Businessman Jason Skinner is delighted to have completed a gruelling 2,000-mile cycle ride from Bourne to southern Spain, raising more than £10,000 for charity in the process.

Jason (40) only took up cycling last year in a bid to get fit, but completed the ride from his Elsea Park home to his parents’ house in Almeria in 15 days – riding in 40 degree heat and climbing up to 2,000m.

He came up with the challenge on a whim, vowing to complete it if he won a competition for a new bike which he’d entered in Active magazine.

He scooped first prize and pledged to complete the ride to commemorate his mother Doreen’s ongoing battle with terminal cancer.

Jason, who runs the Dotty Hen Vintage shop upcycling and selling vintage furniture, was joined by close friend Tim Holland (40), with all money raised going to Cancer Research.

“We got soaked on days and some stages were well over 130 miles, but I didn’t get one puncture!” said Jason, who is married to Sarah and dad to Noah (6).

“My Genesis bike was amazing, not only did it carry me and all my clothes and kit, it tackled fields, mountains and dried-up river beds – it just kept on rolling.

“We had a great send-off in Bourne, while the first few stages to Portsmouth were pretty smooth. Cycling the first few miles in France was when it started to kick in as it soon became clear we were getting a long way from home.”

The pair made their way through France, embracing a diet of cheese and pastry, before swapping views of fields and villages for iconic rivers and larger towns. Next came the mountainous pass into Pamplona, Spain, before the home run.

Jason, a member of Baston Cycling Club, added: “The heat really kicked in once we were into Spain and on the first day we set off at 6am to make headway while it was cooler.

“But we weren’t disappointed with the Spanish coast, especially Calpe – it was stunning. We even managed to ride on some of the old F1 street section and pit lanes in Valencia. Towards the end we had heavy legs and struggled to get any speed or momentum going and the 40 degree heat hit us hard; the last stage ended up taking us almost the longest to complete.”

The pair were met by a welcoming committee and are now considering another challenge – riding the route in reverse.

“It was an amazing ride, we loved every minute of it; we’re amazed at the performance of our bikes and even more surprised by our bodies!” laughed Jason. We’d just like to say huge thank you to everyone who sponsored and supported us.”

Has April Fool’s Day moved? So stall holders paying for pitches can not stand on the High Street in Holbeach for health and safety reasons and have moved to the car park, causing an entrance to be closed.

But stall holders getting pitches for free can stand on Church Street.

If it is important for them to be there to get trade into the town surely that is where the market should have been. Has any consideration been paid to the shops in the town? They pay rates and most rents.

Will the stalls aid them or just undercut them and aid a quicker demise of Holbeach?

Lorraine Gardner at her sewing machine. (SG050717-103TW)

As well as items that she has made herself – including bags, bunting, purses and phone cases – mum-of-four Lorraine (53) will also be holding sewing workshops where others can go along and get creative.

“Having my own shop is something I’ve always wanted to do, for as long as I can remember,” said Lorraine, whose new venture is based at 2 Boston Road.

“We’ve recently paid off our mortgage and, now the children are all older, the time was right to do something for myself. I’d been looking at premises within a five-mile radius of where I live in Sutton Crosses and this one came up.

“It was on the internet for a little while, so we decided to go and have a look and, just before we did, the price was reduced. It was fate!”

Lorraine, who always enjoyed sewing and making clothes and other items for her own family, has created a working area at the rear of the shop, where she has six sewing machines ready and waiting to be used in workshops.

Morning sessions are three hours long, costing £15, while afternoon sessions, lasting two hours, are priced at £10 and must all be booked in advanced.

“People need to have some basic sewing skills and can bring their own fabric or purchase some of mine at a small cost, and we’ve got things like scissors, thread and patterns here,” she added.

“People can create a bag or bunting and, for those who are more advanced, might be able to make clothing as well, and I’ll be on hand to offer some help. People can come along on their own or book in with a group of friends.”

As the business takes off Lorraine is also hoping to start upcycling items, including footstalls and chairs, which will also be available in the shop. She’d also like to start offering quilting and crochet workshops too.

• Sew Last Year, 2 Boston Road, Holbeach, is open 9.30am to 5pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and closed Wednesday and Sunday. For more information or to book a workshop, find Sew Last Year on Facebook.

One hundred years ago yesterday (Friday), the son of one of Spalding’s great men was shot down in flames and killed during an aerial battle in World war One.

John Victor Ariel Gleed, who died on July 7, 1917, was the son of Sir John Gleed (1865-1946), an alderman of the town whose work as chairman of the Holland Education Committee saw the town’s secondary schools named after him in 1941.

Born on June 7, 1897 at The Elms on London Road Spalding, John Gleed junior was educated at Lydgate House preparatory school in Hunstanton until, aged 11, he moved to Spalding Grammar School.

