It took a lot of little ones to put on a really big show at William Stukeley Primary School in Holbeach.

It wasn’t a cast of thousands but a mighty 120 of the younger pupils joined forces for Hosanna Rock! – acting, singing and dancing in a modern musical version of the nativity.

Reception class and children in Key Stage 1 related the story of Mary and Joseph’s travels to Bethlehem and the birth of baby Jesus in a stable when there was no room at the inn.

There were some new characters on the scene as well as the central roles of Mary and Joseph, played by Lillie Ward and Evan Saunders, and the familiar figures of shepherds, kings and angels.

Catherine Cuthbertson, head of Key Stage 1, said: “We had snowmen, children playing with snow and twinkling stars as well as the traditional nativity roles.”

There were three well-received performances, one for the whole school and two for parents and friends.

Children sang along to recorded music as well as to piano music, which was played by teaching assistant Debbie Stevens.

Mrs Cuthbertson said: “It was brilliant.

“It was really good. The music was really catchy and the children learned it all within two-and-a-half weeks, which was quite impressive.”

• Hosanna Rock! has become one of the most popular and well-loved nativities in the UK and it has been performed by thousands of schools and churches.

I recently attended the Peterborough City Leadership Forum which as the name suggests is a gathering of chief executives, directors and senior managers from a range of businesses, community groups, voluntary sector and the arts, along with representatives and elected members from the public sector and Peterborough City Council.

The theme for the day was ‘beyond borders’ which came from a desire for a deeper conversation around 
emerging themes, particularly devolved governance.

Attendees explored the identity, role and responsibilities of Peterborough in a wider regional area, in which South Holland sits.

My role was to give some historical background to South Holland, outline where we are now and what our ambitions and priorities for the future are, especially where there may be mutually beneficial outcomes for South Holland and Peterborough. Top of my agenda was growth and the need, particularly in times of greatly reduced budgets, to maximise inward investment into the area that could improve our current road infrastructure. Dualling the A16 for example would have many benefits for Peterborough, South Holland and Lincolnshire.

Boosting job skills is also an important area and there are good opportunities for closer working with our Further Education Colleges so we can build on the excellent range of courses they provide.

We want more courses that are relevant to our local businesses, ensuring that more of our young people are retained in the area and want to work here because there are better paid and more highly skilled jobs.

Agri-food, housing and culture are all areas of increased importance to both Peterborough and South Holland.

They are especially relevant in terms of increasingly important technology to keep the agri-food industry internationally competitive, high quality housing for those working in the 
Peterborough area and along the route of the East Coast mainline and cultural 
facilities available in a large city that compliments our rural market towns, providing the quality of life we all aspire to.

Should we be doing more work with Peterborough in the future and what do you think the benefits might be? Let me know.

Families in Kirton will be on the lookout for Santa Claus in a fire engine which is heading to the village on Monday.

Santa is joining forces with firefighters from Kirton on a tour around the village between 4.30pm and 8.30pm to help raise money for charity.

Anyone who waves at the engine will be rewarded with free sweets so listen out for the festive music and wave as it goes past.

Health commissioners are backing a national campaign to make people think about their alcohol consumption as the pre-Christmas party season is set to begin.

In 2013/14, there were an estimated 1,059,210 hospital admissions related to alcohol consumption in the UK. This year’s Alcohol Awareness week tooke place between November 16- 22 in an effort to raise awareness of alcohol issues and the impact it can have on the health of the population. NHS South Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group supported local pharmacies and treatment service providers during this time, offering information and advice whilst raising awareness of the campaign.

Alcohol now costs the NHS £3.5bn per year; equal to £120 for every tax payer, and according to Alcohol Concern, one in eight NHS beds are used for alcohol-related illnesses.

The pre-Christmas party season can easily lead to binge drinking. You don’t have to be an alcoholic to risk damaging your health with alcohol.

Regularly drinking just above recommended levels can still be harmful in the long-term.

NHS recommendations for lower risk drinking state that men should not exceed 3-4 units a day on a regular basis and women should not exceed 2-3 units a day on a regular basis. Visit NHS Choices to download a drinks tracker that will calculate the units in your drinks and offer daily tips and feedback.

