Boston College student Jack Howard is looking for a male to play the eponymous role in The Conductor, a short film which he is making as part of his media level 3 BTEC course.

Jack (17), who lives in Spalding, has a professional cameraman and crew in place and is using industry-quality equipment.

“I hoped that would attract people into helping,” said Jack. “But they find out I don’t have a budget and they lose interest.”

The film will be shot on Monday, April 17, at the town hall in Pinchbeck, from 9.45am until 5pm.

All actors will receive a credit on IMDb and lunch is provided on the day.

The Conductor is a short film about an orchestral conductor who is seeking the next star composer, but while he is out at auditions, notices a recurring theme.

To play the lead role, Jack is looking for a male between 35 and 50 who has glasses.

He wears a turtleneck or a suit, preferably black. The character is English and of average build and the actor will be required to provide his own costume.

Added Jack: “The finished film will be five to seven minutes long and be entered into up to seven film festivals.”

If you can help Jack, you can contact him on 07928 648969 or email on 
j4ckh0ward@gmail.com

Former Spalding High School student Charlotte Taylor continued to enhance her reputation on the world stage with a stunning run over 10,000m at the Stanford Invitational meeting in California.

The San Francisco University girl obliterated her personal best, running 32:11.80 and finishing fourth in a high-
class field containing internationals and Olympians.

Not only did Taylor run a world-class time, she was four seconds inside the qualifying mark for the World Athletics Championships which will be held in London in August and finished hot on the heels of Rio Olympics 5,000m finalist Eilish McColgan.

Taylor, whose fine run coincided with the 40th anniversary of Nene Valley Harriers, said: “I’m delighted with how the race went and the time I ran.

“I’ve been training well and was targeting a sub-33 minute run going into the race – but I didn’t expect to break that barrier by so much.”

The 23-year-old former world under-20 triathlon gold medalist described how she came into her own in the second half of the race.

She added: “I was in the chasing pack through the first half of the race but I felt comfortable and so was able to start closing down the gap to some of the girls falling off the back of the lead pack during the latter stages of the race.

“That really helped me to stay engaged and maintain my pace during the second half.”

This was Taylor’s first track 10,000m of what looks likely be be a memorable season.

Talking about her World Championship prospects and the season ahead, she said: “It’s great to run inside qualifying standard.

“However, I will not be back in the UK in time for the 10,000m trials as they are being held earlier than the British Championships.

“I’ll be racing a 5,000m in a few weeks at the Payton Jordan Invitational and then I’ll focus on the 10,000m again for the rounds of the NCAA nationals.”

After her incredible run Taylor is ranked 20th on the all-time list of British 10,000m runners.

There are currently no men at Peterborough clubs who have run faster than Taylor.

Meanwile, Chris Wright followed up his seventh-place finish in the North London Half Marathon a fortnight ago by winning the Croydon Half Marathon. Wright’s time of 72:19 gave him a massive four-minute victory margin.

Alex Hampson ran a personal best in his first 800m race of the season.

The 20-year-old Nene Valley Harrier finished as runner-up in the Charnwood AC Open Meeting at Loughborough with a time of 1:57.23. Club-mate Austin Herbert was fifth with a 2:06.05 clocking.

Molly Smith was crowned Pinchbeck’s carnival queen at a cabaret evening filled with fun, song and laughter.

Molly (16), was chosen alongside older princess Briony Sweeting (9) and younger princess, Sigourney Bolton (8). All three will lead the village’s carnival parade on Saturday, June 10.

The ceremony was the highlight of the cabaret evening organised by John Pailing, which more than 100 people attended at the village hall. A packed bill of local talent including the Glengroup Choir, Henry Birkett, Tia Alexander, Trevor Cummins and the Pinchbeck School choir provided the entertainment.

The carnival court was chosen by judges Jan Whitbourn and Chris Carter, of Tulip Events Management, and musician Peter Graper, whose daughter and son-in-law Charlotte and Karl Gernert run Act II Theatre Company in Spalding.

• For more pictures see today’s 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.

Boston Magistrates’ Court

March 8

Gregory Duffy (29), of Roman Bank, Spalding. Assaulted a police officer (Spalding). 12 months conditional discharge, £20 v/s, £40 costs.

Kayleigh Hare (27), of Roman Bank, Spalding. Assaulted a police officer (Spalding). 12 months conditional discharge, £20 v/s, £40 costs.

Vainius Prackaila (26), of Chestnut Avenue, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). £280 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Barry Clarke (57), of Hereward Road, Spalding. Five counts of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour (Spalding). 12 months conditional discharge, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Lincoln Magistrates’ Court

March 3

Kaiza Kuyava (40), of Ferrous Way, North Hykeham. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Andrius Piciacha (30), of Kingsley Road, Eastfield, Peterborough. Driving while using a hand-held mobile phone (Bourne). £100 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

March 4

Daniel Millar (27), of Chestnuts, Hardwick Estate, Kirton. Stole four surf and turf meals worth £40 and beef wellington worth £16 belonging to Iceland (Boston). Community order, rehabilitation activity requirement, £40 and £16 compensation.

Daniel Millar (27), of Chestnuts, Hardwick Estate, Kirton. Stole meat and groceries worth £63 from Iceland (Boston). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement. Community order made with rehabilitation activity requirement for original offence in respect of which a conditional discharge was made.

