The following decisions have been made recently 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 in these registers are taken from the legal records held by the magistrates’ courts. The details are given to the court by the defendant – but this may be some time after the original charge and they may have moved in the meantime.

Boston Magistrates’ Court

Jonas Barisauskas (27), of Bourne Road, Spalding. No insurance (Boston). £370 fine, £37 victim surcharge, £85 costs, 8pts. No separate penalty for licence offence.

Chelsea Bennett (23), of Union Lane, Oulton, Lowestoft. Speeding (Swineshead). £120 fine, £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, 6pts.

Barrie Brundell (44), of Derwent Drive, Peterborough. Speeding (Aslackby). £90 fine, £15 victim surcharge, £85 costs, 3pts.

Verity Jordan (33), of Jay Gardens, Norwich. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £60 fine, £15 victim surcharge, £25 costs, 3pts.

Dominic Seth (18), of Hallgate, Fleet. Licence offence. £40 fine, £15 victim surcharge, £43 costs, 4pts.

Atis Silavs (26), of Commercial Road, Spalding. Driving without due care and attention. £85 fine, £15 victim surcharge, £43 costs, 3pts.

John Smith (34), of Euston Way, South Wootton. Speeding (Tydd Gote). £60 fine, £20 victim surcharge, £25 costs, 3pts. No separate penalty for no seat belt.

Lisa Watson (38), of High Street, Swineshead. Excess alcohol 92 microgrammes (Boston). £60 fine,disqualified from driving for 24 months, can be reduced by six months on completion of rehabilitation course.

Robert Caddy (38), of Sandpiper Drive, Peterborough. No insurance (Wyberton). £600 fine, £60 victim surcharge, £85 costs, 6pts.

Thomas Flood (25), of High Street, Holbeach. No insurance. £140 fine, £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for licence offence.

Terry Gray (27), of Kirkgate, Tydd St Giles. No insurance (Holbeach). £600 fine, £60 victim surcharge, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for no MOT.

Vaughan Murray (51), of Pennygate, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £300 fine, £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, 6pts.

Christine Rayner (34), of Stratton Close, Heathlands, Swaffham. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £200 fine, £15 victim surcharge, £85 costs, 3pts.

Sharon Thompson (51), of Barretts Close, Holbeach. No insurance (Wyberton). £85 fine, £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for failing to produce insurance.

Stephen Baker (43), of Moons Green, Moulton. Failing to provide driver ID. £600 fine, £60 victim surcharge, £85 costs. Disqualified for driving for six months.

Michelle Chapman (36), of High Street, Bicker. Speeding (Swineshead). £60 fine, £15 victim surcharge, £85 costs, 6pts.

Mark Drury (38), Reed Point, Sutterton. No MOT. £50 fine, £20 victim surcharge, £50 costs.

Vaida Janusauskiene (26), of London Road, Frampton. Untaxed vehicle. £200 fine, £90 costs, back duty £18.34.

Michael Surridge, of Roman Bank, Algarkirk. Untaxed vehicle. £200 fine, £90 costs, back duty £18.34.

Kevin Weston, of Haff Close, Swineshead. Failed to notify change of vehicle ownership. £200 fine, £15 victim surcharge, £90 costs.

Joseph Tuplin (18), of Abbey Road, Swineshead. In charge of vehicle while unfit through drink (Boston). £125 fine, £20 victim surcharge £85 costs, disqualified for holding a licence for six months.

Skegness Magistrates’ Court

Stephen Hart (62), of Quadring Bank, Quadring. Breach of restraining order. Discharged conditionally for 12 months, £15 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Optics and eye healthcare run in the family which took over Spalding’s long-established Eye Care Centre nine years ago.

Both Katie Eastwood’s parents, Geoff and Diane Eastwood, qualified as dispensing opticians in the 1970s, and Katie herself joined them in 2005 as one of the business’ three optometrists.

She now carries out eye tests and prescribes for spectacles in the practice at 6 Sheepmarket two days a week, on Monday and Friday, alternating with fellow professionals Nina Mehmed and Marcia Jackson.

Katie said: “I learnt about all the exciting developments in optics growing up with both parents working in the field, so I had no trouble choosing my career. I went to Bradford University to study optometry straight from school. I qualified ten years ago but the learning didn’t stop there.

