SCOTT WOODS takes his weekly local at the global financial markets.

It was a decidedly shaky start to last week, with energy stocks experiencing particularly heavy falls, due to a falling oil price. However, a late rally in US technology and consumer staples stocks, courtesy of good profits announcements resulted in the S&P 500 index moving into positive territory.

In Asia, performances were decidedly mixed. While investors in Japan took profits, Indian shares and bonds, staged a late rally on with news that a leading credit rating agency had become more optimistic on the country’s outlook under Narendra Modi. In Europe, shares drifted lower, while in the UK, trading was quiet ahead of the budget.

• Every little helps and for patient shareholders in Vodafone and Tesco, last week produced good news for both UK-based companies. Shares in Vodafone, whose profits are quoted in euros despite its shares being registered in London, rose 5 per cent on news of its first upgrade to underlying earnings guidance in ‘recent history,’ with particularly strong growth coming from its Italian division.

Meanwhile, the Competition and Markets Authority gave provisional clearance on Tesco’s purchase of wholesaler Booker, despite some shareholder scepticism.

• Adulated as a revolutionary innovation by its fans, while condemned as a device for money-laundering by its detractors, bitcoin continues to generate controversy. The cryptocurrency’s rise versus the US dollar has added further heat to the debate, given the wild swings in price it has experienced along the way. The currency pair reached a record peak on Friday, with one bitcoin worth US$7,997, but only after recovering from a 29 per cent decline suffered from the previous Wednesday to Monday. Source: Old Mutual Global Investors (OMGI).

The value of investments and the income they produce can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.

The pre-Christmas clearance at Spalding United is all over, according to manager Chris Rawlinson.

Jordan Lemon, Paul Walker and Jamie Jackson left the Tulips following substantial cuts to the budget.

However, Rawlinson is not expecting more departures – and he believes players will be replaced if they leave now.

He said: “We’ve done a lot of work off the pitch and saved a fortune.

“But we’re sustainable as a club now and we won’t see two more players leave like what happened last week.

“This was not what Walker signed up for when he agreed a contract last summer.

“He has got a dream move to Boston United and we wish him all the best.

“He has been fabulous for us and he is definitely good enough to play in the National League North.

“We have three players – Michael Duggan, Jonny Lockie and Neal Spafford – who are under contract. They are here to stay.

“We are starting to get togetherness within this squad.

“It’s wonderful when you are winning but it’s important to dust yourselves down in a run of defeats as well.

“I’m sure we will be fine, especially when Lee Beeson and Jack Fixter come back into the squad after suspension.

“We have a huge game at Loughborough Dynamo on Saturday when the players must have belief.”

Spalding suffered a sixth successive defeat – all coming by a one-goal margin – when second-placed Alvechurch won at the Sir Halley Stewart Field.

Rawlinson added: “I felt we deserved something out of the game.

“We were punished for one lapse of concentration and it was a good finish.

“We had gone clear for a one-on-one chance and Jenk Acar missed it.

“We had a lot of pressure and I’m sure we will score goals to win games soon.”

Meanwhile, Walker made his debut as a substitute in Boston’s 2-1 home win over York City.

Jackson came on during Matlock Town’s 2-1 away victory at Lancaster City.

Holbeach United moved up to second spot – but manager Seb Hayes is still not ready to think about a championship challenge.

Will Bird fired a second-half hat-trick for the Tigers after goals by Lewis Leckie, George Zuerner and Charley Sanders put them in control away to Whitworth on Saturday.

Holbeach recorded a third successive win – all coming with a clean sheet – since Hayes’ criticism following the derby defeat at Boston Town last month.

He said: “We needed to get that response.

“We’re up to second with two games in hand, although Newport Pagnell Town are still flying at the top.

“I’m not going to talk about a title push but we have got ourselves into the pack.

“Other teams have slipped up but we got the response to that defeat at Boston. We’ve had three clean sheets since then.

“We started well for 25 minutes on Saturday but I felt Whitworth came right back into it.

“We were winning 1-0 at half-time but I wasn’t happy. We went very direct with long balls and it didn’t suit us.

“So I had a moan at them but the attacking players listened because our movement off the ball in the second half was 
fantastic.

“We scored or tested the keeper every time we went forward.

“The players were upset when I spoke about the goals return previously.

“Sometimes I’m a bit too hard on them because I have to push them.

“I know Bird has been low in confidence in a barren spell for goals. He works hard for the team defensively but he needs to be greedy as well.”

Views on Brexit, the Poppy Appeal and Advent

There will be no bonfire of EU regulations

Craig Jackson (Guardian letters, November 23) is quick to denigrate anyone who challenges Vote Leave’s inspirational optimistic vision of Britain’s post-Brexit golden future.

EU regulations harmonise the quality of design, materials, components, user safety, energy efficiency, consumers’ and workers’ rights. Harmonised product regulations maximises opportunities through specialisation to minimise production costs and price and maximise people’s living standards. Product standards not compliant with EU regulations will be unsaleable in the single market. There will be no bonfire of EU regulations.

World Bank officials acknowledge the intellectual validity of the gravity model of international trade Sovereign States trade most with their near neighbours depending on the terms of trade.

