Lincolnshire PCC Alan Hardwick has backed Temporary Chief Constable Neil Rhodes’ bid to take the job permanently – despite suspending him earlier this year.

Mr Rhodes, who has been Chief Constable since March 2012, was the only applicant for the £131,000-a-year job but his appointment still has to be confirmed by Lincolnshire Police and Crime Panel.

A public confirmation hearing is to be held on December 6 after Mr Hardwick proposed that Mr Rhodes should be formally appointed Chief Constable on Monday.

They have continued working together since Mr Hardwick suspended Mr Rhodes in February over a misconduct allegation but it was quashed by a High Court judge a month later.

Mr Rhodes was finally cleared after an investigation led by Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy was completed in August.

A headteacher says he would consider calling for “independence in Donington” to ensure his pupils have a successful future.

Martyn Taylor, of the Thomas Cowley High School, attended an Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) conference in Derby and said “it was very depressing”.

The meeting underlined a “chilling” glimpse into the challenges facing teachers given in a Shape of Future Schools address by Under Secretary of State Elizabeth Truss, which Mr Taylor also attended.

Under the changes, Year 11s can expect to be facing 25 to 30 hours of exams on maths, English, science, modern foreign languages, geography and history. “Bizarre subjects” like the arts, music, technology, media and drama can be kept on the curriculum, but will not count with school inspectors.

This week Mr Taylor and his teachers sat down to plan a way forward.

He said: “I’m beginning to think the only thing to do is declare independence in Donington. A school on an island like Jersey did it and decides its own educational pathway.

“Our success in the past has been our ability to be inclusive. Every student here can achieve in something to a high level, so they are more likely to achieve elsewhere.

“Some pupils might be really good at food technology and they are more likely to achieve in maths and English. That’s what’s at risk.

“If students struggle with a subject they don’t get that feeling of self-worth and achievement and are less likely to achieve in a core subject.

“It’s madness that technology is one of the ‘bizarre’ subjects when CBI careers guidance is still looking for it as one of the things employers most want – as well as flexibility, problem solving, ability to analyse and wordprocessing.

“Our task now is to decide whether to risk getting a pasting from inspectors in a report that puts parents off sending their children to our school or to continue giving all of our students the best education for them so they do not sit on the shelf feeling useless.

“There’s no choice really.”

The top two in each division of the Vital Recruitment Spalding and District League extended their leads after another round of fixtures.

Bladerunners completed their fourth whitewash in five when they defeated Defenders.

On top of that they dropped just one end and are now five clear with a game in hand.

Second-placed South Holland found themselves surprisingly pegged back against JAG.

Despite John Gilbert being in top form in taking two they needed the doubles to secure their 3-2 win.

Highlight was a first win in the top flight for Reece Kerry, coming from behind and saving a number of game points as well.

That extra point lifted JAG above Outsiders, who went down 1-4 to Haz Beans, who leapfrog Defenders into third spot.

Colin Vertigan gained a double with team mate Tony Cooper chipping in one and helping to secure the doubles.

Castle Sports continued their run at the top of division two and dented Dark Knights’ 100 per cent record at the same time.

Mike Mulligan scored a double and forced a rare defeat on Richard Matthews in their 4-1 win.

Team mate Garry Wilkinson added another plus the doubles.

Ha’st, in third, closed up on Knights with a 5-0 victory over Mine’s a Pint, Phil Coote and Stuart Duffill doing the damage for the loss of just one end.

Mine’s a Pint dropped below Insidious, who are just two below Ha’st having played a game less.

Facing the two juniors of Casey’s Pingers, the pair won in straight ends.

Another junior, Dylan Taylor, picked up a first win against a senior player in Tornados’ 2-3 loss to Nomads, their first win of the season.

The tie of the match was a five ender between veterans Rod Bain and Phil Knowles, which the former took in five.

Finally, a reminder that tomorrow (Wednesday) sees the Val Mackey Doubles event. All are entered automatically, but please inform the committee if you are not available.

Spalding’s U25 team played their first game in the national double rink competition against local rivals Boston, with both rinks being played at Spalding.

The first five ends were very close with Spalding leading on one rink 6-1, skipped by Ashley Caress, whilst the other rink, skipped by Ryan Huskisson, was losing 6-1.

