Lincolnshire Police has received information that there may be a gathering of hare coursers somewhere in the county on Saturday.

A dispersal order has been put in place, giving officers the power to direct people to leave the county if they are suspected of being involved in hare coursing.

Extra officers will be patrolling the county and its rural communities are asked to be extra vigilant and report any suspected hare coursing on 101 or 999 if in progress.

Hare coursing is a cruel and illegal activity where dogs are released by people trespassing in a farmer’s field to chase hares. Often attending in large groups, the ‘hare coursers’ gamble on the event and the aim isn’t for the dog to simply catch the hare – the dogs score points for making the poor animal change direction.

The exhausted hare is eventually caught and savagely killed before being thrown in a ditch to hide the evidence.

Hare coursers are often from outside of our county and there is a fear that they may be involved in other types of crime including the theft of rural equipment, irresponsible and dangerous driving, and driving vehicles unfit for the road.

A police spokesman said: “We recognise this is a growing problem in Lincolnshire and understandably it is causing unrest amongst our farming and rural communities. Farmers are growing increasingly frustrated at damage being caused to their fields and those that do stand up to hare coursers are subjected to extremely threatening and intimidating behaviour, and sometimes violence.

“Lincolnshire Police are using all available legislation to seize dogs, vehicles and arrest offenders where possible, and achieve positive outcomes for victims through prosecutions.”

The Ryman National Enterprise Challenge is the largest schools enterprise competition in the UK, and their team came to The Deepings School to work with the year 9 group.

During the course of Friday, February 3, students worked in 44 mixed groups and were set a task by Ryman Stationery. They had to design and develop a brand new mobile or tablet app for Ryman, with the help of representatives from the National Challenge organisation.

Activities included allocating a project manager, a mind mapping and idea generation task, exploring the concept of marketing and branding, determining the price and designing an advert, script and poster.

There were some brilliant ideas throughout the day, and students worked hard to accomplish their tasks.

The winning team go forward to the prestigious national finals in July and have the opportunity to pitch their idea on stage to former Dragons Den star Theo Paphitis and a panel of high-profile judges.

Well done to table 20, made up of Michael Mulqueen, Mia Holmes, Freddy Moore, Tyler Mayoh and Madaleine Girvan, who were judged to be the team with the most innovative and well thought out app design entitled Ryman Run – a fantastic achievement in view of the number of teams taking part.

They will travel to the finals with the full support of the school on the day.

• More pictures in Tuesday’s Free Press.

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

January 10

Jack Bishenden (19), of Ibstock Close, Tydd St Mary. Failed to comply with terms of sexual offences act by failing to notify police of an alias name. 4 months prison sentence suspended for 2 years, £115 v/s, £85 costs. Communicated or attempted to communicate with a child under 16 years. 4 months prison sentence consecutive to offence number one, suspended for 2 years. Possession of indecent images of children. Further 4 months consecutive to offence number one suspended for 2 years. Rehabilitation activity requirement on all three offences.

January 11

James Winter (18), of Princess Road, Kirton. Took a vehicle without the owners consent (Boston). £120 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs. No separate penalty for no insurance, 6pts. No separate penalty for speeding, no MOT and for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Ceri Marks (45), of Holbeach road, Spalding. Criminal damage (Spalding). 12 months conditional discharge, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Chloe Tween (23), of Marshlands Drive, Holbeach. Driving whilst unfit through drugs (Sutterton). £340 fine, £34 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months.

January 18

Harry Issitt (21), of Broadgate, Weston Hills. Drug driving (Pinchbeck). £200 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Simon Hallam (37), of Bowgate, Gosberton. Assault (Gosberton). 24 months conditional discharge, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Tomasz Rabiega (35), of Cradge Bank, Spalding. Assault (Spalding). 2 years conditional discharge, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Peter English (55), of Angell Lane, Holbeach. Passed counterfeit £20 note. 26 weeks prison sentence, £115 v/s, £20 note to be forfeited and destroyed.

Callum Redden (21), of St Johns Road, Weston Hills. Drunk and disorderly (Spalding). £100 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs.

