A gas-controlled bird scarer has been stolen from an area near the Elsea Park estate in Bourne.
The machine was taken from farmland that runs alongside Raymond Mays Way, near the A15, some time between Monday and Wednesday, March 14 and 16.
Anyone with information should call Bourne Police Station on 101, quoting incident 129 of March 16.
You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue’s latest group of recruits has successfully completed 11 weeks of intensive training.
The group of 15 on-call firefighters have completed their training at the Waddington Training Centre near Lincoln, and will now join fire crews at their respective stations – including Brant Broughton, Stamford, Mablethorpe and Grantham.
During the pass out parade, held on Sunday, the newly qualified firefighters showcased their skills and techniques by rescuing casualties from a mock road traffic collision, before being presented with their certificates.
The new recruits are; firefighter Adam Self (Lincoln North); FF Gareth Laking (Louth); FF Kieran Rose (Donington); FF Andrew Hall (Grantham); FF Lee Jaines (Louth); FF Natalie Oliver (Saxilby); FF Steven Murray (Spilsby); FF Leah Chapman (Market Deeping); FF Darren Huxtable (Corby Glen); FF Nick Church (Louth); FF Richard Boulderstone (Market Deeping); FF Graeme Capps (Holbeach); FF Elliot Cuff (Brant Broughton); FF Michael Benson (Corby Glen) and FF Jason Shaw (Mablethorpe)
Mick Green, deputy chief fire officer at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, said: “Our comprehensive training course is designed to ensure that our recruits are prepared for the demands of being a modern firefighter and are able to start work at their stations right away.
“The course covers many topics, including: firefighter basic skills, ladder and pump drills, hydraulics, working from heights, Road Traffic Collisions, occupational first aid, legislation and health and safety.
“Having successfully completed the training these fire fighters will now head off to their respective fire stations and will be ready, when called, to serve their communities. We are delighted to welcome them to Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue and wish them all the best for the future.”
Cllr Peter Robinson, executive member for community safety at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “I hope the new recruits, as well as their family and friends, will feel a sense of pride as successfully training to be a retained firefighter is a huge achievement.
“They have achieved the standards required of them and in due course will be operational members at their respective stations. Firefighters frequently put their lives at risk for others and play an enormous role in keeping the people of Lincolnshire safe, so I am very pleased to welcome them into the Fire and Rescue service.
“We wish them all the best for their future career.”
Five weeks of work to install new pedestrian crossings and energy-saving traffic signals in Pinchbeck start next week.
There will be night-time road closures and diversions in place after the work starts on Tuesday at the junction of the B1180 Wardentree Lane and B1356 Spalding Road in Pinchbeck.
The existing traffic signals at the junction have reached the end of their working life and will be replaced with new equipment which uses LED technology.
This will ensure it is energy efficient and uses extra low voltage to reduce future maintenance and running costs.
Pedestrian crossings will also be installed on all legs of the junction to improve the safety of the crossing for pedestrians. To enable the additional pedestrian crossings to be installed, changes will be made to the existing footpaths and crossings points. The existing carriageway within the junction area will also be resurfaced.
The entire works are expected to take five weeks, and temporary traffic signals will be in place during the works.
To undertake the surfacing, road markings and installation of loop detection system for the traffic signals, it will be necessary to use night-time road closures with a fully-signed diversion route put in place.
Traffic signals manager Tim Clark said: “We apologise in advance for any disruption that may be caused during the works, but we have ensured that any inconvenience experienced is kept to a minimum.
“Once the works are complete, the junction will be much safer and easier to use for pedestrians, and the traffic signals will be more energy efficient, and therefore cost effective to run.”
Easter holiday traffic is expected to peak tomorrow, Thursday, the AA has predicted.
The motoring organisation expects more than 11 million drivers to hit the roads over the bank holiday weekend, with the bulk of congestion occurring on Thursday March 24.
Conversely, Easter Sunday is liable to be the quietest day of the year.
Over 450 miles of roadworks on major routes are due to either be completed or suspended by Highways England by the holiday weekend.
The south-west will be the busiest area with the M54, M5 and A303 likely to experience heaviest traffic with the M1, M6 and M25 also likely to be congested.
The railways should be relatively unaffected by engineering works, with Network Rail promising normal operation promised for 95% of services. However, passengers are advised to check before traveling, as various network upgrade plans are planned, causing slight disruption on parts of the West Coast, East Coast and Great Western main lines. Also, Manchester Victoria station will be closed for nine days from Good Friday.
British Airways, the largest carrier at Heathrow, predicts Thursday will be its busiest day, with 2.4 million people flying from the airport.
Meanwhile, National Express is adding 13,000 seats to cope with increased holiday demand.
CAROL’S PLOT: By Carol Parker
Those horrible dark, grey days of winter are slowly being replaced with warm, growth inducing ones ... so it’s time to gather my tools and flask and head down to my allotment shed.
I’m always surprised at how well my plot has looked after itself while I’ve been a reluctant gardener; okay there are a few troublesome weeds here and there but with a few hours’ TLC it will soon get whipped into shape.