March 6

Daniel Millar (27), of Chestnuts, Hardwick Estate, Kirton. Stole perfume worth £73 belonging to Oldrids (Boston). 8 weeks prison sentence suspended for 12 months, rehabilitation activity requirement, £115 v/s, £85 costs. No adjudication for conviction of an offence while a community order was in force. Original offence in respect of which a community order was made, 8 weeks prison sentence concurrent, suspended for 12 months. Four original offences in respect of which community orders were made, 8 weeks prison sentence concurrent, suspended for 12 months.

Aleksei Sergejev (32), of Church Street, Spalding. Dishonestly made off without paying for diesel worth £119.90 belonging to Morrisons (Pinchbeck). 12 weeks prison sentence suspended for 12 months, £119.90 compensation. Dishonestly made off without paying for diesel worth £80.36 belonging to Morrisons (Pinchbeck). 12 weeks prison sentence concurrent suspended for 12 months, £80.36 compensation. Dishonestly made off without paying for diesel worth £116.27 belonging to Holdingham Service Station (Sleaford). 12 weeks prison sentence concurrent suspended for 12 months, £116.27 compensation. Dishonestly made off without paying for diesel worth £116.72 belonging to BP (Sutterton). 12 weeks prison sentence concurrent suspended for 12 months, £116.72 compensation. Dishonestly made off without paying for diesel worth £74.49 belonging to Sainsbury’s (Spalding). 12 weeks prison sentence concurrent suspended for 12 months, £74.49 compensation. Dishonestly made off without paying for diesel worth £115.89 belonging to Esso (Bicker). 12 weeks prison sentence concurrent suspended for 12 months, £115.89 compensation. Dishonestly made off without paying for diesel worth £113.93 belonging to High Street Service Station (Boston). 12 weeks prison sentence concurrent suspended for 12 months, £113.937 compensation. Dishonestly made off without paying for diesel worth £70 belonging to Whaplode Service Station. 12 weeks prison sentence concurrent suspended for 12 months, £70 compensation. Used a fuel card fraudulently at Morrisons (Pinchbeck). 12 weeks prison sentence concurrent suspended for 12 months, £2467.30 compensation.

Roman Jaszcak (27), of Main Street, Gedney Dyke. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln 20.6.16). £750 fine, £75 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln 13.6.17). No separate penalty, 6pts.

Marius Drinceanu (21), of Willesby Road, Spalding. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months.

Kirk King (31), of Arundel Drive, Louth. Failed to stop after an accident (Kirton). £137 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 8pts. No insurance. £137 fine. No separate penalty for driving without due care and attention and otherwise driving than in accordance with a licence.

March 7

Neil Riley (52), of Crowson Crescent, Northborough. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £165 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Erion Shevroja (35), of Manor Court, Banbury. Speeding (Whaplode). £115 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

March 8

Daniel Millar (27), c/o The Chestnuts, Hardwick Estate, Kirton. Stole coffee worth £16 belonging to B&M Bargains (Boston). 2 weeks prison sentence concurrent, £115 v/s. No adjudication of commission of further offence during operation period of suspended sentence. Suspended sentence of imprisonment of 8 weeks suspended for 12 months imposed implemented. Suspended sentence of imprisonment of 8 weeks suspended for 12 months imposed implemented concurrent on five charges.

March 9

Clive Richley (50), of Godsey Lane, Market Deeping. Driving while disqualified (Market Deeping). Community order with rehabilitation activity requirement, £85 v/s, 6pts. No separate penalty for no insurance.

This week’s fixture list - support your local team!

THURSDAY

EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

First Division South: Witton v Spalding.


FRIDAY

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Premier Division: Peterborough Northern Star v Wisbech.

Division One (7.30pm): Olney v Woodford.

Reserve Knockout Cup final: Raunds v Rothwell Corinthians (at Whitworth).

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT LEAGUE

Veteran Division One (8pm): Netherton v Deeping.


SATURDAY

EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

First Division South: Bedworth v Belper, Carlton v Romulus, Gresley v Witton, Kidsgrove v Spalding, Leek v AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Lincoln v Stocksbridge Park Steels, Newcastle v Shaw Lane, Rugby v Loughborough Dynamo, Sheffield v Northwich, Stamford v Basford.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Premier Division: Boston v Yaxley, Desborough v Peterborough Sports, Harborough v Eynesbury, Harrowby v Huntingdon, Holbeach v Cogenhoe, ON Chenecks v Kirby Muxloe, Sileby v Sleaford, Wellingborough v Leicester Nirvana.

Division One: Bourne v Blackstones, Irchester v Bugbrooke St Michaels, Melton v Oakham, Raunds v Buckingham, Stewarts & Lloyds v Daventry, Thrapston v Burton Park Wanderers, Whitworth v Potton.

Reserve Division: Bugbrooke St Michaels v Irchester, Lutterworth v Whitworth, Newport Pagnell v Peterborough Northern Star, Potton v Thrapston.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT LEAGUE (2pm)

Premier Division: Crowland v Peterborough ICA Sports, Deeping Res v Thorney, Leverington Sports v Netherton, Moulton Harrox v AFC Stanground Sports (1pm), Peterborough Sports Res v Stilton, Pinchbeck v Ketton, Sawtry v Uppingham, Stamford Lions v Holbeach Res, Wisbech Res v Langtoft.

