A pub manager has been jailed after his car careered off course and injured nine people - including a man from Spalding - in a busy crowd at an illegal race meeting.

Anthony Francis (21) was “showing off” to his girlfriend when he lost control of his Mercedes. He was jailed for 18 months and banned from driving for two years at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday.

The court heard how Francis had done a number of laps of a course set up at the unlicensed event in Orton Southgate near Peterborough on August 8 last year, which was attended by around 400 spectators.

Car photographer Ben Andrews (22), from Spalding, was fortunate to walk away from the scene with minor injuries after being hit by the car while his friend was taken to hospital.

He said: “I was there doing some car photography at 8pm at the first meeting point. Two hours later the meet moved to Orton Southgate. The evening began with a good atmosphere full of people just enjoying talking about their cars.

“When we arrived at Orton Southgate we parked up our car and went to find a spot to watch the cars. Stupidly we chose a spot where a month ago another vehicle had crashed on a previous occasion but luckily no one was standing nearby.”

As the night continued a few cars began racing around the industrial estate while a group of around 300 spectators had gathered including Ben and his friend.

Ben added: “At around 10.30–11pm a few cars began to drift and most were all doing well and were fully in control. However, I was at the kerb side when a few cars lost control which gave me and the people around me a second thought to step back.

“Then a Mercedes entered the circuit and quickly lost control at the other side of the track. However, it regained control as it approached us so everyone moved closer to the kerb thinking it would be okay.”

The horrific moment then arrived when the driver lost control of the car as it mounted the pavement at around 30-40mph, ploughing into a group of around 14 people including Ben and his friend.

“I leant forward on one of my legs and just as I moved forward the car came screeching up the kerb, it hit my left leg and flung me and a number of others to the floor. I remember just thinking that I was lucky to be alive.

“The sound was horrific; it was a combination of people screaming, crunching metal and smashing glass while the car engine slowly ticked over. The atmosphere went from a jovial one to sheer panic and most of the spectators drove off.”

Panic set in as spectators rushed to help while Ben’s friend among others had been seriously hurt and needed urgent medical attention.

Ben said: “When I got up my first thought was to attempt to find my friend who had also been hit by the car. I found my friend in a bad way; he was covered in blood and being tended to by a first aider from a local business. At that point the people that remained really pulled together to do anything they could to help.

“There must have been around 14 ambulances quickly on the scene as well as fire engines and police officers. I stayed with my friend to make sure he was okay before he was taken to hospital. It was like a scene out of a horror movie.”

Francis, of Lambeth Walk, Stamford, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, and five counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Jailing him, Recorder George Pulman QC said: “When nine people are injured because a driver loses control while showing off, an immediate prison sentence cannot be avoided.”

Speaking outside court, PC Paul Nisbet, who investigated the crash, said: “This was an horrific crash for those injured and for the many people watching and it is only luck that no-one was more seriously hurt or killed.

“The case should send out a clear message that those taking part in illegal events of this kind run a significant risk of being seriously injured, or worse, and if you happen to be driving, a prison sentence.”

Well-known Spalding woman Pamela Munro, who was a member of South Holland and the Deepings Conservative Party for over 50 years, has died at the age of 96.

Miss Munro passed away peacefully at Tanglewood Cedar Falls Nursing Home in Little London on Saturday.

A funeral service will take place at St John the Baptist Church, Spalding on Monday, February 1 at 2pm, followed by cremation at South Lincolnshire Crematorium in Surfleet. Family flowers only.

Any donations will be split between the Society of St Francis and St John the Baptist Church. These may be given at the service or sent to Lincolnshire Cooperative Funeral Services (Clubleys), St John’s Road, Spalding PE111JD.

Back in 1998 then-Conseravtive Party leader William Hague was among many to mark her service to the Conservatives when he sent a signed certificate to show his appreciation for her long service. It was presented at a special reception held in the Spalding Constitutional Club attended by more than 80 of her friends.She was also presented with an inscribed pen by MP John Hayes.

• Please feel free to share your memories of Miss Munro with us here.

DOCTOR CALLING: By Dr Kevin Hill

Health leaders at South Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are urging people aged over 60 to seek early advice from their pharmacist for minor winter illnesses.

Every year the NHS sees a huge increase in numbers of emergency admissions to hospital over the colder months. By encouraging people to get help earlier, the NHS hopes to reduce the number of patients who become seriously ill this winter.

People over 60, especially those with lung disease, are particularly at risk of minor illnesses developing into something more serious if they don’t seek early advice and treatment. So, it’s important that older people with coughs, colds and sore throats pop down to their local pharmacy for expert health advice.

