There’s a chance for local people to get dressed up in 1940s style for an event in Spalding.

Ayscoughfee Hall Museum is holding a 1940s Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, August 15 and 16 (10.30am to 4pm both days).

Go to the museum and gardens for memorabilia displays, vintage vehicles, demonstrations and a singer on Saturday, when there should also be a Spitfire fly-past, assuming the weather allows.

On Sunday, there is the annual VJ Day Parade, when Spalding Remembrance Association remembers those who fought and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The parade will start at 2.30pm in the Peace Garden at Ayscoughfee.

Before then, Spalding Armed Forces Day is being held in the town centre on Tuesday, June 23.

Harold Payne at the Anglia Motel at Fleet Hargate is organising a seven-day Normandy trip, leaving on Monday, June 1.

The group, made up of veterans and members of the public, will visit all the famous World War 2 landmarks.

To book a space call Harold on 07530 006867 or visit the Anglia Motel.

Care provider Country Court Care has invested £750,000 into Beech Lodge Nursing and Dementia Home at Frogs Abbey Gate in Holbeach St Johns – one of its 15 care homes nationwide.

The work has provided an extensive extension and refurbishment and a celebratory open day was attended by John Hayes MP and many family members and local people.

Beech Lodge has now been extended from 29 to 37 en-suite bedrooms – as well as new lounges and communal areas for relaxing and socialising.

It is one of Country Court Care Ltd’s flagship homes. Since 1983, Country Court Care has been running award-winning care services which constantly exceed industry standards. They carry the simple philosophy; their residents and their families are at the heart of everything they do.

The increase in beds means that the home is better positioned to serve the local community.

For more information contact the home direct on 01406 423 396 or email beechlodge@countrycourtcare.com

County council plans to save £30million by creating a single unitary authority for Lincolnshire show “just how out of sync they are”.

South Holland District Council’s Tory leader Coun Gary Porter says his party were elected following a pledge to seek other partners for shared management to further cut costs – but he believes that creation of unitary authorities went out when the last coalition government came in.

SHDC already saves council taxpayers’ cash by sharing senior officers with Breckland District Council – and some administration work with East Lindsey District Council.

The county will debate several potential options for unitary authorities at a meeting in Lincoln on Friday.

County council leader Martin Hill told the BBC: “We have done some initial work and for example if we went for one unitary authority we would save about £30m a year.”

But Coun Porter said: “We don’t believe that unitary government is either efficient or effective, so it’s pointless.”

Why was an ordinary man tortured, murdered and mutilated?

That question has haunted Alan Wood’s family, friends and Lincolnshire Police ever since the 50-year-old was found dead in a pool of blood at his home in the tiny hamlet of Lound, near Bourne, on October 24 2009.

It was the most violent murder that seasoned police officers have ever witnessed in Lincolnshire and, even more shockingly, it was coupled with a post-death attempt to cut off Alan’s head.

His killers have never been found but there’s a fresh glimmer of hope as the story of Alan’s terrifying final hours – including the sickening slash to the throat that saw him bleed to death – will be told in a documentary to be shown on CBS Reality in September or October.

Police believe Alan may have been tortured – repeatedly stabbed in the head – by assailants who wanted PIN numbers for his bank cards. A key murder suspect was caught on CCTV in Bourne and Stamford when Alan’s cash was withdrawn.

One of Alan’s friends, Ella Jenkins, believes his assailants mistook him for a wealthy man because he drove a Jag and says – especially if they were foreign – they may not have understood the number plate meant the car was quite old.

“It was his pride and joy and it looked fabulous,” said Ella. “It was probably worth £500.”

Ella says Alan’s murderers got only “about £250” using his bank cards, but believes they were after something more.

She says Alan was almost the double of one of the managers at Sainsbury’s in Bourne and worked there “almost full-time” after scaling down his small gardening business to look after about four clients.

“My gut feeling is that they thought he had money or they thought he had the keys to the store,” she said.

Ella saw Alan’s living double Sainsbury’s colleague at the funeral service.

She said: “He was the same build, the same colouring – it was kind of at first glance it was Alan, but he didn’t have glasses.”