Division One: Glinton & Northborough v Netherton Res, Moulton Harrox Res v Stamford Belvedere (4pm), Oakham Res v Kings Cliffe, Peterborough Polonia v Oundle, Spalding Res v Sutton Bridge, Warboys v Wittering Harriers, Whittlesey Res v Long Sutton.

Division Two: AFC Stanground Sports Res v Crowland Res, Ketton Res v Stamford Lions Res, Netherton A v Ramsey, Parkway Eagles v Tydd St Mary, Peterborough ICA Sports Res v Spalding Town.

Division Three: AFC Stanground Sports A v Eye, Farcet v Bretton North End, Oundle Res v Sawtry Res, Uppingham Res v Brotherhood Sports.

Division Four: FC Peterborough Res v Parkside, Feeder v Premiair, Long Sutton Res v Cardea, Netherton B v AFC Stanground Sports B (1.30pm), Tydd St Mary Res v Whaplode Drove, Whittlesey C v Stamford Lions A, Wittering Harriers Res v Huntingdon Rovers.

Division Five A: Eunice Huntingdon v Peterborough NECI, Orton Rangers v Glinton & Northborough Res, Ramsey Res v Holbeach A.

Division Five B: British School of Sport v Riverside Res, Kings Cliffe Res v AFC Orton, Leverington Sports A v Wisbech Town Acorns.

BALCAN LIGHTING SUPPLIES LINCOLNSHIRE LEAGUE

Horncastle v CGB Humbertherm, Louth v Wyberton, Market Rasen v Nettleham, Sleaford Res v Skegness.

TAYLORS SERVICE GARAGES BOSTON LEAGUE (2.30pm)

Taylors Garages Premier Division: Benington v Boston College, Coningsby v Skegness Res, Pointon v Old Leake.

Taylors Peugeot Division One: Fulbeckv Swineshead Res, Kirton Town v Fishtoft, Woodhall Spa v Freiston.

Taylors Ford Division Two: FC Hammers v Boston International, FC Wrangle v Coningsby Res, Fishtoft Res v Billinghay Res, Sibsey v Kirton Town Res.

Taylors Vauxhall Division Three: Leverton Sheepgate Res v Fosdyke Res, Wyberton A v Boston College Res.

Sharman Burgess Boston Sports Cup semi-finals (2pm): Swineshead v Billinghay, Wyberton Res v Spilsby.

Barclays Brokers Willoughby Cup semi-final (2pm): Friskney v Leverton Sheepgate (winners to play Swineshead).

HEREWARD TEAMWEAR & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH JUNIOR ALLIANCE

Under-7 Development Zone (10.30am): Bourne Red v Thorpe Wood Rangers, Holbeach Yellows v Riverside Purple, Malborne Rangers v IPTA, One Touch v Feeder, Park Farm Pumas Red v Bourne Claret, Parkside Red v Stamford, Spalding v Crowland, Werrington v Riverside Black.

Under-7 Development Zone (11.30am): Parkside Blue v ICA Sports Juventus.

Under-8 Development Zone (10.30am): Crowland v Pinchbeck Pumas, Glinton & Northborough Amber v Deeping Claret, Hampton Blue v Bourne Red, Hampton Royal v Sporting, ICA Sports Juventus v Phoenix Yellow, Netherton v Pinchbeck Predators, Oundle v Wittering Harriers, Parkside v Holbeach, Stamford Reds v Deeping Blues, Stamford White v Thorpe Wood Rangers.

Under-8 Development Zone (11.30am): Bourne Claret v Spalding, Bretton North End v Feeder Red, Glinton & Northborough Blue v Stanground Sports, IPTA v ICA Sports Napoli, One Touch v Feeder Blue, Park Farm Pumas Red v FC Peterborough, Stamford Yellows v Phoenix Red, Thurlby Tigers Orange v Hampton Navy, Werrington v Park Farm Pumas Black.

Under-9 Development Zone (10.30am): Bourne Red v Boston, Hampton v Stamford Yellows, Holbeach Yellow v Netherton, Parkside Yellow v IPTA, Riverside v Gunthorpe Harriers, Stanground Sports Purple v Wisbech St Mary Purple, Thurlby Tigers Black v Feeder Blue, Whittlesey Black v FC Peterborough.

Under-9 Development Zone (11.30am): Bourne Claret v Peterborough Northern Star White, Crowland v Feeder Red, Park Farm Pumas Red v Spalding Blue, Peterborough Northern Star Black v Thurlby Tigers Orange, Stanground Sports Black v Parkside Green, Wittering Harriers v Glinton & Northborough Blue.

Under-10 Development Zone (10.30am): Crowland v Wisbech St Mary Purple, Glinton & Northborough Amber v Ramsey Colts, Gunthorpe Harriers v Deeping Blues, One Touch v Blackstones, Park Farm Pumas Blue v Park Farm Pumas Black, Peterborough Northern Star Black v IPTA, Riverside Purple v Deeping Clarets, Spalding Blue v Bourne Claret, Stanground Sports v Parkside Red, Thorney Colts v FC Peterborough.

Under-10 Development Zone (11.30am): Hampton v Thorpe Wood Rangers, Holbeach Black v Boston, Netherton Falcons v Bretton North End, Park Farm Pumas Red v Peterborough Northern Star White, Parkside Blue v Glinton & Northborough Blue, Parkside Yellow v Bourne Red, Riverside Black v Stamford Reds, Spalding Yellow v Holbeach Yellow, Stamford Yellows v Werrington Blue, Wisbech St Mary Yellow v March Soccer School Blue.

