NewBuy, the widely-anticipated Government and housebuilder-backed scheme aimed at increasing the availability of low deposit mortgages, is now being offered by Taylor Wimpey on homes in Bourne and Spalding.

The initiative, available on new properties up to the value of £500,000, means that credit-worthy first-time buyers may now only need to save a five per cent deposit before they can get on the property ladder.

Home movers with limited equity in their existing property will also benefit from the increase in availability of 95 per cent loan-to-value mortgages.

Carolyne Watkinson, regional sales manager for Taylor Wimpey, said: “We welcome the NewBuy scheme as we believe it will go a long way in helping a wide range of buyers who have had to put their dreams of getting on or moving up the property ladder on hold due to the size of deposits required by mortgage lenders.”

The NewBuy scheme is available through three mortgage lenders, all offering fixed rate deals.

Selected new homes are available under the NewBuy scheme at Taylor Wimpey developments in Oak Springs, Bourne (tel: 0845 6882060) and Pilgrims Chase, Spalding (0845 2398129).

A PARISH council meeting descended into chaos when the police were called to eject a man who said he was “a nutter” and six councillors quit.

The problems at Holbeach Parish Council’s annual parish meeting on Monday began when Paul Poll asked to speak during the open forum.

Chairman Coun Rita Rudkin asked if Mr Poll lives in the parish and when he said yes, asked for his address.

Mr Poll refused to give it and so Coun Rudkin said he couldn’t speak.

After some debate it was decided to allow him to raise his point which referred to the parish council’s allotments.

Not happy with the response Mr Poll then began shouting, accusing the councillors of a cover up.

Coun Rudkin asked Mr Poll to leave but he refused, so it was suggested that the police were called.

Amidst the confusion of who was going to ring the police, Mr Poll yelled out “come on then, phone the police, one of you must have a mobile.”

A farcical phone call ensued, during which the operator asked Coun Michael Barter if Mr Poll was violent. Coun Barter then asked Mr Poll: “are you violent?” to which he replied: “yeah, I’m a nutter” and Coun Barter told the operator: “he says he’s a nutter.”

Around 20 minutes later PSCO Jane Gardner arrived and asked Mr Poll to leave the meeting which he did without a fuss.

Meanwhile six councillors resigned their posts when a vote regarding the new clerk didn’t go their way.

Coun Terry Harrington proposed that a matter regarding the appointment of a new clerk was discussed in closed session after the meeting as the successful person had not yet been informed.

However Coun Esmond Tearle disagreed saying it was public money and should be discussed in the open.

Seven councillors voted against Coun Tearle who, along with the five who sided with him – Michael Barter, Carol Johnson, Carol Rudkin, Val Gemmell and Yvonne Jones – immediately resigned from the council and left the meeting en masse.

A UNIQUE and engaging evening combining film footage from across the 20th century, with live music takes place at the South Holland Centre, Spalding on Tuesday at 7.30pm.

The screening includes previously unseen footage from the Media Archive of England, including local Lincolnshire images taken by ordinary people on cine-format.

There will also be a Past Lives workshop from 5pm.

For more information contact the box office on 01775 764777.

A CELEBRATION of daffodils takes place at Springfields Events Centre in Spalding on April 14 and 15 when the Spring Flower Show is held.

It is Lincolnshire Daffodil Society’s 103rd show and, as well as entries for daffodils, the show will include a floral art class as well as sections for children’s digital photography, with cash prizes for the top three.

Chairman of the Lincolnshire Daffodil Society, Rodney Harrison, said the merger with Springfields Horticultural Society, with its show gardens and its role as the shop window for the UK bulb industry, would “hopefully be the beginning of a new era for the show.”

Springfields Horticultural Society chief executive David Norton said: “Our joint ambition is to establish this show not only as a celebration of daffodils but also to raise public awareness of the wide range of horticultural produce grown in this area, which now plays such an important part in Lincolnshire’s economic wellbeing, as well as being a significant influence on our local culture and heritage.”

The digital photography competition has classes for children under 11, aged 11 to 16; and 16 and above. The top ten photographs from each class will be on display at the show and there will be a continuous slide show featuring all entries.

