Four Chinese nationals who were illegally working at a Bourne restaurant have been arrested and are in custody awaiting deportation.

Police and UK Border Agency officials swooped on the China Palace restaurant, in South Street, on January 10 and spoke to four Chinese people who do not have permission to work in the UK.

The three men and a woman are in detention along with two Bangladeshi men similarly arrested at a restaurant in Stamford and the UK Border Agency says they will all be removed from the UK “as soon as possible”.

Both businesses have been served with fines of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker, which the UK Border Agency says will have to be paid unless they can prove they took the legally required steps to confirm their right to work, such as checking passports.

Paul Tranter, from the UK Border Agency in Lincolnshire, said: “Any foreign national who is in the UK illegally should be in no doubt that they will be found, arrested and removed from the country.

“Businesses that take on illegal workers face heavy fines and possible prosecution.

“We urge members of the public to please report any suspicions about people who may be here illegally.”

The UK Border Agency says anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 anonymously or visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/contact/report crime

• The UK Border Agency is part of the Home Office and responsible for controlling migration in the UK.

Its work includes immigration casework, visa applications, in-country enforcement actions, running immigration detention centres like the one at Morton Hall, Swinderby, near Lincoln, and overseas immigration operations.

In March last year, a separate Border Force command was created within the Home Office to take charge of entry controls and customs functions at the border.

The final book in the ‘A Nurse in Time’ series, ‘Matron in Charge’ follows Evelyn Prentis as she discovers that being in charge of the Lodge is rarely straightforward.

From door-slamming Miss Cromwell to Miss Siler’s shoplifting and Miss May coming over all queer there is always something for Evelyn to contend with. And, following a short stay in hospital herself, about which she was rather apprehensive, Evelyn wondered what would be in store for her on her return to work.

Finding her ladies unusually united in their grumbling about newest resident Ivy, the woman who’d kept the betting shop on the High Street, Evelyn was ready for all hell to break loose. But instead, with openness and kindness, Ivy won people over and even started bringing them together. Suddenly being in charge of the Lodge was no trouble at all…

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick visits Weston Hills Village Hall at 7pm on Monday for the Spalding East Rural Community Panel, where police issues are discussed. 
South Holland Community police inspector Jim Tyner, who is based at Spalding, will also attend.

The meeting is open to the public.

Learn to relax and take life’s ups and downs in your stride at Sophrology classes, starting in Spalding with free introductory sessions next week after a hugely successful launch at Whaplode.

Anyone regardless of age, sex and physical condition can benefit from this discipline of relaxation, gentle movement and breathing techniques which helps you overcome difficulties from insomnia and depression to panic attacks and improves general wellbeing.

Very popular in France, Sophrology is relatively new to the English-speaking world, and we’re lucky to have Lynn Exley, one of the first graduates of the new UK Sophrology Academy, setting up practice in Spalding.

New six-week courses will start in the town in February, but Lynn is keen to give as many people as possible a taster next week.

Telephone her now on 07553 354845 to book in for one of the free introductory sessions on the following days:

l Monday, January 21 at 5pm, Welland Workspace, 10 Pinchbeck Road, Spalding;

l Wednesday, January 23 at 1pm at Aspire, The Crescent, Spalding;

l Friday, January 25 at noon at Welland Workspace, as above.

Lynn, who lives in Whaplode St Catherine, used to work in the high-stress environment of banking and finance and changed direction a few years ago, training as a Yoga teacher and then a Sophrologist.

She said: “Neuro-scientists are now able to test how the brain responds to different therapies and have found the mindfulness techniques used in Sophrology to be particularly effective in fighting the harmful impact of stress.

“As part of my Sophrology teacher training I held a series of sessions in Whaplode and the people who came found them highly beneficial, particularly because you can use the techniques in your everyday life whenever you feel anxious or stressed.”

l www.wellbeingforliving.co.uk

As I write this, snow is forecast, which is rather annoying as I was just getting back into my post-Christmas swing of leaf clearing (not before time), hedge trimming, and top dressing the borders with bonemeal (two months later than I should have done, as every day I set aside for this in October and November poured with rain).

