A national poll in which half of doctors called for a charge to be introduced for appointments has been described as a “death sentence for poor people”.

Half of GPs are in favour of the NHS charging up to £25 for routine appointments, according to a survey.

Many believe putting a price tag on face-to-face consultations is the only way to manage the increasing workload and rising patient demand, said health magazine Pulse.

In a poll of 440 GPs by the magazine, 51 per cent said they would support imposing a small fee to visit a GP, compared with 36 per cent who would not. Last year a similar poll found only a third of GPs would support the move, suggesting a growing number are willing to consider drastic solutions to reduce their workload. Demand for routine appointments is likely to double in the next two decades, according to a report published last year by the Deloitte Centre for Health Solutions.

The Spalding Guardian asked readers on its Facebook page if they would consider paying for appointments.

More than 40 responded with the majority horrified at the thought.

Tracie Jenning said: “If people have to pay to see a doctor this could really hamper early diagnosis of possible terminal illnesses.

“It would mean death sentences for poor people.”

Nigel Campbell said: “If you earn minimum wage it will be a choice of doctor or food and bills.

“We have paid into the NHS for years so are entitled to it, or a refund in our NI payments”

But some readers could see why doctors supported the introduction of a charge.

Michelle Gilbert said: “I have to go to the doctors every three months for a check-up for my thyroids. How can they justify me paying for each visit? They ought to charge the people that fail to turn up for appointments.

“I have just put my repeat prescription in and a notice says 199 missed appointments, which totals to 33 lost GP hours. So who is to blame?”

Jackie Hollingsworth said: “I definitely think there should be a charge for missed appointments.

“It does list in my local surgery just how many there are each month and it’s ridiculous given how hard it can be to be seen by a GP.”

The Spalding Guardian requested a response from the Munroe and Beechfield medical centres but at the time of going to press no representative was available for comment.

An idea to allow motorists to park on double yellow lines could help boost Spalding’s high street.

But there would need to be some common sense used by enforcement officers to allow shoppers a little bit of leeway, according to one Spalding businessman.

Pete Williams, landlord of the town’s Punchbowl pub, has previously been outspoken in his views that strict parking enforcement can put people off coming into the town centre.

He said: “I think letting people park on double yellow lines for up to 15 minutes is a brilliant idea, as long as it is not just another way for the Government to make money out of the poor shopper.

“There would need to be some leeway so that people who stay for five minutes too long are not fined.

“What kind of society do we live in when the fine for outstaying the allotted time in a parking bay is higher than you would get for shoplifting?

“That’s just not right and it certainly doesn’t encourage people to come into town and take their time looking round, seeing what the local shops have to offer and perhaps enjoying a cup of coffee or something to eat.

“People are frightened to death of getting a fine, which not only ruins your day but your whole week.”

Parking and waiting on double yellow lines is prohibited – unless stated – for all vehicles except for those making commercial deliveries and pick-ups, blue badge holders and the emergency services.

It is believed the Government’s communities secretary Eric Pickles feels “over-aggressive” parking enforcement is one of the reasons some high streets are struggling.

Conservative ministers are now considering new guidelines encouraging councils to consider a “grace period” of between five and 15 minutes.

A crime-busting charity that relies on anonymity for its success has more than doubled its success rate in Lincolnshire for the year.

Figures released this week by Crimestoppers for the period April 2012 to March 2013 showed that out of 737 calls made across the county, 571 produced positive information about crimes committed.

About 413 calls led to police action and 57 resulted in arrests and charges, compared to just 23 in 2011-12, a 68 per cent increase.

The results come as Crimestoppers celebrates its 25th anniversary this year with a five per cent rise in actionable information passed on to police nationally.

Kiran Dhanda, regional manager for Crimestoppers, said: “To have results like this is a really positive result for Lincolnshire and I am delighted for both the charity and county.

“However, I like to view this as progress rather than success and we will continue to work hard with the public to ensure we are tacking the crimes affecting them.”

Alan Hardwick, Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I’ve worked with Crimestoppers for many years and this is an example of the way in which working closely with communities can make a positive difference.”

Spalding United earned an impressive 2-0 pre-season win over Kettering Town on Saturday, while Holbeach United thrashed Greyhounders 6-0 and Deeping Rangers picked up a top 2-0 success at Ely City.

Starting with the Tulips, second-half goals from Lee Beeson and Sam Mullarkey secured an eye-catching victory in their final friendly fixture of the summer.

