Bourne fashion designer Jaime Russon (31) now knows what April’s London Marathon will be like after running the Windsor Winter Half Marathon on Sunday.

Jaime, who is running in London on April 23 in memory of her father Andrew Russon who died last August, finished the 13.1-mile run in two hours, 21 minutes and 13 seconds.

The keep-fit enthusiast, who is raising money for the British Heart Foundation, said: “It was quite a tough run and mentally hard as it was such a boring course.

“We ran the same route four times, with no supporters and no atmosphere, and I found it much harder than the Milton Keynes Half-Marathon I did last month.

“But I did it though and knocked three minutes off my previous best half-marathon time.

“Thank you to everyone who has donated so far, although I have no idea where I’m going to find another 13 miles from.

“I’ll have to though for my Dad and I would, of course, appreciate any donation towards my fundraising.” Please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Jaime-Russon.

Residents in Lincolnshire will be asked for their views on abolishing all eight councils in Lincolnshire and adopting a unitary (single tier) system of governance.

The current two-tier system that currently exists in Lincolnshire comprises one county council and seven district councils, which includes South Holland and South Kesteven.

County council leader Martin Hill said: “The current system of councils in Lincolnshire is one we can no longer afford.

“A unitary model has successfully been adopted in many areas of the country and has proved to be simpler, better for services, more local and most importantly – costs less to run.

“I believe the current system is complicated, wasteful and no longer financially sustainable. Without change, important local services are already being reduced and even cut entirely.”

The county council says a unitary system in Lincolnshire could save up to £150m in the first five years – money that could be used to improve local services and keep council tax down.

Subject to the approval of Lincolnshire County Council, a poll will be held at the same time as the May local government elections, asking the public whether they agree that Lincolnshire should have a unitary system of governance.

The funeral of a former WW2 veteran will be held at Surfleet Crematorium tomorrow (Tuesday) and there is an appeal for local people to attend.

The RAF Association says Edward Scott, who has died aged 91, “has few known family and it is feared that he will have no one to commemorate him as he is laid to rest”.

Mr Scott served in the RAF as part of 154 Squadron during the Second World War as an engineer, but the RAF Association has no record of what he did after he left the service.

His funeral takes place at 10am.

• If you knew Mr Scott, please comment on this story – and leave a tribute – or call Free Press and Spalding Guardian reporter Lynne Harrison on 01775 765413.

A councillor promises to act in the face of a barrage of criticism about filth and mould in changing rooms at Spalding’s Castle Swimming Pool.

Coun Gary Taylor, the district portfolio holder in charge, wants pool users to complain directly to him and agreed to have his phone number published.

1Life, who run the council-owned pool, also promises to put things right if swimmers complain direct.

There’s been a barrage of criticism on social media, with discussions about people going to pools in other towns rather than use the Castle.

One swimmer who complained to the Free Press supplied six pictures of the men’s changing room, including one allegedly showing mould growing in the shower area and another said to show “mould and scale under lockers”.

Pool user David Whyte also complained to us, the council and 1Life, over a series of issues including “filth and grime”, masking tape keeping tiles in place and a door missing from the men’s changing room, which he says gives passers-by a direct line of sight into the spot where men get changed and “that families inadvertently walk through the men’s changing facility”.

Mr Whyte, a father of two, says his children swim in Bourne with their Spalding school and, socially, he prefers to take them swimming in Bedford.

He says the water is often too cold and told us: “My youngest child’s lips have turned blue through being in the (Spalding) children’s pool.”

Mr Whyte also questions why the Castle “is left to rot” when the council is thinking of spending £2.7million on its offices and why more money can’t be spent on the pool’s upkeep when there are so many paying users.

The outcry comes just as 1Life has begun replacing changing room floors – the women’s will be completed soon, followed by the men’s in February and then the school changing room.

There have also been complaints about the temporary changing room for women but 1Life says it was either that or close the pool.

Coun Taylor said: “I am happy to work with pool users and managers. It’s not good when we hear about people criticising it and going to neighbouring towns. It needs to be run well and it needs to be clean.

“With regards to pool temperature it needs to be consistent.”

ILife contract manager Rachel Fox said the main pool is maintained at 28C and the training pool between 29-31C.

She said: “We have a cleaner and a full team of staff. The lifeguards, as part of their job description, clean the building. A lifeguard can’t stay on pool-side for more than 90 minutes.”

Ms Fox declined to comment on pictures purporting to show mould and dirt in the men’s changing room because she was unable to check when the Free Press visited on Friday as the room was occupied.

She believes flooring at the pool looks dirty when it isn’t.

“A lot of it is to do with the end of the life of the flooring rather than dirt,” said Ms Fox. “When it’s end of life, it’s always going to look worn, isn’t it?”

She says the floors can become muddy when users fail to use blue plastic overshoes supplied.

