The future of a voluntary life-saving service covering Morton and north Bourne is in doubt because of a lack of support.

Members of the area’s LIVES First Responders group have made an urgent appeal for more people to join them as the number of volunteers has dropped to just three.

The group was one of the first to be set up in Lincolnshire in 1999 and volunteers provide care for people with chest pains, breathing difficulties or who have hurt themselves in falls and are waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

Sue Slaymaker, group co-ordinator, said: “The need is very great in Morton and the surrounding area but we can’t seem to get volunteers to go out and be First Responders.

“We’re down to just three members and the group is now in danger of folding if we can’t get anybody else to join us.

“You don’t need any previous experience because everybody is fully trained in conjunction with LIVES and the more people we have, the easier it is for everybody to respond to calls.”

Volunteers work on a rota basis in response to calls from East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) and are trained to give basic life support, including the use of a defibrillator in cases of cardiac arrest.

Other areas covered by the group include Cawthorpe, Dyke, Haconby, Kirkby Underwood, Rippingale and Stainfield.

Marianne Robinson, a First Responder from Morton who helped out after a road accident on the A15 in Dyke last year, said: “We just happened to be coming back from an incident in Bourne when we saw a man who had come off his motorbike at a crossroads in the village.

“We were first on the scene and he was in a serious condition, but we managed to stabilise the man until the paramedics arrived.

“A few days later, we got a letter from EMAS saying ‘Well done and thanks very much’.”

Volunteers need to be aged 18 or over, have a full driving licence and be willing to work as part of a team.

Marianne, who is also a part-time swimming teacher, said: “I really enjoy being a First Responder and I find it rewarding because it’s something provided by the area for the area.

“I’ve been a volunteer for ten years and people are always grateful when we can go to their homes and take control of a bad situation where someone is unwell.”

Anyone interested in joining the group can email Sue at sslaymaker48@gmail.com or Marianne at 19.gandm@gmail.com

Spalding Golf Club men’s 1st team consolidated their place in the South Lincs Scratch League’s top three with a good 4-2 home win against Boston.

As well as sealing vital points, the squad proved they have strength in depth after a good showing from second team players who were drafted in.

The winning pairs were Simon Richardson and Hugo Kedzlie (1up), Phil Packard and Chas Lacey (3&1) and the red-hot duo of Richard Laud and Keith Hearne (6&5).

Ollie Mitchell and Wayne Wallace and Patrick Kelly and Steve Camm both halved their games.

• Spalding’s charity AM/AM was again well supported with 29 teams of four taking to the field, which included golfers from 18 different clubs.

The winning quartet was the home club’s Mark Jones and Mark Crozier, with their guests from Blankney and Boston West, scoring 98 Stableford points.

In second spot was Spalding’s Wayne Wallace, Albert Jacobs, Allan Singer and Mal Wray on countback with a score of 95pts.

The nearest the pin prize was won by Steve Emery of Boston.

But the real winners on the day were the three captains’ chosen charities – Alzheimer’s Society, Anna’s Hope and Gosberton House School, for who just over £3,000 was raised.

This was achieved through sponsorship, raffles, auctions and the generosity of the participating golfers and club members. Club captain Neil Knighton thanked the many helpers who made the day such a success.

• Spalding’s social match against Seacroft at Skegness resulted in a 3-3 tie.

Spalding lost the first three games, but came back to square the match up with wins coming from Phil Thorold and Trevor Horrocks (1up), James Douglas and Paul Johnson (3&1), with John Camm and David Perrott putting in the best performance, winning 5&4.

• The mixed team just failed to get a winning double over their counterparts at Sleaford.

After winning comfortably at home earlier in the season, this time they were held to a 4-4 tie.

The winning pairs for Spalding were Neil West and Beryl Skinner (6&5), Max Ellis and Paula Brown (3&1) and Geoff Skinner and Dianne West (4&2).

John Newcombe and Eileen Bridge and Keith Holland and Barbara Newcombe both halved their games.