Police see the new documentary as offering fresh hope that Alan’s killers will be found, but Ella says the chances of solving the case have “well and truly passed”.

Police didn’t reveal the full horror of Alan’s violent death until eight months after his murder and Ella says that was too late to get the screaming headlines and national TV coverage that would have grabbed people’s attention and perhaps helped witnesses recall sightings of his killers.

Ella said Alan had been her “good buddy” for ten years and her partner, Paul Devereux, was very close to him and the last person to see him alive.

She said: “We were almost the first people interviewed (by police) on the Sunday morning. We weren’t even told that he was murdered. We were told it was a sudden death. For four days we thought it was a heart attack. We didn’t actually know he was murdered until someone in the family told us.”

“I can, hand on heart, swear on my mother’s life that he didn’t know anyone dodgy – or, if they were dodgy, he didn’t know they were dodgy. He was such a nice bloke.

“From what I can gather they (his killers) knocked on the door and he opened the door, but I have a horrible, sneaking suspicion that there was someone with them that he kind of knew.

“He wasn’t stupid. He would not just have opened the door – I think there was someone local, perhaps not a friend but an acquaintance.”

Following Alan’s murder, his family and friends created a memorial garden at his local, The Willoughby Arms, in Little Bytham, the place where he was last seen alive on October 21 2009.

Friends gather there on the anniversary, leaving Alan’s favourite tipple and a bag of Mini Cheddars on the bar.

The garden includes a sundial inscribed with ‘sadly missed by all his friends and family, I’m going after this one ...’ referring to words Alan often used before leaving the pub.

Police, Alan’s friends – including Ella – and news reporters who have covered the case have been interviewed for the documentary film that will have a worldwide audience. Film producer Charlotte Blennerhassett said: “It is absolutely one of the most brutal murders that I have ever come across.”

• Alan Wood’s murder twice featured on BBC1’s Crimewatch and police published key evidence on www.alanwoodmurder.com –

this includes images of a man who used his bank cards.

One of Alan’s killers left his own blood at the murder scene and police have run checks with DNA databases at home and abroad.

Chief Supt Stuart Morrison, said: “We have been cooperating with a company who are making a documentary about the Alan Wood murder investigation. When completed, the programme will be seen in the UK, in Europe and in other countries around the world.

“I saw this as a chance to remind people about the investigation on the basis that someone who has not come forward with information before may do so now.

“As with all unsolved homicide investigations, this case is not closed. We still have the important evidence of the full male DNA profile, and anything which may help us to find the owner of that DNA has to be seen as an opportunity.”

South Holland and The Deepings MP John Hayes has started his new job as second-in-command at the Home Office.

Fresh from his victory at the polls last Thursday, Mr Hayes was named Minister of State for Security by Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday, with responsibility for counter-terrorism, organised crime and security intelligence.

Mr Hayes had only just started settling into his new job when he was called to a meeting of the National Security Council yesterday with the Prime Minister and Home Secretary Theresa May to discuss plans to combat what Mr Cameron called “poisonous extremist ideology”.

“It’s obviously a great thrill and a great honour to be a senior minister at the Home Office and the brief I’ve been given couldn’t be more important,” Mr Hayes said.

“It will take a while to get to understand it, to meet all the new people I’ll be working with and to make a difference.

“But I was appointed very early in the process by the Prime Minister with whom I had a discussion about the work I’d done, both with him and for him.

“The Prime Minister then went to outline his plans for more emphasis on the serious and significant parts of the security agenda, including crime, counter-terrorism and all the secret things that come with working alongside the security services and police.”

Top of Mr Hayes agenda is to help draw up new laws to tackle extremism that are set to be part of a new counter-terrorism bill unveiled in Parliament when the Queen’s Speech takes place on May 27.

But Mr Hayes will also be in charge of enforcing measures outlined in the new Modern Slavery Act to stop home trafficking by allowing courts to hand out tougher prison sentences to modern day slave drivers.

“The Modern Slavery Act is a landmark in legislation designed to respond to a changing, growing and frightening phenomena in our country,” Mr Hayes said.

“There are issues around modern slavery and organised crime in this area and there’s a reach across every part of the UK, overlapping into broader security issues.