Then, aged 14, he went on to Uppingham School. Here he took a great interest in sporting pursuits, representing the school at hockey, at ‘fives’ and in the 2nd-eleven cricket team.

Aged 19, he entered service with the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) with the intention of becoming a pilot. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant (2/Lt) on April 18, he attended No.2 School of Instruction at Christchurch College, Oxford for ground technical training.

On June 5, 1916 he was posted to No.5 Reserve Squadron (5 RS) at Castle Bromwich airfield to begin basic flying training where his progress was quite rapid, since he took his Royal Aero Club (RAeC) solo test on June 26, 1916 in a Maurice Farman aeroplane and was awarded RAeC certificate No.3287.

He could now begin the RFC’s own course of flying to bring his skill up to the standard required of a war-time military pilot and moved to 28 RS, also located at Castle Bromwich.

At the time of 2/Lt Gleed’s arrival the unit was equipped with Avro 504, Bristol Scout and Sopwith 1½ Strutter aircraft and by August 28, 1916, having shown satisfactory progress, John Gleed was awarded his RFC ‘wings’.

Records show that 2/Lt Gleed was fortunate to complete his early training because he wrecked Sopwith 1½ Strutter No.7797 at Stowe-by-Chartley in Staffordshire while landing in fog on November 13, 1916. Landing much too fast, he managed to run the aeroplane through two hedges before ending up in a pond.

He was injured, requiring him to have surgery on December 27, but, recovering from his injuries, he finished his training at Castle Bromwich on May 11, 1917.

Posted to No. 45 Squadron, equipped with the out-classed two-seat Sopwith 1½ Strutter at Sainte-Marie-Cappel in northern France, luck stayed with Lt Gleed because he had managed to miss the infamous Bloody April, when the German Air Force’s Albatros fighters wreaked havoc among the RFC. This was a time when the operational life expectancy of RFC aircrew was measured in days.

John Gleed arrived on the squadron on June 28 and in just five days between July 3 and 7 he flew seven operational patrols with his gunner/observer Lt John Fotheringham, before they were shot down, having had the misfortune to run into the Red Baron’s ‘Flying Circus’.

At 5pm on July 7, six Sopwith 1½ Strutters from 45 Squadron, led by Captain Cock, with Lieutenant Ward as his gunner/observer, were on a photo-reconnaissance mission when they were attacked by 18 Albatros fighters at 10,000 feet over Wervicq.

First, Sgt Yeomans and his gunner Cpl Harries, in the right rear machine, were attacked by two enemy fighters (EA) diving on them. He turned sharply and got on top of one which was diving past him.

Firing his front gun, Sgt Yeomans got in a long burst at this machine which turned on to its back with clouds of smoke coming out of its exhaust pipes before side-slipping into a spin.

Immediately afterwards, seven more EA dived on Sgt Yeoman’s machine, which had by this time dropped slightly behind the formation. One EA dived to within 30 yards of them. Cpl Harries fired at this machine; flames burst out of it and it fell earthwards.

Cpl Harries fired at another EA which he hit in the ammunition box because an explosion took place in front of the enemy pilot followed by dense smoke. This machine put its nose down with a violent jerk and disappeared.

Cpl Harries barely had time to load another drum on his gun when a third EA was on top of them. Sgt Yeomans, however, destroyed the enemy’s accuracy of fire by making ‘S’-turns and this machine, too, was shot down out of control by Cpl Harries.

Leading the formation, Capt Cock and Lt Ward had an EA dive right across their tail and Lt Ward claimed to have shot down this machine out of control.

Lt Walker and gunner Lt Mullen, who were flying immediately on the right of the leader, at one time had five EA on their tail. Mullen opened fire on the nearest, which was so close he could see the instrument panel in front of the pilot and the pilot’s hands on the joy-stick. Lt Mullen fired a burst right into the body of the pilot and, seeing this EA falling out of control, they withdrew.

The Sopwith in the left rear position (Lt Hewson and gunner Lt Snyder) was flying too straight and level and was attacked by five EA from above and below. Hewson’s machine was hit, burst into flames and went down.

Four EA then closed on the next Sopwith (Lt Gleed and Lt Fotheringham) which was flying immediately in front of Hewson and this, too, was shot down in flames.

Lt Gleed is commemorated in a splendid stained glass window set in the north wall of St Mary and St Nicolas Church, Spalding. His image and that of his brother-in-law Capt Harvey, who also died in the war, are depicted in stained glass.

Lt J V A Gleed is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemetery at Wytschaete, Belgium. At the time, the body of Lt J B Fotheringham was not found with or near that of Lt Gleed and, although many Unknown Soldiers found in that vicinity are buried in Wytschaete, Lt Beveridge was never positively identified and remains ‘missing in action’.

A Spalding grower and his wife have taken their charity fundraising to nearly £10,000 after hosting their third open garden weekend in four years.