It’s too early and the ground is too cold to do any planting, but I’m gradually clearing the ground of redundant vegetables and preparing the soil for another year’s bumper crop.
I’ve been asking around to see if anyone would be interested in sharing the growing space with me and have found two people eager to start growing their own vegetables; I’m looking forward to the company and keen to involve others so get in touch if you’d like to be part of a community allotment space.
I’m busy delivering creative sessions for those living with dementia and their carers across South Lincolnshire, funded by Boston Big Local and the Dementia Support Fund. The sessions aim to increase engagement in the arts, raise awareness of dementia, and remove the stigma associated with the disease.
‘Memory Lane’, the Boston group, has been commissioned to co-create a piece of public art, working with myself and mosaic artist Fiona Gurney. The work will be installed for Dementia Awareness Week May 15-21 2016, in Boston, when there’ll also be an added attraction ... why not pop along and see for yourself?!
If you or someone you know has dementia and would be interested in joining the creative sessions, they are held weekly at Tonic Health, in Spalding, on a Thursday from 11am-1pm; weekly at Jubilee Life Centre, in Grantham, on a Tuesday from 1-3pm; and fortnightly at Mayfields, in Boston, on a Wednesday from 10am-12pm.
Sleaford sessions will be starting weekly on a Wednesday from April 13, with the time to be confirmed. See artrovings.wordpress.com/making-for-memory-art-for-those-with-early-stage-dementia/ for contact details and more information on sessions.
Sport Relief events were taking place across South Holland on Friday.
Surfleet Primary School and Holbeach Primary Academy both joined in on the fun.
All members of staff and pupils from Surfleet took part in the day’s events, which started with everyone paying £1 to come in a sports kit of their choice.
Everyone then joined in a Sport Relief mile where they could walk, run, skip, backwards walk – as long as they completed a mile.
The children then got a chance to join in on a free karate workshop. School teacher, Laura Martin, said this was “a great success. The kids really enjoyed it”. Adrenaline Martial Arts also gave the school five prizes to raffle off for four weeks’ free karate lessons and a free uniform.
The school do not know how much they have raised but have already exceeded £100 through the raffle and sports kit, without counting sponsor money from the mile.
Holbeach Primary Academy also involved the whole school. Pupils ran one mile around the school field.
Alison Larking said they chose this to “promote sport in schools” and also said the “kids loved it”.
The total amount raised by the school is not yet known.
• Two pages of photographs in Thursday’s Spalding Guardian.
THOUGHTS OF A FRUITCAKE: By Carolyn Aldis
So, this week I have been trying out something new - I started a detox with a company that sell Aloe Vera. This may seem a daft time to start, particularly with Easter Sunday coming up, but as I failed miserably with giving up chocolate for Lent (I lasted 2 days before I found some left over from Christmas at the back of the cupboard – not the healthiest breakfast I’ve ever had), I felt it was necessary to just get on with it. There will always be a special occasion coming up to make me think “Oh, when this is out of the way, then I will start to eat healthier…” Many years of procrastination have left me slightly overweight, really fed up and with a raised cholesterol level – enough is enough.
It’s not easy making a decision that changes your life…it takes determination, strength and encouragement from others. I started on a “9 day cleanse”, with the first 2 days being described as hard. This involved taking tablets and drinking Aloe Vera gel in its purest form, which if I’m honest, smelt like Cif and tasted so bad, I gagged on the first swallow; it was a good job my stomach was empty. I had a moment of panic, thinking that I really didn’t want to go through with it, but then remembered why I had committed to it in the first place – it’s going to be good for me – and gulped the rest down.
Attaching the receipt to the fridge helped my motivation as it’s not cheap.
I started last Friday, as I knew I would be able to rest over the weekend if I felt tired or light headed, as the only foods permitted were certain fruits and vegetables. I felt quite rough and also nauseous, which was weird as my stomach was fairly empty.
Those first 2 days felt very long and drawn out - if you ever feel like life is passing by too quickly, try a detox…you truly see every minute of every hour.
The third day changed everything. I woke up and felt full of energy – I never thought I would see those words together in relation to me, as I am usually very groggy in the morning. I bounded, yes, bounded down the stairs as I had to weigh myself as part of the plan and discovered, oh joy, that I was 4 pounds lighter. I felt great and after church, played badminton with my daughters and walked for an hour, energised and happy.
When I ate my simple meal, I savoured every bite; I’ve learned that junk food dulls the taste buds and so having removed it, I could taste the goodness again.
Although last Friday seemed a bad day, it turns out it was good for me.
I can see similarities with an Easter Sunday 26 years ago, when an angry, selfish 15 year old was baptised, a kind of “spiritual” detox. I was cleansed and only then realised how much “junk” I had built up in my life.
For me, Easter Sunday represents another third day that changed everything.
WARD’S WORLD: By John Ward
I am often reminded of assorted mysteries in this thing we call Life that still give me cause to wonder about and the following is a bit of a mind-boggler, spurred on as usual by something triggering said thoughts. On this occasion the thought came to mind about bread, as in the stuff we eat as opposed to the slang for money. Now we have cleared that bit up, we will get to the item in question.