On the seventh end Ashley’s rink picked up six shots and steadily increased his lead to finish up winning 26-8, with Boston conceding at 18 ends. Jordan Philpott, Lucy Cooke and Rhys Hill were the other members of the rink.

Ryan’s rink of Chelsea Tomlin, Ruby Hill and Martin Duncan tried to keep close to their opposition – knowing that Ashley was fully in control on his rink – and by the tenth end were only 10-6 down.

They were just two shots behind at the 18th end when Boston conceded, losing 17-15. Final score was41-25 to Spalding.

n Spalding progressed in the national club knockout competition the Denny Cup with a commanding 108 shots to 61 victory over Stamford in a match played across both venues on the same day.

Both teams started well with Spalding only two shots to the good at the fifth and tenth end stages.

It was at the halfway mark that Spalding stamped their authority on the match with all rinks making good progress.

They went from being 42-40 ahead after ten to being 79-48 up at the 15th end, which secured the victory.

Spalding continued their dominance right to the end and recorded a 47-shot margin of victory to secure a place in the next round where they face Boston on Saturday at 10am

Spalding Golf Club held a ladies winter stableford competition which attracted 24 entries.

The winner was Jean Harvey with 38 points, second Paula Brown with 37 and third Angela Roper with 36.

The annual ladies captain vs vice-captain competition saw Jenny Wilson’s team put up a brave fight, but they were beaten by the vice-captain Chris Vickers’ team.

SPALDING GOLF CLUB

Seniors Section November Stableford: Winner D Brand 40pts; 2nd W Wallace 40; 3rd A Jacobs 39; 4th M O’Brien 37. Div 2 - 1st P Calvert 39; 2nd S Fitzjohn 37; 3rd P Schofield 35; 4th B D’Abreo 35.

GEDNEY HILL GOLF CLUB

Men’s Section November Medal: 1st Nigel Baines 64net; 2nd Mick Page 67; 3rd Paul Day 69(acb).

Seniors’ Section: November Medal: Cat 1 – 1st Wally Lawes 68net; 2nd Peter Orbine 70; 3rd David Lord 71. Cat 2 – 1st Bill Sharpe 69net (acb); 2nd Neil Sargeant 69; 3rd Keith Cooper 72. Cat 3 – 1st Tony Lacey 74net; 2nd Carol Plume 75(acb); 3rd John George 75.

Ladies’ Section: November Medal: 1st Chris Bennett 82net; 2nd Ann Chick 83; 3rd Nicky Weller 88(acb).

TYDD ST GILES

Seniors Strokeplay vouchers competition: Division 1: 1st Noel Bratt 80-11-69, 2nd Ian Bingley 85-14-71, 3rd Del Marsh 88-16-72; Division 2 : 1st Barrie Mutimer 92-19-73, 2nd Richard Ward 94-20-74, 3rd Russell Doy 95-18-77; Division 3: 1st Salvatore Di Bella 93-23-70, 2nd Phil Martin 95-22-73, 3rd John Gamble 96-22-74; Division 4: 1st Steve Skoulding 97-25-72, 2nd ocb Geoff Chappell 102-28-74, 3rd Stuart Lacey 99-25-74.

Mens November Medal: Division 1: 1st ocb George Pawson 77-8=69, 2nd Rod Drew 77-8=69, 3rd Ady Bills 77-7=70; Division 2: 1st Paul Abbott 81-16=65, 2nd Mike Parker 82-14=68, 3rd Mark Boughen 88-17=77; Division 3: 1st Jason Young 89-20=69, 2nd Paul Tibbs 92-22=70, 3rd ocb Johnathon Housley-Stott 92-22=70.

League leaders Spalding United equalled Long Buckby’s UCL record of consecutive victories at the start of a season when they trumphed 4-1 at fifth placed Yaxley this afternoon.

But it was not such good news for second placed Deeping Rangers, who lost in the league for the first time since the opening day of the season, going down 2-1 at on-form Wellingborough Town.

Yaxley had given the Tulips a tough game at the Sir Halley Stewart Field earlier in the season and scored first through former Holbeach United striker Jamie Graham after 20 minutes. However, Jamie Thurlbourne, who has rejoined the club from Newmarket Town, equalised in the 35th minute and it was all square at half time.