Chris and Gillian Eley welcomed visitors to their Low Fulney home where cakes, plants and conversation were in plentiful supply.

This year’s event raised £2,535 for Macmillan Cancer Support, with the Eleys having raised more than £2,700 for Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance in 2015 and more than £4,500 for Help for Heroes in 2013.

Chris said: “The weekend went okay and we had a few people from as far away as King’s Lynn and Peterborough.

“We’ve got a lot of roses so they proved popular and we also have a topiary garden which is quite nice.

“One lady said that she came at 10.45am on one of the days and didn’t leave until 3pm because she had met so many people.”

The garden was created by Chris 45 years ago after the family home was built in 1972.

He said: “We do it for the benefit of the people who come and we’d like to thank the caterers and cake makers, along with Butters Group, Wyeplants and Eurogarden Imports who were very helpful in supplying the plants.”

A 14-year, £51,000 effort to give Tydd St Mary its own community building has come to a glorious end.

Fundraisers, parish councillors and other guests were invited to the opening of Glebe Community Pavilion, part of the village’s Glebe Memorial Park, last Monday.

The building, which includes changing and walk-in shower rooms, kitchen, toilets and function room, replaces the original building which was destroyed by arsonists in May 2003.

Steve Wright, chairman of Tydd St Mary Playing Field Committee, said: “Before the fire took place, local residents used the old pavilion regularly for youth clubs, birthday parties and as changing rooms for the football club.

“At one point, players were having to take it in turns to change in a shed donated by a retailer where a lady worked whose house backed onto the playing field.

“It took a lot of hard work and lots of meeting to agree things, so it was a poignant moment when we opened the pavilion last Monday.”

The playing field committee itself raised £44,000 over the last seven years, including £3,300 from a Classic Car Rally in May, in what Steve described as the “largest volunteer-led project in South Holland”.

In addition, grants worth £20,000 over the last three years from the Grange Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund helped the project along.

Steve said: “It was nice to have everyone together for the opening, including builder Mark Benton (of Long Sutton) and D.W. Monaghan Electrical Services Ltd (Holbeach) who offered their time either free or at a reduced rate.

“We’re now hoping to see the pavilion used in a similar kind of way to the old one.”

Langtoft and Sutton St James are celebrating after coming out victorious in the Year 5 and 6 School Games Rounders competition.

The day of sport took place at Spalding Grammar School last week, with Langtoft the large primary school winners and Sutton St James the victorious small school.

Spalding Monkshouse were second large school, with Ayscoughfee’s A and B teams tying with Weston Hills for third.

Second small school was Moulton Chapel, with the Holbeach St Marks and Gedney Drove End team third.

Teams from 23 schools took part in the event, run by Rupert Gibson, from Agilitas Sports.

On a day that became wetter and wetter, the teams played in leagues in the morning and then into knock outs in the afternoon.

At the start of the day there was clearly a marked variety of rounders knowledge and playing ability but after a few games everyone was having great games with many hard-fought close contests.

The standard of umpiring by the sports leaders from Spalding High School was fantastic.

Other results: Large schools – 6th=: Moulton John Harrox, Long Sutton, Bourne Abbey, Bourne Westfield, Spalding Primary; 11th=: Spalding St Norberts, Spalding St Johns, Sutton Bridge Westmere A, Sutton Bridge Westmere B, Deeping St James Linchfield; 16th= Holbeach A, Holbeach B, Crowland South View A, Crowland South View B.

Small schools – 4th Shepeau Stow/Gedney Hill; 5th Cowbit; 6th Bourne Elsea Park.

• Two pages of pictures in Thursday’s (June 6) Spalding Guardian.

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.

Lincoln Magistrates’ Court

May 25

Zoe Fairbanks (39), of Mill Marsh Road, Moulton Seas End. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln). £150 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Victor Filip (36), of Priory Road, Spalding. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Arran Hillary (24), of Sixfield Close, Lincoln. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £40 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Liz Killingworth (40), of Leafere Way, Leverington. Speeding (Tydd Gote). £440 fine, £44 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Sabina Landau (56), of Lime Street, Sutton Bridge. Speeding (Tydd Gote). £166 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Aleksandra Puodziuniene (34), of Ramnoth Road, Wisbech. Speeding (Whaplode). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Erika Seputyte (36), of Little London, Spalding. Failing to give driver ID (Lincoln). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Vilius Varanavicius (18), of Bourne Road, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No MOT. £50 fine. Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. £50 fine.

Susan Williamson (61), of Wyberton Low Road, Boston. No insurance (Wyberton). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No MOT. £220 fine.

May 29

Patrick Leighton (70), of NFA. Two counts of assault (Crowland). 18 months conditional discharge, restraining order, £20 v/s.

May 30

Natasha Kennedy (36), of Tolls Lane, Holbeach. Failed to report an accident (Holbeach). £100 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 5pts.