Since there will be very little productive gardening possible under a white blanket, I thought a few timely reminders of what to do – and not do – if snow arrives, wouldn’t come amiss.

l If you’re using salt on paths and other hard surfaces, make sure you keep it off plants and the lawn. It can be toxic to quite a few species; at the very least, it can damage foliage and any new shoots that have already appeared.

l Shake snow off conifer branches during heavy snowfall, as the weight of settling snow can soon pull conifers and other evergreens out of shape.

l Don’t pile snow up on the lawn; it can cause discolouration and fungal diseases like fusarium patch, especially if it takes a long time to thaw.

l Try not to walk on the grass when covered with snow, for the same reason. I realise this can be difficult where there are children, but encouraging them to build their snowmen, and giant snowballs that may still be around in March, on the patio or other paving might save many turf problems come the spring.

l Carefully remove accumulations of snow from hanging baskets; it can increase their weight tremendously and may loosen or bend their brackets.

l Remove snow from greenhouse roofs and cold frames. It can reduce light levels significantly at a time of year when good light is at a premium.

l Don’t worry about snow flattening early daffodils, which are already in bud in many gardens. Once it thaws they will soon spring upright again.

Above all, take the opportunity to enjoy the snow; settle down with a good gardening book or magazine and watch it fall, or, if you’re feeling really energetic, get out your seed and plant catalogues and plan for warmer days.

Nights out in Spalding could become a lot safer if enough volunteers join a Street Pastors scheme to be launched in the town later this year.

A series of information events are taking place in Spalding over the next two months to gauge the level of interest in the scheme from people in South Holland after talks between the area’s church leaders last Thursday.

The events will be held at The Lighthouse Church, Haverfield Road, on February 16, 19 and March 5, at 7.30pm, when people can find out more about Street Pastors and its role in keeping booze-fuelled and rowdy behaviour out of town centres.

Teams of four volunteers would patrol Spalding’s busiest streets at night, in partnership with the police, giving practical help and support to the vulnerable, homeless and people having a night out.

The Street Pastors initiative is being led by Churches Together in Spalding District (CTSD) and Pastor Chas Sandhu, a member of its management team, confirmed that at least 20 people from churches in the area were needed for the scheme to go ahead.

Pastor Sandhu, minister of The Lighthouse Church, said: “CTSD has the commitment to run Street Pastors in Spalding but it all depends on the information nights.

“Until we know how many volunteers are interested in participating, we can’t move forward with the scheme.

“Hopefully, we’ll get a good response from people in churches across South Holland and then we can go ahead with giving them application forms to fill in.”

Street Pastors was pioneered in London ten years ago and since then it has spread to about 250 towns and cities in the UK, with more than 10,000 volunteers.

Reverend Ian Walters, minister at St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Gosberton, and another CTSD management team member, said: “We’re at a stage where we’re learning all we can to get the scheme under way and liaising with both Lincolnshire Police and the district council to take the project forward.

“Over the next few months, we’re getting the information out there for people to decide whether Street Pastors is for them and to learn more about how the scheme has gone in other towns.

“We’re hoping to launch the scheme in December and we believe it will make a real difference on the streets of Spalding at night time when people are coming out of pubs and clubs.”

Plans for a Street Pastors scheme in Spalding were first reported in the Lincolnshire Free Press last November as part of a blueprint from Spalding and District Area Chamber of Commerce to revitalise the town centre.

It has been backed by Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick who said: “I think Street Pastors is essential and I’m delighted that Spalding is setting up a scheme.”

Wednesday, 4pm: Nearly 2,000 litres of heating oil have been stolen in two raids on people’s garden storage tanks at homes near Bourne.

Police are warning homeowners to step up security following the raids at Edenham and Lound.

Some 1,300 litres were stolen from a single tank while the other householder lost 500 litres.

The raids happened between Thursday and yesterday (Tuesday).

• Witnesses are asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

While Valentine’s legends are all about surprises like the mystery card with a question-mark for a signature, in reality most couples plan together what they’ll do to celebrate.

