If you’re planning to make pancakes for Shrove Tuesday, don’t get caught out by hot oil and equipment this year. 


Debbie Robinson, deputy community safety manager for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue said: “When you’re distracted by delicious, warm pancakes, fire safety may not be at the forefront of your mind.
“However, fat and chip pan fires can be devastating, with a very high proportion of fires resulting in injuries. Most fires start in the kitchen, and at this time of year, a common scenario can be families tucking into pancakes, forgetting that they have left their frying pan on the hob, burning away.”
Last year, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue responded to 148 incidents caused by it. For fire safety advice visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/lfr or to book a free Home Fire Safety Check call 01522 582222 or email HFSC@lincoln.fire-uk.org

Spalding producer Dalehead Foods has promised its 300 employees the full benefits of its multi-million pound refurbished base in the town.

The project to improve the Fulney Lane site which supplies meat products to major retailer Waitrose was funded by East Midlands Pork Producers in partnership with the European Union and a £2.4 million investment from the Government through Defra.

A plaque was unveiled at the site to mark the completion of the 18-month project to refurbish both the abattoir and processing plant, including better changing areas, that will enable the firm to penetrate the US export market.

Seamus Rooney, managing director of Dalehead Foods, said: “We are a major employer in Spalding and this latest investment will ensure that every part of our facility in the town is truly world class.

“The investment now means that our 300 colleagues will benefit from a new staff building and upgraded changing areas, as well as a new high-tech lorry wash, a state-of-the-art carcass grading system and a new 500 sq metre pre-chill extension.

“This upgrade to our facility reaffirms our commitment to our Spalding operation and will, I have no doubt, prove beneficial to both the local economy and East Midlands British Pork Producers.”

The ringleader of a sophisticated drugs ring which was supplying cocaine across the county has been jailed for ten years.

Leigh Upsall (30), of Keel Drive, Kirton, was identified as one of the leaders of a large crime network involved in the cutting, preparation and distribution of the drug between December 2010 and November 2011.

He was joined by another Kirton man, Colin Gibson (57), of Station Road, and two from Wyberton – Timothy Hampson (41), of London Road and Brett Fletcher (29), of Saundergate Lane East – as well as others from the Boston and Peterborough areas, Humberside, Derbyshire and London.

The defendants were all arrested during planned police raids between September 2011 and May 2012.

Eighteen men have appeared at Nottingham Crown Court following Operation Latious, where they were sentenced to a total of more than 100 years on charges of conspiring to supply and distribute Class A drugs.

The prosecution was able to show that the gang, jointly headed by Upsall and Boston man Nicholas Howarth, were initially receiving large quantities of high purity cocaine from London until the end of May 2011.

After that, they began sourcing their cocaine from a Peterborough-based organised crime group before turning to a supplier in Grimsby in August 2011 after all other supply networks had closed down.

Nicholas Howarth (44), of Wing Drive, was sentenced to 13 years and four months in prison.

Gibson and Hampson were each sentenced to five years and nine months.

Fletcher received a 16-month prison sentence.

The operation to investigate and close down the drugs ring was conducted by police officers from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit – Serious Organised Crime (EMSOU-SOC) section.

Senior investigating officer DCI Joe Elliott, from EMSOU-SOC, said: “This was a large and complex investigation and the arrest and conviction of these men has stopped the supply of large amounts of cocaine coming onto the streets of Lincolnshire.

“This was a sophisticated crime group who were making large amounts of money from their enterprise.”

Norman Cooke can lay claim to the fact that the road where he lives, Broadgate, is five miles long.

Fortunately for him and his wife Betty though, they live opposite the village hall and so don’t have far to go when they need to post a letter.

The Post Office has been located at the hall on three mornings a week since the old one shut.

Sub-postmaster at Moulton Chapel Ken Kerr goes to the hall, taking a stock of food and household items as a service for villagers.

