Bourne and District Neighbourhood Watch Association is holding its annual general meeting at Bourne Fire Station, South Street, on Monday, November 16 at 7.30pm.

A new chairman, secretary and treasurer for 2015/2016 will be chosen and representative from the police will be reporting on community policing in south Lincolnshire.

It is also a chance for people to learn more about Neighbourhood Watch and how to set up a group in their area.

Current chairman Philip Knowles said: “Neighbourhood Watch should be a no-brainer as it costs nothing and doesn’t involve a very large time commitment.

“But, as Lincolnshire Police would confirm, it acts as a deterrent to people who would seek to break the law in your community.”

For more details, call Mr Knowles on 01778 425438.

A car was badly damaged by fire while parked on a road in Moulton on Thursday.

Fire crews from Holbeach and Spalding were called to Clapton Gate, between Long Lane and Hall Gate, just before 12.15pm.

Water hose reels and dry powder extinguishers were used to put out the blaze which broke out because of an electrical fault.

A leading vegetable supplier based in Peterborough has created a new version of a popular potato.

Growers for Produce World, which employs several hundred people in Peterborough, Sutton Bridge, Wykeham, Swinderby and Chatteris, have created an organic version of the versatile Maris Piper potato.

And the new model spud has just gone on sale in 40 Waitrose supermarkets across the country.

Gemma Hodgson, fresh produce buyer at Waitrose, said: “Maris Pipers are one of our shoppers’ favourite varieties.

“So it seems a little strange to be talking about innovation when it comes to such a well-known potato. Our growers have been working hard to make an organic crop a reality as Maris Pipers are a particularly tricky variety to produce. This means we are particularly excited to see them on our shelves for the first time.”

Produce World’s agronomy manager Simon Faulkner said: “When growing organically we can’t use fungicides to prevent blight. This particular variety is late maturing and prone to that disease, but thankfully this season there has been low blight pressure.”

He added: “At the same time we have had to plan carefully to get just the right location that provides good fertility and availability of water, while reducing the risk of blight.

“This means avoiding growing our organic Maris Piper in close proximity to other potatoes.”

Produce World has worked closely with one of its expert grower partners at A.E. Lenton to produce the new potatoes.

A spokesman for the firm said: “Maris Piper is an excellent all-round potato that can be mashed, baked, chipped or roasted.”

Related:

{http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/business/business-news/purple-chantenay-carrots-make-debut-in-major-supermarkets-with-help-from-a-peterborough-company-1-6960485|Purple Chantenay carrots make debut in major supermarkets with help from a Peterborough company|Read more}

{http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/latest-news/sustainability-pledge-from-boss-of-vegetable-supplier-1-7044977#axzz3qiaN358X|Sustainability pledge from boss of vegetable supplier|Read more}

People in Bourne and the Deepings are being told to get their votes in for an annual electoral register which is to be published.

Thousands of letters urging people to fill in a form to be able to vote in all elections have gone out over the last three months.

South Kesteven District Council wants people to check if their personal details are correct so that an electoral register for the area can be published, while canvassers have been calling at homes across the district to encourage residents to fill in their Household Enquiry Forms.

SKDC electoral registration officer Beverly Agass said: “The aim of the form is to ensure that the electoral register is up to date and to identify any residents who are not registered so that they can be encouraged to do so.

“If you have received a form, please respond to it.”

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. V/S means victim surcharge; C/C/C means criminal courts charge.

Boston Magistrates’ Court

October 14

Robert Crosby (23), of Horseshoe Road, Spalding. Used threatening or abusive words or behaviour and resisting a police officer (Spalding). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement and 40 hours unpaid work, £60 victim surcharge, £85 costs, £150 criminal courts charge. No action taken on breach of conditional discharge.

Matthew Kemp (29), of Parthian Avenue, Wyberton. Assault (Boston). Community order with 150 hours unpaid work, £200 compensation, £60 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c.

Carmen White (39), of Princess Road, Kirton. Drink driving (Kirton). £110 fine, £20 v/s, £150 c/c/c, disqualified from driving for 3 years.

John Hammerton (59), of Richmond House, Boston. Harassment (Kirton). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement, restraining order, £60 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c. No action taken on breach of conditional discharge.

Darren Osborne (31), of Bear Lane, Pinchbeck. Failing to provide specimen of blood (Holbeach). £120 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, disqualified from driving for 20 months.

