A new threat to the 59 bus service that visits Spalding’s Johnson Community Hospital has been uncovered after a timetable mix-up.

Holbeach’s plucky pensioner Joan Woolard was ready to take on Brylaine Travel when she thought she had been left high and dry at Spalding’s Johnson Community Hospital and the service had been axed.

Joan (75) – who last year hit the headlines after accusing bankers at Barclays of being “a bunch of crooks” over sky-high pay packets and was nominated for the Oldie of the Year Awards – said she had been visiting at the hospital and planned to catch the 59 service 3.30pm bus back to Spalding to get the connection home to Fleet.

But she said she was horrified when the bus that was saved by Brylaine last year after plans by Kimes to axe it “failed to turn up”.

She said: “Most inpatients and outpatients are elderly and do not drive; nor do their spouses.

“Elderly inpatients can be left for days, if not weeks, without regular visits from loved ones if their visitors cannot visit them. When things like this happen it makes you feel as if we should all drop off our perch when you hit 65.”

On this occasion, a spokesman for Brylaine Travel said there could have been a confusion with the bus timetable.

However, the incident has uncovered new concerns about the 59 service that visits the hospital.

Malcolm Wheatley, from Brylaine, said: “Passenger take-up is almost zero, which means there is an argument to withdraw the service if this doesn’t improve.”

Buses do pass the hospital every hour and will stop, he pointed out.

Kim Barr, matron for Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust at Johnson Community Hospital, said: “We are aware concerns have been raised in relation to bus services calling at Johnson Community Hospital and in the past we have written to the local authorities and bus companies to raise this matter on behalf of our patients and visitors. Although the provision of bus services remains outside of our control, we extended visiting times for Welland Ward to between 11.30am and 8pm to ensure they are as accessible for friends and family as possible.”

It was a case of third time lucky as Sutton Bridge lifted the Spalding Sunday League KO Cup.

It was the club’s third cup final in eight days and they finally got their hands on some silverware after missing out in the Inter-Services Cup and Mont Pell Trophy.

They defeated Gosberton 2-0 at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.

Gosberton had the best of the early exchanges, hitting the woodwork after just a minute.

As the game went on Sutton Bridge got on top and capitalised by scoring through skipper Ben Partridge.

Gosberton also started the second half strongly and with both teams creating chances the result was still in doubt until Matthew Eaton scored to make it safe for The Bridge.

Goalkeeper Daniel Smith came to Bridge’s rescue on a couple of occasions to keep the score at 2-0 and help himself to the Man-of -the-Match award.

Holbeach boss Glen Maddison admits his side blew a chance to cement their top 10 place when slipping to defeat at Wellingborough Town on Tuesday.

The Tigers looked the more likely side to win it during the second half until a fluke winner from Reece Brown 20 minutes from time gave the Doughboys the points.

Nathan Liburd had put Wellingborough in front after 20 minutes but in-form youngster Fraser Bayliss equalised 12 minutes later after linking up with Tommy Treacher.

Maddison was confident his side would go on to take all three points until Brown’s sliced cross eluded Leigh Overton for the winner.

Maddison said: “It was our best chance of getting the win we need to make sure we finish in the top 10.

“We have tough games at Deeping on Saturday and at home to Wisbech on Monday and I felt this was an opportunity to make sure we made the top 10.

“I don’t think the result reflects the game as I could only see us winning once we got back to 1-1.

“They didn’t even have anyone in the middle when their guy’s cross flew straight in.”

Treacher misses Saturday’s game as he is getting married and Matty Warfield is attending the wedding so Maddison is forced to make changes.

Ian Dunn and Tom Sargeant, who came off the bench to score at Holbeach at the weekend, will be in contention to replace Treacher while youngster Jordan Keeble could also figure.

Chris Shipley missed Tusday’s defeat due to work commitments but returns against Deeping, while Max Matless is also back.

Holbeach: Overton, Delahoy, Rothery, Bishop, Murrell, Waumsley, Bayliss, Dunn, Elliott, Hollingworth, Treacher.

Deeping Rangers have three big games coming up but manager Tuncay Korkmaz insists he is not even thinking about Monday’s home clash with UCL champions Spalding or their first knockout cup final next month.