“We all benefit from national security, but one of the things I’ll be looking at is what further capabilities we’ll need, weighing it up against the evidence of risk to national security.”

Despite his new role, Mr Hayes vowed to stay a “hard-working, dedicated constituency MP.”

Japanese car giants Toyota and Nissan are recalling a total of 6.5 million cars to replace potentially faulty airbag inflators made by Takata.

Toyota is recalling just under five million cars, including the Corolla, Vitz and other models made between March 2003 and November 2007.

Nissan is recalling 1.56 million cars over the same issue.

Both carmakers said the recall was for investigative purposes and no accidents or injuries have been reported.

Toyota, the world’s biggest carmaker, said the recall affected 35 of its models made around the world.

The move is the latest in the saga of potentially exploding airbags made by Japanese car parts maker Takata.

About 25 million vehicles with Takata airbags have been recalled by 10 different carmakers since 2008.

Two local heroes were welcomed as guests of honour at a naming ceremony for a new care home.

Local dementia support champion Kate Marshall, who manages the Square Hole Club for people affected by early onset dementia, unveiled a commemorative plaque at Braeburn Lodge in Braeburn Road, Deeping St James, to mark the official naming of the new care home.

Inspirational mother Amanda Woodcock, who is much admired in the local area, later planted a Braeburn apple tree in the home’s garden, a nod to the home’s name which was chosen as the site was previously an apple orchard.

Braeburn Lodge is already home to 18 people and two of the first residents cut a cake at the event and guests and residents also enjoyed musical entertainment and speeches were given by Barchester’s chief executive officer Dr Pete Calveley and the new home’s general manager Susan Scarlett.

Braeburn Lodge opened its doors to residents at the end of January. The care home provides quality care to the local area and offers nursing and residential care, as well as specialist dementia care in their Memory Lane Community.

Peter Banbridge, one of the residents, said: “Braeburn Lodge is a little piece of heaven on earth.”

General manager Sue Scarlett said: “It has been wonderful to formally celebrate the start of this journey and I hope that all our guests enjoyed the day as much as we did!”

Spalding People’s Parade will be bigger and better this year – and all it really needs now is your support.

A great day of entertainment is lined up at Sir John Gleed School from 11am on Sunday, May 24 – with free entry – and there will be a fabulous parade of decorated handcarts, starting from the school around 1pm.

Parade manager Bruce Alexander says the procession through town can only be a success “if the people of Spalding and surrounding areas come out onto the streets and watch the parade as it goes by”.

He continued: “There are many great spots to stand and it is only an hour-long parade. The schools, charities and businesses have worked so hard on these carts and they really want a chance to show them off.”

The route will take the parade along Halmer Gardens, Maple Grove, Albert Street, High Street, Church Gate, Love Lane, Halmergate and Neville Avenue – so grab your family and friends, some garden chairs and pick a great spot to see the action.

At Sir John Gleed School there will be children’s rides from Roger Tuby’s funfair, a variety of live music, a licensed bar and indoor and outdoor craft stalls, as well as a host of charity stalls from groups like the Lions and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Schools and community groups are entering lots of decorated carts in the parade and this year they will be judged by MP John Hayes, who will award one, two and three star certificates to reward their efforts.

The people on parade will collect for the Spalding People’s Parade charitable organisation and all of the money will go the various charities involved with the event.

Committee member Kate Alexander said: “The event site will be great entertainment all day and does not have to cost you a penny. There is free entry, free parking, free musical entertainment and a free parade to watch – what more could you ask for?”

A sex offender who absconded from North Sea Camp has been returned to custody.

Lincolnshire Police have reported that Johnathan Todd, 26, was arrested in Donington yesterday (Wednesday) evening.

A spokesman said police had attended Station Road at 9.20pm after reports of an alleged drunk man being a nuisance to hauliers and asking for a lift to London or Newcastle.

He will now be returned to closed conditions.

Wednesday, 5.04pm – A man in prison for sexual offences has absconded from North Sea Camp today (Wednesday), according to police.

Officers are appealing for information of any sightings of Johnathan Todd, 26, who is believed to have absconded between 8.30am and 11.50am.

They are warning the public not to approach him and to contact them immediately with any sightings.