October 15

Mitchell Ede (22), of Lansdowne Court, Spalding. Used threatening or abusive words or behaviour (Spalding). £440 fine, £44 v/s, £250 costs.

Robert Phimister (22), of Royce Road, Spalding. Used threatening or abusive words or behaviour (Spalding). £440 fine, £44 v/s, £250 costs.

October 19

Philip Atter (66), of Marketstead Estate, Kirton. Assault (Spalding). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement, £60 v/s, £150 c/c/c.

Richard Hare (29), of Welland Road, Spalding. Criminal damage and assault (Spalding). Community order with 250 unpaid work, £850 compensation, £60 v/s, 385 costs, £150 c/c/c.

October 21

Bruce Boag (29), of Daniels Crescent, Long Sutton. Criminal damage (Long Sutton). £500 fine, £50 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c. No separate penalty for drunk and disorderly behaviour. No action taken on breach of conditional discharge.

Arnold Cviklinskij (36), of Langley Mews, Kirton. Drink driving and driving while disqualified (Boston). Sixteen weeks prison sentence suspended for two years, £80 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, disqualified from driving for 36 months.

Aleksandrs Marcinkevics (60), of Double Street, Spalding. Produced 14 plants of cannabis (Spalding). £60 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, £180 c/c/c. Possession of cannabis. £60 fine. Drug to be forfeited and destroyed.

Marti McCarthy (19), of Park Lane, Spalding. Assaulting a police officer, resisting a police officer and criminal damage (Spalding). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement, 40 hours unpaid work, £100 compensation, £300 costs, £520 c/c/c.

James Parnell (35), of Lapwater Lane, Holbeach St Marks. Possession of cocaine, methylenedioxymethylamphetamine and cannabis (Long Sutton). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement, £250 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, £180 c/c/c. Drugs to be forfeited and destroyed.

Marijus Peckys (20), of Cherry Walk, Boston. Used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour (Spalding). Community order with 160 hours unpaid work, £60 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c.

October 28

Dawn Jackson (49), of Stanley Drive, Sutton Bridge. Drink driving (Sutton Bridge). £120 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Keith Taylor (65), of Hereward Road, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, disqualified from driving for three years.

Terry Parbury (29), of Little London, Spalding. Two counts of possession of cannabis (Spalding). 12 months conditional discharge, £15 v/s, £150 c/c/c, drugs to forfeited and destroyed. No action taken on breach of suspended sentence.

Mohammed Hoque (21), of Maple Street, Tower Hamlets, London. Acquired, used and had possession of criminal property, namely £2500 in cash (Spalding). Community order with 150 hours unpaid work, £60 v/s, £85 costs, £180 c/c/c.

Damian Baker (30), of Park Lane, Spalding. Two counts of criminal damage and resisting a police officer (Donington). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement, £50 fine, £60 v/s, £150 c/c/c.

Louis Quow (27), of Wheatfield, Langtoft. Used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and two charges of assault (Langtoft). 8 weeks prison sentence suspended for 18 months, rehabilitation activity requirement, 80 hours unpaid work, £80 v/s, £85 costs, £180 c/c/c.

Grantham Magistrates’ Court

October 8

Georgina Ainsworth (26), of Rosemary Avenue, Market Deeping. No TV licence. £440 fine, £44 v/s, £120 costs.

Rimante Budnikaite (22), of Winsover Road, Spalding. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.

Sarah Carrington (31), of Black Prince Avenue, Market Deeping. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.

Daiva Kiselioviene (46), of Barge Close, Spalding. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs, £150 c/c/c.

Irmina Kozlowska (39), of Park Avenue, Sutterton. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.

Wayne Langley (26), of Churchfield Close, Deeping St James. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.

Danielle Nuttell (27), of High Street, Kirton. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs, £150 c/c/c.

Wieslawa Popielec (41), of Kime Mews, Kirton. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.

Patrisha Knibbs, of Billingborough Road, Folkingham. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.

October 12

James Clark (19), of Colton Close, Baston. Drink driving (Market Deeping). £120 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Eidvile Greblialiskaite (21), of Hatherley Gardens, Upton Park, London. Failing to stop after an accident (Spalding). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs, 8pts. No separate penalty for driving without due care and attention, no insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Jason Jackman (25), of Station Road, Grantham. No insurance (Folkingham). £120 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 6pts. No separate penalty for failing to stop for a police officer and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Steve Simpson (45), of Station Road, Tadcaster. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £40 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

October 13

Dan Dennis (33), of Wisbech Road, King’s Lynn. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £160 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from diving for 14 days.

