Almost 200 schoolchildren from across Lincolnshire will take part in a mass event celebrating and remembering the county’s Second World War aviation heritage.

In what is thought to be a national first for the education and aviation sectors, youngsters from six schools will visit the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre for a day of reflection, learning, storytelling, re-enactments and craft workshops.

The schools involved include Swineshead St Mary’s Primary School and the Peele Community College in Long Sutton.

The event has been organised by Lincolnshire County Council and Arts Council England as a way of ensuring young people have the opportunity to learn about the county’s rich aviation heritage.

It is hoped it will become a regular event in the future.

Dave Harrigan, outreach and learning officer for Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire, said: “ It’s fitting to develop this exciting new education initative in the 70th anniversary year of the Dambusters.

“I can’t think of a more evocative backdrop for a day of fun and learning.

“People travel from across the world to see Just Jane and Lincolnshire’s children will not only see her but take part in time-lapse films that acknowledge those who lost their lives in World War II.”

The day will also include kite building, 1940s toys and games workshops, model airplane making and re-enactors will share stories of what it was like living and working in 1942.

Two more big High Street names are heading for Spalding following news that Costa Coffee is to open a branch in the former Burton’s Menswear shop in Hall Place.

Bargain frozen foods chain Iceland aims to open a store in the retail unit now occupied by Allied Carpets on Holland Market and council planning officers are expected to make a decision on the change of use of the store before the end of this month.

Healthy option, fast-food sandwich chain Subway has plans to move to Springfields Retail Outlet rather than the town centre.

There’s also news that the former Swan Street toy store, Fun Junction, could become a two-storey cafe/restaurant if change of use plans are agreed by the council, but there’s no word yet on the type of food that will be served.

When Costa applied to move to Spalding, the company’s research showed six per cent of town centre shop units stood vacant in April.

But Spalding is in a far better position than most towns, according to the Chamber of Commerce.

Phil Scarlett, president of Spalding and District Area Chamber of Commerce, said: “I am pleased to see empty units being occupied, I think that’s good for the town centre.

“Iceland will have done its homework very, very thoroughly before it comes in.”

He said car parking on Holland Market will have helped Iceland make its decision – and car parking there will also be a boon to the new cafe/restaurant planned for the Fun Junction site.

“If you want frozen food, you don’t want to be carrying it long distances,” he said.

Commenting on the state of Spalding’s economy, Mr Scarlett said: “It’s not healthy and it’s not ailing either, it’s somewhere in between. We have nothing like the empty shop units that other towns have. We are in a relatively good position from that point of view.

“I still talk to a lot of retailers who are struggling to make business work. I would ask people to shop locally and support their local shop, which is what last week’s Independents Day was all about.”

l Iceland and Subway declined to comment on their plans when contacted by the Spalding Guardian.

A new biofuels plant near Hull will provide wheat farmers with greater certainty in terms of a market for their products.

That’s the view of the NFU following the opening of Vivergo’s plant, described as the UK’s biggest buyer of wheat and the biggest supplier of animal feed.

The plant will take in 1.1 million tonnes of wheat annually and produce an estimated 420 million litres a year of ethanol to be mixed with petrol and used in vehicles.

Despite concerns over the greenhouse savings from biofuels and the potential for food price rises as crops are diverted, an NFU spokesman said it would be a “boost” to farmers.

Two local firms are celebrating success at last week’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

Southfield Nurseries at Morton, known as Cactusland, achieved Gold in the Floral Marquee Awards for its display of cacti and succulents.

Meanwhile, in the Rose Awards in the Roses and Floristry Vintage Festival, Style Roses of Holbeach achieved a Silver Flora.

Style Roses proprietors Chris and Margaret Styles have appeared at every show at Hampton Court since 2000, winning medals at each.

At this year’s show they launched two new rose varieties: Rosa Perfect Pet and Rosa Show Star.