Spalding keeper Michael Duggan was forced to pull off smart stops from Ryan Cherry and Jake Newman early on at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, but the hosts soon came back into it.

Beeson saw a header kicked off the line, while a deflected Dan Cotton free kick almost found its way into the net.

The second period followed a similar pattern, with the Poppies doing much of the running and Duggan again on-hand to turn a swerving Newman effort past the post.

Then came a big 120 seconds in the match, with Kettering awarded a penalty on 66 minutes after Louis Hamilton was bundled over by Adam Jackson. Newman stepped up, but again found Duggan in his way and the keeper turned the ball away.

Spalding soon raced up the other end and went ahead, with Beeson nodding home a teasing cross from Matty O’Neill at the back post (68).

Winger O’Neill then produced an even better cross for Mullarkey to slot home in the final minute, as the Tulips sealed a fine victory over a side that play a level higher than them in the Non League ladder.

Elsewhere, goals from Craig Parker (19) and Spencer Tinkler (pen 66) fired Deeping to glory at Ely and Holbeach smashed six past minnows Greyhounders at Carter’s Park.

More on the pre-season football in Tuesday’s Lincolnshire Free Press.

A cash donation will help dementia sufferers take a trip down memory lane and hopefully put a smile on their faces.

The Littlebury Patients Participation Group (LLPG), which provides drop-in centre in Holbeach for anyone isolated by conditions like dementia, applied for £250 from the Smile Fund towards its dream of providing 1940s, 50s and 60s film shows.

The idea is that the nostalgia of films from days gone by can bring a ray of sunshine into the lives of dementia sufferers.

The group has bought a projector to show the films, but will use the Round Table’s donation to buy a self-erecting screen to watch them on.

LPPG also received a £1,000 cheque from Holbeach’s Chosen Charity shop to provide a Christmas treat for its members.

The Smile Fund is a £10,000 pot put up by Spalding and District Round Table to support people in the community.

It has teamed up with the Spalding Guardian to allow readers to submit their application – and there are very few limits to who can apply.

Applicants can be individuals, a group, club, organisation or maybe even a school.

Projects can include anything from a new sports team kit to a day out.

To apply, send a letter including your name, address, beneficiary of the cash, amount requested and the reason for the request to Spalding Guardian Smile Fund, Priory House, The Crescent, Spalding, Lincs, PE11 1AB.

Protestors objecting to plans for a solar farm near Crowland hope moves to give residents more say will help them win their fight.

Communities now have a greater say on the location of wind turbines and solar farms in new guidance published on Monday by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Peterborough City Council’s bid for the first solar farm in the Crowland area at Morris Fen is currently facing delays while archaeological work is carried out there.

The Morris Fen application is one of three proposed sites for the energy park that will be discussed in the coming months.

Dawn Clipson, chairman of Newborough Landscape Protection Group, said: “We continue to campaign against the removal of 900 acres of grade one and two agricultural farmland to accommodate Peterborough City Council’s solar and wind projects.

“We welcome new guidelines such as those posed by Lincolnshire County Council and the recent guidance from the Department for Communities and Local Government giving communities greater say on the siting of wind turbines and solar farms.”

Coun Colin Davie, county council executive member for the environment, said: “We welcome the Government’s decision to bring this guidance out quickly.

“Local people deserve to have a greater say on developments in their area and these changes couldn’t have come too soon.

“Hopefully, the new rules will give communities the power to stop the unrestrained invasion of wind farms across the county – something local people have been calling for.

“We just have to wait and see whether these changes do what the Government say they will.”

Bourne earned an impressive winning draw against Lincs ECB Premier League leaders on Saturday, while Spalding Town managed a losing draw with relegation rivals Haxey and Market Deeping edged out Grimsby.

Having languished in the lower reaches of the table all season, Bourne hit the day’s top total with 267-8 before restricting their hosts to 228-9 to take 16 points to Woodhall’s 11.

Ben Stroud (88) and Carl Wilson (56) were superb with the bat at the Abbey Lawn, while Colin Cheer took 5-59 – including the prized wicket of ex-Sri Lanka Test player Prasanna Jayawardene for 91.

Spalding, meanwhile, were set a target of 224-6 by hosts Haxey after Graeme Attenborough smashed 105. Warren Nel, Charlie Kearns and Mike Kearns all took two wickets apiece for Town.