The Rangers boss insists his sole focus is Saturday’s local derby against Holbeach at Outgang Road (3pm).

Korkmaz said: “It’s great that we have two local derbies at home and then the cup final to end our season but for now I am only thinking about Holbeach.

“Any manager will tell you your most important match is the next one so my mind is only on Saturday’s game at the moment.

“Once that is over, and I know if anyone is injured, I will prepare for Monday’s match against Spalding.

“Only after Monday will I think about the cup final.”

Deeping seek to complete an unbeaten month with two good performances at home but Korkmaz admits the Tigers will not make it easy for his side.

He added: “They gave us a good game earlier in the season, when we won 3-2, and I am sure they will make it tough for us.”

Deeping are without the suspended Mitch Griffiths, who will not return until the UCL Cup final on May 5 when Rangers take on the winners of last night’s semi-final between Huntingdon Town and Boston Town.

David Burton-Jones, who scored in the reverse fixture, and Mark Jones are unavailable but both will return for Monday’s 3pm clash with Spalding.

Ryan Oliver bids to score for the fifth successive game, having netted eight times in Deeping’s last four matches - including a hat-trick in the cup semi-final victory over Wellingborough.

Korkmaz said: “The thing I like about Ryan is not just the fact he scores goals but his work-rate is very good.

“He works the channels well and, being a big lad, he wins his fair share of headers.

“Even when he was out of form he always worked hard and now he is playing with a lot of confidence.

“He has been superb for us this season so I hope he can keep his recent form going until the end of the season.

Korkmaz is rightly proud of Deeping’s achievements this season, having reached the cup final as well as showing improvement in the league.

He added: “It looks as though we will finish at worst fifth and possibly fourth.

“If we could win these last two home matches we would finish with more points than we got last season, even though we play four games less this time.”

Bourne finally rediscovered their scoring boots on Tuesday, only to concede five at the other end.

Darren Munton’s side lost 5-3 at home to Wellingborough Whitworth, a side they had beaten 1-0 last month.
It was the first time in five matches that the Wakes had found the net but poor defending proved costly.
“We gifted them four of the five goals,” admitted Munton after a defeat that leaves Bourne needing miracles if they are to avoid finishing in the bottom two.
The Wakes, who host third-placed Harrowby on Monday (1pm), now need to win that game and also win at third-bottom Blackstones in their final match to have any hope of climbing out of the bottom two.
They could be down before kick-off on Monday though if Blackstones win at Burton Park on Saturday.
Matt Judge fired the visitors ahead after just six minutes on Tuesday and went on to complete a hat-trick.
His second came straight after Seb Hood had hauled Bourne level with a 19th minute equaliser.
Hood grabbed a second and Craig Rook also scored but it was a disappointing night for Bourne.
Munton added: “We only had a slim chance of staying out of the bottom two but this has dashed those hopes.
“Our defending was so poor and the performance was typical of our season.
“It will be a big blow if we don’t get re-elected but if we go down we will at least be playing at our level because we have been found out big time this season.”

Pinchbeck United went to the top of the Peterborough and District Under 15s Division Three table with a 2-2 draw against Ketton.

Elliott Lea scored with a 25-yarder and Jonny Lockie also scored.
It was Pinchbeck’s final game of the campaign but they are likely to end the season in third.

UPDATE, FRIDAY: A second earthquake was felt in the Deepings this morning (Friday).

The tremor measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale happened at 7.50am, according to the British Geological Survey.

Police and the fire service have confirmed there have been no reports of damage or casualties.

However, scores of people from as far afield as the Deepings and Bourne again took to Twitter to report feeling the second quake, which happened just over 24 hours after yesterday’s tremor.

Many are saying today’s quake was bigger than yesterday’s.

Here’s what you had to say:

Ellen, @ELLEmEntaL1, said: “Felt like this mornings quake was stronger... freaky!”

Fiona Arnold, @Fionumber1, said: “Much worse in my house than yesterday, house shook quite a bit this time.”

Sarah Proud, @Sarahproudie, said: “Sure I just felt a tremor in Bourne!”

Harry Bower, @BazzaHower, said: “Felt it in Bourne, woke me up.”

Emily Smith, @Warmcat2, said: “Was that an aftershock? Anyone else reported one? About 7.45am. House rattled. #earthquake.”

