A leading Lincolnshire Police officer has been the subject of national interest after posting racy pictures on social media whilst she was off work with stress.

Sgt Leanne Carr, who has been heavily involved in Operation Gallileo on hare coursing, hit headlines for posting the pictures last year while she was off sick with stress for seven months. She has since returned to work.

In a statement, Detective Supt Suzanne Davies said: “The officer in question was absent from work due to illness for a period of seven months whilst an internal misconduct investigation was carried out. These matters have now been concluded and were dealt with by way of a misconduct meeting, details of which are not made public because they deal with less serious internal matters. This was in accordance with Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012.

“When any officer is absent from work due to illness regular contact is maintained with them and they are entitled to do as they wish during that time, including going on holiday, as long as it does not prohibit their return to work as soon as possible. I am satisfied that this officer returned to work as soon as she was able to.

“We are aware that a number of our officers have personal social media accounts and are, of course, entitled to a private life. If anything is included on those accounts that breaches the high standards a police officer should maintain at all times we will investigate and act accordingly to make sure that is dealt with appropriately.”

Residents St John’s Care Home and pupils from St Paul’s Community Primary School had their first meeting this week ... and worked together making garlands for May Day celebrations.

It was the start of what is expected to be a beautiful friendship between the Spalding school and the home, with children and residents benefiting from cross generational friendships.

For some residents its was 75 or more years since they had been in a school but they were soon working alongside the youngsters or watching children dance around a Maypole as music played in the background.

Crystal Chone (11) was seated alongside Lilian Brown (93) as they worked.

Lilian told us “I love children” and described the school as “a marvellous place” while Crystal was happily chatting to her elders, and told us: “It’s kind of cool in a way.”

Head teacher Kira Nicholls initiated the step after hearing on the news about another school that had been working with the elderly, wrote to several homes about a possible link and St John’s said “yes”.

Mrs Nicholls said: “When I thought about the grandparents of our pupils at St Paul’s, I realised that many have grandparents who are younger than the typical age when I was a child.

“I also remember the amazing relationship I had with my grandparents and the stories they would share about their lives when they were young and being fascinated by them. I also know first-hand the unique encounters we as adults can have with young children and could really see how this could benefit the elderly, especially those who have more limited experiences due to the care they require.”

Ida Brickles, activities coordinator at St John’s, accompanied the five residents on Tuesday’s trip to St Paul’s.

“I think it’s great,” she said. “You can see everyone’s joining in. When we have children come in (to the home), even grandchildren, it changes the whole atmosphere in the home because the residents just love children – they laugh with them, they become happier and they communicate with them quite well. This is our first visit here to day. Hopefully it will be a long term thing and it will be really nice.”

More activities are planned and these could include a visit by St Paul’s choir to the nursing home.

• Share your good news with our editor: jeremy.ransome@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Previously ...

Spalding St Paul’s pupils sing and sign to help deaf charity

Spalding primary school pupils launch their own business

Spalding primary school creates new outdoor classroom

Thomas Sergiovanni, described by the American university where he taught as “an international scholar in educational leadership”, once said that “Community building must become the heart of any school improvement effort”.

In recognition of the vital role schools have in influencing the neighbourhoods around them, the Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian Education Awards includes one for Contribution to the Community.

Sponsored by Duncan and Toplis Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, of Pinchbeck and ten other offices across the East Midlands, the award is for the person, class or school that has most benefited its community in its efforts.

Previous winners have organised music, drama and performing arts events, donated hampers to a care home and, in 2016, volunteered with children who have special education needs and disabilities (SEND).

Alistair Main, director of Duncan and Toplis, also headline sponsors of the Education Awards, said: “Duncan and Toplis are one of the largest firms of independent chartered accountants and business advisers in the East Midlands, with an office near the heart of Spalding.

“Our services include, but are by no means limited to, accounts preparation, auditing, bookkeeping, including online, payroll, human resources, VAT services and tax planning, both personal and corporate.

“We are also able to offer probate and computer services, corporate finance and financial management assistance.

“Duncan and Toplis serves a wide range of sectors from agriculture to medical, with one of our specialisms being in

education.

“Therefore, we are once again delighted to be the headline sponsor of the Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian Education Awards, celebrating the best in the industry for the fourth time.

“We recognise how important it is to showcase local business excellence and know what it means to those nominated in the various categories.

“Our commitment to serving and supporting the local community is one of our key operating cornerstones and we look forward to recognising and celebrating all the great individuals and schools nominated for an award on July 5.”

From sporting activities and adult education programmes, to environmental initiatives and charitable efforts, nominations for the Contribution to the Community Award should show clear evidence of a real commitment to the neighbourhood.

The first winner of the award in 2014, ex-head of arts at Bourne Academy Ted Fisk, worked to promote the world of performing arts across the Deepings and Bourne.

Speaking at the time, Mr Fisk, now head of drama at Kim Stimpson Community School in Peterborough, said: “Art is a very spiritual thing that brings people together and I’ve seen the good it can do, not only in Bourne but in other areas too.”

In 2015, it was the entire Bourne Academy school who won for its annual Christmas hampers competition which sees students from Years 7 to 13 design and present gift hampers to the residents of Butterfield Day Care Centre in Bourne.

On receiving the award, Laurence Reilly, executive head teacher of Bourne Academy, said: “Our students love helping older people.”

In 2016, Bourne Grammar Schoool sixth form student Ayla Rayner (18), of Bourne, won the award for her work with SEND children at Willoughby School and children’s charity Little Miracles.

Ayla said: “It’s so rewarding to see what other children can do.”

• You can nominate a pupil, student, team, group, class, teacher, support staff member or school across one or more of the awards’ 12 categories by clicking on a link below.

Nomination forms are also available by emailing Denise Vickers at denise.vickers@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Completed forms should be returned, either by email or post, no later than 5pm on Friday, May 25, at the same time as schools break up for their half term holidays.

A panel of judges, drawn from the south-east Lincolnshire area, will then meet in early June to choose three finalists in each category, including the winner.