January 20

Justin Snart (40), of Kemp Street, Crowland. Drink driving (Crowland). £1,000, £100 v/s, £400 costs, disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Lincoln Magistrates’ Court

January 11

Ricky Bailey (31), of NFA. Criminal damage (Spalding). £175 fine, £100 compensation, £30 v/s, £85 costs. No separate penalty for possession of cannabis. Cannabis to be forfeited and destroyed.

Matthew Peake (30), of Bourne Road, Folkingham. Drug driving (Grantham). £200 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months.

January 12

Carina Alves (46), of Regent Street, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £40 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Saulius Arhonas (48), of Regent Street, Spalding. Failed to give driver ID (Spalding. £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Susan Ebbage (58), of Huntingdon Close, Holbeach. Speeding (Cowbit). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Mareks Kleins (25), of Saundergate Lane East, Wyberton. No insurance (Boston). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Stefan Kreiter (46), of London Road, Boston. Speeding (Sutterton). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Beverley Lewis (45), of St Marks Road, Holbeach St Marks. Speeding (Whaplode). £80 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Rytis Petkelis (49), of Horseshoe Lane, Kirton. Speeding (Cross O’Cliff Hill, Lincoln). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Rytis Petkelis (49), of Horseshoe Lane, Kirton. Speeding (Bunkers Hill, Lincoln). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

January 13

Rachel Foste (39), of The Delph, Pode Hole. Driving without a seat belt (Spalding). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs.

David Jenkins (44), of Burnside Avenue, Market Deeping. Driving without due care and attention (Market Deeping). £100 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Darren Starr (55), of Barrier Bank, Cowbit. Speeding (Cowbit). £100 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

January 14

Richard Dales (52), of Double Street, Spalding. Failed to provide a specimen of blood (Boston). £80 fine, £30 v/s, £40 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months. No separate penalty for possession of cannabis.

January 16

Ryan Bloor (22), of Main Road, Dyke. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months.

Adam Ivory (32), of Kirkgate, Tydd St Giles. Speeding (Long Sutton). £230 fine, £23 v/s, £85 costs.

January 19

Steven Charnock (41), of Redhouse Lane, Disley, Cheshire. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Jonas Dankus (45), of Medina Walk, Spalding. Speeding (Whaplode). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Pawel Hajdukiewicz (35), of Wilberforce Road, Wisbech. Speeding (Whaplode). £80 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Emil Otves (40), of Grange Road, Moseley and Kings Heath, Birmingham. Speeding (Whaplode). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Charlotte Pattle (40), of Beaufort Drive, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £100 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Simon Peacher (42), of Acacia Avenue, Spalding. Speeding (Sutterton). £100 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Liviu Pruteanu (23), of Wygate Road, Spalding. Speeding (Cranwell). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Catia Silva (35), of Nursery Way, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £150 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Norman Stanley (74), of Tattershall Road, Boston. Speeding (Spalding). £260 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

RURAL MATTERS: By Tim Machin of the Campaign to Protect Rural England

I’m partial to a nice pork pie and bit of cheese and since I moved to Lincolnshire a few years ago, I have been searching for the local foods that tickle my taste-buds.

As an East Midlander I was brought up on Melton Mowbray pie, Stilton and Red Leicester (preferably aged or smoked), but have been exploring Lincolnshire’s produce and developing new favourites.

We are overrun with choice. Most of our staple greens, spuds and salads are grown on our doorstep with many available at the farmgate, as fresh as if they had come off the allotment.

At a reception CPRE Lincolnshire held at Grimsthorpe Castle in September, we laid on a cold buffet of wholly Lincolnshire produce, most of it sourced within 25 miles of the venue.

Cooked meats and my new favourite pork pies from a butcher in the Deepings; mustard and pickles from a small scale producer in Pode Hole, artisan bread and savouries from a baker near Heckington, some wonderful Lincolnshire cheeses from across the county and wine from a vineyard near Grantham.

Much of the pleasure in putting together the menu was the ‘auditions’. I reacquainted myself with haslet after many years, was too squeamish for chine but discovered Skegness Blue cheese, now one of my all-time favourites. You have to hunt for it as not many shops sell it yet, but it’s worth it. Shopping becomes a pleasure again.