The big question is: do you eat out or in?

This time of year whennight-time temperatures are dropping below zero, it’s tempting to stay in and cook that romantic meal for yourselves.

But that may not be quite as easy as it sounds.

The BBC Food website suggests a range of Valentine’s menus to prepare at home using foods which are acknowledged popular favourites for a romantic meal for two.

Seafood like mussels, scallops and prawns figures in every one, steering clear of oysters which though well-known as an aphrodysiac are not for anyone who may have the least qualm about eating live food.

Chocolate - the deeper and richer the better - is also a fixture in different forms for pudding.

And tender grilled or griddled steak is at the centre of the main course in two out of four.

The other two mains are Delia Smith’s oven-baked risotto carbonara as an easy work-lite treat for couples who want to focus on a romantic DVD on the TV, and Sophie Dahl’s lighter crab and salmon fishcakes for the health-conscious.

All declare themselves to be easy, quick and simple and the cooking times are no more than 30 minutes for anything.

But have you tried sizzling a steak of any description to perfect tenderness/grilling a scallop and getting it just right/ getting a chocolate souffle to rise and stay risen?

Masterchefs and their partners can stay in with confidence - me, I’m for booking a table at one of the great restaurants advertised on these pages for guaranteed success.

Elderly passengers travelling to Long Sutton to do a weekly shop have been promised a temporary bus stop will be in place next week at an agreed shortcut through to the Co-op.

Passengers were upset at the delay after reading in the Lincolnshire Free Press in October that Norfolk Green’s King’s Lynn to Spalding 505 service was to get a temporary bus stop outside St Mary’s Church cemetery gates on a six months’ trial.

Norfolk Green boss Ben Colson and one of his drivers had made a plea to the parish council for the new stop to help elderly and infirm passengers who cut through the churchyard to the supermarket.

Lincolnshire County Council agreed to provide a pole on London Road to show where the bus stop was, but no shelter.

Jean Hall (78), of Sutton Bridge, said: “It’s January now and still no bus stop. I have arthritis and it takes me three-quarters of an hour to walk from where the bus stops to the Co-op – and then I’m done in afterwards.

“There are a lot of elderly people using this service and wondering what has happened.”

A spokesman for Norfolk Green said they were sorry to hear the bus had not stopped for Mrs Hall.

The spokesman said: “Our regular drivers know to stop there, but a problem could have arisen if there was someone new on the route.”

Tanya Vaughan, principal projects officer at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “A temporary high-visibility bus stop sign will be in place by the end of next week. After six months it will be reviewed.”

PETEBOROUGH & DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Moulton Harrox’s hopes of an impressive treble remain very much alive after they thrashed Uppingham Town 4-0 to reach the last four of the PFA Senior Cup.

Having booked a semi-final place in the Lincs Junior Cup seven days earlier, Harrox started superbly when Martin Gordon lashed home a long-range stunner (25).

Although the away side had more possession, Joe Townsend added the second for Moulton on the stroke of half time.

It was more of the same after the break as sub Andy Law charged down a clearance before firing home number three.

The winger, who won the cup with Pinchbeck United last season, then lobbed home a 25-yard stunner to round-off the scoring.

• Long Sutton Athletic produced their worst performance of the season as they lost 3-1 at home to lowly Stamford Bels in Division One.

Having fallen behind in the first half, Ryan Lennon’s well-taken strike made it 1-1 at the interval.
However, the Magpies shipped two sloppy goals in the second half as their promotion hopes took a hefty hit.

• Pinchbeck United Reserves’ bid for glory in the PFA Challenge Cup ended with a 7-3 home loss against Sutton Bridge United – who cruise into the last four.

A stunning hat-trick from Ben Partridge – including a 25-yard corker – and a Jake Lally effort put Bridge 4-0 ahead in the first period.

Jamie Cartlidge did pull one back for Pinchbeck with a header, making it 4-1 at the interval.
After the break Joseph Sutton waltzed through to make it 5-1 to Sutton – and although Sam Atkinson and Aiden Moore pulled two back, a Kurt Scott double eased the away side home.