This is ahead of the awards night itself which will take place at South Holland Centre, Spalding, on Thursday, July 5, at 7pm when representatives from each of the award sponsors will present trophies and certificates to the finalists.

Three nominees in each award category will be invited to the awards, along with parents and staff from schools and pre-schools in South Holland, as well as Bicker, Frampton, Kirton, Sutterton, Swineshead and Wyberton, the Deepings, Bourne and their surrounding villages.

Primary School of the Year

Secondary School of the Year

Student of the Year

Pre-School of the Year

Most Improved Student

Environmental Award

Support Staff Award

Inspirational Primary Teacher of the Year

Contribution to the Community

Inspirational Secondary Teacher of the Year

Pre-School Staff Award

Outstanding sporting achievement

Previously...

Drama king Ted holds community award stage

Winners Bourne Academy share spotlight for Contribution to Community

EDUCATION AWARDS: History is made by ‘incredibly selfless’ Ayla

Members of a South Holland twinning group enjoyed a traditional English supper as they heard the latest on plans to celebrate a milestone anniversary.

In August, The Friends of Sezanne will host 40-50 people from their French twin and one of the highlights will be a gala dinner and cabaret at the South Holland Centre on Saturday, August 25.

The joie de vivre factor is being stepped up a notch as 2018 year marks the 60th anniversary of the twinning.

Friends group secretary Roy Ford believes it is quite an achievement for the twinning to continue over so many years.

Nearly 30 people attended the sausage and mash supper at the Fraiser Room, Surfleet, to hear about events being lined up for the English hosts and French visitors to enjoy, and these will include a trip to Newark and a boat trip.

Previously ...

A friendship with France that has spanned 60 years

From our website ...

Spalding school and nursing home forge new friendship

EDUCATION AWARDS 2018: Duncan and Toplis on board: vote here!

A man who repeatedly stabbed his former girlfriend after persuading her to meet up for “one last time” was today (Friday) jailed for nine years.

Joshua King’s frenzied attack on Kinga Porazewska (22) caused life changing injuries to his victim who has been left with permanent scars all over her body.

Lincoln Crown Court was told that King inflicted 17 separate knife injuries to Ms Porazewska after she met him in the street near to his home in Kirton on February 4.

Judge John Pini QC, passing sentence, told King: “This was an utterly frenzied, sustained, determined and vicious attack with a knife that has left this young woman with life changing injuries.

“She will be forever permanently scarred all over her body because you simply would not accept that the relationship was over.”

Grace Hale, prosecuting, said the pair began a relationship in June 2015 but then split up. They got back together in the autumn of 2017 but Miss Porazewska ended the liaison shortly before she was attacked.

“He asked if they could meet for one last time. She drove to his house and parked at the bottom of his road.

“He came over and repeatedly said he loved her and wanted her back. She did not want a reconciliation and asked him to leave.”

Mrs Hale said that King asked for a further five minutes with Miss Porazewska but as she went to get back into her car he attacked her.

“He stabbed her repeatedly to her legs and arms. He tried to stab her in the head but she put her hands up to protect herself.

“She was screaming. She said he was very angry and looked as if he wanted to kill her.”

The attack ended when King ran off. Miss Petrowska managed to get to King’s family home where his mother and sister helped stem the flow of blood from her injuries and called for an ambulance.

Miss Petrowska later underwent a hospital operation and now walks with a limp.

She had knife wounds to both legs and both arms and to her stomach and head. Some of the wounds penetrated muscles, causing damage to nerves.

The court heard she has been left with no feeling to her right foot and toes and now wears a supportive boot.

King (23), of Cleymond Chase, Kirton, admitted charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed article as a result of the incident. He was jailed for nine years and given a life-time restraining order banning him from contacting Kinga Porazewska.

Alison Summers, in mitigation, said that King has mental health problems and has previously received in-patient treatment for acute anxiety.

“He did well at school and went to college but that was interrupted by his acute anxiety. That led to him drinking as a means of managing and coping with that anxiety.

“When he drinks he does things he otherwise would not contemplate.”

Miss Summers said that King has sought help for his drink problem and for his mental health problems.

She added that his guilty plea showed he was remorseful for what he did.

Six recommendations including better communication and creating a list of exemption sites have been revealed in a draft report assessing the impact of Lincolnshire County Council’s controversial decision to switch off tens of thousands of street lights at night.

More than half of Lincolnshire’s 68,000 street lights were 
reverted to a ‘part-night’ lighting system, saving the authority £1.7million a year. The system means that they are switched off between midnight and dawn.

More than 5,000 residents responded to a county council survey, with three-quarters describing the changes as negative or extremely negative.

A scrutiny panel consisting of county councillors from across Lincolnshire was set up in October 2017, and was tasked with reviewing the impact of the policy and making recommendations to the council’s executive.

Six months later, the panel has produced a draft report outlining its suggestions.

The first proposed recommendation is for Lincolnshire Police to review and update a street lighting crime data 
report on an annual basis.

The draft report also suggests a communications strategy is created to change public perception about the switch-off and reduce their fears of a rise in crime.

Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership is also recommended to produce an annual report capturing data on street lighting levels as part of a road safety analysis.

The fourth recommendation is for the executive to consider a list of exemption sites and include an additional 
exemption for community public access defibrillator sites where requested by 
local communities.

Holiday accommodation areas are also set to be considered as exemption sites.

The final recommendation is for the executive to consider the county council develops an “appropriate protocol” to enable communities to support the upgrading of street lighting to LED and reinstated to full-night lighting where 
required and on request as part of routine maintenance.

In the report, committee chairman Coun Angela Newton said: “The scrutiny panel acknowledges that fears about public safety and crime levels were a key theme highlighted throughout the review and it is recommended that crime rates and fears about safety/crime are continued to be reviewed over the coming years.

“However, the evidence received as part of this review shows little evidence to suggest night time crime has significantly increased.