Health leaders are also encouraging those caring for or visiting an older friend or relative to get early advice from their local pharmacist if they are feeling under the weather.

Dr Kevin Hill, Chair of NHS South Lincolnshire CCG, said: “If you’re over 60 a minor illness can get worse quickly. So, it’s best to get advice on your illness from your local pharmacist because, being older, if a winter ailment becomes serious you’re more likely to need treatment in hospital.

“People often don’t seek advice for their wheezes, coughs and sneezes because they don’t think it’s serious enough, or they don’t want to waste their pharmacist’s time.

But no problem is too small for your local pharmacist, who is a highly trained and trusted source of health advice.

“Pharmacies have long opening hours, you don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are an excellent first port of call that will help prevent serious health conditions this winter.”

People can find their nearest pharmacy by visiting www.nhs.uk or obtain more information about the national campaign by visiting www.nhs.uk/asap

The latest news from our girl about town...

As Angel was queuing up, cold and tired, to pay for petrol at the Whaplode Co-op station on Tuesday morning, there was a bread delivery.

The sprightly delivery man bounded into the shop, carrying his tray of bread and when, asked how he was, replied: “Living the dream.”

Angel would like whatever he had for breakfast.

• The headteacher at Spalding Grammar School said recently that the “students would be the losers” should staff there carry out a strike threat next month.

Well, not according to Angel’s 13-year-old nephew – he’s absolutely thrilled at the prospect of maybe a few days off school!

• Did anyone else notice the number of ‘dead’ and abandoned brollies that obviously failed during last week’s windy and wet weather? Does anyone own an umbrella that has survived more than a couple of years’ use?

• Angel has long known that speed is a factor in the accidents that happen on the Crowland bypass – she has occasionally been overtaken by cars doing ridiculous speeds. However, after an experience on Saturday night she now knows that drivers joining the main road from smaller side roads are also to blame. Angel and her family were on their way to Crowland when a (newish) red Corsa simply pulled out in front of them, forcing them to slam the brakes on. Thankfully, there was no collision, but that night out could so easily have ended in disaster.

• Spotted on the way home from a shopping trip to Peterborough last Friday – an abandoned and dying Christmas tree, still bearing one or two pieces of tinsel
that almost seemed to be twinkling in the lovely sunshine.

Previously...

Bird whisperer rescue

CABINET CALL: By Coun Athony Casson

You may recall that late last year Spalding’s Castle Sports Complex was in the local news, facing criticism over the state of its changing rooms.

We quickly repaired and re-decorated the facilities, so it was to my great disappointment and frustration when I learned that they had again been left in an unacceptable condition.

This time bits of mud had been thrown on to the ceilings by some people who use the facilities and small holes have been created in the walls.

It may only be a minority of people doing this, but I wonder whether they would treat their own homes in such a way – I think not!

As I stated in my previous column, South Holland District Council takes the cleanliness and condition of the Castle Field changing rooms very seriously, but there is only so much we can do.

Ultimately it is the responsibility of those who use the facilities to keep them in an acceptable condition which I don’t think is too much to ask.

I expect we’ll get complaints about this latest incident – but what more could we have done?

The changing rooms looked excellent after they had been decorated and to see them spoiled just four weeks later is sad.

Following this latest incident we have since cleaned the changing rooms again and the local clubs, which hire the facilities, have been spoken to by our officers, who will continue to monitor the situation.

At the next meeting of the FA and the local leagues, officers will raise the issue again for their support in keeping the facilities in good condition.

Our officers have also created a more effective system to check the facilities after they have been used and flag up any issues so that they can be quickly dealt with.

Meanwhile we have also painted the Monkshouse changing rooms, so I hope those using these facilities will keep them in good condition.

Previously...

We want to keep South Holland frontline services safe

WARD’S WORLD: By John Ward

I suppose you know its time to go and get the eyes looked at as being a glass wearer – the spectacle things that fit over or in front of the eyes and not as in drinking glasses used for drinking from or then again dangling away as trendy earrings in some cases I have come to notice in recent times – you detect you are perhaps due for an eye test because as we get older its more noticeable as certain things strike you as being slightly not right, indeed striking being the operative word. If you find the lamppost is thicker than you thought it was as you try to walk through it as opposed to trying to walk past it as I can tell you they don’t bend much as I noticed recently as one poor soul bounced off one and exclaimed “Where did that come from?” as he stroked his forehead hoping to flatten the bump that was slowly appearing as I spoke to him.