Irmina Kozlowska (41), of Park Avenue, Sutterton. No insurance (Sutterton). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, no MOT and defective tyre.

Hannah Cole (31), of Victoria Street, Grantham. Speeding (Spalding). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Jesse Dunford (31), of High Street, Stilton. Defective tyre (Market Deeping). £440 fine, £44 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Gareth Hancock, of Hills Close, Great Linford, Milton Keynes. Speeding (Cowbit). £135 fine, £30 v/s, 3pts.

Nicolae Macau (37), Musician Mews, High Street, Kirton. Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence (Boston). £220 fine, £30 v/s, 385 costs, 4pts.

Jonathan Reeve (42), of Windsor Avenue, Holbeach. Speeding (Whaplode). £93 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Jonathan Reeve (42), of Windsor Avenue, Holbeach. Speeding (Spalding). £93 fine, 3pts.

Anthony Wainwright (31), of Willingham Gardens, Sheffield. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £100 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Sara Wells (47), of Flint Close, Luton. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £116 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

May 31

Darren Matthews (45), of Sheppersons Avenue, Gosberton Risegate. Assault (Gosberton Risegate). 6 weeks prison sentence, restraining order, £50 compensation. Took a car without the owner’s consent. 4 weeks prison sentence concurrent, disqualified from driving for 3 months. Dishonestly undertook or assisted in the retention, removal, disposal or realisation of stolen goods, namely a bank card. 6 weeks prison sentence concurrent. Fraud by using a contactless bank card not in his own name. 6 weeks prison sentence concurrent. No separate penalty for possession of amphetamine. No action taken on breach of conditional discharge.

June 1

Arturs Eversons (31), of Walnut View, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). 20 weeks prison sentence suspended for 24 months, requirement to participate in drink-impaired drivers programme, rehabilitation activity requirements, £115 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 52 months. Driving while disqualified. 20 weeks prison sentence concurrent, suspended for 24 months.

Peter Davis (40), of Church View, Church Walk, Bourne. Stole meat worth £30 belonging to Lincolnshire Cooperative Society (Lincoln). 4 weeks prison sentence consecutive with previous offence*. Assault. 4 weeks prison sentence consecutive with previous offence*. £146 compensation. No adjudication on commission of a further offence during suspended sentence order.

*Suspended sentences on five previous offences activated. Overall length of sentence: 35 weeks.

Stefan Andrei (38), of Winsover Road, Spalding. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Alex Elderkin (23), of Hereward Road, Spalding. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Daniel Fistican (25), of Smith Avenue, King’s Lynn. Speeding (Little Sutton). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Cica Sandus (25), of Pinchbeck Road, Spalding. No insurance (Boston). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Andrew Searle (46), of Lansdowne Court, Spalding. No insurance (Lincoln). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Richard Smith (32), of Lowgate, Tydd St Mary. Speeding (Little Sutton). £187 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 5pts.

David Stone (76), of Casswell Drive, Quadring. Speeding (Lincoln). £40 fine, £30 v/s, 3pts.

Arvydas Taasevicius (47), of St Andrews Street, Lincoln. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £73 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Renatas Vasikonis (31), of Atherstone Avenue, Netherton. Speeding (Baston). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

June 2

James Ellis (21), of Small Drove, Weston. Assault (Spalding). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement, restraining order, £120 fine, £85 v/s.

June 5

Mark Jehu (34), of George Street, Bourne. Drink-driving (Bourne). Community order with 100 hours unpaid work, £85 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 24 months. Also no licence, no insurance.

Could traditional bands be the new rock and roll now the Black Dyke brass band has played Glastonbury?

The world famous band hit the stage that has seen legends like the late, great David Bowie rock the crowds.

Picking up a cornet seems an unlikely route to stardom but being a member of a traditional band can land you in unexpected places – like it did for a Spalding’s Marching Ambassadors.

The Ambassadors are not a brass band but drumming members appeared in opening and closing ceremonies of London’s 2012 Olympics.

Spalding Brass, Holbeach Town Band and the Ambassadors are looking for new members who can join while at primary school and benefit from free music tuition and a ready made social life.

Spalding Brass switched practice nights at Broad Street Business Centre to Fridays, so more people could play without worrying about school or work the next day.

Numbers have grown from five or six to 16, including six learners, over the last year but the band would like more people aged eight upwards to join.

“We don’t charge for music lessons,” said member Julie Key. “And that’s the good thing about us because lessons can be very expensive.”

Julie says being a member of a band is a great social activity, a chance to make friends while making music.

Members attend practice once a week, when they can, and from time to time play at a mix of often informal engagements.

To enquire about joining please call Julie or husband Richard on 07809 031163 or email spalding.brass@btinternet.com

Being in a brass brand doesn’t mean playing music rooted in the 1920s, according to Holbeach Town Band musical director Mel Hopkin.

