A man was given a three year drink-driving ban for his second offence within two years.

Presiding magistrate Jenny Frere-Cook said Derek Croker would not be offered a chance to cut the ban through the drink-drive rehabilitation course.

She told him: “It didn’t work before and you have got to live with that consequence.”

Croker (51), of South Drove, Quadring Low Fen, pleaded guilty and was also fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 costs with a £20 victim surcharge.

Marie Stace, prosecuting, said Croker had a previous conviction from January 2011.

She said Croker was stopped on the A152 at Gosberton after a police received a computer system alert he may be “in drink”.

He had 61 microgrammes of alcohol in breath – the legal limit is 35mcgs.

Solicitor Mike Alexander, mitigating, said Croker was “knocked out of his normal routine” with a series of events, the death of his ex mum-in-law, a work colleague suffering a stroke and an injury to his own arm.

He had some drink and wasn’t intending to go out, but then had a phone call asking him to pick up a friend who has two artificial knees and has difficulty walking.

Mr Alexander said the passenger, who is in his 70s, had to walk home after police stopped the van. Croker understood he put himself and others at risk.

Can parish councils fight for you?

I was politely reminded when I joined the parish council that the council is not political. It was a disappointment to me because I am a member of a political party, I joined it because I agreed with the party’ policies, and wanted to employ them in a way that members of the public would know my party is working for them.

I do not know if any other member of my council is a member of another political party, but so far, party politics has never been exercised at any of the meetings, and especially at decision time, when the spending of the public’s money has to be approved. Except by me personally, but then the other councillors wouldn’t know that.

One could argue that parish councils are not life changing councils, and that collective decisions to spend the public’s money is more administrative than ivory tower building, but there are instances when the kind of collective thinking that builds real castles on terrafirma can be of real benefit to the community.

A modern problem found in many small towns and parish communities is the slow erosion and disappearance of retail trading, by small shops and market traders, hastened of course by the current recession.

Many might say that’s “Fait a compli”, a fact long established, about which no one can do anything.

But is it? I know of one small town where the majority of its councillors are members of the same political party, and consequently speak with one voice and purpose at council meetings.

One proposal, put on the table at a time when a supermarket had been given planning permission by a district council, was to help the small retailer and small stall holder, using the small amount of power available from the council. The result is the emergence of an indoor market and 17 trading stalls, a facility which this town could never have had previously.

In my town, retailers are fading fast, but its council of independently minded individuals would struggle to achieve the above. Please don’t misunderstand me, many of my council colleagues are very hard working, and give to our town more than they should, but it is in a series of independent directions, and sometimes collective decisions are better.

Some might argue that independent traders should fight for themselves, since it is they that benefit from increased sales.

But most of these little shops are not owned by wealthy businessmen, but by ordinary folks like you and I, and when their business fails, we all lose out, and our only recourse is to purchase from the multinationals, who when there is no competition will charge you more than enough for your goods, and for their mighty profits.

Collective power through political parties can be good power, and shouldn’t be dismissed.

For instance, my political party is able to muster power to fight the erection of wind farms. Will my council of independents do that?

Next month: Whips & Drinks

A man accused of theft and assault has been committed to Lincoln Crown Court for trial.

Ryan Brooks (19), of Delgate Avenue, Weston, is accused of assaulting Adam Beeson, causing actual bodily harm, and of stealing a gold coloured ring from Mr Beeson.

Both charges relate to September 14 last year.

Brooks had his bail extended to February 14 by Spalding magistrates on Thursday.

Former Spalding man Sam Tooke has denied stealing metal from The Crown and Wooldpack, Long Sutton.

Tooke (22), of K Jackson’s caravan site, Penny Hill, Holbeach, was bailed on Thursday to a trial at Spalding Magistrates’ Court on March 5.

A man of 70 has denied failing to provide a breath specimen for analysis.

Clayton Banks, of Glenside North, Pinchbeck, was granted unconditional bail by Spalding magistrates on Thursday and his case was adjourned to January 17.

Police will gain an estimated 500 extra man hours to focus on catching crooks as Lincolnshire has joined a new crime reporting system for fraud.