In Lincolnshire we are surrounded by farm produce and we could all live very well from food sourced within five miles from where we live.

Instead, we traipse off to the supermarket and buy stuff that may have come from a field next door, via a 250 mile journey from farm, to processing plant to distribution warehouse and then finally back to the supermarket, but might also have been flown in from Kenya. It all then sits in the fridge for a couple of weeks and then a lot of it (apparently worth £60 a month for the average family) gets thrown away. Buying locally means you help our local farmers; money that literally gets ‘ploughed back’ into the local economy.

President Trump is ‘putting America first’. Britain, post the Brexit vote, is putting Britain first. I say ‘put local foods first’. Let’s support our local farmers and food businesses. Buy from the farm gate, from local markets – especially farmers markets, from farm shops and when you do go to the supermarket, look out for Lincolnshire produce.

If you want to join the hunt for great local food, have a look at the ‘Big Barn’, ‘Farma’ or ‘Country Markets’ websites for ideas about where to start. The Campaign to Protect Rural England has also just produced a free Local Food pocket guide. If you would like a copy then drop me an email to cpre
lincolnshire@aol.com

Enjoy the hunt and the pleasure of eating what you discover.

An ex-Royal Navy seaman who became the voice of farmers and growers in South Holland has been handed a major promotion.

Gordon Corner is to leave his post as county adviser for the NFU’s Holland (Lincs) county branch to take up the role as the farming union’s regional director for the East Midlands.

Mr Corner, who spent 33 years on naval service which included two spells on the Royal Yacht Britannia, will take over from Richard Hezlet, who retires on February 28 after ten years as regional director.

Speaking about his new post, Mr Corner said: “I am delighted to be taking over from Richard who, for the past ten years, has steered NFU East Midlands through some difficult times.

“I am grateful to Richard for his guidance and friendship and I know I speak for fellow staff and our members when I wish him a long and happy retirement.

“The East Midlands region has the most diverse and varied agriculture in the UK and I look forward to supporting our farmers and growers as we work towards a successful Brexit.

“I am keen to increase the numbers of farmers and growers who are members of the NFU so that their interests are represented along with our existing members.

“As the NFU’s strapline says, ‘There’s strength in numbers’ which is as true today as it was when that first group of Lincolnshire farmers met to form the very first farming union in 1904.

“NFU has an incredibly strong voice for farming whether that’s at a local, regional, national or international level and we will continue to represent members, whether that’s on Brexit or any of the hundreds of other issues that affect our industry.”

Mr Corner has worked with farmers across South Holland and the Deepings on the problem of hare coursing which he claimed was “out of control in Lincolnshire”.

Responding to the Spalding Guardian’s story last week that reports of hare coursing in South Holland had dropped by nine per cent between September and December last year, compared to the same period in 2015, Mr Corner said: “The NFU finds that these figures don’t correspond to what is being reported by farmers and growers.”

An ever-changing world of colour and scents is attracting people to a shop just a short walk from Crowland Abbey.

Passiflora’s in South Street is a gift shop that combines interior design, herbal remedies, Fairtrade products and even recycled jewellery.

The shop is the creation of Sally Sanders who worked in corporate interiors for 15 years during which time she also gained a first class degree in herbal medicine from the University of Westminster.

Sally said: “I have a background in interior design so arts and crafts, textiles and colours have been part of my life.

“But I was spending alll my time in an office, on a computer, when I love working with people and teaching.

“So after turning 50 last year, I started making a list of all the things I wanted to do and Passiflora’s was one of them.

“The idea of it is to bring together gifts, accessories, cosmetics and herbal medicines, along with workshops and support for local artists and craftspeople.

“In the spring, I’ll also be doing herbal walks and talks to show how you can help people to reconnect with nature.”

The shop’s name is taken from the Latin term passiflora incarnata, more commonly known as maypop, purple passionflower or true passionflower.

Sally’s dreams for Passiflora’s took root after moving to Crowland with her husband two-and-a-half years ago, setting up shop in a town which she identifies with more than most of its residents.

She said: “On my mother’s side, our ancestors come from Crowland and I believe that five of them are buried in front of Crowland Abbey.