“In addition, the panel recommends additional work is undertaken to review, improve and communicate more effectively with the public to support greater awareness and clarity of the messages in relation to the concerns highlighted around crime rates.”

The report has now been passed to the overview and scrutiny management board, which will meet on April 26. The report and recommendations will then be sent on to the council’s executive for its June meeting.

Council leader Martin Hill has previously said the policy would not be reversed but may be tweaked in certain areas.

Reader Julie Lunn has sent us this picture of Levertons staff, taken in May 1947.

Her mum, then Joan Poole, is pictured second left.

Levertons was a fixture in Spalding for many decades.

The business started as a car dealership in 1904 and began repairing Caterpillar machinery in the late 1920s, becoming an authorised Caterpillar dealer in 1935.

It stopped selling cars after being bought by Unilever around 1970.

In its heyday the company employed around 200 workers.

• Send us your old pictures of Levertons or South Holland of yesteryear and we will publish them in the Spalding Guardian.

Your views on fishing, politics and education

We must not make same mistakes again

It is nice to see our MP John Hayes standing up for our fishing industries (Hayes in the House, April 10) – a pity he is not nearly hard enough!

There must be no new ‘deal’ with the EU over our territorial waters. We must assert our control as of right. This is important for the strategic safety of the nation.

Ted Heath (the arch villain) secretly gave away our fishing grounds as a bribe to get us into the ‘Common Market’.

We must not make the same mistake again. UKIP have not gone away – we are watching.

Richard Fairman

Cowbit

Chance to question Brexit ended in 2016

Alan Meekings, clearly has not read the report from Cambridge University’s Business Research Centre – ‘How The Economics Profession Got it Wrong on Brexit’ – properly (Letters, April 3).

If he had he would know that my precis comes from the report itself. I even provided the on-line link so readers could make a judgement on its content for themselves, but to help Mr Meekings, I guide him to Page 2 of the report – “There was no improvement in UK growth in per capita 
after 1973 when compared with previous decades. 
Indeed, GDP per head clearly grew more slowly after accession than it had in pre-accession decades.”

Page 5 of the report states – “We can conclude that there is no evidence that joining the EU improved the rate of economic growth in the UK.”

Now I know many Remainers struggle when evidence is presented that does not agree with their narrative of doom and gloom but the stated fact is that Britain was more prosperous before we joined the EU and membership has hindered not helped Britain’s prosperity.

And yes, the report includes a table of the many economic reports that have got their Brexit forecasting wrong – hence the title “How the Economics Profession Got it Wrong on Brexit”. 
Ultimately, I will leave it to the reader to draw their own conclusions and make their own judgements.

However, we already know from recent experience how badly the economics profession got it wrong on Brexit. None of the ‘Project Fear’ predictions by the Treasury, IMF and OECD have come to pass, in fact quite the opposite. These Remain supporting bodies have proven to be embarrassingly wrong on each and every measure possible, which is why their economic forecasts and so-called modelling cannot be taken seriously.

It is also interesting to note from the most recent polls show that the majority of those who voted remain – two thirds – respect the outcome of the referendum and accept that we are leaving the EU.

It is clear that those calling for a second referendum are confined to an ever shrinking number of malcontents who continue to whine from the side lines.

The ability to question Brexit happens ended in June 2016 when the British public, in unprecedented numbers, gave their instructions to leave the EU. It is now the duty of the Government to deliver the clean Brexit that the electorate have demanded and expect.

Craig Jackson

Vote Leave Constituency

Coordinator

Learn from the Warnock report

A great article (MP in split over SEND plans and transport costs, April 10). You’d think Lincolnshire County Council would learn from the Warnock report.

Jane Peck

via email

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

February 27

Jean Rush (87), of Ambleside Drive, Spalding. Driving without due care and attention (Spalding). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 9pts.

Romas Lileikis (53), of Rowan Avenue, Spalding. Speeding (Crowland/Cowbit). £220 fine, 3pts. Speeding (Crowland). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months.

Ricky McKay (22), of Brownlow Crescent, Pinchbeck. Speeding (Crowland/Cowbit 4.5.17). £183 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months. Speeding (Crowland/Cowbit 25.4.17). £100 fine.

Andrzej Sawczak (35), of Broome Way, Holbeach. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln 30.3.17). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln 10.4.17). £660 fine, disqualified from driving for 6 months.

Trevor Winestein (57), of Horseshoe Lane, Kirton. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln). £415 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Ion Dumitrache (54), of Chestnut Avenue, Spalding. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

March 7

Darren Amos (43), of Esendyke, Bretton. Drink driving (Crowland). £300 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 22 months.

Shaun Bradbury (28), of Princess Road, Kirton. Driving while disqualified (Wyberton). £325 fine, £32 v/s, 385 costs, disqualified from driving for 10 months. No separate penalty for no insurance.

Deborah Doy (36), of Princes Street, Sutton Bridge. Produced cannabis (Sutton Bridge). 12 months conditional discharge, £20 v/s, £85 costs, cannabis plants destroyed.

Ireneusz Duda (50), of Wesley Road, Whaplode. Drink driving (Whaplode) and driving while disqualified. 16 weeks prison sentence suspended for 12 months, alcohol abstinence requirement, rehabilitation activity requirement, £115 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 52 months. No separate penalty for no MOT and no insurance.

Raimondas Raudonis (28), of Edward Road, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). £320 fine, £32 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 20 months. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Simas Adakauskas (27), of Jubilee Close, Spalding. Criminal damage to window to value of £169 belonging to St John Baptist Primary School (Spalding). 6 months conditional discharge, £169 compensation, £85 costs.

William Smith (28), of Middlegate Road, West, Frampton. Had in a public place an article which had a blade or was sharply pointed, namely a kitchen knife (Boston). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs.

Jordan Ford (25), of Clayhouse Yard, Downham Market. No insurance (Holbeach St Johns). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

March 12

Tricia Pite, of Hallgate, Weston. Failed to comply with regulation 6 (3) made in respect of house in multiple occupation, failed to ensure fixed electrical installation inspected and tested at intervals not exceeding fives years (Spalding). £1760 fine, £170 v/s, £2000 costs.

