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.

Grantham Magistrates’ Court

November 19

Lucy Harper (44), of Chariots Way, Baston. Drink-driving (Baston). £290 fine, £29 victim surcharge, £85 costs, £150 criminal courts charge, disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Daniel Storey (19), of Meadow Close, Bourne. Three counts of assault, two counts of criminal damage and failing to surrender to custody. Community order with requirement to participate in Building Better Relationships programme, restraining order, £100 compensation, £60 v/s, £150 c/c/c. £50 compensation to pay on criminal damage charge.

November 23

Sean Allen (20), of Black Prince Avenue, Market Deeping. Possession of cannabis (Baston). Six months conditional discharge, £15 v/s, £180 c/c/c, drugs to be forfeited and destroyed.

Andrzej Bednarz (33), of Holloway Avenue, Bourne. Criminal damage (Bourne). £230 fine, £100 compensation, £23 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c. Second count of criminal damage. £100 compensation.

Lincoln Magistrates’ Court

November 7

Leonards Lagzdins (24), of Chandlers Reach, Church Street, Spalding. Theft of a towel worth £12 from Wilkinson (Spalding). 12 months conditional discharge. Theft of pair of shoes worth £48 belonging to Brantano (Spalding). 12 months conditional discharge, £48 compensation, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c.

November 9

Radu Bohai (31), of Nocton, Lincoln. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Krzysztof Wrobel (34), of Fleet Road, Fleet. Speeding (Barrowby). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Simon Davey (47), of Selborne Street, Blackburn. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £440 fine, £44 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Jiyp Joseph (41), of Margaret Drive, Boston. Speeding (Moulton Seas End). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 21 days.

Dawid Jaremowicz (37), Bagnell Street, West Bromwich. Speeding (Deeping Common). £100 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.

Mintare Konosenko (23), of Market Place, Halesforth, Suffolk. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Jonathan Neale (42), of Nettleford Road, Manchester. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Trey Webber (18), of Broadgate, Gedney. Speeding (Spalding). £100 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.

Ingus Podnieks (21), of London Road, Spalding. Stole towels worth £12 from Wilkinsons (Spalding) and failed to surrender to custody. Community order with 100 hours unpaid work, £12 compensation, £60 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c.

November 11

Anthony Holmes (34), of Hall Road, Haconby. Non-payment of fine. 14 days prison sentence.

November 12

Nathan Hudson (21), of Garnsgate Road, Long Sutton. Failed to comply with red light traffic signal (Spalding). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Christopher King (36), of Mary Lovell Way, Stickney. Speeding (Moulton Seas End). £295 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Graham York (41), of Meadow Walk, Cowbit. Fished otherwise than in accordance with a licence. £110 fine, £20 v/s, £127 costs, £150 c/c/c.

November 13

Christopher Morris (29), of Spring Gardens, Spalding. Entered as trespasser and stole £20 cash belonging to Crystal Inn (Spalding) and possession of cannabis. Community order with 200 hours unpaid work, £20 compensation, £60 v/s, £85 costs, £180 c/c/c.

Glyn Ledger (46), of Hightstone Avenue, Barnsley. Entered B&Q (Wyberton) when prohibited from doing so by a restraining order. Eight weeks prison sentence suspended for 12 months, curfew requirement, £80 v/s, £45 costs, £180 c/c/c. Theft of six radiator valves worth £120 belonging to B&Q (Wyberton). Four weeks prison sentence concurrent, suspended for 12 months.

November 18

Jonathan Coupland (54), of Green Lane, Spalding. Speeding (Grantham). £80 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.

Jurgitia Zitkeviciene (33), of Tiber Court, Spalding. Failed to give driver ID (Nettleham). £475 fine, £48 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Mitchell Bamforth (26), of Spalding Road, Deeping St Nicholas. Failed to give driver ID (Nettleham). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 6pts.

Michelle Sieley (33), of London Road, Yaxley. Speeding (Spalding). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Danielle Nuttell (30), of High Street, Kirton. Stole a Radley handbag worth £229 belonging to Oldrids (Boston). Community order with drug rehabilitation requirement, £150 fine, £229 compensation, £40 costs.

Janeks Leimanis (31), of Guildford Street, Grimsby. No insurance (Folkingham). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than accordance with a licence.

November 21

Juozas Paulauskas (25), of Green View, Kirton. Criminal damage (Sleaford). Six months conditional discharge, £50 compensation, £15 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c.