We don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun but it is important to think about alcohol consumption and its potential long-term impact on health. If you are concerned about your drinking you can discuss it with your GP.

Those who exceed the national recommended limit for drinking may suffer symptoms such as fatigue or depression, weight gain or poor sleep and are statistically more likely to develop serious medical conditions such as liver problems, reduced fertility issues, high blood pressure, increased risk of various cancers and heart attacks.

The owner of Moulton Park is being asked to defer its sale deadline following calls from residents who want to see it bought by Moulton Parish Council or a consortium of villagers.

For sale boards appeared at the park a week ago, which led the parish council to hold a public meeting in the village hall on Tuesday night.

Around 70 people attended, giving support to a number of suggestions.

These included the parish council buying the land and:

• restricting public access to a play area and letting the rest for grazing

• having a play area and giving support to limited residential development

The meeting heard the site of more than 23 acres is for sale by tender with a guide price of £250,000, but the clock is ticking with a deadline of December 18.

Coun Eddy Poll said purchase by the parish council would add £10 a year to the parish precept for every household in the Moultons.

Following the public meeting, Moulton Parish Council met and agreed to approach Ashley King to ask for an extension of the sale deadline so funds can be raised to pursue purchase. It wasn’t clear whether the park belongs to Mr King or one of his companies.

The council will discuss the issue again on Monday, but members have ruled out seeking a loan in the short time available to buy the park outright as a council.

It was agreed the council should make money available as a member of a consortium if sufficient funds are pledged. It was also agreed the council would ask Moulton Poor Trust if it would be prepared to buy the park and lease part of it to the council for a play area.

Moulton resident Andrew Malkin said the for sale signs had taken everyone by surprise.

He said: “The parish council has the civic and moral responsibility to pursue this with all they can muster. There was a clear and overwhelming show of support from the meeting for full public access to the park as a village amenity with a play area for children.”

Two casualties had to be rescued following a road traffic collision involved two cars and am articulated lorry on the A16 at Surfleet yesterday (Saturday December 12)

The incident was reported shortly before 5pm yesterday, and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue released two casualties using hydraulic rescue gear.

No further information has been released by the emergency services at this stage.

• Visit our website later for further detaild as we have them.

The futuristic design of a “pavilion” to host plays and live music in Spalding’s Ayscoughfee Gardens has been unveiled in a planning application.

Spalding Town Forum has championed a bandstand for the gardens, along with some improvements to the aviary there, and expects around £70,000 of Springfields Section 106 money to be spent on the projects.

South Holland District Council is seeking planning consent for the structure – which it calls a pavilion – and the application is expected to go to the planning committee next year.

Spalding and District Civic Society, which has a picture of the grade 1 listed Ayscoughfee Hall on its website, will meet shortly to consider its reponse to the proposed design.

The society criticised a previous design for a brick-built pavilion, which was dropped.

If approved, the pavilion will be sited in the same area as the aviary, on the Love Lane side of the gardens.

The proposed works include demolition of the current pavilion building at the eastern end of the pond garden, which a report says “has no architectural merit and is in a poor state of repair”, and replacement by the new structure.

A report by Liz Bates, from Heritage Lincolnshire, says the pavilion design “responds to the location and setting of the historic park, while offering the functionality required as a performance space”.

She says its oak frame responds to the traditional materials of the hall and natural environment of the park – and the roof and detachable panels will improve the acoustic performance of the structure.

Her report continues: “The new pavilion will enhance views from the eastern boundary of the gardens into the pond and peace gardens and views from the canal garden to the east.”

• The war memorial in the gardens, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, is also grade 1 listed.

Previously ...

New bandstand touted for Ayscoughfee Gardens

£27,000 earmarked for Spalding bandstand, signs and mosiac siting

Trumpet call for bandstand

Bandstand but nothing else yet

Status upgrade for Ayscoughfee

Spalding War Memorial upgraded in time for Remembrance Sunday service

A man has warned others to be alert to scam letters after receiving a letter that asked for his bank details in order to claim a lottery prize.