Todd was in prison for sexual offences.

Police say he has connections in the North East area, and may be travelling back to the Newcastle or Darlington area.

Lincolnshire Police are working with Northumbria Police in efforts to trace him.

Todd is described as white, about 5 foot 7 inches, slight build, with brown closely shaven hair with a receding hair line.

He is described as young looking.

He may be wearing a black and white zigzag style woollen hat which has ear pieces.

Anyone with information or sightings is asked to contact Police by dialling 999 immediately.

Police and fire officers were last night investigating the cause of a fire in Gosberton that saw two people suffering from smoke inhalation.

One person was taken to hospital for a check up after a fire started in gardens and spread to homes in Salem Street.

The fire caught hold of a shed, fencing and LPG cylinders before spreading to the homes.

Emergency services, including fire crews from Spalding, Donington and Kirton, were called to the scene shortly after 4.20pm.

A spokesman for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue said today the fire started as a result of an electrical fault in a freezer that was housed in a garden shed.

Also on the scene was a dog van from the fire service investigation branch in Derby and several police cars.

The fire service use dogs to detect possible use of accelerants where arson is suspected.

Emergency services were there for five or more hours.

Salem Street was sealed to traffic while firefighters tackled the blaze and during the investigation into the cause of the blaze.

The three lady members of Pinchbeck Rifle Club pictured above had secured the highest number of marks of the previous season.

The crack shots – Mrs Inkley, Mrs Parkinson and Mrs Hooks – had won the National Rifle Association’s First Class Target competition.

They had also received certificates of the National Roll of Marksmen and league medals in the Lincoln County Rifle Association.

In addition, Mrs Hooks had also secured the best League average, winning a silver medal awarded by the Lincoln County Rifle Association.

Club secretary Mr P N H Hooks had been given a place in a team of 20 to represent Lincolnshire in the imminent competition for Queen Alexandra’s Cup.

Some good had come out of an “evil war” was the message to Belgian refugees living in Spalding.

Father Clement Tyek said one of the good things is that “we have in our midst some clever and skilful men”.

As a result of the men being in the town there were “some beautiful works of sculpture”, he said.

Several churches and private houses had carvings created by the men, as a permanent memorial of the war.

A holy Rood of large dimensions had been fixed in Gosberton Parish Church and beautiful work had been done in the parish church of Walpole. Spalding Gentlemen’s Society building had “become a real picture”, and the facade and back of St Norbert’s Church had also been considerably improved.

Father Clement had accompanied one of the Belgian sculptors to Burghley House, where some carving was to be carried out, and where they found three large tapestries which had been made by Belgian refugees a hundred years earlier, “so that history repeats itself”.

There were 200,000 Belgian refugees in England at that time, and the report stated that the Belgians were “well liked and much thought of”.

The Belgian refugees of Spalding had written of their experience of being in this country and expressed gratitude for Spalding’s hospitality.

They wrote: “It was hard for us, very hard, to have to leave our native soil, drenched with the blood of our fathers, brothers, husbands. Every one of us passed through an ordeal of sufferings and sorrows. Our homes were devastated, our husbands and brothers shot or taken prisoner, our priests infamously maltreated or massacred; our churches, our homes, plundered, burned down , destroyed; our savings, our food supplies, our cattle taken away.”

Children in Year 6 at Spalding’s Ayscoughfee Hall School have been ‘doing their bit’ for the community.

As part of their new ‘life skills’ initiative devised by head teacher, Mrs Clare Ogden and Year 6 teacher Mrs Nic Laud, the pupils have been divided into groups of five and have spent Friday afternoons in a variety of community-based projects.

Rotating the groups has given each child the opportunity to visit retired people at Georgian Court, in Spalding – where they have taken cakes and chatted to residents – to help sort food donations at AGAPE food bank, to clear litter along the River Welland and to help the younger children in their classes.

On successful completion of each activity the children have record books signed and dated by the staff accompanying them. Mrs Ogden said: “So far the response from all the adults involved has been fantastic.

“The children have been complimented on their behaviour and manners and they have loved being out in the community.

“Although we pride ourselves on academic and sporting success at Ayscoughfee the idea of the Life Skills Challenge is that we extend the children further.

