The Spring drought has caused much concern.

For many of us farming with blackgrass this is not good news, as a higher proportion of spring-sown crops is necessary to aid control of the weed.

This is fine if you are farming kind soils, but not so good if you are blessed with medium to heavy soils…and these are the soils on which blackgrass thrive.

Generally, my spring-sown crops have established reasonably well, but the growth has been somewhat slow with the cold, drying east winds.

Sugar beet has suffered particularly from bird grazing, which has killed some plants and severely retarded others. This adds further stress to the crop and makes weed control more difficult as the beet is much more sensitive to herbicides.

Yellow rust has affected various varieties of wheat this spring, some unexpectedly. The relatively clean variety ‘Lili” has got the disease.

Yellow rust is not particularly difficult to control if you are expecting it, but can cause problems once established.

This variety was due to be dropped from my cropping next year anyway, but this has just reinforced that decision.

Hopefully, by the time you read this, if the weather forecast is correct, some of the drought concerns may have been alleviated.

A new “one school, one provider” model of pupil transport is to start at the Willoughby School in Bourne later this year.

The change will see a single transport provider, Mark’s Passenger Services of Lincoln, be responsible for taking pupils entitled to home to school transport at Willoughby School to and from lessons,

James Husbands, head teacher of Willougby School, said: “We have been working closely with Lincolnshire County Council and Mark’s Passenger Services to ensure that the ‘sole’ transport provider service has a smooth transition and is a successful service.

“We had been aware of the proposed changes for several months and as soon as Mark’s was announced as the provider for Willoughby, we have worked very closely with them for the benefit of the Willoughby pupils.

“I appreciate that this change may be unsettling for parents and carers, but I hope they are reassured that we are working very closely with all concerned to ensure a smooth transition.

“Representatives of Mark’s Passenger Services attended the Willoughby’s Parents Evening on May 3 to answer any queries or questions from parents and further meetings are planned in the summer term.

“Feedback from schools that have already been through this process has been very positive and we look forward to a long and productive relationship with Mark’s.”

EDITOR’S COMMENT: By Jeremy Ransome

Iliffe Media, the family-owned publisher behind the Spalding Guardian and our sister title the Lincolnshire Free Press, is backing Local Newspaper Week, which began on Monday.

Theme this year of the annual event, which showcases the role of local newspapers and associated websites, is Making a Difference, something Iliffe Media is very keen to do.

The company bought the Guardian and Free Press in January from Johnston Press alongwith 12 other titles.

Iliffe Media is backing us and other titles by investing in local journalism, including recruiting more reporters, backing more community involvement, campaigning for the community and against ‘fake news’, expanding the commercial team and re-opening our reception.

That investment means we can get to more meetings, cover court more often and launch successful campaigns such as the one that provided a therapy room for Long Sutton cerebral palsy sufferer Alice Bates and helped pay to send young brain tumour patient Kieran Taylor’s family to America with him for vital treatment.

The Cambridge Independent, launched by Iliffe in September last year, was last month named Weekly Newspaper of the Year at the News Awards 2017.

Also last month, Iliffe Media acquired Kent’s KM Media Group, which publishes 13 newspapers.

Local Newspaper Week is organised by the News Media Association, created in 2014 by a merger between the Newspaper Society and the Newspaper Publishers’ Association, which represents national newspaper publishers.

WARD’S WORLD: By John Ward

I had a message of sorts the other day and to be honest I don’t get a lot in this sort of vein, so read on.

Any email that starts off with: “Good grief! – you are still here then!” just about catches your eye so to speak. It was from a television researcher who, would you believe, was sort of inquiring as to if I was still alive and while it was tempting to reply: “Not sure – will get second opinion” I held back as I opened it up and read the ongoing message within.

He is researching a programme of daft stunts and ideas (?!) ‘on the bigger scale’ as he tactfully puts it and to his credit he had done his research at the national newspaper archives as opposed to the easy way of looking on the internet, which as he points out, does not cover a lot of things and certainly not the following hence he doing his ground work and tracking me down.

It was in 1974, in the last century, or to be precise July 28 as five fully fledged idiots set out from the White Cliffs of Dover to pedal (that’s pedal and not to be confused with anything else...) to France on cycles welded to a raft of our own design that turned a paddle wheel as we were into ‘big boy’s stuff’ here as it was 15 foot long by eight foot wide.

The first thing that crosses your mind I suppose on seeing the above year and doing a quick calculation, is what is a mere child of eleven doing on such things but we will skip past that for now.