So, another in our occasional series looking at social history in our wonderful country and some parts of the world when called upon. Some years ago, before the onslaught of supermarkets selling everything in assorted flavours, sizes, on offer or buy one and think about another deals, there used to be the humble bread delivery van, much like the milk round, but selling drier products (although as history now shows, the milkman then went on to carry bread as well), that came down the street, road or track to your door with basically all your bakery needs, and you could order something for the next delivery, too. This worked well for years on quite a large scale, until the aforementioned supermarkets set up, and where you have to go to, instead of this being the other way round as in the bread came to you – okay so far? Goody.
The plot, like good soup, thickens. The people’s test pilot (stunts by arrangement), as in my mum, used to patronise such a service. Dave, ‘her bread man’, called with her orders and all was well until things went slightly pear-shaped, although in fairness other shapes were available on request. It started with Dave telling her about some wonderful new item coming and she could order it to try, then perhaps these things didn’t arrive, then there were broken promises about times of his arrival and so on, that towards the end, she had a heart-to-heart with him, as he was getting so unreliable.
It slowly came out that their small bakery concern could not compete with the new-on-the-block Big Boys as mentioned above and, as the round was getting smaller, he feared for his job. As this was this was the only job he really knew and liked, he didn’t know where to begin about looking for another occupation. Mum, being the paragon of seeing the light, suggested that with all his promises about delivery, things to look forward to and expect, items not arriving and basically promising things he never really delivered, that perhaps he should consider a career in politics.
Back to Mum and her observational powers. I am not sure if it still goes on in this now PC age, but some years ago there used to be an annual, and sometimes yearly, Miss World contest/happening that used to occupy quite a bit of media space in the newspapers and on television when the actual contest/whatever took place.
Basically it was a sort of early Ant and Dec thing but there was more of them quantity-wise, plus they were of the female variety mostly, as each country, island or thereabouts sent a contestant who owned her own set of teeth. Basically it was a smiling event where the contestants appeared in a swimsuit and wittered on to the Master of Ceremonies about their background, lifestyle or how their knitting was coming along, etc, and many pointed out that their ambition was to “travel, work with the underprivileged, bring enlightenment to others and care for animals”. Having heard this same sort of story-line over many years, Mum posed the question after one such yearly programme offering on the telly: “You never hear if any of ’em ever get a job on British Railways afterwards, do you?”
Standing behind somebody in a shop recently reminded me, or rather the clothes they were wearing did, as in perhaps they were part of a fancy dress event they were going on to, or then again, maybe not, that we don’t hear so much nowadays about reported sightings of aliens from another planet landing here, since the new digital age has arrived with most people either having a camera built into their mobile device/ phone/ key ring/ electric can opener to record any such happenings. Before, we used to accept that some “craft” whizzed around the galaxy (nothing to do with a breed of well-known people carrier or choccy bars) from about three hundred trillion light years away and manage to land in some far-flung, uninhabited, part of Texas.
On getting out of their spacecraft, they find a befuddled farmer of a certain age – old, then – to ask where can they get spare parts for their 1937 John Deere (usually) Model 76 tractor that they have back on their planet Faroff, where they have a similar life style to us on Earth, although they have a different-shaped gear lever on their version of the Vauxhall Astra, due to the population having nine fingers on one hand and only four fingers on the other three hands, but you should see them play snooker –although receiving gloves as presents at Christmas can be quite entertaining, if tedious for the staff on the Returns Counter at the intergalactic hypermarket on the planet Gonnoff after Christmas.
It has been suggested that aliens from this planet had tried to land locally, based on fuel travel costs compared to the aforementioned Texas not so long ago, although there were or are stumbling blocks of course to overcome. One was not sure where to get hold of garish-coloured vinyl to block the windows out, as a token gesture towards blending in with assorted structures within the boundaries we have nowadays.
Another was that they did land provisionally, but it was pointed out that due to their craft being over a certain height, it broke planning regulations and, as the average lifespan of a Faroffian resident is only 270 Earth-value years, plus time off for good behaviour, they decided to cut their losses, as life was short, and went away as they didn’t have the time to wait for a decision to be forthcoming.
However in their haste to leave, they forgot to pay for the parking of their craft in town and can expect a parking summons to arrive on the next joint UK/Mablethorpe space shuttle Extravagant 2 going near their planet.
But mysteries – dontchca just lurve ’em?
Easter is fast approaching with Good Friday on 25 March and Easter Monday on 28 March. So with this in mind South Lincolnshire CCG is reminding patients to order their repeat prescriptions in plenty of time.
At busy times of year like Easter it is important that we spend a few minutes thinking about our health care by ordering and collecting any repeat prescriptions in advance of the bank holiday weekend as many pharmacies will be closed.
Dr Kevin Hill, Chair of NHS South Lincolnshire CCG, said: “Make sure you renew any regular prescriptions and collect medication before the holidays start as running out of daily medication over this period could have serious consequences for patients who rely on them to control heart and breathing problems.