S-TECH CAMBRIDGESHIRE GIRLS LEAGUE

Under-12B (10.30am): Melbourn Dynamos v Bourne, Milton v Plantation & Spartak Blue.

Under-14A (10.30am): Bourne v Linton Aztecs, Burwell Tigers v Bar Hill.

Under-14B (10.30am): Pinchbeck v March Soccer School, Ramsey v Holbeach, Royston v Priory Parkside.


SUNDAY

LINCOLNSHIRE FA CUP

Final (11am): Holbeach v The Notts (at Lincoln City).

SPALDING LEAGUE

Mont Pell Trophy final (10.30am): Mulberry v Jubilee (at Sir Halley Stewart Field).

DOUBLE G CLOTHING KING’S LYNN & DISTRICT LEAGUE (10.30am)

Division One: Clenchwarton v Macmillan, England’s Hope v CSKA Emneth, Maltings v CR Eastern Province.

Division Two: CSKA Emneth Res v Sutton St James, March Saracens v CSKA Res, Three Holes Tigers v West Winch William Burt.

S-TECH CAMBRIDGESHIRE WOMEN’S LEAGUE

Championship North (2pm): Hungate v Wisbech Town, March Town United v Swineshead, Wisbech St Mary v Boston.

HEREWARD TEAMWEAR & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH JUNIOR ALLIANCE

Under-11 Development Zone (10.30am): Glinton & Northborough Amber v Wisbech St Mary Purple, IPTA v Stamford Yellows, March Park Rangers v Parkside, Oundle v Hampton Blue, Park Farm Pumas Red v Netherton Wagtails, Pinchbeck Predators v Stamford Red, Thurlby Tigers v Glinton & Northborough Black.

Under-11 Development Zone (noon): One Touch v ICA Sports Napoli, Wisbech St Mary Yellow v Wisbech Town Acorns.

Under-11 Development Zone (2pm): Boston Black v Spalding White, Bourne Claret v Holbeach Reds, FC Peterborough v Feeder, Holbeach Blacks v Riverside Purple.

Under-11 League Cup group stages (2pm): Spalding Blue v Stanground Sports.

Under-12 Division One: One Touch v Hampton Royal (10.30am), Yaxley Blue v Feeder (noon).

Under-12 Division Two (10.30am): Glinton & Northborough Amber v Park Farm Pumas Red.

Under-12 Division Three: FC Peterborough v Oundle (10.30am), Bourne Claret v Peterborough Northern Star (noon), Gunthorpe Harriers Sky v Blackstones Green (2pm), March Soccer School v Stanground Sports (2pm).

Under-13 Division Two (10.30am): Wisbech St Mary v Hampton Blue.

Under-13 Division Three (noon): March Soccer School v Sawtry Colts Blue Sox.

Under-13 Division Four (2pm): Boston v FC Peterborough, Hampton Royals v Blackstones.

Under-14 Division One: Spalding Blue v Werrington Blue (10.30am), Deeping Claret v Park Farm Pumas Blue (2pm), Feeder v Netherton Phoenix (2pm).

Under-14 Division Three (10.30am): Wisbech Town Acorns v March Park Rangers Red.

PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT YOUTH LEAGUE

Under-15 Division One (10.30pm): March Soccer School v Glinton & Northborough Amber, Peterborough Northern Star v Blackstones.


Under-15 Division Two: Deeping v Wisbech St Mary (10.30am), Glinton & Northborough Blue/Black v Oundle (10.30am), Hungate Green v Werrington (10.30am), Phoenix v Langtoft (2pm), Riverside v Stamford (2pm).

Under-15 Division Three (10.30am): Thurlby Tigers v Feeder.

Under-16 Division One: Stanground Sports v Malborne (10.30am), Feeder v Peterborough Northern Star Blue (12.30pm), Spalding v Deeping (2pm).

Under-16 Division Two (10.30am): Glinton & Northborough Blue v Pinchbeck, Leverington Sports v Thorpe Wood Rangers, Peterborough Northern Star Red v Blackstones.

Under-16 Division Three (10.30am): Hempsted v Thurlby Tigers.

Under-18 Division One (10.30am): Blackstones v Ketton, Bourne Red v Deeping Blue.

Under-18 Division Two (2pm): Bourne Claret v Glinton & Northborough Blue, Whittlesey Black v Yaxley Lynx.

Under-18 Division Three (2pm): Deeping Claret v Yaxley Blue, Oundle v Thurlby Tigers.

PFA UNDER-15 CUP

Final (10.30am): Leverington Sports v Peterborough Sports (at Yaxley).

PFA UNDER-18 CUP

Final (2pm): Peterborough Northern Star v March Soccer School (at Yaxley).


TUESDAY

EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

First Division South: AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Stocksbridge Park Steels, Carlton v Stamford, Newcastle v Lincoln, Shaw Lane v Witton, Spalding v Basford.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Reserve Division: Newport Pagnell v Whitworth, Raunds v Olney.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT LEAGUE

Premier Division: Peterborough Sports Res v Pinchbeck, Stamford Lions v Ketton (6.30pm).

BALCAN LIGHTING SUPPLIES LINCOLNSHIRE LEAGUE

Sleaford Sports Amateurs v Wyberton.

TAYLORS SERVICE GARAGES BOSTON LEAGUE

Target Newspapers Challenge Cup final (7pm): Fishtoft v Wyberton A (at Boston Town).