“At The Eye Care Centre we’re all constantly keeping abreast of the latest developments in the science and technology, but at the same time it’s a really friendly place to our many regular patients and welcoming to new faces.”

In fact every member of staff who sees clients about their spectacles at The Eye Care Centre is a qualified professional, at a time when deregulation allows opticians to employ unqualified people.

Katie’s father Geoff, a contact lens specialist, supervised both the other opticians working in the practice in their training. They are contact lens optician Jackie Lansell and dispensing optician Sue Brocklesby. While contact lens work typically makes up just 20 percent of the business of most opticians, it makes up a much higher proportion at The Eye Care Centre.

The practice also benefits from the expertise of two experienced lab technicians, Rob Clark and Kevin Davison. This means that spectacle frames are glazed on the premises for extra precision, and customers’ glasses can be repaired on the spot too.

l The Eye Care Centre, 6 Sheepmarket, Spalding, PE11 1BH. Telephone 01775 722141, www.eyecarecentrelincolnshire.co.uk

Regional accountancy firm Bulley Davey offers far more than its traditional auditing, accounting and tax services from its offices at Spalding and Holbeach.

Professional staff, based throughout Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, also provide advice to their clients on improving and developing the way they run both personal and business finances.

Managers at the Spalding office, Paul Jex and Kelley Dobbs, have built up long relationships with clients - in Paul’s case over more than 40 years.

A member of the Association of Accounting Technicians, Paul deals with individuals, particularly farmers, and small businesses, advising on tax affairs and accounts.

He said: “Clients ring me up at all times of year, not just when it’s time to fill in tax returns, to find out the implications of decisions before they act.

“Here in the Spalding office we have licensed wealth management advisers and two partners with a range of specialist knowledge so we can offer a comprehensive service.”

Kelley, who joined Bulley Davey at Spalding in 2003 and qualified in 2007 as a member of the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants, is engaged with a full range of clients some of whom are starting up their own businesses.

She said: “People can be good at what they do yet have no idea how to start or run a business. I’ve been able to help with that.”

Chris McKenna, a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, is manager at Bulley Davey’s Holbeach office, which recently expanded to keep up with demand.

Chris, an intern at the Spalding office while studying at Nottingham University, joined the firm after graduating and qualified in 2007.

After gaining experience in the Peterborough office auditing companies with turnover above £6 million, he returned to South Holland where he’s maintained his relationship with the same companies, concentrating on management, accounts and systems.

Chris works with a full range of owner-managed businesses from start-ups to larger corporates.

He said: “Businesses are looking now at changing systems and improving efficiencies and through the use of research and development we can advise on the tax savings available.”

* Bulley Davey, 1-4 London Road, Spalding, PE11 2TA. Telephone 01775 766633.

* Bulley Davey, 2-3 Wrights Mews, Park Road, Holbeach, PE12 7EE. Telephone 01406 424017

There was much that was familiar about George Osborne’s fourth Budget as many of his announcements had already been revealed in his Autumn Statement in December. The Chancellor did nevertheless manage to produce some surprises despite the economic constraints.

With the 2013 growth forecast halved to just 0.6 per cent, the tax give-aways, such as they were, were balanced by either extra revenue or reduced spending. The move to a £10,000 personal allowance, from 2014/15 and a single corporation tax rate of 20 per cent, from 2015, weren’t unexpected but were very welcome.

The Chancellor’s stated aim is for the UK to be the best place in Europe to start, finance and grow a business. The initiation of the Patent Box and the exemption of AIM shares from stamp duty illustrate his intention to meet these goals. The new £2,000 Employment Allowance from 2014 (which will be of most value to small businesses) was not foreseen, but was also welcome. It will be financed by the extra income from NICs that the single-tier pension will bring in from 2016/17, a year earlier than previously planned.

o Personal allowance increased to £10,000 in 2014/15 and the higher rate threshold increased by £415 to £41,865.

o A new tax-free childcare scheme, phased in from autumn 2015, to provide 20 per cent of childcare costs up to £6,000 per child per year, for children under age 12.

o The new single-tier state pension to be introduced from April 2016.

o A £2,000 Employment Allowance for businesses and charities to set against their employer national insurance contributions from April 2014.

o A single rate of corporation tax of 20 per cent for companies from April 2015.

o Stamp duty to be abolished for shares listed on exchanges such as AIM from April 2014.

o A limited one year extension of capital gains tax reinvestment relief for Seed Enterprise Investment Schemes.

o A package of measures to increase the supply of low-deposit mortgages for credit-worthy households including a government-backed mortgage guarantee scheme from January 2014.

o A raft of specific anti-avoidance measures alongside the new General Anti Abuse Rule (GAAR).

