Crooks who trashed Lincolnshire’s speed cameras have run up a £1million-plus repair bill in just four years – and put lives at risk.

Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership say the level of vandalism – chiefly burnings – is one of the highest in the country.

Four cameras, including one on Spalding’s A16 bypass, have been trashed this year and repairs will cost more than £100,000.

John Siddle, spokesman for Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, says the county has seen a 42 per cent drop in killed or seriously injured collisions since the cameras were launched in 2000.

He said: “Ten to 14 years ago, over 100 people died on our roads every year – we are down in the thirties now.”

The county’s 51 cameras are placed in spots where death or injury has occurred and Mr Siddle says to have any out of action means lives are being put at risk.

It also means the cameras generate less cash to fund road safety measures such as courses for at risk motorists, including young car drivers.

Mr Siddle says the cameras are mostly targeted by people trying to hide criminal behaviour or escape a speeding conviction.

Last year, a lorry driver paid another man £80 to burn a camera at Hemswell Cliff, near Gainsborough – and both ended up in jail.

Mr Siddle said: “The guy who burned the camera had got a record for various things, but the lorry driver himself was absolutely clean. From a personal point of view, I feel very sad that the lorry driver took that decision and literally ruined himself. He will carry that conviction for every job he goes for.”

A man has already been charged with one of this year’s camera attacks and two more are being investigated – one for damage to the Spalding camera.

Mr Siddle said: “Out of four burnings, we have got three people to look at. We are very happy with that. The money for the cameras doesn’t come from the taxpayers – it comes from the speeders.”

He said the Spalding camera was placed to slow A16 vehicles heading towards standing traffic queuing at the roundabout and, while it is out of action, drivers won’t have that reminder to brake.

Speeding remains at epidemic levels, despite its direct links to crashes causing death and life-changing injuries, and between 1,000 and 1,200 people caught on camera or by police attend speed awareness courses in Lincolnshire every month. Some are caught out of county and opt to do the course here.

Drivers travelling within a certain level above the speed limit get a choice of a £100 fine and three points on their licence – or pay £90 and escape the points to go on a speed awareness course.

Out of the £90, £35 goes to the police – and £55 (up to £66,000 a month) to fund road safety measures.

Blogger Trish Burgess writes for the Free Press

Did you notice how well the Netherlands did at the Winter Olympics?

A country which is as flat as South Holland and lacking snow managed to chalk up 24 medals to take fifth place in the table.

But then 23 of the 24 were for long track speed skating – a sport at which the Netherlands has always been strong.

If Holland is able to dominate the sport of long track speed skating, shouldn’t South Holland get in on the act too?

Historically the people of the Fens, like the Dutch, were famous for their skating talent. It began as a mode of winter transport: skating along the dykes was a useful alternative to negotiating rutted and muddy roads.

As a sport, fen skating reached its peak in the second half of the 19th century.

National and international championships were held at locations including Thorney, Vernatt’s Drain and Cowbit Wash.

Fen skaters were athletic, strong men, mostly labourers keen to gain financial reward as the prizes could be quite significant. One of the most famous champions was William ‘Turkey’ Smart, the first of a dynasty of skaters from Welney in Norfolk. He raced for many years, often against his closest rival and brother-­in­-law William ‘Gutta Percha’ See.

In one month’s racing in 1855, Turkey Smart’s prize money was £15 5s and a leg of mutton – the equivalent of about two year’s earnings for an agricultural worker.

When the National Skating Association was established in 1879, their first one­-and­-a-­half­ mile British Professional Championship was held in Thorney.

According to the current National Ice Skating Association (NISA), a field of 32 took to the ice, including Turkey Smart and Knocker Carter. The final was won by ‘Fish’ Smart whose cash prize was given as an annual salary in instalments to encourage him to ‘keep himself temperate’.

Champions more local to us included Walter Pridgeon. In a letter sent to the Spalding Guardian last year from GB Plowman of Spalding, we heard that Walter used to skate from Holbeach St John’s to Cowbit Wash, using his familiar long stride on the frozen dykes.

The creation of the Coronation Channel in 1953 effectively put an end to regular flooding of Cowbit Wash and therefore our local, outdoor ice rink was lost.

In Sochi this year, the UK has seen its best result at a Winter Olympics for decades. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to build on this success and start to make a name for ourselves in long track speed skating again?