“It’s all about developing their social skills such as a confident hand-shake and about putting something back into society.”

Mrs Laud added that the children had been aware of litter as an issue through earlier work in school.

Putting on a new ‘high vis’ jacket and getting out with the litter pickers had added a whole new dimension to the topic!

Year 6 pupil Peter Cook said: “It’s been great fun but also we’re helping the community and environment which is brilliant.”

Around half of adults think drink-drive limits should be lower for young and novice motorists, according to a survey.

As many as 36% reckon the limit should be zero for all drivers, the poll from car insurance company Direct Line found.

The current permitted limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, while in Scotland the limit has recently been lowered to 50mg.

The survey showed that 50% of the 2,002 adults questioned said the limit should be either lower or zero for young drivers or for those who have just passed their test.

Most support for a zero limit for these young and novice motorists came from those living in north east England, with the least support being in south east England.

People in Northern Ireland were most keen to see a zero limit for all drivers, with those in the North East and in London being the least keen.

Direct Line motor director Gus Park said: “England, Wales and Northern Ireland boast one of the most permissive driver blood-alcohol concentration limits in Europe, but there is widespread popular support for lowering this, especially for young and novice motorists.

“With many other European nations adopting a zero-tolerance approach to drink-driving and Scotland reducing the legal drink-drive limit by over a third in December, it may only be a matter of time before the rest of the union introduces tougher drink-driving controls.”

Rail passengers have been warned that services will be at a “standstill” the morning after the Bank Holiday because of a strike by Network Rail workers.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union will walk out from 5pm on Monday May 25.

The workers, including signallers and maintenance staff, will also ban overtime for 48 hours on the Bank Holiday Monday and Tuesday.

The union said services will be hit from the Monday but warned that the biggest impact will be on the Tuesday. “Services will be at a standstill,” said one official.

The strike will affect football fans leaving Wembley after the Championship play-off final, which kicks off at 3pm on bank holiday Monday.

There is a programme of Network Rail engineering work being conducted over the bank holiday weekend.

The strike announcement follows a huge 4-1 vote for action from RMT members, well above a planned threshold being brought in by the new Government. The action poses the first big industrial relations test for the Conservatives.

The RMT said it has rejected the latest Network Rail (NR) pay proposals as falling “well short” of what is required to maintain the living standards, job security and working conditions for nearly 16,000 staff across NR operations and maintenance.

Union members have rejected a four-year deal worth £500 this year and three years of increases matching RPI inflation as well as a no-compulsory-redundancy commitment to December 2016.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Our members have decisively rejected the pay package offered by Network Rail and the failure of the company to make any moves whatsoever in light of the overwhelming vote in the ballot has left us with no option but to move to a rolling programme of industrial action.

“We have a massive mandate for action which shows the anger of safety-critical staff across the rail network at attacks on their standards of living and their job security.

“It is appalling that NR are refusing point-blank to take this dispute seriously, to understand the deep-seated grievance felt by their staff and to come forward with a renewed offer which protects pay, jobs and safety.

“We have made it clear that as far as RMT Is concerned, the one-off, non-consolidated, lump sum payment this year is wholly inadequate and fails to recognise the massive pressures staff are working under to keep services running safely at a time when the company is generating profits of £1 billion.

“It is our members battling to keep Britain moving around the clock and they deserve a fair share from Network Rail for their incredible efforts.

“In addition, we are extremely concerned that the no-compulsory-redundancy commitment only applies to the first two years of the four-year deal.

“RMT is in no doubt that this leaves operations and maintenance members extremely vulnerable, especially with the continued development of rail operating centres and the ongoing cuts programme at Network Rail.

“Our rail staff deserve a fair reward for the high-pressure, safety-critical work that they undertake day and night and the last thing that we need is a demoralised, burnt-out workforce living in fear for their futures and the message has come back loud and clear that that is exactly how they feel about the current offer from Network Rail.

“RMT remains available for talks and we hope that the company will appreciate the anger amongst staff at the current offer on pay and conditions from Network Rail and that they will agree to our call to come back to the table with an improved package.