It started off as a mere ‘throw-away line’ during a break where I worked as one of our chums was thinking of swimming across the Channel and I was silly enough to say “Why don’t we all go together? – we can go on bikes on a raft connected to a paddle wheel..” not realising that a show of hands would mean the next few months would be spent in assorted workshops, both at work and home, in order to get this project up and running.

Friend Robb is a brilliant welder/metal fabricator and did the bulk of the work and he was not connected to the company but I just politely asked him if he would help and he said ‘yes’ before I had finished.

Our ‘activities’ had been spotted by our company chairman Frank’s wife who was the chairperson of the (then) local branch of Action Research for the Crippled Child but over the years this name has been changed to something else now.

We worked for a plastics company that sold all over the world due to our technological processes and I was invited to ‘tea and biccys’ by said chairman’s wife to ‘discuss the merits’ of our project as we were doing it for fun really, so she ‘wondered, just wondered’ if we would do it by sponsorship for her charity, and quick phone calls to the others and all agreed or as they say nowadays: ‘You’re got five big yes’s’

She asked our sooper dooper engineering dept or rather the head bod to write a thesis on how it would go and any tips to help us (?).

Fair enough we thought.

Back came three large pages of hand written thinking from our ‘top engineering man’, with bottom line, quote: “Such a craft as outlined by these individuals would not leave these shores.”

On reading it, she looked at me and said: “Well, sod him! – we go with our crew!”

I quite liked her maverick outlook.

He was proven wrong and I cherish those pages as I still have them.

There were many adventures along the way, too many to mention here, but a few highlights were:

Hearing we were looking for old cycles, she did a bit of ‘calling in favours’ and five brand new cycles appeared in our reception at work, direct from the makers.

We did our ‘sea trials’ at Heacham beach, much to the amusement of various Easter Bank holiday makers and ended up with queues to ‘have a go’ on it.

The training was over; then down to Dover or rather St Margaret’s Bay just up the coast on the Saturday.

On the Sunday, we would set sail or start pedaling to be factual.

Saturday evening a deluded soul from BBC Radio came along for an interview.

She wanted the craft ‘on the sea’ to record the interview on! – bearing in mind it was still on a lorry, locked away from prying eyes until the launch, we settled for sitting by a brook, splashing water over an old tin gallon can for ‘effect’

All five, and those ‘behind the scenes’, of us crew did our best – no “I haven’t had the time” or “They are getting back to me” or “Not confirmed yet” rubbish as we all worked our socks off as we were all 100 per cent enthusiastic as there were no room for hangers-on or those taking tasks on they were incapable of doing.

As we left the shore with our twin escort boats from the Sandwich Bay Yachting Club we encountered rather large, over 30 foot, waves that we actually saw the propellers swinging round in mid air on the escort boats as they flipped across the crest of the waves and we thought that we didn’t want to be ‘rescued’ by them as they looked very dangerous and oddly we found out later, they thought we were in greater danger.

We were about 100 yards from the Goodwin Lightship and we thought the crew on deck were cheering us on, but as we found out later they were warning us to turn back as it was getting too dangerous!

So we were advised to postpone it and we were eventually towed back to shore once the tide was back in.

We were going to attempt it again but after the first attempt, Modom was unable to get us insurance cover so we abandoned it sadly.

Among many newspapers, we were on page three of the Daily Mirror on July 29 – and we were fully clothed as well.

Years on, sadly Modom chairman died well before her time as they say and I was away at the time of the funeral.

I attended Frank’s funeral by family request in 2003 and I was quite touched that the remaining family members had not forgotten our efforts in 1974 that despite all the odds and being told we would ‘never leave these shores’ by an assumed genius and ever since its been a case of ‘Carry on, never mind” attitude when it all seems stacked against you as we only live the once.

Oddly for a ‘failure’, even today articles of our venture still turn up as I was sent one a few years ago by a friend on holiday in Quebec.

As I started off above, I am ‘still here’ and looking back we tried because we had the enthusiasm plus the desire to make the best of anything as with other ‘bits and bobs’ along the way, it’s never been boring – believe me.

The next MP for South Holland and the Deepings will have to deal with a “frightened society in Deeping St Nicholas”.

Parish councillor David Branton made the claim during a question and answer sesssion with John Hayes, one of six candidates for the constituency at next month’s general election.

Mr Hayes, who hopes to be elected MP for the sixth time in 20 years, was a guest at the meeting where he talked about flytipping, speeding, the future of Littleworth Signal Box and the eventual reopening of its station.