Although they only lost five wickets in their reply, Spalding closed just shy of their target on 191-5 with Chris Dring unbeaten on 48.

Haxey close the gap on third-from bottom Town to 33 points in the process.

Deeping had no such trouble chasing down a target, as they beat Grimsby by three wickets. Ross Carnelly made 80 for Grimsby in their 195-9 at Outgang Road, before Alex Wheatley hit 57 in Deeping’s 196-7.

The win leaves fourth-placed Deeping just 37 points behind leaders Woodhall.

More cricket in Tuesday’s Lincolnshire Free Press.

• Results: Grimsby 195-9 (Carnelley 80), Market Deeping 196-7 (Wheatley 57); Hartsholme 204-7 (Kimber 101, McIntosh 5-58), Sleaford 210-2 (McIntosh 104no, Burford 72no); Haxey 224-6 (Attenborough 105), Spalding 191-5; Bourne 267-8 (Stroud 88, Wilson 56), Woodhall Spa 228-9; Skegness 229-9 (Houghton 83, Epton 51), Bracebridge Heath 234-4 (Houston 82, John 52, Poundall 50no); Louth 206-6 (Ahmed 80), Lindum 207-4 (Wright 79, Robinson 58).

The following decisions have been made 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 here 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.

Spalding Magistrates’ Court – July 25

Matthew Clark (26), c/o Marlborough Avenue, Spalding. Possession of amphetamine and possession of cannabis. Conditional discharge for six months, victim surcharge £15, drugs to be forfeited and destroyed.

Jamie Day (24), of Wright Lane, Sutton Bridge. Drink driving (Long Sutton). £110 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months. No insurance. £50 fine.

Jack Kidd (21), of Hanthorpe Road, Morton. Assault (Bourne). £150 fine, £50 compensation, £20 v/s, £85 costs. Failing to comply with community order. Community order given with curfew requirement for 12 weeks.

Thomas Page (24), of Burton Road, Spalding. Assault (Spalding). Community order made with requirement to participate in building better relationships. £60 v/s, £85 costs.

Arthur White (69), of Jubilee Close, Long Sutton. No insurance (Holbeach). £110 fine, £20 v/s, 6pts.

James Wyatt (27), of Old Fendike Road, Weston Hills. Speeding (Spalding). £55 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs, 3pts.

Boston Magistrates’ Court – July 15

Alex Wise (33), of Meadow Walk, Cowbit. Two counts of possessing offensive weapons (Boston). Community order with drug rehabilitation requirement, £60 v/s, £85 costs.

Blazej Lechowicz (28), of Thomas Middlecott Drive, Kirton. Speeding (Wyberton). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Thomas Hale, of Ferndale House, Swineshead. Failing to notify change or ownership. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

Nathan Lake (23), of Baulkins Drove, Sutton st James. Untaxed vehicle (Long Sutton). £400 fine, £73.34 back duty, £90 costs.

July 22

Martin McCullion (60), of Parthian Avenue, Wyberton. Failing to comply with a notification order. £100 fine, £20 v/s, £80 costs.

Lorraine Crofts (41), of Hardwick Estate, Kirton. Failing to give driver ID (Nettleham). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Lee Dobney (21), of Park Lane, Surfleet. Speeding (Bracebridge Heath). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Arnold Mullins (24), of Whaplode Manor Mews, Washway Road, Saracen’s Head. Failing to give driver ID (Nettleham). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Martin Fox (58), of Broadgate Lane, Deeping St James. Failing to give driver ID (Nettleham). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for six months.

Grantham Magistrates’ Court – July 23

Anthony Holmes (32), of Spalding Road, Gosberton. Failing to wear a seat belt (Spalding). £150 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Habib Khan (55), of Speechley Drove, Newborough. No insurance (Spalding). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Karol Koska (24), of Harveys Close, Spalding. Failing to wear a seat belt (Spalding). £150 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Ashley McAlister (26), of Clarkson Avenue, Cowbit. No insurance (Spalding). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for failing to wear a seat belt and for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Colin Parish (78), of Russell Street, St Neots. No insurance (Cowbit). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Wayne Parker (43), of South Pickenham, Swaffham. Speeding (Swineshead). £60 fine, £20 v/s, £45 costs, 3pts.