“We expect rock-solid support for this action and will be taking a new campaign to the public under the banner Our Jobs - Your Safety, as we build support for the fight to stop this attack on a workforce whose core role is to deliver a safe railway to the British people.”

Pregnant women and new mums with serious mental health difficulties can now benefit from a new service offered by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

The Perinatal Community Mental Health Team is led by a dedicated consultant perinatal psychiatrist, working with other health professionals in Lincolnshire, to offer mental health treatment and advice to pregnant women, new mums and their partners and relatives.

The team also provides advice for other professionals involved in women’s care.

Steph Hodds, perinatal team coordinator, said: “Women with serious mental health difficulties in pregnancy and the year following birth require specialist psychiatric treatment significantly different from that provided by general adult mental health services.

“The perinatal period covers pregnancy and the first year of motherhood when it is essential that the right care is provided at the right time.

“By raising awareness of the importance of early detection of perinatal mental health disorders we are able to provide appropriate and timely treatment during pregnancy and in the post-natal period to manage serious mental health difficulties.”

Dr Zena Schofield, acting consultant perinatal psychiatrist, said: “Our team will provide assessment and treatment for women with serious mental illnesses or at increased risk of these difficulties. We will work to keep mum and baby together, ensuring treatment is provided in the most appropriate environment which for the majority of women will be in their own homes.”

Two men who threatened staff at knifepoint before stealing cash and phones have been branded as “despicable” by the detective leading the hunt for them.

The men, described as Afro-Caribbean, by police, targeted the Carphone Warehouse store in Holland Market, Winfrey Avenue, just before it closed at about 6pm last night.

Detective Sergeant Simon Dovaston of Spalding CID said: “This was a despicable crime where staff members were threatened by violent individuals whose only interest was their own personal gain.

“Thankfully, this was out of character for the neighbourhood and I urge anyone with any information they feel may be relevant to call the police.”

The men were thought to have gotten away in a white Audi sports car or 4x4.

Anyone with information should call DS Dovaston on 101, quoting incident number 324 of May 14.

You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

FRIDAY 12.20PM: Pair threaten staff at knifepoint during mobile phone shop robbery in Spalding

Detectives are hunting two men who threaten staff at knifepoint before stealing cash and mobile phones during a shop raid in Spalding.

It happened at Carphone Warehouse, Winfrey Avenue. at about 6pm yesterday when two men went into the shop and confronted staff.

The men, described by police as Afro-Caribbean, went on to steal an unspecified amount of cash and phones before driving away in a white Audi sports car.

No one at the shop was injured but detectives want to speak to anyone who saw what happened or an Audi being driven “erratically” away from the scene should call DS 749 Dovaston Spalding CID on 101, quoting incident number 324 of May 14.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

FRIDAY 10.45AM: Goods stolen from mobile phone shop in Spalding

Police are looking into theft of goods from the Carphone Warehouse store in Holland Market, Spalding.

It took place just before closing time yesterday, although it isn’t yet clear what items were taken and the value of them.

Chief Inspector Paul Timmins, in charge of neighbourhood policing for South Holland and Boston, said: “There appears to have been an incident at the Carphone Warehouse store in Spalding just before closing time when some items were stolen.

“Anyone who was in the area and may have seen any suspicious activity should call 101.”

Lincolnshire County council leader Martin Hill has named the members of his new executive.

The executive are responsible for decisions on council policy. Along with the new chief whip, they were formally confirmed at a meeting of the full council on Friday May 15. The authority’s new chairman and vice-chairman were also elected.

Councillor Hill said: “The next few years will be some of the most challenging the council has faced, so it’s important we have the right team in place to lead us forward.

“All the members of the new Executive are experienced councillors, who have time and again proved their ability to take the tough decisions and do the right thing for residents.

“I’m confident that, together, we can continue the good work that has taken place over the last few years, protecting the services local people value the most.”

The members of the new Executive are:

Cllr Martin Hill - (Leader) portfolio for Governance, Communications, Commissioning.

Cllr Patricia Bradwell - (Deputy Leader) portfolio for Adult care and health services and Children’s services.

Cllr Colin Davie - portfolio for Economic development, Environment, Planning, Tourism.

Cllr Richard Davies - portfolio for Highways, Transport and IT.