SUTTON BRIDGE GOLF CLUB

Men’s section: Sutton Bridge 3.5 March 2.5 (Steen Catlow & John Caney won 4&3; Colin Fawcett & Geoff Coombs lost 4&3; Bob Newby & Ralph Grimes halved; Les Howard & Pat Land won; Jon Essam & Mark Charnley won 5&4).

• Result: Heacham Manor 2 Sutton Bridge 4 (Steen Catlow & Richard Caney won 8&7; Terry Young & Steve Hyde lost 5&3; Sam Shippey & John Bliss won 2up; Ralph Grimes lost 3&2; Jon Essam & Mark Charnley won 2&1; Colin Fawcett & Bob Newby won 4&3).

• Result: Swaffham 2 Sutton Bridge 2 (Steen Catlow & Bob Newby won 3&1; Tony Spriggs & George Baines lost 4&3; Ralph Grimes & Jon Essam won 4&3; Richard Caney & Chris Rippley lost 4&3).

• Mixed: Sunday Mixed Foursomes: 1st John Cross &Margaret Fox 36 pts; 2nd Roy Fox & Jen Baines 36pts; 3rd Norman Davis & Janet Groves 35pts.

• Result: Sutton Bridge mixed 4 March mixed 2 (Margaret Fox & John Caney won; Linda Searle & Barry Irwin won; Carol Caney & Roy Fox won; Ann & Norman Davis lost; Ann & John Cross lost; Judy & Ken Green won).

• Seniors’ section: Seniors Invite Ladies: 1st Roy Fox & Jen Baines 37pts; 2nd Norman Davis & Jenny Wells 35pts; 3rd John & Ann Cross 34pts; 4th Roy Amos & Peggy Ellis 33 pts. Nearest to pin (holes 2&11): Peter Wailes; (holes 6&15): Richard Titchener.

• Result: Sutton Bridge Seniors 4 Boston Seniors 2 (Roger Williamson & Tony Town lost 4&2; Roy Amos & Mervyn Williamson won 5&4; Norman Davis & Harold Shingleton won 6&4; John Cross & Don Robinson lost 5&4; Chris Shipp & Richard Titchener won 4&3; Peter Wailes & Stan Poulten won 3 &1.

• Ladies’ section: Lady Captain’s Day: 1st Brenda Bell 38pts; 2nd Jane Rose 34 pts (ocb); 3rd Jen Baines 34pts (ocb). Nearest pin: Jenny Wells. Nearest to the line: Linda Searle.

GEDNEY HILL GOLF CLUB

Joint Captain’s Day: Men’s competition: 1st Eric Cowles 43pts; 2nd Gregg Walsh 41 (ocb); 3rd Robert Davis 41. Nearest the pin (3) – Barry Hircock; (4) – Tom Day; (11) – Jim Starbuck; (12) – Kerr Page. Nearest the line: Dave Roberts. Longest drive: Gareth Thomas.

• Ladies’ competition: 1st Marilyn Sayer 41pts; 2nd Janet Davis 24; 3rd Chris Bennett 33 (ocb). Nearest the pin (4): Maggie Bingham.

TYDD ST GILES GOLF CLUB

Men’s section: South Lincolnshire Scratch League: Burghley Park 5 Tydd St Giles A (Gavin Merrison & Adey Bills lost 1 down; Lee Willis & Tim Hines lost 3&2; Ian Edrupt & John Tyler lost 2 down; Malcolm Stead & Link Gostic lost 2&1; Tom Brooks & Kevin Goude won 5&4; Leigh Chapman & Luke Rowell lost 1 down).

• Monthly medal: Division One: 1st Mark Gostic 66; 2nd George Pawson (ocb) 67; 3rd Tom Brooks 67. Division Two: 1st Andrew Stacey 65 (ocb); 2nd Andy Gaff 65; 3rd John Kellegher 67. Division Three: 1st Steve Gray 62; 2nd Duncan Connabeer 64; 3rd Steve Boor 64.

