Campaigners who battled to stop a massive, wood-burning gasifier plant being built at Sutton Bridge want to put an end to any similar threat hanging over the village.

An extraordinary meeting of the parish council will be held on Tuesday when policies in the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan will be discussed.

Colin Blundell, who chairs the Wash and Sutton Bridge Protection Group, said current planning policies could leave the door open for another incinerator application and called on the parish council to get the wording changed.

He told last week’s parish council meeting: “If we go on the present wording, we would have the threat of an incinerator hanging over our heads.”

He wants to see the Wingland site reserved for business, industry and storage – and the door slammed shut on any power stations.

Tuesday’s extraordinary meeting starts at 7pm in The Curlew Centre, Bridge Road, and will include a question and answer session with Gary Alexander, the joint policy unit manager responsible for the local plan.

• In March South Holland District Council refused EnergyPark Sutton Bridge Ltd’s plan to develop a gasifier with 12 chimneys after the applicant failed to supply answers to a series of questions.

The council had previously granted planning consent, but that decision was scuppered when village resident Shirley Giles had it overturned in the High Court.

It was a fair cop when a team of police cyclists got on their bikes to take part in Spalding Velo Prix races.

A Blue Light Challenge in the Market Place on Sunday saw the neighbourhood policing team in hot pursuit of the older youth members of event organisers Spalding Cycling Club wearing robbers’ costumes.

Police riders, including Community Inspector Jo Reeves, had been totally unaware of the team’s plan, providing an amusing interlude for the Italian Pursuit races between West Pinchbeck St Bartholomew’s CE Primary, Gosberton Clough and Risegate, Weston Hills C of E Primary and Spalding Primary schools and the interclub races.

Insp Reeves said: “The Neighbourhood Policing Team really enjoyed the opportunity to take part in the event and engage with the community in this way. A good day was had by all involved, despite the weather and we are pleased to say that in our race the cops caught the robbers (as you would hope!)”

The events - sponsored by Broadgate Homes – marked day two of the town’s new cycling festival.

On Saturday, 30 young riders took part in ‘Go Race’ on Monks House Lane playing field, sponsored by Gibbons Cycles, with Lincolnshire County Council Bikeability Team providing the fun. Then families took to the pretty countryside around Spalding for guided five, 10 and 16-mile rides, visiting church flower festivals at Surfleet and Pinchbeck for tea and cake.

The event’s tribute to the area’s bulb traditions continued with tulips presented to race winners, provided by Fusion Aluminium Welding.

Villagers in Fleet Hargate who would like a bus shelter to replace the one that has been boarded up are being invited to get into talks with the developer responsible.

Joan Woolard contacted our sister paper, the Spalding Guardian, after discovering she could no longer use the one that had been built by the parish council outside the old school in Old Main Road 62 years ago.

Steve Stinders, who is converting the unused 200-year-old building into two residential properties, said he was sorry someone had been upset but many people in the village, including the elderly, are relieved to see the bus shelter go.

He said: “We bought the old school 30 years ago and inherited the bus shelter on our property, but agreed to it still being used so long as it was looked after.

“Over the past 10 years it has become a constant target for graffiti, dog mess and people using it as a toilet and urinating in it.

“My mum has tried to clean it but it stank, so nobody wanted to use it and they stood outside anyway.

“The workmen on site tell me a lot of people are glad it’s been boarded up and it’s going because it doesn’t smell anymore.”

Mr Stinders said it was unusual for there to be bus stops with ‘hail and ride’ services.

However, he said: “If villagers really want one I’m happy to discuss it. We care about the community and old people and are proud of the development we are doing here.

“The conversion is in line with conservation and will bring an unused old school back to life as two quirky cottages that have already attracted a lot of interest.

“They will bring a nice addition to the village.”

In the meantime, Norfolk Green is continuing its hail and ride service along Old Main Road.

A spokesman for Lincolnshire County Council said: “Although the shelter will no longer be available for use by the public, a bus stop will remain.

“The marked on-street car parking areas have been in place along Old Main Road for some while and we are not aware of any highway safety issues, or problems experienced by 
the bus operating company in using the stop.”

Volunteers who have taken over a village hall in Quadring are appealing to the community to help give it a facelift.

St Margaret’s Community Hall is in urgent need of some TLC – and already some kind local businessmen have offered help.

Henry Bingham from Crossroads Nurseries has been assisting with ground maintenance and planting and Paul Wright of Akzo Nobel Decorative Paints Ltd has given them huge discounts on paint and advice on colours.