Cllr Marc Jones - portfolio for Finance and Property.

Cllr Peter Robinson - portfolio for Fire and Rescue, Emergency Planning, Trading Standards and Equality and Diversity.

Cllr Reg Shore - portfolio for Waste and Recycling.

Cllr Sue Woolley - portfolio for NHS Liaison and Community Engagement

Cllr Nick Worth - portfolio holder for Libraries, Heritage, Culture and Registration and Coroners Service.

Cllr Barry Young - portfolio holder for Crime Reduction, People Management, Legal.

Cllr Jackie Brockway was chosen to be the new chief whip. In addition to her role as chief whip, Cllr Brockway will oversee petitions and council consultations.

Cllr William Webb was elected chairman. He will be responsible for overseeing meetings of the council, ensuring they are carried out in a fair and just manner. He will also act as the ‘First Citizen of Lincolnshire’, playing a key role in promoting the county.

Cllr Martin Trollope-Bellew takes the role of vice-chairman.

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.

Boston Magistrates’ Court

April 15

Peter Burdett (62), of Poachers Gate, Pinchbeck. Drink driving (Pinchbeck). £110 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Nicholas Cartlidge (27), of Welbeck Drive, Spalding. Supplying cannabis (Boston). £75 fine, £20 v/s, £50 costs, drugs to be forfeited and destroyed. No action taken on breach of conditional discharge.

Edward Davis (23), of Station Street, Donington. Drink driving (Donington). 15 weeks prison sentence suspended for 18 months, alcohol treatment requirement programme, £80 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 48 months. No separate penalty for no insurance and for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

David Roberts (52), of Spalding Road, Holbeach. Failing to give specimen of breath (Boston). Community order with 80 hours unpaid work, £60 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 40 months.

Maciej Mikinwicz (34), of Edinburgh Drive, Spalding. Assault (Spalding). £115 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

April 16

Adam Grabeck (57), of Albion Street, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). £150 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 36 months.

April 22

Ernestas Mackevicius (28), of Little London, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). £250 fine, £25 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 36 months. No separate penalty for resisting a police officer.

Tadeusz Sikora (29), of Knight Street, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). £150 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 18 months. No separate penalty for no insurance and for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Robert Bojek (40), of Flaxmill Lane, Pinchbeck. Drink driving (Spalding). Community order with 150 hours unpaid work, £60 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 28 months.

Joanne Brennan (44), of Fairfields, Holbeach. Made telephone calls and sent text messages after being prohibited from doing so by a restraining order. £80 fine, £20 v/s.

Marcin Lakomczak (32), of Windsor Road, Spalding. Two counts of assault (Spalding). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement, 120 hours unpaid work, £60 v/s, £85 costs.

Dean Kirk (19), of West Bank, Sutton Bridge. Three counts of assault, possession of cannabis and assaulting a police officer (Sutton Bridge), allowing himself to be carried in a vehicle taken without owners consent. Detention for 14 weeks suspended for 2 years, £200 compensation, £80 v/s, drugs to be forfeited and destroyed. No separate penalty for resisting a police officer.

Mitica Matei (26) Washway Road, Holbeach. Drink driving (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 20 months.

Grantham Magistrates’ Court

April 14

Brian Anderton, of John Swains Way, Long Sutton. Failed to notify transfer of vehicle (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

Piotr Bajzert (29), of Whitacre, Cambs. Speeding (Whaplode). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £43 costs, 3pts.

Luke Courtney (24), of Snaith Avenue, Fosdyke. Speeding (Moulton Seas End). £90 fine, £20 v/s, £43 costs, 6pts.

Elina Goldsteina (29), of High Street, Holbeach. Failed to notify transfer of vehicle (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

Jed Haw (26), of Dennis Estate, Kirton. Failed to notify transfer of vehicle (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

Shanie Jacobs (35), of Gilpin Close, Bourne. Failed to notify transfer of vehicle (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

Tomas Narisauskas (26), of The Ramper, Spalding. Vehicle insurance offence (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £110 costs.

Dean Perry (25), of Main Road, Dyke. Vehicle insurance offence (Bourne). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £110 costs.