Nationally criminals fleece the public to the tune of £73billion a year with online shopping and auction fraud being the most common scams.

Lincolnshire Police this week signed up to Action Fraud – a national reporting system, which will see most victims of crime giving details of incidents by phone or website rather than directly to police officers.

Det Sgt Ian Jarman, of Lincolnshire Police’s economic crime unit, said the new system will better serve victims of fraud as well as free up police officers to concentrate on detective work.

He said: “Where the victim is reporting a crime in action, or is assessed to be vulnerable, we will continue to deal with the report as normal.

“But for all other such reports, the victim will make contact with Action Fraud via the telephone or by logging on to its website.

“Based on the experiences of the pilot forces, it is estimated that the new reporting system will save Lincolnshire officers in excess of 500 hours per year from taking reports from alleged victims.

“Clearly, such a system has the potential to save us hundreds of hours filling in reports.

“It provides the public throughout the UK with just one point of reference, and will mean that our time is spent conducting actionable investigations and preventing scams, rip-offs and cons in the first place.”

Action Fraud will send information to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), which will then send out crime details to local forces such as Lincolnshire.

l For more information visit www.actionfraud.police.uk

Continuing our look back at 2012...

JULY

A couple forced out of their home by noise from a wind farm faced a second battle after buying a new home - close to land earmarked for nine new turbines.

Jane and Julian Davis reached an out-of-court settlement at the end of 2011 after a five-year battle over alleged noise nuisance from the wind farm at Deeping St Nicholas.

They bought a new home for Julian’s ageing parents close to Cuckoo Bridge in Horseshoe Road, but their dreams of a quiet life have been shattered by plans for up to nine 125m turbines within direct sight of the house.

News emerged that next year’s Spalding Flower Parade was likely to be the last one after Lincolnshire County Council confirmed a cut in its contribution.

Although a 2013 parade is almost a certainty, its long-term future was bleak after county councillor Eddy Poll said that budget restrictions would mean the end of the Flower Parade after 2013.

He added: “It will be a shame for South Holland and I think residents and businesses won’t realise what they’ve got until it’s gone.”

Residents were digesting plans by East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) to improve emergency response times by possible closing Spalding Ambulance Station.

EMAS was looking to close the majority of its stations across the region, including Spalding which opened just three years ago as part of the town’s new £25 million Johnson Community Hospital, and replace them with 13 “hubs.”

The nearest hub to the town would be Algarkirk, leading to fears that poor ambulance response times could get even worse unless effective alternatives were found.

AUGUST

The Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian launched its We’ve Had Enough campaign in response to residents’ anger over booze and drug-fuelled behaviour marring the town.

John Hayes, South Holland and The Deepings MP headed the campaign by drawing up a five-point plan to tackle anti-social behaviour, on-street drinking, public disorder, alcohol licensing, litter and graffiti.

Mr Hayes said: “I want to see a zero-tolerance policy in terms of anti-social behaviour and will be more than happy to lead a campaign to eliminate it from the centre of Spalding.”

A 93-year-old Holbeach woman was left waiting more than two hours for medical attention after her son’s 999 call.

Even when a paramedic turned up to offer assistance to Margaret Turner, she then had to wait another 45 minutes before an ambulance finally arrived to take her to hospital.

Mrs Turner’s son Barry, of Meridian Walk, Holbeach, branded the ambulance service “absolutely disgusting after he was told to get urgent medical help for his ailing mother.

Extra police had to be drafted in as more than 450 modified car enthusiasts rolled into Spalding on a Saturday night.

Convoys from across the county arrived in the town after news of the “Spalding Takeover” event was spread on social media site Facebook.

The mass of cars lined Holland Market car park, leading to a number of calls to police by residents concerned about the “revving and racing.”

SEPTEMBER

MP for South Holland and the Deepings John Hayes landed a top job as energy and climate minister in the Cabinet reshuffle.

Mr Hayes, who previously had expressed “profound concerns” over a wind farm plan for West Pinchbeck, said he was “very excited” about his move from his previous position as skills minister.

Bourne and Stamford MP Nick Boles also landed the role of planning minister in the autumn reshuffle.

The £6.5million Red Lion Quarter was sold to Boston College for £2.4million.