Bob Oxford, 68, of Marigolds, Deeping St James, became suspicious when he opened a letter claiming he had won the “People’s Postcode Lottery” - something he knew he had not entered.

The letter said he had won £825,000, and would be able to claim the money if he called a number and gave his bank details and a £2,000 “processing fee”.

Thankfully Bob and his wife searched for the name of the lottery online and quickly realised that the letter was a fraud. But he believes others could not be so sceptical and might fall for the scam.

“My wife said I hadn’t won anything because I hadn’t bought a ticket. And then thought if I had really won then they would be round with Champagne and the press,” said Bob.

“You think no-one would fall for it, but I’m sure they do. If the scammers get even one per cent fall for it then they are doing all right.”

Bob reported the scam to the police, who passed him on to Action Fraud, the national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre. Action Fraud has plenty of advice on its website for those who think they may have been targeted by scammers.

Regarding lottery letters, it says: “If you respond to the fraudster, you’ll be asked to supply personal information and copies of official documents, such as your passport, as proof of identity. The fraudsters can then use this information to steal your identity.”

Anyone who has responded to such a letter is advised to break off all contact and alert their bank if they have passed on any details.

The website says: “Never respond to any such communication. If you haven’t entered a lottery then you can’t have won it.”

For more advice on fraud visit {http://www.actionfraud.police.uk|www.actionfraud.police.uk}.

Apparently, the grey seal colony at Donna Nook on the East Coast attracts 60,000 visitors every year.

And the bulk of those visitors are heading for the dunes beyond North Somercotes about now.

The reason? It’s the height of the seal birthing season.

The first pups started to arrive in October.

By the start of January, there could be be more than 1,500 of them.

Not surprisingly, the pups - and their mums and dads - are a massive lure for visitors, young and old.

Sandra Dyson, from Market Rasen, was among the visitors last Saturday with her son Elliott (6) and daughter Sophie (9).

Sandra said: “We come three or four times every year and the children think the seals are wonderful.

“You have to wrap up and, a couple of weeks ago, it was pouring with rain when we were here but the children still wanted to see them.

“They’ve told a lot of their friends and now they come as well.”

Eliott added: “I like the seals and I’d love to have one at home.

“I told my dad we could keep it in the bath but he said it wasn’t allowed!”

Husband and wife Keith and Janet James were staying at a guest house in the Louth area. They asked the owner what was worth seeing and, 30 minutes later, were viewing the seals.

Keith, from Kent, said: “We’d no idea they were here. We were going to go to Lincoln but that can wait.

”The seals are wonderful, such characters.”

The site is owned by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, who do a tremendous job.

It can’t be easy dealing with the thousands of visitors, particularly as the access roads are remote country lanes.

There is a viewing platform and a pathway which cuts through the dunes giving very close access to the seals.

Not too close, though, as adult seals can be very protective of their offspring. Male seals – called bulls – can be very aggressive.

The Trust’s advice is to observe the seals from a distance and not to climb over fences.

Dogs are also banned as female seals have been known to abandon pups if they detect a smell of humans or dogs on them.

All the signs suggest 2015 could be a record year.

In 2013, there were 1,528 pups born at Donna Nook. In 2015, the figure rose to 1,798.

Last week, the count stood at 649 pups – along with 378 bulls and 956 cows.

And yes, staff from the Trust do count the seals every week!

As for local businesses, they are counting their money.

According to latest figures, nature tourism brings in £58m every year for the county and supports 850 jobs. The adorable grey seals of Donna Nook play a big part in that.

Advice to visitors from the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is:

• Stay within the viewing area behind the fence

• Strictly observe all red flag and other bombing range warnings

• Don’t get too close to the seals

• Never feed or pet the seals

• No unaccompanied children

• No dogs

• If possible, visit during the week.