Shahzad Gill (39), of Newark Avenue, Peterborough. No insurance (Wyberton). £355 fine, £36 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Peter Oleary (60), of Low Ousegate, York. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge 11.2.15). £145 fine, £85 costs, 3pts. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge 21.2.15). £145 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

William Saunders (39), of Swallow Hill, Bourne. Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence (Market Deeping). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Artjoms Sockovecs (32), of Hartley Street, Boston. Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence (Crowland). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 14 days.

October 14

Nygel Sylvester (47), of Parthian Avenue, Wyberton. Speeding (Bracebridge Heath). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Michael Weidner (57), of Loosen Drive, Maidenhead. Speeding (Moulton Seas End). £295 fine, £30 v/s, 5pts.

William Kelly (53), of Victoria Road, Bathgate, West Lothian. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £145 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Tomas Virmauskis (30), of Bruce Close, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Nigel Duncan (54), of Station Road, Moulton. Failed to give driver ID (Nettleham). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Adrian Hewes (33), of Station Street, Spalding. Speeding (Pinchbeck). £220 fine, £22 v/s, 3pts.

Lorraine Fitzpatrick (55), of Mill Lane, Spalding. Speeding (Pinchbeck). £40 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Collette Hammond (43), of Elder Close, Lincoln. Speeding (Pinchbeck). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 5pts.

Amar Khan (48), of Black Prince Avenue, Market Deeping. Speeding (Baston). £145 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Peter O’Brien (47), of Brockenhurst Close, Lincoln. Speeding. £145 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Elizabeth Power (45), of Stonegate, Spalding. Speeding (Pinchbeck). £135 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

October 19

Janet Barber (70), of Water Gate, Quadring. Speeding (Quadring). £40 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Jamie Lunniss (37), of Medina Walk, Spalding. Speeding (Wrangle). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Darius Liaukus (24), of Westside, Spalding. No insurance (Boston). £300 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Simon Amos (35), of Bruce Crescent, Hartlepool. Speeding (Whaplode). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Pawel Knieja (23), of Dowdyke Road, Sutterton. Speeding (Barrowby). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Darren Payne (47), of Troydale Lane, Pudsey, Leeds. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £650 fine, £65 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Robertas Rybka (21), of Goddard Crescent, Wisbech. Speeding (Whaplode). £95 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

October 21

Clare Calaghan (40), of Abbey Crescent, Swineshead. Failed to stop after an accident (Boston). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 8pts. No separate penalty for failing to report an accident and driving without due care and attention.

James Chipping (42), of Linford Estate, Clenchwarton. Speeding (Whaplode). £250 fine, £25 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Greg Davies (22), of Anfield Road, Long Sutton. Driving without due care and attention (Long Sutton). £40 fine. No insurance. £120 fine, £20 v/s, 385 costs, £150 c/c/c, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Elzbieta Pasiewicz (30), of London Road, Kirton. No insurance (Boston). £440 fine, £44 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Hayley Fox (31), of Rochester Court, Bourne. No insurance (Thurlby). £160, £20 v/s, 385 costs.

Lincoln Magistrates’ Court

October 7

Steven Goodison (54), of Allen Close, Billingborough. Drink driving (Billingborough). £800, £80 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Denis Selepov (32), of Bourne Road, Spalding. No insurance (Crowland). £120 fine, £20 v/s, £45 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Kristina Pavydyte (22), of Castle Street, Boston. No insurance (Wyberton). £130 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Daniel Sansom (21), of Glebe Close, Manea. Speeding (Crowland). £40 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

October 10

Shane Osbourne (28), of Anfield Road, Long Sutton. Criminal damage (Spalding). £80 fine, £20 v/s, £150 c/c/c. Failing to surrender to custody (Boston). £80 fine.

October 12

James Caraccio (44), of Balmoral Avenue, Spalding. Failed to comply with a no entry sign while riding a pedal cycle (Spalding). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs.

Gregory Duffy (28), of Roman Bank, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Stephen Parker (52), of Guildhall Drive, Pinchbeck. Speeding (Spalding). £440 fine, £44 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Simon Sims (51), of Low Road, Wyberton. Speeding (Boston). £440 fine, £44 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Daniel Featherstone (23), of Hallgate, Moulton. No insurance (Kirton). £150 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 8pts.

Jerrard Walters (62), of Withington Street, Sutton Bridge. Failed to give driver ID (Nettleham). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 6pts.