March 13

Dimitry Danilenko (20), of Julias Mead, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £242 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 7pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Genadij Moroz (32), of Fitzroy Street, Leicester. Speeding (Crowland/Cowbit). £101 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Robert Carlile (47), of Bedehouse Bank, Bourne. No insurance (Market Deeping). £160 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for no MOT.

David Charles (61), of Richmond Drive, Skegness. Speeding (Crowland). £35 fine, £30 v/s, £35 costs, 3pts.

Trevor Gray (45), of Pipwell Gate, Saracen’s Head. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Yvonne McGee (60), of Church Lane, Donington. Speeding (Leadenham by pass). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Joshua Peggs (27), of Oxfield Drive, Gorefield. Speeding (Crowland). £150 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

March 14

Rimantas Griskevicius (57), of Burney Road, King’s Lynn. Drink driving (Long Sutton). £300 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 20 months.

Normunds Ozols (26), of Pinchbeck Road, Spalding. Failed to provide a specimen of breath (Grantham). 12 weeks prison sentence suspended for 2 years, curfew requirement, £115 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 3 years. Driving while disqualified. 12 weeks prison sentence suspended for 2 years. No separate penalty for no insurance.

Jackie Moore (27), of Westlode Street, Spalding. Assault (Holbeach). 10 weeks prison sentence suspended for 1 year. £100 compensation, £115 v/s, £125 costs.

Dawn Patrick (51), of Sowood Avenue, Ossett, Wakefield. Committed fraud by dishonestly making a false representation (Holbeach Drove). 1 year conditional discharge, £800 compensation, £20 v/s, £400 costs.

Heather Wilcox (39), of Playhouse Yard, Sleaford. Drove while disqualified (Swineshead Bridge). £80 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Lincoln Magistrates’ Court

February 27

Shane Houghton (24), of Delgate Avenue, Weston. Driving without a seat belt (Spalding). £60 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs.

Ginel-Marius Ionita (23), of Cekhira Avenue, Moulton Chapel. No insurance (Holbeach). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 7pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Stephen Pickles (27), of Boleyn Avenue, Peterborough. Speeding (Crowland). £150 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Piotr Olijnyk (28), of Kingsway, Boston. No insurance (Kirton. £440 fine, £44 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

More than 150 school friends met up at the Deepings School for the first time in over ten years back in April 2000.

The ex-students, who were aged 16 in 1986, also helped raise £1,000 for Macmillan Cancer Relief from a raffle and a £500 donation from the business Pearl.

Dawn Roberts, one of the organisers, said three friends had the idea over a year ago and had been planning it ever since.

“It was absolutely fantastic and everything went very well,” she said.

○ Lurcher Wilf (pictured with owner Debbie Back, of Spalding), was one of many pooches at the annual Spalding Dog Show in 2000.

The show, held at Springfields, raised £45 for the charity LIVES.

○ And cries of “shiver me timbers” were all in a day’s fun for children at Long Sutton library over the Easter break. Pictured are (from back): Laura Patten (7), Amelia Ladbrook (6) and Eleanor Lister (8).

AUTISTIC LINCS: By autistic author Callum Brazzo

There has never been a better time to talk about enriching wellbeing than last week because a prominent topic of conversation that is in our community seems to be around transport availability.

At the foundation of this conversation about transport availability is the difficulty in finding the right support.

Autistic people move out-of-county because the support they require is elsewhere.

That’s a sad reality for so many.

It is sad because when you think about the catalogue of principles we have established over the Autistic Lincs columns, it’s a shame to me that we are not maxisiming our autistic individuals.

Indeed, the world of SEN incorporates more than autistic people but this column is historically about autistic people BY an autistic person.

The message of utmost significance and encompassing all in the world of SEN that I want to drill into here is that meaning starts at home.

Life is a canvas and meaning starts at home and in the community.

We have to discover and paint the meaning onto our lives. Keeping autistic people safe when they need to get away from offending sensory environments.

Giving them tools to understand and regulate their rainbow filter of emotions.

Enabling rather than forcing them to socially connect more effectively with people in ways that matter to the autistic person.

Empowering them to feel good about who they are and not who you want them to be.

I am sorry if this last comment is a hard suggestion to take on board for those close to the autistic person but, as I’ve already stated in a past column, we have to be a ‘collective, collaborative and communicative unit’ (March 20).

The aspirations outlined above absolutely matter and they may seem to be repetitive, empty words or just preaching to the choir but our current generation must bring action to these words.

We have to balance ideologies with practical solutions and that is why I am once again asking for the readership’s questions on whatever is happening in their world that they need answers to.

Perhaps you’re autistic and you want to connect with me.

Perhaps you are in an autistic person’s world and would benefit from knowing more about stimming.

Perhaps you need advice on why the autistic person won’t get on certain transport.

Perhaps you need help with establishing a job route for the autistic person in your life.

I am really calling out to all that can relate to the content I have put out and let me tell that there is so much more to unravel.

If we nurture our nature and work to tangibly enhance our schools’ and other educational environments’ attitudes towards utilising and maximising the potential of autistic people then we will be in a better place in regards to keeping our support at home and in our community.

Metaphorically, and to bring the conversation back to transport, the biggest journey for those within the autistic person’s world to go on is with your autistic person.

Let’s take that trip together.

Previously...

Enriching wellbeing and nurturing our nature

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE: A monthly column by Rachel Shaw of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

There’s been such a prolonged period of grey misty or rainy days recently, the slightest indication of a cloud free sky lifts the spirits.

Seeing the ‘firsts’ of the season has been a real highlight: the first sighting of a butterfly, the first bluebell in flower and the return of the first swallow.

Tuning in to the shift in the season connects us to the natural world and makes us feel good.

But it’s more than just a feeling, research shows that spending time in nature is beneficial to our health and wellbeing.