• Seniors’ section: Richmond Park 2.5 Tydd St Giles 3.5 (Paul Jackson & Lee Smith lost 2&1; Mike Parker & Terry Sambridge won 2up; Brian Newby & Kerbad Daboo lost 6&5; Dennis Savory & Baz Smith halved; Noel Bratt & Dave Morris won 3&1; Russell Doy & Gerry Sherriff won 3&2; nearest ton pin – Noel Bratt).

The EBA Section Four Triples B title race is very much alive after leaders Spalding Town A were toppled by nearest challengers Castle B last week.

In a typically tight affair, hosts Castle took the spoils 8-2 to close the gap at the top to just two points and keep their championship hopes alive.

A big 26-13 rink return from Rod Briars, Denise McKie and Howard Wilson was the highlight as Town suffered their second beating on the trot.

Third-placed Holbeach USC A are now just eight points off the top too. They edged past Spalding Town B 8-2 (52-49), thanks largely to a handsome win from D Tidman, S Matton and A Barker (19-9).

Up in Triples A, Goodfellowship consolidated their hefty advantage at the summit with an 8-2 home victory over Billingborough.

Top scoring set for the Fosdyke fliers were J Reader, A Everitt and J Moore.

Carter’s Park A did close the gap on the leaders to 14 points, having picked up maximum points against Castle A.

A battling 15-14 rink win from R Booth, K Crane and L Allen helped seal the 10-0 whitewash.

Meanwhile, Spalding Town A have streaked 15 points clear in Group A after collecting 18 points in two days. They saw off Donington 8-2, before battering Bourne 10-0.

The highest scoring rink in either of the games was that of K Cherry, G Deaton, C Searson and W Pheonix (26-15).

Ayscoughfee, who sit comfortably second, currently look the only side capable of denying Town the title.

They kept the pressure on the leaders with an 8-2 home triumph over Moulton Harrox A. An incredible 36-11 set success from P Cherry, J Izzard, C Cherry and E Cherry lit up the contest.

Billingborough moved to within ten points of the top of Group B with an 8-2 victory at Holbeach USC.

In an otherwise close contest, the whopping 30-3 rink return from T Pittkin, D Wesley, S Hall and E Atter proved decisive.

At the foot, Long Sutton won for just the third time this season as they dispatched Castle B 7-3.

The ever-impressive Sophie Taylor set a new personal best as she competed at the British Championships for the very first time.

South Lincs Competitive Swimming Club’s only disability swimmer gained a new long course PB time in the 100m breaststroke event at the Sheffield event.

Coached and supported by Callum Lawson, 16-year-old Taylor managed a fantastic 13th place.

• A host of South Lincs’ talented young swimmers attended the recent Norwich mini-meet.

Supported by assistant coach Claire Mitchell, no fewer than 18 swimmers produced 27 new PB times.

All making a splash for the Spalding based club were: six-year-old Harry Pinguenet, seven-year-old girls Anya Strickland and Hannah Willis, eight-year-old girls Millie Pinguenet, Dusty Staines, Ellisha Cookson and Hannah Murchie, and eight-year-old boys Samuel Fovargue and Joshua Haines.

In the nine year category Abigail Hodgett was riding solo, while the ten-year-old swimmers included Bronte Claridge, Grace Hodgett, twin girls Lucy and Libby Houghton and also Amelia and Isobel Fovargue.

The other swimmers enjoying the meet were ten-year-old Atticus Strickland and 11-year-old Molly Trevor.

• A record number of South Lincs swimmers gained qualifying times this year to enjoy racing at the Midland Age Group Championships at Coventry Sports Centre.

In addition, South Lincs were able to produce four relay teams this year. The girls ten/14year 400m and 200m medley relays were swam by Serena Leadbeater, Rebecca Mckenzie, Alice Gowing and Eleanor Templar.

