A carer from Whaplode St Catherine has used an international charity’s ongoing work to save children’s lives as motivation for the world’s greatest half-marathon.

Mother and grandmother Diane Morris will line up with an estimated 57,000 runners at the start line for the Simplyhealth Great North Run on Sunday, September 10.

Just two days after three-time Great North Run winner Sir Mo Farah came first in the 3,000m at the Anniversary Games in London, Diane is hoping to finish the 13.1-mile course from Newcastle to South Shields in under two hours.

Diane said: “I’ve tended to fundraise for children’s charities in the past and I actually started running eight years ago when one of my sons was at a playgroup where the mums decided to do a sponsored half-marathon.

“It was the Great Eastern Run (in Peterborough) and from then I was hooked.

“The following year, I did another half-marathon and then a full marathon in Nottingham just because I enjoyed it.

“But I’ve never done the Great North Run and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do just to experience the crowds.”

Diane’s choice of charity came after watching a presentation on famine relief by youngsters from the Boys and Girls’ Brigades at Spalding Baptist Church.

“It hit home that there are children in the world who are without food and water,” Diane said.

“A lot of the work that Save the Children does is in Third World countries and as the Great North Run fitted in with me running a lot more this year, I want to raise as much money as possible for the charity.”

Diane can count on support from her clubmates at Halmer Harriers Running Club with whom she runs twice a week.

She said: “Halmer Harriers is such a good club to run at, whatever your ability, and the support there is incredible.

“Running was about fitness at first and then I thought ‘how far can I push myself?’

“That’s why I started doing ultramarathons (any marathon longer than the traditional 26.2-mile distance).”

Just like the London Marathon, which Diane ran last year, the Great North Run will feature celebrities like physicist Professor Brian Cox, TV presenter Davina McCall and Casualty/Holby City star Amanda Mealing.

Diane said: “It’s a big deal because it’s such a big race so I’ll be nervous beforehand.”

To sponsor Diane, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DianeMorris50

• Are you doing the Great North Run on September 10? Email winston.brown@iliffepublishing.co.uk

I usually resist the temptation to read the Court Register as it makes me angry to see the whimsical way penalties are imposed by our judiciary.

Alas, I recently succumbed.

Vivian Gedney and Scott McKenzie receive a £175/£220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs for no MOT but Saulius Grigaitis receives “no separate penalty” for the same offence.

Rebecca Courton sentenced for drink-driving and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, but escapes a penalty for no insurance.

Yet Ernestas Zilinskas, Filip Toma, Rogerio Da Costa and Danus Rudacevskij receive substantial fines plus other charges for the same offence. Incidentally, Ms Courton received an 18-month plus a 12-month driving ban for the two separate offences. Anyone care to wager they are to run concurrently?

How about shoplifter James Simpson?He still 
receives community orders that apparently does little to change his behaviour.

I could go on.

I ask that you publish the names of magistrates along with those they sentence. We will then better understand those that are more suited to managing supermarkets offering discount for multiple “transactions” rather than prosecute to the full extent of the law.

Maybe I’m too old to fully understand the delicacies of modern living, but believe our legal system is more in favour of the criminal rather than administrating justice. Time for rebellion?

The auctioneer’s hammer will be heard in Long Sutton this weekend as its parish church works to open a new community room for its 850th anniversary.

Furniture, paintings, war memorabilia, antiques and other items will be among the lots at a community auction inside St Mary’s Church Hall on Saturday from noon until 4pm.

Stamford-based auctioneer David Palmer, star of TV shows like Bargain Hunt, Cash in the Attic and Flog It, will be selling the items from 1.30pm after a 90-minute viewing period for prospective bidders.

Member’s of St Mary’s Church and the wider community have been invited to donate items for auction, with the proceeds going towards a community room to be created at the back of the church.

A statement published in the church magazine said: “Time is getting closer to when St Mary’s Church celebrates the 850th anniversary of its foundation in 2020.

“It has been decided to celebrate this anniversary by holding a series of events during the year 2020, as well as working towards funding improvements to the church, including a community meeting room and facilities at the back of the church.