But the issue of hare coursing dominated Mr Hayes’ speech in which he pledged to keep councillors informed of a new rural policing strategy being drawn up for Lincolnshire by Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones.

Mr Hayes said: “Whilst there has always been a problem with hare coursing, it has now reached a peak that has been previously unseen.

“The network of people involved has spiralled and grown very quickly, resulting in them acting with much greater impunity and becoming more hostile, more violent and more callous about what they do and how they do it.

“I’m very well aware of it, not just particular to Deeping St Nicholas but extending widely across the Fens.”

Coun Branton said: “The intimidation and violence has got far worse than anything in my lifetime and we have a frightened society in Deeping St Nicholas.

“There are people afraid to go out at night because of the hair coursing and we shouldn’t have to live in a society where people can’t go out of their own homes.

“But that’s what we’ve got in Deeping St Nicholas.”

Mr Hayes revealed that talks between himself and the Home Office had removed any “blockage” from Lincolnshire Police buying nine new Ford Kuga 4x4s to be used as part of its Operation Galileo campaign against hare coursing.

But he said: “The way we deal with hare coursers once they are caught and brought before a court don’t seem to reflect its seriousness.”

People in Tongue End are to be asked for their views on improving its playing field, while tackling speeding problems at the same time.

Parish councillors are to publicise an appeal on social media and in the Deeping St Nicholas Village Newsletter for ideas to redevelop the land in Everard Road.

A Tongue End resident, who asked not to be named, said: “As I understand it, the parish council owns the playing field but it never gets used and the only piece of play equipment there is in a poor state.

“I believe that enquiries about getting it replaced were considered in the past and so if redevelopment of the site were to be considered then I’m sure there will be a few residents that would have something to say on the matter.

“So they want to look into using the site for building new houses on it

Meanwhile, councillors are to push for a 40mph speed limit through Tongue End to stop drivers speeding between Pode Hole, Baston and Bourne.

Coun William Rodwell, parish council chairman, said: “We are very concerned about the speed at which traffic drives past houses along Counter Drain Drove and request that highways consider a speed restriction in this area of 30mph or 40 mph.

“This road is narrow but HGVS are allowed to pass each other with care, using the whole road width.

“There is no footpath along the stretch in front of the houses and very few places to pull in to allow passengers of any age, school, elderly or disabled pedestrians to embark or disembark.

“Traffic driving past the houses and along the road from Pode Hole to Baston, or taking the back road to Bourne, is speeding by at very close proximity and is very dangerous, but within the law.

“Modern vehicles have much improved suspension and can travel faster over uneven surfaces, while HGVs have air suspension and are now allowed to travel at 50mph on these type of roads legally,

“Consequently, we are finding that more HGV traffic is making full use of this new relaxation of the speed limit in Tongue End.

“We also have the gravel lorries from Baston Fen coming to ever-increasing development in Spalding, as well as their usual runs to areas east of Spalding down the A16 and A17 to Boston.

“To add to the problem, we have more cars using this road as a ‘rat-run’ to the west of Spalding and the housing developments in the area of Woolram Wygate and Horseshoe Road.

“This is because to get to the west of Spalding from Peterborough is proving very difficult until we get some sort of upgrade or a southern bypass to the west of Spalding.

“Lincolnshire County Council highways department should consider all of these facts and give us a reduced speed limit through Tongue End to 40mph, or even a 30mph from the start of the houses in Counter Drain Drove to the turn off onto Bourne Road.

New homes in Deeping St Nicholas should come with improved transport links, according to parish councillors.

In its response to work on a new South East Lincolnshire Local Plan, a blueprint for development until 2036, Deeping St Nicholas Parish Council said it was “disappointed” that 66 new homes are to be built on Caulton’s Field. Parish council chairman Coun William Rodwell said: “We understand the dilemma for South Holland District Council. “But we are disappointed that Caulton’s Field was granted outline (initial) planning permission for 66 houses as the parish council objected, but did not ask for any contribution from the landowner towards projects in the village.

“We welcomed the Home Farm development of 135 houses and the potential offer to provide facilities for the village which we consider will provide our allocation for housing in the Local Plan.

“However, as a general comment, we need more help to improve transport links as there is a lack of support for local bus services.

“Any future housing activity must address this problem, with money guaranteed to support these services and direct links to Peterborough, at an affordable cost, which are vital to this village.