I had approached him to ask if he was okay and he said no, his name was Eric and not Ray so at least part of his senses was still open for business and perhaps his hearing might be iffy or could it be the result of the lamppost encounter. I put it another way to Eric who is not Ray that if he was feeling a bit shaken up, perhaps a trip – the one that involves travel and not falling over – to the hospital to get himself sorted was in order and he then responded that he really ought to see the optician as he thought that it was time to have his eyes retested as he might be ‘a bit overdue’. On causally asking as in how long overdue, he replied that it was about the time we won the Eurovision Song Contest malarkey and on hearing this I offered to take him along to the opticians myself if it was that long ago but I did mention we had gone decimal in the interim and he replied he knew that as the coins were now thinner these days than before.

As we were going through the above verbal agility, a lady of possible similar age range came up to us and looked at me – this goes on a lot these days and its perhaps because of my uncanny likeness to Elvis Presley as if he was still alive, he could well resemble me or so I’m been told – and asked “What’s he been up to now?” and with a bit of this and that, this was Eric, who is not Ray, who is her hubby and she had been shopping and wondered where he had got to. I supplied the answer to that one in one swoop and pointed to the lamppost that had brought him to a premature halt in his tracks. She looked to the heavens at this point and rolled her eyes in their sockets and she spoketh: “I keep telling him he ought to see the opticians as he does need an eye test to be honest as when he’s driving he’s not all that bad (ALL that bad?!) but it’s things like putting the rubbish out that he falls down on (as opposed to over I assumed..) I have noticed lately”. Just then Eric was still stroking his forehead and looking around him and asked who I was and I replied that I was doing my decent citizen thing by stopping and asking about the poor soul who had run into the lamppost to which he asked who was it and has he gone already?. Tricky times then.

I left Eric and his wife to wander off with him still stroking his forehead and looking around as he went in some vain, fruitless quest to see the chap who had hurt himself by walking into a lamppost and must have been something of a mover as he was nowhere to be seen. Based on this I went along to book in for a new eye test myself as could Eric, who was not Ray, be a sort of omen in a sense? I like to think I do look after the important bits in life as in a swift look at my molars by my dentist in my half yearly or every six months check-ups and I always go early for such appointments in case they are having a sale as there may be bargains to be had by being an ‘early bird’ but I had neglected the eyeballs to be looked at so this was the time as I could not recall the last one, give or take the odd Eurovision Song Contest or two.

I am on first name terms with my optician – I call him Bob as it’s his name and he calls me Client (I suppose after Client Eastwood the film star bloke as I have been mistaken for him as well which just shows how bad the fog can be around these ‘ere parts at times) so we both know where we stand, me on one side of the counter and him on the other side that does the appointments side of the business. So I book in and duly turn up later for said appointment. After initial chit-chat about any problems with vision, we get down to the nitty gritty to find out if the old gag about being asked “Can you read those letters on the wall to me” and followed up by me inquiring “What wall?” is still going strong these days as in the actual eye test.

It seems that I still have the twenty-twenty vision thing, so not too bad for an old fogey then. Then armed with my latest prescription, I head for the new range of spectacles and asked my preferences and I point out glasses would be nice. I usually opt for the basic, traditional ones you look through as ‘designer’ frames are meaningless to me and I don’t bother with the tinted variety anymore as I find it’s better to just grow my eyebrows longer to protect from the sun or any rumour or threat that it’s on the way. I have no idea if Eric, who is not Ray, has done the same if only for the lamppost’s sake.

Previously...

Instructions? It’s like pulling teeth

THOUGHTS OF A FRUITCAKE: By Carolyn Aldis

So, last week Anglican bishops met to discuss the disagreement in the Church of England over same-sex marriage. Over 100 senior Anglicans sent an open letter beforehand, urging the Church of England to repent for “discriminating” against lesbian and gay Christians, saying the Church had not loved them, treating them like “second class citizens”.

This is true. Homosexual people have been treated appallingly over the years by the Church. However, the decision of the Episcopal Church in the US to recognise same-sex marriage by appointing an openly gay bishop without consulting other bishops was in conflict with the Anglican’s view on the teaching of scripture that “upholds marriage as between a man and a woman.” This caused the Archbishop of Canterbury to impose sanctions.

I was pleasantly surprised by this step, as there has been an erosion of Biblical views of marriage and same-sex relationships from within the Christian world and anybody who disagrees with them is called “empty of love” and “homophobic”. You only have to look at discussions online about homosexuality to see comments “empty of love” from both sides.

Homophobia means “a hatred or fear of homosexuals”. I don’t hate or fear gay people…I just don’t agree with their lifestyle choice. In the same way I don’t hate or fear people who commit adultery…I just don’t agree with their lifestyle choice.

There seems to be an unwritten rule that the church has to cater for everybody, regardless of their beliefs, values or sexual preferences.