Graham Day (52), of Princes Street, Sutton Bridge. Breach of a non-molestation order (Sutton Bridge). £120 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, £180 c/c/c.

Gordon Pinkney (21), of Wellington Road, Boston. Assault, three counts of criminal damage (Gosberton) and criminal damage to police cell (Boston). Five community orders to run concurrent to each other with rehabilitation activity requirement and restraining order, £60 v/s, £85 costs, £155 c/c/c.

October 14

Joanne Brennan (44), of Fairfields, Holbeach. Breach of restraining order (Holbeach). Community order with alcohol treatment requirement and rehabilitation activity requirement, £60 v/s, £85 costs, £180 c/c/c.

Joanne Brennan (44), of Fairfields, Holbeach. Criminal damage (Holbeach). Community order with alcohol treatment requirement and rehabilitation activity requirement, restraining order, £85 costs. Assault (Holbeach. Community order with alcohol treatment requirement and rehabilitation activity requirement.

Peter McCormack (34), of Rosemary Gardens, Bourne. Drink driving (Bourne) and failing to surrender to custody (Grantham). Community order with requirement to participate in drink impaired drivers programme, £60 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, disqualified from driving for three years.

Hope of finding a Gosberton soldier alive was fading in 1915 when he had not been heard of for over a year.

Pte William Kennedy’s wife and other relatives had repeatedly contacted the War Office for information about him.

However, by the time his aunt, Mrs E Cooper, of Wyberton Marsh, tried to find out what had happened to him, the Home Office admitted that “in view of the lapse of time, it is feared that he can no longer be alive”.

There had been a possibility that William, a member of the 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, would turn up as a prisoner of war, but that hope had been abandoned.

Many people at home were making regular subscriptions to the Spalding Prisoners of War Fund, yielding around 20 shillings a week.

That money had covered the cost of food and clothing sent to the prisoners up to then, but more Spalding men from the 1/4th Lincolnshire Regiment had been taken prisoner and so the weekly income would no longer be enough to keep up the weekly parcels of food and clothing to each man.

The report added: “In addition, as several Spalding men are reported missing of whom some are probably prisoners and will come upon the funds, there is a great additional reason for augmenting them”.

The committee secretary Sister Ellen and treasurer Mr W F Howard were asking for more subscribers, who would give their money to collectors weekly or monthly.

To indicate how precious these parcels were to the prisoners, the paper quoted from a postcard sent from a prisoner, Private Woods, of the 8th Lincoln Regiment, to his wife in Angel Yard, Spalding. In it he urged her to continue sending parcels each week and said: “Put plenty in it to eat, and will you... send me some more shirts and socks.”

Leading first aid charity St John Ambulance is urging everyone to learn some basic first aid skills ahead of the Bonfire Night celebrations.

St John Ambulance volunteers are attending almost 150 firework events across the East of England so that anyone who needs first aid gets it quickly.

However, injuries are much more likely to occur at private parties, where trained volunteers won’t be on hand to help.

Every year, around 1,000 people will visit A&E for treatment of a firework-related injury in the four weeks around 5 November*. But with some basic first aid skills, everyone can be prepared to help in a firework first aid emergency.

Steve Hampson, Regional Events Manager for St John Ambulance in the East of England, said: “St John Ambulance is keen that people enjoy Bonfire Night but don’t end their celebrations in hospital.

“Fireworks and bonfires can provide fun and entertainment for families at a time of year when the evenings are rather dark and gloomy. They literally light up the sky.

“Our volunteers will be on hand to provide expert first aid assistance at public displays across the region but if you are organising a private event, you need to know what to do if there is a first aid emergency.

“For example, if someone suffers a burn injury, it’s important to take immediate action to prevent them from going into shock or suffering long-term damage.”

The most common injuries that St John Ambulance’s volunteers are required to treat at Bonfire Night gatherings are burns, e.g. from fireworks, fire or sparklers; debris in the eye from bonfires and fireworks; and smoke inhalation.

Firework First Aid

Burns or scalds

If someone’s got a burn or scald: Run it under cold water for at least 10 minutes. You need to completely cool their skin to prevent pain, scarring or further damage

If the burn is on a child, or if you think it’s a serious burn (for example, if it’s deep, larger than the size of their hand, or on the face, hands or feet) call 999/112 for an ambulance

Remove any jewellery or clothing near the burn (unless they’re stuck to it)

Don’t pop any blisters or apply creams – this can make it worse

Once cooled, cover the burn with cling film or a plastic bag

If necessary, treat them for shock, by laying them down with their legs raised and supported above the level of their heart.