Competing for the boys in the ten/14 year 4x200m freestyle relay was Calvin Wilson, Luke Elliott, Ryan Horrocks and William Swain. The 4x100IM relay squad were Matthew Gray, Calvin Wilson, Elliott and Will Swain.

Meanwhile, Horrocks, Elliott andWill Swain made up the 4x100m freestyle relay team. Alan Sumpton also enjoyed his first swim at Coventry as part of the boys’ team.

• South Lincs put in a very impressive showing at the Summer Splash 2013 Open Meet at Chesterfield.

The Spalding club came a very respectable second in the top three visiting teams at the event.

Some 13 swimmers competed over the long, hot weekend to gain some fantastic personal best (PB) times.

Coached and supported by Callum Lawson and assisted by Claire Mitchell, South Lincs swimmers had no less than 28 races between them.

Emily McCann (11 years category) walked away with second place in the top three girls overall, while Luke Elliott (14 years) came third overall in the top three boys.

It was a fabulous end to a season of very competitive events, with South Lincs now having an extended period of rest before the start of the new campaign in September.

Twelve people have appeared in court accused of being involved in the abduction and beating of a man and a woman in West Norfolk earlier this year.

Violet Chilton (56), of Dades Lane, St John Fen End, appeared before Norwich Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on Friday, along with 11 other defendants.

The other defendants include Edward Dolan (37), Wayne Dolan (35) and Sheila Conboy (55), all of Walpole Marsh, Walpole St Andrew, Laura Dolan (36), of Two Sisters Close, Sutton Bridge, and Thomas Chilton (28) and Jason Chilton (26), both of Dades Lane, St John Fen End.

Vanessa Frankham (48), of Wisbech Road, Walpole St Andrew, Natalie Cooper, (22), of Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge, and Valerie Harris, (46), of Thistlebrook, London, also appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Friday, along with two 17-year-old youths, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

No evidence was offered and none of the charges were formally put to the defendants. The case was adjourned until a further hearing on September 6, when it is expected that pleas will be taken.

No date has yet been fixed for the pending trial but it is expected to start early in the new year and last for up to four weeks.

Deeping Rangers returned to pre-season action on Tuesday night with a comfortable 5-0 win over Netherton United.

Having seen friendly matches against St Ives Town and Mildenhall postponed on successive Saturdays, Rangers showed no sign of ring rust as they over-powered their Peterborough League opponents at Outgang Road.

Goals from Scott Ginty (37 and 47) either side of half time put Tuncay Korkmaz’s side in command, before Matt Heron (71), Simon Ashton (81) and new signing Ondre Odain (86) added gloss to the scoreline.

Deeping’s final pre-season fixture of the summer is a much tougher test at Ely City on Saturday (3pm).

Listings from Thursday, August 1 to Wednesday, August 7

Cinema

PETERBOROUGH SHOWCASE, from tomorrow.

Despicable Me 2 (and 3D), Monsters University, Now You See Me, Only God Forgives, Pacific Rim (3D), Red 2, Springsteen and I, The Conjuring, The Head, The Smurfs 2 (and 3d), The Wolverine (and 3D), The World’s End, World War Z.

For times visit www.showcasecinemas.co.uk

SOUTH HOLLAND CENTRE

Despicable Me 2 (and 3D), This is the End, Pacific Rim, Monsters University, Behind the Candelabra (Movie Club).

For times visit www.southhollandcentre.co.uk

Theatre

The week ahead

South Holland Centre, Spalding

Under the Sea Fun Day with Act II, Rock School with SoundLINCS, Don Pasquale (Glyndebourne Digital Festival).

Tolethorpe, Stamford

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Dad’s Army.

Listings from Thursday, August 1 to Wednesday, August 7

Thursday

U3A meeting, talk ‘The RSPB in Lincolnshire’, 1.45pm, Pinchbeck Village Hall, Knight Street, 01775 766504.

Unique Knitters, 10am-1pm, Unique Cottage Studios, Fulney Lane South, Spalding.