November 23

Ben Grimwood (28), of Hipper Lane, Wigtoft. Driving without due care and attention. £240 fine, £24 v/s, £85 costs, 8pts. No separate penalty for failing to give driver ID.

Julie Savage (46), of Clarkson Avenue, Cowbit. Failing to give driver ID (Nettleham). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Skegness Magistrates’Court

November 17

James McCartney (38), of Sentence Crescent, Kirton. Assault (Stickney). 16 months conditional discharge, £15 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c.

Site manager Simon King has won a top national award for the quality of homes built by his company.

Mr King, who runs S E King Building Contractors, of Long Sutton, has won his first NHBC Pride in the Job Awards 2015 Seal of Excellence.

The award is for achieving a high standard of finishing to the homes built on the firm’s Garnsgate site in Long Sutton.

He said: “It is a great honour - these awards are really the Oscars of the house building industry. We were up against some multi-national companies so this is a tremendous achievement.”

Mr King, whose brother Jeremy has helped maintain the high standards of workmanship, said the award had been won for the high quality of finish to brickwork and the internal fittings.

The firm specialises in building individually designed homes.

Richard Hartshorn, NHBC regional director, said: “Simon is building homes of a very high standard, and is worthy of a Seal of Excellence. I have visited hundreds of sites, and to reach this level of the competition means without question you have to be the elite of this industry.

“At NHBC we believe recognising the workmanship of the best site managers plays an important role in bringing high quality homes to consumers, creating homes we are proud to live in.”

Santa has returned to his visit to Kirton after a collision called his entourage away earlier tonight (Monday).

The tour of the village was called off temporarily as the fire crew which was escorting Father Christmas was called to a collision in Moulton on Seas.

However, they have now returned and the tour will continue - albeit an hour behind schedule.

Firefighter Martyn Taylor told the Standard the crew were still aiming to get around the whole route - meaning they should finish around 9.30pm.

If you see Santa let us know and share your pictures on Facebook and Twitter.

Monday, 4.54pm - An incident has seen Santa called away from a planned visit to the village of Kirton this evening (Monday).

The jolly man in red was due to tour the village in a fire engine from 4.30pm until 8.30pm to help raise money for charity - however, one of his helpers called The Standard to say that the crew had been called away to an incident and were having to cancel.

Firefighter Martyn Taylor said: “We just pulled up at the first address and there were loads of children outside, but we had to turn around and go.”

He said the crew were looking to reschedule the visit.

A Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue spokesman confirmed the crew had been called to a collision at Moulton Seas End and apologised for the cancellation.

Saturday, 7.39pm - 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.

Anita Harris already has one huge fan at Pinchbeck – the Burtey Fen Collections’s co-owner Mark Willerton.

Mark began collecting 1950s and 1960s pop records and associated memorabilia while still at primary school in 1970.

He has put together displays of original pop memorabilia in the coffee bar at the Burtey Fen Collection.

Artefacts feature many pop singers and groups from the 1960s.

As well as displays of memorabilia remembering the top female singers of the decade – Dusty, Cilla and Sandie – there is a framed montage of photographs, album covers and sheet music of Anita Harris. The archive of pop records contains Anita’s very first disc – a rare title called I haven’t Got You released on Parlophone Records in 1961.

A star of stage, screen and hit records is appearing in Pinchbeck next month.

Anita Harris – known for 1960s chart hits and appearances in the Carry On films – is appearing at the Burtey Fen Collection in Pinchbeck on Sunday, January 31 (2.30pm).

Manager and co-owner Mark Willerton says Anita began her singing career with the Cliff Adams Singers before finding fame as a solo artist during the mid-1960s.

He says: “In 1967 she took her record Just Loving You, composed by Dusty Springfield’s brother Tom, to number six in the charts. The following year Anita had another big hit with her revival of the 1941 standard, The Anniversary Waltz.”

More records followed including Dream a Little Dream of Me and what Mark calls the “novelty song”, We’re Going on a Tuppeny Bus Ride.

She appeared in Follow That Camel and Carry on Doctor in 1967, alongside Frankie Howerd, as well as children’s TV programme Anita in Jumbleland, and she was co-presenter with David Nixon on his magic show and a regular guest star on the Morecambe and Wise TV series.