Other exhibits are expected to include a landscaped show garden entered by the gardening team from Springfields Festival Gardens, display bowls of daffodils from Walkers Bulbs, pallet gardens, commercial growers’ exhibits, ‘veggie sculptures’, plus plant stalls and arts and craft displays.

nThe show is open from 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday and Sunday, April 14 and 15, and entry is £2, accompanied children under 16 free. The prize presentation is at 2pm on Saturday.

For details of competition classes, visit www.lincsdaf fodil.co.uk or telephone 01526 888229.

WITH just two rounds of Spalding and District League fixtures to go, Pyramid F are closing on a second Division One title in three years.

A 4-2 home success over Crowland C keeps the Bourne boys seven points clear of the rest, with Spencer Dawkins their star of the show.

The O48 handicapper made a 32 break and a 27 clearance, which was only bettered by Crowland’s Rob Childs (O63), who reeled off a fine 38.

It looks like one of two for the title in the second tier, with Long Sutton D laying down a marker against Gosberton B. John Dawson (O28) pocketed a 31 break in a 6-0 whitewash – which sent them two points clear of Holbeach D, who beat Pyramid C 4-2.

It was a strange week in Division Three, with the top two Services A and Consti H beaten. That allowed Holbeach B, who knocked off Consti E 4-2, to jump up to second.

Meanwhile, Consti J went top of Division Four after beating title rivals Pyramid B 4-2, Stuart Davie (O14) winning the crucial final frame on the last black.

Results: Division One – Donington A 2 Sutton A 4; Pyramid F 4 Crowland C 2; Sutton B 4 Pyramid A 2; Services C 2 Donington C 4; BSC A 5 Tulips A 1; Sutton A 4 Crowland D 2. Division Two – Consti I 4 Whittlesey B 2; Services B 1 Consti F 5; Consti B 4 Boundary A 2; Sutton D 6 Gosberton B 0; Pyramid C 2 Holbeach D 4; Holbeach C 2 Boundary B 4; Whittlesey A 1 Gosberton A 5. Division Three – Consti E 2 Bourne SC C 4; Consti E 2 Holbeach B 4; Boundary C 1 Consti G 5; Bourne SC A 4 Services A 2; Crowland A 4 Consti H 2; Bourne SC C 2 Whittlesey C 4. Division Four – Consti J 4 Pyramid B 2; Consti C 4 Sutton C 2; Sutton C 4 Donington D 2; Donington D 2 Services D 4; Pyramid E 2 Donington B 4; Gosberton C 5 Consti A 1; Bourne SC B 4 Pyramid E 2.

TOFFEE APPLES 38 ROOKIES 2nd 27: TERRIFIC Toffees moved up to third in Wisbech Division One after a wonderful win.

With outstanding performances from player of the match Jo Shinkin and Morris in defence, they South Holland side went into the first break two ahead.

The second quarter saw fabulous shooting from Lisa Broderick and Ellen Snowden extend the lead, while the athleticism of Adele Rose at centre was vital.

With Burdall and Westwell chasing every ball, Rookies’ shooters were nullified and Toffees punished them every time. The fourth quarter saw Toffees cement their lead, which they held on to.

EYE SPORTS RES 1 PINCHBECK UTD RES 4: STEVE Scupham struck a brace on his first start as Pinchbeck secured back-to-back wins for the first time since November.

It was an unspectacular start by both sides, as long balls were exchanged from both defences. Eye had the better of the early opportunities on goal, but the deadlock was broken by Pinchbeck’s John Butler.

He bent his free kick round the wall past the despairing arm of the Eye keeper from the edge of the box. Eye were level before the break though, through James Huett.

Pinchbeck increased the tempo in the second half, with an inspired penalty save from stand-in keeper Jack Chilvers the catalyst.

From then on the away side were able to establish more control and took the lead when Scupham headed home an excellent cross from Butler.

His second came moments later when he latched onto a loose ball and took the keeper by surprise with an early effort.

Jack Wycherley was also rewarded for his hard work when he completed the scoring, helping Pinchbeck’s second string move up to seventh in Peterborough and District League Division Two.

POWERLEAGUE 1

MOULTON HARROX RES 1

ANOTHER hard-working performance netted Harrox a deserved point.