WEDNESDAY

EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

First Division South: Northwich v Loughborough Dynamo.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Reserve Division: Rothwell Corinthians v Irchester.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT LEAGUE

Premier Division: Netherton v Langtoft.

Veteran Division One: Long Sutton v FC Peterborough.

BALCAN LIGHTING SUPPLIES LINCOLNSHIRE LEAGUE

Market Rasen v CGB Humbertherm.

TAYLORS SERVICE GARAGES BOSTON LEAGUE (6.30pm)

Taylors Garages Premier Division: Benington v Spilsby, Billinghay v Leverton Sheepgate, Pointon v Swineshead.

Taylors Peugeot Division One: Old Doningtonians v FC Kirton.

PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT YOUTH LEAGUE

Under-18 Division One (6pm): Bourne Red v Blackstones.

TRISH TAKES FIVE: By Trish Burgess

Fancy a trip to Stamford and maybe have a nice lunch out?, I suggested to Dougie.

I thought this would be a good post-birthday treat for my hubby, seeing as the clothes I’d bought him as a present had to be returned as they didn’t fit. Too big apparently, which surprised me to be honest, as at our age most purchases are too small.

Everything seemed to be conspiring against us ever getting there. The fog took ages to clear, we were held up at two sets of level crossings and we’d forgotten it was the Mid-Lent Fair in the town, so many of the car parks were full.

We decided to keep circling the Cattle Market car park like a lion waiting to attack. Thankfully a space became free and we pounced, triumphant. As I waited for Dougie to return from the ticket machine I could see other big cats continuing to pace nearby so I did that very British thing of shaking my head and mouthing an apology to indicate we weren’t leaving.

We walked across The Meadows into the town centre, admiring the beautiful honey-coloured limestone buildings that have made Stamford a favourite location for many period dramas. I recommend a saunter up Barn Hill to appreciate the Georgian architecture and see where Holbeach-born William Stukely lived. There’s a blue plaque indicating the ‘father of archaeology’ lived there from 1740-1748.

For lunch, we chose an Italian bistro, Cloisters, in St Mary’s Street. Talented young chef, Dan Bahnam, and his bubbly fiancée Jen Totty, who runs the front of house, live in Spalding and have recently taken over this lovely little restaurant in the centre of Stamford.

The food was delicious. We started with olives and freshly-baked focaccia bread before sharing yummy calamari, which had a lush light batter, and gamberoni king prawns in a tomato and white wine sauce.

Dougie polished off a pork chop Milanese with rosemary roast potatoes whilst I chose the lunchtime offer of half a pizza and salad: my goodness, it was a big half.

I didn’t think we could manage another course but Dan’s special homemade tiramisu was calling us. The generous portion was not at all heavy and the secret ingredient (though not secret now) of Cointreau rather than Amaretto, was a masterstroke.

Dougie’s belated birthday meal was a huge success. I could have cradled my espresso coffee for the rest of the afternoon but it was time for a quick look round the shops before heading home.

“I don’t think we’ll be needing anything to eat tonight,” I said as we both flopped on the sofa later that day. “Though maybe, with all that food you’ve eaten, those clothes I bought you might fit after all.”

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

Previously...

Tales of a Royal Navy doctor

County highways officials are being asked to rethink plans to close Crowland’s Fen Bridge for repairs to the water mains.

Lincolnshire County Council has warned that the bridge, which runs over the B1166 Gravel Causeway, will need to be closed while further repairs take place.

But Coun Michael Atkinson complained that diversions along the A16 cause “great difficulties” for families going to and from South View Community Primary School, as well as businesses that use the bridge to come into Crowland.

A Crowland Parish Council spokesman said: “When the bridge is closed, the detour is a very long way round for residents and other businesses that use the bridge into Crowland, including parents with children attending South View Community Primary School.

“The bridge was closed for two weeks recently and Lincolnshire County Council is now saying that it needs to be closed again for pipes to be laid by Anglian Water.

“So we are writing to the council to as we would like to know if this can be done without closing the road.”

An explosion of colour is coming to Crowland town centre in time for summer with the arrival of 100 hanging baskets.

Homes and businesses will be invited to buy the decorations from the parish council and put them up outside their premises.

A council spokesman said: “The baskets are put up by our workers in early June and then watered three times a week which is part of the cost.

“They stay up until late September/early October, depending on the weather.”

Two separate developments which could see up to 200 new homes built in Crowland are to be discussed by parish councillors later this month.

Crowland-based farmers N. Woodroffe and Sons have applied to build 100 homes in Crease Drove which the applicants also plan to widen.

In addition, another application to build up to 100 new homes in the same area which was turned down by South Holland District Council in October has been put in again.

Parish councillors are worried that the plans together would lead to the disappearance of a “buffer area” between homes and Crease Drove Industrial Estate.

In a letter to the district council, South Holland and the Deepings MP John Hayes said the plans by N. Woodroffe and Sons would have “a detrimental impact on businesses” nearby.

Parish councillors are planning to turn a former school sports hall into a community gym for Crowland.

The sports hall in Postland Road, once part of the former St Guthlac’s Secondary School, has been run by the parish council since the school closed in July 2013.

Senior staff and governors at South View Community Primary School, which now occupies the St Guthlac’s site, chose not to include the sports hall in its plans.