• Please be considerate when visiting: park only in designated areas

• At weekends, the narrow lanes and car park get very congested

Visitor facilities:

• There is a small car park at Stonebridge (maintained by the local authority). A private operator provides an overflow parking area

• There are no public toilets in the car park. The nearest public toilets are in North Somercotes village

• Catering van (private) operates through the season selling hot drinks and food

• Places to eat and stay are available in North Somercotes and the local area

• See the village website and Lincolnshire Tourism for further information

• Organised parties should be booked in advance. Contact the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Headquarters on 01507 526667, email info@lincstrust.co.uk

The simple enough joy of eating out – and by this I don’t mean hanging about around the fish and chip shop – as in the now-looked-upon gastronomical delight that is going into an establishment to sit down and be waited upon and eat something that either you or the other half has not had to slave over a digital device or perhaps the humble gas or electric oven to prepare, and perhaps have a sip or two of the house wine, and afterwards letting out a rather loud burp and commenting: “That wasn’t half bad, but they don’t fry their chips like you do, love.”

I remember one incident where the comment passed to the waiter by the couple seated at an adjacent table was: “That was a belter ally-la-cart menu, so give our condiments to the chief for us can you, Squire?” although I am pretty sure as he walked away I heard the waiter mumble under his breath “just the salt and pepper?” ...

Oh, how we miss the lesser-spotted intellectual, imported from its natural habitat, as in Sid’s Café (please leave boots, waders, ponies or ferrets outside as Doris only cleans here on a Tuesday until her back is better).

The best effort so far among contenders for the Worst Diner of the Decade is one knuckle-dragger. Never mind the meal, he sat and started chewing the round, coiled raffia coaster, thinking possibly it was some form of biscuit, and after a few attempted munches, said to his concubine: “These ain’t half chewy.” And the response? “Don’t do that! – you’ll spoil your main meal, stupid.”

There have been, and still are for that matter, moments when I feel I am taking part in some bizarre hidden TV camera show, and all these folk have been sent to test my reactions, not to mention sanity.

Some years ago when the annual Motor Show was still held in Earls Court, as in the London one, friend Mike and myself wanted something to eat after the long haul around numerous stands.

The catering prices there seemed to point out that it would be cheaper to buy a new car off a display, as opposed to a pack of sandwiches and a drink, so we left and wandered into town. We came across a delightful little restaurant that looked about right to us – read as in cheap.

We went in with no customers in sight, plus, not a creature stirred, although he could have been out the back using a whisk instead. It had a certain ambience, or the aroma could have been the after-effects of the damp being sorted out, plus what is termed as “romantic lighting”, as in candles smouldering away – either that or they had had the electric cut off.

Hopefully the gas was still on, oven-wise, plus it was all very bijou. Or to put another way, the wallpaper had had a disagreement with the wall and decided to leave in various sections, and it was only the Sellotape joins giving the game away, but if they served hot food and something to sloop, this would do, as we’d had quite a walk to find something.

We found a table that didn’t wobble and sat down to study a menu each, and before you could whistle the love theme from the 1812 Overture, something shuffled towards us in a black suit and bow tie, with a napkin over his left arm, looking every minute of being a mere 137 years old. In broken English, he spoke: “You raa vont to ouedour sumsink?” We looked at each other, replied that we were still looking and, undeterred as he may have had a low pain threshold, he just stood there. We mumbled to each other, and then I spoke to Speed first.

I asked for a small steak, well done as in next step to cremation, with various bits and bobs slung on the plate as the cook/chef/skilled miracle worker felt appropriate. Then Mike ordered his, with his preferences as to how the animal (hopefully deceased) was prepared and presented, etc, and then Speed asked: “You lick sumsink to derlink?”

We both opted for a low fat, semi-skimmed, glass of water each. He then did a passable three point turn and summoned up the energy to shuffle over to what we thought was a wooden panel set in the wall. It was a “dumbwaiter” serving hatch that we had both seen in assorted films, but had never seen in real life before, so obviously we weren’t getting out as much as we should be doing.

The next piece was a classic as, do bear in mind, we had spent the best part of five minutes or so translating/explaining to Speed our primitive desires as to what we wanted food-wise, how it should be cooked, etc.

He opened the panel onto the dark shaft that was the communication side of the dumbwaiter, and gave the following, precise instructions to whoever was at the reception end. He shouted: “Two-a da mixers!”