“We also need the reopening of Littleworth Rail Station, as a long term aim, put in the Local Plan.

“There has been a feasibility study done and, with more new housing projected locally, we feel there is a good case to include this project in the Local Plan.”

Parish councillors have voted to re-elect chairman Coun William Rodwell and vice chairman Coun David Branton for another year.

During Monday’s meeting at St Nicholas Parish Church, Coun Rodwell outlined his wish to see a 30mph limit outside the Deeping St Nicholas Primary School extended up to St Nicholas House Country Hotel.

In his chairman’s report for 2016-17, Coun Rodwell said: “The most significant change in the last year was the resignation of the Parish Clerk.

“We then had to appoint a new Clerk who joined us on December 1, 2016 and it has been a steep learning curve.

“Traffic in the village has been a huge problem and so we have purchased two interactive signs, with funding from our three district councillors and parish funds, to hopefully slow vehicles down.

“We have also been plagued by illegal hare coursing in the last six months and we have tried to get the police, South Holland District Council, our new Chief Constable (Bill Skelly), Police and Crime Commissioner (Marc Jones) and our MP all to be aware of the upset and damage this causes to the local community.

“Meanwhile, the signal box has been an ongoing saga with Network Rail and the final outcome as to whether it stays or goes, depends on cost, access and the practicality of maintaining the building.

“Dog mess and litter are ongoing problems and we try to keep on top of it, with litter picking by staff supplied by Couns Nicholas Watts and David Branton.

“The playing fields have been tidied up over the winter, a full campaign of grass mowing is in place for this season, the redevelopment of the railway line seems to have settled down and, finally, the Parish Plan has been completed.

“Hopefully, it will lead to the development of Deeping St Nicholas in the future.”

The dates for the closure of Norwich and Peterborough Building Society branches in south Lincolnshire have been confirmed.

The society was bought out by Yorkshire Building Society, which has announced the closure of the 28 branches across East Anglia will result in the loss of 136 jobs.

The Spalding branch will close on Friday October 20 and the Bourne and Market Deeping branches will shut on Friday December 1.

A Yorkshire Building Society Group spokesman said: “To help make the transition as smooth as possible, the 28 Norwich and Peterborough branch closures we announced earlier this year will be made in four phases, between September and December.

“This approach, which ensures closures are spread geographically across the region, is designed to minimise the impact on customers and ensure we maintain the high standards of service our members expect.

“We will be writing to all branch customers to ensure they will be informed of the relevant dates.”

Student Writer

The law firm explained to visitors how dementia can result in memory loss and other difficulties with the brain caused by conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and strokes.

Kate Twigg, associate solicitor at Chattertons and fully trained as a “Dementia’s Friend’s Champion”, said: “Dementia is a devastating condition which affects one in six people over the age of 80 in UK.

“This is why, as a community-minded company, we are doing our bit to raise awareness of the condition and offer advice.”

Joining in with an initiative by the Alzheimer’s Society to train volunteers who can then talk to others about dementia, Kate was on hand to speak to visitors about the firm’s commitment to gaining it’s dementia-friendly credentials. Colleague Emily Baker-Gaunt described the day as “a success all round” and supported Chattertons year-round fundraising efforts.

So far this year they have raised £2,500 towards a target of £6,000 for 2017.

A charity that helps disabled children gain confidence through the love of horses is making a heartfelt call for help.

Fenland Riding for the Disabled Group provides horse riding lessons for children from the Priory and Garth Special Schools in Spalding. The children have special educational needs and some also have physical disabilities.

But the charity needs more volunteers and ponies to be able to keep helping the children who get so much out of their riding lessons.

Group Chairman Jane Peggs said: “We have about 13 children from age 11 who come for lessons in term time.

“They are put into two classes and we aim to have about six to seven ponies so that the children ride them for half an hour then the other class will ride.

“But we are currently struggling to get enough ponies to our sessions (which are on a Wednesday morning at Whaplode St Catherine) and are also very much in need of volunteers to help run the sessions for the children.

“The sessions run from 10am-midday. We have three qualified instructors and the volunteers are there to help encourage the children.”

The group has been running for 35 years and its volunteers have seen the children gain so much from their riding lessons.

Jane said: “Their enjoyment is second to none. There is a genuine affinity between the horses and the children. The horses have a perception of the person that is on their back, they sense that they are carrying a special cargo.

“The schools will agree that riding and being around the animals mean the children are much calmer and they make a bond. Seeing the children gaining confidence and then getting on the saddle, you see a big smile on their faces.