“We already use this area regularly for meetings and refreshments, but a working group has been set up to develop ideas and initial ideas have been discussed and agreed by the church council.”

The earliest origins of St Mary’s are thought to date back as far as 1170 when so-called Cluniac monks (linked to the French abbey of Cluny in Burgundy) built the original church during the English Civil War known as “The Anarchy”.

The church statement said: “A number of fundraising events have also been planned during the course of this year, including our community auction led by David Palmer on Saturday.”

Items for auction can be left at the church hall tomorrow between 2pm and 5pm.

Holbeach Cemetery Chapels

will become a cafe and a flower shop - thanks to a brainwave from ingenious Year 6 pupils at Holbeach Primary Academy.

In a three-day heritage project with the chapels, the youngsters first learned about the buildings and their history before looking forward and considering how the chapels could be regenerated and refurbished as public buildings.

They were split into teams and each group had to make a model of their vision for the chapel buildings.

On the first day of the course, Ian Marshman from Heritage Lincolnshire showed pupils the different parts of the building and the problems that it faces more than 160 years after it was built.

Back at school on day two, the pupils worked in groups to discuss how they would like to see the chapels used in the future.

They built models to present their ideas and wrote presentations which were pitched on the third day.

Ideas included a sweetshop and cafe, a museum and cafe, a cafe with fun area, a gym with healthy food shop and the flower shop plan.

The entries were judged by chair of governors Jenny Worth, Coun Nick Worth, project administrator Katie Edwards and Heritage Lincolnshire’s Ian Marshman.

The Bosses won ‘Best Idea’, Team Delta had ‘Best Teamwork’, while Rainbow Squid won ‘Best Model’.

All the models will be be displayed in shops around Holbeach.

• Year 6 pupils Polly Elkin and Bobbi Beaumont wrote a report on the project, which we will publish on our website - www.spaldingtoday.co.uk

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 12

Daniel Hay (36), of Mere Road, Waddington. Assault and possession of cannabis (Deeping St Nicholas). Community order with 100 hours unpaid work, requirement to participate in building better relationships programme, £85 v/s, £40 costs.

June 14

Andrew Taylor (52), of Godsey Lane, Market Deeping. Used threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour (Market Deeping). 6 months conditional discharge, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Richard Culff (46), of Godsey Crescent, Market Deeping. Used threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour (Market Deeping). 12 months conditional discharge, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Ivars Laucis (55), of The Square, Kirton. Drink driving (Boston). £290 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Arnestas Ubartas (36), of Montagu Close, Swaffham. Drink driving (Kirton). £300 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 16 months.

Sheron Marley (53), of Tarry Hill, Swineshead. Failed to provide a specimen of breath (Swineshead). £200 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Luke Perry (19), of Cornfield Close, Deeping St Nicholas. Possession of cannabis (Stamford). 20 weeks detention suspended for 24 months, curfew requirement, £115 v/s, £85 costs, drugs to be destroyed.

Christopher Scoulding (40), of Queens Road, Spalding. Possession in public place of an article which had a blade or was sharply pointed, namely a large knife (Pinchbeck). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement.

Christopher Scoulding (40), of Queens Road, Spalding. Criminal damage (Pinchbeck). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement, £800 compensation, £85 costs. Assault and possession of cannabis. Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement.

June 19

Louis Flaherty (18), of Main Street, Baston. Possession of cannabis (Stamford). Community order with 60 hours unpaid work, £85 v/s, £85 costs, drugs to be destroyed.

Lincoln Magistrates’ Court

June 13

Shane Houghton (24), of Delgate Avenue, Weston. Used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour (Weston). £80 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs.

Emily Maplethorpe (22), of Gibson Close, Holdingham, Sleaford. Speeding (Spalding). £40 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

John Miller (59), of Thackers Way, Market Deeping. Speeding (Spalding). £40 fine, £30 v/s, 3pts.

Stuart Newlands (37), of Saphock Place, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire. Speeding (Little Sutton). £184 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 5pts.

Edvinas Patkaciunas (18), of Crocus Walk, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £726 fine, £72 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without due care and attention.