Foreign nationals in South Holland are not being given priority in the social housing waiting list, in spite of national statistics showing a 40 per cent increase in such lettings.

A spokesman said of the 3,872 tenancies in the district, just 56 (1.5 per cent) are classed as foreign nationals.

He said: “There is considerable demand for social housing but equally a shortage of supply and therefore it is paramount that homes are provided on a fair and equitable basis.

“All applications to the council’s housing register are robustly checked. This includes looking to see if they have a connection with the district, their current circumstances, if they have accommodation elsewhere and assessing whether they are entitled to any assistance.”

Prime Minister David Cameron announced a crackdown on social lettings to migrants this week, claiming he would end the “culture of something for nothing” and encourage councils to give locals priority over housing.

However, according to an immigration protestor, the Government’s latest announcement is “too little too late”.

Bob McAuley, of the Boston Protest Group supporting next month’s demonstration in Spalding, said the crackdown on immigration was the action of “a Prime Minister running scared”. He said: “The Prime Minister needs to stand up to the European Union (EU) now. He’s just trying to appease voters.”

Plans are progressing for the demonstration in Spalding on Sunday, April 20. Mr McAuley, said: “It will be a peaceful, organised and civilised static meeting.”

Councillors have been instructed to look again at a compensation offer to a developer at the centre of a long-running legal wrangle over a housing estate.

South Holland District Council had offered £50,000 to Nestwood Homes after accepting an Ombudsman’s report accusing it of maladministration over a planning application dating back to 2008.

But a new Ombudsman’s report suggests the sum is not reasonable and that the council has allowed financial considerations to override other more important considerations.

The saga dates back to 2008 when the district council ordered Nestwood Homes to pull down four new houses and three garages on a new development at Fleet Hargate after neighbours complained the development was built at a higher ground level than it should have been.

Nestwood Homes appealed and the planning inspectorate ruled in its favour.

The Ombudsman suggested compensation of £260,00 – made up of £214,053 plus interest for Nestwood’s costs and charges arising from the maladministration, £25,000 for loss of opportunity to achieve high sales proceeds and £25,000 to the director in respect of the stress, strain and damage to his reputation.

In July last year councillors agreed to accept the Ombudsman’s report and offer a sincere apology to Nestwoods and its director for the maladministration and loss suffered, but said because of financial pressures it would offer just £50,000, including interest.

The latest Ombudsman’s report reads: “The council does not appear to have asked itself the right questions in considering the Ombudsman’s report – namely whether, given the nature of the maladministration and the injustice caused, the amount of the recommended payment was fair and reasonable.”

Councillors will consider the report at the full council meeting in May.

Another parish councillor in South Holland has raised doubts about plans for volunteer “village constables” in the county.

Another parish councillor in South Holland has raised doubts about plans for volunteer “village constables” in the county.

Crowland Parish Council vice chairman Ros Knight said more police officers should be put on the streets in place of plans put forward by Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick to recruit 1,000 volunteer Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

His plans were slammed as “poorly thought out” by Holbeach Parish Council chairman Peter Savory and like him, Coun Knight highlighted the fact parishioners are already funding the county’s police force through council tax.

She said: “It’s difficult to make detailed comments when we only have an outline of Mr Hardwick’s idea, but the community already pays for policing and we need more police officers rather than PCSOs whose powers are limited.

“Instead of becoming PCSOs, new volunteers could extend the coverage of existing Neighbourhood Watch schemes.”

Coun Knight added that Mr Hardwick will be invited to discuss his idea with Crowland Neighbourhood Panel at a meeting later this year.