John Kennedy, @jk121956, said: “Second earthquake in two days, this one really shook our place.”

After yesterday’s earthquake, Mandy Warren told the Spalding Guardian: “I felt the earthquake in Holbeach St John’s while I was in bed this morning. It reminded me of the earthquake we had a few years back and I thought, no it cannot be. However, later in the day I heard the news.”

Did you feel the second quake? E-mail spaldingeditor@jpress.co.uk

Under his watch, the enormous sum of £650,000 has been raised to fund research into heart disease and help local patients.

That was recognised when Keith Woods was voted Volunteer of the Year in the Heart Hero programme of 2011.

Now, after years of public service, Keith, who lives in Spalding, is retiring as chairman of Spalding & District British Heart Foundation Fundraising Group.

Keith said: “I am 77 next month and I feel, having given 14 years of my retirement to the Foundation, that it’s time for someone else to take over.”

Keith’s public service started with a career in the police force, 17 years as a police inspector. The last 15 of those years were spent at Spalding.

A ten-year stint as planning enforcement officer with the district council followed and then, in 2000, Val Mackey died. Val, father-in-law to Keith’s youngest son, was chairman of the Spalding & District British Heart Foundation Fundraising Group. Keith said: “I was chairman of Spalding & District Indoor Bowls Club at that time – and I am now in my sixth year as president – and the fact I knew a little bit about being a chairman they decided to invite me to take over at the BHF.”

He says the role involves guiding the committee in its fundraising activities, such as the annual golf day organised by Spalding Golf Club on the committee’s behalf, which raises around £2,000 each year.

An indoor bowls tournament brings in around £500 a year, and a race night a further £1,500.

Then there are the collections, the donations, the in memorium contributions and the groups that organise events to raise funds on their behalf.

For instance, Keith says pupils at the Thomas Cowley School at Donington hand over between £4,000 and £5,000 each year from a sponsored jump rope skipping event.

“To put it in a nutshell, in the 14 years I have been doing it we have raised £650,000,” says Keith. “I’d like to thank past and present members of the committee for their help and support and also the people of South Holland for their extremely kind donations.”

The money pays for medical equipment locally and supports specialist nurses. Most importantly, it funds research into heart disease.

Keith says: “The main thing is research to find a cure for various aspects of heart disease, which remains one of the country’s biggest killers.”

Geoffrey Cooper is taking over as chairman of the Spalding & District British Heart Foundation Fundraising Group.

Geoff, who is currently vice-chairman, takes over on May 12. His wife Susan has been the group’s secretary for a number of years.

The group – which is completely separate to the retail shop – has appointed as treasurer Anthony Cronin, son of Connie and Clive Cronin, who served as secretary and vice-chairman for many years.

Retiring chairman Keith Woods , who is planning to spend more time on hobbies such as bowls, cruising, gardening and caravanning,said: “I would like to appeal for more people to join our committee. We are now down to seven members and it would be very useful to have at least three or four more to join us and help where required at various events and to provide additional ideas for fundraising.”

Those interested in finding out more should contact Geoff Cooper on 01406 370243.

Spalding swimmer Chloe Hannam reached her first national senior final when competing at the Commonwealth Trials in Glasgow on Sunday.

Despite feeling nervous, she finished joint fifth in in the 200m backstroke final in 2:14.61, which was just 0.18 seconds shy of her personal best.

She reached the final when finishing fourth in the semi-finals earlier in the day.

Just 20 minutes after that semi-final, Hannam was back in the pool for the 200m individual medley where she finished 22nd.

The City of Peterborough Swimming Club member had also qualified to swim the 800m freestyle but she decided against lining up as it was on the same day as the backstroke and medley.

She did line up in the 400m freestyle two days later though, finishing 17th.

She also bettered her entry time when finishing just a second shy of her pb.

It’s been a great year so far for Hannam, who broke the East Region senior record by two seconds when winning at the Cambridgeshire Championships.

That was one of seven gold medals she won there, taking silver in her other two events,

Second-placed Holbeach A slipped to defeat in their Spalding and District League Division One match at Crowland C.