International trade flows are measured in dollars to facilitate comparative analysis. At an exchange rate of £1 = $1.30 in 2016 China’s imports into Britain were valued at £47bn. Britain’s exports to China valued at £20bn.

London remains the premier global gold bullion market. Bullion dealers import gold ingots to sell on to foreign customers. Bullion flows fluctuate in volume and price. Gold flows with negligible British contribution to value distort and flatter Britain’s trade flow data. Bullion markets major customer’s China, Switzerland and India.

China’s full membership of the World Trade Organisation is being challenged by USA and EU for its unfair trading practices; state subsidies and dumping at prices below production costs on world markets. Trading into China involves reaching payment and credit terms, wastage and shipping costs. The Chinese make frequent random changes to product standards and do not accept any equivalent between product specifications. Goods sold in China have to be trade marked, for a fee, by a Chinese Accreditation Agency. Every single consignment must be accompanied by a science led product analysis, appropriate certificates and licences.

Advice from chief executive of Stickology a successful small business exporter into China of tea and high tea products. Chinese trade agencies are lax in addressing widespread counterfeiting and in protecting patent and intellectual property rights. Insist that all contractual agreements are enforceable under Chinese law.

A fair free trade deal with China is a delusion. China’s economy is over four times larger than Britain’s and growing rapidly. Napoleons maxim, God is on the side of the big battalions.

Paul Walls

Spalding

Trading under WTO rules would be a disaster

Craig Jackson (Readers’ View, November 23) says the facts I presented in my earlier letter were “not only pure fantasy, but also completely inaccurate”. So, let me respond to some of the assertions he makes in his letter, starting with his statement that “there is nothing to fear from trading under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.”

First, let’s ask ourselves where do our exports currently go? The answer is: 50.7 per cent go to the EU and its overseas territories; 12 per cent to countries with whom the EU currently has trade deals, 8.4 per cent to countries with whom the EU is currently negotiating; 15.2 per cent to the USA; 6.8 per cent to China and Hong Kong; and 6.9 per cent to everywhere else. So, if we leave the EU with no deal, up to 71.1 per cent of our overseas trade will be adversely affected.

Most seriously affected, of course, will be our exports to the EU single market and customs union, where, in particular, we will lose the benefits of cross-border ‘financial passporting’ and face the reimposition of non-tariff barriers that membership of the single market currently avoids..

So, let’s do some simple maths, focusing initially on the 50.7 per cent of exports that go to the EU and its overseas territories, of which 20 per cent are for goods and 80 per cent for services. As the terms of trade we currently enjoy with the EU are so favourable, estimates suggest we could lose up to 50 per cent of our trade in goods and up to 60 per cent of our trade in services with the EU if we revert to trading under WTO rules. This means we could lose up to 33.1 per cent of our total exports, plus most of the huge inward investment from firms around the world who currently choose to use the UK as a base for exporting to the EU. Also, if we go down the ‘no deal’ route, we’ll need to agree WTO ‘schedules’, for both goods and services, with the other 164 members of the WTO, of which any and all can object to any number of issues at any time.

Even if we’re legally allowed to start negotiations by assuming the WTO schedules we currently enjoy as a member of the EU still apply, we’ll need to work out which bits of these existing schedules relate to us, and which bits relate to the rest of the EU. So, this means ‘quota bargaining’ with the rest of the world.

And, as the EU will have to renegotiate all of its WTO schedules too, it is bound to be at the front of the queue for dispute resolution, with us at the back, simply because their economy will be roughly 10 times the size of ours.

Come on Leave voters, recognise reality, rise up and demand that the tens of billions of pounds now being wasting on Brexit are spent instead on the NHS and fixing other fundamental problems, like our national housing crisis and the North-South divide. This alternative approach would certainly get my vote.

Alan Meekings

Holbeach

Our highest annual sum yet achieved

May I express my grateful thanks to all customers and visitors to Morrisons Supermarket in Pinchbeck during the recent Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Thanks to the generosity of Morrisons customers we collected the very gratifying sum of £14,143.77 during the appeal period - the highest annual sum yet achieved. Overall in the villages of Pinchbeck and West Pinchbeck our current total at the time of writing is £16,149.10.

A Boyer

Pinchbeck Royal British Legion Treasurer and Poppy Appeal Organiser

Thought For THe Week

Advent heightens our awareness of the passing of time. Darkness falls earlier each day. Children count off the numbered windows in Advent Calendars. Shoppers count down the number of shopping-days before Christmas. Letters from old friends convey both sad news and happy success. Familiar decorations evoke memories of Christmas past.

In all this, the words of a Psalm encourage us to ‘number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom’ (Psalm 90:12).

Advent challenges us to consider how to make the most of our time. Beyond the Advent Calendar, life presents us with ‘windows of opportunity’.

Our words and actions can make a positive difference. Often, however, resolve lapses. Jesus spoke of responding to those in need: “I tell you, whenever you did this for the least of my brethren, you did it for me” (Matthew 25:40). He also observed that the light of kindness can illuminate the lives of others (Matthew 5:14). Our days are numbered. We can’t make time. But in Advent we can do our best to make each day count!