Projects to improve quality of life for villagers could be on the cards as a well-off council looks to splash the cash.

At a meeting of Pinchbeck Parish Council on Monday, chairman Andrew Bowser outlined the council’s financial position and said he hoped it was on its way to being self-funding.

That could be good news for residents who could see a zero parish precept contribution to their council tax bills in future.

Coun Bowser told members the council is currently in a healthy position as it has income from large areas of farmland.

It could also be in line for £100,000 section106 money from Spalding Power Station, £40,000 a year if a wind farm goes ahead in West Pinchbeck, £80,000 if plans for homes in Wardentree Lane are granted and £54,000 from the sale of land to Pinchbeck’s new Community Land Trust, which aims to provide 14 new homes in the parish.

The parish council currently has an annual budget between £50,000 and £60,000 to provide services, such as grass-cutting.

Mr Bowser said: “We are well on our way to being self-funding while still improving facilities.”

One project which could benefit is the provision of play equipment at two playing fields.

Swings and slides for young children could be built on Glebe Park, while equipment for older children is on the cards at Rotten Row playing field.

Coun Maurice Chappell also asked for the council’s support for West Pinchbeck’s school, which is hoping to resurface a car park at Leaveslake Drove used by parents.

He said the work would cost about £2,500.

Members agreed to offer financial support.

Coun Bowser said: “It would be wrong for the parish council to have that much money and not spend it on providing better facilities for residents.”

Questions have been raised over whether there is a demand for new housing planned for a South Holland village.

Larkfleet Homes has been asking for public feedback on its plans to build 163 new homes on land off Wardentree Lane, Pinchbeck.

A third of the homes will be “affordable”, leaving more than 100 to be sold on the open market.

But at a meeting of Pinchbeck Parish Council on Monday, a representative of the developer was questioned over whether he believed they would be able to sell the “market value” homes in such a tough economic climate.

Coun Chris Bettinson said: “The only people I have known to move house just lately have been moving to affordable houses, so I don’t know where you are going to fill 100 houses when local wages are so low.

“I think you may need to change your expectations on the percentage of affordable homes.”

Richard Astle, for Larkfleet, said the developer was confident there was a huge demand for housing in the area.

Other concerns raised by councillors included the impact of more homes on the village school and local health services.

Traffic worries were also raised as the plans for the development currently only include one access onto the already busy Wardentree Lane.

Mr Astle said the developer had considered a second access onto Enterprise Way, but feedback showed residents were split, with some fearing it would cause the estate to become a “rat run”.

Instead he said there would possibly be a bollarded access for use by emergency vehicles.

The development would be a mixture of two, three, four and five bedroom houses and bungalows and could result in a £81,000 windfall for Pinchbeck as the developer would provide £500 for each new home to be spent for the benefit of the community.

A ground-breaking community library in Sutton Bridge could become the role model for others to follow.

The library at The Curlew Centre, in Bridge Road, is the first of its kind in Lincolnshire to be set up and run entirely by volunteers and has just celebrated its first anniversary.

It had nearly 70 visitors on its first day – 50 joined on the spot – and there have been almost 5,000 visitors since then.

County, district and parish councillor Chris Brewis helped coordinate the volunteers as they set up the library and there’s now a 20-strong team of helpers who man the desk so people can borrow books or use a computer.

Coun Brewis has now been asked to write a leaflet for Lincolnshire County Council, which will act as a blueprint for anyone setting up a similar venture.

He said: “It will be about things you should do and things you shouldn’t do, all the things to avoid if you open a volunteer library because we have probably made as many mistakes as anybody.”

The library has a collection of books on loan from the county council, rotating the stock to keep it fresh, books in large print for the elderly and a wide selection of top quality, donated books.

The search is still on to find former flower queens to take part in the final Spalding Flower Parade on Saturday, May 4.

Organisers Kenyon Communications want former queens to help celebrate the 55th Parade.

So if you have previously held the title they would love to hear from you and hope you and a guest may be able to join them for the parade luncheon and to take part in the procession on the big day.

Perhaps you know one of the former queens? If so, please let them know that Kenyon are looking for them and ask them to get in touch.

The floats will be on view from 9am at the Springfields Events Centre.