Andrew Tidswell scored his 29th goal of a prolific season to give Spalding a 66th minute lead and strike partner Mark Jones wrapped up the points in the 86th minute. And there was still time for Tidswell to make it 30 for the campaign in the dying seconds.

High-scoring Deeping found themselves drawing 0-0 at Wellingborough at the break. However, with resurgent Holbeach without a game this afternoon, another one of their former strikers was on the mark when Jason Turner headed in his 21st goal of the season from Damon Herbert’s cross to put Wellingborough 1-0 up.

Josh Moreman equalised for Rangers 12 minutes later and the visitors then dominated proceedings, only for Michael Boyle-Chong to score an 85th minute winner against the run of play for the Doughboys.

In the UCL Division One KO Cup Bourne Town went down 2-1 at high-flying Luttwerworth Athletic.

In the premier division of the Peterborough League Moulton Harrox stay fourth after thrashing Oakham United 7-2.Deeping Rangers Reserves stay in mid-table after a 3-1 home defeat to Uppingham Town, Pinchbeck United slip to within a place of the relegation area after a 3-0 home reverse to title-chasing Netherton United and Crowland Town secured a very good 1-1 draw at Riverside.

Results:

United Counties League premier division: AFC Kempston Rovers 6, Northampton Sileby Rangers 2; Cogenhoe United 1, Stewarts & Lloyds Corby 0; Huntingdon Town 3, Harborough Town 0; Long Buckby AFC 1, Boston Town 0; Newport Pagnell Town 3, Peterborough Northern Star 2; Sleaford Town 1, AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2; Wellingborough Town 2, Deeping Rangers 1; Wisbech Town 3, Desborough Town 0; Yaxley 1, Spalding United 4.

Division one: Buckingham Tow 2, Oadby Town 4; Harrowby United 0, Eynesbury Rovers 2; Olney Town 2, Blackstones 4; Potton United 2, Rothwell Corinthians 1; Thrapston Town 3, Bugbrooke St Michaels 0; Woodford United 0, St Neots Town Saints 8; Irchester United 1, Wellingborough Whitworth 1. Knockout Cup: Lutterworth Athletic 2, Bourne Town 1.

Peterborough League premier division: Coates Athletic 4, Ramsey Town 1; Deeping Rangers Reserves 1, Uppingham Town 3; King’s Lynn Town Reserves 6, Whittlesey Blue Star 0; Moulton Harrox 7, Oakham United 2; Parson Drove 92 0, Whittlesey United 6; Pinchbeck United 0, Netherton United 3; Riverside 1, Crowland Town 1; Sawtry 0, Peterborough ICA Sports 3; Stilton United 3, Leverington Sports 3.

Division one: AFC Stanground 2, Holbeach United Reserves 2; Peterborough ICA Sports Reserves 2, Moulton Harrox Reserves 1; Sutton Bridge United 2, Stamford Belvedere 2; Thorney 6, Long Sutton Athletic 1.

Division two: Coates Athletic Reserves 3, Pinchbeck United Reserves 1; Guyhirn 2, Gedney Hill 5; Langtoft United Reserves 4, Crowland Town Reserves 2; Leverington Sports Reserves 0, Baston 4.

Intermediate Shield: Wittering 4, Long Sutton Athletic Reserves 2 (AET).

Division four: Ryhall United A 3, Spalding Town 7; Tydd St Mary 5, Sutton Bridge Reserves 0.

League Shield: Baston Reserves 9, Pinchbeck United A 0.

Division five: Thorpe Wood Rangers 4, Whaplode Drove 5.

It was a difficult decision for our judges but after much deliberation they have decided the winners in our East Midlands Food and Drink Awards.

The awards were all about championing what is great about the region’s cuisine and recognising excellence within dining venues.

It also aimed to give a very big public pat on the back to all those who work so tirelessly to bring us great food and drink everytime we choose to dine out.

And it really was a contest open to all – your local fish and chip shop, your favourite place for a pint or a top-notch dining spot.

Readers voted in their thousands for their favourites – and South Holland more than held its own in the region by being well represented in the list of final winners.