Ms Fox said 1Life would be happy to supply a door for the men’s changing room. She said people should tell staff straight away if they find a problem “and then we can deal with it”.

Anyone who wants to raise pool issues with Coun Taylor can call him on 07850 077117.

• What do you think? Email lynne.harrison@iliffe
publishing.co.uk

Drivers caught twice using handheld mobiles at the wheel risk automatic driving bans from March 1.

And those caught within two years of passing their tests will be taken straight off the road.

Lincolnshire Police is this week joining other forces across the East Midlands to warn the public about the tough new penalties.

The Goverment has doubled the fine and points respectively to £200 and six – and this time there is no chance to dodge the points by taking a driver awareness course.

The step comes as motoring organisation the RAC 
revealed the number of drivers who admit driving while using a handheld mobile has surged from eight per cent to 31 per cent.

Mum Alice Husband lost her son Seth Dixon (7) in a road accident in December 2014 when the driver was talking hands free on a mobile.

She wants all phone chat while driving banned.

“Talking is the distraction,” said Alice. “Obviously holding the phone in your hand is an additional thing that’s bad. It worries me that people are not getting the message on hands free and the Government hasn’t done more.”

Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership spokesman John Siddle said: “Using a mobile phone whilst driving has long been an offence yet some drivers feel their call is more important than the safety of other road users. Drivers behaving this way are often in the news when tragedy strikes and families are affected but drivers still believe it will not happen to them until it does.”

• What do you think? Email lynne.harrison@
iliffepublishing.co.uk

Jessica Danby (19), of Donington, had everything to live for and life had plenty to give her ahead of, and beyond, October 1, 2015.

The aspiring actress and popular barista (someone who makes and serves coffee to the public) at Caffe Nero in Boston had set her sights on emulating her big screen favourites, Angelina Jolie and Helena Bonham-Carter.

Fatefully, the former Middlecott School (now Thomas Middlecott Academy, Kirton) and New College Stamford student happened to be on the same stretch of road as impatient driver Philip Paddington-Wheatcroft.

Dawn Ducker, Jessica’s mother, said: “She was such a popular girl and had overcome so much.

“After Jessica died I was contacted by people I didn’t even know because she had made such an impact on so many people.

“When she got the job at Caffe Nero, Jess was so excited because she had applied and found it herself.

“She was very good at making different types of coffee, but she also came of of herself and she really blossomed.

“Jessica made so many friends, talking to complete and utter strangers who loved her for who she was.

“One customer came in and, within minutes of talking to him, Jessica found out that he was a pilot and he took her up in an aeroplane.

“Another time she walked into a stonemason’s and just had a go, she was just that kind of girl and nothing bad ever happened to Jess on any of these trips.

“Jess just lived life to the full and I only wish I could have seen what she was going to become.”

A day before she died, Jessica was travelling to Caffe Nero where she worked in dense fog on the A52 in Frampton Fen.

Driving in the opposite direction was Paddington-Wheatcroft at the wheel of a Audi Q7 which crashed head-on into a moped ridden by Jessica after he overtook a HGV tractor unit.

Dawn said: “I was on my break at work when I was called by my eldest daughter Lucy (22) who told me that Jessica had been in an accident.

“At first, I thought she had fallen off her moped which she had done before and was fine.

“Then a policewoman told me that it was serious so all the family met up at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, where it took a long time before I was allowed to go and see Jessica.

“She was transferred to Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, and I was convinced that Jessica was going to be fine and nothing worse was going to happen to us.

“But when the policewoman explanined that Jessica had been hit head-on by a car which had overtaken a lorry on the A15, I just shut down and couldn’t really function.”

The horrific nature of Jessica’s death was revealed at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday when Paddington-Wheatcroft, of Main Road, Sibsey, near Boston, was jailed for two year after he admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Gordon Aspden, prosecuting, said that Jessica had her moped headlights on and was wearing high-visibility clothing while riding in dense fog along the A52 from her Donington home to work in Boston.

Mr Aspden added: “Jessica Danby was 19 years old at the time of her tragic and avoidable death.

“It is plain there was absolutely no fault at all that can be attached to the way that Jess was dressed and to the way she controlled her moped that morning.”

Paddington-Wheatcroft was driving an Audi Q7, the second of two cars behind an articulated lorry tractor unit travelling in the opposite direction to Jessica, towards Donington.

The first car, driven by Graeme Riches, of Leverett Road, Boston, overtook the lorry before he “veered back”, according to Mr Aspden, having seen Jessica approaching.

Mr Aspden said “Paddington-Wheatcroft then overtook (Riches and the lorry).

“Why he took that decision one will never know, but there was no reason to overtake apart from impatience.

“Jess was in a position where she could do nothing to avoid a head-on collision and that is what happened.

“She was fatally injured and her moped was damaged beyond recognition.”