The deal included a repayment of £2million which the college “borrowed” from the council as its contribution to the original cost of setting up the Red Lion Quarter,

It meant South Holland District Council received in the region of £400,000 for the freehold of the building.

South Holland District Council revealed that councillors had been paid more than £335,000 in allowances, special responsibility payments and expenses last year – claiming the sum offered “good value for money” to taxpayers.

The highest claimant for the financial year to April 2012 was council leader Gary Porter, who claimed just short of £27,000, followed by deputies Nick Worth and Paul Przyszlak.

Council chairman Mick Seymour claimed £11,793.81.

OCTOBER

Three long-serving members of staff took redundancy and others forced to take pay cuts of between £2,000 and £4,000 to keep their jobs at Spalding’s Chappell Centre.

Parents of centre users claimed the move was a new “tactic” by Lincolnshire County Council because it could not shut the adult disabled day service in the face of fierce opposition.

The county council was trying to find organisations to take over the running of the Pinchbeck Road centre and others like it around the county by March 2014 after shelving plans for a mass shutdown.

A car that rocked a house in Whaplode as it scraped along the side of it stopped only inches away from an elderly woman in an armchair.

Phyllis Viney, of Malten Lane, escaped with her life but was left shocked and stunned after hearing a loud bang outside the window near where she was sitting.

The crash, which involved two cars and left two people hurt, caused visible cracks to the ceiling around the fireplace in the conservatory extension and damage to the outside wall and fence.

An angry shopper warned others not to fall into the trap of sharing car park tickets or it could end up ruining their Christmas.

Lynda Double was faced with an £80 fine after she fell foul of the “non transferable” small print when she took up a stranger’s offer of a ticket that was still valid for an hour and a half as she preapred to go shopping at Beales department store in Peterborough.

Lynda later appealed against the ticket and won, 
but said: “£80 is a lot of 
money and that could really spoil Christmas for a young family.”

NOVEMBER

Former Spalding Flower Queens were invited to take part in the Flower Parade’s final fling next year.

Susan Richmond, from organisers Kenyon Communications, said the company would love as many former Flower Queens as possible to join the celebrations by taking part in the 55th and final parade.

Talks are now being held to try to decide what will replace the parade in 2014, with a food and flower festival a favourite.

We reported how 17-year-old mentalist Connor Elleston had predicted the newspaper’s front page headline a week in advance.

Connor had sealed his version of Thursday’s Spalding Guardian headline inside a box which was kept in the Lincolnshire Free Press newsroom until the day of publication.

He had predicted a story about a teenager who was lucky to be alive after a his car crashed through gardens and hit a parked car.

Plans for a team of Street Pastors armed with bottled water, flip-flops and foil blankets to help keep Spalding town centre safer at night were announced.

Talks between police, South Holland District Council and church leaders were at an early stage, but enthusiasm for the idea was growing, with Spalding and District Area Chamber of Commerce also giving it support.

Street pastors are teams of volunteers who patrol the streets at night, giving help andsupport to revellers, homeless and other people in need.

DECEMBER

Brave dad Terry Stupple was hailed a hero after he jumped into freezing water to pull a trapped woman from her car that had overturned in a dyke.

Terry (57), of Weston, spotted the car with its engine still running and smoke billowing out and after warning onlookers to stand back, used the jack from his car to smash the back window and help the woman – a 64-year-old from Pinchbeck.

He then helped her get out of the car before she was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

A very rare and possibly unique Spalding five pound note issued almost two hundreds years ago was expected to fetch between £200 and £300 when it went up for auction in London.

The black and white fiver, with its value underprinted in blue, was issued by the short-lived Spalding Commercial Bank on May 3, 1830.

After just three short years in business the bank, owned by the Bugg family, went bust and was taken over by the Stamford and Spalding Joint Stock Banking Co.That itself was taken over in 1911 by Barclay & Co, which later became Barclays Bank.

Spalding market traders were angry that an extra market was not arranged for Christmas Eve to make up for the normal Tuesday event, which fell on Christmas Day.

It had been hoped that a market on Christmas Eve would have given the town centre a last minute boost as shoppers stocked up on fruit and veg and visited local shops while they were in town.