Rev Alan Barker

South Holland Methodist Circuit

Previously...

HEALTH AND WELLBEING: A monthly column by Jo Esdale

The majority of people associate massage for a pamper treatment or to treat an injury, however massage has been proven to be most effective when it is used as preventative measure on a regular basis.

Massage therapy dates back thousands of years to our ancient ancestors who believed in its medical benefits and healing properties.

However, Western medicine has only recently accepted the beneifits of massage for both its preventative and remedial massage benefits.

Endorphins, the ‘feel good’ chemicals, are released during massage. Endorphins create the feeling of exhilaration and relaxation, relieving pain, anxiety and stress, making masssage a beneficial treatment for many health concerns.

Massage can be given in a variety of methods and techniques to suit everybody’s requirements, whether it is to relieve tight muscles and pain, rehabilitate muscular injuries or simply to improve your mood if you are feeling stressed, low or tired.

Massage can be deep or light, combined with aromatherapy oils and complemented with hot or cold stones. It can be stimulating and relaxing and benefits the entire body.

THE SKIN

Removes dead skin cells,
 improving texture and aiding cell renewal, slowing down ageing. The massage mediums nourish and soften the skin and can also soften scar tissue.

THE MUSCLES

Removes waste products such as lactic acid and breaks down adhesions, keeping the muscles in peak condition and maintaining muscular elasticity and flexibility.

CIRCULATION

Increases the circulation of oxygen and nutrient rich blood to the muscles and the flow of blood through the veins removing waste products.

LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

Stimulates flow of lymph within the lymph vessels and the removal of toxins and waste material.

NERVOUS SYSTEM

Nerve endings in muscles are relaxed and soothed, relieving tension and creating a sedative effect on the central nervous system. Nervous stress and tension are relieved and certain types of pain are relieved by the pressure of massage

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

The stress relief of massage can improve breathing.

DIGESTION

Gentle movements over the large intestine aid digestion and increased blood flow around the body, stimulates the absorption and transport of nutrients.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Stress relief of massage can combat an imbalance of hormones produced during times of stress and anxiety.

URINARY SYSTEM

Massage increases the amount of urine produced as waste and fluid is eliminated from the body.

So, in summary the overall physical and psychological effects of massage produce a feeling of well being and relaxation, reducing tension, anxiety and stress and enhances sleep.

• Win a wellbeing package worth more than £100 for your man – see competition on page 26.

Youngsters from Spalding Gymnastics Club are pictured in November 2001 after picking up medals at the regional individual championships held in Chesterfield.

Gold medals had gone to Laura Martin on the beam, Angela Ennis in the floor exercise category and Emily Moss on the vault. Silvers went to Samantha Fletcher (beam), Charlotte Stevens (beam) and Lauren Borszczowskyj (beam).

Meanwhile, award winners from the upper end of Spalding Grammar School were pictured at the Speech Day 16 years ago this month, where headmaster Michael Stewart blamed politicians for putting too much emphasis on league tables and exam results. MP for South Holland and the Deepings – then and now – John Hayes was guest of honour.

TRISH TAKES FIVE: By award-winning blogger Trish Burgess

I made a start on buying Christmas presents last week, beginning with myself. Well, I do find I’m the easiest person to buy for as I know just what I want.

There’s a new gin on the market and it’s perfect for me. Blogger Gin has been created by my friend and fellow blogger, Mummy Barrow, known as ‘T’ to her friends and family.

After many months of plotting and planning with the co-founder of The Gin Parlour, Mummy Barrow was put in touch with Bottomley Distillers in Louth, creators of Lincolnshire’s very own Pin Gin. A recipe was created to complement T’s favourite pink lemonade as a mixer, though it works wonderfully with lemon tonic too.

Blogger Gin ingredients include juniper, cardamom seeds, pink and black peppercorns, cinnamon and fresh lemons. It’s in a very stylish clear bottle and has been signed with the initial, ‘T’, with a kiss. So now we have gin for bloggers with my initial on it. I did say it was perfect for me.

The gin, plus Bottomley Distillers’ Pin Gin, is now available online from The Gin Parlour. Of course, it’s not just for bloggers: anyone can buy it and it’s hoped it will have a wide appeal. My bottle arrived last week and proved to be the ideal post-blogging reward to myself after a long day of typing on the computer.

It’s amazing how gin varieties have increased over recent years. The only gin in my parents’ drinks cupboard came in a familiar green bottle. Now, the supermarket shelves are groaning with all manner of botanical potions. I’ve written in this column previously about the Black Shuck gin I discovered in Norfolk. That’s been a big hit, served with a sliver of orange peel. Other gins work better with lime or cucumber, accompanied by different mixers. But my blogger buddy suggests that to fully appreciate a good gin it should be drunk from a large glass, all the better for getting your nose into those aromas. Fill the glass full of ice then add the gin, followed by your mixer at a preferred ratio of 1:2. And absolutely no straw. This is all about the sense of smell as well as taste.

Now that I’m starting to learn more about gin, I should really pay a visit to The Gin Tree, the new bar which has opened above The Priors Oven in the Sheep Market, here in Spalding. I hear gin connoisseur Dani Nundy serves a huge array of gins, with matching mixers and garnish. Citrus, sweet and herby combinations are available in this small, intimate room. It’s been set up as a pop-up until Christmas. Let’s hope it’s a great success and continuesafter that.