The parade will leave the arena at 2pm to make its way through the town along the historic river stretch in front of Ayscoughfee Hall, through the Market Place and along Pinchbeck Road and West Elloe Avenue to culminate back at Springfields.

Follow the parade on Twitter (@flowerparade) and Facebook (SpaldingFlowerParade) for updates or visit www.spalding-flower-parade.org.uk

Contact Kenyon Communications on 01673 828764 or 07708 690707 or email sue@kenyon-communications.com

At this stage we have no contact details for the following:

1954 Pat Stacey, 1956 Janice Grimwood, 1957 Norma Foulsham, 1958 Janet Bray, 1959 Jill Whitehouse. 1960 Wendy Smith, 1961 Nora Woods, 1962 June Green, 1963 Rose Crunkhorn, 1965 Monica Thacker, 1966 Dawn Stockdale, 1967 Eileen Favell, 1970 Jane Hazeldene, 1971 Susan Martin, 1972 Audrey Spriggs, 1975 Elaine Packard, 1976 Kim Waters, 1979 Mandy Adcock, 1980 Valerie Whitworth, 1981 Geraldine Davis, 1982 Doreen Marray, 1984 Sharon Holmes, 1985 Helen Drake, 1987 Lisa O’Dell, 1988 Sally Atkins, 1990 Helen Walsh, 1991 Vicki Wadsworth, 2000 Alison Reed, 2001 Claire Collins, 2002 Claire Platt.

UCL Premier Division leaders Holbeach United produced one of their best performances of the season as they romped to a 6-1 win at Huntingdon Town on Saturday, while Spalding United eased to a 3-0 home win over Shepshed Dynamo and Deeping Rangers were held 1-1 by Yaxley.

Billed as one of the toughest games in their run-in, Holbeach would perhaps have been happy to return home from Jubilee Park with a point.

But a devastating display, inspired by a second-half hat-trick from leading scorer Andrew Tidswell, keeps the Tigers 11 points clear at the summit.

They couldn’t have made a better start, with Wes Lewis tapping in a third-minute opener after a cracking run and cross from Craig Parker.

Huntingdon were always a threat in the first period though – and they levelled when Declan Rogers curled a stunning free kick into the top corner on 45 minutes.

It failed to derail John Chand’s side however, with Tidswell netting his first from a Dan Flack cross ten minutes into the second period.

Tidswell’s second was the pick of his trio, racing down the left to lob home superbly in the 68th minute. He then wrapped up his hat-trick with a penalty (73) after winning the spot-kick himself.

With Holbeach now in dream land, a Lewis delivery allowed Mitch Griffiths to cap a super individual showing with a clinical fifth (75) before Craig Parker completed a remarkable display with the sixth direct from a corner in the final minute.

With second-placed St Ives Town mauling Blackstones 8-3, it’s as you were at the top ahead of the Easter Monday football.

Spalding, who host Holbeach on Monday, kept their outside chances of landing the title alive with a comfortable success over Shepshed at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.

Skipper Lee Canoville, TJ Nightingale and the on-song Dan Cotton notched the goals to keep Pat Rayment’s men 17 points off top spot with four games in hand.

Meanwhile, Deeping were held by rivals Yaxley at Outgang Road. Tom James gave Tuncay Korkmaz’s charges a 15th-minute advantage from the penalty spot, only for veteran Ricky Hailstone to level matters late in the first half (44).

Down in UCL Division One, Bourne Town needed a last-gasp John Currall strike to rescue a 3-3 draw with Rothwell Corinthians. Dan Smith and Tom Waumsley had put the Wakes 2-0 ahead in the Abbey Lawn clash.

In the Peterborough and District League, Moulton Harrox moved level on points with leaders Peterborough Sports with a 2-0 win at Kings Cliffe. They was hot on the heels of Thursday’s 6-0 win at Ramsey Town.

Pinchbeck United were also winners in the top flight, seeing off Leverington Sports 3-1 at home.

Down in Division One, Long Sutton Athletic’s title hopes took a massive hit after a 5-1 battering at Thorney.

More football in Tuesday’s Lincolnshire Free Press.