Artlinks exhibition, until August 31, Geest Gallery, Ayscoughfee Hall, Spalding.

Summer fun drop-in family arts and crafts, anytime between 11am and 3pm, Ayscoughfee Hall, Spalding.

Bicker Ladies Group evening walk, finishing at a pub, details 01775 820548.

Spalding Folk Club, tune session at Lincoln Arms, Spalding, 8.30pm.

Friday

Bingo, 7.30pm, doors 6pm, Whaplode Village Hall.

Saturday

RSPB Wash birdwatching cruise, leaves 2.45pm, meet outside the lock keeper’s office on Witham Bank East, Boston, 07531 495521.

Tudor camp, 4&20 Blackbirds, including Ayscoughfee Adventurers presentation, Ayscoughfee Hall Gardens, Spalding.

Methodist Church coffee morning and snack lunches, 10am-1pm, Broad Street, Spalding, 07598 386674.

Events day with hanger party and hog roast, Fenland Airfield, Holbeach St Johns, PE12 8RQ, 01406 540330.

Karoake, 8pm, Riverside Bar, Sutton Bridge, 01406 351402.

Sunday

Den building, build your own den, no experience necessary, guidance will be given, 10am or 1pm, Bourne Wood, booking required on 07760 468052.

Tudor camp, 4&20 Blackbirds, including Ayscoughfee Adventurers presentation, Ayscoughfee Hall Gardens, Spalding.

Patchett Lodge, Holbeach, summer fayre and car boot sale with entertainment, 2-4pm, car boots £6 on the day.

Monday

Holiday Bible club, 10am-12.30pm, until Friday, August 9, Calvary Baptist Church, Carrington Road, Spalding.

Summer workshop based on the musical Annie, until Friday, ages four to 11 and 12 to 18, The Umbrella, Westlode Street, Spalding, book on 01775 712359.

Holbeach Town Band learn to play week, until Friday, 2-4pm daily, Back Lane, Holbeach, 01775 712420.

Tuesday

Spalding Arts & Crafts Society, abstract, fantasy and landscapes with encaustic wax demonstration by Carole Boyer, 7.30pm, Pinchbeck Village Hall, £4.50 non-members.

Wednesday

Summer Funtime, United Reformed Church, Spalding, 2-4pm, with games, crafts and activities, free but donations welcomed.

Bingo, 7.30pm, Saracen’s Head Village Hall.

Spalding and District Stamp Club meeting, coats of arms and monthly competition, 2pm, Constitutional Club, Broad Street, Spalding, 01775 762661.

Spalding Folk Club, singers’ night, 8.30pm, South Holland Centre, £2.

For the regular weekly listings visit www.spaldingtoday.co.uk or call into our offices in The Crescent to pick up your own personal copy.

The information in this column is supplied to us, please ring the organisers where possible to confirm the event before setting out on your journey.

As the wheat harvest approaches most farmers are hoping for the summer weather to continue and looking forward to a lot better crop than we had last year.

I say most farmers because there are a few growers in this area who feel that wheat does not give them enough return and only grow vegetables and/or flowers, which just shows how good land is in the Spalding area.

Rainfall has been below average this summer, which is no bad thing as it is far more pleasant to be farming when soil is not sticking to your boots. July was the first month for 16 months when the temperature was above average: no wonder plants and crops are behind their usual time slot.

This time last year we were thinking we were going to have a good harvest, especially as prices of wheat and rape were rising. This year we know that the UK will have a small harvest as there are so many hectares of land that lie fallow but prices are falling, which illustrates so well that the prices we receive for our wheat, barley and rape crops has nothing to do with what happens here; it is a combination of the weather, politicians and the price of oil. Of those three, I believe the politician has the greatest effect on our prices.

Farmers can feed the world but we cannot feed and fuel the world and the more fuel the politician asks us to grow the higher the prices we will receive from our crops.

The way that hundreds of junior doctors are taught at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) has been praised by a specialist team.

“Recognisable improvements” in education and supervision have been highlighted by the Local Education and Training Board, which oversees medical training.