Staff at the Bull Inn in Fleet Hargate have been celebrating their success as Best Community Pub, while Linfords Fish and Chips picked up honours in the Best Customer Service and Best Fish and Chips categories.

The Playbarn at Springfields, Spalding, even picked up the award for Best Family Friendly Venue.

Best Customer Service – Red India, Oakham; Indus Indian Cuisine, Spalding

Best Dining Pub – The Wicked Witch, Ryhall; The Sebastopol Inn, Minting; The Wheatsheaf at Hubbert’s Bridge

Best Family Friendly Venue – Hall Farm Park; Cafe at the Samworth Centre, Melton Mowbray

Best Fish and Chips – Linfords Traditional Fish and Chips, Stanground, Peterborough; The Mermaid Fish Bar, Horncastle

Best Hotel Meal – Stoke Rochford Hall; The Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa; Sysonby Knoll Hotel, Melton Mowbray

Best Indian Restaurant – Indus Indian Cuising, Spalding

Best Newcomer – The Sebastopol Inn, Minting; L’Olivetto, Oakham; The Pantry, Corby Glen

Best Oriental Restaurant – Yang Xian, Bourne; The Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Best Sunday Lunch – Stoke Rochford Hall; The Golden Lion, Moulton Seas End

Best Tea Room/Cafe – Pizzini, Bottesford; Cafe at the Samworth Centre, Melton Mowbray; Concreation Garden Centre, Boston

Road safety chiefs in Lincolnshire are backing a campaign to ban hands-free phones in cars, saying banter at the wheel is more dangerous than driving while drunk.

John Siddle, from Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, says research proves motorists cannot focus on the conversation and the road at the same time.

He said the same part of the brain is used to process both the visual information seen through the windscreen and the words from the caller.

“Your reaction time is 35 per cent less than a drunk driver,” he said. “You will appreciate that any amount of alcohol does slow your reaction time. To have that slowed down – and add another 35 per cent – it is going to be quite significant.”

Mr Siddle said drivers chatting on the phone will miss bits of the conversation and bits of the journey.

“It’s a really bad one as far as we are concerned,” he said.

Lincolnshire has had three phone related crashes in the last year – two drivers were jailed for causing death by careless driving.

A third case saw a car driver killed when he ran into a lorry. The lorry driver was texting at the time, but not at fault in the accident.

The national road safety charity Brake says 98 per cent of motorists are unable to divide their time between phone chat and driving.

Brake wants a ban on hands-free mobiles in cars. In the meantime the charity suggests drivers should switch off phones while driving – and callers should refuse to talk to someone who is driving.

A beaver scout group in Spalding is threatened with closure unless a new leader can be found.

Members of the 4th Spalding Scouts in Monks House Lane need someone to run their teatime sessions because work commitments mean the current leaders are leaving.

Cub leader Christine Gratton said helping provides hours of fun for a willing volunteer.

She said: “There are lots of fun activities, but it’s also about the reward of seeing children develop and friendship through meeting new people.

“No experience is required and full training will be given.”

The beaver scout group currently has 12 members aged six to eight, but there is a waiting list.

Mrs Gratton said: “The scout group itself is very successful, with between 50 and 60 boys and girls, but we’ve kept the numbers of beavers down because we were worried about the situation with leaders.

“We are just hoping there is someone out there interested in becoming a leader.

“If not we will have to close the group.”

Beaver scouts belong to the first and youngest section in the scouting family.

Among the activities a new leader in Spalding could find themselves organising are toasting marshmallows at the Pecks Drove campsite, crafts and badge work.

The group meets at the Monks House Lane scout headquarters on Tuesdays from 5pm to 6pm.

Anyone interested in being a leader can contact Mrs Gratton by calling 07568098846.

Two men were inside a car when a hammer wielding attacker smashed the windscreen and passenger window.

Ian Verroken, described as having “significant mental health problems”, believed one of the pair had pushed his mother’s elderly neighbour.

But the car’s owner, Wayne Reeve, and friend George Medford denied doing any such thing, Spalding magistrates heard.

The incident happened in Riverbank, Spalding, on October 30.