Jessica eventually passed away at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, at about 10.30am on Friday, October 2, 2015, leaving a lasting void for Dawn, father Jim Danby, sisters Lucy, Sian (15) and step-sister Hannah (27).

Dawn said: “For Jessica’s thanksgiving service (at Boston Crematorium on October 21, 2015), I asked people to wear bright clothing because I didn’t want it to be morbid.

“I wanted the service to be a celebration of everything Jessica had achieved and there were pictures of film cameras and film reels on her coffin.

“The theme of the service was blue and it was nice that a lot of people came to remember someone who was so full of ambition and determintation to do stuff.

“Jessica would have made it in becoming an actress because she was so determined and had so much confidence, bringing the best out of other people and always thinking about other people.”

The sharp contrast between Jessica Danby’s selflessness and the “impatience” of Paddington-Wheatcroft who, along with his jail term was also handed a four-year driving ban, was summed up by Judge Simon Hirst.

Passing sentence, the judge said: “Visibility was very poor and what you did was show a gross disregard for the safety of a vulnerable category of road user.”

Dawn said: “We went through all the grief of Jessica’s death and thanksgiving service, but the next thing was when is Paddington-Wheatcroft going to be charged.

“The family were all focused on the hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on June 8 last year and I thought ‘this should be it, this is when we’re going to get our justice for Jessica’.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think Paddington-Wheatcroft would plead ‘Not Guilty’, instead pleading guilty to careless driving which the Crown Prosecution Service wouldn’t have any of.

“So it went to trial and the judge said that the earliest he could hear the case was February 8.

“That was the longest and hardest part, having to wait that long, until Paddington-Wheatcroft changed his plea to “Guilty” shortly before Christmas.

“Nobody will ever know, apart from him, why he did it, but it kind of ruined our Christmas again - after losing Jessica before Christmas 2015.”

The other driver, Riches, faced a charge of dangerous driving as a result of his overtaking manoeuvre moments before the fatal crash.

“But the matter was effectively dropped by the prosecution after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour and ruled to be too ill to attend court, with the charge left to lie on the file.

Dawn said: “I knew that I had to go through Paddington-Wheatcroft’s sentencing, but ever since Christmas last year, I’ve just not slept.

“Paddington-Wheatcroft made things worse by making us wait but when he was taken out of court, Paddington-Wheatcroft looked at me and my father said that he mouthed something like ‘sorry’.

“He’s not a criminal type of person but I hope that prison is hard for him because I couldn’t make someone go through the grief that I’ve gone through.

“I don’t know whether Paddington-Wheatcroft saw Roches overtake the lorry and thought ‘he got round it so I can’.

“But at the end of the day, Riches didn’t force him to make a decision to overtake.

“Paddington-Wheatcroft made that decision all by himself and I hate him for what he has taken away from me and from Jessica.

“All that opportunity, initiative, her infectious laugh and sense of adventure.

“But I’m not going to lower myself to his standards by killing someone and I don’t want to see him again.”

In mitigation, Alexander Stein told the court that Paddington-Wheatcroft felt remorse “for the terrible mistake he made” and that Jessica was totally blameless for “his act of dangerous driving”.

Dawn said: “We have to find a way of moving on but it’s very difficult when Jessica is always on my mind.

“Wherever I go, she’s there and I know that she loves me.”

The “tragic and avoidable” passing of Jessica Danby is still felt by her family and closest friends, 15 months on from her funeral.

Arabella Brooks (21), of Lincoln, said: “Jess was the most beautiful person I’d ever met, both inside and out. “From the first day I met her I knew she was special and the day Jess was taken away from us was the day a part of me left too.

“That piece of me will never be whole again and I just wish for one more day with Jess so I can smile and feel whole again because that’s how I felt around her.

“Knowing Jess is up there looking down on me just makes me want to make her proud every single day.

“Jess’s family is my family and we’re all looking after each other because Jess is such an inspiration and such a star who made so many people smile and laugh.

“She just brightened up every day with your smile and I loved her so much, always have and always will.”

Georgia Quant (20), of Wyberton, said: “I still miss my little Jess and I think about her all the time.

“I love you her so much and will do forever and always.”

Immediately after Jessica’s death was made public, it was impossible not to be moved by the heartfelt and glowing tributes from Middlecott School, New College Stamford and Caffe Nero.

A spokesman for New College Stamford said: “Jess was a vibrant and valued member of the college’s performing arts course.

“She was a committed and diligent student who was very popular with her peers and tutors alike.”

Sue Illingworth, vice principal of Thomas Middlecott Academy, Kirton, said: “There are times when, working in a school, you are blessed in meeting a truly remarkable student.

“Jess Danby was one of these students - effervescent, happy and enthusiastic are some of the positives that describe Jess.

“Her first love was drama and it is in this area that she made her mark with fabulous performances in Murder at the Manor and Little Shop of Horrors, allowing her to develop the ability to play the most amazing characters.