A cool finish by Robbie Cundy and a powerful display from Ash Gedney in midfield secured a decent draw at a strong Powerleague outfit.

Moulton stay in the top four of Peterborough and District League Division One, some 12 points behind leaders Riverside Rovers Senior.

SWINESHEAD RES 0

OLD DONS RES 5

FIVE-STAR Dons took the spoils in this Boston and District League Division Three derby.

Dons’ second string went into the game game with their rivals Swineshead Reserves with apprehension, after a lacklustre performance the week before.

But this was to be their best performance of the season. By half time they were 2-0 up, with goals from Steve Burdall and Carl Appleyard.

The second half produced more of the same, with three more goals coming from Burdall, Andrew Stanhope and Trev Hammond.

SPALDING POACHERS 1st 8 CITY OF PETERBOROUGH 3rd 0: PROLIFIC Poachers notched up their 11th successive victory on Saturday to claim the Cambs Premier League title and gain promotion into the East League.

Having already won the Lincolnshire County Championship, the super Spalding girls could be toasting a treble next month with a League Cup final on the horizon.

Jacqui Hunter was first on the scoresheet when she drilled home the ball from a tight angle.

The ever-impressive Karen Timby then calmly doubled the lead when she converted a penalty stroke, before a neat finish from the outstanding Emma Dalton gave the home team a comfortable 3-0 lead at half time.

More goals followed for Spalding in the second period as they strung the passes together.

Timby put away her second and Kelly Slater latched on to a miss-cued shot to score number five, while Karen Breen used her skill and pace to rattle home an impressive hat-trick.

Poachers now stand four points clear at the top of the table with just one match remaining. 

LONG SUTTON 1st 3

ST IVES 1st 2

JUDGEMENT weekend arrived for Sutton as they preserved their Premier B status with two huge wins.

Having beaten Crostyx 1st on Saturday, it all came down to a basement battle with St Ives 24 hours later.

Sutton started well and it was no surprise when they took the lead through Danny Sisson, who smashed home on the reverse.

Skipper Jimmy Harrison then stepped up to double the advantage from a penalty flick before half time.

The hosts really turned the screw early in the second half, with Harrison feeding Gary Hales for number three.

Two late goals from St Ives mattered little, as Sutton moved up to the lofty heights of eighth.

• A day earlier, Hales’ hat-trick helped Sutton slay Crostyx 1st 4-3.

An early double from from the master marksman put Sutton 2-0 up, but they were pegged back to 2-1 by their hosts.

Two more goals arrived before the break as Sisson put Sutton further ahead, only for Crostyx to hit back again.

The immense James Cliff kept Sutton ahead in the second half, until he was finally beaten to level matters.

Hales had other ideas though, slamming home a deserved late winner to seal his treble to set up Sutton’s super Sunday.

BOURNE/DEEPING 1st 4

SPALDING 1st 1

SPALDING were out-gunned in this Division 3NW top of the table clash.

Spalding started well with a sharpness and fluidity to their play, but Bourne/Deeping soon had them on the back foot.

With Spalding unable to clear their lines, the home team converted twice before half time.

That lead was extended to 3-0 after the break, but Spalding quickly pulled one back through Matt Sanders.

A finely-worked second Spalding goal was then ruled out after an alleged foot, making Bourne/Deeping’s fourth strike the clincher.

SPALDING 2nd 1

CITY OF PETERBOROUGH 5th 4

PLUCKY Spalding deserved so much more from this game.

Spalding dominated throughout, but the final ball or finishing touch just failed to materialise – and it cost them.

With Jackson making a welcome return from injury and Robert Tilbrook playing through the pain barrier, their was no lack of effort from Spalding.

They got back into the game when Smith-Hughes slotted home after some excellent play from the back through Doades and McKenna.

Sturdy performances by Rowbottom and Drury couldn’t prevent another goal for Peterborough.

LONG SUTTON 2nd 2

BOSTON 1st 2

A BATTLING second half saw Sutton earn a decent draw.

Boston found themselves 2-1 up at the interval, only for the hosts to hit back. Jeremy Watt and Michael Donaghy were the scorers.

Adam Wiles, back after a four month break, was superb, while man-of-the-match Stef Fox worked tirelessly.

SPALDING 4th 5

ALFORD 2nd 2

SKILFUL Spalding again showed what they are capable of.