Jason Preston (44), of Churchgate, Sutterton. Speeding (Spalding). £450 fine, £45 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Jeffrey Pybus (45), of Lincoln Road, Guisborough, Cleveland. Speeding (Swineshead). £130 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Marzena Remiszewsk (28), of Jubilee Close, Spalding. Failing to wear a seat belt (Spalding). £150 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Christa Ridley (33), of Musicians Mews, High Street, Kirton. Failing to comply with road sign. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Karolis Rimkevicius (27), of Elizabeth Terrace, Wisbech. Driving otherwise than in accordance with licence (Sutton Bridge). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Ashley Rimmington (23), of The Crescent, Morton. Driving otherwise than in accordance with licence (Bourne). £50 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Joshua Smith (20), of Park Road, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £200 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Rzgar Sulieman (34), of Honeyhill, Peterborough. No insurance (Algarkirk). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for failing to produce insurance.

Michal Szablowski (31), of Commercial Road, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Janis Timoskans (29), of Fydell Crescent, Boston. Faulty headlamp (Algarkirk). £67 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs. No separate penalty for faulty brake light.

Phillip Foster (31), of Drain Bank North, Cowbit. Failing to give driver ID (Nettleham). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for six months.

Steven Leesing (51), of Bicker Road, Donington. Failing to give driver ID (Nettleham). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

David Bratton (69), of Montgomery Road, Sheffield. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £60 fine, £20 v/s, £60 costs, 3pts.

Brandon Bourne (18), of Banks Avenue, Spalding. Unsecured car battery (Spalding). £35 fine, £20 v/s, £60 costs, 3pts.

Marcus Roberts-Fogarty (28), of Bridgewater Lane, Spalding. Speeding (Pinchbeck). £115 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 5pts.

July 30

Mohamed Amin (30) of Severn Road, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £110 fine, £20 v/s, 6pts.

Georgios Christoudias (34), of Pinfold Lane, Stamford. Speeding (Spalding). £580 fine, £58 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Mark Hannan (49), of Moor Top road, Low Moor, Bradford. Speeding (Swineshead). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Tomas Kicak (24), of Rycroft Avenue, Deeping St James. Speeding (Deeping St James). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Courtney McGlashan (19), of London Road, Long Sutton. No insurance (Spalding). £110 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 14 days.

Lyle Perrot (18), of Nursery Close, Long Sutton. No insurance (Long Sutton). £110 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 14 days.

Egidijus Radvila (26), of Clay Lake, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £250 fine, £25 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Karolis Rimkevicius (27), of Elizabeth Terrace, Wisbech. No insurance (Sutton Bridge). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Bartlomiej Rosek (27), of Sharman Way, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Bernice Tooley (62), of Thorpe Avenue, Moulton Chapel. Speeding (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Paul Webb (27), of Linchfield Road, Deeping St James. Speeding (Deeping St James). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Laura Wells (25), of Main Street, Gedney Dyke. Driving while using a mobile phone (Whaplode). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Jeffrey Moore (49), of Victoria Street, Chatteris. Speeding (Tydd Gote). £40 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.

Vaughan Tweed (41), of Bull road, Thorneham Pava, Eye. Speeding (Swineshead). £135 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Linda Winters (58), of Woodbank, Deeping St Nicholas. Failing to stop at scene of accident (Stamford). £110 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 7pts. No separate penalty for failing to report an accident and driving without due care and attention.

Richard Stephens (48), of Cherry Walk, Boston. Speeding (Spalding). £163 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Tyorne Al’Tamir (21), of London Road, Long Sutton. No MOT (Gedney). £40 fine, £20 v/s, £25 costs.

Grzegorz Puczek (41), of Bourne Road, Spalding. No insurance (Boston). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Two new Non-Executive Directors have been appointed to help manage Lincolnshire’s hospitals and build on achievements made in recent years.

Dr Paul Grassby and Geoffrey Hayward have recently been appointed to the Trust Board of the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

As Non-Executive Directors, they will be responsible for challenging and contributing to the development of the Trust and scrutinising its performance.

Dr Grassby currently holds the position of Head of Pharmacy at the University of Lincoln where he is responsible for developing a new School of Pharmacy with a modern curriculum and research strategy and building links with local stakeholders to develop strategies to meet the health care needs of an aging population.

Mr Hayward previously served for eight years as Non-Executive Director for the NHS at Stockport Primary Care Trust as Chair of Audit Committee and then with the Clinical Commissioning Group where he was a key player in setting up their risk registers, supporting the training of board members in risk management and driving the responsibility for risk throughout the organisation.