Mateusj Raajewsky (31), of Franklin Drive, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £106 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Victoria Tuck (47), of St Marys Close, Attleborough. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Michael Webber (54), of Hardwick Road West, Worksop, Notts. Speeding (Spalding). £40 fine, £30 v/s, 3pts.

Scott Berry (29), of Merville Barracks, Colchester. Assault (Spalding). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement, £250 compensation, £85 v/s, £500 costs.

June 15

Krystian Urbanek (33), of Pennygate, Spalding. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for six months.

Tadas Abarius (25), of Appleyard Crescent, Norwich. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Kenneth Arnold (65), of Whitemoor Lane, Collingham, Nottinghamshire. Defective windscreen (Gosberton). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs.

Vytautas Gudavicius (31), of Spruce Close, Holbeach. Speeding (Whaplode). £146 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Josephine Harlock (75), of Broadgate, Weston. Speeding (Deeping St Nicholas). £120 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Carrie-Ann Howman (24), of Braeburn Road, Deeping St James. Permitted another to use a motor vehicle with no insurance (Market Deeping). £120 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Andrew Keane (50), of Irvinebank Road, Darvel, East Ayrshire. Speeding (Crowland). £116 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Brian Mayhew (71), of Hildyard Street, Grimsby. Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence (Market Deeping). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Joel Mitchell (28), of Albion Street, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £200 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

William O’Rawe (48), of Templemoyle, Kells, Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Speeding (Whaplode). £166 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Nicholas Pitman (43), of Masterton Road, Stamford. Speeding (Whaplode). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Micheal Rufus (47), of Cooksey Lane, Birmingham, West Midlands. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Lisa Smith (35), of Braeburn Road, Deeping St James. No insurance (Market Deeping). £120 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Eugenijus Valancius (54), of Gosberton Road, Surfleet. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Aleksandrs Voitkuns (31), of Thistlemoor Road, New England, Peterborough. Speeding (Spalding). £440 fine, £44 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Helen Warren (48), of Red Cow Drove, Moulton Marsh. No insurance (Wyberton). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Graphic designer Del Cruft has completed a coast-to-coast cycling challenge and raised £2,500 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Del also took on the challenge as Macmillan is a charity close to his heart and as a thank you to Helen Webster, of Spalding WeightWatchers, where he shed six stones.

Del lost his dad, Eric, to bowel cancer in 2001. His brother Lee had the same disease but is now cancer free. Helen’s life is also touched by cancer as she supports her mum through treatment.

The dad of two, from Haconby, used to get out of breath climbing the stairs but has now cycled 140 miles coast to coast across the UK in three days.

You can still sponsor Del on his JustGiving page by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraising/delcruft

A Crowland teenager who turned true blue and raised £1,200 for a cancer charity is among the town’s young shining lights after an annual awards ceremony.

Mitchell Staff (16), head boy at Spalding Grammar School, was named Crowland Young Achiever 2017 in the 13-18s category for his fundraising after he dyed his hair bue in the colours of Sue Ryder.

The teenager, who also works part time at The Old Paper Shop in North Street, Crowland, was recognised for his efforts to support the work of Sue Ryder’s Thorpe Hall Hospice where he has volunteered for two years.

Mitchell said: “My grandad was at the hospice for a few days before he died in 2010 so I did the fundraising in his memory.

“I was surprised to have been nominated for the award which is a good thing in Crowland which has good people and a nice community spirit.”

Glen and Alison Staff, Mitchell’s parents, said: “We’re extremely proud of Mitchell and extremely grateful for the nominations.

“He works hard and his attitude is one of caring for people which shows through in everything he does.”

Donna Young, Head of Fundraising for Sue Ryder’s Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough, said: “Mitchell comes to us every week to help in the office and with events.

“There are people who go through their whole lives and don’t make a difference.

“But Mitchell does and everybody should aspire to be like him.”

Mitchell was a winner of the main award alongside Kyle Warner in the under-13 category, with both of them presented with trophies, certificates and cheques , while runners-up Kara Johnson and Evie Hemmings each received certificates and cash prizes, presented by Coun David Ringham, vice chairman of Crowland Parish Council who hosted the awards evening on Wednesday.