“The last thing we want for our patients is having their bank holiday spoilt by not being able to take regular medication. For those with long-term health problems, taking daily medication is an important part of their treatment, and many are at risk of suffering serious attacks or hospital stays if medical supplies run out.
So with this in mind South Lincolnshire CCG is appealing to patients, their families and carers to check now that they have enough daily medication to see them through the break. If they don’t, they should call into their pharmacist or local GP surgery in good time.
If you become unwell over the bank holiday period or need medical advice when your GP surgery is closed, GP out-of-hours services can be accessed by calling NHS 111 free of charge. Bank holidays are noticeably busy times of year for the NHS so picking up a repeat prescription in advance could help keep staff free to deal with life-threatening emergencies.
Key stage two pupils of Westmere primary school at Sutton Bridge participated in a Young Americans workshop alongside Holbeach St Mark’s primary and Gedney Drove End primary to enhance their performance skills.
Young Americans – a group of 18-22 year-old students from a performing arts college in California – travel for three months at a time, teaching around the world. Over three days they taught new skills in dance, music and drama.
The first two days were held at Westmere and the final day was at Springfields Event Centre in Spalding where the children gave a performance.
Westmere pupils have taken part in the workshops before and headteacher, Karyn Wiles, thinks they help build the children’s confidence.
Teacher, Salley Massey, said she even saw a difference in class behaviour – attitudes were more positive.
She described the final performance as “phenomenal”, “a joy to watch” and 350 people attended. The centre even put on sound and lighting for the pupils.
Westmere teachers felt the pupils learned a lot – about themselves, as well as new skills. Salley said they loved joining in and would encourage schools who get the chance to take part.
• More pictures in Thursday’s Spalding Guardian.
A group aiming to buy Spalding court house for the public has obtained charitable status and set out its aims and objectives for the building.
The Spalding Court House Charity is looking to raise an initial amount of £300,000 to purchase the former magistrates’ court.
It is actively seeking funding from employers in the area, institutes and organisations and is also introducing crowd funding so that the local community can get involved.
The building was put on the market by the Ministry of Justice earlier this year.
A spokesman for the group, whose trustees are Terry Moore, Ann Savage, Jan Whitbourn, Percy Jackman, Harry Drury, Craig Delaney, Janet Prescott and Ken Maggs, said: “Our aim is to provide a sustainable community hub that will strengthen and enhance the lives of the people of South Holland.”
Spalding court house has been a feature of the life, history and the townscape of Spalding and South Holland since it was built in 1843.
It closed as a courthouse in 2014 amid much public outcry and, in response, the Spalding Court House Charity has been set up by a group representing local people.
In a mission statement given to the Guardian, the group says: “An active approach will be taken to developing a responsive programme of community engagement that meets the needs highlighted in the Local Plan , fulfilling the following objectives:
• Build social partnerships that engage individuals, families, businesses and charities.
• Meet the needs of our community in the heart of the community by creating a community asset in a recognised landmark.
• Bring community and voluntary groups to people they would not normally reach.
• Provide volunteer opportunities so that people can see the difference they can make to the community they live and work in.
• Preserve the Central Court as a museum for visitors and for educational purposes for schools to hold live court room events and re-enactments.
• Provide life time skills to individuals.
• Promote the area of South Holland and develop business and third sector partnerships that align the social need of this rural area with social and corporate responsibility.
• Bring together expertise and advice available to all from all sectors of the community.
• Reduce rural isolation and promote social engagement by providing local and affordable opportunities for social integration, thus addressing rural, social and cultural isolation needs.
• Provide employment and training opportunities through local employment agencies and employers.
• Provide a community building to facilitate the delivery of support services through third sector partnerships – addressing the needs and demands of the rural community of South Holland.
• Increase engagement in local charities, networks and activities.
• Reducing the impact of rural poverty by providing affordable healthy food that we take from local producers and manufacturers and also educate people in the art of cooking wholesome food at affordable prices.
An angry Spalding woman has slammed rail officials after a level crossing failure in the town left her “virtually held hostage” for more than two hours.
The woman, of The Raceground, Spalding, who asked not to be named, was one of scores of drivers held up by rail signal problems at London Road, Park Road and Woolram Wygate level crossings on Tuesday.
A Network Rail spokesman said the fault, which led to what the woman described as “extreme disruption”, was due to “an ongoing problem with a set of points on the track”.
But the woman said: “Whilst sympathising with the numerous people forced to u-turn and find alternative routes, the residents of this cul-de-sac (The Raceground) were virtually held hostage by police guarding the failed barrier.
“Those attempting to escape on foot were threatened with £100 fines, while numerous phone calls were met with assurances that ‘someone is on their way’.
“I finally gave up after two-and-a-half hours, with my day and plans totally ruined.
“I doubt that compensation for the extreme disruption and loss of earnings will be forthcoming.”
The problems on Tuesday were the latest in a spate of level crossing failures to hit Spalding over the past year.
Network Rail engineers were initially called to the town last May when level crossing barriers in Park Road and Woolram Wygate were both stuck in the down position.