Chairman, Paul Richardson said: “The Trust is pleased to have been able to appoint two talented members who will add to the existing strength of the Board for the next stage of the organisation’s development.”

A man (27) has been arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assaulting a police constable after a domestic-related incident in Sutton Bridge on Sunday.

The police officer involved suffered a foot injury after a door was slammed into it and the arrested man was taken to Boston Police Station to be interviewed.

Spalding community policing inspector Jim Tyner said: “Fortunately, the officer didn’t sustain serious injury to his foot and was able to carry on and make the arrest while waiting for assistance to arrive.

“This is another example of how officers put themselves at risk on a daily basis to protect the public.”

A 27-year-old man is in hospital after he was attacked by a group of five men in Spalding on Sunday night.

It happened on New Road at about 10pm and the victim was taken to Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, with minor injuries.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 492 of August 4.

It was a time of war and hardships, with shortages and restrictions affecting life for people in South Holland for much of the decade.

But the 1940s was also a time to party for some, and women were finally able to introduce some glamour into their lives.

The fascinating 1940s is the theme of a weekend being staged at Ayscoughfee Hall Museum and Gardens in Spalding next Saturday and Sunday, August 17 and 18 (10.30am to 4pm each day).

The 1940s theme will transform the whole site, with vintage vehicles, memorabilia and artillery displays and demonstrations.

Museum and cafe staff will be getting involved too, dressing in clothes of the time.

A singer will be performing songs of the era throughout Saturday.

A new event this year, the 1940s Weekend will form the lead-up to the annual VJ Day Parade on the Sunday, when Spalding Remembrance Association leads the tributes to those who lost their lives in the Second World War in the Peace Garden (2.30pm).

We have delved into our archives from the 1940s to discover what life was really like for local people recovering from long years of war.

As with the picture nationally, there was a desperate shortage of housing, and families were living in what were referred to as “squatters’ huts” on Spalding Grammar School field while new houses were put up as quickly as possible.

These new homes included the Wates type of permanent prefabricated house, 50 of which were built in Daniels Gate, Long Sutton, and a further 50 in Allenby’s Chase Sutton Bridge, in 1946.

In 1947, a prototype of the Airey rural house was put up at Cowbit – at a time when there were no more than half a dozen of them in the whole of England and Wales. Thirty more were planned for Cowbit and there were proposals for 44 at Weston.

In 1946, there were Peace Fairs, Land Army girls were still working locally, and Pearl Taylor, of Holbeach, was the Women’s Land Army county representative in the Victory March in London.

At home, families could buy Utility Furniture, as sold by Longs of Spalding, but food and fuel were in short supply.

There were cartoons poking fun at these post-war shortages in most editions of these newspapers. One, in May of 1947, depicted a couple admiring a field carpeted in crops with the wife saying: “Pity there aren’t any carpets in the shops.”

A propaganda advert in August showed a 1947 housewife’s response to public appeals to restrict consumption of gas and electricity. She told readers: “We housewives can carry on with less electricity and gas. Not so the factories. They come to a standstill when they are short... there are fewer goods in the shops, and houses stop being built.”

As the 1940s progressed, adverts began to appear for clothing that offered women “the pre-war grace and fullness” of Sunray pleated skirts.

There were also button-through frocks, rayon dresses, and brides began to wear long dresses once more .

Geest Industries staff took their annual outing to Clacton-on-Sea. The first Royal Show since 1939 was held at Lincoln in 1947 and, in 1949, Spalding Railway Station’s last two “street horses” made their final round before being replaced by lorries.

In 1947, the professional businessman could buy a new Triumph 1800 Town & Country Saloon for £695, and by 1949 Spalding Airways was offering excursions in luxury twin-engined Rapide aircraft to Holland.

British Railways advertised excursions to holiday destinations in Norfolk and elsewhere.

Stay-at-homes could borrow books from W H Smith & Son’s library at the Station Bookstall, or could listen to a Regetone five valve AC three-waveband radio for 4/2d a week.

Local entertainment included dances, performances by local amateur dramatic groups, the cinema, sport, fetes and bazaars.

A self-employed businesswoman crashed off the road after one drink led to a few during a visit to friends.

Johanna Loughnane now faces having to put her home in Wargate Way, Gosberton, on the market and moving somewhere with better public transport so she can continue her work as an occupational health consultant.