Scores of people have already put in their requests for a slice of the £10,000 Smile Campaign pot.

But it’s still not too late for you to let us know what you need a cash injection to help you get your new year off to a great start.

The Smile Campaign has seen Spalding and District Round Table team up with the Spalding Guardian to offer the mammoth amount for use in our community.

It was a big success the first time it ran in 2010 and this year looks like it’s going to be even better – with individuals, groups, organisations and schools already filling in their forms to let us know how much they need for all manner of projects.

And that’s one of the great things about the Smile fund – there are virtually no limits on who can apply or what the money can be used for.

Applicants can be individuals (for themselves or on behalf of someone else), a group, club, team or even school.

Perhaps you or a relative needs some cash to buy a new sofa or redecorate your home, for example, or perhaps your sports team’s kit is beginning to look a little scruffy and you feel a new one would really lift spirits.

A panel, including Round Table members and a representative of the Spalding Guardian will decide which applications will be backed with a donation of up to £500.

Requests for amounts over £500 will also be considered but will be put before all Round Table members for approval.

Some of the latest applicants include:

*Bethany Knight, £3,995 for a world challenge expedition to Vietnam and Cambodia.

*Sutton Bridge in Bloom, £500 to buy plants, containers and tools and for running costs.

*South Holland District Scout Council, £500, to help cover costs of attending the Poacher 2013 camp.

*Peele Community College, Long Sutton, £500 for sound and lighting equipment for a college production.

*Wygate Foundation Nursery School, £500 to develop its outdoor play area.

To apply, cut out the form in Tuesday’s Free Press or email tracey.sweetland@jpress.co.uk with the following information: Applicant, Address, Email address, Phone number, Total funding request, Purpose for funding (who will benefit and how).

Seven areas of South Holland will become greener places to be thanks to a new tree planting scheme for 2013.

Lincolnshire County Council is hoping to plant 33,000 new trees across the county during the year – an increase of 7,500 on last year’s total – as part of its Hedge and Small Woodland Grant scheme.

They will be funded through 34 grants and will result in 7.8km of new hedges being planted and 1.8 hectares of new woodlands.

Executive councillor Eddy Poll said: “I am really pleased with this year’s scheme.

“It is a huge number of new trees and hedges which will make a significant and noticeable improvement to our landscape and wildlife, as the scheme has already done for a number of years.”

Grants are being awarded all across Lincolnshire, with the seven in South Holland including one near Donington, one near Pinchbeck, and five around the Holbeach and Long Sutton areas.

Matthew Davey, the county council’s environment and community project officer, said: “We make sure that all the trees and shrubs are characteristic or native to Lincolnshire and therefore will support a range of insects, mammals and birds.”

* Lincolnshire County Council’s Hedge and Small Woodland Grant Scheme aims to address the dramatic decline of 
hedgerows suffered in the UKsince 1945.

It is believed that between 1984 and 1990, more than a quarter of the nations hedges were lost.

By comparing aerial photographs of Lincolnshire taken in 1971/2 and 1993/4, it is believed that some areas of the county have lost more than 100m/square km of hedge – up to a quarter of the total length in that time.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach was named ‘personality of the year’ in the 2012 Food and Farming Industry Awards.

The former boss of Holbeach firm Taylor Bulbs – and former parliamentary under secretary of state at DEFRA – received his award in a ceremony at the House of Commons.

Judges described Lord Taylor as “an erudite and eloquent voice for UK agriculture” and “a warm personality with a great deal of time for people and purpose”.

They paid tribute to his work at DEFRA until his “great talents were claimed by the Home Office” in the cabinet reshuffle.

Speaking last year on his promotion to the Home Office, Lord Taylor said he didn’t plan a life with a Government job in mind but intended to bring “some South Lincolnshire common sense” to the role.

He was made a peer six years ago after years of voluntary involvement with The Conservative Party.

Lord Taylor was president and Conservative Conference chair from 1997-1998 and deputy chairman of the party from 2000-2003.

He spent years at the helm of Taylors Bulbs, but the business is now run by his son, Adam, and nephew Sam Taylor.

