto in Sixth Form, playing a very Godfather-­influenced baddie, Abanazar, complete with my dad’s dinner suit, a Fedora and a moustache while singing Joe Dolce’s ‘Shaddap You Face’ as my solo.

After that auspicious start, I took to the stage during university, playing the more glamorous role of the Prince in Snow White, a part much more to my liking as I loved the kinky boots. The boots were walking again when I reprised my Prince role in the John Lewis Peterborough panto, duetting with the Wicked Queen in an unusual rendition of ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’.

With these credentials I felt sufficiently equipped to go along to the Cinderella rehearsals last week to see what Spalding audiences have in store.

Cameron Hall, the choreographer, was already putting the professional dancers through their paces. There was some impressive footwork to be seen and a couple of eye­-popping lifts that Len Goodman would probably count as illegal. And it was great to see former Polka Dot student Casey Connolly return home from theatre school to perform in her first professional pantomime.

In another room, director Kate Eason was blocking the second act (did you notice my use of the word ‘blocking’ ­ gosh I’ve so got the lingo). Even dressed in civvies, the talented actors just oozed professionalism, with lines learned and characters nailed on Day Two of an intense rehearsal period. Kate’s job was harder than most as she also plays the part of young apprentice Fairy Flustered.

I can happily vouch for the fact that all the actors I saw were simply perfect for their roles. Prince Charming is rather dashing and, in this panto, very male while Cinders is blonde and beautiful with a wonderful singing voice.

I had a quick chat with the Ugly Sisters, good friends Andy Brennan and Chris Carr, and I think Polka Dot is onto a winner with this double ­act. They have worked together before so there is a natural bond which makes the comedy spontaneous and infectious. They pointed to a vast pile of brightly-­coloured tulle in the corner of the room. “Our costumes,” Andy explained. “We’re going subtle this year”.

The principals are rehearsing 11 hour days at the moment and are joined in the evenings by the local children from Limelight Youth Theatre who form the ensemble.

I am sure the youngsters will find it an invaluable experience being part of a professional production and learning first­hand about the craft of performing arts.

The show opens this week and, from the sneaky peek I had last Tuesday, I’m sure theatre­goers are in for a treat. Tickets are available from the South Holland Centre Box Office: 01775 764777.

You can follow Trish on Twitter @mumsgoneto and read her blog at www.mumsgoneto.blogspot.com

Coun John Spencer is facing calls to quit after several business owners claimed they were yet to be paid for work done at Holbeach United Sports and Social Club.

The claims were made at a parish council meeting on Monday when an attempt was made to call for a no-confidence vote in Coun Spencer who became chairman in May.

During the meeting at the Reading Rooms, John Kinder of JWK Electrical in the town said: “Some of the businesspeople of Holbeach would like to ask parish council members if they are aware of the actions of Holbeach United Sports and Social Club which was run under the chairmanship of Coun John Spencer.

“We are led to believe that the club’s management has run up debts in excess of £40,000 with local suppliers in the town, but this is not yet known as we understand that no accounts for the club have been produced for several years.

“Coun Spencer and the entire committee have now resigned, obviously hoping to sweep this matter under the carpet and leave us all out of pocket.

“Unfortunately for them, we understand it’s not as simple as that as the club was registered as a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) with HM Revenue and Customs, so we are passing on information to them.”

Richard Ladbrook of Laddies Famous Ices, Holbeach, another of the alleged creditors, told the Guardian: “I’m pleased it’s out in the open because I’ve had several people commenting to me about it and at the end of the day, I think something needs to happen.

“Like a lot of other people, I’m annoyed about the situation because as ex-chairman of Holbeach United Sports and Social Club, I believe Coun Spencer has let the community down.

“I can’t see how he can carry on in the office he has, as chairman of the parish council, without going along to everybody who claims they are owed money to sort the situation out.”

The no-confidence vote in Coun Spencer was put forward by Coun Paul Foyster who said: “It’s damaging to the council to have a chairman who could be under investigation over what are fairly serious allegations.

“I feel it’s best if Coun Spencer steps down until the allegations are investigated.”

Holbeach United Sports and Social Club was reformed in 2005, three years after the Labour Government allowed community sports groups to be exempt from corporation tax and claim gift aid from the Treasury of 20 per cent.

Coun Francis Biggadike, South Holland district councillor for Holbeach, said: “I was on the club’s committee when we got CASC status in 2005, so I’m gutted to think that after all the hard work that’s gone on, everybody’s efforts might have gone down the drain.”

Coun Spencer said: “Every single question I’ve had about the club, I’ve answered and I can’t go any further than that because I don’t know any more.”