Leading scorer Shaun Dewing played an inviting pass for Peter Gray to open the scoring, before the goal machine buried his 40th of the season from a short corner.

Alford pulled one back, but Dewing netted again to restore the cushion after playing a one-two with Joe Higgins.

Undeterred, Alford made it 3-2 – only for Higgins to find the net before Dewing completed his hat-trick and the scoring.

LONG SUTTON 3rd 4

SPALDING 5th 1

SUTTON returned to winning ways to take the spoils against spirited Spalding.

After making a strong start, Ashley Rex notched for Sutton from a well-worked short corner. However, Spalding responded well and were rewarded with an equaliser through Jack Drury.

Chances flowed in the second period, with Spalding’s young side giving as good as they got.

But it was Sutton who took command, with Andy Clarke finishing well for the first of two goals – reaffirming his status as leading scorer.

Sandwiched between his double was an excellent short corner finish from Ian White.

LONG SUTTON LADIES’ 1st 4

CAMBRIDGE CITY LADIES’ 2nd 1

FOUR-SOME Sutton earned a fine victory.

Sarah Walker gave them a great start by hitting the ball home from a short corner, before some great play allowed Robyn Gribble knock in the second at the far post.

A slice of complacency kicked in as City pulled one back and then won a penalty flick, only for Lorraine Wallis to make a super stop.

Sutton stepped it up after the break though, as Charlene Leuty made it 3-1 from open play.

Hosts Sutton then sealed the points when Melissa Ludlam deflected a shot from Gribble towards the goal,then cleared up the rebound.

Walker was named player of the match.

MARCH LADIES’ 1st 1

SPALDING POACHERS 2nd 1

AMBER Wild’s goal earned what was ultimately a disappointing draw for Poachers.

Emily Brown, Maisie Dobbs and Millie Middlebrook all returned, but Spalding failed to find their feet until Wild opened the scoring.

After the break Helen Jex, Lilly Dobbs and Abby Christian all went close, but March pegged them back with a leveller.

Poachers looked set to grab a late winner, but the full time whistle was harshly blown when Jex was clean through on goal.

LOUTH LADIES’ 3rd 2

LONG SUTTON LADIES’ 2nd 2

TEN-PLAYER Sutton earned a very good point.

After a goalless first period, Louth scored twice early in the second half to go 2-0 ahead before an excellent fight back from the Long Sutton ladies with goals by Katie Ireland and Helen Worth.

Outfield efforts were supported by Claire Billingham in goal, while Louise Billingham chased well and battled hard. Laura Temple and Jayme Hunt also played well in defence.

Long Buckby v Holbeach United (Saturday, 3pm): HOLBEACH can throw a sizeable spanner in their opponents’ title charge as they bid to redisover something like their best form.

In what is undoubtedly the game of the weekend in the UCL Premier Division, the third-placed Tigers visit a Long Buckby side reeling from their shock 3-1 home loss to Newport Pagnell on Tuesday night.

That leaves the title hopefuls ten points behind leaders King’s Lynn Town with three games in hand – meaning Holbeach can do the Linnets a massive favour at Station Road.

Having blasted his side after Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Peterborough Northern Star, Tigers boss John Chand is expected to make changes.

He said: “I don’t know if it’s a good time to play them or not. It’s always tough to go there.

“We tried a few new things in training and we’ll look to make changes to be a bit tighter. We’re not going to win the league this year, but I certainly want to finish well.”

Midfielder Wes Lewis is Holbeach’s only absentee, with Derwayne Stupple set to return.

• The final ‘South Holland clasico’ between Holbeach and rivals Spalding United has been rearranged for Wednesday, April 11 at Carter’s Park (7.45pm).

CASES brought against a Long Sutton man for allegedly running a car business in breach of a planning enforcement notice have been adjourned by Spalding magistrates to April 11.

Leslie Ketteringham, of Delph Road, faces four counts of failing to comply with notices that required him to stop using land for repair, valeting and display/sale of cars.

The prosecution is being brought by South Holland District Council.

The matter was before the court on January 4, when magistrates issued an arrest warrant.

Magistrates on Wednesday re-dated the warrant and asked their legal adviser to write to Mr Ketteringham asking him to attend on the new hearing date.