Jaroslaw Pietryszo (29), of Fulney Avenue, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £43 costs, 3pts.

Samuel Roberts, of Parthian Avenue, Wyberton. Vehicle insurance offence (Wyberton). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

David Spencer-Churchill, of Station Road, Long Sutton. Vehicle insurance offence (Bourne). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £110 costs.

Michael Styles (31), of North Road, Gedney Hill. Failed to notify transfer of vehicle (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

Louisa Wallace (33), of Swallow Hill, Thurlby. Failed to notify transfer of vehicle (Bourne). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

Bryce Wilson, of Drain Bank North, Cowbit. Failed to notify transfer of vehicle (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

Anthony Samples (21), of Fen Road, Dowsby. Vehicle insurance offence (Bourne). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £110 costs.

Simon Morley (51), of Harlaxton Road, Grantham. Speeding (Spalding). £120 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 5pts.

April 15

Gerald Wright (56), of Main Street, Newark. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £285 fine, £29 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Wan Hewitt (56), of Siltside, Gosberton Risegate. Speeding (Wildmore). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Igor Kovger (24), of Gedney Marsh. Speeding (Whaplode). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Robert Megaw (354), of County Down. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Dean Stafford (42), of Princess Square, Lincoln. Two counts of defective tyre (Market Deeping). £400 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Graham York (40), of Lime Walk, Boston. Speeding (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Stuart Possnett (50), of Everard Road, Spalding. Speeding (Stainby). £35 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Lincolnshire County Council this week started a three month schedule of innovative work set to repair approximately 19km of unclassified roads across the county and save the authority approximately £1m on traditional methods.

But do you think the roadworks are in the correct location? Do you know of a road riddled with potholes that should take priority?

The authority has developed an’ in-situ road recycling’ process for unclassified roads which not only quickly repairs damage such as pot holes and crumbling on large stretches of road, it also recycles excess material from highways projects on major roads in the county.

Between now and August the county council will carry out resurfacing work on sections of:

East Fen Lane, New Leake;

Love Lane, Wrangle;

Jolly Common Lane, Huttoft;

Hills Borough Farm Lane, Thoresway;

Westholmes Lane, South Kelsey;

Lowlands, Saxby;

Dairy Lane, Blyborough;

Hazelwood Avenue and Clumber Street, Lincoln;

Nocton Fen Lane, Nocton;

Dunston Fen, Dunston;

Fen Road, Ruskington;

Waithe Lane, Ewerby;

Spring Lane, Leasingham;

Heath Lane, Carlton Scroop;

Reedings Close, Barrowby;

The Drift, Denton;

Lower Bitchfield, Bitchfield;

Scotland Lane, Ingoldsby,

Pointon Fen North, Pointon;

Dunsby Fen, Dunsby;

Morton Drove, Morton;

Wood Lane, Northorpe;

North Drove, Counter Drain Drove and North Drove Bank, Pode Hole; and

Sutterton Drove, Amber Hill.

The process enables potholes to be repaired and as well as giving a new structure to unclassified roads with minimal disruption in a small time scale. The work is predicted to last at least 10 years, removing the need to constantly repair pot holes caused by extreme weather conditions.

Area Highways Manager, Mark Heaton, who is the county lead on this work, said: “The speed of which we can carry out this work reduces disruption to motorists but has a big impact on the local road network and economy. We effectively crush the top section of the road, mix it with material taken from major road works elsewhere in the county, a binding material and chippings and then re-shape the road, eliminating pot holes and creating a better road structure. We can then surface this new section of road. This process has proved very effective in the areas where we have already used it.”

Lincolnshire County Council’s Executive member for Highways and Transportation, Councillor Richard Davies, added: “In recent years we have seen increasing budget pressures across the council, including in the highways budget, while at the same time extreme weather conditions have caused an increase in road damage such as potholes. This process shows how innovative thinking can save both time and money and reduce disruption to motorists while being extremely effective in repairing roads.”

So far, since being introduced in 2013, using this process has saved the authority approximately £3m compared to traditional methods and seen approximately 60km of roads repaired. Lincolnshire County Council is the only local authority in the country to repair roads in this way, and as such is being used as part of national studies.