Ken says: “A lot of people are grateful and of course we deliver newspapers in the neighbourhood so we know a lot of people, which is one of the reasons we came here.”

The hall is also the venue for bingo sessions, short mat bowls, children’s parties and meetings of South Holland Phab, the physically handicapped and able bodied club.

On Friday, March 1 a race night is being held at the village hall (7.30pm) and tickets are £8, available from Anthony Casson.

Anthony is chairman of the parish council and village hall committee as well as being a school governor.

He admits the village is spread out, but says: “A school, village hall and pub are at the heart of any village.”

The other focal point is St John’s Church, which celebrates its 125th anniversary on November 9.

The church is currently raising money for church tower repairs and to have a toilet installed, so needs support for its flower festival in May and other events in the year.

New life has come to the site of a former plant and equipment provider in Bourne after its sale to a leading vehicle parts firm.

Aerodyne Equipment, which makes aerodynamic devices for lorries and other commercial vehicles, has paid £302,000 for a warehouse and yard in Tunnel Bank formerly owned by Trackline International Ltd.

The firm shut in March 2012 after going into administration, with the loss of 30 jobs.

But commercial estate agents acting for administrators Zolfo Cooper believe the deal represents good value for money and a boost for Bourne economically.

Paul Farrow, director at Savills Peterborough, said: “We are delighted to have attracted Aerodyne Equipment to Bourne as they were previously located in London.

“The unit at Tunnel Bank offers good value warehouse accommodation in the established Cherry Holt industrial area and we are very pleased with the price achieved for our client.”

Established in 1979, Aerodyne Equipment supplies its products to firms in the UK and overseas.

A Moulton Seas End man was one of three to appear in court in connection with the discovery of drugs worth more than £1million in two lorries.

Paul Summerfield (47), of Seas End Road, Moulton Seas End, George Horn (48), of Small End, Friskney, near Boston, and Kevin Elsey (52), of Waterside, Gravesend, in Kent, appeared at Leeds Magistrates’ Court following the drugs’ discovery on Tuesday.

One lorry was stopped in the Spalding area and a second in Cambridgeshire.

Summerfield and Elsey are charged with conspiracy to import Class A (Diamorphine) and conspiracy to supply Class A (Diamorphine) between February 2 and 6.

Summerfield and Horn are charged with conspiracy to import Class B (cannabis and cannabis resin) and conspiracy to supply Class B (cannabis and cannabis resin) between November 1 and February 6.

They have been remanded in custody and will appear before Leeds Crown Court on Thursday.

Broadgate Homes Ltd has made its home in Weston Hills for the past 40 years.

In that time it has grown from a business operated from the dining room of owner David Clarke’s house to a construction firm building as many as 250 new homes in a good year.

Now run by group chief executive Ian Canham, the business has firm roots in its beginnings. Construction manager Rob Mitchell has worked for Broadgate for 40 years and head of drawing office Simon Liquorish’s parents lived at Weston Hills, and Simon joined the firm straight from school.

Ian said: “Historically, we have got links with the village. I would say there have been a number of occasions when people have mooted the idea of moving, but it’s actually quite nice being here. It’s also good for the village to have a reasonable sized employer in its midsts.”

The firm is currently completing between 100 and 150 properties, but the group has other interests, such as care homes at Moulton and Crowland, and the administrative function is conducted at Weston Hills.

Broadgate Homes also sponsors Spalding Water Taxi, and Simon Clarke is taxi manager.

MP John Hayes believes churches may be forced to conduct gay weddings against their wishes if the same-sex marriage bill becomes law.

The South Holland and The Deepings MP was one of 136 Tories who voted against the bill on Tuesday – while his openly gay Conservative cabinet colleague, Bourne MP Nick Boles, supported it.

Energy minister Mr Hayes now hopes the bill is defeated in the House of Lords after it passed through the Commons by 400 votes to 175.