He says: “We play film themes from Pirates of the Caribbean and Avatar and songs such as Queen’s Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”

The 30-strong band recruits players aged seven upwards and it’s hoped more will join following the 16th annual Learn to Play in A Week event this summer, details of which will be publicised shortly.

To enquire about joining please call Mel on 01775 712420.

Spalding Marching Ambassadors are considering dropping their entry age from nine years to eight in a bid to recruit more members.

In May, we reported the Ambassadors’ numbers had dipped to a record low of 12.

Last month, the band triumphed in a competition at Stoke-on-Trent but disappointment followed in Barnsley on June 18 when they came second in their class.

Bandmaster Jim Bright said: “We were up against a band with three times as many people and the number of instruments they had on the field was mind boggling.”

The band play trumpets, drums and xylophones, and anyone keen to learn can attend the United Reformed Church, in Pinchbeck Road, Spalding, between 7pm-9pm on Wednesdays or telephone Jim on 01775 723087.

Subscriptions for the Ambassadors are just £1 a week.

About 70,000 watch battery changes, 8,000 strap and 5,000 clock repairs, have taken place at Penman Watch and Jewellery, Spalding, since it opened nearly 20 years ago.

Located in Pied Calf Yard, off Sheep Market, the business started out as a specialist repair centre for antique and more modern clocks, watches and jewellery under the guidance of founder and managing director Michael Strutt.

Its evolution into a business with an online presence, engagement, wedding and eternity (anniversary) rings has been driven by director Catherine Duce, a relative of Michael’s who joined the business in 2010.

Catherine said: “When I first started, the shop was refitted and we brought in new, modern brands of watches and jewellery.

“The aim was to offer something a little bit different from what you see on the high street of the UK’s major cities.

“We have very loyal customers so we wanted to show that it’s possible to have a range of watches and jewellery, carefully selected for their style and quality of manufacture, for people who come to a market town like Spalding.

“The shop is traditional, but with a contemporary twist as well, and I believe that we’ve become the main port of call for anyone with a watch or jewellery to repair.

“But the most important thing is how we treat our customers, who range from the age of 15 to 95.”

Nine years before Catherine’s arrival, Penman went through its first expansion when a hairdresser moved premises which allowed Michael to bring in designer watches and jewellery to sell.

It also brought the shop two South Holland Best Business Awards in three years between 2000 and 2002.

At the time of its reopening by South Holland and the Deepings MP, John Hayes, Michael said: “The premises next door became available and after the expansion work, the shop has grown three-fold.

“As well as the traditional antique clock workshop, there is a new extension which is very minimalist and they both go together quite well.”

The shop’s capacity for pioneering achievements was proven again just months after Catherine joined in 2010 when Penman Watch and Jewellery was awarded £16,000 by the Wash Fens Rural Development Programme.

Thinking proactively, the grant was used to develop a greater internet presence for the business and take on a new, part-time staff member,

Speaking to the Spalding Guardian at the time, Michael said: “For our business to survive in changing times, we have recognised the need for the development of our internet site.

“This money will allow us to push our online internet business by expanding our presence on sites like Facebook and Twitter to make our services slicker and more prominent.”

Michael’s status as a member of the British Watch and Clock Makers Guild put him in high regard with customers from as far afield as King’s Lynn, Peterborough and Stamford.

Catherine said: “We’re part of the Company of Master Jewellers, a network of independent jewellery retailers across the UK and Ireland.

“As a shop, we’re also long-standing members of the National Association of Jewellers which gives our customers that added bit of reassurance about the customer care and meticulous attention to detail we offer.

“There are five of us altogether in the business, including myself as a director and shop manager Sally Buckley who works at opposite ends of the week to me.

“Michael does all the clock repairs, although he works a little less in the shop now than he did before, and we have two other staff members who work part-time.”

The evolution of Penman Watch and Jewellery is set to go on into its 20th year, with Catherine promising more new ideas for the business.

She said: “I got into clock and watch repairing through my family, having previously worked in the fresh produce industry.

“We all love dealing with members of the public who we try to help as much as possible and we’ll continue striving to be a destination shop for gifts to suit families and friends.”

• Penman Watch and Jewellery is the 25th business to be featured in our weekly Support Our Shops series since it was launched in January.

Whether it is food and drink, clothes and jewellery, pet products or eyecare, Support Our Shops is a chance for any independent or family-run business based in South Holland to raise its profile, free of charge.

So if you would like us to visit you for an interview and photograph, email winston.brown@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Frustrated Crowland parish councillors have been warned there is no “overnight fix” for the problem of youth crime in the town.

The warning came from Inspector (Insp) Gareth Boxall, community policing inspector for South Holland, who was due to have met district and county council officers yesterday for talks about low-level crime and disorder in Crowland.