The Wildlife Trusts plan to kick-start the nation’s nature connection in June with the annual nature challenge 30 Days Wild.

The challenge encourages people to do something to help them notice nature every day for the month of June. Last year; an incredible 250,000 people took part.

Academics at the University of Derby who have monitored the challenge since it began in 2015 have discovered that spending time in nature makes us feel good and that people’s perception of beauty in the natural world is a key ingredient to unlocking the benefits of wellbeing and happiness experienced by participants in the challenge.

Dr Miles Richardson, Director of Psychology, University of Derby explains: “Over the past three years we’ve repeatedly found that taking part in 30 Days Wild improves health, happiness, nature connection and conservation behaviours. Now we’ve discovered that engagement with the beauty of nature is part of that story. Tuning in to the everyday beauty of nature becomes part of a journey which connects us more deeply to the natural world.

“As people’s appreciation of natural beauty increases, so does their happiness. We respond to beauty - it restores us and balances our emotions. This, in turn, encourages people to do more to help wildlife and take action for nature.”

The Wildlife Trusts provide participants with a free pack of goodies to help you plan your wild month.

Go to www.wildlifetrusts.org/30DaysWild to get your free 30 Days Wild pack which includes a wallchart, a poster, an interactive booklet and some stickers to help you go wild. Don’t want to wait until June? Try to get a 15 minute nature fix every day: go outside, walk beneath trees, wiggle your toes between the daisies, close your eyes and listen to the birds singing. Make time to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.

SEE ALSO:

WEEKEND WEB: Starlings shape a spectacle

Head to the river and you may spot a kingfisher

MAN’S BEST FRIEND: A weekly column from the South Lincs Centre of Jerry Green Dog Rescue

Have you got some pennies spare to help Bennie back on his paws?

The poor boy has been diagnosed with chronic luxating patella in both his back knees which means his knee caps don’t sit in their sockets properly.

This condition is extremely painful and potentially crippling for Bennie and severely limits his quality of life.Surgery on both knees is his only option.

We are appealing for your help to raise £1,000 to cover the cost of Bennie’s surgery and aftercare treatment. Every penny donated will go directly towards his operation so you can be confident in knowing that any donation, big or small, will make a vast difference to little Bennie’s life.

Please like, share and give what you can: www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/jerrygreendogs/bennies
appeal

Or contact the centre to donate on 01205 260546 or email: slicns@jerrygreendogs.org.uk Please also feel free to pop by the centre and donate in person.

DOG OF THE WEEK

Hi, I’m Fly! My friends here at Jerry Greens tell me I’m a big fluff ball, but I don’t really see it myself.

I am looking for a very special home that can take their time to get to know me and are happy to leave me to my own business.

I do sometimes enjoy cuddles once I know you but this will take time. I really would like a home with lots of space for me to take my self away, and an adult home as children worry me.

I do like to socialise with other dogs when out and about but feel at the moment I would just like some human company.

My favourite thing to do is run around with toys and play all day long, before settling down for a long nap.

I am quite beautiful and I’m sure someone will fall in love with me.

Please do phone the centre on 01205 260546 to have more of a chat about my personality.

TRAINING COURSES

Here at Jerry Green Dog Rescue we hold regular training courses. We are due to start the next one, which is for the Bronze Brilliant Dog Award, on Monday, May 7.

The course includes basic training such as sit, stay, down, leave and walking on a loose lead. We also teach how dogs learn and so hope to give owners the tools to continue training their dogs.

You will be working towards your Bronze award by being able to complete the set of exercises with your dog; once they have all been signed off and completed you and your dog will be awarded your certificate and rosette. You will then be able to move on to the Silver Award! Each lesson is an hour long and takes place on a weekly basis on a Monday evening, for six weeks.

If you would like more 
information about the course or to book a space, please call the centre on 01205 260546.

Previously...

Jerry Green happy to attend your event

Four senior sides all failed to pick up a point on Saturday.

Spalding United lost 3-1 at home to play-off contenders Leek Town in the Evo-Stik South, despite taking a first-half lead.

Ben Davison’s opener was cancelled out as Tim Grice’s double made him the all-time leading scorer for the visitors.

Dan Trickett-Smith scored in the seventh minute of stoppage time, mainly added on following an injury to Tulips teenager Jonny Lockie.

Holbeach United went down 1-0 at Eynesbury Rovers in the ChromaSport & Trophies United Counties League Premier Division.

Deeping Rangers were beaten 2-1 at Daventry Town following a second-half equaliser by Scott Coupland.

Bourne Town slipped to ninth place in Division One after a 3-0 loss to Burton Park Wanderers.

Newly-crowned champions Pinchbeck United were left frustrated as the trip to Stewarts & Lloyds was called off due to a power cut.

EVO-STIK SOUTH

Basford 3 Lincoln 2, Belper 1 Kidsgrove 3, Carlton 1 Alvechurch 3, Cleethorpes 1 Chasetown 1, Corby 4 Market Drayton 4, Gresley 1 Frickley 6, Loughborough Dynamo 0 Newcastle 0, Romulus 3 Stamford 1, Sheffield 1 Bedworth 1, Spalding 1 Leek 3, Stocksbridge Park Steels 1 Peterborough Sports 2.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Premier Division: Daventry 2 Deeping 1, Eynesbury 1 Holbeach 0, Kirby Muxloe 0 Wisbech 2, Newport Pagnell 1 Leicester Nirvana 0, Oadby 4 Boston 1, Sileby 2 Wellingborough 4, Sleaford 2 Desborough 3, Yaxley 10 St Andrews 0.

Division One: Buckingham 2 Raunds 2, Burton Park Wanderers 3 Bourne 0, Irchester 2 Long Buckby 3, Lutterworth Athletic 1 Harrowby 5, Melton 1 Bugbrooke St Michaels 0, Oakham 2 Thrapston 1, Potton 1 Lutterworth Town 1, Rushden & Higham 1 Huntingdon 3.