NISA is trying to do just this in co­operation with the Netherlands. It seems very fitting that we should be working hand in hand with the nation with whom we have co­operated and competed for nearly 300 years.

Can we produce a new Turkey Smart or Walter Pridgeon? Come on South Holland, get your skates on!

It was a mixed bag of action in the Spalding and District Table Tennis League last week with matches played across two differing competitions as the season heads toward its business end.

Teams made progress is both league divisions and in the Marylands Cup, where Mine’s A Pint upset Division One big hitters South Holland to reach the final.

Andrew Hay gave the ‘Pinters’ the lead, before David Gilbert pulled them back to 1-1 in the semi-final clash.

The doubles restored their lead, but John Gilbert levelled again for Holland – only for Hay to seal the win for the second tier side in the final game.

However, despite the final score of 3-2, most of the ends were not close.

Their opponents in the final are still undecided with Bladerunners looking to complete their second round match with Nomads, which now stands at 2-2 after David Gibson caught up on his games in the tie.

In the league, South Holland saw off Defenders 5 – 0, though this time the games were much closer with Richard Hammond and John Gilbert having to concede ends in four of the five games. Defenders’ Alan Fear and Martyn Green even forced a fifth end in the doubles.

Holland are now just a point behind Division One leaders Bladerunners, but Blades have three unfinished matches in hand. Gibson played four of his six outstanding games, winning three against Outsiders and Haz Beans.

Earlier in the evening, Haz Beans had fought off JAG for a 5-0 victory. Colin Vertigan won his comfortably, but Tony Cooper, struggling with new rubbers on his bat, had to fight hard for his two as JAG found themselves in their third five-end doubles against stronger opposition in a row.

In Division Two, with leaders Castle Sports’ match postponed, Dark Knights looked to close the gap.However, Phil Coote proved too strong for Knights’ number one pairing and restricted them to a 3-2 win.

Elsewhere, Insidious moved further clear of Ha’st in the table with a 4-1 defeat of Nomads.

Gary Simpson picked up two for the winners, but Jonathan Black got one back for the losers and the doubles went all the way before being resolved.

Meanwhile, Mine’s a Pint had, like Holland, doubled up their matches, facing Casey’s Pingers. Pingers’ young guns were defeated in straight ends, but showed how they are improving with good scores in each of their games.

If Crowland B don’t win the Spalding and District Billiards League title this year, they couldn’t have done much more.

The second-placed side made it 11 wins on the trot with a 7-0 whitewash win over Consti D last week, with a customary 59 break from Rob Childs (O190) the highlight.

They are now eight points behind leaders Long Sutton, who won 4-3 against Crowland A to bounce back from last week’s loss. Mick Cooper (O40) sealed their success with a 47 break in the final frame.

Hugh Pinner’s (O170) 74 break was the best of the week – but he still lost his frame to Robert Adams (R40) as his Holbeach A side went down 5-2 at home to Consti A.

There was also a fine 56 break from Mick Johnson (O160) as Consti B saw of Pyramid A 5-2 to stay third.

• Results: Crowland B 7 Consti D 0 (600-403); Pyramid B 5 Holbeach C 2 (585-579); Sutton 4 Crowland A 3 (524-570); Holbeach A 2 Consti A 5 (442-593); Consti C 5 Holbeach B 2 (595-580); Consti B 5 Pyramid A 2 (583-557).

DEEPING RANGERS 2 YAXLEY 2: Stacy Cartwright’s 85th-minute effort denied ten-man Yaxley an unlikely Outgang Road victory on Saturday.

All looked to be going to plan for Rangers when Scott Ginty gave them a tenth-minute lead in the clash between two of the UCL Premier Division’s top five teams.

Ex-Holbeach ace Rob Hughes levelled for the Cuckoos on 21 minutes, but the visitors then had veteran Ricky Hailstone sent off bang on half-time.

However, midfielder Hughes notched again on 47 minutes – this time from the penalty spot – to stun Rangers.

That’s how it stayed up until the final five minutes, when defender Cartwright struck.

Matt Heron then had a chance to win it, but Matt Holland cleared his last-gasp effort off the line.

The draw leaves Deeping four points behind second-placed AFC Rushden and Diamonds ahead of their clash at the Dog and Duck tonight (7.45pm).