The bill is intended to have “safeguards” so religious ceremonies are only carried out with the consent of institutions like the Church of England. But Mr Hayes says: “You would have to have immense faith in the legislation not to think it will be challenged.”

He said individuals could mount challenges on the grounds that it discriminated against their rights.

“We have seen before how these exhortations of rights can cut against both commonsense and legislation,” he said. “There is at least a chance of that occurring.”

Mr Hayes said many wondered why Parliament was debating the issue at all when it wasn’t in the Conservative manifesto and there were so many other important issues.

“It’s the wrong move at the wrong time,” he said. “It’s the wrong move because it redefines marriage.”

Mr Hayes says he’s had hundred of letters from constituents opposed to gay marriage – and only a few from supporters.

He said: “I think marriage should be between one man and one woman and that’s the assessment that’s underpinned the institution of marriage for all of time and obviously, in a Christian country, we draw on the Christian message in that respect and rightly so.”

Mr Boles was not available yesterday.

In 2011 the MP entered into a civil partnership ceremony with his partner Shay Meshulam.

The Vicar of Spalding, the Rev John Bennett, gave a careful welcome to the vote but says the Church of England remains opposed to conducting same-sex marriages.

He said: “I welcome any measure that will encourage and support strong relationships based on loving commitment between two people.

“I also believe that the Church of England is right to be cautious about the definition of marriage, which may have unintended consequences for families and for children.”

“I don’t know whether same-sex relationships are going to be as stable in the long term as heterosexual relationships.”

While the Church of England’s ruling body is against same-sex marriages in churches Mr Bennett says opinion among clergy is divided between those who would “happily marry a gay couple tomorrow to those who would rather die first”.

• Gay marriage campaigner Suzi Paddison (19) collected more than 100 signatures in Spalding on Boxing Day from those who opposed Mr Hayes’s stance on gay marriage.

A village youth club which provides a “haven” for up to 100 children has closed its doors over an ongoing row with a playgroup.

Rainbows Playgroup in Gosberton faced an uncertain start to the new year when it was locked out of the hall it shared with the youth club.

Tension boiled over between Rainbows and one of the trustees of the youth club after playgroup leaders refused to sign a new contract until it had assurances minor repair works would be carried out to the hall.

Other trustees, including two village vicars Steve Weatherly-Barton and the Rev Ian Walters, stepped in to help resolve the problem as the playgroup were forced into a temporary home.

But under Ofsted regulations the playgroup was only allowed to operate from there for a couple of weeks and fears grew it could have to close unless an answer was found.

But, at the 11th hour, the locks were changed again on the hall and the playgroup allowed back in – but since then the youth club has closed its doors, seemingly in protest, despite playgroup owner Jane Houghton expressing a desire to work with them for the good of the village.

Mr Weatherly-Barton said: “It is a most unfortunate situation and if you ask me why the youth club has closed my honest answer is I don’t know.

“It’s really sad because the youth club has about 100 children on its books and there are regularly 50 or 60 children at each session. For many it is a haven.

“But there has been a breakdown in the relationship between the two groups and we are now working on it, hoping to set up a meeting with representatives of both groups and expert mediators to try to find a solution.

“We are really hoping that it is going to be sorted out soon because the current situation is not good for the young people and there is a lot of tension in the village.”

A driver and passenger were taken to hospital with serious head injuries after a crash this morning on the A16 at Wyberton.

The accident happened cloe to the junction with Saundergate Lane at 5.40am after a blue Peugeot 306 collided with the central reservation.

The driver was a 27-year-old man and the passenger a 29-year-old woman, both from Boston, and they were taken to Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital.

The crash closed the road between the Kirton and ATS roundabouts.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or saw the car beforehand should call the Collision Witness Hotline on 01522 558855.

High-flying Spalding Poachers 1st came from behind to bag a 5-3 victory at Cambs City 3rd in East Women’s League Division 2NW.