Coun Ringham said: “I always look forward to the Crowland Young Achievers Awards’ night because it celebrates all the good that children do in the town.

“We do have much more those who contribute than the negative side of things and the quality of nominations this year was excellent.

“When you see volunteers of this age, it hits you in the heart because we hear so much bad news about young people.

“So it’s when you hear some news about young people who put something into the community.”

Money raised from the second Spalding Beer and Music Festival has helped build a blindfold trail at a West Pinchbeck School.

After the successful festival, organisers from Spalding Round Table asked groups, schools and organisations to bid for some of the cash – and St Bartholomew’s Primary School was successful.

Head teacher James Shawley explained that the ‘Night-Line’ involves children being blindfolded and navigating an array of obstacles whilst following a line of rope, that changes direction.

“The purpose is to enhance their communication skills, using positional language in order to enable others to navigate the obstacles,” he said.

Higher level teaching assistant Helen Thorley put in the successful bid and a group of volunteers from staff, parents and friends constructed the course.

Obstacles include logs, branches, tyres and bricks concreted into the ground. It ends with children congregating in a willow dome. Pupils will use it in curriculum time and under staff supervision at break and lunch-times.

Summer was welcomed in at a happy hippy festival in Tydd St Mary.

The Rainbow Summer Solstice Festival was a day of music, spiritual and Pagan celebration, stilt-walking, hula-hooping and sword-balancing behind the Five Bells pub in the village.

Organised by Rainbow Festivals, there were more than 100 stalls, including local arts and crafts, magical and alternative gifts and handmade and Fairtrade items.

Among the bands performing throughout the day were The Baroness and The Bear (Blues Roots) and Whisky Before Breakfast (traditional British and Celtic Folk).

Donations from the event will be given to Lincolnshire’s medical emergency charity LIVES. Next year, the festival is moving to a larger venue - Fakenham Racecourse in Norfolk - where there is room for caravans and camping and a separate car parking area.

Rainbow Festivals is holding a Green Festival on Saturday, with therapies, workshops and talks at the Great Britain Centre in Swaffham.

MAN’S BEST FRIEND: By Jerry Green Dog Rescue South Lincs Centre

Have you met Annie? She is a four-year-old ex-racing greyhound looking for a home.

Despite the fact that she loves to run very fast Annie is a dream to walk, as she is very gentle on the lead.

Her most wonderful quality, however, definitely has to be her affectionate nature.

Annie absolutely adores cuddles, so much so that she will literally come to lean against you or nudge you for more affection.

This wonderful lady is currently sat at our centre waiting for a new family to give her the retirement home and endless cuddles she so rightfully deserves. Just pop in to meet her – we promise that you will fall in love.

Annie can be nervous of bouncy dogs but could live in a home with a calmer dog and older children.

If you would like this little lady to cuddle up to you give the team a call on 01205 260546.

Join us this weekend

This weekend we will be in not one, not two, not three, but FOUR different places, providing a variety of different services to our community.

First and foremost we will, of course, be at our centre in Algarkirk, ready to meet any potential adopters and run our Saturday clubs. This starts with a social dog walk leaving our centre at 10am, where everyone is welcome.

We also have a fantastic puppy socialisation session from 1pm where puppy owners can bring their dogs for some off-lead play.

Secondly, on Sunday, our dog welfare assistant Hailey will be running a fabulous Fun Dog Show at Bakkavor’s family fun day, which is located at Springfield’s event centre.

Pop along with your family and your dog to join in the fun – details can be found on the Springfield’s event page and our Facebook page.

Thirdly, fundraiser Elizabeth will have a stall full of homemade dog treats, fantastic toys and equipment for your dog, as well as some beautiful dog-themed giftware.

This will be at Empingham’s annual agility show at Rutland showground from Friday to Sunday.

Finally volunteer Jody will be at Boston market ready to chat to you all and give you a flavour of our up and coming event, the Fanfare Big Band show at Boston’s Blackfriars Arts Theatre on July 22 .