Parish council chairman Coun David Ringham said: “Some 25 years ago, the parish council decided to contribute to the sports hall’s upkeep through an arrangement with Lincolnshire County Council called ‘Chance to Share’.

“This meant that it could be used by the community as we didn’t want the facilities to be lost to Crowland.

“We’ve been running the sports hall ever since the primary school moved in.

“But now we’re looking at expanding the activities during the daytime and what we intend to do is to fit out a gymnasium, running it on the same basis as other gyms in the area.”

A group of trustees would be needed to run the sports hall as a charitable incorporated organisation, a type of charity which benefits from discounted business rates.

Coun Ringham said: “We hope to be in a position to kick things off within the next six weeks.”

Nominations are now in for the candidates standing locally in the LIncolnshire County Council elections next month.

The election will take place on Thursday, May 4.

In total, 70 councillors will be elected to make county-wide decisions on subjects such as education and social services.

Within South Holland District there are nine electoral divisions, electing one county councillor each.

Each councillor is elected for a period of four years.

The nine electoral divisions and the candidates are as follows:

CROWLAND & WHAPLODE

(Currently Nigel Pepper)

Charles Finister (Lib Dem), Darryl Kirk (Lab), Nigel Pepper (Con).

DONINGTON RURAL
(Currently Susan Wray)

Rodney Grocock (Con), Jane King (Ind), Richard Mair (Lab).

HOLBEACH

(Currently Nick Worth)

Paul Foyster (UKIP), Helena Mair (Lab), Nick Worth (Con).

HOLBEACH RURAL

(Currently William Webb)

Peter Coupland (Con), Robert Gibson (UKIP), Philip Hammersley (Lib Dem), Lucinda Preston Lab).

SPALDING EAST AND MOULTON

(Currently Richard Fairman)

Richard Fairman (UKIP), Karen Lee (Lab), Eddy Poll (Con), Kathleen Tanner (Lib Dem).

SPALDING ELLOE

(Currently Elizabeth Sneath)

Emily Bates (UKIP), Martin Blake (Green), Mark Currier (Lib Dem), Douglas Dickens (Ind), John Grocock (Lab), Elizabeth Sneath (Con).

SPALDING SOUTH

(Currently Alan Jesson)

Andrew Bowell (Lab), Christine Lawton (Con), Raymond Swallow (Lib Dem), Pete Williams (UKIP).

SPALDING WEST

(Currently Angela Newton)

Wojciech Kowalewski (Lab), Angela Newton (Ind), Gary Taylor (Con).

SUTTON ELLOE

(Currently Chris Brewis)

Chris Brewis (Ind), Paul Gowen (Lab), Jack Tyrrell (Con).

CABINET CALL: By South Holland District Council cabinet member Coun Christine Lawton

The much-anticipated Housing White Paper sets out the Government’s strategy for building more homes, and recognises the flexibility needed to enable councils to meet local needs.

Housing delivery has wider benefits for people and places, and we need the right homes in the right places with affordability an important part of our housing strategy.  

We also have to plan for our ageing demographic. Between 2008 and 2033 over half of projected households will include over 65s.  

The need to build communities that better match homes to households is one part of the challenge local authorities face, so boosting house building levels and increasing affordability are key priorities.

We recently held our first South East Lincolnshire Home Builders’ Forum, engaging with over 40 developers, land agents, planning consultants, housing officers and executive councillors, seeking ways to accelerate growth.  

We had discussions with representatives from the Homes and Communities Agency who gave details of the HCA Home Building Fund, a £3billion government fund to support small and medium developers to accelerate small-estate building.  

The feedback was excellent and we hope the discussions will translate into more new homes being built by local builders who understand the needs and aspirations of local people.

The White Paper also sets out recent proposals to address homelessness. The Homeless Reduction Bill will see the doubling of the Rough Sleeping Fund and refocus on prevention.  

For South Holland, the recent successful bid into the Social Impact Bond – a county-wide £1.3m fund for a four-year programme to address long-term rough sleeping – will allow us to manage this issue in a holistic manner.

I am pleased to say that prevention of homelessness has been a priority for SHDC and bed and breakfast usage is kept at a minimum – we have our own temporary accommodation as part of our housing stock.

We are also looking at innovative ways to increase housing supply. Custom and self-build, factory and modular build are niche markets but all could be part of the mix, as is bringing empty homes back into use.  

There is no silver bullet to solve the long-term shortage of housing, but we need and are right to demand that new developments are sustainable, high quality and are places where people want to live work and relax. 

PS: It’s Spalding in Bloom signing-up time again and I am very grateful to those town traders who are already on board.

Last year was Gold-winning and we hope to continue our success.

WARD’S WORLD: By John Ward

It was one of those events and hearing somebody’s part life history being read out in quiet surroundings meant we were sadly at their funeral service and once again I was going through this ritual that seems to be fairly commonplace these days for those of us of a ‘certain age’ as we go along and pay our last respects.

Being there brought back assorted memories. My first ever funeral I attended was for my granddad and being a mere befuddled teenager, it was all lost on me to be honest as although we there as family, relations, friends and his old workmates being present, where was the ‘guest’ as in my amazing granddad?

As I said, a mere befuddled teenager.

This recent occasion was for Dave who was suddenly taken from us and while not having seen each other for ages, and not through choice I will add, he meant something to me in many ways as he was what I call a ‘real’ person in what you saw was what you got.