Runaway Spalding and District League Division One leaders Long Sutton B responded to last week’s rare loss in typical style – with a 6-0 win.

They crushed hosts Pyramid B by the maximum scoreline to go a hefty ten points clear of the chasing pack in the top flight.

A 29 break from Carl Parnell (O42) and a 25 clearance from Wayne Howard (O14) were the highlights for Sutton, while Matt Allen (O42) replied with a 29 of his own for the beaten Bourne side.

Second-placed Tulips B lost valuable ground in the title race after being handed a 5-1 home reverse by Holbeach D. Mark Woodberry (O28) starred with a 32 break for the Spalding side, but wins from Neil Grant (R14), Ashley Bunn (R7), Richard Lowe (scr) and Donald Monk (O7) – who made a 21 break – saw the visitors home.

At the bottom, resurgent Tulips A moved off the foot with a third successive 5-1 triumph, this time at Holbeach A. Again, Bren Bowman (O63) led the charge with a 32 break.

The game of the week was Long Sutton A’s 4-2 home success over champions Pyramid F, with two quality breaks registered. Bourne ace Jason Green (O56) led the way with a super 50 and a 25 clearance, while Sutton’s Adam Barwell (O42) pocketed a fine 46.

In Division Two, leaders Boundary B saw their lead chopped to four points after a 4-2 beating at Holbeach C. Paul Ashton (R7) sealed the victory in the final frame.

Gosberton B were the side closing the gap, as they saw off Crowland D 5-1 – thanks largely to nervy black-ball wins from Simon Lambert (scr) and Adam Twigg (O7).

Two players shared the second tier’s top break of the week, with Pyramid D’s James Sharpe (O42) making a 40 in a 4-2 win over Consti I and Consti H’s Seb Grimston (O28) matching that in a 5-1 home triumph over Pyramid C.

Once again the biggest break of the week came in Division Three – and there are no prizes given for guessing who it came from.

Bourne SC A’s marvellous Mark Gray (O91) racked up a super 77 as the leaders beat Services F 4-2. It did go down to the wire though, as Oli Player (O28) edged out Gary Coomes (R7) on the final black.

Crowland B are now level on points with the table-toppers after they breezed past Consti J 6-0. Stuart Davies (O21) hit a defiant 22 break in reply for Consti.

It’s as you were in Division Four, with lead duo Consti E and Bourne SC B still 11 points clear of the rest after both managed 4-2 wins over Gosberton C and Consti D respectively.

Long Sutton C did go third with a 5-1 victory over Services D, with Mark Davies (scr) on tremendous form.

The latest New Holland farm machinery was due to be displayed outside St Paul’s Cathedral one day last week to remind London commuters where the ingredients in their luchboxes comes from.

The showcase by The Addington Fund, which provides homes for farming families forced to leave the industry, was also meant to highlight the vital role of UK farmers who work hard to produce food.

Ian Bell, director of the Addington Fund, said: “In the UK as a whole, 1bn meals are now eaten outside of the home every year. Yet we have a significant percentage of people who have no understanding of where their food originates from.

“From a farming perspective, we already know that we will have a poor yield from harvest 2013, and with the best will in the world we will not get back on track before harvest 2014 at the earliest. This will have a direct effect on food costs, but we must engage with the public so they understand.”

Every effort must be made to ensure a vaccine is available later this year to help combat the spread of deadly Schmallenberg virus (SBV), the NFU has said.

The call comes as many farms with early lambing flocks across the country have experienced higher than normal losses with still births and deformities.

The disease has been confirmed on more than 1,000 UK farms and comes at the same time as lamb prices have hit their lowest level for three years and livestock producers are facing rising production costs due to the extreme weather in 2012.

Plans for improvement work costing almost £31,000 at council waste depots in Spalding and Holbeach have been unveiled after safety concerns from Government health inspectors.

South Holland District Council is to decide on Wednesday whether improvements should be made to its waste depot in West Marsh Road, Spalding, after Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors said it posed an “unacceptable risk” to staff and the public.