We stared at each other on seeing/hearing this phenomenon as Speed closed the panel and shuffled back to the shadows, muttering as he passed us: “You-a not-ta wait-a longa.”

Reassuring or worrying, we knew not.

Speed slowly went across the near-silent room (all that could be heard was the wicks burning on the candles) and he sort of leaned against the far wall with the still-attached wallpaper, and he never moved until a bell rang, whereupon he shuffled towards the dumbwaiter again, and out on a tray came our meals.

Amazingly, although they were both ordered to be cooked to different requirements, and he had only uttered about two words of command or inducement, they were cooked as required! We were stunned.

Fluke or what, we never asked, but the meals were brilliant. After eating our way through this quite unexpected response meal-wise, Speed shuffled over to our table once more.

He looked straight ahead of him – fog expected maybe? – and asked: “You-a wanta dar desert maybaa?”

I was tempted to ask what he had in stock, such as Sahara, Gobi or Kalahari, but we declined, drank our water and afterwards followed Speed to the till – we all three did a sort of demented soft shoe shuffle together towards it. We paid and left as Speed sort of faded back into the rear of the restaurant.

I went back a few years later and, for old time’s sake, I ventured round to the restaurant – but, sadly, it was now a dress shop. I often wonder what sort of sand the desert may have been like.

The first “much needed” and “substantial” improvements to seabanks, in some cases the “only line of defence” against flooding, are moving a step closer.

An announcement by the Wash Frontage Group (WFG) that funding for planned improvements along five kilometres of seabank along the A52 north of Donington was close to being secured coincided with the second anniversary of the floods that hit the region.

The WFG confirmed that the funding would come thanks to partnership between the Environment Agency EA), Witham Fourth District Internal Drainage Board (W4IDB) and farmers.

WFG chairman Stafford Proctor said: “The second anniversary of the terrible events of December 5, 2013 has come around quickly and I am pleased that steps are being taken to carry out much needed improvement works to the seabanks which protect south Lincolnshire and beyond from flooding.

“In particular. the EA, W4IDB and coastline farmers have developed a working partnership and we are hopeful of hearing shortly that funding has been approved for improvements to the seabank along five kilometres between Leverton and Wrangle.

“These will be the first substantial works to the seabanks for more than thirty years.”

The WFG is a voluntary organisation made up of landowners and farmers based on land linked to The Wash coastline from Gibraltar Point in Lincolnshire to Wolferton Creek in Norfolk.

A Wash Shoreline Management Plan in 2010 identified the need to carry out improvements to sea defences to keep pace with climate change.

Mr Proctor said: “The WFG sees these works as an important step in a process which is critical to South Lincolnshire, West Norfolk and East Midlands as a whole.

“It is vitally important that this ambition becomes a reality and I commend the work of the EA, the W4IDB and farmers in taking a first step towards this.”

During the December 5, 2013 storm surge, over 300 houses and 500 acres of farmland were flooded.

“The WFG has, in the last year, sought to facilitate and enable improvements to the sea defences which will benefit the region as a whole,” Mr Proctor said.

‘Tighten up our defences’, MP to tell Government

Sutton Bridge farmer on flood risk

MP backs farmers over sea defences

Flood barrier cash hopes

The fascinating history of Wash farm explained

Around 50 pupils from Sutton St James Primary School, staff, governors, parents and Brownies filled the village church for a Christingle service.

Pupils spent a morning at school making their candle-based Christingles, symbolic objects whose name has the literal translation “Christ Light” and celebrate Jesus as the Light of the World.

The service had a mixture of traditional Christmas carols and hymns as well as some of the more modern songs and hymns that the children have learned in school.

The Christingles were lit as the congregation sang Away in a Manger, which made it a magical and truly atmospheric time for all of those sharing in the service in the flickering candlelight.

Sutton St James chairman of governors Pete Horsfield said: “It was a wonderful service.

“The children really enjoyed it and it was lovely to have all of the parents and the children together.”

The service was organised by the school and Sally Clifton from the church and it has raised £107 to support the work of The Children’s Society.