When I go to a pub, I don’t expect them to stop selling alcohol just because I don’t like seeing people get drunk…I might not agree with everything a supermarket chooses to stock, but it doesn’t stop me shopping there…I accept that they sell products that aren’t my thing. There are rules, laws, cultures and customs in our lives that we have to abide by. The Church has its “handbook for life” and that is what its teachings are based on.

Even Jesus dealt with things in His religion that He probably didn’t agree with…He paid taxes, even though He owned the world…He read the Law, even though He wrote and fulfilled it …the Pharisees told Him to do things their way, when He was THE way. The woman caught in adultery wasn’t condemned by Him, even though she had done wrong…Jesus loved her, but instead of endorsing her lifestyle, he offered the opportunity to start again.

Homosexuals are not the only victims that feel second-class…anybody of any background experiences second-class citizenship at some point in their lives. Even Jesus got second-class treatment. Though I tick all the boxes of white, heterosexual, married and Christian, I notice that although I’m part of that apparently privileged majority, I too am “missed out”, overlooked, don’t qualify, or told I can’t take part for one reason or another. Inequality affects everybody, just in different ways. Even Jesus was affected by inequality.

I accept my views may differ to others, but we are entitled to give our opinions, and then trust those in authority to make decisions. In this case, I think they made the right one…

Previously...

Why not make a circle test?

Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick has vowed to keep the county’s 1,100 front-line officers in a job – despite the pressure to make significant cuts.

Mr Hardwick has also promised to retain all 149 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), even if the County Council withdraws funding.

The message comes as his own future as Commissioner continues to be shrouded in speculation.

Mr Hardwick has yet to reveal whether he will stand for the £85,000-a-year post in May’s election.

Speaking at police community forum on Tuesday, he said it would be ‘wrong’ to read anything into his pledge not to axe officers, despite increased financial pressure.

Mr Hardwick said: “Whatever happens in the election – and irrespective of whether or not I stand – I am putting things in place to ensure we don’t lose any frontline officers – or any PCSO’s.

“Given the financial position, it will not be easy to achieve that.

“However, as Commissioner, I have a duty to the people of Lincolnshire to keep them safe and secure.

“Our offices and our PCSOs do an absolutely fantastic job and I will find the money and do everything I can to make sure there are no reductions in numbers.”

There has been widespread speculation that frontline officers could come under threat because of cutbacks in central Government funding.

Mr Hardwick – backed by Chief Constable Neil Rhodes – is leading the campaign for more cash for the county force.

He is “hopeful” the Government will change the current funding formula which, he says, penalises successful forces, particularly in rural areas.

The Government has 
admitted it is looking at the whole issue of funding but has yet to make any firm 
announcement.

Meanwhile, cash-strapped Lincolnshire County Council has admitted it is considering whether to continue to help funding the Force’s PCSOs.

Mr Hardwick said: “I have heard and read about the (county council) cuts and the rumours that funding for PCSOs might come to an end.

“However, nothing has 
arrived on my desk yet.

“But, as I said, even if that avenue of funding is switched off, I will find the money somehow to keep our PCSOs.”

Asked about his own 
future, Mr Hardwick said he would make a decision “withing the next few weeks”.

He added: “Hand on heart, I haven’t made my mind up what to do.

“I’ve been too busy trying to sort out a whole range of issues.

“I realise there is a deadline a few weeks before the election and I will meet that.”

The Conservatives (Marc Jones) and UKIP (Victoria Ayling) have already announced their candidates for the elections (see below) but Mr Hardwick said the fact he is an independent allowed him extra time to make a decision.

The woman behind a petition to create a one-way system outside a Bourne school is happy to work with others to find alternative solutions.

Mum-of-two Jenny Pace decided something had to be done about traffic problems outside Bourne Westfield Primary Academy after a near miss in October when a car mounted the pavement where her sons were walking.

She came up with the idea of making Kingsley Avenue, part of Saxon Way and Leofric Avenue into a one-way system, and painting keep clear zig-zags from the corner of Godiva Crescent and past the school gate.

A petition calling for the new system so far has more than 215 signatures, and Jenny has presented it to Bourne Town Council. But a number of people living in the proposed one-way system have objected, saying it is unnecessary and would make their lives more difficult.

Jenny, who lives in Saxon Way, said the roads were not wide enough for a line of parked cars plus two cars driving in opposite directions.

“This leads to cars mounting the pavements frequently endangering children’s lives, and occurs not just at school run times but every time there is a parent’s evening, school disco, school fete etcetera.

“A one-way system would stop the need for cars and lorries to mount the pavements, would allow cars to drive in the direction they need and would mean that residents would be able to get in and out of their properties regardless of what events are happening at the school.