Janet Young, of the management team, said: “It’s a great start but there’s still a lot of work to be done and we would welcome anyone who would like to help.

“The outside has been looking very drab and our first aim is to spruce it up and make it look inviting.

“We need help with the painting and guttering repairs – as well as levelling the car park and laying new gravel, clearing rubbish and new signage.”

Along with other helpers Ian Elrick, Tony Scully, Derek Williams, Ann Harvey, Batty Dakers and Shaun Wakefield, they are holding a painting day at the end of the month.

Work has already started inside clearing old unused equipment and tidying and cleaning small side rooms, which are being used by a Mothers and Toddlers group, Jiu-Jitsu classes, the Evergreens Club and aerobics classes.

Forthcoming events include British Legion Brass Band concerts on June 13 and a Community Lincs workshop on June 15.

For more information call 01775 821229 or email st.margarets.quadring@outlook.com

The Skills Funding Agency have recently published the 2013/2014 success rate tables and Boston College are delighted to have featured as the number one college in Lincolnshire.

Boston College have come out as the top college within Lincolnshire, being number one for success and retention across the whole county.

The first set of results to be released were for “All age, all levels”. This category is very large due to the fact that it considers the total number of qualifications delivered by a college including all age groups and at all levels, and is therefore an incredible achievement.

Boston College believes that these remarkable results are testament to the dedication and commitment that staff have towards their roles in developing the workforce of the future and the hard work put in by the students in order to make the best use of their time at college.

Only last year the college were shortlisted for a TES FE Award, “Best Teaching and Learning Initiative”. This award recognises a team that has launched exceptional ideas to improve the quality of teaching or learning.

The fact that the college has been shortlisted for this award recognises that initiatives have been launched and are being carried out across all areas of college, contributing to their high success rate.

These brilliant figures showing the success of Boston College are particularly poignant at a time when the college is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and it highlights the positive impact the college has on the community.

The fact that there is such a variety of courses availability and that the college is number one in the county with regards to retention, success and achievement rates just reinforces the importance for young people to explore all options after GCSEs and to trust in the opportunities for success continually provided by Boston College.

On this success Amanda Mosek, college principal, said: “I was delighted to receive these results and find out that we were the top performing college in Lincolnshire.

“Last year was a great year – we achieved 100 per cent pass rate at A-level, we came third in the entire country for the National Student Satisfaction Survey and we were shortlisted for a prestigious national teaching and learning award.

“Boston College really is a great place to study with a growing reputation for excellence.”

For more information on Boston College and the courses on offer, please visit www.boston.ac.uk or call the information line on 01205 313218. Apply now for courses starting in September 2015.

Time Out Long Sutton are this month celebrating their tenth

anniversary.

Shaun and Jenny Cross decided to open their shop after leaving the family business and wanting to set something else up in town.

Calling their new business Time Out, Shaun wanted it to be just that, somewhere you could come in and take time out of your busy lives.

They pride themselves on stocking unique home furnishes and gift ideas.

They are stockist of such brands as Coachhouse, Art Marketing, Garden Trading and One world, as well as books.

And if you can’t find that exact gift in store and Shaun will order it in especially for you.

Head upstairs and you will find Time Out’s air conditioned hair and beauty salon, where a team of hairdressers and beauticians share their years of experience to make clients look and feel special in a relaxing environment.

With Wella specialist Jenny running the hair salon, Lucy does waxing, massages and St Tropez spray tans.

Nadia can give you longer locks with Cinderella hair extensions and Janet, who has the beauty room, has products from Dermilogica and Guinot.

Together they can offer packages for special occasions such as weddings, prom nights and holidays.

To celebrate their tenth anniversary Shaun will be running a two week sale, something they have never done or had to do as many of their prices are lower than other stockists of the same products.

The sale will run from Monday, May 11 and there will be a 10 per cent discount of all stock from the furniture shop downstairs except picture framing.

Family and friends are still recovering from the sudden death of well-known Holbeach businessman Bryan Thompson.

Bryan (64), who lived in Holbeach with his wife Lynda, died in the early hours of last Tuesday morning after suffering a massive heart attack.

His son Ashley, managing director of Bryan Thompson Windows Ltd, the business Bryan founded about 28 years ago, said: “He hadn’t been himself for a while but we didn’t expect anything like this. He’s had heart trouble in the past, but it was nothing to make us think this was going to happen.”

The business, which became a limited operation in 2006, has become well-known in the district and Bryan a popular man. Ashley said: “We are absolutely flooded out with cards. It is amazing the people who have offered support. I’d like to thank everyone who offered their support, customers, family and friends as well. He was incredibly popular and a lot of people are going to miss him.”