Debris in the eye

If someone’s got something in their eye: Tell them not to rub it, so they don’t make it worse

Pour clean water over their eye to wash out what’s in there and/or to cool the burn

If this doesn’t work, try to lift the debris out with a damp corner of a clean tissue

If this doesn’t work either, don’t touch anything that’s stuck in their eye – cover it with a clean dressing or non-fluffy material. Then take or send them straight to hospital.

Smoke inhalation

If someone’s inhaled smoke fumes: Move them away from the smoke so they can breathe in some fresh air

Help them sit down in a comfortable position and loosen any tight clothing around their neck to help them breathe normally

If they don’t recover quickly, call 999/112 for an ambulance.

For first aid information, visit www.sja.org.uk for more first aid tips. People can also download the free St John Ambulance first aid app, available for iPhone and Android devices.

I note that, in a desperate attempt to gain publicity for the beleaguered Spalding Transport Forum, George Scott has resorted to making incorrect comments about Spalding Railway Station.

He is wrong when he says the station is ‘dilapidated’.

In the dictionary, dilapidated means ‘having fallen into ruin’ so, if that is the case, where are the falling chimney stacks, the crumbling bricks, the broken windows or a collapsed roof?

If I worked for East Midlands Trains, I would take him to court for defamation for besmirching the company’s reputation and good character.

I also note that he has conveniently chosen not to mention the latest news about Littleworth Station.

Our official transport representative, Lincolnshire County Council, has repeatedly stated that the case for any such station is ‘weak’.

In other words, it will never be built.

As this was the mainstay of the Spalding Transport Forum’s campaign, surely there is now no reason whatsoever for its continued existence, especially considering that it has achieved nothing but a list of failures from the very start.

The time has come for the final nail to be put in its coffin – it should disband forthwith.

I wonder what the views of residents of Deeping St Nicholas are now that they realise that they were misled into believing they would get a station at Littleworth by this group, which has no accredited official status and which is now completely discredited.

It is my opinion that tiny little groups like this should not be allowed and that its representatives should be stopped from making ill-founded comments.

I would also encourage members of the press to ignore such statements unless the group can actually come up with a viable idea.

It is my hope that East Midlands Trains should not even consider any application for the adoption of Spalding Station.

New figures from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) show that of the 455,000 households in the East that include an adult smoker 158,000 (35%) are below the poverty line.

An estimated 36,000 households could be lifted out of poverty if they quit smoking.

These households comprise around 96,000 people including 25,000 children and 15,000 pensioners. On average households that include a smoker spend £2,158 a year on tobacco.

The figures are published today alongside a health inequalities toolkit advising local authorities and the NHS on how to reduce smoking rates among those experiencing health inequalities.

Most people start smoking as teenagers and after a year of smoking 85% say they would find it difficult to quit.

Smokers often try to quit many times before they are successful but those from disadvantaged backgrounds face particular barriers as they are more likely to be highly addicted and to live in communities where smoking rates are high.

These smokers often need more support than others to successfully quit.

Professor John Moxham, Professor of Respiratory Medicine at King’s College London School of Medicine said: “Smoking disproportionately affects the most disadvantaged in society and is one of the major reasons that poorer people get ill and die younger. Smokers from poorer backgrounds tend to start younger and are more likely to become more highly addicted, with their addiction contributing to ongoing poverty.

“The Government must support local authorities to end these unacceptable inequalities.”

Dr Sanjay Agrawal, Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust said: “Smoking puts poorer families under significant financial pressure. This in turn places a burden on local services and negatively impacts the local economy.

“Our services to help people quit not only save lives but they put money back into the pockets of the poorest households in our community.”

Regarding the A1073, it would appear that drivers are once again going to be penalised if average speed cameras are installed.

When the new road opened, there was much anticipation as it was hoped it would help to make journeys quicker.

I believe that some drivers do tend to put their foot down a little, but am I the only one who isn’t able to do even the average speed limit as I always get stuck behind a slow-moving car or lorry, usually doing around 40mph?

I do not like this road due to the casualties that have occurred on it.

In the Free Press on Tuesday, October 28, it asks what went wrong? The obvious solution would have been to spend a little more money and make the road dual carriageway in some areas to help relieve frustration.

Also, instead of penalising speeding drivers, why not crack down on vehicles doing just 40mph on this road? It is clearly a road where you can do 50 to 60mph.