In the meantime, it looks suspiciously like gin o’clock to me. Ice and a slice? Don’t mind if I do.

• Read Trish’s blog at www.mumsgoneto.co.uk

Previously...

Improving my singing with Gareth Malone

CABINET CALL: A weekly column written by members of South Holland District Council’s Cabinet. This week with: Leader, Coun Gary Porter

I watched the Chancellor’s budget announcement with interest last week and now that the dust has settled, I still think it was a bit of a mixed bag.

There were some positives – I have long since called for councils to be given greater freedom to borrow to build new homes and the budget took a step towards this by lifting the housing borrowing cap for some councils, although this can only be considered a small first step.

You don’t need me to tell you about the urgent need to build more new affordable houses, it is a major pressing issue both nationally and locally.

In South Holland we have been doing this and been proactive - we set up our own housing company Welland Homes Ltd to provide quality rented accommodation and we are currently looking at opportunities for more social rent affordable housing.

For years I was told that councils couldn’t build homes and one of my proudest achievements as leader of SHDC was proving that notion wrong.

There was also some positive movement on the way Universal Credit is going to be implemented, making it less likely that new claimants will be placed in an intolerable financial position.

On the downside, there was no announcement about extra funding for social care or children’s services.

The money local government has to provide services is running out fast and councils face an overall £5.8billion funding gap in just two years.

The Government needs to use the upcoming Local Government Finance Settlement to set out its plans for how it will fund local services both now and in the future.

As I have previously said, local government as a whole must be able to keep every penny of Business Rates we collect rather than paying half of it to the treasury, so that we can plug the funding gap.

We also need a fairer system of distributing funding between councils. It can’t be right that our residents are subsidising people in other parts of the country.

We have already started campaigning for Fairer Funding in Lincolnshire and at South Holland we have also been actively working to find ways of generating our own income to preserve frontline services.

A good example of this will be obvious to anyone who has visited our offices in Priory Road recently. You will have seen building work is now under way to prepare new offices for the Department of Work and Pensions, who will be running their Job Centre Plus Service from here next spring.

Previously...

Peter Coupland – ‘My three roles... and a fascinating fact you didn’t know’

Students from Spalding High and Grammar schools and the University Academy Holbeach have been presented with their Duke of Edinburgh awards.

The awards were presented by Peter Kite MBE at a presentation held at the High School.

Thanks went to Spalding Inner Wheel Club, Spalding Lions, the Rotary Club of South Holland, Spalding East Townswomen’s Guild and the Spalding High School PTA for their generous donations.

AWARD RECIPIENTS

Gold awards went toSpalding Grammar students Oliver Rees, Thomas Smith and Calvin Wilson. From the High School, golds went to Eva Boor, Hannah Lawrence, Joe Neale and Katie Ridlington. University Academy gold went to Nicole Hayes and Christina Hillie. From the Spalding Open Award Group, golds went to Olivia Gresswell and Molly Johnson.

Grammar bronzes went to: Jack Blayney, Max Bland, Samuel Burden, Scott Chaplain, Rory Clarke, Ryan Cook, Nathan Culley, Ethan Drew, Callum Jarvis, Cameron Duncan-Johal, Alexander Leverage, Thomas McManamon, Cookson, Charlie Moughton, Finley Murdoch, Dominic Nalivaiko, Benjamin Rees, Joseph Rickerby, Joshua Ripley, Jack Roffe, Frank Thompson, Laith Timms-Samour and Patrick Walsh.

From the High School, bronzes went to: Kate Ball, Ellie Blackbourn, Libbi Burchnall, Ella Butler, Trish Chlipala, Ellie Davies, Sam Davis, Sanju Eravanan, Kiera Ford, Lara Galley, Sasha Gaunt, Samantha Haines, Sian Hedges, Arpa Jahan, Fizzah Jivraj, Megan Jupp, Sakinah Kanwar, Ellie Keeble, Eesha Khurram, Holly Klatt, Hannah Lane, Ffion Lewis, Brooke Lindsay, Milly Mason, Cordelia Maxwell, Ellie McCarthy, Niamh Mulley, Jade North, Chloe Pearson, Elly Simpson, Sai Sivakumar, Charlotte Southwell, Chloe Spinks, Bethany Stockdale, Annie Taylor, Molly Thomas, Avnee Uglow, Courtney Verrells, Erika Webb, Alice Wickham, Grace Wood and Emily Wright.

UAH bronzes were earnt by Lucy Baker, Samuel Baragwanath, Harry Bolton, Libby Coaten, James Cudlipp, Sam Elms, Mary Futter, Harvey Harrison, Lewis King, Jadie-Lee Lambert, Jack Moore, Louise Nichols, Rebecca Platt, Kerry-Ann Portass, Saffron Rodger, Thomas Sewell, Sophia Tibbs, Jack Verey, Hannah von Haartman, Edward Wenman, Samual Wheeler, Ben Whiting and Eden Willmott.