Bryan made windows all his life, working as a carpenter before forming his own company.

One of Bryan’s early interests was Holbeach United Football Club, where he formerly served on the committee.

However, Bryan’s major passion was for classic cars and bikes, including powered bikes. Ashley says one looks just like an old bone shaker with a motor strapped to its wheel. He added: “He was always playing in his garage with something, just tinkering with cars and bikes. I think a new one arrived every week.”

Bryan also leaves another son, Christian, who is also in the business, and sons Gareth and Jack.

The funeral service is due to take place on Tuesday at Holbeach Parish Church (11am). Donations are being accepted for Linkage Community Trust (for adults and young people with learning difficulties).

There’s still time to buy tickets for our popular Two Lips charity quiz night on Tuesday, May 12.

As in 2012 and 2013 the quiz will be held at St Norbert’s Church Hall in St Thomas’ Road, Spalding.

Tickets are £8 per person and include a fish and chip supper provided by Sheddy’s.

Teams can be a minimum of four and maximum of eight people.

There will be prizes for the winners, a raffle on the night and the chance to bid on a souvenir miniature cricket bat and autograph book, both signed by England cricketer Matt Prior during his recent visit to Spalding Grammar School.

Raffle prizes already include a portrait sitting with professional photographer Veena Cornish, a bottle of vodka donated by Paul and Lorraine McDermott, a Sunday lunch for two at Spalding Lifestyle, an Amelia and Friends pony set, a fruit basket from Worldwide Fruit of Pinchbeck, a plant from Wyeplants of Spalding and a bouquet from Flowers ‘n’ Things.

The quiz, which is 6.30pm for a 7pm start, is once again supporting the Rotary Club of Spalding and Welland’s Two Lips Appeal.

The annual appeal is this year supporting PHAB, the NSPCC and Macmillan Cancer Support. There is a licensed bar and the evening should be over by around 10pm.

Free Press and Spalding Guardian editor Jeremy Ransome said: “I would like to thank St Norbert’s for the hire of the hall, Sheddy’s for providing the tasty suppers and D&M Sports of Vine Street, Spalding, for providing the bat for Matt to sign.

“Also, all those who have bought tickets and donated raffle prizes so far. We need to sell more tickets and receive more raffle prizes, so please support this great cause.”

You can buy your tickets 
from our front office at Priory House in The Crescent, 
Spalding (please see page 16 for opening times) or by 
calling Denise Vickers on 01775 765400. Please note, we can only accept cash.

If anyone is willing to sponsor the event by offering a raffle prize, we would be very grateful. Please call us on 01775 765400 if you can help.

Police are trying to recover a JCB loading shovel vehicle stolen from the Station Road area of Gedney.

The vehicle was stolen overnight on April 29/30.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident number 49 of April 30, or email the Neighbourhood Policing Team for The Suttons at thesuttons.npt@lincs.pnn.police.uk

Police are investigating theft of heating oil from an address in Long Sutton at the end of April – and are warning residents who store heating oil to make sure it is kept securely. A catalytic converter was stolen from a vehicle in the town around the same time and police are again warning owners to be on their guard.

A company blamed for a big delay in installing South Holland’s £100,000-plus CCTV system is in the “last chance saloon”.

Deputy council leader Nick Worth revealed in mid-February that the cameras would be ready to roll by the end of that month.

But, since then, the eyes-in-the-sky have remained in their wrappers because the “link” that was earmarked for transferring data between Spalding and the professionally manned control room at Boston wasn’t up to the job.

Coun Worth said the company has since found it can use another link, known as the Lincolnshire WAN Network, but he is angry that installation of the new CCTV system has been delayed for so long.

He said: “They should have thought of that (the different network) in the first place. This is the last chance saloon for them to get it sorted.”

Council officials met interested parties today (Wednesday) in a bid to ensure installation of the cameras now moves forward quickly, although it’s not yet been revealed when work will start.

When it is finally launched, the new CCTV system will be the third in South Holland in the space of a decade – but this time the cameras will be monitored 24/7 by professionals. Around 25 cameras will be installed – 17 in Spalding, four or five in Holbeach and three in Crowland.

The £108,475 cost will be met by Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Alan Hardwick (£56,000), Lincolnshire County Council’s second homes income (£18,000) and South Holland District Council and participating parishes (£34,000).

It was the day for which British people had fought and endured five years, eight months and four days of war.

It was 70 years ago tomorrow and it was VE Day, and as the Daily Mirror reported, ‘It’s over in the West’.