“In addition, my dad used to bring me to the Abbey when I was younger so I know there’s always been a lot going on around it with its history.

“But coming back here to live, I’ve been surprised by how many visitors Crowland gets, people passing through to look at the Abbey and Trinity Bridge.

“There are lots of really lovely people here and we have an active community in Crowland who can help Passiflora’s by supporting the shop.

“Our customer base is quite varied, from young mothers with young children to retired ladies who are buying gifts for their family, friends and grandchildren.

“Passiflora’s opened in October 2016 and I was really busy in the run-up to Christmas, with lots of positive feedback from local residents.

“The general response I’ve had about the shop is ‘it’s really lovely’, ‘you have some beautiful things’, and ‘it’s something different’.”

This month, Passiflora’s is hosting a series of workshop and craft events to run alongside its normal sales of greetings cards, artwork, hand-made wrapping paper, knitwear and jewellery.

They include a Creative Origami Gift Boxes mini-workshop on Wednesday, February 22, between 1pm and 3pm, and an Introduction to Keeping Sketchbooks on Saturday, February 25, from 1.30pm ’til 3.30pm.

Both workshops will be led by Crowland-based artist Jackie Devereux who was elected President of the Society of Graphic Fine Art in February 2014.

Sally said: “I’d like to see the workshops really take off because it’s a really nice, community thing to put them on.

“I used to be an adult education tutor in Milton Keynes, both in interior design and herbal medicines, so I think Passiflora’s is a great place at which to have workshops running.

“They are bringing people into Crowland from places like Boston and Peterborough which helps the town by getting the community involved in crafts.

“So whether old or young, the thing people have in Crowland is an appreciation for something that’s a bit different and Passiflora’s is an eclectic mix of nice things.”

Next week’s featured business will be Clark’s Family Eyecare of Donington.

The search is on to find the next Moultons Citizen of the Year and the net has been thrown wider for this year.

Any villager from Moulton, Moulton Chapel, Moulton Seas End and Moulton Marsh can both nominate, and be nominated, for community and charitable work across the parish.

But this year, work outside the area also be considered for recognition at an awards evening in Moulton Chapel on Tuesday, April 4.

A spokesman for The Moultons Parish Council, which organises the annual award, said: “We are very proud of our villages and the people who live in them.

“We hope that through the Citizen of the Year competition, we can show our appreciation for residents who go above and beyond to create the great community we have.

“This year, we have opened things up a bit so that it includes any good or charitable work done by people in the local area, not just within the villages of the Moultons’ parish.

“These people deserve recognition for their selfless devotion to good causes and the community because their achievements make them the role models and backbones to our villages.

“Therefore, the least we can do is to publicly recognise them in this award ceremony.”

This year’s winner will succeed Margaret Horn who was named Good Citizen of the Year 2016 for her work at Moulton Community Centre and for delivering the area’s Village Voice magazine.

Mrs Horn, who was a “bit surprised” to be named Citizen of the Year 2016, said: “I had no idea I would win as helping the community is second nature to me.

“It’s just the way I am and I’ve been doing this sort of thing all my life.”

To get a nomination form, call 07949 319559 or email clerk.moulton@gmail.com

People in the Deepings and Bourne are being invited to clean up their area as part the Great British Spring Clean next month.

From Friday, March 3 to Sunday, March 5, inspired people can take action by organising a few hours of litter picking and cleaning up pavements, streets and parks where they live and work.

South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) is ready to hand out litter pickers, gloves and high visibility vests to help volunteers who join in with the clean-up effort.

Coun Nick Craft, SKDC’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “The organisers of the litter picks are asking people to take just a short time out of their weekend to join a local clean-up effort or pick up litter in their own neighbourhood.

“Week in, week out, the council litter picks across the district but it is great when communities and individuals take time to look after their own areas too.

“Why not join an effort or create your own litter pick between March 3 and 5 to spring clean your neighbourhood?”

There was a party in Bourne last Friday but sadly the guest of honour Princess Anne missed out after a problem with her helicopter.

Staff at the Bourne Resource Centre in South Fen Road spent weeks getting ready for the visit by HRH The Princess Royal but were saddened to hear she couldn’t make it.