The first person to find Jody’s stall and deliver the code word ‘Spalding Guardian’ will win four free tickets to this event. With all these exciting things happening this weekend there is plenty for our fabulous supporters to get involved with. We hope to see you there.

Therena’s training tips – getting your dog to lay down: method 2

Does your dog not quite know what you mean when you ask him to lay down?

Asking a dog to lay down may seem like a fairly simple thing but if your dog doesn’t know what you mean, they won’t understand what to do. Following on from last week, here is our second method.

Method 2: This method usually works best from a standing position but can work from sitting too.

As with method 1, use a treat to bring your dog’s head in a downward position.

Then, instead of moving forwards, push the treat back in between their legs to the chest area. Offer your dog the treat when they have laid down.

Begin adding your cue word for down when your dog assumes the down position each time.

Use your hand movement without a treat as the physical signal for down and slowly make this smaller as your dog learns what to do.

Remember that if you use the word “down” for getting off furniture or from jumping, use a different cue word for lying down, so as not to confuse your dog with one word meaning two behaviours.

• If you would like to find out more about positive training techniques call Therena on 01205 260546.

Spalding Grammar School sixth former Ed Tranter has been offered a scholarship to study Law at one of America’s top universities.

Year 12 student Ed is the first from the Grammar to ever be 
selected to participate in the Sutton Trust US Programme 2017.

The aim of the programme is to encourage academically talented British students from less well off families to consider studying at American universities.

Bentley House Captain Ed beat off competition from over 1,200 students from across the UK to earn his place.

He was then selected to join a group of 175 studentsat a weekend introductory residential in London.

After a series of interviews and tests, he was finally given the good news that he was in the final 150 and had secured a ticket to fly to America later this month to visit some of the universities there.

He will participate in a summer school in the US at Yale University, spending a week living on campus and will visit Harvard and other US universities in the area.

Due to his predicted grades, he plans to apply to either Yale, Harvard or the University of Virginia, all of which are in the top 10 Universities in the world.

His family’s financial situation means he should be able to travel to the US and take part in a four-year undergraduate programme for free.

Ed only started the application eight days before the deadline and had to write six 500 word essays and give a detailed list of 10 extracurricular activities.

He also took the American College Testing exam and scored 31/36, putting him in the top four per cent of all test takers.

He will take two further Scholastic Assessment Tests in October in English Literature and Mathematics.

Ed said: “Both my parents are very proud, my mother overly so – she tells everyone about my place on the US Sutton Trust, even strangers!

“When I first found out I was so excited. This is such an amazing experience. I can’t wait to go to Yale during the holidays and look at potential colleges.

“I’d like to especially thank Mr Love for his unwavering support throughout my application to the Sutton Trust as well as his continued support for my future applications to US institutions.

“I am most definitely sure that if it wasn’t for his reference, I would not have got a place on the programme.”

To be able to apply for the programme you need at least eight As or A*s in GCSEs (Ed received 7A*s and 4As) and your family income must be below £25,000 per year.

Ed now plans to perform talks for Spalding Grammar students at the beginning of next year to promote the Sutton Trust and to ensure that more students receive this opportunity.

There was so much going on at this year’s St Paul’s School fete in Spalding – and a terrific £950 was raised for PTA funds.

On a sunny day, Spalding firefighters made a special appearance, there was a car booter sale, a dog show, medieval performers and inflatables too.

Staff and parents supported the event through running different stalls, filled with items donated to the school by parents and local businesses.

Head teacher Kira Nicholls gave thanks to everyone who helped in the organising and running of the event and also to the business who supportedthe school with donations, especially Butters, The Barn, Birchgrove and Baytree.

She added: “It was an incredible success – made possible through the school’s dedicated PTA group and the amazing organisational skills of Mrs Farrar.”

• More pictures in Tuesday’s Lincolnshire Free Press.

A youngster whose “selfless and loyal friendship” with a leukaemia patient led to him entering the 2016 Junior Great North Run has been honoured by the town.

Kyle Warner (10) was named Crowland Young Achiever of 2017 in the under-13 category for his unfailing support of friend Isaac Fell (11) at an awards ceremony on Wednesday.