Loughnane (49) was banned from driving for 18 months by Spalding magistrates on Thursday after admitting drink-driving.

She had 76 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The limit is 35mcgs.

Rebecca Ritson, prosecuting, said police were called to reports of a car crash near to a roundabout on the B1356 at Gosberton just after midnight on July 13.

When officers arrived the driver was not at the scene, but a sandal was found nearby.

Loughnane was later tracked down, wearing a matching shoe, and taken to hospital for checks. A breath test was not taken until three hours after the crash.

Mike Conlon, defending, said on the way to the hospital Loughnane admitted to a police officer that she had been driving the car.

He told magistrates his client also helps care for her mother, who is registered blind, in Enfield and a ban will have an impact on that.

Magistrates fined her £200, ordered to pay £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge, She can knock four months off her ban if she completes a driver rehabilitation course.

A man who set up a cannabis factory in a Spalding flat to pay for his wife’s cancer treatment has failed to get his four-year jail term cut.

Charles Binns (49), was caught red-handed trimming £20,000 worth of crop in the flat in Pinchbeck Road he had kitted out as a drugs den to fund his wife’s brain surgery.

His wife later committed suicide after Binns, of Deene Court, Peterborough, was jailed for four years at Lincoln Crown Court last September.

He admitted producing the class B drug.

But three top judges at London’s Appeal Court have rejected a sentence challenge by the widower – saying the case was “very sad” but his appeal was “unarguable”.

During Binns’ trial last September, Lincoln Crown Court was told that officers raided the property and found Binns and another man Kris Stimson cropping the plants.

Stimson, of Greenham, Peterborough, was given a 12-month community order with 180 hours of unpaid work.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said: “It was a sophisticated operation, capable of producing a significant quantity of cannabis for commercial use.

“There was an air filter extraction system, lighting systems, timer switches and a variety of chemicals.”

More than 100 cannabis plants were found, capable of producing an estimated £70,000 worth of the drug.

Judge Michael Heath told Binns: “This commercial enterprise was your own idea. You set it up on a commercial scale with the expectation of substantial financial gain.”

Joanna Staples, for Binns, said he was motivated by the need to find the cash to pay for an operation for his wife, who was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour.

UK doctors were not prepared to perform the operation so Binns tracked down a doctor in his native South Africa who was prepared to carry out the treatment but at a “vast cost”.

Miss Staples said: “It was that which instigated this enterprise.”

Three men caused headaches for staff at Spalding’s main swimming pool after throwing items around the changing rooms and annoying customers.

The group threw baby changing equipment around on Friday before leaving some time between 6.15pm and 6.20pm, heading towards Albion Street.

All three men were white, one was wearing a light blue t-shirt, another man was wearing a dark blue t-shirt and the third man had tattoos on his upper body.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 427 of August 2.

Police are trying to trace a group of men after objects, including a hammer, were thrown at taxis parked in Spalding town centre.

Two taxis were damaged while parked at the junction of Red Lion Street and New Road, near The Punchbowl, when the incident happened some time after 1am on Monday.

A hammer was later recovered by police who are treating the incident as criminal damage and anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident number 7 of August 5.

Meanwhile, two vehicles had their wing mirrors damaged while parked in Westlode Street car park on Friday some time between 1.45pm and 9pm.

Anyone with information should call police, quoting incident number 510 of August 2.

A stunning century from Bourne 2nd’s Tom Bentley lit up the South Lincs and Border League Premier Division on Saturday.

Bentley blasted 115 in a 46-run triumph over Woodhall Spa 2nd on Saturday, keeping their slim title hopes alive in the process.

The number four made the lion’s share of Bourne’s 230-8, with only Tom Dixon (41) giving him any kind of support.

Ben McCarrick (89 not out) did his best to guide visitors Spa to glory, but Springbok ace Xanti Xipu (5-35) ripped through their reply to leave them at 184-8 at the close.

Also in the top flight, second-placed Billingborough made light work of Skegness 2nd to stay hot on Boston’s heels at the summit.

Rutvik Botadra top scored with 74 as Boro made 218-9 at the seaside venue, before dismissing their hosts for 114 to tie-up a 20-point haul.

Leaders Boston also collected a maximum haul against struggling Moulton Harrox, who remain in the bottom two.

Saihan Azim made a destructive 83 from just 59 balls to guide hosts Boston to 251-9 from their 50 overs, despite the best efforts of Henry Lavery (4-58).