Reserve Division: Raunds 4 Stewarts & Lloyds 2, Rothwell Corinthians 0 Irchester 1, Whitworth 0 Newport Pagnell 0.

BALCAN LIGHTING SUPPLIES LINCOLNSHIRE LEAGUE

Wyberton 2 Brigg Development 1.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH AND DISTRICT LEAGUE

Premier Division: Holbeach Res 2 Langtoft 0, Leverington Sports 1 Whittlesey 2, Moulton Harrox 1 Netherton 2, Peterborough ICA Sports 1 AFC Stanground Sports 0, Sawtry 0 Thorney 3.

Division One: Netherton Res 0 Long Sutton 4, Peterborough Polonia 2 Oundle 0, Stamford Belvedere 0 Moulton Harrox Res 4, Tydd St Mary 3 Kings Cliffe 0.

Division Two: Bretton North End 3 Spalding Town 1, Eye 8 Rippingale & Folkingham 0, FC Peterborough 0 Spalding Res 1, Ketton Res 1 Parkway Eagles 2, Stamford Lions Res 1 FC Parson Drove 3, Stilton 0 Whittlesey Res 3.

Division Three: Brotherhood Sports 8 Holbeach Bank 1, Leverington Sports Res 1 Feeder 7, Oundle Res 2 Cardea 6, Premiair 15 Riverside 0, Whittlesey A 3 Uppingham Res 1.

Division Four: Holbeach A 0 Orton Rangers 3, Huntingdon Rovers 1 Peterborough NECI 2, Long Sutton Res 0 Stamford Lions A 3, Whittlesey B 2 Eunice Huntingdon 8.

Division Five A: Glinton & Northborough Res 3 AFC Orton 1.

Division Five B: Gunthorpe Harriers 1 Leverington Sports A 2.

BOSTON WORKFORCE UNLIMITED LEAGUE

Premier Division: Fishtoft 0 Billinghay 2, Fulbeck 2 Coningsby 1, Leverton Sheepgate 0 Pointon 2, Swineshead 2 Old Leake 3.

Division One: Boston College 4 Old Doningtonians 2, Friskney 5 Freiston 1, Pointon Res 5 Woodhall Spa 2.

Division Two: Boston Athletic 4 Holbeach Bank 2, Colsterworth 1 FC Hammers 2, Coningsby Res 3 Railway Res 3, Park 5 Caythorpe 0, Wyberton A v FC Wrangle abandoned.

Division Three: Swineshead A 2 Skegness Town A 10.

Sharman Burgess Boston Sports Cup semi-finals: Benington 2 Railway 1, Kirton Town 5 Skegness Town Res 2.

The wait will be extended until the start of next season at the Sir Halley Stewart Field.

Nine home games in 2018 have failed to produce a single win for Spalding United.

Having collected 10 points from four away fixtures in seven days, the Tulips took a first-half advantage in the final match this term in front of their own supporters.

But play-off contenders Leek Town hit back as Tim Grice became the Staffordshire club’s all-time leading scorer.

Dan Trickett-Smith made it 3-1 after seven minutes of stoppage time – mainly added on following an injury to Jonny Lockie.

Michael Duggan’s mistake was punished at the end of an afternoon which began with a special presentation to mark 250 appearances.

He tried to control a long clearance but the ball bounced off his body to Trickett-Smith who beat the keeper again for Leek’s third goal.

Duggan’s superb save from Scott Lycett on the half-hour mark had kept Spalding ahead.

However, Leek should have been back on level terms before Grice got the equaliser in the final minute of the first half.

Ben Davison flicked in a long throw from Conor Marshall but the Tulips rarely threatened to add to that opener.

Leek captain Darren Chadwick nodded over from two yards, Trickett-Smith twice went close and Sam Hall was also denied.

Grice grabbed a goal from Rob Stevenson’s assist then a brilliant chip over Duggan put Leek ahead four minutes into the second half.

Luke White’s long-range effort went fractionally off target before Lockie left the pitch on a stretcher.

Duggan held onto a 30-yard volley from Trickett-Smith but the keeper’s late error ended the home programme.

It will be interesting to find out how many of these players remain at Spalding in August.

SPALDING UNITED

5-3-2: Duggan 6; Marshall 6, Fixter 6, Humble 6, Spafford 6, Hugo 6; Brooks 6 (sub Stainfield 63 mins, 5), King 6, Davison 6 (sub Chipamaunga 63 mins, 5); White 6, Lockie 6 (sub Havard 71 mins). Subs not used: Acar, Smith.

LEEK TOWN

4-3-3: Roberts; Green, Lycett, Chadwick, Richards; Maguire, Hall, Grocott; Stevenson (sub Lemon 90 mins), Grice, Trickett-Smith (sub Bailey 90 mins). Subs not used: Kearns, Bavanganga.

REFEREE

Ian Jackson.

GOALS

Davison (19 mins, 1-0); Grice (44 mins, 1-1); Grice (49 mins, 1-2); Trickett-Smith (90 mins, 1-3).

BOOKINGS

None.

ATTENDANCE

107

STAR MAN

Luke White – energetic efforts earned the sponsors’ award on a day when everyone in a blue shirt was pretty average.

ENTERTAINMENT

★★

WHO’S NEXT

Sheffield (A) - Tuesday.

Chris Rawlinson has called for two positive performances to end Spalding United’s season.

The Tulips are unbeaten in six away games ahead of their trip to Sheffield on Tuesday night.

They will face Rawlinson’s former club Lincoln United on Saturday.

But the huge improvement in Spalding’s away form – after failing to win on the road from October until March – comes in contrast to their record at the Sir Halley Stewart Field in 2018.

The 3-1 defeat to Leek Town on Saturday made it nine home games without a win.

Rawlinson said: “I think it was quite clear that the recent schedule caught up with us – especially with the injuries.

“We had a lovely run in away games so it was frustrating when we wanted to put in a decent peformance at home where we haven’t won this year.