The event, organised by Crowland Parish Council, brought families, friends and parish councillors to South View Community Primary School, where exceptional acts by children and young people in the community were recognised.

Kyle was nominated by Isaac’s family, who said: “Kyle and Isaac first met when they were selected for the same football team at the age of five.

“As well as team-mates, they became great friends who trained together at Nene Valley Harriers (NVH) Athletics Club.

“In February 2016, following a short illness, Isaac was diagnosed with leukaemia and Kyle was devastated that his friend was so ill.

“But in true competitive style, Kyle was determined to help us raise money for our #teamfell appeal which benefits four charities: Children with Cancer UK, CLIC Sargent, Starlight Children’s Foundation and Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group.”

Kyle, who attends South View Community Primary School, helped Isaac hold a cake sale at Crowland Juniors Football Club and ran for his friend at the Great Manchester Junior Run in May 2016.

Four months later, Kyle and his family took part in the Great North Run and followed that by entering the Great Eastern Run in Peterborough just four weeks later.

Isaac goes to William Hildyard Primary School in Market Deeping, and his family added: “At NVH, Kyle got together with Isaac for a race where juniors are put in pairs to run alternate laps over one mile.

“Kyle knew that Isaac wouldn’t be able to run very quickly and that a full lap would be too much for him.

“So Kyle would track back and take over from Isaac early in the lap, running the extra distance with a massive smile on his face.

“That race summed up Kyle’s selfless and loyal friendship with Isaac and we don’t think there’s a greater achievement than that.”

Darren and Emma Warner, Kyle’s parents, said: “We’re extremely proud of him and we’ve never had to ask him any runs for Isaac because it’s what he’s wanted to do.

“Normally, Kyle is really competitive but he just wants to be really supportive of Isaac and he’s never been worried about putting his competitiveness to one side for his friend.

“Kyle’s sister, Millie, was also nominated for the award and they both deserved it for caring about other people.”

Kyle’s head teacher at South View Community Primary School, Crowland, Joanne Tomlins, said: “Kyle has always been one of our top sportsmen but whilst the award given was for something he did during a race, Kyle was actually recognised for his caring and compassionate behaviour.

“Whilst running, Kyle felt it necessary to support his friend Isaac Fell and would not stop until they were both over the finish line.

“For the staff here at South View, it was important to recognise Kyle’s high moral values as he clearly put the needs of others over his own personal gain.”

Regarding MP John Hayes’ column in last week’s Free Press.

Mr Hayes is usually more fond of gestures and slogans than of reasoned argument, so it’s not surprising that his pieces sometimes contain hyperbole (deliberate exaggeration); but he went to town on hyperbole in referring to the lion’s roar in the article of July 4.

When Churchill said that he had given the lion’s roar during World War II, he had just remarked that it was the nation and people around the world who had had the lion’s heart. He was being modest about himself.

Mr Hayes appears to mean that it is our present government who should now give the lion’s roar. Really, Mr Hayes! How can you make the comparison?

This Government altogether, including prime minister – tentative, muddled, indecisive as it is – is not one hundredth part of a Churchill.

It’s interesting that Mr Hayes chooses a war-related expression as desirable. Britain – at government level, and in some of the press – has spent years talking of the EU as if it were an enemy with which we were at war.

It’s been a foolish attitude, especially as we’re now hoping for for favours in negotiation. To date, we’ve had over a year to prepare for the situation we launched ourselves and we still don’t seem know our own mind on many things, let alone have a deeply thought-through negotiating position.

The EU meanwhile, which has to co-ordinate 27 countries, has already reached a thoroughly-prepared position and is wondering why the UK government is still unclear on what it wants.

If Mr Hayes wants to try some reasoned argument, how about having a go at what we might do about our long-time abysmal productivity performance, which has just now dropped below the pre-financial-crisis level.

Our EU counterparts, such as Germany, France and others, regularly produce more per working hour than we do – typically 25 per cent. What’s stopping us? Evidently it’s not the EU!

What is it that’s going to give us the bright future he talks about, given that we’re now in the process of making our biggest market more difficult?