On arrival I was amazed to see the majority of the crematorium car park nearly filled plus a 52-seater coach and I actually thought there were two services ongoing, but no – this was all for Dave, as I found out.

Hearing all the many things being read out in his eulogy meant he was somebody and something to a lot of people present at this service as it was literally ‘standing room only’ as we were jam-packed into the chapel and I can understand the vast number being there as he was indeed quite special.

In his 59 years, he didn’t swim the English Channel, but he could find a few channels on the telly if desperate.

He didn’t find a cure for flat feet, he didn’t go singlehanded to the moon and back as wife San told him when his dinner would be on the table and he should eat while it was warm.

He didn’t fly the Atlantic singlehanded or win any Olympic medals, but if there was a medal for smiling and brightening other people’s lives by just being himself, then he would have a chest full.

I met Dave through his wife Sandra many years ago when she worked in a photographic shop and I was a mere customer, Grade One and cash paying, and at the time she was having ‘one of those days’ as she put it as I popped in to pick some bits up and doing my usual taking the ‘yes-yes’ as its called in France, she pointed out that I was ‘like her Dave’ (poor soul I thought..) as he was always making fun of things and I said it was the shop prices being charged that brought my opinions out but she said she only worked there and with that we both agreed and the score was 1 – 1.

She knew about my ability (debateable) of making things for assorted occasions, so she enquired about what could I make for his 40th birthday as he was only having the one that year, and on hearing about his interests and the main one was playing snooker, I was left to my devices.

So into my workshop and sewing machine (my trusty stone bonker Singer and still going strong) and after a bit of thought and assorted ideas I came up with the Ward-A-Matic Snooker Player’s Companion that was custom made for, well, a snooker player, would you believe?

Dave’s birthday event was quite something and I was amazed even then as to how many people turned up to celebrate it with him and his family that I can still recall and I am happy to say the time spent making it was appreciated I am happy to report.

The ‘star attraction’ was a sort of comedic (if I may be so bold as to put it into words) ‘strip-a-gram’ lady who arrived in her police outfit that used to be all the rage at the time at such events and it was so, well, different that instead of the poor soul discarding her clothing whilst ‘dancing’, everybody was shouting “Keep ‘em on, girl” and shows that they were concerned about the effects of the weather even then and her catching cold, although oddly it was only August but at least they showed they cared.

A few years ago I was ‘messing about’ in my then-workshop welding away making a carnival float base, as a voice disturbed me and as I turned round and it was Dave.

He was passing through and stopped his lorry and popped his head round to say ‘hello’ and the kettle just had to go on!

As a team, Dave and Sandra were invincible as they both had the ability to bring a smile to people’s faces but in Sandra’s case she could also sing and did so at the local club in the village where they lived.

She could really belt the numbers out but due to her stature, okay, her shortness, she asked how she could ‘project herself to the crowds (?) at the back of the hall’ (she never said if they were arriving or leaving to get earplugs) and after a bit of careful thought, we came up with the idea that as there was a bar there, why not go for a ‘cheap and cheerful’ measure and just stand on a beer crate?

She smiled and this is what she did.

It was after a couple of hours that she realised, despite Dave telling her from the word go, she was supposed to turn the crate upside down and stand on it as opposed to just standing in the bit where the bottles fitted, which scrunched her toes up.

On turning it upside down fully, she was another foot taller, and sung ’Hey Big Spender’ to all those patrons who could now see her as well as hear her.

Old Harry was as usual propping the bar up was so impressed by this rendition that he invested in a packet of ‘Burnt Hog’ flavour crisps – he had a certain reputation and was quite ‘careful’ with his money – to go with his half a pint of ‘Old Mother Crewcut’s Best Bitter’.

Sadly Dave, he of multiple skills and knowledge as we found out in precise detail from his eulogy, is no longer with us and while being in that very packed chapel, you could ‘feel the warmth’ of the very people he had brought a form of happiness to in whatever shape it took but he was not famous as such, just a normal husband and father who always wore a smile and usually left you with one as well.

You may have smiled at the above, a rather condensed version of somebody’s life or part of it as it has been written to highlight the fact despite all the dark moments in the world currently, that it’s not always been the case and if you smiled at any of it, rest assured Dave would be very pleased or as he would put it: “Another job well done then.”

Further works will be taking place to improve the flow of traffic at Sutterton roundabout, the ‘pinch point’ on the A16 and A17.

In January, work began to widen the approach lanes, install better signage and road markings and upgrade the street lighting on the roundabout.

However, there is still funding available to further widen the A16 approach to the roundabout from Spalding.

This will provide greater queuing capacity and, in turn, reduce delays for traffic travelling on this route.

Much of the work will be completed with lane closures and a temporary 30mph speed limit in place. Access will be maintained to businesses and properties as far as reasonably practicable.

Some resurfacing works will take place under overnight road closures, with details released once confirmed. The closures will be in effect from 6pm, with the road reopened to traffic no later than 6am each morning. A fully-signed diversion route will be in place during the closures.

The project is expected to continue until early May, although works will be suspended and traffic management reduced to a minimum over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

The council apologises for any inconvenience caused.

The improvements have been made possible thanks to a £1m grant from the Single Local Growth Fund.

• Eurovia UK has been officially appointed to undertake £4.8million works to improve the current A17/A151 Peppermint Junction in Holbeach by installing a new, three-arm roundabout, as well as a new four-arm roundabout on the A151.