“However, Jess never shied away from the more intense dramatic roles and it is these two aspects of being funny - yet deep - that um up Jess’s approach to life.

“She was a genuinely caring and kind person, nothing was too much trouble for her and although she had only a short life, the impact she made and the memories she has left behind are huge.”

A Caffe Nero spokesman added: “Jess was the nicest person you could hope to meet.

“She was bubbly, bright, and loved by her team and customers at Caffe Nero Boston.”

During her life, Jessica was committed to helping homeless people in Boston through the town’s Centrepoint Outreach charity and had also registered as an organ donor while learning to ride a moped.

Dawn said: “I think about Jessica every single day, knowing she has donated her organs to help four other people get their lives back.

“I got a letter from the organ donation people who told me that three out of the four people had survived because of Jessica.

“But that shows what I always knew, Jessica was kind, loving and would do anything for you.”

Spalding firefighters attended a kitchen fire in the town in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

There was fire damage to a pan and cooker hob at the Cygnet Court property and a neighbour had smothered the fire with a damp towel.

Crews inspected and ventilated the property. The blaze had been caused by too much oil in the pan and it had spilt over on to the hob ring. There were no injuries

Firefighters from Donington attended a tumble dryer fire in a house on Arnhem Way yesterday afternoon (Monday).

The fire, at 5.17pm,was caused by an electrical fault and there was heat damage to the timing switch.

Average speed cameras on the A16 Crowland bypass have caught two drivers travelling at more than 100mph in the 60mph limit.

And 30-40 drivers are being caught speeding every single week on a stretch of road that has already claimed eight lives since it opened in 2010.

Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership spokesman John Siddle says there are multiple, average speed check camera warning signs and the camera gantries are clearly visible, but it could be that some people do not understand how an average speed camera system works.

There are six cameras and each one takes a picture of a vehicle’s registration number – after going past one camera, the system detects whether you get to the next one too quickly.

Mr Siddle explained: “It does not measure your speed when you pass the camera, it measures the time you take to travel between the cameras.”

The system only went live on December 5 and road safety chiefs are staggered by the two “massive” speeds recorded.

Mr Siddle said: “There’s already been incidents where two drivers were over 100mph and those cases are pending and will go to court.”

Crowland district councillor Bryan Alcock said: “I am not at all surprised that some people don’t understand average speed cameras but, to be candid, that’s their hard luck.

“Unfortunately, as bad as it is for the people getting caught, they need to be caught if they are speeding.”

County, district and parish councillors in Crowland have welcomed the cameras as a first step to reducing the fatal and serious accident toll on the A16 but they would still like to see improvements to junctions where lives have been claimed.

Although the cameras catch 30-40 speeding motorists each week, Coun Alcock says he has noticed the system has started to have an affect by slowing traffic using the road.

Coun Alcock says: “The proof of the pudding will be in the eating as to whether it actually reduces the amount of accidents on the road.”

County councillor Nigel Pepper says it’s “alarming” that two drivers have been caught driving at speeds topping 100mph.

He said: “As speed has been a contributory factor in the majority of accidents on this stretch of road the introduction of average speed cameras is welcomed and has been effective in slowing down the majority of drivers.

“However, it’s disappointing to hear that several motorists are still speeding and alarming to say the least that have been monitored travelling in excess of 100 mph – I trust they will be dealt with appropriately by the Courts.

“Being painted yellow the cameras are clearly visible and there are ‘Average Speed Check’ signs at the start of the zone and numerous repeater signs within the zone so no one has an excuse in getting caught for speeding.

“I still have concerns however over the safety of the A16/B1166 junction where numerous serious road traffic collisions have occurred, also there is an ever increasing amount of traffic using James Road as a ‘rat-run’, both of which need serious consideration by the highways authority.”

• As well as eight fatal crashes on the A16 bypass, there have been 17 serious collisions.

The Crowland camera system transmits speeding offences straight away to the police central ticket office, where paperwork is produced and sent to drivers.

Average speed cameras installed on the A52 at Ropsley, near Grantham, around six years ago have cut collisions at the former accident blackspot by more than 57 per cent and reduced the number of people injured by more than 70 per cent.

Veteran fundraiser June Wright and her husband Don will be giving Sue Ryder’s Thorpe Hall Hospice £3,500 thanks to a hugely successful race night at Spalding Golf Club.

Some 113 race goers turned out on Saturday night and the total was boosted thanks to Don gaining sponsorship from friends and farmers.

June (70) began fundraising for the Peterborough-based hospice, which caters for people in the Spalding area, with her first husband, David Mason, who sadly died 20 years ago aged 55.

She says the care given by hospice staff is second to none.

“I can’t tell anybody the warmth I get when I go to Thorpe Hall,” said June. “It’s just unbelievable.”

Over the last year, June and her friends have continued to raise thousands for the hospice.