Its findings include:

l “Considerable progress” in leadership and governance

l A comprehensive strategy across the Trust’s three main sites in Lincoln, Boston and Grantham.

l The Trust is “striving to deliver the very best education and training”.

l A friendly environment, where junior doctors feel valued.

l Improved supervision of junior trainees.

This confirms recent feedback from junior doctors that they have a good experience at ULHT and feel well supported.

They also say that both trainees and patients are benefiting from the Trust’s introduction of a system which ensures that each patient is reviewed by a senior doctor every day.

ULHT’s Director of Medical Education, Sunday Ikhena, said: “We welcome this report, which confirms the progress we are making through our determination to deliver high-quality education.

“We are also pleased that the report recognises we are making these advances in the face of significant challenges.”

The LETB report was produced at the request of the Care Quality Commission, following the Keogh review of patient care at ULHT which raised concerns about staffing levels.

The report highlights the fact that because of geography, recruitment to medical posts in Lincolnshire is difficult – especially at Pilgrim Hospital in Boston.

This can place more pressure on junior doctors.

ULHT is also allocated fewer training places than other Trusts of a similar size.

There are more than 350 doctors in training at ULHT.

You have just three days left to take your children to our Cute Kids competition 2013 photographic sessions.

We are seeking the area’s most adorable children and if your little angel is between newborn and five years of age then this is the competition for them.

Our competition is free to enter – all you have to do is head over to The Playbarn at Springfields Outlet Shopping centre in Spalding with your little one(s) and your completed entry form(s) as printed in the Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian.

The photography sessions will be running today (Wednesday), Thursday and Friday, between 10am and 4pm.

The professional photographer there will take a lovely photograph of your child that will be automatically entered into the competition and will be available for purchase (if required) at a later date.

You won’t need to return again to the venue – it’s as simple as that! All of the photos will be published in our special features in September so don’t miss your favourite newspaper every week for further details as they are announced.

The photographic sessions are now on at The Playbarn, a fun packed indoor and outdoor centre especially designed for children aged 12 and under.

There’s plenty of fun to be had over the summer at The Playbarn, with owl handling, face painting, Jurassic crazy golf, music, pottery days and teddy bear picnics plus much much more.

Don’t miss your chance to enter and be the lucky winner of prizes including 18”x12” colour print, WOW toys (as featured at www.wowtoys.com), a family day out at Drayton Manor theme Park (home of Thomas Land), a £100 Haven holiday voucher (for family time together on your seaside escape) and a Kid Eats Free voucher for Frankie & Benny’s (valid for whole year). So don’t delay, pop down to The Playbarn to enter!

Landowners and property owners are being invited for talks on the future development of Spalding town centre.

South Holland District Council knows of several parties with land and/or property in central Spalding, but there are potentially many other stakeholders from whom it would like to hear.

The aim is to hold a series of forum events, with discussions on how the town might develop in the years to come.

Council leader Gary Porter said: “The future of Spalding town centre is enormously important and I think it would be a very useful exercise for those with a significant stake in it to get together.

“We’d like to hear from anyone who owns property or land in Spalding town centre.

“There really is no masterplan or hidden agenda here – this is about getting these people around a table to see if there are synergies from which there can be possible mutual benefits in the future.”

Invitations to a first forum – scheduled for Monday, October 7 – will be sent to all known landowners and freeholders.

Future forums would be aimed at developers, leaseholders, other vested interest groups and the public.

Anyone wanting to register as a landowner or freeholder is asked to email economicdevelopment@sholland.gov.uk

Judith Miller, the antiques expert you may recognise from The Antiques Roadshow, will be visiting Spalding next month.

Judith will be at Bookmark on September 25 at 7.15pm, talking about her love of antiques, her work on the Miller’s antiques guides and her many and varied television appearances. Tickets are £3.50.

Growers looking for new cut flower crops or improved varieties attended an open day at the National Cut Flower Centre in Holbeach St Johns on Thursday.