But they didn’t let that get in the way of a good party and the people who use the service were happy to tuck into a buffet that really was fit for royalty.

The centre is run by the charity Sense, which suipports people who are deaf-blind, have sensory impairments or complex needs. Princess Anne is patron of the charity and staff in Bourne extended an invitation to her in November – and were delighted and surprised when she accepted so quickly.

Other dignitaries, including the Mayor of Bourne Colin Pattison, and the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire Toby Dennis were also due to attend to see the work the centre does.

Princess Anne was due to arrive in Bourne by helicopter and travel a short distance to the centre by car. Staff were alerted early on Friday morning – a few hours before the visit – that the helicopter was “out of action”.

But Princess Anne has promised to rearrange and staff are hoping to welcome her to the centre within the next six months.

Maria Horton, director of operations for Sense, said: “Obviously we’re disappointed that Princess Anne couldn’t make it but we are looking forward to welcoming her later in the year and putting on an even better party.”

During Friday’s party, 33 service users, who are all aged between 18 and 55 and mainly come from the Bourne and the Deepings area, were able to take part in a range of therapeutic and interactive actitivies normally on offer at the centre.

Staff are particularly proud of the arts and crafts provision at the centre and users were looking forward to showing Princess Anne a pottery wheel and their artwork.

Proudly displayed on the walls is work in honour of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding and the Queen’s diamond jubilee.

Service user Kirsty Munsy had been selected to present the Princess with a bouquet of flowers but rather than going to waste, Kirsty enthusiastically gave them to the charity’s chief executive Gill Morbey, who was 
thrilled.

High winds were forecast for the county on Friday and it is not known if that was the reason the Princess didn’t make it to Bourne.

She did make it to a visit to Lincolnshire Police force’s headquarters in Nettleham earlier in the day, to see the work of a team called Victim Lincs, who help victims of crime recover.

Where would you expect to find most 70-year-olds on a cold winter’s night?

Not down the gym waving glow sticks along to classic club anthems, that’s for sure. But then Alan Meekings is no ordinary 70-year-old.

Proving that age and gender are no barriers to keeping fit, Alan is a regular at both Clubbercise and Zumba classes, in Holbeach, and is urging others to follow in his footsteps and reap the many benefits.

This grandfather of one has always been active – he served in the army, was commando and parachute trained and represented Great Britain at orienteering for many years.

He was a keen runner up to six years ago, capable of marathon distances, until tripping and injuring his foot, meaning he could no longer run.

“Running had always been my relaxation and therapy,” says Alan, a management consultant.

“So, when I could no longer run, I started to get depressed and put on a lot of weight, over two-and-half stones.

“Then I stumbled on Helen Lea’s Zumba classes. While I didn’t immediately twig there were no other men present, it was amazing, as I discovered that, although I couldn’t run, I could dance instead.

“I’ve always loved dancing and there are so many benefits to exercise that Zumba immediately cheered me up and prompted me to lose my excess weight.”

Then a friend told Alan about Nikki Healey’s Clubbercise classes – high energy dance workouts enabling participants to burn up to 600 calories per session – and he decided to try them too.

“At Clubbercise, because it’s held in the dark, you can exercise at your own level and you don’t even have to remember the moves. Indeed, it doesn’t matter if you go wrong, as you can just keep waving your glow sticks around and no one knows the difference.

“I think Clubbercise is especially suitable for men, as we can be embarrassed about attending dance classes in case we can’t follow the steps. Personally, I’m too old to care, but I do recognise that younger men can find learning dance steps in public a tad off-putting.

“Zumba and Clubbercise classes have been perfect for me,” says Alan, who attends up to four classes a week.

“Moreover, we’re privileged to have outstanding instructors locally. Their classes are accessible to everyone; offer significant health benefits and have a social dimension that’s hugely helpful too.”

Instructor Nikki added: “Alan is such an inspiration – and proof that it doesn’t matter how old you are, or whether you’re male or female.

“Anyone can come along and have a go at the classes – it’s all about getting fit and having fun while you’re doing it. It’s great to see Alan here each week enjoying himself.”