The 2012 Food and Farming Awards were hosted by MP Neil Parish and political journalist Andrew Neil was the guest speaker.

Lord Taylor was presented with his award by Barry Coleman, agricultural product manager at Firestone.

The awards are held to 
celebrate the people and the companies that grow the economy through innovation and ideas.

Opposition to a £300million biomass power station at Wingland is growing with The Borough Council of King’s Lynn set to lodge what it calls a “holding objection”.

The council’s planning committee meets on Monday and is expected to object to EnergyPark Sutton Bridge’s planning application subject to assurances on things like air quality monitoring at the site and an expert assessment of the combined effect of the planned biomass power station with other sources of air pollution.

A report to the borough’s planning committee says: “The types of biomass fuels which will be accepted at the site should be strictly controlled by condition to forestry management, virgin timber sawmill residues, agricultural crops and crop residues.”

Village campaigners BATI (Bridge Against The Incinerator) fear the plant is a Trojan horse to burn household and other waste and its chairman, Craig Jackson, has welcomed the borough council’s objection and insistence on strict controls on the types of materials burned.

Mr Jackson claims the company could switch to burning other materials if wood were no longer financially viable and that would only need a variation in the Environment Agency permit rather than a fresh planning consent.

Sutton Bridge Parish Council chairman John Grimwood said: “I think everybody is concerned about air quality – I think that’s the biggest impact on Sutton Bridge.”

The following decisions have been made recently by magistrates at court hearings. In all drink-drive cases the legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, or 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. Addresses of defendants published in these registers are taken from the legal records held by the magistrates’ courts. The details are given to the court by the defendant – but this may be some time after the original charge and they may have moved in the meantime.

Spalding Magistrates’ Court

Robert Brown (42), of Daniels Gate, Long Sutton. Took vehicle without consent (Gedney Dyke). Year long community order with 160 hours unpaid work. £85 costs. Disqualified for 12 months. No separate penalty for license offence. No separate penalty for no insurance.

Ashton Hempsall (24), of Summerson Close, Donington. Assaulting a police constable. Discharged conditionally for 15 months. £15 victim surcharge, £85 costs. Second assault of police constable. Discharged conditionally for 15 months.

Joshua Lake (19), Baulkins Drove, Sutton St James. No insurance (Long Sutton). £110 fine, £15 v/s, £43 costs. Disqualified from driving for 12 months. No separate penalty for license offence. No separate penalty for no MOT.

Kamil Sekowski (25), of Roman Bank, Spalding. Excess alcohol, 48 microgrammes (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs. Disqualified from driving for 12 months. Ban can be cut by 3 months on completion of course.

Nicolas Banks (25), of The Green, March. Speeding (Tydd Gote). £200 fine, £15 v/s, £60 costs, 3pts.

Ryan Brooks (19), of Delgate Avenue, Weston. No insurance (Spalding). £100 fine, £15 v/s, £43 costs, 6pts.

Gladys Danckwardt (90), of Seas End Road, Surfleet. Speeding (Spalding). £40 fine, £15 v/s, £43 costs, 3pts.

Radoslaw Dyrka (30), of Green Lane, Algarkirk. No insurance (Crowland). £600 fine, £15 v/s, £60 costs, 6pts.

Mark Hudson (43), of Mountbatten Avenue, Stamford. Speeding (Whaplode). £95 fine, £15 v/s, £43 costs, 3pts.

John Kidman (61), of Daniels Gate, Long Sutton. No MOT (Sutton Bridge). £135 fine, £15 v/s, £43 costs.

Stuart McGarry (56), of Dolau Towy, Manordeilo, Llandeilo. Speeding (Whaplode). £35 fine, £15 v/s, £43 costs, 3pts.

Kazi Shahabuddin (45), of Northumberland Road, New Barnet. Speeding (Crowland). £265 fine, £15 v/s, £43 costs, 6pts.

Christopher Wood (65), of Brewers Court, Donington. No insurance (Crowland). £600 fine, £15 v/s, £43 costs, 6pts. Second offence of no insurance. £600 fine. Disqualified from driving 6 months.

Matthew Woodcock (32), of Woodfield Close, Spalding. Speeding (Moulton Seas End). £225 fine, £15 v/s, £43 costs, 6pts.