More than £1,500 came from a wedding fair staged at Ayscoughfee Hall and June, along with a dedicated team of knitters, made a further £1,390 from selling handmade chicks at a £1 a time.

Those joining the knitting project were Jean Gray, Jean Woodhead, Kay Allen, Teresa Howes and Lisa Thomas.

The chicks were themed for different events, including Halloween and Christmas, and the team sold a further 20 on Saturday night when each of the chicks was wearing a jockey’s cap.

Lincolnshire Police has entered into a partnership with the national organisation DogLost UK so they can work together in the event of a lost/found or stolen dog in the county.

The force control room now has new procedures in place to advise owners what to do in the event of their dog being lost or stolen.

Being separated from your pet can cause heartache for families who treat their dog as part of their family andgetting information out on social media can play in key part in finfing them. The LincsAlert messaging system will be a key part of this process with messages being issued to over 19,000 members across Lincolnshire in the event of a stolen dog.

DogLost UK was founded in 2003 with the sole aim of reuniting lost and stolen dogs with their owners.

The efforts of volunteers are channelled by area and regional coordinators, who work across a geographical region to direct activity. These volunteers are supported by a central admin team, who maintain the website and keep the profiles of dogs up to date.

DogLost UK is proud of the partnerships it is building with police forces, dog wardens, rescue centres, and animal welfare organisations.

Dogs with no identification, which were stolen from homes and dumped hundreds of miles away, were reunited with their delighted owners thanks to the efforts of those who checked on the website.

In turn, the organisation will work with police to share information on dog theft, crime patterns, offending hotspots, and intelligence on offenders.

To date they have reunited over 59,000 dogs.

Owners can preregister their dog’s information on the Dog Lost UK website – www.doglost.co.uk – which will enable details to be circulated immediately should the dog become separated from its owner.

All LincsAlert members will also be notified of stolen dogs – visit www.lincolnshirealert.co.uk to register.

A PE teacher at Spalding Grammar School is setting a fine example for his students by running in this year’s London Marathon.

Chris Crane (34), of Spalding, has set himself the target of finishing the 26.2-mile race on Sunday, April 23, in about four hours.

Mr Crane also hopes to raise at least £1,800 for Asthma UK after he was diagnosed with the condition himself as a two-year-old.

He said: “My training is going well and I’m starting to do a bit more longer runs which I’m getting into.

“It’s a strange thing to say when it comes to marathon running but I’m enjoying my training and I’m having lots of support from students, staff and parents.

“The London Marathon is something I’ve always wanted to do and I watched it last year thinking if I could get to the next level.

“I’m really looking forward to it, even though it’s going to be a massive challenge with the pain I’m going to be in.”

Mr Crane, head of Moulton House at Spalding Grammar School, is the fifth entrant for the London Marathon to be profiled by the Lincolnshire Free Press and our sister newspaper, the Spalding Guardian, this year.

The PE teacher is also the second runner to be raising money for Asthma UK, alongside Sutton Bridge sweets and chocolate maker Adrian Pitt (35) who was featured in last week’s Free Press.

Mr Crane said: “My asthma was quite severe, but I never used it as a barrier for participating in sport.

“It’s something I know the effects of through Asthma UK, a charity that has supported me for 30 years.

“Asthma UK has given me an awareness of how to deal with asthma by medication, administering and controlling it.

“So I’m aiming to raise about £1,800 as a way of giving something back to a charity that educated me about asthma.”

Good luck messages for Mr Crane and pledges of sponsorship have come in from students and parents, taking him more than a quarter of the way towards his £1,800 target, with three months of hard training still to go.

He said: “I’m looking forward to getting out there on the streets of London and seeing some of the sites.

“My two daughters and other family members are coming down to support me and to pick me up at the end of the race.

“All I’m concerned about now is getting injured so close to the big day.”

To sponsor Mr Crane, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=ChristopherCrane2

Five talented students at schools in Spalding and Bourne are on course for places at the UK’s top universities this autumn.

Four Year 13 boys at Spalding Grammar School, Tom Birdseye (18), Robert Collison (17), James Rhodes and Calvin Wilson (both 18), could be heading to Oxford or Cambridge University in September.

All that stands between them and the university of their dreams are months of revision ahead of their A-level exams this summer.

Robert, who has an offer from Hertford College, Oxford, to study biological sciences, said: “It was a very long process which started off last summer after getting our AS and GCSE results.

“We realised that we were in a position to apply for Oxford or Cambridge and then started to build our personal statements, with our exam results on them.”

James, who has a place to study computer science at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, said: “Before being put on a shortlist, our AS grades were assessed and then we were told that we were being put forward for interview.

“The four of us had between one and three days where we were stayed at the colleges during our interviews, before having a long wait to find out that we’d been given an offer.”

Tom, Head Boy at Spalding Grammar School, said: “My parents were very pleased when I found out that I’d been offered a place at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, to study geography.