• Clubbercise with Nikki is at The Hub, Boston Road, 7.30pm on Wednesday and 9am Friday (term time only); Zumba with Helen is Tuesday at 9.30am and 6.30pm on Thursday, followed by a session of Glow Dance at 7.30pm, all at the WI Hall, Park Road.

Now that British Premier Theresa May has become the latest in a long line of her predecessors to sign us up to ‘poodle status’ regarding the trans-Atlantic relationship with America, it’s time to think a little more seriously about this lady.

It seems to me, on most recent evidence, the lady prefers to shun her duty to answer straight away, honestly and openly, about dodgy Trident operations or Donald Trump’s ban on Muslim and refugee immigration.

Sadly, the thing that May, and other British politicians, do not seem to understand in these times is that a great deal of their reputations will rely on generating trust and confidence and if they can’t do that with the British people then what chance have they when charged with negotiating on our behalf?

Therefore, in my view, anyone claiming that the Prime Minister has provided much-needed clarity over Brexit , like Tory MEP, Andrew Lewer, must be seriously deluded.

I’ve noticed that so far in all the Brexit pronouncements I read, there is very little mention of the oft repeated and false claim that we send £350m to the EU every week and we are now pledged to spend it on the NHS instead. Contrary to Brexiteers in the UK, it would seem that only Donald Trump in the USA is willing to follow up on his election promises.

Spalding Kwik Fit has undergone refurbishment, with a new-look reception area and installation of top of the range equipment.

South Holland Council chairman Michael Seymour visited the Swan Street centre last week to officially re-open it to customers.

The centre has been refurbished from the garage floor up, after being chosen out of more than 600 centres because of the commitment the staff have made in serving the local community.

The reception area has been completely redesigned to promote a more welcoming and customer-friendly environment where Kwik Fit’s staff can sit down with each customer and discuss their requirements.

And the centre now has specialist laser wheel alignment equipment that allows a car’s four wheels to be aligned as per the manufacturer’s specification.

Coun Seymour, said: “The investment is very good news for Spalding. It’s commendable that there’s an apprenticeship scheme in place and I hope young people in Spalding will apply for the programme.”

Centre manager Scott Laidlaw said: “We are now armed with top of the range equipment that will allow us to serve our customers even better than before.”

Any young people in Spalding who are interested in finding out more about the programme can visit: careers.kwik-fit.com/apprentice-application-form.asp.

We have just seen your article concerning ‘Approval is recommended for Gosberton homes development’.

We should like to inform you that this homes development has been “hidden” from view of residents just as the one behind Welby Drive has been and the proposal for more houses north of the village – residents didn’t know that they were going to be affected.

As for the Parish Council approving of this development – just as they did for the one behind Welby Drive – 70 plus houses.

We received a letter from South Holland District Council after the parish had met and approved the planning. Residents were not given the chance to have their say. Nothing was publicised. Complaints were issued to the district council and they extended the date so that residents could raise their objections.

The district council is looking to build over 200 houses in Gosberton and a further number in nearby Quadring. They seem hell-bent on turning small villages into mini towns. Gosberton is already a bottleneck for traffic and both schools and doctors are over-subscribed.

How does a village with over 200 new houses sustain all that new traffic? 400 extra cars for instance? That doesn’t include traffic coming from new houses on the large estate planned in Quadring.

The parish council doesn’t care and neither does the district.

Tearing up agricultural land to build houses that the village cannot sustain.

I am totally disgusted by the way the district council is treating residents of villages all around Spalding.

When I asked some residents how they felt about these plans they were resigned to the fact that the parish council wasn’t interested in their objections: the district council had never listened to local folk, and they would do whatever they wanted no matter what local people thought and felt.

EDITOR: Planners unanimously passed this application last Wednesday.

A court case involving a 31-year-old man from Bourne facing three charges of computer misuse is to go before a crown court in Northern Ireland.

Nikki James Fox, of Stephenson Way, denies all three charges of “unauthorised acts” under the 1990 Computer Misuse Act and heard at Craigavon Courthouse last Thursday.

The charges, alleged to have taken place between July 18 and October 29, 2012, will be heard at Craigavon Crown Court on Monday, February 27.

They each concern acts done “knowing them to be unauthorised and intending to impair the operation of a computer or being reckless as to whether it would have such effect”.