This would not only prevent frustration from other drivers, but could also cut accidents, too.

The Deeping and District Agricultural Associations Annual Ploughing Match took place on Saturday at Thetford House Farm in Baston by kind permission of the host F.Richardson and Son.

Despite the appalling weather during the previous week Saturday morning found the site misty but in excellent condition for what turned out to be a splendid match. More than 400 spectators observed some excellent ploughing craft.

Just under 100 ploughing entries competed for awards in the 9 classes. After a disappointing no show in the horse classes in 2014, four teams competed this year for the prestigious Horse Ploughing Challenge Cup with the overall winner being E Worthington of Fishlake, Doncaster. Andy Elms of Solihull won the Eugene O’Rourke Cup for the Best turned out team of horses.

In the popular Vintage Tractor Ploughing Classes entries where a considerable increase on last year with Mr M Taylor of Melton Mowbray winning not only the Garford Farm Machinery Challenge Cup for Class 4 but also becoming the overall Deeping Ploughing Match Champion Ploughman for 2015.

Local Ploughmen Mr E Griffin of Stamford won the Hodgkinson Challenge Cup for class 2 and B Moore of Lyddington the Leverton Challenge Cup for Class 7. J Morton Won the Taylor Challenge Cup for best work with a John Deere tractor.

Awards where also presented to C Bichard and C Shields both of Oakham.

Following the recent NFU Holland County AGM my days as County Chairman are now dwindling or in limbo as the National AGM approaches in February, writes Ian Stancer.

The farming world just like every other facet of modern life is now so busy that finding people to give up just a little of their time to fulfil such a role is difficult, which is one reason why I’ve completed two stints, four years in total. The rewards for those that do are difficult to quantify but rich in quality; I’ve met a multitude of people who, almost without exception, have been interesting to listen to and also interested to hear my opinion. It is humbling to hear the stories of great strength and determination from up and down the country, and comforting to know that whatever problems we have in Holland Lincolnshire, there are always farmers who have a life many times harder and still willing to give more of themselves to strengthen this great institution. I wish my successor, Chris Wray, the very best, but know that he will enjoy the experience greatly, and I’d urge those people who think they are too busy, to follow after him

On the same theme, the next tier on the ladder of responsibility is the NFU Council Delegate, these are people so passionate about farming and helping others to farm that they give up rather more of their time to promote the industry. Robert Caudwell has worked tirelessly as Delegate for all of us for many years and we owe him the greatest thanks, but he has handed over responsibility to Sarah Dawson and we wish her well in her new post.

A man who died after crashing head-on into a skip lorry could have been suffering the effects of a long cocaine binge, an inquest has heard.

Ian Reed, 48, from Bourne, died instantly after his white Vauxhall Corsa hit a Scania lorry being driven by Neil Gay on the A15 just outside Market Deeping on April 16.

At an inquest into his death at Stamford Town Hall yesterday, coroner Professor Robert Forrest determined that the crash in which Mr Reed died could have had several causes, but no-one would ever know exactly what happened.

He said Mr Reed could have fallen asleep, could have been distracted by his dog in the passenger seat or could have intended to kill himself, perhaps due to the pressure of an upcoming criminal trial.

The inquest heard Mr Reed had a history of drug use and had been taking cocaine for several days before the crash. The day before the crash he told a close friend that he had a little of the drug left, and would stop using it once that was gone.

The friend saw Mr Reed on the morning of the crash. The inquest heard that Mr Reed seemed as if he hadn’t slept in several days. The friend asked him to take a shower and go to bed. When she returned at 1pm Mr Reed was asleep. Four hours later he was involved in the crash that killed him.

Chris Barrett told the inquest he had been following Mr Reed’s car south on the A15 from the Elsea Park roundabout in Bourne that afternoon. He said the car was driving slowly, about 45mph, and seemed to be overly cautious through Baston. The accident happened just before the roundabout with the A1175 at Market Deeping.

“All of a sudden out of nowhere the Corsa moved across the road towards the skip lorry,” he said. “The skip lorry tried to move as best it could but there was an impact and the car almost exploded.“

The crash happened in the northbound lane. Neil Gay, from Sleaford, who was driving the skip lorry, said he couldn’t avoid the Corsa.

Mr Gay said he briefly saw Mr Reed with his hands on the steering wheel and his head looking downwards.

A post-mortem examination found he had cocaine in his system. Mr Reed died of multiple injuries. His dog also died.