Mark has followed Anita’s career, such as her 1981 Royal Variety Performance appearance singing the music hall song Burlington Bertie from Bow, dressed as the male impersonator Vesta Tilley.

The following year, while appearing in cabaret at London night spot The Talk of the Town, Mark says: “Anita was surprised by Eamonn Andrews with the red book in hand and became the subject of his TV programme This is Your Life. Also in 1982 she was named as Cabaret Performer of The Year by the Variety Club of Great Britain.”

More recently, Anita has taken her one woman show on nationwide tours. She has appeared in BBC TV’s Casualty and in November was a guest star on Jools Holland’s radio show, singing her latest recording In My Life, a cover version of the Lennon and McCartney song.

An afternoon with Anita Harris is a journey through Anita’s illustrious career - with anecdotes and personal memories of the stars she has worked with, and significant songs in her life.

Tickets for the show are £14 including refreshments – 01775 766081.

Two plasterers from Lincolnshire who stole more than £66,000 in VAT and Income Tax have been sentenced after HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) uncovered their scam.

Jonathan Eastgate, 28, of Station Road, Helpringham, Sleaford, and Declan Bishop, 24, of Old Boston Office, Hecklington, Boston, co-directors of Eco Homes Insulation Solutions Ltd and VD Plastering Ltd, were arrested by HMRC in January this year. Investigations showed that they had lied about their income on their VAT returns so they could claim repayments for services they provided.

Eastgate and Bishop fraudulently claimed a £43,873.84 VAT repayment for Eco Homes Insulation Solutions Ltd in March 2014. In September 2014, they fraudulently claimed a VAT repayment of £10,626.54 for VD Plastering Ltd.

Eastgate also over inflated expenses on his Self Assessment returns to fraudulently claim nearly £12,000 in Income Tax over a three-year period.

Stuart Taylor, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “Both Bishop and Eastgate blatantly went about making false VAT claims with no regard for the vital public services they were stealing the money from. Eastgate went even further, by doing the same on his Self Assessment returns; but their fraud was soon unpicked by HMRC and now they are paying the price for their criminal actions.

“I urge anyone with information about individuals or businesses involved in tax fraud to contact the Customs hotline on 0800 59 5000.”

Eastgate was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, as well as 100 hours of unpaid work and Bishop was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, as well as 80 hours of unpaid work, when they appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday 11 December 2015.

Civil proceedings to recover the proceeds of the crime will follow.

Is this the moment one lucky woman had the BIG question popped to her in front of Peterborough’s Cathedral Square Christmas tree?

Emma Gordon took these photos of the city’s Christmas centrepiece on Thursday, December 10, but it was not until she looked back through them she realised she may have caught one couple’s very special festive moment.

Taken from the steps of the Guildhall, the first photo appears to show a man waiting for his beloved before getting down on bended knee in the second photo and sharing a kiss in the third.

So the second BIG question is did she say yes? And do you know who the moonlit lovers are?

Get in touch with the newsdesk on 01733 588713 or email news@peterboroughtoday.co.uk. Tweet us @Peterboroughtel or visit our Facebook page

More: Couple speak of their joy after festive proposal

Lincolnshire Police ‘requires improvement’ according to a new Government report published today, Tuesday December 15.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary ‘Effectiveness’ report focuses on a range of areas of child and adult vulnerability.

Deputy Chief Constable for Lincolnshire, Heather Roach says she acknowledges that HMIC says the force ‘requires improvement’, but says that there are many areas where the force has made significant effort to ensure the safety of vulnerable people.

“The report is a fair and balanced reflection of our response to dealing with the most vulnerable people in our community and notes that we do respond well to vulnerable victims,” she said.

“We have also begun implementing measures to further improve our responses in a number of areas and as the report points out, we have clear and well understood systems in place to ensure that our response to vulnerable victims is appropriate and reflects their needs.”

Mrs Roach says that from early next year, increased resources will be directed to a range of areas covered by the report including child sexual exploitation and abuse, internet grooming, domestic violence and dealing with missing persons.

“The investment of staff alone in these areas of business will go a considerable way to improving our response and we are well aware that front line staff need to develop greater awareness particularly in areas associated with child sexual exploitation (CSE) and vulnerability,” she added.

“In the new year we have workshops planned for front line staff which will be dedicated to the subjects of both CSE and missing people.”