Rangers chief Tuncay Korkmaz said: “We never really got going, even against 11. We could have nicked it at the end with a few late chances, but overall a draw was fair.

“They worked as hard as any team I’ve seen this year and had chances to finish us.

“We are missing a few players and I felt we lacked a bit of power in midfield.”

Deeping hoped to tie up deals for Yaxley’s Jamie Graham and Grantham’s Callum Smith ahead of the Diamonds duel.

Deeping: Doughty, Tinkler, Braithwaite, Ashton, Cartwright, Burton-Jones, Flack, Ginty, Oliver (Bogusz), Heron, Beck.

AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS 3 HOLBEACH UNITED 1: There was plenty of pride in defeat for Holbeach United as they pushed title-chasing Diamonds all the way in the UCL Premier Division on Saturday.

The Tigers were much-improved from their last outing against Rushden two weeks earlier, but ended up losing by the same 3-1 scoreline at the Dog and Duck.

Fazel Koriya put the hosts ahead (24), but Tommy Treacher (44) hauled Holbeach level before the break.

Second-half strikes from Matt Gearing (pen 62) and Joe Henderson (81) sealed it for the hosts, but Tigers chief Glen Maddison was pleased with his side.

He said: “We decided to go 4-5-1 and it seemed to suit us. The plan was to be in the game for as long as possible, unlike the home game.

“That was the case up until they got a penalty that we’re a little bit aggrieved about, with Matt Warfield being fouled in the build-up.

“We also felt we could have had a penalty for a foul on Jordan Keeble late on. It wouldn’t have changed the game, but 3-2 looks a lot better than 3-1.

“Overall we’re very pleased with the lads. Although we lost, we did much better than in the first game and can take plenty of positives from it.”

The hosts started well and went close when Gearing fired across goal in the opening exchanges.

But they lost star striker Russ Dunkley – who caused Holbeach no end of trouble at Carter’s Park – to injury inside the first 15 minutes.

It didn’t hit Diamonds too hard though and they went ahead on 24 minutes when Koriya buried an Alfie Taylor cross at the back post.

Holbeach had their moments though – and should really have levelled when Treacher headed a great chance wide moments later.

The Tigers’ talisman made amends for his miss a minute before the break when he lifted home a clever leveller following a long ball over the top.

However, the hosts went back ahead from the penalty spot just past the hour when Ian Dunn fouled Greg Ling in the box, allowing Gearing to coolly convert.

Holbeach keeper Leigh Overton then pulled off a string of fine saves to stop Rushden running away with the game. He kept out a cracking Taylor free kick, before pulling off a top stop to deny Henderson.

Overton could do nothing about Henderson’s clincher, though, as he volleyed home his first Diamonds goal via the under-side of the bar after a cross from Koriya.

One final save from Holbeach’s number one did deny Taylor again in the closing stages, but the game had already gone for the visitors.

Meanwhile, Holbeach have lost key defender Lewis Sturman to higher-graded Dereham Town.

Maddison added: “I’m a little disappointed by the timing, but Lewis is a good lad and the door will always be open for him to come back here. He’s got the chance to play at a higher level, so we all wish him well.”

Tigers: Overton, Delahoy, Warfield, Bishop (Keeble 84), Mattless, Dunn, Rothery, James Reed, Bayliss, Treacher (Allen 89), Hollingworth (Sevilha 81). Not used: Shipley.

• Attendance: 487.

• Saturday: Desborough v Tigers (3pm).

SPALDING RFC 27 OAKHAM RFC 27: A last-gasp James West penalty rescued a draw for Spalding RFC on Saturday – but they still lost vital ground on league leaders Belgrave.

Having led 14-0 at one stage, second-placed Town will see this as an opportunity missed despite their late reprieve at the Memorial Field.

And to make matters worse, Midlands Two East (North) table-toppers Belgrave thrashed Melbourne 49-0 to go eight points clear.

In what was a battle between two of the top three on Saturday, hosts Spalding made the perfect start.

Richie Craig took play to within 20 metres of the Oakham try line, before Town won the lineout and spread the ball wide to the right wing.

The ball came back inside where Wes Cope received the pass and used his strength to score from 20 metres out, with West adding the conversion.

Town were awarded a penalty and kicked for touch some five metres from the try line.

They won the lineout and drove for the line – but the defiant visitors defence held them up and forced play into touch 10 metres out.