“You can really see an improvement in their confidence. It also helps the children who are less mobile. It helps develop their core muscles, particularly if a child has difficulty walking.

“Once they get up on the ponies they don’t want to get off. It gives them social skills, confidence and improves their independence. The connection between the children and the animals is very powerful.”

• If you can help, either by volunteering or providing a pony (that must be at least six years old) email FenlandRDA@gmail.com or contact Jill Dempster on 07714 775501.

The leader of two schools in Spalding has backed changes to the way special needs pupils are brought to and from lessons.

Daran Bland, executive head teacher of The Garth and Priory Schools, said a countywide, “one school, one provider” model of transport for special schools was “advantageous”.

The changes by Lincolnshire County Council have already come into effect at the Priory School, where 130 pupils are catered for by one transport provider, according to Mr Bland.

Our sister newspaper, the Lincolnshire Free Press, reported on Tuesday the concerns of a parent whose child with severe learning needs has lone transport to and from the Garth School, accompanied by a passenger assistant.

In a letter to the council, the parent (who asked not to be named) said: “I feel strongly that change to my child’s current travel arrangements will result in a deterioration of their health and behaviour and will impact on their learning and everyday life.”

Mr Bland said: “The local authority is working with all Lincolnshire special schools to review and revise arrangements for pupils with an entitlement to home to school transport.

“This, I believe, is being carried out in two waves and The Priory School was part of wave one, with transport arrangements having now moved to one provider.

“It has proved advantageous to have a single point of contact should any issues or queries arise when, previously, we were having to liaise with ten or more companies bringing our pupils to the school.

“The change has entailed some vehicles transporting a higher number of children, for longer periods of time.

“However, communication between school and transport is good and we always look to resolve any problems quickly.”

Mr Bland explained that the Garth School was “part of wave two” for which the “one school, one provider” model will take effect from September 1.

He said: The contract for the Garth School has been awarded to First Choice Royal Taxis.

“We understand the concern this is causing for many parents who are worried about their children’s ability to cope with the inevitable changes arising from this.

“We will be meeting with parents and carers to talk through any worries and relay these back to the local authority and First Choice Royal Taxis.”

Mr Bland confirmed that a total of four meetings between parents, school staff and the taxi firm will take place between now and September “about the needs of individual children”.

He added: “Obviously, we have a very strong interest in ensuring that the children arrive in school securely and happy.

“Therefore, it has been confirmed that all vehicles will have a dedicated driver and escort.

“This includes those pupils for whom lone transport arrangements have been agreed so parents and carers can rest assured that if the school strongly advises the local authority that lone transport is required, this will be considered with a view that we are well placed to recommend this action.

“Any change will inevitably bring about a degree of anxiety and we will be doing our best to work with our parents and the local authority to ensure that this transition runs as smoothly as possible.”

Families have been promised a “brand new play area” in Spalding after work is done to reduce the risk of flooding.

Improvements to manholes in Fairview Way, off Woolram Wygate, have gone on for seven weeks to prevent the type of flooding that hit the town last summer.

Two new manholes and a new rainwater storage tank were installed along Fairview Way during which the play area close to the junction of Woolram Wygate and Pinchbeck Road was closed and play equipment taken away.

Sarah Dobson, of Anglian Water, said: “This part of Spalding has suffered from flooding when it has rained heavily so our engineers have designed a solution to help reduce the risk of this type of flooding in the future.

“We have installed two new manholes along Fairfield Way but, of course, we know that whenever investment is made into our network and work is carried out, it is disruptive as our pipes and sewers are buried deep underground.

“Therefore, we are very sorry for any disruption caused by the closure of the play area.”

A road closure in place at Fairview Way was lifted on Friday as a number of organisations worked together during the flood protection upgrade project.

Sarah said: “Responsibility for the drainage is very complex and sits with many different organisations.

“Anglian Water, Lincolnshire County Council, South Holland District Council, Highways England and The Environment Agency, as well as private landowners, each have responsibility for part of the drainage network.

“It is a huge spider’s web of pipes, pumps, watercourses, streams and drainage points, all interconnected.

“Fairview Way was closed to make sure Anglian Water staff and customers were kept safe whilst the new manholes were installed.

“We are pleased to be replacing the play facilities and although the play area will be closed during the summer holidays, we hope that ultimately the local community will see the long term benefits of the scheme.