In their display, Style Roses demonstrated that roses make ideal container plants.

Linda and Bryan Goodey, who run Cactusland, achieved their 25th successive Gold medal at Chelsea earlier this year.

They have accumulated an impressive total of 160 RHS God Medal awards.

Photo: SG280613-114TW

European proposals to introduce MOT-style testing for most tractors and lights trailers have been opposed by MEPs

Tractors capable of travelling at more than 40kph and trailers weighing more than 750kg would have been subject to compulsory testing under the original proposal.

The NFU actively argued against the proposal, warning that farmers must be protected from “unnecessary burdens”.

A survey by NFU Mutual found more than 10,000 people each year come close to an accident that might cause injury working in agriculture.

The rural insurer contacted 1,500 people living and working in the countryside. It found 2.13 per cent reported experiencing a near-miss – equivalent to 10,000 incidents when scaled up to represent the rural working population.

The figures were released as part of NFU Mutual’s Farm Safety First campaign backed by the NFU.

Sutton Bridge in Bloom has won a Lottery grant of more than £7,800 for its community garden at The Curlew Centre in Bridge Road.

Work starts next month and it should be complete by late spring early summer. 
In Bloom chairman Rocki Freezor said: “This funding is an enormous boost for Sutton Bridge In Bloom as the creation of a new garden has been planned and discussed for over a year, but we were unable to progress without sufficient funding to carry the project through to completion.” 
The planting will create year-round interest with an emphasis on winter flowering shrubs and fragrant plants. The garden will include a large seating area and pathways. 
A professional team of gardeners will carry out the work because much of it involves hard landscaping.

Residents in Long Sutton are still waiting for a new cashpoint to be installed at Barclays Bank 11 months after a ram raid.

The bank has been shrouded in scaffolding while experts, including stonemasons, have been working to restore the listed building after it was rammed by a thieves using a teleporter. 
Scaffolding is now down, but a spokesman for Barclays said internal works need to be done before work starts on replacing the cashpoint. 
A teleporter stolen from a farm in Gedney was used to ram the bank in the early hours of the morning – and an almost identical raid took place at a bank in Wisbech around the same time.

Police found a man drink-driving when they stopped a BMW being driven “quite slowly for the conditions” on Spalding’s London Road,

Rebecca Ritson, prosecuting, said police stopped the car shortly before midnight on June 21.

The driver, Genadijus Smirnovs, had 56 microgrammes of alcohol in breath – 21 above the legal limit.

Smirnovs (33), of Curlew Drive, Cowbit, was banned from driving for three years when he pleaded guilty because he had a previous drink-related conviction.

He can cut nine months off the ban if he completes a rehabilitation course.

Smirnovs was also fined £250 with an order for £85 costs and a £25 victim surcharge.

Solicitor Rachel Stevens, mitigating, said Smirnovs had been drinking that morning to celebrate a friend’s birthday – had the equivalent of a night’s sleep during the day, waking in the evening when he felt “perfectly all right”.

A popular “grow your own” community garden project has been extended.

The Kitchen Garden Project, which has so far seen six raised beds planted with fruit and vegetables at Ayscoughfee Gardens, Spalding, will continue to grow with the clearing of trees and overgrown bushes from a nearby area,

Volunteers are being urged to go along between noon and 2pm on Friday to lend a hand and get the next phase of the project under way.

The scheme is run by South Holland District Council and aims to provide groups and individuals with access to a community garden.

Support and advice is available from fully-trained community master gardeners, who can help develop knowledge and skills to enable volunteers to grow their own produce.

Coun Nick Worth, the district council’s portfolio holder for Localism and Big Society, said: “Ayscoughfee Community Gardens has been a tremendously popular project for many people.

“Volunteers have already planted a variety of fruit and vegetables which can be picked soon so they can use them in their own kitchens.

“By increasing the growing area we hope that those helping out on the day will then want to keep involved with the gardens.”