Jim Clare, prosecuting, said Mr Reeve and Mr Medford were having a cigarette and chatting when Mr Reeve received a phone call from his boss asking if he could work for a few hours.

He started the car but then saw Verroken standing on the road with his right hand behind his back.

Verroken shouted “stop” and Mr Reeve described Verroken’s face as “angry and determined”.

Mr Reeve stopped the car and Verroken swung the hammer at the upper left corner of the windscreen, which started to fall away, and swung it again at the passenger window, causing glass to smash over Mr Medford.

In a statement to police, Mr Reeve described how frightened he and Mr Medford were.

Mr Reeve continued: “We were only sitting smoking and chatting and didn’t speak to or upset any other person.”

Verroken (32), of Alcorn Green, Fishtoft, near Boston, was conditionally discharged for a year and ordered to pay £85 costs with £500 compensation.

Solicitor Rachel Stevens, mitigating, said Verroken has significant mental health problems and was in court with his sisters, who are part of a team of people who provide him with full-time care.

Verroken was visiting his mother when an elderly neighbour of hers was pushed and swung the hammer “as an angry reaction to what he witnessed occurring”.

She said Verroken realised it was not the right thing to do.

Lutterworth Athletic 2, Bourne Town 1

The Wakes crashed out of the Knockout Cup after a match in which they were left to reflect on defensive errors.

Bourne started brightly with Alex Brockbank firing wide from a Seb Hood lay-off and Andy Moss sending a diving header wide at the far post.

But Athletic took a 13th minute lead when Charlie Butler caught Moss in possession on the halfway line and Liam Barrett was played to score with an angled shot from the left of the box.

Barrett broke clear only to finish weakly shortly afterwards but the lead was doubled on 27 minutes, Alec Robinson’s lapse in concentration allowing Butler to pinch possession and break clear to chip Aaron Bellairs.

Bourne were back in the game on the half hour as Joe Searson’s well flighted delivery from the left was glanced in by Hood.

Hood was denied a second goal early in the second half when his header from a corner was cleared off the line while at the other end Dom Ivens was just off target with a fierce drive and Bellairs saved point blank from Bedford.

Wakes substitute Clark went close for the visitors but with five minutes left Lutterworth had an even better chance to wrap up the win.

A short back pass played Bellairs into trouble and his poor first touch saw Barrett dispossess him only to be brought down by the keeper. Bellairs redeemed himself by saving Butler’s spot kick.

Bourne: Bellairs, Rook, Wells (Pick), Mason, Robinson (Penney), Jesson, Moss, Searson, Hood (Clark), Brockbank, Baines.

Police carried out a drugs raid at an address in Town Drove at Quadring last Tuesday.

A man of 28 was arrested on suspicion of producing cannabis and possession of the class A drug, cocaine, with intent to supply. The man is on police bail until February 18.

Spalding manager Pat Rayment is in buoyant mood after his team’s 4-1 win at Yaxley on Saturday - despite losing two more players.

Rayment said today: “We could have won by seven or eight really. Michael Duggan has gifted them a goal by running out like that, but they didn’t really get another chance.

“I think Michael must have been bored and looking for something to do!

“It’s a bit of a blow losing Mark Jones to suspension for three games though. He had been having a battle with Wayne Morris all afternoon and you can’t go in with challenges like that these days. He will miss the game against Rushden and Diamonds and the FA Vase game, but Sam Mullarkey is a great replacement.

“Lee Cannoville will also miss a lot of games with his injury. But I am not so concerned there because Peter Bore can come in and do a fantastic job.”

Yaxley 1, Spalding United 4

Spalding equalled Long Buckby’s United Counties League record of winning their first 16 games of the season as they came from behind on Saturday.

And four more wins from Pat Rayment’s unstoppable Tulips would smash Wisbech’s long-standing achievement of 20 consecutive UCL wins.

Andrew Tidswell maintained his rich goalscoring form at Leading Drove as his second half double took his tally for the season so far to 30.

The Cuckoos are having a good season themselves and Spalding had to come from behind to extend their record breaking run. But with total domination and much hard work in the second half they were very worthy winners.

The returning Jamie Thurlbourne, back after spending time at Newmarket Town, was an instrumental figure down the left side with some tricky footwork and penetrating crosses into the Yaxley area.