Spalding again won the lineout and the ball went along the line to winger Harry Harrison, who used his considerable speed to outpace the opposition and score. West converted.

Oakham then opened their account with a penalty, but relentless Town further added to their tally when Andy Lal passed inside for George Brown to crash over. West failed with the conversion, but the hosts moved a healthy 19-3 ahead after 35 minutes.

Another away penalty reduced the score to 19-6 at the break – but Oakham proved a different prospect in the second period.

Within three minutes of the start of the second half they registered their first try.

Having gained possession, the away side spread the ball wide for their winger to touch down, before a conversion made the score 19 -13.

Within the next ten minutes Oakham were gaining in confidence, just as Spalding’s faith was disappearing. Town reacted and made changes with Rob Lucas moving to full-back in place of Ed Booth and Ben Williams taking over the scrum half role.

But it did not influence the Oakham side and they were next to score a converted the try to move 20-19 ahead.

Spalding responded and worked the play into their opponents half. They won a lineout and all of the forwards drove for the line, with Cope going over for his second try deep in the corner.

The conversion went wide, but the score moved on to 24-20 in Town’s favour with 15 minutes left to play.

However, Oakham hit back when they broke through the Spalding defence to score wide of the posts, with their kicker on-target again to take put his side 27-24 ahead with just minutes left to play.

Town quickly re-started and were soon in the opposition 22 metre area. Oakham infringed and Spalding were awarded a penalty.

West made no mistake and converted to level the scores, after which the referee blew his whistle for the final time.

Spalding’s next league match is another derby at local rivals Stamford on March 22, with rivals Belgrave at Melton Mowbray the same day.

Spalding RFC: Harry Sharman (captain), Pete Waudby, Wes Copley, Alex Ioannou, Andy Hoyles, Ed Duerden, Richie Craig, Harry Brown, Rob Lucas, James West, Andy Lal, George Brown, Ryan Chappell, Harry Harrison, Ed Booth, Sam Cooke, Tim Waltham and Ben Williams.

Sycamore Mini Peterborough invites locals to be the first to see the all new Mini Hatch and party like its 1959.

Sycamore Mini Peterborough invites locals to be the first to see the all new Mini Hatch and party like its 1959.

Local Mini dealership Sycamore is inviting car lovers to celebrate the launch of the all new Mini Hatch.

On Saturdayand Sunday, March 15 and 16, to coincide with the global launch, the team at Sycamore is hosting an exclusive launch event with a difference at the showroom on Papyrus Road, Werrington for all local Mini fans.

As part of the exclusive Mini experience, guests will be amongst the first in the country to have the opportunity to view and get behind the wheel of the all-new Mini Hatch.

The car has been completely re-engineered and packed full with brand-new technology, but retains a dash of the original 1959 model.

This unique combination means the slick new features contain all the spirit of the first Mini.

Mini brand manager Daniel Lynas said: “This will be a fantastic and fun-filled weekend launch.

“There will be lots of Mini activities for everyone to join in. Guests will also be able test the car’s new features and speak to our Mini experts.”

Whilst the car itself will undoubtedly steal the show, there are plenty of other activities going on at the showroom.

There will be a drawing competition to keep the younger Mini fans entertained. They will be able to use their imagination to predict what the car will look like in another 55 years’ time for the chance to win some Mini goodies.

Internally, features include the new improved Mini Connected, a far cry from the vinyl, but still oozing style.

The new original continues to be the ultimate fun drive with its twin turbo engines and re-engineered go-kart feel, just like the one before, only better.

To find out more about the launch weekend and your local Mini dealership visit www.sycamoremini.co.uk or you can call the Mini team on 01733707074.

NORTHAMPTON SILEBY 0 SPALDING UNITED 6: Just six more points will effectively see Spalding United crowned as UCL Premier Division champions after another dominant display on Saturday.

The Tulips helped themselves to six more goals at lowly Sileby, with Lewis Webb (5), Mark Jones (28), Ross Watson (47), Dan Cotton (68) and Lee Beeson (85 and 88) notching to take their season’s tally to 110 in the league.

Regardless of what anybody else does, wins at Wellingborough Town this Saturday and at home to Kempston Rovers (March 22) will all but confirm Spalding as league winners thanks to their monstrous goal difference.