The multi-council ‘Most People’ campaign is continuing to raise awareness about the duty of care that applies to residents when it comes to disposing of waste.

The initiative was recently launched by East Lindsey District Council, Boston Borough Council and South Holland District Council with the authorities joining forces in the fight against fly-tipping.

The campaign’s main message is to highlight the dangers of choosing someone other than a licensed waste carrier or a local council to dispose of unwanted items, with residents running the risk of prosecution and heavy fines as a consequence.

According to Keep Britain Tidy, 47 per cent of people don’t know they are responsible by law if a third party they have asked or paid to dispose of their waste, subsequently fly-tips it.

The following recent cases in South Holland have resulted in heavy financial penalties, after fly-tips were traced back to residents by the council’s environmental enforcement officer:

• Around 20 bags of household waste dumped near Crowland – total penalty including fine/cost/compensation £1,730.

• Large amounts of household waste fly-tipped near Crowland – total penalty conditional discharge, cost/compensation £315.

• Household waste dumped near Gedney Hill – cost/compensation £362

• Large fly tip of building waste near Crowland – total penalty including fine/cost/compensation £1,119.

As part of the Most People campaign, the council wants to remind residents that if they use someone other than their local council to take away unwanted items, through an advert, social media or those who approach residents directly, it is advised they check they are a registered waste carrier by asking to see their Waste Carriers Licence.

If they are not registered, they could well be a rogue trader.

When disposing of unwanted waste, follow these steps:

• Ask to see a waste carrier permit – this is issued by the Environment Agency;

• Ask for a waste carrier number and contact the Environment Agency directly on 03708 506 506 for a free instant waste carrier check. check online at environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers;

• Ask for a receipt or a transfer notice before the waste is taken away;

• Make a note of the vehicle registration and vehicle details if possible;

• If fly-tipping is witnessed, report it to your local council.

For more information about disposing of waste visit www.boston.gov.uk / www.e-lindsey.gov.uk / www.sholland.gov.uk /

Lincolnshire Firefighters have announced that they will escort Santa’s sleigh around Crowland and Spalding this Christmas.

The firefighters will be with Santa, spreading cheer and collecting for the Fre Fighters Charity, which provides support and therapy to injured firefighters and their families. Santa and the firefighters will be visiting the following areas:

CROWLAND

Sunday, December 10: Thorney Road, Albion Street, Broadway, Peterborough Road, Tatwin Drive, Beccelm Drive, Harrington Drive, Harvester Way, Crease Drove, Alderlands Close, Broadway, Abbots Drive, West Street.

Monday, December 11: North Street, Formans Way, Kemp Street, Postland Road, Cloot Drive, Normanton, Jubilee Way, Burghley Close, Postland Road, Gridlestone Walk.

Tuesday, December 12: East Street, Church Lane, The Chase, Whych Avenue, Croyland Way, Abbey Walk.

SPALDING

Monday, December 18: St Pauls/Royce Road/Queen’s Road/Helmsley Way areas.

Tuesday, December 19: Broadway/The Parkway/Hawthorn Bank/Cradge Bank areas.

Wednesday, December 20: Wygate Park/Woolram Wygate areas.

Thursday, December 21: Monks House/Pennygate areas.

Friday, December 22: Stonegate/Clay Lake/Balmoral Avenue areas.

WARD’S WORLD: By John Ward

Some weeks are better than others and by the same theme, some weeks are worse than others but this past week was a yo-yo week.

Monday had started well and the fact the parcel I was expecting last week did not arrive (again...) meant even more contacting the people who sent it and to be given the same answer: “You must give it time... say another couple of days – as you know what the post is like”. But to be honest I had been told that same, supposed ‘reassuring’ bit the week before so could this be a sort of sustained electronic ‘echo’?

With Monday by now half way through, noted the weather was fairly rough outside and a quick glance at the flashing orange light on the BT broadband (read as in rubber band) told me we had no signal yet again so thus confirmed it was indeed bad weather as we always ‘lose’ the signal when its iffy weather – do we again ring Rangoon or wherever their ‘Customer Disservice centre’ outpost is sited, speak to ‘Sharon’ or ‘Martin’ to kill an hour or so describing the size, colour, how many screws the connection box is held on the wall with?

Then a final word about the size of our wall, if it has a door or window fitted in it or both and in what direction it’s facing from the compass side of things – west seems to be popular this month I’m told.

I thought better of it and decided I would be better served by sitting in the ‘smallest room’ and reading a June 1964 copy of ‘Motoring Today’ with the possible worry that petrol might be going up to three shillings and eleven pence an imperial size gallon, not today’s trendy litres but a whole gallon.

There was a mention of electric cars even then – two in a Scalextric model racing car set.

Then the door bell rang. On opening the door there stood somebody who apologised for disturbing me but I pointed out he hadn’t as I heard the door bell ring and was going to answer it anyway.

He explained that he was ‘passing through’ (?) and would I be interested in a new carpet as he had ‘some cheap that he did not want to take back’ (back where?) with him and I asked why did he bring them out to begin with but was greeted with a sort of blank stare (this no longer holds the novelty it used to have, say, about 20 or so years ago) as he then went into the next chapter of his sales pitch.