“It’s a mixture of feelings when you’re told, firstly relief, then you want to be happy for yourself until it dawns on you how much work there is to do.”

Calvin, who has a place at The Queen’s College, Oxford, to study chemistry, said: “Our friends are quite happy for us, even though there’s a certain amount of teasing as well.

“But you just handle it and carry on.”

Robert said: “It’s difficult to find a balance between my studies and other interests, but it is possible.

“We’ve all made a certain amount of sacrifices in doing our schoolwork, but we’ll be putting in even more effort now.”

Headmaster Steven Wilkinson said: “I am delighted for Tom, Robert, James and Calvin who have all worked hard and succeeded in a very competitive process.

“Last year we had two offers and this year we have doubled the number so, as Headmaster, that makes me very proud.

“I am also grateful to those members of staff who have supported the students with their applications and who will continue to support them as they work towards securing the required grades.”

Meanwhile, Bourne Academy deputy head boy Ben Jagger (18) has become the first student in the school’s history to be offered a place at Oxford University.

Ben, who is set to attend St Anne’s College, Oxford, to study materials science, said: “Although I am the first person from Bourne Academy to be offered a place at the University of Oxford, I am sure that I won’t be the last.

“I would like to thank the teachers and support staff at Bourne Academy who have been very supportive and helped me with all areas of my application.

“I would recommend to anyone who is predicted to earn high grades in their A-levels to have the confidence to apply to one of the top universities because it is important to aim as high as you can.

“I have shown that you don’t have to go to a selective school to be successful.’

Ben, who passed the physics entrance exam at St Anne’s College with one of the highest marks amongst this year’s students, is predicted to achieve straight As in his maths, physics, chemistry and further maths A-Level exams this summer.

Laurence Reilly, executive head teacher at Bourne Academy, said: “We are all very proud of Ben’s achievements as he is a very popular student who always has a smile on his face.

“Ben is very proud of the school, especially as he is the latest member of his family to excel here after his mother Dr Judith Jagger did so before.”

Dr Jagger, who teaches science at the school and is in charge of its more able programme, and her husband Steven said: “We are very grateful for all the support Ben has received from Bourne Academy during the preparation for his application to Oxford University, the Physics Aptitude Test and the interviews.

“Teachers have given up their time to help him prepare for the exam and mock interviews have been arranged with Helen Pollard from the Institute of Physics.

“The school even had to register as an exam centre for the test so that Ben could sit it in school with the minimum of stress.

“We hope that other able students at non-selective schools in Lincolnshire will realise that this should not be a barrier to aspiring to earn places at top universities.

“The important thing is to try as you always regret opportunities that you did not take.”

Plans to replace a 19th century chapel at Whaplode Cemetery with a memorial garden look set to go ahead after public support.

Whaplode Parish Council is to hold talks with leaders of St Mary’s Church in the village to go forward with scheme later this year.

The idea of creating a memorial garden at the cemetery in Wesley Road, Whaplode, first emerged last August when it was revealed that the cost of renovating the chapel, built in 1893, would be an estimated £20,000.

A statement from Whaplode Parish Council at the time said: “Plans have been confirmed to extend the cemetery on land next to the current site as there are now only a few unreserved plots left in the existing cemetery.

“Whilst this work is carried out, it is also planned to demolish the unused chapel which is in a poor state due to its age and some vandalism.

“Councillors have considered renovating the building but, with an estimated £20,000 needed just to make the building secure, they do not think it is a prudent use of council tax monies.

“Our current plans are to turn the chapel’s site into a garden of remembrance where visitors can sit and reflect, with the current drive and turning circle to be renewed at the same time.

“After these works have been carried out, the cemetery should serve the needs of the community for the next 25 years.”

However, plans to demolish the chapel saddened John Welch, whose late brother Alec was a parish councillor for 25 years.

John said: “Myself and others in the village would like to see the chapel saved like the one in Holbeach Cemetery.

“It could be used for services where people don’t want to have a church service or cremation ceremony as there are a lot of people who want this kind of burial.

“Also, I don’t want to see it demolished for sentimental reasons as my family and other people think it is a nice, old chapel and it would be a shame to just knock it down.”

Whaplode parish councillor Graham Barlow said: “We’ve had very little objection to the plans and although no decision has been finalised yet, the parish council intends for the chapel to be demolished.

“Then the site will be landscaped to create a memorial garden which will tie in with the extensions to the cememtery itself.

“There’s no definite timetable as yet but I’d imagine that work will start within the next 12 months, with the long-term plan to do some maintenance work on the cemetery site.

“Once the memorial garden is finished, the whole site will be fit for purpose for the next 30 to 40 years.

“It our duty to provide a cemetery for Whaplode and that’s what we’re doing.”