RESULTS (Saturday, March 30)

• UCL Premier Division: Boston Town 2 Cogenhoe United 0; Deeping Rangers 1 Yaxley 1; Harborough Town 1 Peterborough Northern Star 1; Huntingdon Town 1 Holbeach United 6; Quorn 2 AFC Kempston Rovers 0; Spalding United 3 Shepshed Dynamo 0; St Ives Town 8 Blackstones 3.

• UCL Division One: AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2 Oadby Town 2; Bourne Town 3 Rothwell Corinthians 3; Eynesbury Rovers 4 Bugbrooke St Michaels 2; Northampton Sileby Rangers 2 Harrowby United 0; Northampton Spencer 2 Raunds Town 1; Potton United 2 Burton Park Wanderers 0; Wellingborough Whitworth 2 Rushden and Higham United 4; Wootton Blue Cross 2 Thrapston Town 6.

• Peterborough & District League: Premier Division: Kings Cliffe United 0 Moulton Harrox 2; Pinchbeck United 3 Leverington Sports 1; Ramsey Town 0 Parson Drove 5; Riverside Rovers 4 Whittlesey United 4; Whittlesey Blue Star 2 Coates Athletic 3.

Division One: Ketton 2 Hampton Sport 2; Moulton Harrox Res 0 Langtoft United 2; Netherton United Res 4 Farcet United 1; Ryhall United 1 Maccasports 1; Sutton Bridge United 0 Sawtry 8; Thorney 5 Long Sutton Athletic 1.

Division Two: Guyhirn 4 Peterborough ICA Sports Reserves 1; Peterborough Rovers Post 2 Deeping Rangers A 2.

Division Three: Baston 2 Peterborough ICA Sports A 1; Coates Athletic Reserves 5 Parkside 1; Netherton United A 5 Alconbury 3.

Division Four: Farcet United Reserves 4 Sawtry Reserves 3; Leverington Sports A 7 Wittering 2; Parkway Eagles 0 Ryhall United Reserves 1; Stamford Belvedere Reserves 0 Stilton United Reserves 1.

Division Five: Gaultree 0 Holbeach United A 3; Hampton Sport Reserves 1 AFC Peterborough 2; Ryhall United A 2 Glinton United 0.

• The Intermediate Shield: Oundle Town 3 Pinchbeck United Reserves 0; Whittlesey United Res 2 Crowland Town Res 0.

• The League Shield: Ketton Reserves 0 Riverside Rovers Reserves 1; Peterborough Giants 2 Thorney Reserves 4; Peterborough Sport Parkway A 2 Oakham United A 3.

• Boston & District League: Premier Division: Benington 0 Old Leake 3; Billinghay Athletic 5 Old Doningtonians 0; Fishtoft 1 Swineshead Institute 1; Spilsby Town 1 Wyberton 2.

Divison One: Spalding Town 0 Spalding Harriers 3; Wainfleet Utd 4 Billinghay Ath Res 3; Woodhall Spa Utd 1 Coningsby 3; Wyberton Res 1 Wrangle Utd 3.

Division Two: Coningsby Res 3 Old Doningtonians Res 3; Fosdyke 1 Kirton Town Res 1; Mareham Utd Res 1 Leverton 2; Nelson 6 Fishtoft Res 0; Ruskington Rovers 6 Park Utd 1; Sutterton 2 Westside Rangers 0.

Division Three: Burgh Utd 4 Benington Res 3; Spilsby Town Res 1 FC Hammers 0; Swineshead Res 8 Tulip 1.

Spalding RFC slipped back into the Midlands One East drop zone on Saturday after suffering a 34-16 loss at Towcestrians.

With Kettering battering Market Bosworth 45-0 in the big relegation battle of the day, Town slip behind them into the bottom three.

However, Spalding are just a point behind Market Bosworth with three games left – and do have them and basement boys Loughborough still to play.

See Tuesday’s Lincolnshire Free Press for a full report.

• Results: Midlands One East: Kettering 45 Market Bosworth 0; Matlock 47 Market Rasen & Louth 24; Old Northamptonians 40 Newark 7; Paviors 71 Loughborough 26; Peterborough Lions 32 Ilkeston 10; Towcestrians 34 Spalding 16.

Rarely in the history of the storied rivalry between Spalding United and Holbeach United will there have been a bigger game than on Easter Monday.