The play area is due to reopen in September and Sarah added: “Once the rainwater storage tank is installed, Anglian Water will be replacing the play area’s equipment with brand new equipment. In addition, extra equipment will be added, which will include a roundabout, meaning that work in reducing the risk of flooding for homes in the area will be matched by children getting a brand new play area.”

Anglian Water also confirmed that it was working with county highways officers to minimise disruption while repairs take place at Fen Bridge on the B1166 Gravel Causeway in Crowland.

Sarah said: “Our engineering teams are working closely with the county council to divert the water pipe which runs along Fen Bridge.

“We will update residents and road users once details of the project are finalised.”

Firefighters put out a car blaze in Whaplode last night (Thursday).

The crew from Holbeach used breathing apparatus and two hose reels to extinguish the fire in Stockwell Gate at 7.31pm.

It is amazing how quickly we have been able to raise this money and, as a family, we will be forever grateful to everyone involved

Kieran (7), sister Caitlin (9), mum Karen and dad Steve will fly out during the school half-term holiday where the boy will have treatment for a rare brain tumour.

The treatment, air fare and accommodation for Kieran and his parents will be paid by the NHS, but travel and 
accommodation for Caitlin, 
visa and living expenses, were down to Karen and Steve.

Both parents were given unpaid leave to be with their son which is why the Spalding Guardian launched an appeal in March to help them.

Karen said: “We have been completely overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of everyone who has donated to Kieran’s fund.

“It is amazing how quickly we have been able to raise this money and, as a family, we will be forever grateful to everyone involved.

“We would like to thank everyone for the help and support they have given us over the last couple of months which menas we can now go to America, just concentrating on getting Kieran well again.”

Amongst the individuals and groups to donate were St John the Baptist Primary School, Spalding, where a special tuck shop was held two weeks ago, and Spalding Cycling Club, both of which Kieran and Caitlin attend.

Kieran said: “The tuck shop was good and we had chocolate bars there.

“To everyone, thank you for looking after me and for all the generous donations.”

Steve said: “I think it’s been fantastic as I never thought people would have been as responsive as they were.

“It’s just amazing how much people have come out to help.”

WARD’S WORLD: By John Ward

I was in town with not a care – I had parked the car in the two hour limit car park – and I was molested by one of those wonderful people who I don’t really know and they likewise in real terms but this small minor point is overlooked as the conversation goes along like this – now are you ready?

New-found friend/time-killer/deluded Grade One: “You’re him ain’t you?! – wotsisneck, you know – that bloke who, oh I dunno but if my missis was here, she would know who you are.” Reassuring, I thought, as I replied that I didn’t think I was (bearing in mind he could be mistaking me with some idiot or other and so you have to watch out for these things) as he could be confusing me with, say, Brad Pitt or a possible relation, Cess.

I have never really considered I looked like anybody as such but that is open to interpretation as I was once told I looked like a well-known famous singer person but I respectfully pointed out the person they thought I looked like was a female singer and the response was one of: “Yes, but who’s to say the operation was successful?” and after hearing that I decided I was not getting out as much as I should be.

Some years go a friend of mine did look a bit like a well known villain or criminal that had his face in just about every major national newspaper from the dailies to perhaps the Rug Weaver’s Monthly over a period of weeks and into months etc while his trial was ongoing and, after it, was then sent away by arrangement with a High Court Judge on ‘holiday’ so to speak that did not figure on any Trip Advisor review listing as: ‘Easy access to rope ladder’ or ‘Windows a tad draughty with only three bars on them’ or ‘Tunnel cramped but adequate’ etc.

So friend Trev looked a bit like said ‘criminal mastermind’ on a foggy night maybe, but even more so when we were in a pub in London while attending a trade exhibition show and having a swift drink and sausage roll snack after leaving it – the exhibition catering prices were high even then, so no change there even today.

After a few minutes somebody sidled up to us, or rather Trev in particular and spoke out the corner of his mouth, as they do it seems in real life as in films, and inquired: “How long you been art den? – all legit? – tunnel job or over the wall?” and the frightening bit then was, after Trev nearly choked on his half a lager, that we slowly realised this new-found acquaintance was deadly serious judging by the look on his face.

It did get a bit ‘heavy going’ to coin a phase as the conversation which was sort of one sided and sounded like an episode of BBC TV’s ‘Eastenders’ as in: “So – wot’s it all abart den?” to Trev followed by: “Wot’s going on den?” Once again to Trev who stood quite statue-like as all this is for real as we slowly realise that another one or two folk in this pub are staring at us, or Trev, who maybe are also under the (wrong) impression that Trev was indeed Dangerous Dan whom they thought had just broken out of his holiday camp arrangements and at worse could lose part of his deposit on said holiday accommodation – you don’t know, do you?