The latest problem came after a £280 million upgrade of the Great Northern Great Eastern Line between Doncaster and Peterborough was completed last November.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We apologise for the disruption in the Spalding area which was caused by an ongoing problem with a set of points on the track.
“When a fault is detected, the level crossing barriers ‘fail safe’, meaning the barriers are dropped to protect the public.”
Rail firm under fire after level crossing failure angers drivers
More level crossing misery in Spalding
Barrier misery in Spalding and South Holland to end at last
Work starts to end Spalding rail barrier misery
A survey of UK travel experts has revealed the 10 most charming towns in the East Midlands - and two of them are on our doorstep!
The survey by TravelMag.com invited 100 travel writers, photographers and selected professionals to name the towns they consider the most appealing.
And Long Sutton and Stamford were both named in the Top 10.
Those surveyed were asked to vote for towns in any of the region’s six recognised shires (Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland) with populations of between 3,000 and 50,000 people.
Each participant was asked to disclose their top three choices before all votes were added up to produce the final ten.
The presence of Stamford on the list is little surprise, given that it was voted the best place to live in the United Kingdom in another survey in 2013.
So what did the survey have to say about our towns which we already know and love?
Long Sutton - Sitting in the south Lincolnshire Fens, the market town of Long Sutton has been named among the best-kept villages in the region – and for good reason. Through spring and summer, floral displays adorn the streets and buildings in and around the Market Place and in the High Street, creating a visual feast for visitors and locals alike. The town is also home to numerous examples of fine Georgian architecture as well as St Mary’s Church and its lead-covered timber spire, thought to be the highest, oldest and best-preserved lead spire in England and possibly Europe. Other places of interest include a Masonic lodge, while a Civic Society plays an active role in preserving local landmarks.
Stamford - Nestled on the River Welland in Lincolnshire, the bustling market town of Stamford was once proclaimed by the novelist Sir Walter Scott as “the finest stone town in England”. Such lofty praise would help ensure that 600 of its mellow limestone buildings gained listed status, including five medieval churches. Little wonder that it commands such curiosity. Among the historical highlights are one of the oldest provincial theatres in England, the Steam Brewery, Browne’s Hospital’s and the 12th century ruins of St Leonard’s Priory. A popular Town Trail invites visitors to explore Stamford in methodical fashion, taking in its passageways, main thoroughfare and market squares.
This German field gun took pride of place in Spalding market place 100 years ago today.
Spalding had been lent the 77mm gun for a month from the military authorities after it had been captured at Loos by the 15th Division of the British Army in September 1915.
The gun was drawn from the railway station to the market place on Thursday, March 23 by members of Spalding Fire Brigade, and positioned in front of the Corn Exchange.
Spalding’s Girl Guides and Scouts and the town’s St John Ambulance joined in the procession. The Free Press of the day reported it was a real “red letter day” for the town.
Hundreds of youngsters from the town’s schools were reported to have excitedly joined in the procession.
Spalding Police and special constables were drafted in to “keep the crowd in place”.
The gun had been manufactured by Krupp in 1915 and its parallel in British artillery was said to be the 18-pounder.
It weighed a tonne and was one of thousands used by the enemy for bombarding the Allied lines with shrapnel, lyddite and high explosive shells.
Attached to the gun were German handcuffs, so it was believed that artillerymen may have been chained to it when in action.
Someone in the crowd was heard to say: “I wonder how many of our poor chaps it has sent under?”
Fears that families in South Holland could have to travel to Lincoln for inquests into their loved ones’ deaths have been denied by council officials.
A report called The Future Shape of the Coroner Service is recommending that South Lincolnshire Coroner’s Office, which covers Spalding, Long Sutton, Bourne and Boston, should merge with the Central Lincolnshire area.
This would see a full-time coroner, supported by part-time assistant coroners, covering inquests in relation to sudden, violent or unnatural deaths for people from areas as far as Gainsborough, Skegness, Grantham and Stamford.
Lincolnshire County Council cabinet members are due to consider the report, which claims the merger would shave at least £50,000 off the current £313,000 cost of inquest services countywide, on April 5.
The report said: “The county council has a statutory responsibility to provide a coroner’s service for Lincolnshire (but) the financial challenge facing the council has precipitated a review of the coroner’s service with respect to coronial geographical areas (central and south Lincolnshire).
“The tender of the south Lincolnshire senior coroner’s resignation has resulted in a more immediate requirement to revisit the options.”
Professor Robert Forrest resigned as senior coroner for south Lincolnshire last December and leaves office next Friday amid concerns over “administrative capacity” which first emerged when coroner’s areas in the county went down from four to two in 2012.
At the time when Professor Forrest’s resignation was made public just before Christmas, Liz Morgan from Lincolnshire County Council’s public health department said: “We can confirm that Professor Forrest has tendered his resignation and we are working hard to identify an acting senior coroner as an interim measure.
“We have offered Professor Forrest additional administrative capacity, at his request, and are actively pursuing changes across the service to further improve the way both coroners are supported.”