“We’ve picked up more points in the second half of the season but our form at home and away has flipped around.

“Leek tried to play nice football but we made it easier for them.

“I told the young lads who came on that it’s brilliant to get a chance but they have got to learn very quickly about this league.

“We have done well to get into this position but I won’t accept going out in the last two games with a whimper.

“I fully expect everyone to be ready to go again with two good performances.”

Your views on education and religion... plus Thought For The Week

Your MP is misleading you over costs claim

I must respond to the letter from Jane Peck in last week’s Spalding Guardian which follows on from the article featuring John Hayes MP and his concerns about the new SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) vision for the county.

As I have stated in my previous reply to Guardian on this issue, there is no intention to reduce the SEND transport budget and all children and young people entitled will continue to get free transport. Mr Hayes is misleading residents by claiming this is about 
reducing transport costs.

The proposals are about giving SEND children who are currently entitled to free transport the same opportunities to attend a suitable school closer to their home like the majority of children do, rather than travelling long distances to attend a special school every day.

As we’ve pointed out before, no child will be forced to change school if parents don’t want them to. However, with only 30 per cent of pupils with SEND currently attending their nearest school, under the new proposals children will have the chance to attend a school in their local community if that is possible and it is what parents want.

Of course if more parents want to send their children to a suitable school nearer their home – and we’ve spoken to many who ideally would want this for their children – the natural result is reduced transport costs and savings further down the line.

The original published consultation document highlighted the potential saving on transport of £2-3million if children attended a nearer school but acknowledged that this wouldn’t be realised for several years. And, as we’ve stated before, this isn’t the main driver for this review.

In fact the emphasis is more about significant investment rather than savings. The majority of special head teachers, parents and carers in the county support the proposals which will bring significant improvements to our special school provision and extra investment of £40m.

Coun Patricia Bradwell

Executive councillor for children’s services, Lincolnshire County Council

Changes are essentially about money

Many thanks for publishing your article suggesting a split between our local MP John Hayes and the county council over plans to reform SEND schools in the county.

As one of many parents of a child in a school which will most definitely be negatively affected by the proposed changes, we have long been sure that these changes are, essentially, about money.

What possible other motive can there be for changing a school rated ‘outstanding’ by Oftsed (Gosberton House Academy) that 
specialises in teaching children with autism, to a general special school, which will have to cater for a very wide range of special needs and medical conditions, and therefore eventually change its excellent, very specific approach?

Of course, the only motive could ever be money, the huge budget for schools’ transport.

Well done to Mr Hayes for stating this clearly. Throughout the ‘consultation’ period on these changes, we have been told over and over again that the motivation is not to cut costs. But of course it is!

And by changing all special schools to ‘all needs’, including Gosberton House Academy, this will make it so much harder, if not impossible, for a child living closer to another special school to secure a place at the Academy, even though it’s very specific and individualised approach may be the only one that will benefit that child.

So a monetary cost will be made, but at what real cost to those children and their futures?

Amy Webster

Cowbit

Nearest school not always the best option

MP John Hayes is absolutely right about the effect of the SEND plans and the fact that transport cost reductions is the driving force.

For young people where a special environment is needed for learning (autism spectrum disorder pupils) the right school is needed and not just the nearest.

Lincolnshire Education must think again about changing the status of Gosberton House as the outstanding 
autism specialist centre that it is and making it all needs.

Autistic children rarely cope in mainstream and all needs settings but they can thrive in an atmosphere such as that at Gosberton House Academy.

Parents must have the choice to send their children there and transport must be funded for students with these specific needs .

The nearest school is NOT always the best option and “every child matters”.

Bob Duddridge

Retired teacher, Spalding

I would have tried to save Jesus

The Thought for the Weekbeing critical of Dawkins, Fry, Hitchens and more particularly the process of science itself, is so wrong on so many levels, I felt I had to provide some balance to your readers.

When you say “extreme” atheists, you really mean an atheist who is willing to write and speak publicly and about the absence of convincing evidence for any gods.

It’s not possible to be an “extreme” atheist, any more than someone can be an extreme bald person, or an extreme non-chess player.

But it is possible to be outspoken, I think that is what you really mean here. Are you really advocating a society where we could not be outspoken on matters of religion?

Now to deal with your other claims.

Yes it is actually a good thing to decry outlandish assertions which cannot be supported by evidence. Do you really disagree with this? The claim that “God is beyond definition” is a defeater for your own argument. If you cannot define this agentic creator, how can you support the claim that it acts or has acted in any real way in the universe?

Just blithely asserting these things based on your own feelings and an ancient text is not rational thinking.

Yet you claim to know things you cannot possibly know. Perhaps you hold these beliefs on “faith”.

By the way, can you supply a single belief which could not be held on “faith”?

You also directly contradict yourself.

“God did not need to create anything, especially us. His motive for creating us? Love!”

I should point out that science has done a lot more towards saving lives and reducing suffering than any religion has.

Celebrating human blood sacrifice is not an admirable activity. I, along with many others, find the notion of 
vicarious redemption a toxic and ugly idea. I certainly reject the claim that I have benefited in any way from the tortuous execution of a 1st century Jew. If I had been there, and in a position to safely do so, I would have tried to save and prevent the death of anyone being so treated. Wouldn’t you?

Peter Sanders

via email

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

“Wars and rumours of war” and ‘threats of war’? There’s been the USA v North Korea verbal sparring culminating in “my button is bigger than your button!”, followed by Olympic co-operation between north and south and now dialogue with the USA!

Then we have the appaling poisoning of the Skripals and perhaps Russia to blame, and then a state-sponsored chemical attack probably, on Syria’s Douma. What a world to live in! What a world for our children!

There are many threatening, global issues. How should Christians respond? Jesus said those initial words: “When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come”. (Mk 13:7)

He’d been teaching about humanity’s end-times and his personal physical return ie “the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory”.