Anyone interested can just turn up at Ayscoughfee Gardens, Churchgate, on the day. The only requirement is an interest in gardening. Tools and guidance will be provided.

An old treasure is being dug up to “share the love” between town centre pubs.

Pubs have been experiencing hard times of late, as people choose to stay home to save cash in the current economic climate.

Hundreds of pubs across the country have closed in the past few years, but landlords in Spalding are hoping an event later this month will encourage drinkers back to the bar and revitalise the town’s night-time economy.

Ten town centre pubs – and an icecream parlour – will host the Pub Treasure Hunt on Sunday, July 21 – an event that used to be a hit until it was buried around three years ago.

It will involve teams of up to five people – in pirate fancy dress – following the clues from pub to pub.

Clues will be handed over to the teams only when all members have bought a drink, alcoholic or soft, at the bar, or an icecream in the case of Marco’s

Pete Williams, landlord of the Punchbowl, New Road, said: “We decided to resurrect the pub treasure hunt as a way of sharing the love between the town centre pubs.

“The whole idea is to get people into pubs that they might not necessarily usually frequent.

“It’s a fun way of trying out a new pub you might not usually go to and hopefully it will attract people back into the pubs.”

Teams will all be sent on a different route around town, crisscrossing each other throughout the afternoon, but the fun will end with entertainment at the Punchbowl, including a barbecue and music from Mickey Flynn, and later on ten-piece reggae/ska band Zeb Rootz.

The pubs taking part are Punchbowl, Hole in the Wall, Ivy Wall, Bounce, Lincolnshire Poacher, White Horse, Red Lion, Bentleys, Pied Calf, Mulberry’s, Brennan’s and Marco’s icecream parlour.

Prizes will be up for grabs to the winning teams, including the best dressed pirates, and entry costs £5.

Ask at any of the participating venues to sign up to take part.

A man who denies assaulting a woman on June 11 will stand trial at Spalding Magistrates’ Court.

Former Holbeach man Darren Fisher (40), who now lives in Philip Road, Newark, entered a not guilty plea to assault on Thursday. He was given bail to the trial date, October 17

Long Sutton Cricket Club are celebrating their 80th anniversary this year – and they plan to mark the event next month.

The club are hosting a cricket match on Monday, August 26 at their Paradise Field ground (1pm) to commemorate the event, in which a Long Sutton CC XI will face a Presidents XI, selected by vice chairman Gary Burton.

Sutton are inviting all players new and old to join in with the celebrations.

Any former players interested in getting involved should email burtoninho147@hotmail.co.uk or longsuttoncc@live.co.uk for further details.

Awesome Ayscoughfee A enjoyed one of the biggest wins of the EBF Spalding and District League season so far after crushing Castle A 6-0.

The hosts, wedged firmly in the middle of Division One, produced a sensational display to amass 112 shots – some 71 more than their visitors.

A massive 33 of them were scored by T Gowing, M Bingham and C Warboys, while P Cherry, C Cherry and E Cherry won their rink 29-15.

At the top, Moulton Harrox A are 2.5 points clear having prevailed 4-2 at Whaplode Drove A. Their top scorers were M Stanley, C Jackson and K Grundy (21-11).

Second-placed Carter’s Park A were on the receiving end of a 5-1 beating at Royal Mail Cart.

The highlight of that match saw T Bowden, M Dolton and M Spencer bag a whopping 39-8 rink return.

In Division Two, Bourne Town A closed right in on leaders Holbeach USC A with a 4.5-1.5 triumph at Spalding Town B.

They bagged 96 shots in the process, with 31 of those comping from talented trio M Thompson, M Thorpe and S Hill.

Swineshead are also well placed in third after their 4-2 victory at Gosberton. Again one rink managed an incredible display, with E May, R Turner and W Richardson emphatic 32-13 winners.

Down in Division Three, Spalding Town C continued their upturn in form.