So, we live in the same old ever changing world. Take the voting for air strikes. Whatever your view, if you are a certain age you will feel you’ve heard it before.

People running around city centres, shouting extremist messages and waving weapons around: sound familiar? Just change the names and flags.

As I read the news, I fight the pressure of being overwhelmed. I find myself wondering why we can’t all just “Play Nice?” It seemed so simple as a kid when my brothers and I faced my mum’s grimaced face and pointing finger insisting, instructing, pleading with us to ... “Play nice”.

When MPs disagreed with each other this week on the subject of air strikes, those against it were called “terrorist sympathisers”... grown men reduced to name-calling.

Why can’t we Play Nice? Why can’t we get along in the playground? I don’t understand why anyone would want to kick a child or push them over. But that is apparently how some kids want to play and if they don’t learn at a young age that behaviour like that is wrong, it doesn’t “kick in” (no pun intended) when they are adults...bullying just takes on another form.

You there with the warped ideology! Play Nice. You, yes you, with the bad attitude to your work colleagues: Play Nice. You, yes you, who thinks it’s ok to overtake and nearly cause another pile up in your rear view mirror: Play Nice. And yes, I can see you tapping your foot, you little queue pusher: Play Nice. And as for you, you my so-called friend who nicks my boyfriend at the school disco: Play Nice.

Why can’t the man who brings his big dog and ignores the “No dogs on the beach” sign just Play Nice? Why do some people think it’s ok to leave their unwanted sofa on the A16? Why do the laws of our country seem to not apply to some people? Play Nice.

The principles of playing nice are simple:

Think before you act.

Put others first.

Respect each others space.

Agree to disagree.

The benefits of playing nice are clear: I’m happy, you’re happy, we’re all happy. I respect you. You respect me. These are the rules in Playnice Land, the same rules of the ball pit: enjoy yourself, apologise when you hurt someone. Play Nice. Oh, and wear socks is the other one, but that’s a basic when we’re out and about.

In other news, 200 miles from us water falls, rivers rise, power is cut: a seasonal occurrence here in the UK. We can still Play Nice: professionals do their job with a smile; neighbours help each. Playing nice works. Let’s keep on doing it where we can and perhaps all those others who have yet to discover the basic rules of humanity will want to join in.

Here’s some tips taken from my entirely invented “International Play Nice Federation”:

Think: would I like that done to me?

Think: do I really want to behave like that?

Think: what would my mum say if she found out?

Imagine how nice the world could be…

It was heartening to read your report on the first meeting of the Riverside Community Forum (Lincolnshire Free Press, December 8) and the several constructive suggestions that emerged to attempt to halt the sad decline of what should be one of Spalding’s show pieces.

I note in the report, however, that although the dumping in the river of some wheelie bins was mentioned, there was no mention of a more alarming incident, which presumably happened during the same spate of vandalism.

It really saddens me a metal litter bin – complete with concrete plinth – was dumped in the river opposite White House Chambers in Albion Street. As I write, it has still not been retrieved and remains a sad indictment of what appears to be a relatively new ‘no respect’ culture.

I have grown accustomed, sadly, to seeing vomit and mountains of litter along Albion Street, the sports centre and, of course, the riverside itself, but this beggars belief simply because of the sheer effort which must have been required to shift the thing.

It’s clearly going to take all the agencies and residents working together to improve what is really a shameful state of affairs.

We don’t need Neighbourhood Watch, we need riverside watch.

Kate Dickens

Spalding

Firefighters used hydraulic rescue equipment to release one person after a crash involving three cars in Grimsthorpe this morning.

Crews from Corby Glen, Bourne and Grantham all attended the incident on Corby Road, Grimsthorpe at 6.12am this morning.

As well as freeing one trapped person from a car, two of the cars were made safe by the firefighters.

The collision led to the A151 being closed in both directions at Grimsthorpe.

Why waste our money on this?

In response to your article on the campaign for a pedestrian crossing on the A17 at Holbeach (Lincolnshire Free Press, December 1), could someone tell me why this woman and her children are unable to walk along Cherry Tree Lane to the underpass?

It’s in complete safety and costs absolutely nothing.