Patience wore thin during Insp Boxall’s 50-minute meeting with parish councillors on Monday when complaints were made about disorder after the annual Crowland Show on Saturday, June 24.

At least one claim was made that youths had climbed on top of a marquee at Snowden Field, where the show was held, and slid down it, before the marquee itself was vandalised during the night.

Coun Bryan Alcock, Crowland parish and district councillor, said: “There was a need for police during the day of the show and they did a very good job.

“We have to accept that the damage to the marquee was done at night and part of it was done with a knife which is a bit disturbing.

“But there are at least two or three youths who have been an habitual nuisance since this problem started and, having sat around this table for a number of months, these talks sadly seem to be futile.

“If the activities (after the Crowland Show) are acceptable to anybody, I find that difficult to understand.”

Insp Boxall told the meeting that seven reports of anti-social behaviour, two thefts and two cases of criminal damage had been reported across Crowland in June, compared to a total of 18 cases of the same crimes for June 2016.

He added: “Anti-social behaviour is an ongoing problem for the town and it has been for a couple of months at least.

“Prior to me arriving as inspector for South Holland, the local officers here felt that we had made some progress.

“But the gap left by one group of youths seems to have been filled by another group and the problem is well up on our radar.

“We’ve been making their parents aware of what they’ve been involved in, issuing warning letters that have usually been heeded.

“However, I can’t give you any assurances that every criminal act in Crowland will be prosecuted and I can’t promise that the problem is going to be sorted out overnight.

“We can only work within the confines of the law.”

Daffodil grower Brian Taylor is the recipient of this year’s 
annual Carlo Naef Trophy.

He received the silver salver from the Springfields Horticultural Society to mark his lifetime involvement with his family’s horticultural and farming business and his dedication to the daffodil bulb and flower growing industry.

Working alongside his brothers John and Roger, Brian helped to develop OA Taylors & Sons of Holbeach, which today is the main UK supplier of pre-packed bulbs to garden centres, retailers and other outlets all around the country.

His main role at Taylors was the production of the daffodil bulbs and flowers and he was one of the first people to start selling daffodils to Holland in the 1970s, when Taylors became the largest exporter of them to the Dutch auctions.

This led to the opening up of other new opportunities and the exporting of hundreds of thousands of bunches of daffodils each spring all over Europe as well as to the USA and Canada.

Taylors also supplied daffodil bulbs to the pharmaceutical industry for the extraction of galantamine which was used as a treatment for Alzheimer’s.

Brian’s extensive experience in the daffodil bulb and flower industry meant that he was also well respected for his technical and practical knowledge of bulb and flower growing and he represented growers on many committees.

Locally, he had roles with the NFU South Holland Horticultural Association and South Holland Growers Club, as well as the Spalding Flower Parade Committee and the Springfields Horticultural 
Exhibition Committee.

Springfields Horticultural Society chief executive David Norton said: “Brian has always been a dedicated supporter of the daffodil bulb and flower industry and those who work within it, and it is therefore justly fitting that he should receive this recognition from the industry that he has supported all his life.

“An award that his colleagues and associates would like him to accept as a sincere ‘thank-you’ for his efforts on their behalf and as a sign of their appreciation of his considerable achievements.”

The award was presented by Springfields Horticultural Society chairman Peter Ruysen on behalf of the trustees of the society and bulb industry friends and colleagues.

The trophy was gifted to the Society in 1992 as part of Covent Garden flower 
importing firm J&E Page’s celebrations to mark the 90th birthday of their chairman, Carlo Naef. It has since been awarded every year as a mark of recognition and appreciation of the work carried out by the recipient for the UK flower bulb industry.

Kier project manager Andy Smith with pupils Imogen and Callum, both six, and their new tools.

They created the garden at Wygate Park Academy, in Witham Road, before gifting them with wheel barrows, forks and watering cans so they can look after it.

The garden has been created at the school so the children can grow their own plants, fruit and vegetables.

David Thomas, Kier Living Eastern’s sales and marketing director, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure putting this together for the children at Wygate Park Academy.

“We have been working hard creating homes at nearby Kingfisher Court and when the opportunity came up to help the local community we jumped at the chance.

“Our employees have been hard at work to make this happen and we look forward to hearing what the children grow in the coming months and years.”

The project came about after Kier Living Eastern asked the local communityif there were any tasks they could help with and the school replied.

The area at the school was initially covered in rubble and staff spent time clearing it before creating the allotment, which has raised beds.

Children were asked to come up with their own designs for the plot before they were brought to life by the award-winning housebuilder.

Kier Living Eastern is busy building homes close by at Kingfisher Court.

Military experts were called to Spalding when a hand grenade was brought in to police as part of a firearms surrender week.

The grenade was handed in by a member of the public at Spalding Police Station in Westlode Street at about 10am yesterday (Sunday).