She added: “If there is another solution that I haven’t thought of then brilliant, but this is the only way I can see of making a permanent solution for everyone.”

But Laura Holmes, of Leofric Avenue, said a one-way system was the wrong option.

“I agree with Jenny that the school run is unacceptable in its current state,” she said. “However the residents of the area are not the culprits, yet through this campaign the punishment is also being placed upon us.”

Laura said existing traffic restrictions were ignored, and should be enforced better.

And Jeanette Cliffe, also of Leofric Avenue, said the petition was like “rewarding the naughty kids in school and ignoring the feelings of the good ones.”

She added: “There is nothing wrong with the layout of the roads and certainly not with Leofric Avenue which at all other times of day is quite and peaceful road.”

After Jenny presented her petition to Bourne Town Council, chairman of highways and planning David Mapp said: “A resolution of the residents’ concerns rests primarily with Lincolnshire County Council which controls highways.

“But as a council, we should consider carefully the views expressed by residents and, where possible, assist in garnering support from Lincolnshire County Council to alleviate those concerns. At our next meeting, we will be having a general discussion ascertaining the routes open to us.”

Jenny has set up a Facebook page to try to raise support for her idea at {http://www.facebook.com/BourneWestfieldSchoolRunOneWay|www.facebook.com/BourneWestfieldSchoolRunOneWay}, or you can e-mail her at {mailto:westfield1way@outlook.com|westfield1way@outlook.com}.

Fuel prices look set to drop further as one of the major supermarkets makes more cuts at the pumps today.

Drivers filling up at any of Asda’s 279 fillings stations across the country will only pay 97.7ppl for diesel from Friday, January 22.

The two pence per litre cut sends diesel to its lowest price for six years.

Meanwhile, unleaded remains at 99.7ppl across the UK at Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.

And now one of the big four has cut it’s fuel price, it is the trend that the other three will follow suit shortly.

Andy Peake, Asda’s Senior Petrol Director said, “We’re delighted to be the first retailer to take diesel to its lowest price level in over six years.

“This latest announcement shows that we’re committed to being the driving force behind lowering fuel prices across the UK regardless of where you live.”

Shoe retailer Brantano has gone into administration, some four months after the chain was bought by an investment firm, putting 2,000 jobs at risk.

Brantano employs about 2,000 staff in 140 stores and 60 concessions across the UK.

Administrators from PwC are now running the business, which they said would trade normally while they sought a buyer.

PwC’s Tony Barrell said the chain was a victim of changing consumer habits.

“The continuing challenging conditions for ‘bricks and mortar’ retail stores are well documented.

“Like many others, Brantano has been hit hard by the change in consumers’ shopping habits and the evolution of the UK retail environment.”

Brantano, along with Jones Bootmaker, was bought by retail investment firm Alteri Investors in October from Dutch-based Macintosh Retail Group. Jones is not affected by the administration.

Mr Barrell added: “The administrators are continuing to trade the businesses as normal whilst we assess the trading strategy over the coming days and weeks.

“Staff will be paid their arrears of wages and salaries, and will continue to be paid for their work during the administration.”

Lincolnshire Police say that crime in the county has reduced year on year but sexual offences are on the up.

Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Gibson says he is pleased that overall recorded crime in Lincolnshire has continued to reduce and that the rise in sexual offences is as a result of national publicity about historical sex abuse encouraging people to come forward.

“Overall crime is down by one per cent in the year to September 2015, which bucks the general national trend of increases,” he says.

“Our countywide Operation Nova (say NO to Violence and Abuse) is specifically targeting violent crime and we are confident that our multi-agency efforts in this area will result in returning to a reducing trend for the next period of reporting from the nine per cent increase reported today,” said Mr Gibson. “However, it is important to emphasise that Lincolnshire has one of the lowest recorded rates of violent crime in the country.”

Mr Gibson says that like most forces Lincolnshire is experiencing an increase in reported sexual offences. “A large proportion of this is as a result of the widespread and national publicity about historical sex abuse which is encouraging people to report such crimes more readily than they would have done before,” he says.

“We have already made announcements that we are changing our policing model to put more resources into protecting vulnerable people, which includes further investment in child sexual exploitation, on-line grooming, cyber-crime and other emerging crime areas.”

He also welcomed reductions in theft and house burglary. “The reductions in these offences have contributed to the overall reduction in recorded crime in Lincolnshire.”

Police were called to St Thomas’ Road in Spalding last night (Thursday) after a car hit a wall.

The incident happened at 8.50pm and involved a Peugeot 306. There were no injuries and the vehicle was recovered within the hour.

A man is due to appear in court in connection with a collision on the B1043 near Stilton where a man died.