Only our nerves saved us as we both made our excuses and left pronto before it got a little bit too heavy going and that must have been the quickest we moved that day and our only thoughts were to catch the next train back, although Trev said the sausage rolls were okay.

On the train back Trev asked my honest opinion if he did really look like ‘Dangerous Dan’ as our side of the mouth talking new found friend had suggested and I pointed out that the real test had been just a few miles back, turn left outside the station, then right and sharp left again, in a delightful pub that seemed to be the headquarters or possibly a branch office of Dangerous Dan’s fan club.

Another ‘lookalike’ moment some year earlier unfolded in the kitchen of my mum, she of the people for the people, when her friend Joyce was having a cup of tea and explaining her younger brother Ronnie, then in his thirties, was ‘hoping to disappear’(?!), for what reason was lost on me but he wanted to ‘get away’ as Joyce was telling mum and he was ‘going to join the Foreign Legion’.

Mum looked at her and said she was surprised to hear that as she thought he might be better off joining the British Legion as she was not aware that her Ronnie could speak, well, foreign and this could be a handicap once there and joined up.

Joyce looked puzzled – not difficult, believe me – and then asked mum what the difference was and mum said that the foreign lot wore a sort of peaked cap with their handkerchiefs hanging down at the back of them as perhaps they sweat more or have runny noses, so need to dry them this way if the films she had seen were anything to go by, but seeing the British Legion on parade at times knew they wore berets and Ray up the road carried their flag.

Joyce then pointed out that perhaps he might be better off staying put to her mind as he looked like George Formby and over here people would know, or remember George Formby who played the ukulele, as he might struggle to explain the resemblance to those over in foreign parts in case anybody might say he looked like ‘somebody famous’ assuming Ronnie could understand them speaking in foreign that is.

Mum said she did not realise that her Ronnie could play the ukulele and Joyce replied he couldn’t, he just looked like George but he could sing a bit like him if pushed.

Then mum asked what sort of pushing would it take for him to sing as the local old folks club often wanted people to go along of an evening and get everybody joining in for a sing-song after the bingo session, otherwise riots would break out.

Joyce by now had finished slooping her tea and had one of those ‘far off looks’ as they say and asked mum if she would mind Ronnie popping round and having a word with my dad and maybe see the possible error of his ways and mum, as ever the helpful soul, suggested it wasn’t a problem as dad had past military experience what with being in the army, the British one, and he might be a better person to speak to about the various legions to join – or not.

I never knew the outcome of that meeting but I heard that Ronnie ended up as a handyman plus calling bingo at a holiday camp ‘somewhere in England’, headgear unknown.

A Spalding man who was caught with films of child sex abuse has been jailed for eight months.

Gareth Oddy (34) admitted to searching for indecent material after police raided his home in Wygate Road.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Oddy was present when officers carried out the early morning search on January 20 last year.

Gregor Purcell, prosecuting, said Oddy was “candid” and immediately admitted using file sharing software and accessing indecent images.

When police analysed computer equipment seized from his home they found 256 indecent images in the most serious category of A, 108 images from category B and 84 images from category C.

One of the children was as young as two-years-old, the court heard.

All of the images were films varying in length from one minute to over an hour. Officers also recovered 12 extreme images of bestiality.

During interview Oddy admitted he started off by looking at music but then became curious and searched for indecent images.

Ian Way, mitigating, said Oddy made full and frank admissions as soon as the police arrived and before his computers were examined.

Mr Way added: “He describes himself as a loner who has not had a long term relationship for over a decade.”

Oddy, of Wygate Road, Spalding, admitted three charges of making indecent images and one charge of possessing extreme images between April 2014 and January 2016.

He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years.

Passing sentence, Judge John Pini QC told Oddy: “Every single one of those images involves the grave sexual abuse of children.

“People who watch them drive the demand.”

A bank in Spalding has reassured customers that its cash machine is secure, following a report it may have had a ‘skimming device’ fitted by fraudsters.

LLoyds Bank issued a statement following a comment on social media that the machine at its Hall Place branch had a “skimming device.”

The comment on social media read: “The cash machine in Spalding near (red) lion and Boston college has a skimming device on it ... please check if you have used it this month that you have not had your details taken .. we have just been notified by our bank that we have lost money but thankfully refunded.”