The centre, a Horticultural Development Company (HDC) funded project to carry out research and development on behalf of the cut flower industry, shares its findings with growers at its open days.

However, as Pinchbeck flower grower Sue Lamb points out, the day is also an opportunity to network with other growers as well as key people from the supply chain.

She said : “The days are very useful. It’s a chance to have a good conversation with other growers to see if everybody is experiencing the same problems.

“But you have also got attendance there from buyers, supermarkets and big packers and that’s quite rare because not everybody gets a chance to meet these people. The idea is that it’s a look and see, not just for growers but for the buyer, so if there is serious interest there is no reason it won’t develop into a contract the next year.”

HDC knowledge transfer manager for ornamental crops Wayne Brough said visitors to the day looked at commercial trials of column stock, which he said tended to suffer from root disease, and soil treatments.

They also considered weed control options and looked at a herbicide trial, as well as studying new crops and different varieties available to growers.

Two men have appeared at Lincoln Crown Court today charged in connection with a robbery at a Spalding job agency.

Olegs Nikolajevs (23) of no fixed address and Kristaps Vilcins (21) of School Lane, Wisbech, were remanded in custody until October 11 when they are due to appear at the same court charged with robbing Wykeham Staff Services, off Holbeach Road, of almost £18,500.
They also face charges of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause violence and possessing a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid of gas.

Motorists in Spalding are being warned to protect their vehicles from thieves targeting catalytic converters in the area.

Police believe Mercedes Sprinter vans are particularly at risk, but other commercial vehicles are also vulnerable.

Anyone with information about catalytic converter thefts in South Holland should call police on 101.

Fairly new headteacher at Clough & Risegate Community Primary School Shaun Thompson – he started last September – set up a new PTA after joining the school.

At the end of his first year the children – including Max Barlow and Steph Charlton – were delighted with the PTA’s summer fair, which raised £576 to fund activities. Mr Thompson said teacher Bev Rooney worked hard, along with Year 6 children and parent helpers. SG130713-121NG

Youngsters at Holbeach St Marks Church of England Primary School donned Tam o’Shanters and kilts to act out their end of year play, The Last Monster in Scotland.

Teaching assistant Cheryl Cole said: They absolutely loved it and were fantastic, especially for a small school.” SG120713-121NG

Diesel has been stolen from a van in Market Deeping after thieves drilled a hole into its fuel tank.

The van was parked on King Street when the theft happened some time between 12.30am and 6.30am last Wednesday, July 24.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 88 of July 24.

A mum-of-two’s bid to cut the speed limit on a Donington road has suffered a blow after county highways bosses said no action was needed.

About 200 people signed an online petition launched by Michelle Maddison of Bicker Road to lower the speed limit on the A52 Donington to Bicker road from 60mph to 40mph.

Michelle launched the petition just days after she was involved in a three-vehicle collision outside her home in January.

In a Donington Village Newsletter article, she wrote: “The A52 is a very fast, busy road with constant heavy traffic, including HGVs and other vehicles, turning off into businesses and homes, all within a current speed limit of 60mph.

“I feel strongly that we must campaign together to reduce the speed limit down to 40mph to prevent future traffic or pedestrian accidents.”

But a review by Lincolnshire County Council, details of which were circulated by Michelle to campaign supporters, concluded that the 60mph speed limit was appropriate.

The review said: “The road in question has good visibility and is one of our wider A class roads.

“There are no recorded accidents and the roadside development is such that we are satisfied within our assessment that the speed limit in place is appropriate and we are unable to reduce it.”

Donington district councillor Jane King said: “I was all in favour of the campaign because the A52 is a horrendous road and the traffic on it has increased in the last few years.

“There aren’t adequate footpaths on some parts of the road and when lorries go past, it really does feel like you’re being sucked into them.”

But there may be hope for Michelle after South Holland and The Deepings MP John Hayes said he would be happy to meet her and then take her concerns to the council.