The force says it has also come a long way in training front line staff in dealing with domestic abuse and violence. There is an average of 28 calls a day to cases of domestic abuse (10,300 in 2014/15 reporting year).

“Each one is unique and demands a professional, objective and caring approach by the officers dealing with them and the report notes our response in this area is good and our policy is clear and well-understood by staff across the force,” said Mrs Roach.

She said the force accepts the recommendations about dealing with vulnerable missing persons and says the workshops planned for the new year and the increase in staffing specifically to deal with that area will improve the force’s performance.

“We have noted the learning points from the HMIC report and I am pleased with many of the positive aspects of it and where the need for improvement has been identified I am also satisfied we are addressing the issues and making good progress.”

A woman needed hospital treatment on Monday after being hit by a car which left the road and knocked over a sign in Moulton Seas End.

It involved a white BMW estate which was in collision with a woman from the area in Common Road just before 4.15pm.

According to a Lincolnshire Police spokesman, the car came off the road and knocked a Welcome to Moulton Seas End sign out of the ground.

There were around 15 stalls as well as artwork displayed in the church by community based arts project Transported.

Visitors to the weekend fair also tucked into homemade refreshments in the church hall.

Vicar the Rev Ian Walters said: “It was a great time.”

Some £855 was raised from the event and the money will be used to repair uneven parts of the church floor.

“We have lots of people coming in and the floor could be a bit of a safety hazard in places,” he said.

Children at Gosberton Academy focused on a modern-day working of the nativity story, Away in a Manger by Nikki Davies, which sees the timeless story told through the eyes of a mule called Maurice.

The mule has to cope with a stream of visitors to his stable but is very happy when a baby is born there.

Reception teacher Sammi Newark said 42 children from reception and year one took part in the production, which involved them in singing and dancing as well as acting.

There were three performances, one for the whole school and the neighbouring pre-school, and two for families and friends, which were well attended. Parents played an important part too as they made all of the colourful costumes for the production.

A group of Spalding business professionals have made a formal cash offer to buy Spalding’s courthouse as they bid to safeguard it for the community.

If the undisclosed sum is accepted by the Ministry of Justice, the group will form a charitable trust to raise funds to buy and renovate the building in Sheep Market.

Terry Moore, president of Spalding branch of The Royal British Legion (RBL), said the aim is to preserve the courthouse “for the future generations of Spalding, benefiting the local community for many years to come”.

Originally it was intended the RBL would buy or lease the building, perhaps letting out areas to other groups.

But Mr Moore said: “The RBL were reluctant to take on a grade II listed building because obviously it’s a big undertaking so we had to try and find another way around it.”

If the charitable trust is successful, the court will most likely become Spalding RBL’s new home, because it has outgrown its base in Spring Gardens, and be used by other groups.

Mr Moore said: “I know the aid cadets have got a problem with storage – one or two people that we have talked to have got problems with outgrowing their facilities.”

He said if a trust is formed, they will apply for grants and fundraise in the community.

With help from South Holland and The Deepings MP John Hayes, Mr Moore and fellow business professionals attended a meeting in London with Shailesh Vara, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Justice, to discuss the offer to buy.

Mr Hayes said: “I am delighted to continue to back the team that are working to secure the courthouse for our community. They have my full support.”

Among business professionals at the London meeting were Craig Delaney, Coun Harry Drury, Jan Whitbourn, Colin Jackman, Ken Maggs, James Drake and Spalding town centre manager Dennis Hannant.

Mr Hannant told us he doesn’t want to see the building left to deteriorate when it could be a real asset to the town.

He said: “Firstly, what I don’t want to happen – and nobody wants to happen – is somebody buys it like they have with the old sorting office and then just leaves it and does nothing with it.

“Secondly there are a number of groups around that are looking for a home, the RBL being one.”

He said if the building were turned into offices, only the people who worked there would be able to go inside.

But if it is open to the community, with courtroom 1 perhaps used as a museum and the building houses a library or a bookshop, it will increase visitors to the town.

Spalding Magistrates’ Court, also known as The Sessions House, first opened for hearings on June 30, 1843.

It closed in December 2013, as part of regional courts’ service cost-cutting measures. A similar building in Boston closed around nine or ten years ago and has remained empty ever since and a drain on the public purse through ongoing maintenance.

When the Spalding court closed, solicitor Anita Toal feared the building would be allowed to fall into “terminal decline”.