His disciples were to live in a state of readiness for that return, and so must we. In Jesus Christ crucified God has achieved victory over evil, but that victory is being worked out in our lives and fully accomplished upon his return. So, let’s not be alarmed about his returning for his people.

Revd Nic Hasnip

Long Sutton Baptist Church

Previously...

Last week’s letters

ANIMAL MAGIC: A weekly column from Alder Veterinary Practice, of Spalding and Bourne

Finally, a warm day, the smell of barbecues, and Spring is in the air.

Spring should also be in the step as well but it’s going to take a bit of effort to lose those winter pounds and so it’s on with the jogging shoes and out with the lycra.

Running (maybe that’s an exaggeration) is always fun with a dog but while I plod away she easily sprints past me and for an animal that sleeps 90 per cent of the day and doesn’t go to the gym, she can certainly put on a power of speed.

My theory is that throwing the ball is a form of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), as promoted by Joe Wicks, for my dog.

But all this effort is to get the perfect beach body or at least a waistline and it should be the same for dogs, cats and rabbits as well.

It’s easy to exercise dogs, just take them for a walk. Let them off the lead and they are already travelling three times the distance you are. If you join an agility group or flyball training, exercise is not only great fun but great socialising for you and your dog.

For dogs that have weight and joint problems then swimming is a good alternative and hydrotherapy pools have trained personnel to ensure your dog exercises well in a weight-free environment.

Cats are more difficult to exercise if they are not outside most of the time. 
Using wind-up toys and 
laser lights will get them moving but they easily 
become bored, so it means being inventive and changing the game frequently.

Even moving food bowls to different locations will encourage our cat to move and explore. Rabbits need large runs and companions. They will run around chasing each other and digging tunnels.

So that’s the energy output but what about the 
energy input? As humans we have a huge range of foods to pick from and can choose to eat healthily and limit the amount (however, self-discipline is needed and is something I lack).

For animals it is much simpler, we give them all that they eat, so controlling the calorie input and the quality of the food is so much easier.

All animals should be slim. The ribs should be easily felt and from above they need to be a figure of eight figure with a waistline. From the side, the abdomen should be tucked up.

Never feed for the weight they are but the weight they should be. Although pet food packets have a feeding guide, adjust the amount 
according to the shape of your pet. Just like us, an animal’s metabolism can vary with age, health and of course whether they have been neutered.

So good luck with your strolling, walking, running and here’s looking forward to summer!

Previously...

Why cats are NOT small dogs

Holbeach United’s winning run was ended by an ‘awful’ performance.

The Tigers had scored 22 goals in four successive victories – but Danny Draper struck at the end of the first half to earn three points for Eynesbury Rovers.

Boss Seb Hayes admitted: “We were rubbish from start to finish.

“It was a flat performance with a lower work-rate and tempo.

“Eynesbury should have been flat on energy with their fourth game in eight days.

“But we allowed them to get a foothold in the match. Although we were better in the second half, the damage was done.

“We changed to a 3-4-3 formation as we felt getting the ball out wide would be key. When we had decent delivery, there was nobody on the end of it.

“We had good possession and territory but we didn’t have enough consistency as a team. So many things went wrong.

“We went for it and tried to win the game.

“If we perform like that against Wisbech Town or Newport Pagnell Town, they will roll us over. I would be worried about the scoreline.

“I can’t fault the defence but in midfield and attack, we have let ourselves down.”

AUTISTIC LINCS: By autistic author Callum Brazzo

Travelling forward from our column about reducing if not eliminating the need for out-of-county support, although this is a process, there are other factors to think about when supporting an autistic person.

These factors pertain to sex, sexuality and the stigma surrounding discussion around them.

If we are to make a tangible difference to autistic people’s lives then we need to have upfront conversations about our perceptions of sex and sexuality.

Sex, many will say, is a biological, binary system of identification; What you’re born with. Gender, many will say, is society’s system of identification based on norms associated with what you’re born with.

Gender and sexuality is more about how you FEEL.

First then, let’s dissect how sex impacts an autistic person’s life.

It is healthy for an autistic person, like anyone else, to have an intimate knowledge of their own bodies and the bodies of others.

Integral components of discovering this intimate knowledge include making the knowledge contextual, consensual and consequential. First, we must look at making knowledge contextual.

Working with the autistic people over time through their chosen communication, or if none seem to exist, exploring how to enable communication, can establish their cognitive capacities and depth of knowledge. A 10-year-old autistic person does not need to know what an 18-year-old autistic person would.

Their worlds tend to differentiate in terms of sexual awareness and as autistic people, they are inherently varied too, so making 
accommodations is key. Let’s look at making the knowledge consensual.

An autistic person may struggle understanding how a person CAN act in response to and in regards to initiating sexual exploration, 
especially if it’s unwanted, which can lead to severe consequences like justified legal action.

Social stories, to paraphrase Carol Gray, are ‘a social learning tool that supports the safe and meaningful exchange of information 
between autistic people and everyone else involved in the exchange’.

Social stories can help the autistic person understand the reason why someone would refuse sexual contact and when it is appropriate to engage in consensual acts. Having trust in the individual and developing a relationship over time is better than touching an attractive stranger in the street, for example.

Now let’s look at making the knowledge consequential.

We have to teach autistic people how to teach themselves about 
rejection. Social stories, visual cues and creative outlets can all aid this process.

Failing is equally important to deal with, therefore it is beneficial for the autistic person to cope with failure and being resilient.

Sexuality affects autistic people because autistic people can be gay, bisexual, polyamorous or anything else.

We cannot afford to invalidate their feelings because this leads to problems.

Mental health issues can be harder to identify in autistic people because autistic feel the need to ‘pass’ as normal. This is the result of society’s system of identifying mental health issues within the autistic community being deficient.

But being a gay autistic person with a sexually active life is not deficient. Being an autistic parent is not deficient.

We just have to look at how we get these crucial points across in terms of whether the sexual discovery and exploration is contextual, consensual and consequential.

Previously...

Enriching wellbeing and nurturing our nature