Boston Magistrates’ Court

Deborah Massey (50), of Blackjack Road, Swineshead. Excess alcohol, 110 mcgs (Swineshead). £700 fine, £70 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified for driving 42 months.

Romans Sesko (37), of Bramley Lane, Boston. Speeding (Spalding). £60 fine, £15 v/s, 3pts.

Joyce Battley (79), Pool Close, Spalding. No insurance. £400 fine, £15 v/s, £43 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving without due care and attention.

Lee Horwood (27), of Cross Lane, Wisbech. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £200 fine, £15 v/s, £60 costs, 3pts.

Shaun Lane (34), of Watermill Lane, Toynton All Saints. No insurance (Sutterton). £600 fine, £15 v/s, £60 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for failing to produce insurance. No separate penalty for failing to produce license. No separate penalty for license offence.

John Macrae ((42), of Southdown Road, Portslade, Brighton. Defective lights (Fosdyke). £100 fine, £15 v/s, £60 costs.

Ceri Rochford (33), of Chestnut Avenue,Spalding. Driving without due care and attention (Spalding). £75 fine, £15 v/s, £43 costs, 3pts.

Mark Simpson (40), of Brownlow Crescent, Pinchbeck. Speeding (Pinchbeck). £275 fine, £15 v/s, £43 costs, 4pts.

Richard Skerritt (28), of Leopold Road, Norwich. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £200 fine, £15 v/s, £60 costs, 3pts.

Ignars Vaitiekunas (20), of Bourne Road, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £600 fine, £15 v/s, £60 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for failing to produce insurance.

Jessica Williams (28), of Kings Street, Kirton. No insurance (Gedney). £55 fine, £15 v/s, £43 costs, 6pts.

Ricardas Zverevas (22), of Abbey Path, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £600 fine, £15 v/s, £60 costs, 6pts.

Mindsugas Urbas (39), of Windsor Bank, Boston. Excess alcohol, 114mcgs (Sutton Bridge). Committee to prison for 12 weeks concurrent suspended for 18 months. £80 v/s, £85 costs. Disqualified from driving for 36 months. Driving while disqualified. Committed to prison for 12 weeks suspended for 18 months. Supervision order for 18 months and 200 hours unpaid work. No separate penalty for no insurance.

Devania Crossley (20), of Frithville Road, Sibsey. Made false statement to obtain housing and council tax benefit (Algarkirk). Discharged conditionally for 12 months. £100 costs.

Grantham Magistrates’ Court

Stacey Newland (28), of West End, Langtoft. Theft of £5,205. Year long community order, supervised by probation. £5,205 compensation. £60 v/s. £85 costs.

Help is at hand for people wanting to lose weight, get fitter and increase their self-confidence.

Deborah Rolfe has opened ten new Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness classes, some of which are in Bourne, helping hundreds of people slim down and shape up.

Deborah said: “Having gained weight myself when I had my children, and then lost it by following the Rosemary Conley diet, I feel that I can emphasise with my members.

“I can’t wait to start helping them to slim down, get fit and look great, and to achieve their weight loss goals.”

It costs £10 to join and you get a copy of Rosemary Conley’s Fat Attack Booster Diet, a set of Portion Pots, a DVD explaining the diet and a Rosemary Conley Magic Measure which shows dieters how many inches they lose as they progress on the diet.

The weekly class costs £5.95 and includes a consultation and weigh-in, a five-minute motivational and informative talk plus a 45-minute workout session.

For details, contact Deborah on 07775 431059.

The New Year brings with it lots of new aspirations, ideas, resolutions and promises, many related to getting fit and losing weight.

Health clubs, gyms and leisure centres are usually brimming with new members all ready to take on board their own personal fitness challenges.

For many people starting a new fitness routine this can be quite a daunting prospect. Where should you go, what should you do, how often, what do you need to wear, what type of activity should you do to burn calories, lose weight, tone up? How much will it cost? You can see why many fitness resolutions are short lived.

We asked Tracey Vowels, instructor and owner of The Fitness Company Health Club how she helps customers stay motivated.

“Variety is the key – we offer classes for all ages, all levels of fitness and at different times.