However, the report said: “The move to a single coroner area and office does not mean that relatives will have to travel to Lincoln for an inquest (which) can continue to be held across the county, including Boston and Spilsby, as they are currently.”
South Lincolnshire coroner Professor Robert Forrest resignsCoroner’s apology for ill-prepared service
Struggling department store chain Beales has been given a reprieve by its creditors.
More than 90 per cent of its landlords voted at a creditors’ meeting in London to accept proposals to cut rents on 11 of its 29 stores nationwide.
The retailer had been seeking agreement for a Company Voluntary Arrangement, which sought to cut rents where it was claimed lease agreements were too onerous.
Beales, founded in 1881, has 29 department stores across the country.
The proposals affect just a small number of stores which have been unprofitable due to high legacy rents.
They include the King’s Lynn store for which a reduced rent, equivalent of 30 per cent, will be paid for 10 months while the company talks to landlords to agree the basis of any continued trading.
Stores in Peterborough, Wisbech, Spalding, Skegness, Diss and St Neots are not affected.
Beales’ chairman Stuart Lyons said: “This vote gives Beales a unique opportunity to restore the group to financial health.
“We are extremely grateful to our business partners for their overwhelming support.
“These legacy rents have been dragging the group down.
“These leases were agreed some years ago and are no longer sustainable due retail due to changes in the economy and local conditions.
“Our landlords now have the opportunity to restructure them on equitable terms.”
Rob Croxen, restructuring partner at KPMG and ‘supervisor’ of the CVA, said: “Today’s creditor vote in favour of the CVA proposal will allow Beales to take its first critical step towards turning the business around, tackling head on the issue of onerous legacy leases which have hampered the organisation in recent years.
“A company can only propose a CVA when the alternative is administration and it must always offer a better return to creditors.
“In this way, both the creditors and the company are able to fix an underlying business issue without going through a full trading administration; a positive outcome for Beales’ creditors and good news for customers and employees.
“As with all CVAs, more than 75% of creditors had to vote in favour in order to pass the resolution. Today’s vote saw us secure significantly more than this majority with 93% of all creditors voting in favour of the CVA.”
Related:
{http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/business/department-chain-seeks-help-from-landlords-to-safeguard-its-future-1-7258885|Department chain seeks help from landlords to safeguard its future|Read more}
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.
Boston Magistrates’ Court
February 8
Michael Bulmer (25), of St Peter’s Road, Fakenham. Assault and criminal damage(Sutterton). Community order with requirement to participate in building better relationships programme, £100 compensation.
Joel Hammond (21), of Roman Bank, Holbeach Bank. Assault and criminal damage (Sutton Bridge). Three years conditional discharge, £15 v/s, £85 costs. No separate penalty for failing to surrender to custody.
Remigius Hirszfeld (35), of Double Street, Spalding. Assault (Boston). Two years conditional discharge.
Samuel Tooke (25), of North Road, Gedney Hill. Entered as trespasser and stole mini-motorbike, two strimmers, chainsaw with combined value of £950. Community order with 100 hours unpaid work, rehabilitation activity requirement, £60 v/s, 385 costs.
February 10
Aleksandrs Cernuhins (36), of Carrington Road, Spalding. Possession in a public place of a six inch fixed bladed knife and drunk and disorderly (Spalding). 18 months conditional discharge, £15 v/s, £255 costs. Possession of a weapon designed or adapted for the discharge of a noxious liquid, namely pepper spray (Boston). £50 fine. Knife and pepper spray to be forfeited and destroyed.
Andrew Gray (29), of Stockhouse Lane, Surfleet. Assault (Boston). £300 fine, £300 compensation, £30 v/s, £85 costs.
Nerijus Jankauskas (34), of Fengate Road, West Pinchbeck. Drink driving (Pinchbeck). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 14 months. No insurance. £200 fine.
Lukasz Labiszak (32), of Hardwick Estate, Kirton. Had in a public place a blade, namely a cauli knife (Boston). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs.
James Taylor (22), of Baxter Gardens, Spalding. Harassment (Surfleet). 12 months conditional discharge, restraining order, £15 v/s, £85 costs.
Stephen Bullivan (51), of Hereward Road, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). £120 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 44 months.
Jurijs Rimsa (26), of Riverside Park, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). £500 fine, £50 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 26 months. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. No insurance. £100 fine.
Connor Gilbert (21), of Hardwick Estate, Kirton. Assaulted a police officer (Boston). Community order with 140 hours unpaid work, £100 compensation, £60 v/s, £85 costs.
Tomasz Rabiega (34), of NFA. Two counts of assault (Spalding).Community order with 100 hours unpaid work and rehabilitation activity requirement, £60 v/s, £85 costs.
February 17
Andrejs Cistjakovs (30), of Wide Bargate, Boston. Drink driving (Wigtoft). £270 fine, £27 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Alan Boorer (44), of Way Mews Cottage, Sutton Bridge. Production of cannabis (Sutton Bridge). £120 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, cannabis to be forfeited and destroyed.