Obviously, the woman and her two children would require more time – approximately one hour per day – to complete the extra distance.

Could someone also explain why anyone would wish to waste thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money unnecessarily on a scheme that will increase the risk of accidents to the hundreds of vehicles on the A17 for an unknown number of pedestrians, when an underpass already exists?

Michael Harrison

via email

Previously ...

Holbeach A17 crossing can’t come soon enough - mum

Police are advising people to be on their guard and report any incidents of callers at their door claiming to be deaf and selling personal artwork.

Around 11.30am on Sunday 13 December, a man called at an address in Louth Road, Holton Le Clay, and became physically aggressive when asked to leave.

This is thought to be the latest in a number of incidents across East Lindsey where aggressive tactics have been used, or the ‘seller’ has walked into properties through unlocked doors.

Officers want to identify the people who are responsible for the sales and are asking members of the public to contact them if anyone calls at their door in similar circumstances or if they have been targeted already.

Residents should also take basic crime prevention measures and be on their guard against cold callers of any nature:

•Ensure you keep your front and back doors locked - even while you are at home.

•Please also be vigilant when answering your door - always use a door chain and don’t let any strangers into your house.

•If you feel threatened by a caller, always call the police on 999.

•If you have any doubt about who is at your door, don’t answer it.

If you believe you have been targeted by the deaf artist, or by any other suspicious cold callers, please Lincolnshire Police on 101

To report an incident in progress, or if you are targeted in the future, always call 999 straight away.

A group of men from south-eastern England are facing a court hearing in connection with a hare coursing operation in Deeping St Nicholas.

Seven men from Kent and Surrey were arrested at about 10am yesterday (Sunday) and have been reported for summons to court on hare coursing-related charges, with a hearing date still to be set.

It bings to 48 the number of men arrested or reported for summons since November 18, with five vehicles having been seized in the same period.

Chief Inspector Jim Tyner, lead officer on the Operation Galileo anti-hare coursing campaign across Lincolnshire, said: “Hare coursing, and the associated intimidation and damage to crops, has a significant impact on our rural communities across Lincolnshire.

“Operation Galileo is in place to tackle hare coursing and this latest incident where seven men were reported is following on from recent policing activity where seventeen men were reported last weekend.”

MONDAY 9.40AM: Alleged hare coursing at Deeping St Nicholas

Seven men from Kent and Surrey were yesterday (Sunday) reported for summons for alleged hare coursing at Deeping St Nicholas.

The incident was dealt with by police working on Operation Galileo, which targets hare coursing across Lincolnshire.

The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking people across Lincolnshire to comment on its draft proposals for new county council division boundaries.

An eight-week public consultation on the recommendations begins tomorrow, Tuesday December 15, and will end on 8 February 2016. The consultation is open to anyone who wants to have their say on new county council electoral divisions, division boundaries and division names across Lincolnshire.

The Commission’s draft recommendations propose that Lincolnshire County Council should have 70 county councillors in the future, seven fewer than the current arrangements. The recommendations also outline how those councillors should represent 70 single-member divisions across the county.

The full recommendations and detailed interactive maps are available on the Commission’s website at www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk and www.lgbce.org.uk. Hard copies of the Commission’s report and maps will also be available to view at council buildings and libraries.

Max Caller CBE, Chair of the Commission, said: “We are publishing proposals for a new pattern of electoral divisions across Lincolnshire and we are keen to hear what local people think of the recommendations.

“Over the next eight weeks, we are asking local people to tell us if they agree with the proposals or if not, how they can be improved.

“Our review aims to deliver electoral equality for local voters. This means that each county councillor represents a similar number of electors so that everyone’s vote in county council elections is worth roughly the same regardless of where you live.

“We also want to ensure that our proposals reflect the interests and identities of local communities across Lincolnshire and that the pattern of divisions can help the council deliver effective local government to local people.

“We will consider all the submissions we receive whoever they are from and whether your evidence applies to the whole county or just part of it.