A WARTS-and-all report into the failings of the £6.5m Red Lion Quarter project reveals poor management, lack of communication and a shocking supply of financial advice.

And South Holland district councillors were told on Wednesday night that criticism levelled at the development – largely via the public through our two newspapers and from Spalding and District Area Chamber of Commerce – was indeed warranted.

A report said: “Much of this (adverse publicity and criticism) is considered to be justified and the council’s reputation has consequently been damaged.”

The task group of six district councillors, which produced the independent report, presented its findings close to the first anniversary of the opening of what was supposed to be a flagship centre for Spalding and the district, showcasing the best of its heritage and produce.

The Food Court quickly found itself poorly supported and closed within six months. And the Community Interest Company set up to manage the building soon turned to the council for financial help.

It has since been discovered that the company had too little money to cover things going wrong – and “no contingency plans or plan B”.

The chamber queried the design of the building and in particular the retail units being largely out of sight. The task group replied that it would have been “infinitely better” if a planning application had been developed at a much earlier stage.

It was not even certain that local business chiefs were canvassed prior to the design and build.

The group had to cast its interviewees net further when some of the early evidence was conflicting.

The report notes that former district council head of economic and community development Sue Bolter – who chaired meetings of the project board – did not respond to a questionnaire.

The board had 14 members but the task group found “it was far from clear as to what each individual’s role was”.

And in a shocking revelation a representative of the finance team attended just one of eight meetings between May 2009 and September 2010.

The report concludes: “The lack of professional finance advice to the board is of concern... in view of the value of the project and issues involved... it appears the project board as a whole was not clear on the need to take collective responsibility for the project.”

The future of the building is currently being decided.

The task group, which also made recommendations to prevent similar horror stories in the future, comprised Bryan Alcock, Anthony Casson, Angela Newton, Roger Perkins, Michael Seymour and David Wilkinson.

The group did underline that the project had created positives such as the revamp of a run-down part of town, increased further education and training facilities, and inward investment of millions of pounds into South Holland.

A BURGLAR who was caught on CCTV as he stole from a shed and outhouse in Crowland was spared jail because of his poor health.

Ebby Hall (44) was filmed as he reversed a white van down the drive of the targeted property in Peterborough Road while the owners were out.

Lincoln Crown Court heard an accomplice was captured “casing the property” by the same security camera 20 minutes before the van’s arrival.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said the pair spent 15 minutes at the property and drove off with a number of tools after locks to the shed and outhouse were forced.

The stolen items which belonged to a vintage traction engine enthusiast included two hedge trimmers, a chainsaw and jigsaw. Mr Howes said the owner of the property had sadly died since the burglary.

Mr Howes said most of the items were recovered when Hall was arrested two weeks after the break-in.

In mitigation the court was told Hall had been suffering with suspected heart problems which ran in his family.

Hall, of White Post Road, Newborough, pleaded guilty to the burglary which occurred on 31 August.

He was sentenced to ten months imprisonment suspended for two years, placed under the supervision of a probation officer for two years and ordered to obey an electronically monitored nightly curfew for six months.

Passing sentence Recorder Stephen Lowne told Hall he was only avoiding prison because of his health.

Recorder Lowne warned Hall: “In my judgement this was a planned burglary. This was a targeted property.”

BEING caught by police driving at speeds of up to 90mph has left a Surfleet man with five points on his licence.

David Nicol (49), of Station Road, was clocked by a marked police van as he pulled on to the A16 some 300 metres in front of it and accelerated away.

Prosecutor Rebecca Ritson told Spalding Magistrates’ Court on Thursday how PC Scott McCaig was “still only catching up” with Nicol as he reached 90mph on November 12.

She said he finally caught up with him as he slowed down for a roundabout and kept a steady distance at 85mph.

Nicol, who was not represented by a solicitor in court, said: “I was speeding. I hold my hands up.”

Magistrates endorsed his licence with five penalty points and ordered him to pay an £85 fine, £43 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

IMPROVEMENTS made by staff at a playgroup in Crowland have been recognised by Ofsted inspectors, who say the group is no longer “inadequate”.

Inspectors visited Crowland Community Playgroup to check on its progress after criticising them on several issues last year.