The British construction firm is expected to start work on May 8, with an estimating finishing time of next Spring.

The scheme will improve the safety of the current junction, provide access to residential land to the east of the A151 and open up development land to the west of the A151 for the creation of Peppermint Park, Holbeach: A Food Enterprise Village, which will include a Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ) and the delivery of approximately 900 new homes.

Funding for the project includes £2.4million from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Growth Fund, with the remaining to come from developers and the county council.

Fly tippers left this mess at South Fen Road, Bourne yesterday (Wednesday).

Please call Market Deeping police on the 101 number if you have any information, quoting incident number 336 of April 5.

Schools were encouraged to make the most of their land by growing food to help the war effort.

The president of the Board of Agriculture, a Mr Prothero issued an appeal to headmasters, headmistresses and teachers to help in the general scheme of increased food production.

The Holland education committee had given little support to schools’ kitchen gardens, but Mr Prothero pointed out that there are around 3,200 school gardens and asked that teachers make each one - ‘every foot of it’ - a prize kitchen garden.

Although the actual addition each child can make to the national food supply is small, he added, added together it may come to something substantial and every child will be think that he or she is doing national work.

The Board of Education allowed the garden work to be done in school hours and suggested that teachers should extend their work to the allotments and gardens of those who are with the Forces or absent on other national services, distributing seed potatoes and preparing the children to be useful on the farms during the holidays.

The Lincolnshire Free Press commented that the Holland Education Authority, in the light of current needs, might “very well modify its attitude on the matter”.

Spaldonian railwaymen also made the most of the allotment space which was let out in small plots on Hancock’s Field, Pinchbeck Road by the GN Railway Company to assist food production.

The sites were No fewer than 49 people were seen on Good Friday working on the plots, growing crops to boost the vegetables available to everyone.

It was said that ‘this spoke well for the energy and industry of Spaldonians’in what was described as ‘a wartime spectacle’.

Pinchbeck Penguins playgroup all enjoyed their Easter concert and bonnet parade. The children sang lovely Easter songs with actions and all received an egg. There were prizes for an Easter colouring competition and the best Easter bonnets – although the standard was so high, judging was a difficult task.

The children then paraded their bonnets for all to see , followed by an Easter egg hunt in the garden. Lots of homemade yummy cakes were also on sale , made by the staff to raise funds for the group.

Family support charity Home-Start 
Lincolnshire threw a day of celebration for its 142 volunteers – and they did it in style.

Many from Spalding and South Holland were at the gathering to be recognised for the amazing work they’d done over the year, supporting local families in their times of need. Between them they supported 1,536 children and their families last year.

They enjoyed lunch and a training session at the event, held at Woodhall Spa’s Dower House Hotel, before certificates were given out to recognise volunteers’ service - for some as much as 14 years’ incredible 
support to families in their region.

• Home-Start Lincolnshire is currently 
recruiting volunteers – if you’re interested, or would like to find out about receiving support, call 01507 308030 or email enquiries@homestartlincolnshire.co.uk

Staff at QD Stores, Holbeach, raised £75.85 for Brain Tumour Research by wearing pink top hats and baseball caps to work.

Store supervisor Matthew Cambridge said seeing the staff in funny hats got “customers laughing” and “asking about the charity”.

Our picture shows Matthew with Emily Newton and Lesley Ziane on the fundraising day, which is organised nationally by the QD Stores Group who raised more than £42,000 through JustGiving.

Traders have issued a rallying call to the people of Spalding to help them in their fight to save the town centre.

Members of the Spalding Town Retailers Association (STRA) are committed to turning around the fortunes of the town and have vowed to do all they can, despite feeling let down by councillors.

Chairman Darren Sutton said: “STRA is committed to seeking solutions to encourage people to our town. But we are all shopkeepers, store owners and business people who have full-time day jobs running our shops.

“Individually, we are not lawyers, nor are we experts on planning laws or marketing, but we believe we deliver 
employment, services and value to our community.

“If there are marketers, experts, professionals and supporters out there who can volunteer to help us to get things done and challenge our council we would be enormously grateful.”

STRA spoke out last week over frustrations at the way South Holland District Council has behaved towards Springfields.

Traders feel it has failed to enforce a key planning rule that was supposed to prevent Springfields from directly competing with Spalding town centre. The rule was drawn up to protect the town from losing trade but it is widely felt that this is being ignored.

Mr Sutton added: “We want the council to be on our side helping us, not working against us.

“We all pay significant business rates, which are again increasing, and we want to see that this money is being well spent.

“What we want now is the commitment of our council and councillors and the opportunity to work together to get action that will benefit our town centre, our customers and our community.”

STRA wants to establish a steering group of town traders, councillors and other interested parties with a clear mandate to quickly create a deliverable action plan to increase footfall in the town centre, which is widely considered to be in decline.

Mr Sutton added: “SHDC says it is committed to ensuring that our town centre remains the primary retail destination for Spalding. Traders would now like to meet with the council to agree an action to ensure this is truly the case. Action not words is what is required.”

Traders feel that a failure to act now will only serve to add to the string of shops that have been forced to close in recent times. Only last week Revills Jewellers and Spalding Music Services became the latest shops to close their doors.

Anyone interested in supporting the traders in their cause should contact Bookmark on 01775 769231 and ask to speak to Mr Sutton

• What do you think about Spalding town centre? Email your letters to jeremy.
ransome@iliffepublishing.co.uk