It was he who cancelled out Jamie Graham’s 18th minute goal for the home team, by scoring direct from a 30-yard free kick which he despatched low and accurately in the 34th minute.

He had narrowly missed opening the scoring after just four minutes when Andy Tidswell collected a Mark Jones pass and whipped the ball towards goal, with the winger just inches away from making contact.

At the other end Michael Duggan managed to smother the ball just short of his line in a goalmouth scramble. As the Tulips broke quickly skipper Lee Canoville, who limped out of the game in the 25th minute with knee ligament damage, grazed the home bar with a stinging shot.

However, the Tulips’ defence was split wide open in the 18th minute and former Holbeach striker Graham ghosted past players to beat Duggan, who had rushed off his line, with a crisp finish.

Yaxley were fortunate to not have keeper Aaron Butcher red-carded in the 30th minute when, as last man, he raced out of his area to send Tidswell flying with a full blooded body check when the striker was poised to shoot. But his only punishment from referee Brian O’Sullivan was a yellow card.

The Tulips quickly took control of the second half and missed out on three occasions before Tidswell put them into the lead in the 64th minute with a trademark finish from Adam Jackson’s precision cross.

The lead was increased in the 83rd minute with Mark Jones connecting at the far post from another of Thurlbourne’s super left side crosses. Jones, though, blotted his copy book just two minutes later with a two footed challenge that resulted in a straight red card.

Yaxley’s demise was complete in the fourth minute of added time when the industrious Lewis Webb slipped the ball through for the prolific Tidswell to score.

Spalding: Duggan, Canoville (Hall 25 mins), Jackson, Stevens, Stainfield, Webb, Cotton, Steadman, Jones, Tidswell, Thurlbourne. Subs (not used): Mullarkey, Lowery, Robinson, Roberts.

Kesteven 0,

Spalding 38

Lincolnshire Senior Cup 2nd Round

This match was played on Wednesday evening in very difficult conditions caused by the wind and especially in the first half by the torrential rain which for the first 40 minutes came down non-stop but did abate somewhat in the second half.

Spalding used the opportunity to introduce some of their younger players to first team rugby and they did not disgrace themselves, especially with Ashley Piccaver being outstanding in the second row and he also scored his side’s second try of the evening.

Spalding kicked off playing against the elements and the slope which it was felt would undoubtedly have a massive effect on the outcome of the match.

Kesteven attacked from the start but a stiff defence from the visitors held firm and with Spalding’s first break out of their own half the rampaging Ed Duerden broke clear through the defence and scored under the posts.

James West added the conversion and Spalding had shown their supporters what was possible against the elements.

Next to make his mark was new boy Ashley Piccaver, playing his first game for the senior side at second row.

Spalding again took play to well inside the Kesteven 22 metre area and, driving towards the try lineout, Piccaver used his height and strength to drive over for his team’s second try.

The conversion attempt by West was wide of the target on this occasion but the wind was the only winner.

There were times when Kesteven, with the elements in their favour, put pressure on the Spalding defence but they did not have much in reserve when the visitors broke clear.

On one such occasion skipper Harry Sharman was the player who crossed the line close to the posts and West added the extra two points as the half time whistle went with a score 0-19 in favour of Spalding.

The second half gave Spalding all the advantages, the slope, the wind and a comfortable lead.

It was Sharman who was the most successful, crossing the Kesteven line on three more occasions with West converting two of the attempts.

But at the end the visitors were worthy winners and now look forward to the next round at home against Stamford RFC in the semi final.

Spalding RFC: Sharman (captain), Knight, Harwood, Waudby, Hoyles, Piccaver, Finch, Duerden, Lucas, West, Newman, Brown, Cooper, Lal, Booth, Ioannou, Mason, Waltham, Clitheroe.

Wellingborough Town 2, Deeping Rangers 1

UCL Premier division

Rangers suffered their first league defeat since the opening day of the season and now trail Spalding by seven points at the top of the Premier.

Deeping shaded the opening half but were unable to find their goal touch.

Holbeach old boy Jason Turner gave the Doughboys a 53rd minute lead, heading in a Damon Herbert cross.

Josh Moreman squared the match on the hour with his seventh goal of the season.