The inquest heard that Mr Reed was due to face trial at Lincoln Crown Court in July on a charge of possession with intent to supply. According to friends he thought he would go to prison and was depressed and paranoid as a result.

Determining that Mr Reed’s death was due to a road traffic collision, the coroner said: “I don’t think any of us are ever going to know exactly what happened.”

CABINET CALL: By Coun Gary Taylor of South Holland District Council

One of the major and most colourful events of the year is our extremely successful pumpkin festival.

Following months of planning by staff in the communities team, together with volunteers, thousands of people poured into Spalding town centre for this event. It is extremely pleasing to report this was one of the busiest and warmest in years.

This is a truly inter-generational community event, with many of our local schools playing a major part. The children received great support from parents and grandparents who took part in the many activities which are ongoing throughout the day. A spectacular firework display closed the event. This event also celebrates the fact Europe’s largest pumpkin grower Bowmans is from this area, producing 3 million every year.

If readers have not experienced this previously, I urge you to pay a visit for future years and encourage friends and family from other areas to visit Spalding and South Holland.

Another part of my council’s responsibilities include communications. As we know, a good relationship starts and ends with communication. This service is not to be confused with how this activity is portrayed in a negative light in certain TV comedies and dramas.

Good communications play a vital role in informing residents through the media on matters of interest and importance on a range of issues or services they need to know about. This might be through sending press releases, dealing with media demands, organising press facilities, or increasingly using social media to spread the word.

Messages need to be repeated because certain residents have not heard about this or people are new to the district and knowing what is available would help them.

It’s important to stress that most residents only pay around £3 per week for all our district services, including our popular and successful weekly waste collection. The excellent work of our food hygiene and licensing teams has recently been high profile regarding education and enforcement.

All councillors have a designated budget where they support good causes and worthwhile projects and many of them can be seen at this time of year with the preparations for Christmas events.

I’m delighted to once again support the Christmas Day event to support the elderly and isolated in our communities, which is being run by this newspaper.

Please contact your district councillor if you are part of an organisation or know a project which would benefit from this, because when we pull together as district we do demonstrate the best qualities of living in this area.

A fast food chain has joined forces with the organisers of an enterprise competition to try to get young people thinking about business.

McDonald’s in Ryhall Road, Stamford, will host an open evening for the Startup! Stamford contest from 7pm on Monday, November 16.

People aged 16 to 23 from within a 12-mile radius of Stamford are invited to come along, speak to organiser Martin Fox and find out more about the competition. And Mercury readers will get a free drink if they take the coupon printed in the November 6 edition with them.

McDonald’s franchisee Matt Jarrett said he was “blown away” by Mr Fox’s presentation and was happy to lend his support.

He added: “I’m really pleased that we have got involved with this. I see a big part of my role as doing as much as we can in the community.”

Matt will also join the team of mentors that help contestants in the later stages of the competition.

He said: “Since I’ve been in business I’ve had to teach myself. It’s a great position to be in, to be able to help choose the winner and provide some inspiration and advice so they can get their idea into reality.”

The competition is now in its second year. The winner will receive a £5,000 grant, the support of a team of mentors and networking opportunities. Entrants will have to submit a basic business idea. Those who go through to the business plan stage will get the support of a mentor from the local business community.

Last year’s winner Cameron Jarvis has now launched two IT businesses.

For more visit {http://www.stamford.youth-startup.org.uk|www.stamford.youth-startup.org.uk}.

I’ve just been reading the Hayes in the House column in today’s Free Press and I have to disagree with John Hayes.

There is enough renewable energy available from solar and wind sources to satisfy the country’s electricity requirements if we can store the power generated when the wind blows and/or the sun shines.

Further, Tesla has shown that can we now have viable electric vehicles, so we can reduce our reliance on oil.

There are several advantages to having solar panels on every appropriate roof, plus numerous wind farms off our shores and storing the generated electricity in our homes and large-scale battery storage.

It would mean we would not have to dispose of nuclear waste, and would remove the threat of a terrorist attack on a nuclear power station, which would devastate the infrastructure over a large area.

By decentralising generation and storage, such a catastrophe would be avoided.

And, individuals could save money by having their own power generation/storage which would also prevent any blackouts.

Mr Hayes, has anybody made a cost comparison between battery stored and distributed electricity from renewable energy generation compared to nuclear power?

Joyce Parker, 72, of Holbeach, has finally decided to call it quits after 57 years of hairdressing and will retire from her long career.