The Commission wants to hear as much evidence as possible in order to develop final recommendations for Lincolnshire County Council. If you would like to make a submission to the Commission, please write or email by 8 February 2016: The Review Officer (Lincolnshire), LGBCE, 14th floor, Millbank Tower, London, SW1P 4QP or email: reviews@lgbce.org.uk

Have your say directly through the Commission’s consultation portal.

Link to the dedicated web page for the Lincolnshire electoral review.

Before the local councils

South Holland District Council

B Creamer, 18 Clarence Gardens, Spalding. Extension.

J Whitwell, 3 Cross Road, Sutton St Edmund. One dwelling.

M Burrell, land adj 20 Town Dam Lane, Donington. Change of use of agricultural land to incorporate as part of domestic curtilage including extension of garden fence.

Mr and Mrs A Loizou, Corner House, Main Road, Holbeach Drove. Extension.

M Beba and B Mooney, Roberts, 55 Fen Gate, Moulton Chapel. Replacement dwelling (re-submission).

Spalding Parish Church Day School, Clay Lake, Spalding. New main entrance and reception area.

Lincolnshire County Council, Balmoral Avenue Play Park, Balmoral Avenue, Spalding. Permanent pedestrian access route and temporary access for contractors’ vehicles during construction period which will be made permanent on completion of construction work.

M Aubertin-Rowe, 96 Delgate Bank, Weston Hills. Alterations and extension.

M Hockin, 2 Caythorpe Cottages, Donington. Extensions to dwelling and detached garage/car port.

Mr and Mrs Button, Bridge House, Fishergate, Sutton St James. Replacement dwelling, with associated garage and landscaping.

Mr and Mrs J Thorpe, Kenora, Daniels Gate, Long Sutton. Extension and alterations.

Mr and Mrs D Bibby, Squirrels Hollow, Lutton Bank. Replacement bungalow and double garage (modification of conditions).

D and R Property Services, Holland House, 17 High Street, Spalding. Details of secondary glazed unit.

C Purcell, 5-6 Market Place, Spalding. New shop front and signage.

A Moyses, adj 60 Spalding Common, Spalding. Pair semi-detached houses including off road parking for 60 Spalding Common.

Mr and Mrs T Gedney, Sandtone, 6 Sandtone Gardens, Spalding. Extension.

Mr and Mrs S Gibbard, adj Spur House, 50 Moulton Chapel Road, Moulton Chapel. New field access.

Mr and Mrs S Lyon, rear Carlton, 156 Barrier Bank, Cowbit. Two detached dwellings.

L Robinson, Tower Bungalow, Hospital Drove, Little Sutton. Details of conditions.

G Aistrup, Ashcroft, 3a London Road, Long Sutton. Extension and alterations.

Mr and Mrs V Day, rear 29 Woad Lane, Long Sutton. Self build dwelling and ancillary annexe.

Mr and Mrs N Back, 42B Spalding Common, Spalding. Three bed bungalow and double garage.

R Legate, Westbourne House, 3A Cowbit Road, Spalding. Alterations including addition of roof lantern.

R Harman, rear Fen Willow, 23 Cobgate, Whaplode. Two storey detached dwelling.

South Kesteven District Council

J Cleeve, 47 East End, Langtoft. Approval of condition details

M Parker and sons, White House Nurseries, 23 The Green, Thurlby. Five dwellings with private drive following demolition of dwelling and buildings.

W Boddy, 35 High Street, Morton. Conversion and extension of barn to form four dwellings.

S Mitchell, land adj The Sugar Mill, Milestone Road, Bourne. Proposed Lidl store, 120 car parking spaces and new access.

M Ash, 3 Douglas Road, Market Deeping. New dwelling and extension to 3 Douglas Road.

Boston Borough Council

Hancock, The Granary, Bridge Farm, Main Road, Swineshead Bridge. 6ft hazel hurdle fence along eastern and southern boundary.

Lytwynchuk, Willow Farm, Waterbelly Lane, Sutterton. Conversion of barn to dwelling and erect single garage.

R Booth and S Kinane-Waltham, Highland House, North Drove, Bicker. Detached garage and workshop and games room above.

Nundy, Windy Ridge, Hubberts Bridge Road, Kirton. Extension.