But Michael Boyle-Chong popped up with a last minute winner for Wellingborough.

Deeping: Doughty, Flack, Parker, Tinkler, Stone, Burton-Jones, Beck (Odain), Ginty, Oliver (Gilbert), Heron, Moreman (Cartwright).

Attendance: 108.

Chromasport Peterborough League Premier Division strugglers Pinchbeck United have appointed former Ryman Premier and Conference coach Pete Burdett as their new manager.

Burdett has had positions at clubs such as Carshalton Athletic and Dulwich Hamlet and has been helping with training at Knight Street.

Current joint boss Gary Coomes will be Pete’s assistant while other joint boss and club stalwart Pete Roberts will concentrate on club matters.

A club statement read: “Pete has shown his passion for the club over the first few months of the season and brings a wealth of experience to the role.”

Antiques lovers can watch actress Amanda Donohoe searching for treasures in Spalding.

Her visit to Spalding Antiques for BBC2’s Antiques Road Trip is being screened tonight (Tuesday) at 7pm.

Miss Donohoe joined antiques expert Philip Serrell in filming a celebrity edition of the show at the antiques centre in The Crescent.

Police arrested two men following a car crash in Long Sutton’s Market Place at about 10.30pm on Friday.

A 23-year-old from Holbeach was attended by ambulance staff for a leg injury. He was arrested on suspicion of affray but released without charge.

A 22-year-old from Wisbech was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, drink-driving and driving while disqualified. He was given police bail until January 2.

A man of 19 from Sutton Bridge has pleaded not guilty to possessing criminal property, an Aprilia RX50 motorcycle, on November 5

Shane Kelk, from Princess Street, also denies using the bike on a Cherry Tree Road, Holbeach, without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with his licence on the same date.

Spalding magistrates on Thursday fixed a trial for February 12 at Grantham Magistrates’ Court.

A Pinchbeck man who claims he was “treated like a dog” in Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital says he never wants to be admitted there again – in spite of the recruitment drive for nurses announced last week.

Martyn Glencross (41) said: “Both times I was there I was badly treated by the nursing staff and like a dog by one of their head consultants.

“I was left in agony without my pain medication on more than one occasion. When I complained they investigated and all I got was a half-hearted ‘sorry’ and not one from the people responsible but one given out like a automated reply.”

Plans to take 20 new nurses from Greece, Portugal and Spain at Pilgrim as part of a £7million recruitment plan by Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) were announced in the same week reports of a new staffing crisis at Spalding’s Johnson Community Hospital were confirmed.

However, in spite of the shock situation at the Johnson Hospital, reaction from Free Press readers showed Pilgrim Hospital, expected to remain in special measures until at least spring next year, still has a long way to go to gain patients’ trust.

Mr Glencross said: “My illness is very complex as I suffer from a mixture of conditions that range from a broken spine and heart condition, high blood pressure, reoccurring stomach hernias, chronic asthma – just to name a few.

“As you can see, my hospital is very important to me as is the care I receive.

“I’ve told my wife and family that if I need an ambulance I am to be taken to Peterborough as I would rather die in the back of an ambulance than die or be treated like I was in the Pilgrim.”

Managers at ULHT, which runs Pilgrim were heavily criticised by the Care Quality Commission in a report which highlighted low staffing levels, poor training and inconsistent patient care.

A spokesman for the Royal College of Nursing, the professional trade union for nurses, said he was aware of staffing issues and problems at both hospitals.

He said: “We are monitoring the situation at the Pilgrim but from what we hear recruitment from Greece, Portugal and Spain is going well and is hoped to improve the situation there.”

Eiri Jones, director of nursing for United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I have been delighted to meet the newly qualified nurses as they start their career with us here at ULHT.

“I have already seen examples of excellent compassion in care by the new nurses and we will continue to support all our nursing staff to ensure we deliver care of the highest quality to our patients.

“These new nurses will enable us to build on the excellent improvements in care we have already made, at a time when the acuity and dependency of patients with more complex needs is increasing. We believe that by upporting our clinical staff through robust induction and ongoing training we will continue to drive improvements in care, enable us to deliver compassionate, high quality care and meet the individual needs of our patients.”