Joyce has been at the Kasha Hair Salon on Holbeach High Stree for 42 years and friend and colleague Heidi Gravening has been there with her for the last 12 years.

Joyce said: “I’m quite happy to leave the business to Heidi because she is very good at her job and so efficient.”

“I’ve decided to retire because over the last year or so I’ve been thinking that maybe it better to slow down a bit now I’m getting older and I can have more time to do the things I want to.”

Joyce began her hairdresing by working for her sister in Kings Lynn, who owned both a salon in Holbeach and in Kings Lynn. Her sister then decided to sell the one in Holbeach which Joyce bought and became an independant hairdresser.

“I know so many people around here now so I feel like part of Holbeach, some people are very sad I’m retiring but they know Heidi so it’s not like they’ll have a stranger start coming in to cut their hair.”

Since her customers found out about her planned retirement, Joyce has received many cards, and she also has a cake that she shares out to her customers at the shop.

Now Joyce says she has to decide what to do with all her free time she’s going to have.

She said: “I will be able to spend more time with my children, I have a son and a daughter, and my grandchildren and maybe take up my old hobbies, I used to do lots of arts and crafts.”

Joyce will leave the Kasha Hair Salon to Heidi to run who wil give the salon a more modern upgrade.

Joyce plans to spend time away with her husband after her official retirement and she said: “I would just like to thank all my customers over the years and also give Heidi my best wishes runnig the business in the future.”

Heidi has also received good luck cards for her challenges ahead of running the salon.

In under two years, the British people will be asked to decide on our relationship with the EU.

Those campaigning for continued membership question the UK’s ability to make its own trading arrangements with other nations, though others manage it.

The assumption is that a benign electorate will prefer to stay under the EU umbrella, accepting slow decline rather than risking a brave new world outside of the current collective.

The concessions that David Cameron may get will be no more than cosmetic, so how safe is the option of doing nothing?

A major issue is the mass influx of refugees and migrants from outside the EU.

A lack of anticipation and failure to prepare has left individual countries to make policy on the hoof.

Not for the first time (remember the bloodbath when the former Yugoslavia broke up), the EU has proved itself totally ineffectual in times of crisis.

One certainty for this country is that net immigration has ballooned to 330,000 a year and shows no sign of abating.

This coincides with national debt doubling to nearly £2trillion, putting the lie to those that claim there are economic benefits to this open border policy.

The uncertainty for me is simply this. How are we going to pay for all the extra services required in terms of health, education, housing, roads and law and order?

So, with EU membership meaning we cannot control our own borders and immigration running at record levels, how are we expected to absorb such numbers in terms of social cohesion and where is the money coming from?

Food and drink group Princes is set to invest £3.6million in its Long Sutton site as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening its UK operations.

With work due to start in April, the investment will see the creation of new staff changing and catering facilities and a new office at Long Sutton – the firm’s largest UK site.

A new on-site restaurant will cater for the site’s 660 employees, forming part of Princes Public Health Responsibility Deal pledge to provide healthier staff restaurants.

Development work also involves an upgrade of existing welfare facilities in the main office including new staff locker rooms, toilets and shower facilities.

Work is targeted to be completed by December 2016 and the company says it will provide a new workspace that will support teamwork and communications across the site teams and operational efficiencies.

The Long Sutton facility produces a range of canned products, including baked beans, vegetables, fruit, pulses, pasta and meatballs. It is a major purchaser of British produce for a range of branded products and supermarket own-brands.

Ruth Simpson, corporate relations director for Princes, said: “Princes is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of all our employees. We are investing in providing them with a modern working environment that promotes the development of Long Sutton as a best-practice producer of UK canned food.

“We are proud to work with local growers and suppliers right across Lincolnshire, who provide us with a range of produce for our Crosse & Blackwell and Batchelors brands .

“Ongoing investment comes despite a challenging global marketplace and helps us bolster local sourcing for products sold across the UK.”

Two sheds at a Lincolnshire home suffered fire damage last night (Saturday November 6) after a spent firework landed on top of them and ignited the roof felt.

Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue were called to the property in Market Rasen Road, Snarford, shortly after 10pm last night.

Crews from Market Rasen, Lincoln North, Lincoln South, Saxilby and Binbrook attended the scene. They extinguished the blaze using two main jets and two hose reels.

Fire damage was caused to two sheds (10x5 metres) and their contents, but thankfully nobody was injured.

For firework and bonfire safety advice, click here.