In 2011, inspectors judged it needed “significant improvement” and gave Notice to Improve. The education watchdog said children’s welfare needs were “not effectively promoted” and essential records were not kept appropriately.

Inspectors also said the organisation at the playgroup was “weak” and staff had not developed their knowledge for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

However, staff are happy after inspectors confirmed the playgroup is now on the right path with a “satisfactory” rating and suggested ways they can improve further.

This year’s report says: “The enthusiastic staff team work well together to create an inclusive environment where individuals are respected and valued.

“A commitment to improving the setting is evident and they work effectively with relevant advisory professionals to raise standards of care and education.”

Playgroup chairman Lisa Oddie said: “The changes have been made since inspectors came in March last year through lots of hard work by the staff and changes to the committee.” She added: “We’re very excited.”

Lisa, who owns Sunflower Lodge Childcare in Spalding with Becky Lay, stepped in to help the Crowland group after staff visited the Spalding setting seeking advice.

The group must now improve child assessments and planning and work on sharing information with parents and other child care settings.

THREE pupils from Tydd St Mary Primary School were chosen to compete in a county maths challenge and came out victorious.

Erika Webb (10), Joshua Ripley (9) and Shaun Ely (10), accompanied by Shaun’s dad, Steve Ely, worked their way through the heats until they reached the final where they had to compete against ten other schools to win.

The questions ranged from picture problem solving and quick response questions to percentages and volume.

Headmistress Sonya Ripley said: “They were incredibly nervous but also incredibly excited and once they had won everyone was very proud of them.”

The school won two packs of maths puzzles and also awarded the pupils medals for their great achievement.

When asked what’s next for Tydd Primary School, Mrs Ripley said: “We are always open to take part in any competitions that we can. We want to be able to give our children the opportunity to excel wherever they can.”

PUPILS at Cowbit St Mary’s Primary School designed and created a mosaic to celebrate 300 years since the school was built.

It took six pupils, aged between five and ten, and artist Fiona Gurney, seven weeks to produce the mosaic that is now hanging pride of place on the front wall of the school.

This year is the 300th anniversary of the school being bequeathed to the village by Thomas Andrew in 1712, who said the school should stand forever in Cowbit.

The mosaic is meant to show the reflection from the sun rays and was designed to look like a stained glass window. It was unveiled by the pupils of the after school mosaic club.

Headistress Maureen Martin said “It was made to celebrate the suggestion of the school being around for 300 years and acts as a legacy for the school being built.”

THERE are around 850 blue plaques in the UK commemorating the link between important figures of the past and buildings in which they have either worked or lived, but there are none in Spalding.

However, that is about to change, thanks to the efforts of Spalding and District Civic Society.

A plaque is to be erected on The White Hart Hotel in the Market Place in recognition of the visit to that building in 1767 of the writer and composer Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who incidentally was born 300 years ago this year.

Blue plaques have been used to highlight buildings with connections to important figures for over 140 years – the original scheme still survives today and is administered by English Heritage. However, it has inspired other systems across the country as well as overseas and many plaques we see today, such as the one planned for the White Hart, are these ‘unofficial’ signs because the criteria for English Heritage recognition is very strict.

John Charlesworth, planning officer for Spalding and District Civic Society, said: “Unlike other towns, Spalding has no blue plaques commemorating its distinguished inhabitants and visitors and the Civic Society for a while has felt this is a pity. We have a project in hand to get a number of blue plaques around the town.”

They are beginning with the White Hart plaque to commemorate what John calls “an unlikely event”.

“Why Rousseau stayed in the White Hart for nine days in the 18th century is a mystery,” says John, who has written an article on the subject in the Civic Society’s newsletter, which he edits.

In this article, John says that Rousseau, whose political philosophy had influenced the French Revolution, was not a happy man when he turned up at the White Hart on May 5, 1767. John writes: “In France Rousseau had been in danger of imprisonment and even street violence for his controversial views.”

Rousseau had been brought to safety in England, where he was feted by London society, but when his celebrity status became annoying he was found a quiet retreat at a country house in Derbyshire.

However, Rousseau vanished unexpectedly, leaving behind his money and possessions in three trunks, after being humiliated by a rather cruel joke. A fortnight later he turned up at the White Hart.