After the early setback, Kelly Slater scored from the top of the D to level, before player-of-the-match Emma Dalton put them ahead from a short corner. Jacqui Hunter laid on number three for Dalton just after the break, only for Cambs to immediately hit back.

Poachers nipped any chance of a City comeback in the bud though, as Slater and Karen Breen both netted to wrap-up the points.

Long Sutton Ladies’ 1st were beaten 6-2 by Ipswich 2nd in 1N. Leanne Woodhead had them level at 1-1, with Jeorgia Carr netting the other Sutton strike.

Elsewhere, Spalding Poachers 2nd were edged out 3-2 by Oundle 1st in Cambs Ladies’ League Premier Division.

Roz Dennis and EvaKeyes twice had Spalding level at 1-1 and 2-2, but it wasn’t enough.

In Cambs Division Two, Spalding 3rd picked up a 2-2 draw with March 1st. After falling behind early on, Alex Allwright equalised for Spalding and debutant Hannah Albans put them ahead at 2-1.

But a last-gasp goal denied them a deserved victory.

Long Sutton Ladies’ 2nd went down 4-1 to Skegness 1st, despite captain Lisa Baker putting them ahead early on.

• Long Sutton’s mixed side edged out their Spalding counterparts 5-4 in round one of the England Hockey Mixed Cup on Sunday.

Hosts Sutton went ahead with a fortuitous Sam Howitt own goal – and the free-scoring Nick Bailey added a second to make it 2-0. Spalding

battled back as Michael Morris crossed for Jacqui Hunter to score, but Bailey made it 3-1 at the break.

Amazingly Spalding went 4-3 ahead in the second period through Morris (2) and Hunter, but Sutton won it thanks to goals from Jimmy Harrison and skipper Danny Sisson.

Spalding RFC’s under-14s picked up an impressive 30-7 win over Southwell in the third leg of the NLD competition.

The bitterly cold wind had an effect on both teams early on, but Will Fletcher’s short drive from a lineout was a sign of things to come.
It took Spalding five minutes to establish a position inside the Southwell 22, with a scrum ten metres from the line. The ball was quickly passed along the line for Jordan Searle to score an unconverted try in the corner.
The restart kick was gathered by Fletcher, who set off on a storming 40 metre charge to the Southwell 22. That set up a ruck from which Alex Worth was able to finish with a try.
Southwell then had a period of dominance, but Town’s young guns managed to peg them back into their 22. Following a scrum, the ball was quickly sent out to Searle to cross for his second try, again unconverted.
Spalding continued to press and another close quarter scrum saw a number of players involved before Fraser Leiper scrambled the ball over for another unconverted try, bringing the half time score to 20-0 in Town’s favour.
Spalding picked up where they left off after the break, as Worth broke clear from the scrum, almost making the line before an inside pass to Mark Hendy allowed him to finish off the move. Again the conversion was missed.
Southwell did get on the scoresheet, as they forced their way up to a scrum on the Spalding 22, from which their fly half sailed clean through the defence to run round behind the posts for a deserved converted try.
From the restart kick, Fletcher won the ball and Lewis set off on a charge before passing for Fletcher, who passed on for Worth to grab another unconverted try.

The final Spalding try saw Fletcher gather the ball from a lineout and race away to score another unconverted try.

A man accused of burglary and theft of property from a home in Holbeach was committed for trial at Lincoln Crown Court by Spalding magistrates on Thursday.

Mark Ebbs (34), of Battlefields Lane South, Holbeach, was given unconditional bail to hearing dates on March 8 and March 21

He is accused of entering a home in Market Rasen Way between May 6 and May 9 last year and stealing an iPod, iPhone, a mountain bike, fishing gear and tobacco, all of a value unknown.

If you are the owner of a car carrying a 10 registration plate you will need to arrange for it to have its first MOT test.

You also need to be aware of what this will entail.

Many motorists regard the MOT test as an ordeal, but however awful it may seem, the test exists for your protection.