Villager ready to fight for future of Whaplode Cemetery Chapel

Two-stage plan to expand Whaplode Cemetery

Over 4,000 revved up to the 31st annual Springfields Motorbike Show over the weekend.

Bike enthusiasts of all ages and many families enjoyed the two-day extravaganza.

Many clubs were in attendance, accessories were on sale, and visitors could admire classic and custom bikes as well as the latest offerings from manufacturers.

Those attending also enjoyed the opportunity to meet celebrity guest Ian Hutchinson and the TT racer was happy to sign copies of his book, pose for photographs and answer questions.

Organiser Claire Lunn, of Independent Events Management, has taken over from husband Jason, who ran the event for the previous seven years.

She said: “It went really well. Visitors were mostly local but we also had people arriving from Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Nottinghamshire and even Shropshire.

“For many it’s the chance to have their first ride of the year and to meet up with friends.”

She said that next year’s event will be held over the same weekend, January 20 and 21, 2018.

• Two pages of pictures in tomorrow’s (Thursday’s) Spalding Guardian.

More volunteers are being sought to put a stop to illegal fish thefts from South Holland rivers.

The Angling Trust and Environment Agency have 21 volunteer bailiffs patrolling Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire with four of those based in Spalding and South Holland.

More are expected to join the Voluntary Bailiff Service (VBS) following a fresh appeal for help in tackling the growing issue of fish theft, sometimes due to migrants who don’t know England’s laws – and sometimes organised removal of fish for sale on the black market.

Paul Thomas, regional enforcement manager for the Eastern Angling Trust, said: “It is widely accepted that in Lincolnshire there are issues and concerns amongst anglers surrounding migrant anglers illegally removing fish from the waterways to eat.

“On occasion this may be due to the migrant angler not being aware of the law in England regarding the need to purchase an Environment Agency rod licence and obtain permission to fish the water prior to fishing, but it is also possible that the migrant angler may not be aware of the laws surrounding the removal of freshwater fish, as it is perfectly natural for them to do so in their own country.”

Byelaws restrict the size and number of freshwater fish that can be legally removed, but if the controlling club for the water state that no fish are to be removed from their waters, then no fish can be legally removed.

The trust is engaged in the Building Bridges scheme whereby Polish and Lithuanian speaking staff try to educate migrant anglers on how to fish legally.

Mr Thomas said there is also growing concern surrounding migrant anglers who knowingly illegally remove fish for the pot and about people who are engaged in the organised removal of fish from the waterways, using gill nets and baited long-lines, for sale on the black market.

Anyone interested in volunteering can email karen.sarkar@anglingtrust.net – an induction day takes place in Grantham on May 6.

• What do you think? Email lynne.harrison@iliffepublishing.co.uk

An eastern European grocery shop has been refused its second application to sell alcohol since being banned from doing so in 2015 when a police raid found counterfeit booze and cigarettes.

Applicant Ernesta Tamutyte had claimed Global Foods in Spalding was in the hands of her partner Marius Legavicius when it was raided in November 2015, but new evidence showed she was joint owner at the time.

This fatally undermined her credibility and meant any suggestion of her running the Winsover Road premises properly could not be taken seriously, said police.

Miss Tamutyte applied for a premises licence before a panel of the committee of South Holland District Council’s Licensing Authority yesterday (Wednesday).

She said she would uphold licensing laws by installing prominent signs warning of noise disturbance, having a fully operational CCTV system, keeping an up-to-date incident book and training staff as to their responsibilities regarding the sale of alcohol.

She claimed previous problems were the fault of her partner and that she would run the shop properly.However, when challenged she admitted she had previously signed false entries in the refusals register under the instruction of her partner which “fatally undermined” her credibility.

Lincolnshire Police had objected to the new application on the grounds of crime and disorder and public safety.

They said that when the store previously lost its licence for keeping smuggled goods, Miss Tamutyte’s partner Marius Legavicius was the owner. After a failed application to transfer him on to the licence, she tried to re-licence the premises in May 2016.

It has since transpired that she was joint owner of the shop when the smuggled cigarettes were sold and other licence breaches committed.

“Any suggestion that she can be given the responsibility to run the premises properly cannot be taken seriously,” police said.

“Miss Tamutyte’s evidenced history of involvement with Mr Legavicius and associated criminality shows that she is unable to prevent crime and disorder.

“The three recent deaths in Spalding from a fire, started with a discarded illegal cigarette, highlight the issues that are directly attributable to this sort of criminal behaviour.”

They said they did not believe there has been any change of owner and the fact it is now known she was co-owner back in November 2015 makes the application even weaker.

A Bourne Road resident also made a submission to the panel, saying Global Foods customers often park cars in the pedestrian paved area in the middle of the traffic light system.

She said shop customers have also previously stood around drinking and smoking, which she found intimidating, adding there is already a street drinking problem in Spalding, which often leads to drinkers urinating outdoors in the daytime.