Harrox were then dismissed for 123, with Jack Barnett (38) top scoring.

In Division One, leaders Long Sutton returned to action with another emphatic win. They dismissed Blankney for 131 with Jake Burton taking fine figures of 3-18, before James Wright’s unbeaten 64 eased them to a winning tally of 133-2.

Sutton now lead second-placed Friskney by 40 points.

Baston remain in the title picture in fourth after they held their nerve to see off Thomas Cook. Tim Dyer (5-7) shone with the ball to dismiss Cook for 115 at The Shrine, before Scott Downie (31no) got the hosts over the line with four wickets in hand.

Spalding 2nd, meanwhile, enjoyed a fine derby win over Market Deeping 2nd.

Veteran Mick East made 55 in Town’s 194-6 at the Memorial Field, with Jimmy Clarke then taking 5-39 to limit Deeping to 168-9 in reply.

There was another derby duel on Sunday, with Billingborough 2nd easing past Moulton Harrox 2nd.

Fresh from his heroics 24 hours earlier, all-rounder Botadra (76) made another handy knock in Boro’s 277-7, with Richard Wells ending unbeaten on 89 for the hosts.

Basement boys Harrox were all out for 136 in their reply as Stu Gollop and James Zealand took four wickets apiece.

Down in Division Two, Long Sutton 2nd continued their relentless march towards the title with a whirlwind win over Boston 3rd.

Three wickets each from Jordan Keeble and Ian Morris skittled the visitors out for 66 at Paradise Field, with Andrew Wright (21no) and Danny Sisson (39no) steering Sutton to 71-1 in the 14th over.

There was a morale-boosting win for Pinchbeck, too.

Harry Waine snared figures of 4-25 to help dismiss Welby 2nd for 125, then openers Danny Jackson (33) and Mike Knight (43) top scored to clinch a five-wicket win.

Spalding 3rd suffered a nine-wicket beating by Freiston after Haris Nadeem took 6-6 to bowl the young side out for 67.

l More cricket in Thursday’s SpaldingGuardian.

SPALDING UNITED 2 KETTERING TOWN 0: Depleted Spalding rounded off their pre-season schedule with an eye-catching friendly win over the higher-graded Kettering on Saturday.

Second-half strikes from Lee Beeson (68) and Sam Mullarkey (90) were enough for the Tulips at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.

But it could have been very different, with man-of-the-match keeper Michael Duggan pulling off a key penalty save two minutes before Beeson nodded the hosts ahead.

The Poppies started much the better and Duggan was forced to pull off smart stops from Ryan Cherry and Jake Newman early on.

Spalding’s first sight of goal came in the 20th minute, when Beeson beat Kettering keeper Michael Quick to a cross – but his header was kicked off the line.

The hosts then went on to enjoy their best period of the game, with Dan Cotton seeing a deflected free kick scrambled clear and Mullarkey firing wide at the near post following a fine run and cross from Beeson.

Lively winger Beeson then delivered another low cross for Danny Steadman, but the midfielder kicked fresh air when well-placed as the first period ended goalless.

Kettering again came out of the traps quicker than their hosts after the break, but found Duggan in unbeatable form.

The Tulips’ keeper somehow got down low to pull off a one-handed stop from Newman, before coming face-to -face with the same player from the penalty spot after Adam Jackson tangled with Louis Hamilton. The spot-kick was at a nice height, but Duggan still did superbly to palm it away to his right.

It proved a pivotal moment, with Spalding taking the lead from their next attack. A lovely cross from Matty O’Neill picked out Beeson, who headed home the goal his performance deserved.

Newman’s personal battle with Duggan continued after the opener, with the Tulips’ number one turning his swerving drive around the post – again with one hand.

Ben Ford lobbed an effort over as the Poppies looked for a leveller, but it was Spalding who had the last word in the final minute.

O’Neill showed great feet before crossing for Mullarkey, who calmly fired the ball low into the far corner to wrap up a confidence-boosting win for the Tulips ahead of next week’s big kick-off.

Tulips: Duggan, Doherty, Jackson, Allen, McGovern, Steadman, Beeson (Ebdon 88), Hall, Mullarkey, Cotton (Webb 60), O’Neill. Not used: Hussey.

Police are looking for vandals who damaged a vehicle parked in Red Lion Street, Spalding, on Saturday afternoon.

It is thought to have taken place some time between 2.30pm and 3.30pm and anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 301 of August 5.