It is the only statutory test for safety and environmental legislation so you should look on it as an important safety measure.

The MOT test is actually a very reassuring way to get your car checked over by an expert, to make sure it is safe for you to drive and to ensure that it also meets the legal requirements.

All vehicles three years and older need to be taken for an annual MOT test.

Since 1995, the MOT test has included an emissions output monitor to ensure that cars are not polluting our air excessively.

Hopefully you will have kept the car well-maintained from the day you bought it but there are still a few basic checks you can make before heading to your local MOT testing station.

The following may help:

INTERIOR

n Are the seats secure? Seatbelts should not be frayed

n Check the steering wheel for cracks and too much free play

n Make sure the boot is not cluttered and does not hinder the tester in any way

EXTERIOR

n Check your lights are in good working order, clean and not damaged

n Bear in mind that garages can refuse to test extremely dirty vehicles

n Tyres need a minimum tread of 1.6mm across two thirds of the tyre

n Cracked number plates could mean a failure

n Has the windscreen any damage?

MECHANICAL PARTS

n Is the horn working properly?

n The fuel cap must fit securely

n Is the exhaust making too much noise?

n Are the brakes working properly?

n Does the hand brake work properly?

n Are all the controls, such as indicators and switches, in working order?

If you are satisfied your car meets these requirements there is little need to panic, but do remember this list is by no means exhaustive.

There are other areas that need to be taken into account, such as under the car body checks, that are less obvious to general motorists. Make sure that your car is booked in well before the MOT is due.

These days the MOT test is designed to be customer friendly and testers should have an area where you can wait – or even watch – and then discuss the test and any issues that might come up in future.

Once the test is over and you have your pass certificate you can have peace of mind that your car is safer, cleaner and smoother to drive.

But remember that the test does not cover the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox and also bear in mind that it does not mean the vehicle is going to be roadworthy for the length of time that the certificate is valid – you still need to keep a close eye on it and check it in for a regular service to keep it in good order.

Long Sutton Cricket Club got their winter-nets under way on Sunday – and they had an award winner among their ranks.

Teen ace Ellie Burton picked up the under-15 girls’ fielding award at the Lincolnshire county awards ceremony.

Ellie (pictured front, centre) was selected for the county team last year, having only taken up the sport in 2011.
Sutton’s nets continue every Sunday at the Peele Leisure Centre (10am-noon) up until March, with all new faces welcome to join them.

• Sutton winter netters: Back (from left) – Phil Coote, Adam Wright, James Wright, Jake Burton, Barry Stanway, Matt Bull, Gary Burton, Jeremy Smith, Craig Milnes; front – Ian Morris, Steve Skoulding, Ellie Burton, Paul Edgeller, Aaron John and Jack Smith. Photo (TIM WILSON): SG:020213-340 (to order call 01775 765433).

• Pinchbeck Cricket Club also started their winter sessions on Wednesday, at Spalding Grammar School sports hall.

They are eager to attract new members and bolster the squad for 2013 division three campaign.

Anyone with an interest in playing cricket is encouraged to join the sessions, which take place from 6-8pm and continue weekly up to the start of the new season in mid April.

The net sessions will also be supported by a county coach. For further details and information contact Richard Riley on 07894 701772.

Shelley-Anne Dooney (23), of Fleet Road, Holbeach, denies stealing a mobile phone from a home in The Hollies, Holbeach.

She is on unconditional bail and will stand trial at Spalding Magistrates’ Court on May 2

Lincolnshire residents will face an increase in their council tax after the county’s Police and Crime Panel voted through new budget plans this afternoon (Thursday).

Lincolnshire residents will face an increase in their council tax after the county’s Police and Crime Panel voted through new budget plans this afternoon (Thursday).

The panel gave their backing to Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick’s proposed two per cent precept increase, as well as his Police and Crime Plan, at their meeting at Manby, near Louth.