She said then: “I only hope the owners of the building will take care of it to ensure it can be put to good use for the benefit of the local area or that it is preserved for a time when the Government comes to its senses and appreciates the value of the local magisterial system.”

Previously ...

Legion marching closer with plans for former magistrates’ courthouse

Talks to open Spalding’s court for community use

Spalding court hears last ever case

Magistrates’ court fight goes back to the top

Court case waits more than double

MP stands firm in fight to save court

MP is still fighting the ‘closure by stealth’ of Spalding Magistrates’ Court

Police have warned people to watch out for thieves after a rise in bank cards being stolen in Bourne.

Officers have seen an increase in thefts of cards, particularly from older women out shopping in the town centre. The thefts have happened after the victims have used their cards to make a purchase.

PCSO Graeme Parrott said: “Unbeknownst to the victim they are overlooked by one of the offenders, who obtain their PIN. A distraction then takes place involving two other offenders (usually a male and female are involved) while exiting the supermarket, resulting in the theft of either the card or purse.

“These persons usually engage asking directions to locations such as the hospitals, train stations or airports.

“Please help prevent this from occurring by shielding your PIN when entering it or taking advantage of contactless payments which do not involve the use of the PIN.”

Suspicious activity should be reported to police on 101.

HAYES IN THE HOUSE: By MP John Hayes

In politics it’s all too easy to lambast one’s opponents; after all, the House of Commons chamber is designed to be adversarial – with opposing parties facing another as if to demand a confrontation. This polarisation is not in itself a bad thing - the frank exchange of strongly held views is the lifeblood of democratic debate. However, some matters transcend the partisan divide, and indeed agreement about many things makes disagreement about others more vivid and meaningful.

During the recent Parliamentary debate on whether to extend the UK’s existing campaign of air strikes against ISIL to Syria opinions differed not between parties, but across them. I supported the Government’s decision because it is both sensible (as any semblance of a border between the countries has long ceased to exist) and necessary - as Britain plays its part in the international coalition which seeks to destroy this evil terrorist organisation.

During the lengthy Parliamentary scrutiny ahead of the vote I heard one of the finest speeches of my time in the House of Commons. It was delivered by Hilary Benn, son of the late stalwart of the post-war Labour Party Anthony Wedgwood Benn.

As Hilary Benn, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, argued, we cannot stand aside refusing to act in self-defence against terrorists who pose a direct threat to our national security. The calculated brutality of these genocidal jihadists against innocent people trapped living under their rule is mirrored only by the bloodshed they wreaked on the streets of Paris and on the beaches of Tunisia. We cannot labour under the pretence that they will leave us alone if we ignore them, and neither can we negotiate with people whose aim is to destroy all we are.

Along with the US, France and our other allies, the UK has been launching air strikes against ISIL in Iraq since September 2014; the result being that our enemy has lost 30% of the territory it seized there. Air strikes have helped local forces to recapture the town of Sinjar, forced ISIL to withdraw from Kobane, and prevented the fall of Baghdad. The strikes are working, and we must step them up.

It is vital too that we eliminate ISIL’s sources of funding, and so the first RAF strikes in Syria successfully targeted the Omar oilfields from which the terrorists derive significant income. However, with much of their revenue coming from extortion (taxes imposed upon the people forced to live under their terror) the only long-term solution is the recapture of territory. That must be our goal; it won’t be easy, and could take a very long time, but it is the right thing to do.

Parliament is at its finest when politicians come together in the national interest; the people’s representatives taking tough decisions to protect our country’s security. We have a moral responsibility to defeat this evil. History has taught us that appeasing fascists is simply not an option; as Hilary Benn put it in his speech, “we never have and we never should walk by on the other side of the road.”

A pervert who exchanged indecent text messages with a 15 year old schoolgirl he befriended has been jailed for 12 months.

Jeffrey Ainsbury had been banned from contacting young girls as a result of an order made in 2005, but befriended the teenager after meeting her while he was working in a shop.

Christopher Geeson, prosecuting, told Lincoln Crown Court that Ainsbury befriended the girl during the school holidays and they communicated via the WhatsApp messaging service.

Mr Geeson said: “The messages that went between the two of them included conversations that were not appropriate in any shape or form to be having with a 15 year old girl. They were relating to sexual behaviour.”

Ainsbury was subsequently arrested after meeting the 15 year old at Bourne swimming baths.