But they could realistically confirm top spot at second-placed AFC Rushden and Diamonds on April 5, meaning Pat Rayment and his side could gain revenge against the only side to beat them in the league this season.

Rayment said: “Without being disrespectful, it was like a training game. It was pretty much attack against defence.

“I’d not like to guess the possession stats, but I’d imagine they’d be frightening.

“We tried to play the game at a good tempo, but it was hard with them piling men behind the ball from the off.

“It’s another three points though and our position is now very, very strong.

“Two more wins should just about seal the title for us really, considering how good our goal difference is.

“I looks like we could actually seal the title away at Rushden and Diamonds, which would be ironic after the last meeting with them.

“But we stay focused on the next game at Wellingborough. The lads haven’t taken their foot off the pedal and our performances of late have been excellent.

“We’re relentless – and that’s how we’ll be up until the final game of the season.”

It took just five minutes for the Tulips to break the deadlock at Fernie Fields, with Webb converting a trademark Beeson cross.

Winger Beeson, who shared the man-of-the-match award with Webb, then delivered for Jones to head number two just before the half hour.

Watson waltzed forward to smash a stunning 25-yarder home two minutes into the second period, before sub Josh Ford dinked a lovely pass through for Cotton to bury Spalding’s fourth in the 68th minute.

There was still time for Beeson to bury a brace in the closing stages, giving the scoreline the emphatic feel the Tulips’ performace deserved – and they almost had seven when Ford fired an effort off the post in the final minute.

Tulips: Duggan (Roberts 67), Watson, Jackson, Stevens, Stainfield, Webb, Beeson, Steadman, Cotton, Jones (Ford 67), Thurlbourne. Not used: Hussey, Ebdon.

• Attendance: 61.

• Saturday: Wellingborough v Tulips (3pm).

Gavin Miller previews Not for Speed

It will have to go some way to compete with the Fast and Furious series, but this movie – based on the EA video game franchise – aims to at least capitalise on cinema-goers’ fascination with burning rubber.

Aaron Paul (from uber-successful US TV series Breaking Bad) takes the lead as a streetracer who was framed for manslaughter by a wealthy businessman (rising British star Dominic Cooper) in an unsanctioned race.

After being released from jail, he then races his foe in a near-impossible cross-country race, as he looks to revenge his false incarceration in this high-octane actioner.

British actress Imogen Poots (Filth and 28 Weeks Later) and Batman himself Michael Keaton are co-stars.

Early reviews sadly don’t quite put it in the same league as the Fast series, but its impressive race scenes are meant to be spectacular – even if the acting and plot could do with some fine-tuning.

Mystery still surrounds the death of a 22-year-old Whaplode Drove man who walked out in front a coach returning from last year’s final Spalding Flower Parade.

Daniel Frisby, of Broadgate, had everything to live for – the possibility of a new job, a new Cherokee Jeep which he had sat in only hours before and a holiday in Spain with friends.

But for reasons no-one can imagine he stood on the segregation island of a layby on the A16 at Cowbit and within seconds of being spotted by the driver stepped out and “walked quickly” into the path of the coach.

An inquest at the Red Lion Quarter in Spalding on Friday recorded a new verdict of death caused by road traffic collision.

Pathologist Dr Michael Biggs said Daniel’s death was instant from severe head injuries sustained in the collision. There were no other medical conditions that led to his death and tests found no traces of alcohol or drugs - only caffeine.

South Lincolnshire coroner Prof Robert Forrest said no-one would ever know why Daniel took those fatal steps and “walked quickly into the path of a coach”.

In spite of visiting his doctor because of mood swings, Mr Forrest said there was “absolutely no shadow of suspicion that Daniel deliberately killed himself”.

Mr Richard Frisby, Daniel’s father, described his son as being like his “best friend”. He said: “Daniel was just getting into fitness and was always running and body building. He was a construction worker and I had told him about the possibility of a job and asked for a CV.

“He was a good fisherman and we had been making arrangements to go fishing the next day.

“I’d been to fetch a Cherokee Jeep and looked around to see him sat in it and saying how nice it was. I told him when I was finished with it in a few months it was his and he seemed pleased. He also had plans to go on holiday with friends to Spain. There had been no indication that he was depressed or had planned to take his own life.”

Witnesses told the inquest how they thought it was unusual to see a pedestrian on the busy stretch of the A16.