Gregory Berry (38) of Littleworth Drove, Deeping St Nicholas, has been charged with death by dangerous driving and will appear at Cambridge Magistrates Court this morning (Friday, January 22).

The collision happened at about 7am on January 20.

Related

Police name man killed in Stilton crash

Man killed in crash between Stilton and Conington

Roads were closed for an hour last night after a crash at the notorious Peppermint Junction in Holbeach, where the A151 meets the A17.

Emergency services attended after the accident, at 7pm, which involved an Audi and a Kia.

Spalding Police, the ambulance service and fire crews from Holbeach, Long Sutton and Spalding attended and the Kia driver was freed from his car and taken to hospital with minor injuries and both vehicles made safe.

Part of the A151 and A17 was closed for an hour and reopened at 8pm.

Previously...

Peppermint Junction project pledge for work to start in 2016

Have your say on Peppermint Junction roundabout plan at exhibition

Roundabouts plan for Holbeach’s Peppermint Junction unveiled

PEPPERMINT JUNCTION: Justify this huge cost

PEPPERMINT JUNCTION: Others say it would only cost £500K

Lincolnshire’s GCSE results for 2015 have shown a dramatic rise in performance, with a higher percentage of pupils achieving 5A*-C including English and Maths.

They rose by 1.3% from 54.8 to 56.1%, outstripping by more than three times the national increase of only 0.4%. Lincolnshire already does significantly better than the East Midlands average of 54.2%.

These results follow a massive shift in 2014 in the way GCSEs operated, when most areas saw a reduction in the percentage of pupils gaining five or more GCSEs including English and Maths. Lincolnshire was no exception.

Lincolnshire’s grammar schools continued to perform magnificently in 2015. In 14 of the county’s grammar schools, at least 90% of pupils achieved 5 or more A*-C grades including English and Maths.

However, this measure does not give a true reflection of the achievements of many of the county’s secondary modern schools . When the more able students in an area choose go to a grammar school, it is not reasonable to expect the non-selective schools to do as well as the grammars in terms of the proportion of pupils achieving the highest grades.

That’s why the new Progress 8 measure established by the government, is so important. It will allow our non-selective schools to show how much progress their pupils make across eight subjects.

Some schools have elected to be measured by Progress 8 this year but all schools will be measured by it next year.

The County Council is confident that several schools that might appear to underperform by the old measure will be seen to be doing well when the new Progress 8 measure is introduced for all schools and academies later in 2016.

Director of Children’s services, Debbie Barnes, said: “Most of our schools are doing really well but we are not complacent, and there are some significant challenges to overcome.

“The progress that our young people make in English is improving but we still need to do better.

“Progress in Maths is an issue that we aim to address by supporting the recruitment of more really good maths teachers. “

“It is excellent to see our schools and academies coming together to tackle these challenges together: learning from each other and from best practice elsewhere.”

Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell, executive councillor of Children’s Services said: “It’s wonderful to see so many young people realising their potential in our schools. Pupils, parents, carers and teachers all deserve our congratulations.

“We are tremendously excited about the possibilities when we really get our schools learning from each other.

“There is some fantastic practice out there just waiting to be shared. We need to work together to attract the best teachers to work and settle in Lincolnshire. “

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

December 15

Ingus Laipnicks (30), of Livingstone Drive, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £660 fine, £66 victim surcharge, £85 costs, £150 criminal courts charge, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving without due care and attention.

Lukas Gerasimovas (23), of Matmore Gate, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 6pts.

Mark Wrighton (50), of Plover Drive, March. Speeding (Moulton Seas End). £335 fine, £33 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

December 16

Tanya Glover (32), of Hagbeach Gate, Whaplode. Speeding (Whaplode). £140 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 3pts.

December 21

Megan Spear (21), of Seas End Road, Spalding. Assault (Stamford). 12 months conditional discharge, £15 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c.

Jamie Spooner (21), of Castle Drive, Northborough. Assaulting a police officer (Bourne). Community order with 150 hours unpaid work, £1000 compensation, £60 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c. Second count of assaulting a police officer (Bourne). £1000 compensation.

December 22

Dawn-Marie Chantry (45), of Aveland Close, Aslackby. Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence (Aslackby). £40 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 3pts.

Daniel Mihai (23), of Priory Road, Spalding. No MOT (Spalding). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, £15 c/c/c.

Jaromir Nowak (35), of Livingstone Street, Lee Mount, Halifax. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 3pts.

Damian Piwowarczyk (25), of Little London, Spalding. No insurance (Boston). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months.