A spokesperson for Lloyds Bank said: “There have been no recent reports of a skimming machine on our cashpoint at this branch.

“Our branch colleagues check machines regularly for any suspicious devices.

“We have robust measures in place to ensure our cashpoints are secure and our customers are protected.

“If customers do spot anything unusual or suspicious at a cashpoint, we ask them not to use it and to immediately notify their local branch or call our customer services team.”

Action Fraud (the National Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting Centre) describes ‘skimming’ as when a fraudster counterfeits a bank card by using a device to capture the card and account information embedded in the card’s magnetic strip. The fraudster can then use this information to carry out fraudulent transactions in countries where chip and PIN technology is not supported. They may also use this information in transactions where the card doesn’t have to be physically seen by the retailer or merchant. For example, when shopping online, buying goods by telephone or mail order, or using cardholder activated terminals, such as ticket machines.

When using any cash machine, Action Fraud advises on its wesbite: “Put your personal safety first. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, cancel the transaction and use a different machine.

“If you spot anything unusual about the cash machine, or if there are signs of tampering, don’t use it. Report it to the bank concerned immediately.

“Be alert. If someone is crowding or watching you, cancel the transaction and go to another machine. Don’t accept help from seemingly well-meaning strangers and never allow yourself to be distracted.

“Once you’ve completed a transaction, put your money and card away before leaving the cash machine. If the cash machine doesn’t return your card, report its loss immediately to your card company. Destroy or preferably shred your cash machine receipt, mini-statement or balance enquiry when you dispose of them.”

More information can be found at www.actionfraud.police.uk

The Care Quality Commission has rated the quality of care provided by Moulton Medical Centre as ‘good’ following a recent inspection.

The practice provides primary medical care services to approximately 5,450 registered patients.

Inspectors found that the practice is providing high quality, safe, caring and effective care; which meets the needs of the population it serves, is responsive to the needs of patients and is well-led.

The CQC highlights several areas of good practice, including:

• Patients were treated with compassion, dignity and respect.

• Patients were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.

• The practice had an open surgery each weekday morning.

• Staff felt supported by management.

• Policies and procedures had been reviewed and updated where appropriate.

Senior partner Dr Burgess said: “The fantastic result shows the hard work and determination by all of our staff to ensure we provide the highest quality safe services to all of our patients. Hard work, compassion and patient-centred care has been our bedrock for many years and is one that we will continue to build on in the future.”

Practice manager Terri Zeferino added: “We are really pleased that the CQC has recognised the work we have done to ensure that we have achieved this rating. We are continually looking at ways of improving our services to all of our patients and we actively encourage and listen to all comments and suggestions, and where possible we respond and make positive changes to enhance patient experience.”

“General practice is facing continuing challenging times with GP recruitment in Lincolnshire being of a particular concern and this result demonstrates what our rural practices can accomplish.”

Deputy Chief Nurse at South Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group Rebecca Neno said: “This rating is a testament to how the practice has worked so hard to turn around the previous rating and to achieve such a worthy rating as Good.

“General practice in Lincolnshire is responding to the demands of our patients for extending hours and the provision of care closer to home. It is always good to see that we listen to and make improvements, were appropriate, to the requests made by our patients and that they in turn have said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect.

“By involving patients in decisions about their treatment and care really can make a difference.”

Butters Group, a Spalding-based grower of indoor and outdoor plants, has been busy getting ready for this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.

Butters has been a supplier of both indoor and outdoor plants and flowers to M&S for more than 20 years and has supported the retailer at the prestigious Chelsea show since the first M&S exhibit in 2012.

Malcolm Catlin, technical manager for Butters, has been busy trying to source the perfect flowers, plants and herbs.

His research has taken him all over Europe, meaning the exhibit includes flora from Denmark, Holland, Sicily and Italy, as well as the nursery in Spalding.

Simon Richards, who created the concept for this year’s exhibit said “This summer we’re championing the stunning flower varieties of the Mediterranean and are so pleased that we can feature blooms and plants from UK suppliers such as Butters.”

Mr Catlin added: “We’ve really enjoyed working with the M&S team on Spirit of Summer: A Mediterranean Journey.

“The project has embodied so many varieties of plants, flowers and herbs, from bright and colourful florals to strong, structural native plants that define the garden.”

People who visit the M&S garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which runs from May 23-27, have been promised to be taken on ‘a vibrant, floral journey through an authentic Mediterranean courtyard’.