The people who fought are growing fewer with each passing year, but many of their records and letters, their faces and the artefacts of war are preserved in collections, such as that belonging to Chris Chandler.

Chris, of Spalding, says his greatest frustration is he wishes some of the pieces in his collection – estimated at around 21,500 pieces – could talk.

He says: “I don’t know who they were, what they were like or if they are still alive.”

Among the collection is his pride and joy, a silver cigarette case which belonged to an American airman who was shot down over Germany and became a prisoner of war. His German guard took it off him and, when the Berlin Wall came down, the case was sold on to Chris.

There are the items with local connections, such as the picture of the Spitfire the people of Boston raised money to buy, the British Airborne troops based at Spalding Grammar School, a rare Lincolnshire Home Guard uniform bearing the Lincoln Imp.

There is the photograph, medals, love letters and paybook of Richard Maddison, who once lived in Knight Street in Pinchbeck, sold to Chris by Richard’s son.

Chris says: “To be honest I think medals should stay with the families, but it’s so sad because they do sometimes get thrown away and I prefer to buy them because of the history.”

Chris also has VE Day memorabilia, such as the original Daily Mirror with the day’s report, the V for Victory badge made by his RAF grandfather for his grandmother, and a fascinating collection of pieces relating to former Daily Herald war correspondent Clifford Webb.

Chris says the plucky war correspondent, and a favourite with Monty, was actually present at the surrender.

Chris says: “Sadly, what people forget is that was victory in Europe but the Japanese war went on for a further three months.

“Everyone should have their flags up on VE Day as it’s an important day, but I do feel sorry for the soldiers who had to carry on. People died after the war – prisoners of war on their way back were killed when two planes collided.”

Chris is going to share some of his World War 2 collection and the stories behind individual items at a talk called Blitz & Pieces, organised by Long Sutton & District Civic Society at the Curlew Centre in Sutton Bridge for Tuesday, May 19 (7pm). Entry is £3, civic society members free.

Chris Chandler’s World War 2 collection began with an RAF badge given to him by his grandfather.

That began an interest in World War 2 which became a passion when Chris met veterans and attended reunions with them, including regular trips to Arnhem where his uncle was shot down.

His fascination with those years has grown as he has learned more. Something that impresses him is the way the whole country pulled together and the level of secrecy surrounding the war.

He jokes: “You couldn’t have an invasion of Normandy any more because of Facebook and the internet.”

Chris shares parts of his collections with four museums and creates displays at air shows around the country.

Locally, he gives talks to schools and groups, and is hoping to stage something at Ayscoughfee Hall Museum later in the year.

Tomorrow, on the 70th anniversary of VE Day, Chris hopes to join commemorations going on in London.

Naturally enough, he’ll be dressed appropriately for the occasion, in a World War 2 war correspondent’s uniform.

Children at Ayscoughfee Hall School in Spalding held a cake sale and ‘Mufti’ day, raising over £500 in aid of the Nepal Earthquake Appeal and Search and Rescue.

Teacher Sally Chester said that she was delighted with the total donated, but given the generosity of parents and children was not surprised. The donation will be handed directly to Adam Turner, the brother of an ex-pupil who was working with a rescue team in Nepal.

For the big day today Thursday, May 7, here are the basics for anyone planning on voting in the 2015 general election:

If you haven’t registered to vote (including by post or proxy - except an emergency proxy, see below), it’s too late. {http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/upcoming-elections-and-referendums/uk-parliamentary-general-election|Check to see if you are registered at aboutmyvote.co.uk|go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk}.

You should have received a polling card with your details, polling number and your polling station location.

You don’t need the polling card when you vote, they will ask for your name and address to check you are registered.

Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm.

Find your polling station using your postcode at {http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions/uk-general-election-2015/where-is-my-polling-station|the About My Vote website|go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk}.

You can take your pet with you.​​

The Electoral Commission advises voters against photography inside polling stations so that they can avoid inadvertently breaching laws on the secrecy of ballots.​ ​So the advice is to save the selfie until you are outside.

A would-be developer, who spoke of bringing a supermarket and cinema to Spalding, has been suspended from the Labour Party following conviction for fraud.

Parliamentary candidate Richard Garvie (30) was convicted on Thursday after using a closed bank account to pay for train tickets worth nearly £900.

Mr Garvie will stay on the ballot paper for Wellingborough and Rushden – and he’s urging people to vote for him while promising to resign if elected.

He said: “Unfortunately I can’t be replaced on the ballot paper. This means that for all those who have voted, I want to make sure their votes count for something. If you support Labour, vote for me on polling day and I will do the honourable thing if elected.”