Mr Geeson said that the Sexual Offences Prevention Order was imposed on Ainsbury at Peterborough Crown Court back in April 2005 and two years later he was jailed after he broke the order on a previous occasion.

Ainsbury (45), of Beeston Drive, Peterborough, admitted breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order between July 1 and November 22. He admitted a further breach of the order as a result of the incident at Bourne on November 22.

Michael Cranmer-Brown, in mitigation, said Ainsbury pleaded guilty to both matters without any prevarication and urged that the judge should take into account the fact that the previous breach of the order was eight years ago.

We all like to over-indulge in food at Christmas but when it comes to our pets, encouraging them to join in can lead to serious health problems.

Many people enjoy sharing their festive meal with their dogs, but food such as Christmas pudding, chocolate and cheese can make dogs seriously ill, and lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy and in some cases chronic breathing difficulties.

Dogs Trust veterinary director, Paula Boyden, suggests: “As a vet I have seen some terrible examples of dog poisoning over the Christmas period. “In many cases the owner was totally unaware of the hidden dangers and was simply intending to be kind to their dog who was eager to share in the festive treats. Like with humans, all foods should be given in moderation.”

This year, the charity Dogs Trust has created a special three-course dog-friendly menu so animals can join in on the festive fun. You can find the menu HERE

Food which is dangerous to dogs includes:

• Dates

• Grapes

• Mince pies

• Christmas puddings

• Whole Brazil nuts

• Excessive amounts of cheese

• Alcohol

• Onion

• Raw potato (green)

• Turkey bones

• High content cocoa chocolate

• Holly berries

Pouring rain put a dampener on outdoor events at Long Sutton’s big Christmas Fayre on Saturday, but it definitely didn’t stop play.

Parish council chairman Ruth Barber was in the team working in the great outdoors from 7am-5pm and was thoroughly soaked by midday.

Ruth said: “Everybody seemed to be smiling from what I saw.”

Indoor attractions included a food fair at Market House, a Civic Society event at Market House and the Events and Entertainments in Long Sutton (EELS) amazing Santa Grotto at St Mary’s Church Hall.

The team of grotto builders turned the hall into a forest scene and visitors to Santa went through a tunnel before emerging into a snow storm to find Santa in an igloo.

EELS chairman Jack Tyrrell was keeping a big surprise under his hat as this year Santa had some fabulous gifts for the youngsters, including dolls in prams and pushchairs.

“You should have seen those kids faces,” said Jack. “One little girl went away saying ‘Santa’s given me a pram’.”

Jack and fellow district councillor Laura Eldridge each gave £250 from their ward budgets towards the presents and 360 were given out, including a consignment of larger, reconditioned toys.

The event had a Wizard of Oz theme and EELS members dressed as characters from the film.

The Wizard of Oz theme was also part of the outdoor event but sadly rain washed away the yellow brick road that had been chalked on the ground.

Among those supporting the event were Long Sutton Army Cadets and Mrs Barber paid tribute to their work on the day, which included helping to man the road closures so children were safe in the market place.

One of the youngsters attending the event was Paige Haynes, who won the competition to design the front page of Long Sutton’s Christmas Fayre brochure.

Paige had also been a guest at the Christmas lights switch on. Also at the switch-on were Mrs Barber, her son Charles Moore, granddaughters Olivia and Hannah Moore and the Rev Jonathan Sibley. The honour of throwing the switch went to Hannah.

Christmas is a time for family and friends to be together, enjoying each other’s company and catching up.

But not everyone in South Lincolnshire is lucky enough to have family nearby or friends that are able to visit. For these people, Christmas can be an especially lonely time of year.

NHS South Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is asking people to help vulnerable and elderly people to keep healthy and well over Christmas and New Year.

Dr Kevin Hill, chair of NHS South Lincolnshire CCG, said: “We’re asking people to keep an eye on elderly and vulnerable relatives and neighbours over the Christmas period.

“People who spend Christmas alone can feel sad that they don’t have anyone to share it with and this can have a very negative effect on their health and wellbeing. It can lead to depression and the exacerbation of existing physical or mental health conditions.

“It’s also very important to check that their homes are warm enough, they are wearing appropriately warm clothing and that they are getting a hot meal. Not keeping warm enough during cold winter months can kill so staying warm is vital.

“Those who live alone can feel isolated, particularly if cold weather and treacherous under-foot conditions have kept them from leaving home. A visit from a neighbour, friend or family member would be greatly appreciated.”