He explained, if the script he had learnt beforehand was still holding up, that he had sold the bulk of his stock (?) at some hotel/motel/bazaar wherever at ‘full retail’ but I could have whatever he had at a ‘good deal’ price-wise so long as I brought it/them now.

I bade him farewell with no sale as thought it must be getting nearer by the minute towards the Christmas thingy, that time we come together to celebrate the coming of a LED 75 inch 1,500-plus channel television with stereo, Full HD with 98 button remote control and sat nav facility in order to find said lost remote control down the back of the settee if fog sets in, is on offer for a mere £850 but could be down to £925 in the January sales – and no, you didn’t misread that as I saw one item not so long ago that was over £60 dearer in a ‘sale’ a few weeks after the ‘special offer’ price.

Tuesday arrived – nd my parcel didn’t.

In the evening friend Rob arrived with a mobile phone that he had passed on to him from a.n.other and the gist of it was this was the BBC Radio Lincolnshire ‘Mystery-phone’ and the idea is that it’s handed around the county and at a pre-set time, it rings and you speak to the presenter at said station about your hobby, interest or profession etc or in short it’s a sort of verbal ‘round robin’ idea and in the last few months its been just about everywhere with a pile of flyers, business cards etc from those who have taken part but as Rob had done his bit that afternoon, he was handing on to me for the next day to have a warble on it for a few minutes, then pass it on again.

Wednesday came – my parcel still didn’t but that is now consistent. At about 3.30pm, the designated mobile phone burbles into life. It’s the producer from the William Wright afternoon programme introducing herself and making me aware that in ten minutes we would be ‘going live’ and hoped I was ‘prepared’.

Luckily I was now out the smallest room having now read the June 1964 copy of Motoring Today but was cleaning my Reliant Robin Fire Engine or rather sorting assorted bits and bobs on it.

As I was polishing the brass bell on Freddie (the fire engine) the phone burbles again as we now go ‘live’ to the William Wright show, s-o-o-o take it away William...

It was quite basic idle chit chat as he asked assorted questions which during the course of things he thought I sounded ‘like the chap yesterday’ (Rob) but I pointed out he was confusing me with my sister, but I mentioned that he does not sound anything like Elaine Page either which he agrees with me so we carry on.

I mentioned I scribbled a bit for this very paper you are reading and I will give him a mention at which he seemed quite happy about but in passing I meant to ask him if he had any news of my (now) long awaited parcel but I forgot.

Thursday and still no parcel... sigh….

Having sorted out a.n.other person for the mystery phone thingy to have their ‘go’ for that day, own phone burbles to point out said a.n.other is stuck in traffic about 20 miles away but the phone was here awaiting his appearance (!) and less than half an hour before going ‘live’ and as the character Renee in TV’s ’Allo ’Allo would have put it: ‘Oh heck!’.

Mucho panic then as with minutes ticking by, then ‘stood in’ for a.n.other at short notice and not that cleverly I will admit but it produced a noise of sorts.

Friday. The word parcel has been erased from my memory as I contact the supplier for a refund to which he gave thus I am looking into the qualifications for obtaining a LSEM – Long Suffering Endurance Medal – but without having it posted on to me. Broadband back for time being but waiting for high winds and/or rain downpour to knock it out again, so I race against time to read any messages before the signal goes yet again. Only 27 ‘messages’ about Black Friday deals – no other colours mentioned.

Roll on the Saturday as I can cope – I think.

Previously...

An orange and a lemon

A West Pinchbeck dog walker has attacked work carried out to remove grass, shrubs and trees along a stretch of the River Glen in the village.

Retired businessman David Mitchell (75) accused the Environment Agency of “environmental vandalism” after cutting down trees and clearing an area of riverbank off Glenside North near St Bartholomew’s Church.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency confirmed that the work was done earlier this month “in order to maintain the integrity of the flood defence in preparation for the winter”.

Mr Mitchell said: “I walk my dog along the riverbank most mornings but I hadn’t been along that way for a few days.

“But a week or two ago, I saw this enormous bit of machinery working away in the distance and the riverbank had been completely cleared of most of the grass, all of the shrubs and some of the really large trees had been cut away.

“Everyone who has seen this has been as equally outraged as I am and we all see it as a form of environmental vandalism.

“I can’t understand why the Environment Agency has taken everything away and how it’s concerned with flood defence as the part of the riverbank where I walk my dog is on a raised bank which forms its own flood defence?”

The work along the River Glen in West Pinchbeck was done as part of a £2.3billion Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Investment Programme covering more than 1,500 projects and over 300,000 households across England by March 2021. The Environment Agency spokesman said: “Our officials worked on this stretch of the River Glen for a number of days earlier this month in order to maintain the integrity of the flood defence in preparation for the winter.

“We have received no concerns regarding this work and local landowners were informed prior to the start.

“Other work in terms of the replanting of trees away from the flood defence is scheduled before the New Year.

“However, we take all complaints and queries from members of the public very seriously and we can be contacted on 03708 506506.“

River turns mysteriously green

Illegal fishing claims in absence of bailiffs

Magical history tour at Surfleet Reservoir

A panel led by Spalding councillor Angela Newton is to question Lincolnshire Police on its findings over a lack of evidence between part-night street lighting and crime.