Having gone eight games without a win, they made it back-to-back successes with a 5.5-0.5 win over Royal Mail Cart B. They managed 99 shots, with 33 of them notched by D Crowder, K Foster and D Wright (33-5).

Long Sutton A were also on fine form, scoring 103 shots in a 5-1 victory at Castle B.

S Debella, J Surman and R Hayden (34-12) top scored.

Crip Wright won only his fourth match in over 40 years with Holbeach Angling Club on Sunday.

In very hot conditions, fish were few and far between in the Hat and Feathers Cup at at Orchard – meaning Wright’s perch of 14oz sealed top spot.

Andy Squance (12oz perch) was second ahead of Roger Smith (8oz eel) in third.

Next match is a Cement Bridge on Sunday (7.15am draw)

Holbeach brothers Ryan, Ashley and Kieran Rudd were in the wars at Chatteris over the weekend.

All three of the Team TRM riders suffered crashes in the motocross meet, which hampered their progress.

In the Autos group, Kieran finished last in his opener after seeing the chain come off his bike.

He recovered to place fifth overall after two thirds.

In the Schoolboy group, Ryan was third in his maiden race but a crash set him back to 14th. He managed fifth in the finale, which was were he placed overall.

Ashley had two crashes as well, but finishes of fifth, seventh and third made him third overall.

It was raining goals at the latest round of Long Sutton Summer Hockey League fixtures as the eight teams managed to hit the net 19 times.

Starting in the Moulton Pool, two Sutton sides went head-to-head as ‘The Ninjas’ dispatched ‘The Pressies’ 3-1 to make it two wins from three.

The Ninjas took an early lead through Alex Canham, but The Pressies continued to work hard and were more than a match for their more experienced opponents.

Indeed, it was no surprise when Lisa Baker found Jack Smith in the D and he finished well to level the scores.

The Ninjas took the game to the Pressies in the second half, but found keeper CJ Robinson in fine form.

He pulled off a string of saves – including a penalty flick save from Leanne Woodhead. But Josh Fyson gave the Ninjas the lead and Woodhead scored a well struck short corner to give the scoreline a more comfortable feel.

In the other Moulton match, it was a tale of two extremes as Wisbech 2nd made it three wins from as many games by dispatching pointless Spalding 1st 3-1.

Spalding, however, matched their opponents for large sections of the game but the difference was clinical finishing. Wisbech took a 2-0 lead into half time after excellent finishes from Orlando Prestige and Verity Allen, before a well-struck cross deflected in off Rob Tilbrook’s stick to make it three.

Mike Morris did crash home a consolation strike for Spalding, who deserved more than the scoreline suggests.

In the Crowland Pool, The Nerds made a real statement with a 6-1 beating of Sutton Sabres. Playing fluently, they took the game to the Sabres and were sharper in the tackle and ruthless in front of goal.

Ben Shore did open the scoring for Sabres, but two goals from Gary Hales and one from James Taverner – along with a Lisa Baker own goal – gave The Nerds a 4-1 lead before the break.

Further goals from Ben Batten and Hales’ hat-trick strike completed a fine all-round showing.

Meanwhile, Spalding 2nd ended Wisbech 1st’s unbeaten start with a 3-1 triumph.

It was no surprise when Spalding took a 2-0 lead into the break thanks to good finishes from Sally Pilgrim and Kelly Slator.

An injury to a Wisbech player didn’t help their cause in the second half, but Lisa Williamson’s fantastic deflected finish gave them hope.

Spalding extinguished any designs they had on levelling the scores though, with Cunnington adding a third.

Experienced player/coach Danny Hussey has played down Spalding United’s pre-season tag of title favourites.

Hussey, who has been putting the Tulips through their paces in training, is impressed with the seven summer signings made by boss Pat Rayment.