An automatic barrier entry gate, pedestrian barriers and new signage will be introduced as soon as possible at the site following the HSE inspection last November.

Improvements could also be made to the waste depot in Fleet Street, Holbeach, ahead of possibly transferring some dustcarts and workers there from Spalding to ease the cramped conditions at the West Marsh Road site.

The plans were discussed by cabinet members on Tuesday when a report detailing the proposed work was presented by Coun Roger Gambba-Jones, portfolio holder for waste management.

An extract from the report said: “The waste industry has a comparatively poor health and safety injury and fatality rate and, as such, is regarded by the HSE as a priority industry sector.

“As a result, refuse and recycling services provided by councils including South Holland are currently under close scrutiny by the HSE.

“Over the years, the West Marsh Road depot has had to accommodate the growth of the refuse and recycling fleet with approximately 75 members of staff and 77 vehicles using the depot at any one time.

“As a consequence, the number of vehicle movements has substantially increased in an already cramped depot and the HSE considers that it currently provides an unacceptable risk to the health and safety of pedestrians using it.”

There is a fundraising afternoon tea at the Churchroom, Whaplode Drove on Saturday from 1pm-4pm.

Enjoy a tea or coffee with scone, jam and cream or toasted teacake and browse items on sale. All proceeds raised will go towards the churchroom refurbishment.

Forty of the world’s most magnificent, classic agricultural machines are featured in a book due out in March.

Beautiful Tractors, Portraits of Iconic Models, is a beautifully illustrated record of the world’s most magnificent machines dating from 1917 to 1976.

The book is written by Rick Mannen, with a foreword by Stuart Gibbard, and is published by Frances Lincoln, price £12.99

Scientists and farm leaders say government has failed to grasp the seriousness of challenges posed by the withdrawal of important pesticides.

They say that more research is needed into crop protection to meet future food demands.

Spalding RFC are hoping that the adverse weather won’t deny them the chance to beat fierce Midlands One East rivals Market Rasen and Louth on Saturday (2.15pm).

Town are scheduled to visit their county foes this weekend, but the big freeze has put the basement battle in real doubt.

Just four points separate the duo in the race for survival – and Spalding skipper Harry Sharman is confident that his side will get the job done if it goes ahead. He said: “It’s always a bit of a humdinger when we meet – but even more so this year. We’re certainly the form side and I’d be quietly confident of a win.

“The lads were hugely impressive last weekend and we are all gunning for Rasen. Hopefully the weather won’t deny us, we want to go there and win.”

Shepeau Stow Primary School was a jewel in Lincolnshire’s crown for a day when children had a taste of India last week.

About 20 pupils took part in a number of Indian-themed activities such as dancing and dressing up in saris as they were introduced to a culture very different from their own.

The Indian Experience event last Tuesday was run by Grantham-based Sunita Patel who presents cultural and religious workshops in schools throughout Lincolnshire.

She gave pupils a talk on Indian customs for weddings and births and the Hindu festival known as Diwali.

Teacher Nicola Harrison said: “The children have been learning about India and the Hindu religion in their geography and RE lessons respectively, so they really enjoyed the day.

“They loved dressing up in Indian clothes and had plenty of questions for Sunita to answer.

“We’re putting together an information book on India and I hope what the children learnt will come out in that.”

A police escort followed dozens of mourners who walked behind two matching hearses ahead of the funeral of sisters Tamzin and Jessica Portor.

Mourners at the Sutton Bridge funeral wore flashes of bright pink and purple in scarves, ties and ribbons.

Inside the hearses were floral tributes spelling out the words ‘sisters’ and ‘daughters’.

Tamzin (10) and Jessica (7), from Sutton Bridge, suffered fatal head injuries after the car they were in left the A47 near Wisbech on December 27.

Their brother Liam (12), father Alan (38) and his partner Marie Easter (43) all suffered minor injuries.

Mr Portor and the girls’ mother Lorraine Mason have described their “little angels” as “comical, lively and irreplaceable”.