Darren Close (21), of Wargate Way, Gosberton. Drug driving (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Craig McCormick (21), Lady’s Drove, Emneth. Drink driving (Sutton Bridge). £120 fine, £20 v/s, £40 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Nejla Degnan (34), of Chestnut Avenue, Spalding. Possession of cocaine (Spalding). £80 fine, £20 v/s, cocaine to be forfeited and destroyed. Used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour. £40 fine. No action taken on breach of conditional discharge.
February 22
Kevin Brown (55), of Great Meadow Road, Bridlington. Two counts of assault and two counts of criminal damage (Moulton Seas End). Community order with 60 hours unpaid work, rehabilitation activity requirement, £60 v/s, £85 costs. Compensation £60.
Sergejs Cerenkovs (27), of St Thomas’s Road, Spalding. Failed to provide specimens of breath when suspected of having driven a vehicle (Boston). £275 fine, £28 v/s, £100 costs, disqualified from driving for 36 months.
James Clow (52), of Holly Cottage, Surfleet. Harassment (Spalding). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement, £250 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs.
Matthew Flynn (30), of Cornfields, Holbeach. Harassment (Spalding). Community order with 60 hours unpaid work and rehabilitation activity requirement, restraining order, £60 v/s, £85 costs.
Michael Mackman (53), of Princes Street, Sutton Bridge. Harassment (Spalding). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement, restraining order, £120 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs.
Derek Playford (53), of Lowgate, Fleet. Two counts of assault (Fleet). Community order with 180 hours unpaid work, £50 compensation, £60 v/s, £300 costs.
Christopher Cooley (36), of Willesden Avenue, Walton, Peterborough. Assault (Gedney Hill).
Community order with 80 hours unpaid work, rehabilitation activity requirement and thinking skills programme, restraining order, £425 compensation, £60 v/s, £85 costs.
February 24
Megan Cowell (21), of Dean Close, Weston. Drink driving (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 18 months.
Anthony Martindale (21), of Burnstone Gardens, Moulton. Assault (Spalding). Six months conditional discharge, restraining order, £15 v/s, £85 costs.
James Barlow (22), of Bowditch Road, Spalding. Assault, criminal damage and resisting a police officer (Spalding). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement, £180 fine, £200 compensation, £60 v/s, £85 costs.
March 2
Betty Fogg (52), of Allenbys Chase, Sutton Bridge. Stole bedding worth £15.98 belonging to QD Stores (Holbeach). 12 months conditional discharge, £15 v/s, £85 costs.
Aurimas Malakauskas (28), of London Road, King’s Lynn. Obstructing police constables (Kirton). £150 fine. No vehicle insurance. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months. Two counts of driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. £200 fine. No insurance. £200 fine, 6pts.
Vladislav Strelcenoks (31), of Lowgate Road, Spalding. Possession of cannabis and buprenorphine (Spalding). 12 months conditional discharge, £250 fine, £25 v/s, £85 costs, drugs to be forfeited and destroyed.
Damian Baker (30), of Glebe Avenue, Spalding. Assault (Donington). Community order and requirement to take part in building better relationships programme and rehabilitation activity requirement, £40 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs.
Grantham Magistrates’ Court
February 9
Joshua Cook (19), of Roman Bank, Saracen’s Head. Driving without due care and attention (Wisbech). £415 fine, £42 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months. No separate penalty for failing to stop after an accident and no insurance.
Jamie Eagles (41), of Woodlands, Great Oakley, Essex. Speeding (Whaplode). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
Joanna Koziel-Kozuch (33), of Manor Gardens, Boston. No insurance (Spalding). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months. No separate penalty for driving without due care and attention, no MOT and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
Andrew Barnes (48), of Radcliffe Road, Stamford. Speeding (Deeping Common). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
Aaron Brumpton (28), of Beech Avenue, Newark. No insurance (Langtoft). £120 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.
Nicholas Cartlidge (27), of Cradge Bank, Spalding. Drove a vehicle without reasonable consideration for other road users (Haceby). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 7pts.
Samantha Doran (20), of Charles Street, Hinckley. Speeding (Whaplode). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
Lesleyanne Freeman (63), of Main Road, Beelsby. Speeding (Whaplode). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
Damian Ostrowski (27), of Swan Street, Spalding. Driving without a seat belt (Grantham). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs.
February 10
Matthew Bennett (28), of George Street, Bourne. Speeding (Whaplode). £40 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
Artur Galkowski (33), of Broadgate, Weston. Speeding (Spalding). £165 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
James Gooderson (26), of Welbourne, Werrington. Speeding (Baston). £80 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.
February 11
Lynnette Alred (34), of Hardwick Estate, Kirton. No TV licence. £60 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs.
Laura Arnold (27), of Clarkson Avenue, Cowbit. No TV licence. £60 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs.
Scott Barlow (26), of First Avenue, Spalding. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.
Ella Carter (25), of Railway Lane South, Sutton Bridge. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.
Shawn Foster (40), of High Road, Whaplode. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.
Sally Greenwood (25), of Church Street, Sutton Bridge. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.