The likes of Jamie Stevens, Andrew Tidswell, Nathan Stainfield and Lewis Webb have been added to a squad that finished third in the UCL Premier Division last term. But the veteran defender reckons Wisbech Town, AFC Rushden and Diamonds and Huntingdon Town – to name but a few – will prove tough opponents.

“The squad is definitely looking strong,” said the left-footer. “It’s important that we’ve got everyone in place for the start of the season.

“Last year, we ended up with a very strong side. But it took us a while to get there and sadly we fell just short.

“Everyone is saying that we’re favourites, but I don’t buy into it. Wisbech will be strong, while both Rushden and Huntingdon look to be building good sides.”

Saturday’s friendly at Hucknall Town has been called off, while Luke Kennedy has moved to Peterborough Northern Star.

This week’s sporting fixtures for the next week...

SATURDAY

• Cricket: Lincs ECB Premier League (12.30pm): Bourne v Louth; Bracebridge Heath v Market Deeping; Grimsby v Lincoln Lindum; Haxey v Woodhall Spa; Skegness v Harstsholme; Spalding Town v Sleaford.

• South Lincs & Border League (1.30pm): Premier Division: Grantham v Belton Park; Lindum 2nd v Bourne 2nd; Moulton Harrox v Skegness 2nd; Sleaford 2nd v Welby; Stamford v Billingborough; Woodhall Spa 2nd v Boston.

• Division One: Billingborough 2nd v Heckington; Boston 2nd v Stamford Town 2nd; Long Sutton v Spalding 2nd; Deeping 2nd v Baston; Thomas Cook v Blankney .

• Division Two: Boston 3rd v Pinchbeck; Freiston v Grantham 2nd; Lindum Academy v Burgh & District; Timberland v Long Sutton 2nd; Welby 2nd v Cavaliers.

SUNDAY

• Cricket: South Lincs & Border League (1.30pm): Moulton Harrox 2nd v Friskney.

• Rutland Cricket League (1.30pm): Division One: Bourne Sun 1st v Eaton Socon.

• Division Two: Whittlesey v Deeping Sun 1st.

• Division Three: Long Sutton Sun 1st v Brigstock; Tilton & Lowesby v Spalding Sun 1st.

• Division Six: Market Deeping Sun 2nd v Hampton 2nd.

• Division Seven: Spalding Sun 2nd v Benefield; Weldon 2nd v Long Sutton Sun 2nd.

WEDNESDAY

• Football: Pre-season friendly: Parson Drove v Holbeach United (6.30pm).

Bullish Spalding Town skipper Rob Ambrose reckons his resilent side are showing all the qualities required to stay in the Lincs ECB Premier League.

Town, promoted as South Lincs and Border League Premier Division champions last term, have only won three of their 12 matches so far.

But they’ve proved very tough to beat, especially at home, having only lost four times outright.

They collected seven batting points for their efforts at Market Deeping last weekend and sit 19 points clear of second-from-bottom Haxey.

More of the same would satisfy Ambrose against second-placed Sleaford at Spalding Grammar School this Saturday (12.30pm).

He said: “Sleaford are always a strong side, especially at this time of year when they get a few lads back from Uni.

“But we’ve done well. It’s no good us winning the odd game and then picking up no points in the other games.

“We’ve been getting points from pretty much every game and if we carry on like this I don’t see any reason why we won’t stay up.

“Dare I say it, but Hartsholme look like they’ll finish bottom, so we have to keep an eye on Haxey.

“We still have to go there, so we’re far from safe yet.”

Ambrose has also been impressed with new signing Nabeel Bhayla. The South African made 104 at Outgang Road last weekend, having jetted in the previous week to replace the outgoing Campbell Light.

The Spalding skipper added: “Nabeel has been great, he’s settled in nicely on and off the pitch. We’re all very happy with him.”

Talented bowler Charlie Kearns is Town’s only big absentee against Sleaford, with Ambrose having a strong squad to pick from.

The visitors boast former New Zealand Test player Tim McIntosh in their ranks.