The panel – made up of three district councillors – heard the shop had a poor history of compliance with licencing conditions.

It had also demonstrated behaviour that undermined the crime prevention objective, particularly with regards to illegal alcohol and cigarettes and faking documents.

The premises held an alcohol licence until September 2015, when it was revoked for selling non-duty cigarettes and booze. Moulton mother-of-two Miss Tamutyte applied for the licence to be reinstated last May, but was unsuccessful.

During the last hearing she said she would present a clean slate, but it soon became apparent she had lied about entries on the refusal register.

Miss Tamutyte claimed to the fresh hearing that she had learned her lesson and appealed for a fresh chance.

However, in making its decision, the panel of Couns Angela Harrison (chair), Michael Booth and Harry Drury said: “There is good evidence to suggest the applicant was involved in running the business prior to the test purchase of illegal cigarettes.

“Indeed the applicant when answering questions conceded that she on a few occasions had sold illegal cigarettes.

“In light of the poor history of these premises and the proposal that it would remain under the management of one of the people who had allowed unlawful activity to take place, the only step which would be appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives is to refuse the application.

“There are no conditions that would alleviate the concerns the panel have, particularly with regard to the prevention of crime and disorder.”

• By law, Miss Tamutyte has 21 days to appeal the decision. She had hoped to sell alcohol seven days-a-week, 8.30am to 10pm.

A Donington man who was found asleep in his car in the middle of the road in the early hours of Christmas Day has been banned from driving.

Ingus Laipnicks (31), of Market Place, admitted being in charge of a motor vehicle whilst having excess alcohol in his breath, when he appeared before magistrates in Boston.

Jim Clare, prosecuting, said police found Laipnicks asleep in his car with the engine running, stationary in the middle of Wygate Road in Spalding in the early hours of Christmas Day.

He said another car had been forced to drive around it.

Laipnicks gave a positive breath test and was arrested and gave a reading of 85 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Mitigating, Elizabeth Harte said Laipnicks had ‘an imperfect recollection of events’ and could not explain what he was doing when the police arrived.

He was fined £165 with £105 in costs and charges and 10 points were put on his licence which meant that with previous points already there, he was banned from driving for 12 months under the totting-up procedure.

Three building society branches in Spalding, Market Deeping and Bourne are to close as part of an overhaul by a leading high street name.

Yorkshire Building Society, which runs Norwich and Peterborough (N&P) Building Society, has announced its plans to shut 48 branches across the UK due to the rise of online banking.

N&P branches in Sheep Market, Spalding, North Street, Bourne, and Market Place, Market Deeping, are among the branches listed for closure.

Mike Regnier, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Building Society, said: “The driving forces behind the proposed branch closures are shifts in market conditions and an increasing desire among customers to transact digitally, rather than on the high street.

“Therefore, we no longer believe it is the right commercial position for us to continue to maintain these 48 branches across the N&P and Yorkshire Building Society network.

“The N&P brand has been part of Yorkshire Building Society since 2011 and, inevitably, some of our colleagues and members will be disappointed by these proposals.

“However, the values of the N&P and Yorkshire brands are synonymous and we believe that by operating with Yorkshire Building Society as our sole high street brand, it will allow us to run the business more effectively and efficiently, enabling us to deliver better products and services for our members.”

All 14 defendants in Boston Magistrates Court on Wednesday faced allegations of offending behaviour – mainly involving alcohol– on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Among them was Shaun Meirion Highcock (32), of Black Prince Avenue, Market Deeping, who was conditionally discharged for 18 months after he admitted being drunk and disorderly on Christmas Eve, after he was seen going up various garden paths and kicking street signs while walking along Park Road in Spalding.

“I’ll make sure I get a taxi home in future,” he told the magistrates, who also ordered him to pay £105 in costs and charges.

Banned after driving with excess alcohol was Dawid Busa (27), of Lewis Court in Spalding, whose alcohol level was four times the permitted level when police found him driving his Citroen van in New River Drove in Spalding in the early hours of Boxing Day.

He was disqualified from driving for 31 months and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work for the community and to pay £85 in costs.

Dean Luke (34), of Bowditch Road, Spalding, crashed his car into a tree in the early evening of Christmas Eve and was found to have 70 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

He was also found to be in possession of a bladed article in a public place, as well as driving without a valid driving licence or insurance.

He told police he was selling the car and had gone for ‘one last blast’ and his solicitor Phillipa Chatterton said the car had been insured and displaying ‘L’ plates until quite recently and Luke had decided to give it a half mile run after finding a buyer for the car.

She also told the magistrates that he used the Stanley knife for his work and had taken it from the car when he realised he would have to leave it as it was a write-off, but admitted he hadn’t worked for two months.

He was banned from driving for 20 months but was offered the drink driving course which would reduce the period of his ban by 20 weeks.

He was also fined a total of £360 for all the offences and £105 in costs and charges.