December 31

Adam Manning-Coe (24), of Meadowgate, Bourne. Criminal damage (Bourne). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement, £100 compensation. No action taken on breach of conditional discharge.

Lincoln Magistrates’ Court

December 10

Patrick Leighton (68), of Glebe Gardens, Crowland. Driving without due care and attention (Deeping St James). £115 fine, £20 v/s, £150 costs, 5pts.

Callum Faulder (23), of The Pavilion, Lincoln. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 3pts.

Kevin Garner (24), of Pensbury Street, Darlington. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 3pts.

Lesley Knibb (58), of Belgrave Close, Belton, Doncaster. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Gregory Knott (64), of Maltby Way, Horncastle. Failed to comply with a red traffic light (Sutton Bridge). £240 fine, £24 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

James Strawson (26), Holyport Road, Fulham, London. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

December 16

Rebecca Dearsly (47), of Church Road, North Ferriby. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £470 fine, £47 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Stephen Bullivant (51), of Hereward Road, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Ionut Enciu (21), of Bridge road, Sutton Bridge. No insurance (Long Sutton). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for no MOT.

James Ramsay (38), of Rosebank Street, Dundee. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Sebastian Stanberry (35), of Marketstead Estate, Kirton. Used a vehicle, the manner in which passengers were carried in it was such that its use involved a danger of injury (Boston). £440 fine, £44 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Dawn Williams (48), of York Road, Stevenage. Speeding (Quadring). £80 fine, £20 v/s, £45 costs, 4pts.

Stephen Young (50), of Edinburgh Close, Kirton. Speeding (Kirton). £440 fine, £44 v/s, £85 costs, 5pts.

Victoria Richards (28), of Two Sisters Close, Sutton Bridge. Assault (Sutton Bridge). 12 months conditional discharge, restraining order, £50 compensation, £100 costs.

December 17

Karlis Kapalns (21), of Figtree Walk, Dogsthorpe, Peterborough. Defective vehicle lamp (Spalding). £40 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Stephen Swayze (49), of Lancaster Road, Stamford. Speeding (Baston). £50 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 3pts.

Robert Lotts (56), of High Street, Billingborough. Breach of the peace (Sleaford). Bound over £100, for 6 months to keep the peace.

Gytis Balceris (38), of Southwell Road, Wisbech. Assault (Sutton Bridge). Restraining order, £200 fine, £100 compensation, £20 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c.

Peter Woods (52), of West Street, Spalding. Assault (Crowland). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement, restraining order, £60 v/s, £150 c/c/c, no action taken on two conditional discharges.

December 21

Samuel Steadman (19), of Clay Drove, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 6pts.

Natalie Harker (29), of School lane, Coningsby. Speeding (Moulton Seas End). £80 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Arturas Dubik (22), of London Road, Wyberton. No insurance (Boston). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 6pts.

Nicki Harrington (26), of Spalding Common, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 6pts.

Evaldas Janavicius (34), of Hankey Street, Peterborough. Driving while using a hand held mobile phone (Kirton). £220 fine, £22 v/s £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 3pts.

Naison Mubaina (41), of Grange Avenue, Leeds. No insurance (Swineshead Bridge). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 6pts.

Adrien Worth (23), Black Prince Avenue, Market Deeping. No insurance (Bourne). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 6pts.

December 29

Derek King (50), of Tweed Grove, Kingston Upon Hull. Drove a vehicle with a load which was so secured that danger or nuisance was likely to be caused (Algarkirk). £145 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Damiam Lapinski (29), of NFA. Assault (Sutton Bridge). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement, restraining order, £75 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs.

Samuel Church (29), of Acacia Avenue, Spalding. Produced 16 cannabis plants (Pinchbeck). Community order with 150 unpaid work, £60 v/s, £40 costs, cannabis to be forfeited and destroyed.

TRISH TAKES FIVE: By Trish Burgess

The 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta in 1215 was celebrated across the world last year and, in Lincoln, where one of only four original copies of the document is held, this was particularly significant.

There were a number of events in the county to mark the anniversary and one was the publication of a unique book celebrating the impact of Magna Carta on modern society. The hardback book, ‘800’, explores, through the voices of Lincolnshire residents, how the medieval document still plays a vital part in shaping the values we hold sacred today.

It also includes the first published versions of specially commissioned works from UK Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, Welsh National Poet Gillian Clarke and the holder of the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry Imtiaz Dharker. The poems were first read to an audience at the official opening of Lincoln Castle by Princess Anne last June. All three poets have signed each copy of the book.

Their work was part of the Poets Laureate Lincolnshire Landscape programme which questions the past and how it has impacted on the lives of Lincolnshire people in 2015. This programme tied in seamlessly with the events of Festival 800 last summer in Lincoln.