An RAF Bomb Disposal unit took the hand grenade away just days after a World War II mortar shell was handed in at the same police station.

Police were forced to close their counter to the public while the shell was taken away last Wednesday.

Today (Monday) is the final day of the firearms amnesty and, in a tweet, South Holland Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Gareth Boxall said: “If you have any grenades or similar (weapons) at home, give us a call.

“Don’t come to us, we’ll come to you.”

BREAKING NEWS WEDNESDAY 2.45PM: World War II shell delivery shuts Spalding Police Station

Spalding Police Station was closed for enquiries briefly today after a World War mortar shell turned up on its counter.

The military weapon was brought in by a resident in the middle of a week-long firearms surrender organised by Lincolnshire Police.

People can take their unlicensed or unwanted firearms, ammunition, war memorabilia and imitation weapons to any police station between now and Monday, without facing charges.

Speaking about the wartime delivery to Spalding Police Station, a spokesman said: “A member of the public had brought in a World War II mortar shell that had been in their attic for years.

“We closed public access (to Spalding Police Station) until an explosive ordnance disposal team arrived.

“They have taken the mortar shell away and it is likely that they will be carrying out a controlled detonation.”

I was very pleased to read that South Holland District Council has agreed to take on the task of grass cutting of the town’s roadside verges using funds from the Spalding special expenses fund following the recent request by the Spalding Town Forum.

I was very pleased to read that South Holland District Council has agreed to take on the task of grass cutting of the town’s roadside verges using funds from the Spalding special expenses fund following the recent request by the Spalding Town Forum.

It is, however, a pity that it has taken so long to arrive at this point. Perhaps if more people had supported the consultation for a town council in Spalding, we would be on our way to having an electorally-accountable body that would have been able to take a decision such as this a lot sooner.

I do, however, hope that the powers that be will undertake a full review of the potential options available for roadside verges and roundabouts over the forthcoming winter so that the spending from the Spalding special expenses fund is kept to a minimum and that value for money is achieved along with improving the quality of the roadside verges in the years ahead

Local businesses can now start looking forward to one of the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce’s biggest events of the year.

The South Holland Business Awards are back with a bang and are taking place this year on November 23 at Springfields Conference and Events Centre in Spalding.

The awards, now in their fifth year, are set to be even bigger than last year’s event, which saw more than 200 guests in attendance.

Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce caught up with all four of the 2016 apprentice winners to see what winning meant for them, if they would do it all again and what they thought about going to their first award ceremony in Spalding.

Kirsty Buffham, energy broker administrator from Fairnet Commercial Services said: “Since winning this award, I have taken on more responsibilities within Fairnet Commercial Services and more clients are willing to pass queries through to me because I am a more recognised member of the team.

“It clearly shows starting as an apprentice can get you somewhere, as I have been working for Fairnet Commercial Services for more than two years now.”

“Representing the company at the business awards was an honour, as it is a great business to work for.”

The awards are open to both members and non-members of Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce. All guests will be treated to a three-course meal and drinks reception, which will be followed by live entertainment, guest speakers and of course the award ceremony itself.

With a sell-out event last year, the Chamber is gearing up for another huge ceremony which recognises the spirit of the business community in Spalding.

The South Holland business community has a lot to celebrate and the Chamber is encouraging local businesses to enter for their chance to win one of the prestigious awards.

There are seven award categories in total which include:

• Apprentice of the Year

• Business Person of the year

• Supporting the Community Award

• Customer Care Award

• Business Innovation of the Year Award

•New/Small Business of the Year Award

• Business of the Year

Tickets for this event cost £32.50 for members and £42.50 for non-members or businesses will receive a 10 per cent discount when booking a table of ten.

This is priced at £300+ VAT for members and £400+ VAT for non-members.

For more information and an application go to www.shb-awards.com

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

June 7

John Joy (66), of Campling Place, Holbeach. Drink driving (Whaplode). £360 fine, £36 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Jack Keatley (20), of Park Estate, Deeping St James. Drug driving (Stamford). £270 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Terry Parbury (31), of Havelock Street, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £120 fine, £30 v/s, £40 costs. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

James Simpson (28), of Lodge Road, Bourne. Drink driving (Bourne). £250 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Sarah Smith (27), of St Johns Road, Spalding. Stole two joints of meat and dishwasher tablets of unspecified value belonging to Morrisons (Pinchbeck). 16 months conditional discharge, £85 costs.

Sarah Smith (28), of St Johns Road, Spalding. Stole three tubs of whey gain protein worth £134.97 belonging to Holland and Barrett (Spalding). 16 months conditional discharge, £134.97 compensation. Stole three tubs of optimum nutrition whey protein worth £134.97 belonging to Holland and Barrett. 16 months conditional discharge, £134.97 compensation. Stole two tubs of optimum nutrition whey protein worth £89.98 belonging to Holland and Barrett. 16 months conditional discharge, £89.98 compensation. Stole clothing worth £120 belonging to Next (Spalding). 16 months conditional discharge, £120 compensation.