The candidate was charged with fraud after he bought £890 of East Midlands Trains tickets between Kettering and London St Pancras with a card for an empty bank account.

Mr Garvie denied fraud at the hearing before Wellingborough magistrates and represented himself in court.

He told magistrates: “I used the account and intentionally ran up the debt with the bank so that, when the payments to the train company didn’t authorise, the bank would honour them and add it to my own debt.

“This is what happened with other transactions I made with through that account.

“My financial plan was poor and I was completely irresponsible by choosing to run up that debt, but I don’t accept that there is any evidence that I intentionally tried to keep money from the train company. I haven’t been dishonest in any way, I was just stupid.”

Mr Garvie is due to be sentenced later this year, although he has announced he will appeal against his conviction.

l In February 2012, Mr Garvie outlined his vision for setting up a regeneration company in Spalding.

An elderly man died in a road traffic collision on the A17 at Sutterton.

Emergency services were called to the area near the B1397 Gosberton junction around 5.10pm yesterday (Wednesday) following a collision between a red Hyundai Amica and a Volvo lorry.

The driver of the car, a 79 year-old man from Boston, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have issued a witness appeal. Anyone who witnessed the collision, or who saw the Hyundai prior to the incident, should contact the Collision Witness Hotline on 01522 558855, or call Lincolnshire Police on 101.

This collision brings to 14 the number killed on Lincolnshire’s roads this year compared to 11 at the same point in 2014.

A 19-year-old woman has been arrested at a Peterborough polling station on suspicion of a voting offence today (Thursday).

The woman was arrested at the Baptist Church in Searjeant Street, Peterborough just after 8am this morning.

A Cambridgeshire police spokesman said: “The woman was arrested on suspicion of making a representation to vote by proxy under section 61 of the representation of the people act.

“She has been taken to Thorpe Wood Police Station for questioning.”

For the third election in a row CCTV cameras and a police presence has been seen at polling stations in Central Ward.

A Peterborough City Council spokesman said: “There are CCTV cameras situated at all four polling stations in Central ward. These are in place today and were also used in the 2012 and 2014 elections. Cameras act as a deterrent to individuals considering electoral fraud as well as helping to gather intelligence in the event of allegations of fraud.”

Gillian Beasley, returning officer for Peterborough, said: “We are aware that Cambridgeshire police has made an arrest this morning at a polling station in Central ward following allegations of electoral fraud. We have worked hand in hand with the police to proactively tackle fraud in the run-up to the elections.

“We are committed to ensuring Peterborough residents are able to use their vote freely without fear or intimidation. If you are suspicious or worried about anything to do with voting and elections you should phone the police on 101. If an incident is in action call 999.”

Police are looking for a pit bull terrier-type dog which attacked a springer spaniel in the Clay Lake area of Spalding.

The attack happened in Pecks Drove where the pit bull’s owner had to jump on their dog in order to save the spaniel from serious injury.

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident 262 of April 30.

A strimmer and chainsaw were among tools stolen from a lock-up at Wellhead Park, Bourne, on Bank Holiday Monday.

People are reported to have been seen in a compound at the park in South Street at about 10.40pm.

It was one of a spate of burglaries and attempted break-ins across the town in the past two weeks.

Intruders tried to break into a house on South Road before they were seen leaving through a back entrance and towards the Spinney Woods area of Elsea Park after a burglar alarm was set off.

The attempted burglary happened at about 10pm on Sunday 3rd May.

Other attempted break-ins happened at a shed in South Street between 8.30pm and 10pm last Thursday and an industrial unit in Camberwood Drive, off Manning Road, at about 9.30pm last Wednesday.

Finally, thieves tried to steal a vehicle parked in Cherry Holt Road, Bourne, at 10pm last Wednesday when there were reports that two people had been seen running from the area

Anyone with information on any of the above crimes should call 101.

A number of windscreen wiper blades have been ripped away from parked vehicles in Billingborough.

It happened overnight across the village between Saturday and Sunday.

Meanwhile in Rippingale, two lawn mowers were stolen from separate locations in the village over the last three weeks.

A Honda mower was taken from a padlocked shed in High Street between Sunday, April 19 and Saturday, April 25.

Then a Husquana ride-on lawn mower was reported missing from Fen Road on Friday, April 24.

Finally, a house in Charter Avenue, Market Deeping, was broken into between 7am and 1pm last Monday, April 27.

Intruders are thought to have got in through the back of a block of flats.

Anyone with information should call 101.