It’s no use just waving the flag and calling for unity. (And Mr Hayes has been divisive enough himself in the past.)

Finally, in passing, Mr Hayes talks of the Ulster Unionist support for the government: Well, for a billion pounds even I – but, no, perhaps not!

HAYES IN THE HOUSE: By MP John Hayes

The Prime Minister marked her first year in office this week, giving a speech at the Royal Society of Arts on the Taylor Review of modern working practices. During her speech, she issued a challenge to other parties in Parliament, calling on them to “come forward with [their] own views and ideas about how we can tackle these challenges as a country”.

There ought to be nothing controversial in that sentiment, yet some struggle to grasp it. The duty of Opposition is to hold the Government to account, and to set out its own vision for the country, but also to scrutinise and so contribute to legislative change. Slipping into the habits of shrill criticism and adolescent protest – of opposition for its own sake – may offer cheap thrills, but politics at its best can be a satisfying, collaborative endeavour.

For all of my political life, I have known that no single political party has a monopoly of wisdom, and so been prepared to work together to serve the national interest and the common good.

It is a testament to the 
maturity and nuance of our political system that cross-party trust and co-operation can be nurtured and sustained. This marks out British political culture and should be celebrated.

For my own part, both as a Shadow Minister and, since 2010, as a Government Minister, I have built professional relationships with Members across Parliament to get things done. So it was with my work at the Home Office, when the shared commitment to pass necessary counter-terrorism legislation far outweighed any party political prejudice.

Compromise does not imply weakness. On the contrary, those with the boldest convictions about what must be done are likewise often strong enough to acknowledge their own imperfections.

In these challenging times, boldness must trump caution and conviction outscore doubt, for there is a great deal to do.

The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill was published on Thursday, which begins the end of the supremacy of European law in this country and starts the process of filleting and repealing the many unsuitable diktats under which we have laboured for years. There is, however, no reason to be daunted by the task which lies before us. It is, undoubtedly arduous, but Britain has risen to great challenges before. Freedom was hard fought for in the past and, as the Romans understood, fortune favours the bold.

We as a nation must now be bold, both in our negotiations with our continental neighbours and in building our future outside the EU. We must be diligent; we must be passionate; and we must succeed.

TRISH TAKES FIVE: By Trish Burgess

Recent research has shown that adult numeracy in the UK is of concern, with many of those surveyed struggling to work out the answers to questions about pay rises, exchange rates and savings accounts.

I have to admit that maths isn’t my strong point; I’m definitely more of a wordsmith. Even though I passed my maths O level with flying colours, I had to write everything down. I could never work out sums in my head.

Many of the maths skills I learned at school have very little relevance to my life today. I would have been better equipped if I’d spent a few weeks in front of a dartboard, learning how to subtract quickly and work out doubles.

With this in mind, I’ve created my own set of questions which reflect, more accurately, the type of number problems I’m faced with today.

1. You have two different vouchers for a local restaurant. One is ‘2 for 1’ on main meals and the other is 30 per cent off all food. Which voucher offers the best value for your family of four if two people order garlic bread and someone insists on a 
tiramisu?

2. If you sow beetroot seeds in a raised bed measuring 1m x 2m, in rows 20cm apart, with 6cm between each seed, how many plants will you harvest before you realise you didn’t like beetroot in the first place?

3. If it takes one man two hours to dig a hole 4ft x 3ft, how many minutes will pass before his wife tells him it’s in the wrong place?

4. If a dress is reduced by 30 per cent in the summer sale, what is the probability that a) there isn’t one in your size and b) a dress that fits perfectly isn’t in the sale?

5. The distance between Spalding and Newcastle is 200 miles. What time will you reach your mother’s house travelling at an average speed of 60 miles per hour with two loo stops, one meal deal and a diversion round Doncaster?

6. You exchange £200 for euros at a rate of 1.14 euros to the pound. When does it dawn on you that you’ve booked a holiday to Norway where the currency is the krone?