A house in Morton was the target of an attempted burglary when a person or gang tried to force open a back window.

It happened at a house in The Crescent where police believe a tool, possibly a large flat-headed screwdriver, may have been used during the crime.

Nothing was stolen during the incident which happened overnight between Monday and Tuesday.

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident number 215 of February 10.

CABINET CALL: This week with South Holland District Council deputy leader Malcolm Chandler

I’m sure regular readers will be well aware of our plans to develop the council offices in Priory Road to create a community hub.

However, I’d like to take the opportunity through this column to explain a little bit more about the project.

The ambition to better serve residents through a refurbished building which brings together the best in public service in one place is at the heart of this development.

This is also about improvements to reduce running costs and operational efficiency.

A community hub is certainly what we are intending to create for Priory Road. This model brings together a range of high quality and cost effective services, provided by a diverse range of organisations in one central location.

Geographically we are in a strong location to serve South Holland and the wider area in the south of the county so it makes sense to strengthen our offer.

While it is too early to say which partners will be joining us in Priory Road, it is fair to say they are well known public agencies.

Some of the key areas of benefit I see us delivering for residents are:

• A place for people to meet, get help and have all the services they need in one place.

• Better support for our most vulnerable residents.

• Increase footfall to town centre businesses.

• Helps protect frontline services through income generation.

Other benefits I expect include:

• Modern working environment to help us deliver our change programme.

• Establishing a strategic site for public service in South Lincolnshire.

We have seen strong evidence by other local authorities who have pursued this model as to the positive impact it has on the community.

However, in order to achieve this there are a number of hurdles to jump and rightly so. We will make sure the project is open, transparent and scrutinised to achieve value for the tax payer through the following meetings:

• Cabinet on March 25.

• Full Council on April 5.

I encourage you to have your say directly to me at: mchandler@sholland.gov.uk or through the Priory Road page on our website: www.sholland.gov.uk

We want to hear what you think, after all this is about you and the community.

Plans for a new skate park in Crowland are gathering pace after a series of talks between parents and town leaders.

Support for a Crowland Skate Park Group, whose members are working on developing and funding the project, has been strongly backed by Crowland Parish Council whose chairman Coun David Ringham vowed that “it will happen”.

Coun Ringham said: “The provision of modern leisure facilities in Crowland is something that we’ve been concerned about for some time.

“But the cost of putting one in the town could be enormous so a small group has been formed and we are working with them to have surveys done and to get professional advice on the skate park project.

“The parish council thinks it’s important to work with people who are very interested in getting a skate park for Crowland and very optimistic that it will happen.”

Youngsters got a taste of what a skate park in Crowland might be when a mobile site was set up in Snowden Field car park in November 2015.

Coun Ringham said: “I think we’re making progress and things are looking more positive than negative.”

Efforts to provide a skate park in Crowland go back at least five years when a petition was raised on social media calling for one to be built.

But interest grew stronger in 2015 when youngsters met with South Holland District Council members for Crowland, Couns Jim Astill and Angela Harrison, to organise a survey.

Coun David Ringham, chairman of Crowland Parish Council, said: “The three main issues with a skate park are location, cost and maintenance.

“Longevity is one thing and the site is another, but then there is the question of fundraising.”

Five generations of a family living in Holbeach and Long Sutton have snapped another great picture for their photo album.

Great-great grandmother Barbara Busley (85) is pictured with the latest arrival, Evie Elston, who was born on September 11.

Pictured alongside Barbara are her daughter Carol Peall (63), granddaughter Teresa Elston (44) and great grandson Khan Elston (21).

Barbara is also pictured holding a treasured photo of the last time there were five generations in the family, which was in 1995 when Khan was a baby sitting on the knee of his great-great grandmother, Eva Greenwood, then aged 83.

Teaching assistant Teresa, who lives in Holbeach with husband Doug (46), says: “My great-grandmother was ecstatic when there were five generations in the family and my grandmother feels the same.

“You hear of families having one set of five generations but you don’t normally hear of two sets.

“We are all quite proud because it’s the second time around, which makes it extra special.”