Anna Fendyke was driving towards Spalding and has seen Daniel in his grey track suit stood by the side of the road. She said: “There was a bus coming from the opposite way and I saw someone in the layby run out in the road. I couldn’t believe what I had seen and stopped in the layby. Someone came out of the bus and knelt by the man and I dialled 999.

”It all happened so fast. There was no reason to cross the road because there were just fields opposite.”

The coach was carrying a marching band that has been taking part in the flower parade. A statement was read out from coach passenger Robert Alcorn, describing the moment of impact.

He said: “There was a bang and the coach swerved. It was only the skill of the driver that prevented the coach skidding off the road and risking injuring passengers.”

The driver of the Epsom coach driver Steven Ashton (62) said he had seen Daniel standing on the segregation island but had not been concerned because he had shown no signs that he intended walking out into the road.

Mr Ashton said: “He was looking at me then did something with his hands and suddenly ran towards me – it was as if he had said ‘Yes, I’m going to do it’. I felt the impact but did not time to take avoiding action – it was over in seconds. I stopped as soon as I could safely with passengers on board.”

Tachograph reports showed Mr Ashton had been travelling about 60mhp – exceeding the limit for a coach of 50mph – but he said the road was clear and he was in complete control of the vehicle.

Accident investigator PC Michelle Ford confirmed that even at 50mph Mr Ashton had no chance of stopping in time. She said: “All it would of meant is Mr Frisby would have been further in the road when he was hit.”

Police are appealing for information after fuel was stolen from a number of vehicles at a transport company in Sutton Bridge.

The thefts are thought to have occurred at the premises in Millenium Way between 6pm on Sunday and 1am yesterday.

Anyone with information should call Lincolnshire Police by dialling 101, quoting incident number 352 of 10 March. Alternatively you can report crimes anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Seeking out a perfect gift for Mother’s Day can be very costly and confusing with lots of choice so discovering a “one stop” solution for your gift is a real bonus.

Alongside the core business of florists equipment and supplies, Florist Innovations have built an Aladdin’s cave of giftware that ranges from ceramics, jewellery and handbags to candles, picture frames and small pieces of furniture.

Their diverse range has been thoughtfully chosen with the emphasis on quality and finding the more unusual pieces but customers will find that they are paying well below list prices, helping to make your budget go further.

Spalding Florist Innovations was established 20 years ago and is conveniently located just off A16 bypass on Enterprise Way.

The showroom has been redesigned and the team have been busy creating innovative displays around Mother’s Day, Easter, gardening and weddings.

Extensive new stock lines are now arriving, including spring flowers, stoneware and ornaments for the garden and quality gifts for all occasions.

With Mother’s Day approaching fast they have freshly-cut flowers, planted baskets – all of which can be gift wrapped ready to go – or they can offer a large selection of ribbons and cellophane wrap should you choose to do your own.

If you need any help or inspiration talk to the friendly staff – they are very happy to help.

They are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and due to customer demand now Saturday morning 9am to 1pm.

They are open to the public and all are welcome.

Visit them at Enterprise Way, Pinchbeck, Spalding, PE11 3YR or telephone 01775 723333.

Double-medal winning skier Jade Etherington is on-course for another place on the podium at the half way stage of the Super Combined at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games.

The partially sighted Bourne ski star, who won silver in the Downhill on Saturday and bronze in the Super-G event on Monday alongside guide Caroline Powell, is currently in third place.

Etherington and teenager Powell were expected to run in the Super Combined at the Rosa Kuhtor Alpine Centre at 6am (UK time) on Tuesday morning, but thick fog and rain resulted in the event being postponed to 10am.

The 23-year-old former Deepings pupil and Powell clocked 1.01.80mins and are behind defending Olympic champion Henrieta Karkasova (Slovakia), who put down a time of 59.55secs, and Australia’s Melissa Perrine.

The Super Combined consists of a single run of Slalom and a Super-G run. The winner is the skier with the fastest aggregate time across the two disciplines.

The school council at Ayscoughfee Hall School in Spalding have been busy supporting a project called Mary’s Backpacks.

The idea of this initiative is to provide basic school items for children in other parts of the world who are less fortunate than ourselves.

Following an assembly by Ken Bush from the Rotary Club, the council wrote a letter to parents and encouraged all their friends to put together backpacks.