When visiting on elderly or vulnerable person, it’s important to check that:

* they are generally feeling happy and well;

* their homes are adequately heated;

* they are getting at least one hot meal a day;

* they have all the groceries that they need;

* they have all the medication they need.

If you’re thinking of quitting smoking in the New Year, a new service will be there to offer you help and support.

Provided by stop-smoking specialists Quit 51, a full range of support will be available, including face to face clinics, group support and telephone and online support.

The ‘Smokefree Lincolnshire’ service is available for anyone in the county who wants to quit by calling 0800 6226968 or texting ‘smokefree’ to 66777. Alternatively, referrals can be made through your GP who may also prescribe nicotine replacement products to help you.

Stopping smoking is especially beneficial for pregnant women and people with long-term physical and mental health conditions, and additional specialised support will be available for these people through the new service.

Coun Patricia Bradwell, executive councillor for public health at the county council, said: “This was the first opportunity we had to review what was an inherited NHS contract and we found the previous service was vastly under-used and didn’t represent value for money.

“The new service is more efficient and focuses on those most in need of additional and specialist support such as those with heart disease and pregnant women.

“Support is available to everyone else too, although we know many people are choosing to use e-cigarettes and cut down on smoking without the use of support services. The help offered is delivered in a variety of different and more modern ways, to fit round people’s lifestyles.

“All of our budgets are being looked at as we try and make more than £130million of savings over the next four years and we have to make sure our providers deliver the best service at a cost we can afford.”

Emma Croghan, from Quit 51, said: “We’ve been providing these services in lots of areas of the country and are really pleased to be able to offer our support services in Lincolnshire too. We know that different people need help to quit in different ways so we offer a variety of support methods tailored to people’s needs.”

For more information about the new stop-smoking service see www.quit51.co.uk

Two Spalding schools have joined five others in the county in opening new, stand-alone, fully-equipped kitchen pods to provide hot meals for pupils.

Lincolnshire County Council has extended its school meal provision having won a significant £1.2m bid from the Department for Education under the universal free school meals programme.

St Paul’s Community Primary and Nursery and St John the Baptist Primary are the schools to have benefited in south Lincolnshire, with Long Sutton Primary also having a new, purpose-built kitchen due to open early next year.

Coun Patricia Bradwell, executive councillor for children’s services, said: “We are delighted to have secured significant funding from the DfE to make these new school kitchens a reality.

“This means over 2,500 Lincolnshire pupils now have access to nutritious hot meals which are cooked on site – some of the new kitchen pods are also providing meals for neighbouring schools.

“As well as the health benefits to children from enjoying hot lunches at school, studies suggest that young children eating a healthy meal together can improve their development and social skills, increase concentration and prepare them better to learn.”

The schools are now enjoying providing their children with exciting new menus and food education linked to growing and cooking. Hot meal take up is increasing as children tuck in and enjoy their balanced wholesome meals.

Paul Reid, head teacher at St John the Baptist CE Primary School, Spalding, said: “We are delighted to have a school kitchen on site at St John’s. After just a few weeks it is already having a very positive impact as children much prefer the variety and freshness of meals cooked on the premises by our own cook.

“The new school kitchen has been the catalyst for the school engaging in a number of projects that will support children’s learning about growing and cooking food, including the development of a school allotment. We hope that these will help youngsters develop an understanding about the food they eat and where it comes from.”

Gallons of counterfeit alcohol seized from across Lincolnshire is being recycled today to generate electricity.

Counterfeit booze seized by Lincolnshire Trading Standards and Lincolnshire Police from shops across the county is being recycled at a specialist facility in Sheffield.

The illegal liquid is mixed with food stuffs and enzymes to create gas. The gas is then used to create electricity which is then fed into to the National Grid.

Emma Milligan, principal trading standards officer at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Whilst many bottles of alcohol were seized for non-payment of duty, others were seized as they were counterfeit or fake and potentially very dangerous, containing industrial alcohol which is unfit for human consumption.

“With such potential dangers to the public, it’s vital that these products are taken off the streets. I’m glad we can put the counterfeit alcohol to use in a productive way.”

Sgt Kimble Enderby of Lincolnshire Police’s Licensing Department added: “We will continue to work together to clamp down on retailers who sell these illegal and potentially dangerous items.

“If you’re suspicious, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.”