The title-chasing duo clash in the UCL Premier Division, with leaders Holbeach 17 points clear of the third-placed Tulips after Saturday’s fixtures.

For hosts Spalding it’s win or bust as far as their title dreams are concerned, while the Tigers can strengthen their grip on what would be a first championship in a decade. Tulips chief Pat Rayment feels his side can still pip their great rivals ahead of the third South Holland clasico of the season – but knows that a defeat will spell curtains for their title dream.

He said: “The simple fact is, if we don’t beat Holbeach we can forget about the title.

“Our objective is to gain promotion, so the title isn’t the be all and end all. But if we can beat Holbeach, I still think we’ve got every chance of catching them.

“In the past, they’ve always looked more of a team than us and that’s usually why they’ve won. We’ve gelled a lot in recent weeks and I’d hope it’ll be different this time.”

It’s not quite so clear-cut for the Tigers, who have won the previous two meetings so far this season.

Boss John Chand said: “I’d agree with Pat, they have to beat us. These games are always close and a draw wouldn’t be the end of the world for us, but we’ll be looking to go for the kill and beat them.

“I could never send a team out just to draw.”

Holbeach could welcome back skipper Jamie Stevens after his hamstring injury, but Rob Hughes remains absent.

Spalding are without midfielder Danny Steadman, who could miss the season with a broken foot.

The other Easter Monday fixtures see Deeping Rangers visit Blackstones and Bourne Town make the trip to Harrowby United.

All matches kick off at 3pm, with live updates via @LFPSport on Twitter.

We’ll have a round-up of all the matches online on Monday evening and reports, reaction and pictures in Thursday’s Spalding Guardian.

A new solar farm that will power hundreds of homes in Bourne has been hooked to the national grid – in spite of a local farmer still pondering over whether to let a cable connection run through his land.

Final testing of Lark Energy’s 20,000 5.6MWp solar panels at Limes Farm in Spalding Road, Twenty, took place on Thursday.

Managing director Jonathan Selwyn said: “We are delighted the solar farm is now producing clean energy – enough to power about 1,400 homes. It is one of the biggest in the country.

“Construction started in January and it has been a challenge completing it so quickly in such muddy conditions.”

The farm covering 30 acres has been connected to the national grid via overhead lines, with “alternative routes” under discussion.

Mr Selwyn said: “Although the panels are in place and generating power, there is still some landscaping to be done.

“The land will also be put back to agriculture as we will be re-seeding it so sheep can graze on it.”

Neville Bish farms the neighbouring Mason’s Farm and says he has been wrestling with his conscience about whether to allow cabling through his land and accept substantial compensation.

Mr Bish said: “I’ve always been against any development taking good arable land out of production. Energy farms are ruining land for a fast buck.

“There’s a world food shortage – it just doesn’t make sense. I’m just pleased I don’t have to drive past it. It looks like a load of plasma screens. The wire fencing looks like Colditz.

“It’s so alien to its natural environment. We’re never going to see birds, foxes or badgers on there again.

“So you see why it’s so hard for me to decide what to do. But if I don’t allow it they will go round, so maybe I will say yes and donate some money to charity.”

Burglars broke into a house in Pinchbeck Road, Spalding on Saturday.

The incident happened between 9am and 8pm when thieves got in through the back garden. Anyone with information should contact Lincolnshire Police on 101.

PHARAOH’S WHISPER

King’s Lynn Corn Exchange

Youngsters from the Long-Sutton based Backstage Academy thrilled a packed audience on Saturday evening.

Performing an original composition by Backstage director Helen Weekley, their dancing and singing was spot on.

The all-girl cast ranged in age from eight to 19-years-old, with 17-year-old Gintare Auglyte stealing the show as Cleopatra, including a brave, spine-tingling encore of love ballad “The End of the World”, after her original effort at the start of the show had been marred by a sound problem.

All the cast shone, but the confidence and ability of 11-year-old Maisie Pratt as Tutankhamen and 10-year-old Kirsty Wattam as Nephthys stood out for me.

But this wasn’t about individuals. It was about a group of dedicated youngsters working hard to put on a great show... and succeeding.