They were successful in making 63 backpacks to be sent away.

Headteacher Clare Ogden said it is great to see children taking the initiative and organising the other children to give this much-needed support.

Jean Martyn, the bubbly organist who was the only female to reach the final of Britain’s Got Talent in 2011, will be playing the Wurlitzer and Compton theatre organs at Burtey Fen Collection, Pinchbeck, on Sunday (2.30pm).

Tickets are £8, including refreshments.

An open day at RSPB Frampton Marsh on Saturday (10.30am to 4pm) will give artists the chance to find out about the Public Art Commission Transported is currently working on with the RSPB to create an artwork specific to the reserve.

The new feature must enhance the experience for existing and new visitors to the reserve. The expression of interest deadline is Friday, April 4.

Contact Natalie at transportednatalie@litc.org.uk or on 07747 271823.

Save Joy’s Heart fundraiser the NightFlight Disco with guest DJ and Fantastic Robbie Williams Tribute Act takes place at Donington Community Centre on Saturday (7pm).

Tickets are £7, £2 children (£8/£3 on the door) from Wayne, who is raising money to help bring his sister home from the Dominican Republic for surgery, on 07857 232946.

Martin Browne’s fortnightly look at the local folk scene.

Jinski were Spalding Folk Club’s guests at the South Holland Centre on March 5.

The very personable male duo did not take long in engaging an enthusiastic audience and treated us to a mixture of their own original songs and some well-known favourites. Among these was the Geordie traditional Byker Hill, Neil Young’s Heart of Gold and Woody Guthrie’s This Land Is Your Land.

The audience joined in all eagerly and tunefully.

Pleasant vocals, subtle and interesting interplay between their two guitars and an amiable banter provided those present with a most enjoyable evening.

A good measure of the success of any folk club performance is how many CDs the artists sell: I was left in no doubt that they were very happy in that department.

Spalding Folk Club’s next guests will be the ever popular Cathryn Craig and Brian Willoughby on April 2.

Cathryn Craig is from Richmond, Virginia, and has built a strong reputation as both singer and songwriter. She is no stranger to Tennessee’s Nashville recording studios, working with the likes of Chet Atkins and the Righteous Brothers.

Brian Willoughby is best known for his virtuoso performances on electric and acoustic guitar, with progressive folk/rock band Strawbs. He has also played with many artists including Mary Hopkin, Joe Brown, Roger Whittaker and Monty Python.

The club’s monthly tune session will be held in the bar at the Lincoln Arms, Bridge Street, Spalding, at about 8.30pm today and the singaround will take place at the Welland Yacht Club, Cradge Bank at 8pm next Thursday, March 20. Admission to both events is free although taking part in the raffle at the singaround is encouraged to help cover venue hire.

Liz Padgett’s next fortnightly two hour folk broadcast starts at 7pm on Tuesday, March 25 on Spalding’s very own Tulip Radio – 107.5FM or by directplay from their website www.tulip-radio.co.uk

Tom Lane hosts his weekly half-hour of folk on 94.9FM BBC Radio Lincolnshire every Wednesday at 6.30pm.

To keep abreast with what is going on in Spalding’s folk scene visit www.spaldingfolkclub.co.uk, the club’s own Facebook page or Pete Shaw’s www.peterboroughfolkdiary.org.uk

Our Book of the Week is The Monuments Men by Robert M Edsel, the true, epic story of the most unlikely group of heroes in World War II, which has been made into a film starring, among others, George Clooney, Matt Damon and Bill Murray.

The Monuments Men were a new kind of soldier, one charged with saving, not destroying. Going from caves to castles, in a thrilling race against time, these men risked their lives daily to save hundreds of thousands of the world’s greatest works of art.

Building their own treasure maps from scraps and hints – a tip from a dentist while getting a root canal, records recovered from bombed out cathedrals and museums – they moved towards the greatest prize of all, Hitler’s personal looted hoard of masterpieces, hidden within a mine which the Nazis fully intended to destroy before it fell into Allied hands.

How does the Greatest Treasure Hunt in history end? As is often the case, history is often more extraordinary than fiction.

The Monuments Men by Robert M Edsel, RRP £7.99.

Receive a 20 per cent discount off this book at Bookmark with the voucher contained in the Spalding Guardian of March 13 – valid until Wednesday, March 19.