Barbara lives at the Kimberley Care Home, formerly the Adderley rest home, in Long Sutton.

Sadly Barbara lost her husband George (88) three years ago.

Teresa says her nan and grandad often looked after Khan so she could go to work.

Baby Evie is a most welcome addition to the family and has become the apple of her nan’s eye.

“Evie is the best thing that’s ever happened,” said Teresa. “If Evie ever really wanted anything and nan could give it to her she would.”

Teresa works at Holbeach Primary Academy and her husband is the night warehouse operations manager at transport firm Fowler Welch.

Teresa’s dad John (65) has recently retired as deputy MD at Fowler Welch.

Khan is an electrician with a local company, Torien Services Ltd, and his partner, Natalie Allen, worked at the garden centre in Springfields, Spalding, before she had Evie.

Khan and Natalie and Carol and John live in Long Sutton.

• Does your family have a great occasion to celebrate. Let us know by sending an email to lynne.harrison@iliffepublishihng.co.uk

A bid to build 48 affordable homes on the EMG Hyundai site in St John’s Road has stumbled because two of the properties were required to share public open space.

South Holland District Council’s planning committee refused the application from Kaplan Property Group, but has invited the developer to come back with a revised layout.

Committee chairman Coun Roger Gambba-Jones said all councillors had dealt with problems arising from residents living cheek by jowl with public open space.

He said: “It will turn life in those houses into a misery, especially if you have a good summer. It may be affordable but not affordable at any cost.”

The development when built would be managed by Waterloo Homes and comprise of a mixture of flats and houses – ten houses and six flats are set aside for affordable rent and the remainder for shared ownership.

Members welcomed provision of 100 per cent affordable housing so close to the town centre.

Coun Harry Drury said: “I have seen sites that are managed by Waterloo Homes. They are a good, reputable company.”

Some councillors criticised the “bland” design of the homes.

Coun Laura Eldridge said she was “sick to the back teeth” of generic homes and wanted to see a style of housing that she would be proud to put her name to.

Motor dealership EMG, the current occupiers of the site, are due to move out to twin sites in Elsoms Way, Pinchbeck.

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

I was dismayed to read the article of our MP John Hayes in the Free Press of January 31 and his implicit criticism of the Supreme Court, describing it as “…a body conjured up by Tony Blair…”

I also note he regards the recent case initially brought by Gina Miller and others to be “unnecessary” and brought by people “…with more money than sense…”

With respect to Mr Hayes, I would question whether it is appropriate for a Member of Parliament to speak in such disrespectful terms about our courts and the judicial process unless there is strong evidence to suggest that the court and/or litigants have in some way acted inappropriately or unlawfully. 

The Supreme Court was in fact ‘conjured up’ by the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 and assumed the judicial function of the House of Lords. The Supreme Court is staffed by some of the finest legal brains in the country and in the Gina Miller case it exercised its powers within the law.

As far as I understand the 
position of people who voted in favour of exiting the EU, one of their reasons for voting ‘leave’ was to ensure that powers granted to the European Court are returned to our domestic courts. Presumably, therefore, they respect our judicial system. The judiciary should feel free to exercise its powers free from political pressure or undue influence so long as its powers are exercised diligently and faithfully according to, and within, the law.

Gina Miller and others had every right to bring the case against the Secretary of State because according to constitutional law it is plainly wrong for the Crown, acting through the executive government, to use its prerogative powers to give notice under Article 50 for the UK to cease to be a member of the EU in the absence of the approval of parliament. The principle of constitutional law at the centre of the case was not a complicated one and the law should have been respected by the government without the need for a contested High Court and Supreme Court case.

The government is not above the law. It is the government therefore which is responsible for wasting money fighting a hopeless defence of Gina Miller’s case. We live in a parliamentary democracy where a referendum on any topic can only be advisory to parliament unless very clear language to the contrary is used in the referendum legislation.

No such language appears in the Referendum Act 2015. Parliament is now quite properly having a say on how we exit the EU.

I would expect our MP to 
respect a citizen’s right to hold the government to account. The day we bypass the law and discard respect for the judiciary is the day we start on a constitutional downward spiral that can only lead to disorder and chaos as our friends across the Atlantic are now discovering.