Initial findings from the force say there is no evidence to suggest the Lincolnshire County Council initiative has increased overnight crime while it admits overall crime, at all hours of the day, has gone up by 4 per cent compared to a national 11 per cent rise.

In Spalding, residents have been speaking out about crimes they believe were committed because of the midnight-6am switch-off, as well as accidents that have seen garden walls, streetlights and a telegraph pole demolished.

Coun Newton chairs the county council scrutiny panel on the impact of the part-night switch-off and, on Tuesday, that panel will speak to a top police officer to learn more about the police stance.

On Saturday, eight people attended Coun Newton’s surgery held with fellow district ward councillor Graham Dark.

Coun Newton said: “We had various issues raised by eight people but the common thread was the part-night lighting. All touched on the fear of crime and a couple mentioned vehicles being broken into on The Parkway a few days after the commencement of the part-night lighting.

“On two different occasions cars have run off the road in Hawthorn Bank, near the bend in the road outside number 90, twice demolished residents’ walls, knocked over two lampposts – one in each accident – and a telegraph pole.”

The accident also means a third light close to the junction with The Parkway won’t work.

Coun Newton says the county council has told her the lights won’t be replaced until January and she’s worried there will be more accidents at the spot.

She said: “While it was most likely that speed caused each driver to run out of road, and end up knocking down two walls, it’s pitch black at that location and lack of lighting could have contributed to the accidents.”

Coun Newton is also concerned about cyclists without lights being a danger to themselves and others on pavements and roads.

• Email your letters to the editor: jeremy.ransome@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Previously ...

No link between street lights switch-off and crime levels, say police

Street lights switch off: People are afraid to walk in the dark

Public scathing over street lights review

In last week’s budget, Chancellor Philip Hammond vowed to get tough on the blight of homes left empty across Britain.

He unveiled new legislation to give councils the power to charge a 100 per cent council tax premium on premises left empty.

According to figures given to the Spalding Guardian the latest count (as of September this year) is that there are 264 empty homes in South Holland.

That could be enough properties to make up a small village.

The figures were revealed after a request by the Spalding Guardian following a campaign by the Empty Homes Agency, a national charity to raise awareness of the ‘waste of long-term empty homes’ in Britain.

While it’s not known exactly where the empty homes are in South Holland these are properties that are privately owned.

MP for South Holland and the Deepings, John Hayes, welcomed news that the budget would give extra power to councils to tackle the issue of properties left unoccupied.

He said: “Why should people pay less council tax to leave a house empty?

“The Empty Homes Agency estimates that there are hundreds of thousands of homes left empty across the country.

“But in addition to those that are empty there are also buildings that could be used to home people - such as flats above shops.

“They could house a single person or a young couple. One of the key things about housing is that housing needs change over your lifetime.

“Most people start with a relatively modest home, but with children those needs change and then as you get older you downsize.

“Housing needs change a lot.”

According to background information provided via South Holland District Council, the number of empty homes reported this year has increased from 232 last year.

But one of the reasons for these numbers is due to new housing developments where properties have been on sale for a number of months before they have sold and become occupied.

Another reason is due to people being removed from homes where properties are sub-standard while work is carried out to bring them up to a satisfactory standard for re-occupation.

And then there are homes where the owner has died and they are left empty while the deceased’s estate is being sorted out.

The Private Sector Housing Team at South Holland District Council has been endeavouring to reduce the number of empty homes by working with owners and where necessary taking enforcement action against people “who appear to have no intention in bringing those properties back into use.”

Under Council Tax regulations in a new build, once a property has reached a certain stage in its build, regulations state that it is reasonable to expect that a property can be completed within a three month period.

The district council says that officers are being more proactive in issuing Completion Notices in order to get properties onto the valuation list. However, the properties may be on sale for a number of months before they become sold and occupied which increases the figures of the number of empty homes.

The team has also been working in tackling poor standards of accommodation in the private sector. A number of prohibition orders have been served where properties have been ‘sub-standard’ and the occupiers deemed to be at risk if they were to remain in the property.

While it can be a quick process to remove someone from the risk of harm in such a property, the team then has the task of ensuring the house is of a satisfactory standard for re-occupation, which can be a lengthy process.

This is especially tough if the owners do not have the available funds or intention of bringing the property up to the Decent Homes Standard. It can result in further notices being served and owners being prosecuted.

In the case of homes being unoccupied where the owner has died, probate can take a very long time. The district council reports one case of a ten-year delay, or where the estate is in dispute.

These properties are exempt from Empty Homes Legislation but the council can ensure that these homes are made safe, even though unoccupied.

○ It might seem surprising that there are so many empty homes in South Holland while there are people classed as homeless.

But homelessness is a complicated issue and the council says it cannot simply requisition homes which are empty. The matter of Compulsory Purchase is a long and expensive process.

The district council’s Private Sector Housing Team works on building relationships with private landlords but is aware that not all private landlords are willing or able to engage with homeless families or individuals.

According to Shelter, there are currently four people recorded as sleeping rough or homeless in South Holland.

The district council says its most recent statistics are that homeless application decisions from April to August 2017 were 58 and it made 219 homeless preventions over the same period.