Jeremy Ransome

Neil Rhodes will continue as Temporary Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police it was confirmed today.

After discussions over the weekend, the Commissioner Alan Hardwick and Temporary Chief Constable Neil Rhodes have jointly agreed that the best interests of Lincolnshire Police would be served by Neil Rhodes continuing in his role.

He would continue until the completion of the investigation into allegations about his conduct and any consequent procedures were complete.

The recruitment of a permanent Chief Constable would also be delayed pending this outcome. In reaching this agreement the importance of stability in the leadership of the force was the primary concern.

Aspiring journalist Emily Whitfield (18) will be supplying a regular column for Spalding Today on her favourite topic - make up.

Her first column offers advice on how to achieve the perfect fake tan.

Over the last year I’ve tried three different self-tanning for one that looks natural and doesn’t streak or put orange blotches on my body.

The first was Dove Summer Glow Moisturiser.

It smelled nice as I put it on and didn’t leave streaks on me, however as it was only a tinted moisturiser I found that I barely noticed a change unless I actually put the cream on three times before going to bed and then let it develop overnight, which unfortunately left me with orange elbows and knees.

The next product that I used was the St Tropez gradual tanning cream (light/medium) and I found that this was much better quality.

£15 on one 200ml bottle of product was a splurge but I wanted to find the perfect brand.

This decision was a good one – I only had to apply the tan once and let it develop overnight and the result was great; I was naturally-looking tanned.

I used St Tropez for a while before deciding that I couldn’t afford the product.

I changed to a mousse next to avoid more orange hands and elbows.

St Moriz Instant Self-Tanning Mousse (medium) went on very easily with a tanning mitt and the colour was instant.

I found that leaving it to develop for a couple of hours then showering it off and sleeping on it produced the best results.

St Moriz is the product that I am using now, and have been for the last six months.

It is just a fraction of the price of St Tropez and it works almost as well.

It’s perfect for a quick-fix tan just before going out as well as the colour goes on instantly.

Police covering Bourne and The Deepings face a major challenge to cut the number of burglaries and thefts from vehicles in the area – although reported crime overall has dropped by ten per cent.

Figures from Lincolnshire Police for Stamford district, including Bourne and The Deepings, show that violent crime fell by just over five per cent in 2012-13 compared to the same period last year.

Serious sexual assaults were down by more than 22 per cent, other sexual offences fell by just over 27 per cent, burglaries of business premises fell by just over 19 per cent and there was a big fall of almost 70 per cent in the number of reported arson cases.

Other cases of criminal damage went down by six per cent, while fraud and forgery crime fell by almost 22 per cent.

But worryingly for the police, domestic burglaries jumped almost 28 per cent from 97 cases last year to 124 for the same period this year and a similar picture emerged for theft from vehicles which went up by 54 from 197 last year to 251 this year.

Insp Mike Burnett, local policing area inspector for Stamford district, said: “Overall, we have seen a generally good year with crime falling by around ten per cent.

“But there were a couple of obvious exceptions, particularly burglary and theft from vehicles.

“We saw a series of burglaries in April and May in the Deepings area where an offender was arrested and charged in relation to the offences.

“There was also a small series of burglaries in Bourne that remain undetected, but the main issue of the year has been the theft of goods from cars in the Bourne area.

“These offences peaked in December 2012 and a total of five arrests were made in relation to this type of the crime in the area.”

Insp Burnett assured residents that his team was monitoring the problem but he also advised them to play their part in preventing crime.

He said: “Overall we have a picture of improvement, with some issues that led to an increase in certain types of crime.

“We aim to improve our performance over the next year or so and I am confident that we can reduce crime and improve our detection rates.

“We would urge the community to continue their support for our officers and report any suspicious activity in their areas in a timely fashion as this really increases our chances of making key arrests.

“The other main message is to look after your property, lock doors and windows at your home and car and never leave property on display in your vehicle.

“If people take these simple steps, they can drastically reduce their chances of becoming a victim of crime.”

Coun Sue Woolley, Lincolnshire County Council member for Bourne Abbey, said: “My initial reaction is to be pleased that overall crime has fallen by ten per cent in the area.

“Any reduction has to be good news, but I assume this is reported crime and so would always wonder how much isn’t being reported.”