Robyn Hammond (19), of Withington Street, Sutton Bridge. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.
Sabrina Hawkes (33), of Marshlands Drive, Holbeach. No TV licence. £80 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs.
Shane Kelk (21), of Station Street, Holbeach. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.
Alan Maitland (36), of Edinburgh Drive, Spalding. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.
Samantha Maltby (30), of Railway Lane South, Sutton Bridge. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.
Charmaine Marshall (29), of Broadgate, Whaplode Drove. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.
Christopher Mills (56), of Glen Avenue, Pinchbeck. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.
Charlotte Parkin (33), of Queens Road, Spalding. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.
Sean Taylor (42), of Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.
Mellissa Warner (31), of Princes Street, Sutton Bridge. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.
Kayle Watson (26), of Royce Road, Spalding. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.
Zoe Woodberry (28), of Hall Hill Road, Holbeach. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.
Natalie Webber (30), of Dean Close, Weston. No TV licence. £330 fine, £33 v/s, £120 costs.
Julie Harlock (44), of Kirkmeadow, Bretton. Stole a debit card (Deeping St James) and two counts of theft of £300 in cash (Peterborough and Werrington). Community order with 100 hours unpaid work, £600 compensation, £60 v/s, £85 costs.
February 15
Stephen McCall (29), of The Gables, Bourne. Assault (Bourne). £400 fine, £100 compensation, £40 v/s, £85 costs. Obstructing a police officer. £100 fine.
Brendan Watson (20), of The Gannocks, Orton Waterville. Drink driving (Market Deeping). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 15 months.
Adam Towers (34), of Burghley Court, Bourne. Possession of cannabis and producing 19 plants of cannabis (Bourne). Community order with curfew requirement and rehabilitation activity requirement, £60 v/s, £85 costs. Drugs and plants to be forfeited and destroyed. No action taken on breach of conditional discharge.
February 16
Joanne Rooney (50), of Main Street, Hoveringham, Notts. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
February 17
Matthew Bonham (29), of West Street, Crowland. Failed to give driver ID (Nettleham). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months.
Adrian Ciuk (27), of Cortez Close, Spalding. Failed to give driver ID (Nettleham). £480 fine, £48 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months.
Ben Davies (30), of Station Road, Billingborough. Speeding (Osbournby). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
Sebastian Stanberry (35), of Marketstead Estate, Kirton. No insurance (Boston). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Troy Stephens (44), of Odam Close, Leicester. No insurance (Spalding). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months.
Ricardo Abreu, Westlode Street, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.
Jack Featherstone (19), of Churchfield Close, Deeping St James. No insurance (Market Deeping). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. £65 fine.
Shona Gregory (45), of West Rasen, Market Rasen. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £40 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
Edvinas Janavicius (32), of Barnstock Bretton. Speeding (Crowland). £145 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.
Lincoln Magistrates’ Court
February 12
Lisa Amess (33), of Atton Avenue, Spalding. No TV licence. £40 fine, £20 v/s, £60 costs.
David Barnes (55), of Queen Street, Sutton Bridge. No TV licence. £265 fine, £26 v/s, £120 costs.
Carla Bycrart (31), of Farrow Avenue, Holbeach. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.
Lesley Draby (34), of Penny Gardens, Kirton. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.
Paul Hewitt (49), of Queens Avenue, Spalding. No TV licence. £260 fine, £26 v/s, £120 costs.
Damian Howlett (28), of Drayton Road, Swineshead. No TV licence. £485 fine, £48 v/s, £120 costs.
Paige Ingle (22), of Bowditch Road, Spalding. No TV licence. £440 fine, £44 v/s, £120 costs.
The Prime Minister has announced that pub opening hours will be extended for two days in June to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday
June 10 and 11 are the days earmarked for extra drinking time - the Queen’s official birthday, typically a given Saturday in June.
On her actual birthday, which is April 21, she will become the first living British monarch to reach the age of 90.
The big announcement came as David Cameron addressed MPs in the House of Commons for Prime Minister’s questions today.
He said: “We will be extending pub opening hours on the 10th and 11th of June to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday.”
The dates – a Saturday and Sunday – will see a weekend of national celebration which will see the Queen attend a Birthday Parade on the Saturday, and a Patron’s Lunch on Sunday.
Other birthday events include a four-day pageant from May 12-15, at Home Park in Windsor Castle.
Fire investigators are trying to establish the cause of a blaze at a disused building in Spalding.
It broke out at a site in West Marsh Road some time after 7pm and firefighters from four stations were called out to tackle the blaze.
They wore breathing apparatus while using water jets to put out the blaze which caused damage to the first and second floor of the building.
A sports bike and spare wheels have been stolen from outside a house near the A15 in Langtoft.
Police are looking for a specialist black Dolan racing bike that was taken from a vehicle parked on a driveway at a house in The Rides, off Peterborough Road, Langtoft, at some point last weeked.
Extra wheels for the bike were in separate black bags so it is thought the bike and wheels would have been carried away from the house.
Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident number 99 of March 21.
You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.