I decided to order a copy of the book to have my own memento of the anniversary. Artistic directors and executive producers of the project, Lincoln-based Cultural Solutions UK, have produced 1215 copies, with 800 being sent to Lincolnshire’s schools and libraries, the Commonwealth heads of state, the British Library, Runnymede, Salisbury Cathedral and world leaders. That leaves only 415 copies available to the public, making it a collector’s item, especially with the poets’ genuine signatures.

The 60 page book only costs £8 with £2 for postage. Receiving it in the post a few days ago, I felt as if I were holding a printed version of a time capsule: something that represents our county as it is today. The poems are the jewels in this printed crown but the thoughts and opinions of Lincolnshire residents, including police cadets from Boston and pupils from local primary schools, certainly earn their place in the publication.

Mention should also be made of the poem by 17 year old Peter Latimer, Lincolnshire Young Poet Laureate. Peter has taken on this role, which was created as part of the Poets Laureate programme, and must be justifiably proud of ‘Divide’, the piece he has written to commemorate this important anniversary.

It’s not too late to order your own copy of this limited edition book as there are still a few available. They can be ordered online at www.festival800.co.uk/beta/product/800-book/

Follow Trish on Twitter via @mumsgoneto and read her blog at www.mumsgoneto.blogspot.com

Previously...

Food heaven on the motorway

A Bourne-based shoe retailer is out to prove it is one step ahead of the rest – by claiming more prestigious national accolades.

North Shoes, which has stores in North Street, Bourne, Red Lion Square, Stamford, and Westgate, Peterborough, has been shortlisted in four categories at the Footwear Industry Awards 2016.

The store has been shortlisted for Men’s Independent Retailer of the Year, Independent Family Retailer of the Year and Fashion Independent Retailer of the Year.

And owner James North, who is the fifth generation of the family at the head of the business, is shortlisted in the Leaders in Customer Service category.

He said: “The awards honour the finest in the footwear retail industry and it’s great just to be shortlisted.

“We have been lucky in them since 2012 and I’m so pleased and honoured that people in the trade have thought of us again.

“The shortlistings recognise we’re always looking at new things and focusing on quality service and products. The trade sees us as a business that’s progressing and doing well.”

The winners will be announced on February 21.

The independent family business, which was launched in Bourne in 1876 and also has a shop in Cambridge, hopes to add to the three titles it has collected since the awards were launched in 2012 – including Men’s Independent Retailer of the Year in 2015.

North Shoes has won the men’s independent retailer, independent family retailer and ladies’ independent retailer crowns in the past, as well as being highly-commended three times.

Lincolnshire County Council leader Martin Hill has dismissed fears home care services could be slashed as the authority looks to make savings of £170million in the next four years.

Colin Mair – the leader of UKIP at County Hall – claims lives of elderly and vulnerable residents will be 
put at risk because of the 
scale of cutbacks.

Coun Mair says the council has handed ‘responsibility for delivering home care services to 12 private companies’.

However, he warns the criteria for people qualifying for home care will be ‘toughened up’ and says care workers are already ‘leaving in droves’ because of the introduction of zero hours contracts and lower 
mileage allowances.

Coun Mair’s comments come just a week after he revealed subsidies to school and college bus services could be cut with parents facing 
bills of up to £40-a-week.

His comments prompted a robust reaction from Coun Hill, who pledged cuts to home care services would be minimal.

He said: “Although adult care services will not be totally unaffected, the impact on this area will be minimal and in fact we are proposing to spend more on adult care next year than we will be doing this year.

“This is one of our main areas of spending and a key responsibility for the council, with an ageing population and a trend of increasing demand.”

In a separate statement, the spokesman added: “LCC has not and does not intend to ‘toughen up’ our criteria for services.

“These are set nationally under the Care Act 2014 and cannot be changed by local councils.”

He also dismissed the suggestion that private companies were driving home care policy. He added: “What they are doing is delivering services that contribute to the council meeting its 
statutory obligations.

“The council contracts 12 providers to deliver care. Until last year, the council contracted with more than 70 different providers. With fewer contractors, this allows more time to manage the contracts.”

However, the spokesman did not deny that some workers were on zero 
hours contracts.

He said: “Each of the 12 providers has been given a guaranteed volume of work by the council, which enables them to offer permanent contracts.

“However zero hour contracts are legally allowed and anecdotally many carers prefer to not have to guarantee the time they will be available.

“Providers need to meet all their legal requirements as employers and our rates enable them to do so. This includes them being compliant with the National Minimum Wage, which covers the requirements of 
travel to and from calls.”

Over 10,000 people work in the care sector in Lincolnshire.