7. A multipack of Rolos weighing 208g costs £1.50 in the supermarket. A sharing pouch, weighing 126g, also costs £1.50. How many extra Rolos will you get for your money if you buy the multipack and how many packets will you scoff before you 
remember to leave the last one for someone you love?

• You can read Trish’s blog at www.mumsgoneto.co.uk

Bands and solo artists entertained music lovers at the 10th annual Party in the Car Park hosted by the Bell Inn at Weston Hills.

Rock and roll, funk, ska, reggae, country and western, and pop were among the genres enjoyed by around 250 people soaking up the sounds and the sun.

One of the organisers, Dean Fitchett, from The Sound Injectors, said the atmosphere was great.

“It was a very good day,” said Dean. “It was a very successful festival. It attracted a lot of people, not only locals but other people as well.”

The charity event raised around £500 for the Friday Frienship Group at Spalding.

The group, for people with learning difficulties, plan to spend the money on first aid training.

Dean said landlord Dave Filby and wife Kath worked very hard to make the event a success.

Bands on the bill were The Sound Injectors, The Expletives, One for the Road, The Rocking Chairs, Lloyd Watson and The Jam Room.

Solo artists were Connor Nichols, Aidan Matthews and Katie-Lou.

Dean supplied the stage and sound system free of charge.

The music started at 2pm and continued through to about 10.30pm.

• See more pictures from the festival in tomorrow’s Lincolnshire Free Press.

Visitors enjoyed all the fun of the fair at Long Sutton Primary School at the weekend.

The Friends of the School held their annual summer extravaganza which included traditional games including a coconut shy, hoopla, hook-a-duck and tin-can alley, plus stalls, bouncy castles and an It’s A Knockout contest.

There were also arena events, refreshments, raffles, face-painting and a surf simulator for people to try their luck on.

Von Steele, secretary of the Friends, said there was a great atmosphere and was delighted with how well-supported the event was.

She thanked everyone who helped, supported, made donations and attended.

It is not yet known how much money was raised, but funds from the fair will be spent on items for pupils who attend the school in Dick Turpin Way.

Pirates were hunting down gold coins at Holbeach Primary Academy as children celebrated the completion of their studies on villains and heroes of the high seas.

The celebration gave children and staff the chance to dress as pirates, with some creating their own costumes for a fun afternoon.

Activities on the day included an obstacle course which featured “buried” treasure in the form of a pretend gold coin for each child.

Around 80 children took part.

Year 1 and 2 teacher Natalie Palmer said: “The children absolutely loved it.”

The Land Ahoy topic saw children learning about pirates such as Blackbeard and Anne Bonny, and explorers and cartographers like Captain James Cook and Donington born Matthew Flinders.

The topic embraced the various flags flown on pirate ships, including cutlasses and hooks to symbolise they were ready to fight as well as the infamous Jolly Roger designed to strike fear into victims.

Miss Palmer said: “All of the flags were red or black in colour because they were made to scare people off.”

The wide-ranging studies also involved looking at different types of vessel, learning about water safety and a visit from the lifeboat charity, the RNLI.

• More pictures inside tomorrow’s Lincolnshire Free Press.

Budding sports stars at Holbeach Primary Academy had their own version of the decathlon.

Around 120 youngsters tested their skills at ten different challenges during the Key Stage 1 sports day.

Hula hooping, football dribbling, skipping, hop scotch and bean bag balancing were just some of the challenges faced by the children, who were divided into ten multi-age teams from reception upwards.

Nimble youngsters showed they were more than a match for the different skills and the field was filled with smiling faces.

Following the ten station challenge, youngsters headed off to the athletics track for some traditional sprint races.

Races were held for each year group, with competitions for girls and boys.

Parents and friends were there to cheer on the pupils as they competed for the honours.

The sports day was blessed with sunshine but everyone had the perfect opportunity to keep cool as Holbeach-based Laddies Ice Cream were there to serve some of their famous ices to competitors and spectators.

Year 1 and 2 class teacher Natalie Palmer said: “We didn’t have an overall winner.

“Children who came first, second or third in a race were given a 1, 2 or 3 sticker. All of the children received a sports sticker for taking part.”

• More pictures in Thursday’s Spalding Guardian.