It records four single people and one couple currently in B&B accommodation and 29 in temporary accommodation. However, the figures are not thought to include those ‘sofa surfing’.

SEE ALSO:

Empty homes work generates cash bonus for South Holland District Council

Mum’s the word as Spalding charity marks ten years of giving hope

Bourne Town joint manager Jimmy McDonnell was left disappointed as he called for an immediate reaction this week.

The Wakes conceded two penalties in the second half at Huntingdon Town before Richard Nelson replied.

However, they will have a chance to bounce back when Holbeach United visit Abbey Lawn on Wednesday night in the Lincolnshire FA Senior Trophy semi-final.

McDonnell said: “It was a strange game on Saturday but we didn’t do enough to win it.

“At half-time, we felt that we needed to be better on the ball.

“Our decision-making was not right when we tried to play passes forward.

“I can understand why the first penalty was awarded for handball.

“But we got three different stories from the officials over why the second penalty was given and all of a sudden we were 2-0 down.

“We got a goal back and a draw would have been a fair result.

“But it was disappointing as Alex Brown, Max Cooper and Jack Corby deserved six or seven out of 10 while the rest would get four or five.

“That’s not good enough so they have to stand up now and produce a reaction.

“It was a winnable game but we won’t hit the panic button. We had gained a little bit of momentum and we had wanted to push on again.”

Police say a pedestrian in his 60s was seriously injured in a road accident in Gosberton this morning.

The man has been flown by air ambulance to Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham.

The accident happened near to the Bell pub in High Street, shortly after 9am today, and police closed a short section of the road.

There are no further details at this stage.

Pinchbeck United reached the midway stage of the season with a six-point advantage in the title race.

A ninth successive win came courtesy of goals from Tony Edwards and Ash Murrell at Melton Town on Saturday.

Knights player-manager Ian Dunn said: “It certainly wasn’t one of our best performances so far this season – but we did what we needed to do.

“It’s all about winning these games and we did enough.

“A bit of quality in the first half put us in front as Edwards got in front of the keeper for a glancing header.

“Ollie Maltby and Liam Ogden missed chances while Dan Swan made a couple of saves at the other end.

“Then from a set-piece, we made it 2-0 as Edwards held it up and Murrell smashed one into the top corner from 25 yards.

“Swan made a fantastic save with only a few seconds to go so we’ve now kept seven clean sheets in the winning run. We are on fantastic form.

“Melton played some nice football and moved it around but we knew they would start at a high tempo. We grew into the game and then asserted 
ourselves.

“At the moment, the only team who look capable of beating us are ourselves.

“We have cut out the errors which cost us goals earlier in the season and made us look a bit vulnerable at times.

“It’s a collective effort as we are working hard all over the pitch.

“We have got to be happy with 45 points at the halfway stage of our first season at this level.”

Former Donington Thomas Cowley High School dinner lady Sharon Welsh has now opened her dream kitchen... a new coffee house and cafe.

Kitchen No 1, in Market Place, has been well received by residents, who were queueing out of the door when Sharon opened specially on Sunday for the first Christmas Fair organised by traders.

Normal opening hours are 8am-2pm Tuesday to Friday, and from 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

Sharon told us: “Everybody’s said it’s just what Donington needed and it has been a pleasure serving everybody.”

Weekday fare includes filled rolls, with people choosing items from the chiller, jacket potatoes with a selection of fillings, soup of the day and various paninis, including the seasonal favourite, turkey, stuffing and cranberry.

Breakfast favourites like sausage and bacon baps, or croissants, are served on Saturdays.

Customers can opt for a selection of drinks, including freshly ground coffee, to enjoy with home-made cake.

Sharon says she spent 13 years in the kitchen at Thomas Cowley cooking meals before opening Kitchen No 1, which seats around eight.

“It is cosy,” she says.

Sharon (55) lives in Bicker with her sales director husband, Gary, and they have three children.

• Tell us about your new venture by emailing editor: jeremy.ransome@iliffepublishing.co.uk

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Deeping Rangers exited the Buildbase FA Vase in the third round again as two second-half goals secured another higher-grade scalp for Step Six hosts Hinckley.

Scott Coupland cancelled out Steve Hart’s opener but Dominic Perkins and James Williams both netted during a four-minute spell.

Henry Dunn and Scott Mooney missed the target in the early exchanges while Coupland’s shot was deflected away.

Against the run of play, the home side opened the scoring as Marcus Jackson picked out Hart who drove a low shot beyond Richard Stainsby on 24 minutes.

Dan Schiavi came close but the equaliser arrived when skipper David Burton-Jones’ shot was parried by Ty Belford for Coupland to blast home from three yards.

Deeping created more chances before half-time as Mooney and Schiavi were denied again.

The Clarets’ cause was not helped as Burton-Jones limped off just before the hour mark.

Hinckley retook the lead 10 minutes later as Perkins’ flick was tipped onto the bar and the ball fell inside the post.

Williams rose to head into the far corner and put the hosts 3-1 up.

There was no way back for Rangers who are left to concentrate on their league campaign and a visit to table-topping Newport Pagnell Town next weekend.