During the near-three hour meeting, councillors representing every district and borough council in Lincolnshire grilled Mr Hardwick over the planned increase which will cost the average taxpayer an extra 6p per week.

Mr Hardwick, as well as Lincolnshire Police’s Chief Constable Neil Rhodes, explained how the force was at a ‘tipping point’ and had already squeezed every penny from their budgets.

The force has had to contend with massive cuts from central government, culminating in a £20million black hole by 2014/15.

In his Police and Crime Plan, which was voted through unanimously, the commissioner has pledged to keep 1,100 officers on the beat across the county, taking on another 23 in the near future.

He said he wanted ‘boots on the ground’ and promised to demonstrate that Lincolnshire Police was not ‘Lincoln central’.

Councillor Stephen Woodliffe, of Boston Borough Council, did propose that the precept increase be pegged at one per cent, but the vote was lost.

Afterwards, Alan Hardwick said: “I expected to be challenged and I expected my plan to be challenged, but at the end of the day the majority of the Police and Crime panel saw the wisdom of an increase which will mean an extra 6p per week for the vast majority of council tax payers in Lincolnshire.

“Money is short everywhere but I know with this two per cent increase and my other elements in my Police and Crime Plan that we can continue to keep Lincolnshire one of the safest counties in the country.”

A Spalding man denies failing to comply with a police direction to leave Westlode Street on January 20.

Romano White (28), of Hawthorn Bank, will stand trial before town magistrates on April 11. He is on bail.

Spalding RFC skipper Harry Sharman admits that his side need to win at rivals Market Rasen and Louth on Saturday (2.15pm).

Relegation-threatened Town are nine points behind their great rivals in Midlands One East – and a loss would leave them marooned in the bottom two.

Fly half Dave Hankinson remains absent, so 17-year-old Rhys Thompson will again start.

Sharman said: “I think we have to be looking to go there and win. If we don’t, a gap will start to open up and leave us struggling.

“We’ve played some decent stuff of late, so I’m confident. Obviously it’s not the end of our survival hopes if we don’t get a result, but it’s one of those fixtures we can target for points.

“Rasen had a cracking win over Ilkeston last time out, so that will have given them some confidence.

“It’s a blow that we’re still missing Dave Hankinson, but Rhys Thompson showed his potential last week. He has only just turned 17, but he was excellent against a very strong Peterborough Lions side.”

Runaway UCL Premier Division leaders Holbeach are bidding to clear another sizeable hurdle in their bid for the title on Saturday.

The Tigers welcome fourth-placed Quorn to Carter’s Park (3pm), as they bid to maintain their 14-point lead over St Ives.

The Leicestershire side are no longer considered title contenders after the sacking of Tommy Brookbanks and a consequent player exodus. They lost 3-0 at strugglers Sleaford Town last weekend and are some 20 points behind Holbeach.

Jason Turner, who is back with the Tigers after a brief stint with Kettering Town, is the only confirmed absentee for John Chand’s side, but keeper Leigh Overton is struggling with illness.

With three trophies still to play for the season, the Holbeach boss told the Spalding Guardian that he plans to keep four strikers on his books for the remainder of the season.

That means Turner, who scored on his return against Spalding United on Tuesday, will battle for a starting space with new signing Ashley Stevens, leading scorer Andrew Tidswell and the ever-impressive Tommy Treacher.

But Chand’s aware that every side will be out to deny his charges a historic Premier Division, UCL Cup and Lincs Senior Trophy treble.

“This is a big game,” admitted Chand. “Every team that plays us is going to raise their game and try to end our title bid, so we have to be prepared for that.

“I know they lost at Sleaford last weekend, but we can’t take them lightly.

”Having Jason back in the squad is a big boost, he’s the kind of striker you want at your club at the business end of the season.

“I’m confident that we can keep all four lads happy. There’s more than enough big games left to go around and the prospect of silverware is there for all of them.”

Should the Tigers beat Quorn, they’ll move 20 points clear of great rivals Spalding United.