“Last April we ran ‘Drop A Dress Size’ a ten-week exercise and weight loss programme with fantastic results and in the autumn we were aware of the need for more Over 50 classes so we added a morning programme for that age group, Nifty over 50, Zumba Gold, Line dancing and Pilates.

“We also try and keep up to date with new fitness trends and ‘Piloxing’ a concept of boxing and pilates toning is being launched this month.

“Four months ago we teamed up with Abbi from Diamond DG to offer dance classes for children and along with ‘Fit Kids’, our exercise and healthy eating programme, we aim to keep our children fit and active too.

Tracey’s top tips for keeping motivated are:

l find something you really enjoy doing

l exercise with a friend –you are more likely to stick with it

l try before you buy – most clubs will let you have a taster session

l find the right workout facility

l think outside the box – exercise such as team sports, bowling, walking clubs, water exercise, dance classes or martial arts may be just what you are looking for.

A man from Kirton was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following a crash on the A1 at South Witham on Saturday teatime.

The 30-year-old man suffered minor injuries in the crash and was treated at Peterborough City Hospital.

He has been released on police bail.

Police have not yet named the 24-year-old man from Glenrothes, Fife, who died in Peterborough City Hospital.

The accident happened at 4.55pm and the southbound lane of the A1 was closed until about 11.40pm.

Police have appealed for witnesses to contact their collision investigation hotline on 01522 558855.

A Wyberton man is facing court after an incident in October.

Dean George Everitt (43), of Parthian Avenue, has been charged with assault and criminal damage in connection with an incident that took place on October 14.

He will appear before Boston Magistrates on 23 January.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a fight in Spalding on Saturday night.

The incident happened at about 9pm near to the hairdressers in The Crescent.

Police believe that a 37-year-old man was assaulted by another man.

The 37-year-old was taken to hospital the next day with a head injury and officers are trying to establish if his injuries are linked to the assault.

Police are particularly keen to speak to a tall, white man, of a muscular build, with short curly hair and in his mid 40s. He was with a small, thin woman, with long dark hair, also in her mid 40s.

Anyone with information should contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 and quote incident number 212 of January 6.

Council tax payers will now have 12 months to pay their bills after new rules brought in by the Government.

From April this year, South Holland District Council residents can choose to spread their annual payments across the year instead of over 10 months.

The national rule change has been brought in to make it easier for people to budget their monthly outgoings.

It is estimated the move will lower average band D council tax instalments by an average of £24 per month for 10 months.

Ministers are also urging councils to follow the example of utility companies in offering discounts to customers who pay online or through direct debit facilities.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: “We know many people are worried about their cost of living expenses and we’ve already acted to freeze council tax in the past two years after bills doubled under the last administration.

“We have now offered councils a third freeze deal, which could have a combined effect potentially worth more than £200 to band D residents.”

District councillor Roger Gambba-Jones said any changes that helped residents should be welcomed but many tax payers preferred paying over 10 months.

He said: “Some people liked having a couple of months in the year when they didn’t have to pay any council tax.

“It’s meant a couple of hundred pounds to help pay the winter bills.”

A new £4.3million centre is to open to help save the lives of people suffering heart attacks.

The development of a second cardiac catheter laboratory has seen the current specialist unit at Lincoln County Hospital double in size and has also seen a significant increase in the number of specialist staff.

It means that the centre will be able to provide emergency and planned invasive cardiac procedures for patients from across the county 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

Dr David O’Brien, consultant interventional cardiologist and clinical lead for the project, said: “Time is of the essence when an artery becomes blocked and for this reason patients ideally need to be in the heart centre within two hours of calling for help.”

Spalding High School art student Alex Neaverson (second right) will exhibit in London in March at The Mall Galleries, London, alongside members of The Royal British Artists (RBA).

Alex also won the KS4 county art competition organised by the Willoughby Memorial Trust. Fellow KS4 and KS3 students enjoying county success were (from left) Beth Morse, Eloise Lawton, Emma Deaton, Lauren Bycraft, Alex Neaverson and Rebecca Wright. Lily Smith (not pictured) also gained an award in the county competition.

Photo: SG191212-123TW