Sarah Smith (28), of St Johns Road, Spalding. Stole six tins of pain worth £88.68 belonging to B&Q (Spalding). 16 months conditional discharge, £88.68 compensation.

Michael Edwards (78), of Parkside Crescent, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). £120 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 20 months.

June 9

Lee Cavozzi (41), of Scarborough Close, Rippingale. Assault (Bourne). £120 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs.

Lilija Stupina (46), of Cotton Road, Boston. Driving without due care and attention (Sutterton). £170 fine, 30 v/s, £135 costs, 5pts.

June 12

Ashley Callaby (23), of Oakley Place, Holbeach Hurn. No insurance (Little Sutton). £355 fine, £36 v/s, £85 costs, 8pts. No separate penalty for failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident and no MOT.

Mihai Covaci (41), of Knight Street, Pinchbeck. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln). £240 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Lincoln Magistrates’ Court

June 5

Katie Croker (42), of Ash Court, Donington. Drink driving (Gosberton Clough). Community order with drink impaired driver’s course programme requirement, £85 v/s, £40 v/s, to be detained in court house, detention deemed served by reason of time already spent, in lieu of payment of £85 v/s, disqualified from driving for 3 years. Driving while disqualified. Community order. No separate penalty for no insurance.

June 6

Michal Czubak (24), of Carrington Road, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). £180 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 18 months.

June 7

Agnis Dzeguze (23), of Paddock Grove, Boston. No insurance (Kirton). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months. No separate penalty for no MOT.

Christian Fenwick (32), of St Botolphs Mews, Boston. Speeding (Spalding). £116 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Simon Fletcher (21), of Dennis Estate, Kirton. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months.

Kamran Hussain (38), of Farrow Road, Whaplode Drove. Speeding (Spalding). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months.

Michael Watson (60), of Hanthorpe Road, Morton. Driving without due care and attention (Bourne). £40 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Michael Davis (30), of Uplands, Warrington. Speeding (Spalding). £92 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Sandra Hamlet (55), of Kemp Street, Crowland. Speeding (Cowbit). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Tanase Lilian (53), of Pinchbeck Road, Spalding. Driving without due care and attention (Boston). £300 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 5pts.

June 8

Kevin Cawthorn (47), of Church Lane, Crowland. Speeding (Spalding). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Patrick Doherty (50), of Mellisham Walk, King’s Lynn. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Carl Golder (41), of Main Street, Farcet. Speeding (Spalding). £133 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Brendon Hope (44), of Darbyshire Close, Deeping St James. Speeding (Leverton). £146 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Lesek Losinski (31), of Wellingtonia Park, Boston. Speeding (Sutterton). £100 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Ashley Smith (35), of Kemps Road, Pulham St Mary, Norfolk. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £78 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Wojciech Swiech (24), of Westlode Street, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £166 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Adam Szeliga (18), of Horse Fayre Fields, Spalding. Driving without due care and attention (Spalding). £66 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts. Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence (Spalding). £66 fine.

Monika Tonkunaite (26), of East Leake, Loughborough. Speeding (Spalding). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Ian Wilson (49), of London Road, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Burglars stole cash and jewellery from a house near Langtoft Primary School on Thursday.

A gang used a double glazed door at the side of the house to get in between 9.30am and 12.30pm.

Anyone with information should call Market Deeping Police Station on 101, quoting incident number 220 of July 6.

You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Vandals smashed a window at the site of a former music shop in Spalding on Saturday.

Police are treating the window smashing at what was Spalding Music Service in Winsover Road as criminal damage.

The time of the incident is at yet unknown, but anyone with information should call Spalding Police Station on 101, quoting incident number 317 of July 8.

You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Style and class was the order of the evening on Friday when the Peele Community College in Long Sutton held its annual Year 11 prom.

The usual array of assorted vehicles brought young men in suits and young ladies in stunning dresses to an evening of music and dancing, with some dressing to the Masquerade theme.

The hall had been transformed using black and ivory drapery combined with purple mood lighting.

There were candelabras on the tables, food, drink and locally supplied sweets and Laddies ice cream.

The students then danced the night away to an excellent disco. As usual, the evening contained special awards:

• Best Hair – George Napier and Molly Southerland;

• Cutest Couple – Louise Defries and Tom Norton;

• Best Transport – Shannon Wallis (VW camper van, preceded by her family playing on trumpets – von Trapp style!);

• Best Suit – Josh Lester;

• Best Dress – Alice Chidgey;

• Prom Prince – Scott Croxford;

• Prom Princess – Molly Savage;

• Prom King – Adam Horspool;

• Prom Queen – Lily Thompson.

• Three full pages of pictures in the Free Press tomorrow (Tuesday).