According to John, during those nine days Rousseau had a blue coat made and he struck up a friendly relationship with the vicar, John Dinham, who found him “cheerful, good-humoured, easy, and enjoying himself perfectly well.”

However, surgeon Edmund Jessop, a member of Spalding Gentlemen’s Society, who had sent Rousseau a note in Latin suggesting a chat about a piece he had had published, was firmly rebuffed.

According to John, Rousseau wasn’t enjoying his stay in the fens – he wrote to the Lord Chancellor of England saying his life was in danger from the plots of enemies and requesting a guard to conduct him safely out of England. John notes wryly: “His Lordship replied that an ordinary post-boy would be as safe as any guard he could provide.”

In the end Rousseau found his own way to Dover, breaking up a silver spoon or fork to pay his way. John doesn’t say whether his bill at the White Hart went unpaid.

The official unveiling of the plaque is to be carried out by Coun Gary Taylor on behalf of the Civic Society next Wednesday at 11.30am.

l If anyone has suggestions for other sites for blue plaques or would like more information, contact the secretary Marion Brassington on philip.mar@virgin.net

FOR Maggie the black cat it appears as though bad luck is her middle name after falling through a ceiling and getting trapped behind a boiler all in the same day.

Maggie, the stray black moggie, was first found after falling through a ceiling at the Broad Street Business Centre in Spalding.

Staff at the centre reported it to their letting agent, Harry Drury, of We’ll Let Your House Ltd, who took Maggie home with him as it was getting late.

He planned to take her to the vets in the morning.

Little did he know, Maggie had other plans...

The next morning Maggie ran straight out of the utility room, where she had slept the previous night, and into another room where she found herself stuck behind a boiler.

It appeared that Maggie’s latest spate of bad luck was not over yet.

After many attempts by Mr Drury and his family to coax her out they eventually called the RSPCA.

However the RSPCA was no more successful than Mr Drury in luring Maggie out and there was even talk of having to remove the boiler to get her out.

Eventually Maggie did come out of her own accord after some further coaxing from another family member and she was then taken to the local vet for a check up and after receiving the all clear she was placed in the care of the RSPCA Lincolnshire East Branch.

Cherrie Bartlett, the branch’s re-homing coordinator, said: “Poor Maggie really has been through the mill and it seems like she has had a string of mishaps and bad luck, and we had always been told that black cats are meant to be lucky.

“However we really hope that her bad luck can change and now we are trying to find her a loving new home where she can live mishap free!

“She is such a lovely little cat, but a little nervous. She would benefit from being in a quiet house with an owner who has the patience to coax her out of her shell.”

“But she is exceptionally pretty and very sweet and we just hope through this appeal we can find her a loving new home. We have so many cats in our care at the moment, it would be great to find Maggie and the others fantastic new homes.”

If you want to re-home a cat, call 01205 319059.

SOUTH Holland District Council’s planning committee will get the final say on a second planning application linked to the £830,000 marina planned for Sutton Bridge.

Lincolnshire County Council won planning consent for the main part of the project in December 2010, and now an ancillary application covering design – including parking – will go to the committee on April 17.

Lincolnshire County Council’s head of enterprise, Justin Brown, claims the marina will bring £200,000 a year in economic spin-offs for the village, but several parish councillors dispute the business case and claim the money could be better spent.

At an extraordinary parish council meeting earlier this month, parish councillors asked for the latest application to be decided by the district council planning committee rather than officers.

THERE is a car treasure hunt raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support next month.

The event takes place on Sunday, April 15, starting from the Red Lion pub in West Deeping at 12.30pm.

Tickets cost £3 per person and it is suggested that there is a minimum of three people per car.

The route winds along leafy lanes and through several pretty villages, the participants are required to follow directions on the entry sheet, solving clues and collecting “treasure” along the way.

The more clues solved, and amount of treasure collected, along with mileage as close to the organiser’s recorded mileage determines the winning team. Time taken completing the hunt does not play a part.

Meals are available all day at the Red Lion and the landlord has requested that anyone planning to have a meal should let pub staff know before setting off on the treasure hunt.

To book a team contact Pete or Di on 01778 344680 or email dianewheatley@talktalk.net