Richard Low hit a break of 23 en route to victory and Mick Pearl won on the black ball it wasn’t enough as Joel Shears, Mitch Capes and Jamie Beeken were triumphant for the hosts.

The most convincing winners of the week were Tulips A, who whitewashed Sutton B 6-0.

Mike Simpson and Bren Bowman won on the black ball while Simon Law, Nick Savic and Martin Anderson were also in winning form.

There were also victories for Boundary B, Pyramid A and Holbeach D.

Mitch Griffiths made an impressive debut as Moulton Harrox defeated Sleaford in a friendly.

Home side Sleaford reached a respectable 185-7 off their allotted 40 overs and Harrox were 53-3 off 15 overs when local boy Harry Barnett joined Griffiths at the crease.

They went on to produce a 122 run parternship with Griffiths finishing on 61 not out and Barnett 80 not out.

A lack of runs cost Long Sutton victory in their first game at Paradise Field on Sunday.

They lost by three wickets to Heckington in a friendly. Put into bat, Phil Barnes and Phil Coote set a solid enough platform for the power hitters below them in the order.

Barnes eventually fell for 30 as he looked to increase the pace.

Aaron John (1), Jamie Taylor (5) and Steve Skoulding (7) didn’t last long but Paul Edgeller (22) played in his usual manner.

Captain Bull went for a duck while Coote (49) fell just short of his half-century.

Barry Stanway (15) and Alex Canham (10 not out) did their best in moving Sutton to 158-9 from their allocation.

Heckington reached 160-7 with two overs to spare, despite the efforts of Jake Burton (4-40) and Bull (3-36).

Sutton’s second string recorded a thrilling one-run victory over Sandringham in a friendly on Saturday.

Moulton Harrox secretary Paul Crowson is standing down after 12 years and the club are looking for a replacement.

The club runs three teams in the Peterborough League - a first team, a reserve team and a veteran team.
Anyone interested in replacing Crowson should contact him on 07913 798139 or e-mail him at paul.crowson@crowson.volkswagen.co.uk

Meanwhile, Deeping Under 13s won the Peterborough Junior Alliance League Cup thanks to a couple of hat-tricks.
Nathan Pickering and Alfie Ferguson both scored trebles and Oliver Foster also found the net as the unbeaten Division One leaders thrashed Holbeach 7-0.

Joe Doolan of Spalding and Kelly Slater of Wyberton raised around £5,000 between them for charity when completing Sunday’s London Marathon.

Slater finished 19,821st in 4.33.44 while Doolan ran 4.51.22 for 23,773rd position.

Also, Jonathan Palmer of Bourne Town Harriers won the Rotary Club of Bourne 10k by three minutes in 36.33.
The club also had the first boy and girl in the 3k event in the form of Cameron Everist (10:54) and Molly Bennett (14:12).

After many years as a successful sidecar passenger at the highest level, Long Sutton’s Scott Parnell has now turned his hand to driving a Formula 2 600 cc sidecar.

The former British champion and Isle of Man TT passenger has recruited 24-year-old passenger Mark Wilks from Brookland in Kent. Last year they competed at club level, winning the Formula Sidecar Racing Association’s newcomers’ award.

This season SMP racing have entered the Formula 2 British Championship and also the British Motorcycle Racing Club sidecar championship.

The team recently made the trip to Brands Hatch for the British round, finishing 16th in the first race and 19th in the second.

There was another good turnout when Spalding Autograss Club staged their latest meeting at Hurdletree Bank near Holbeach on Sunday.

Leading results were as follows: Class One: 1 Ashley Robinson; 2 Joe Baxter; 3 Carl Secker; Class Two: 1 Phil Clark; 2 Josh Bates; Class Three: 1 Aaron Mackenzie; 2 Michael Whitlock; 3 Malcolm Lefever; Class Five: 1 Kevin Gliddon; Class Six: 1 Chris Parkinson; 2 Stephen Pearsall; 3 Nathan Wiggins; Class Seven: 1 Mike Mackenzie; 2 Brigg Skipper; Class Eight: 1 Dan Mackenzie; 2 Mark Kiely; Juniors: 1 Andrew Bentley; 2= Philip Hayden/Caine Parnell; Junior Special: 1 Jordan Butcher; Ladies 11: 1 Lisa Bourn; 2 Emma Hall; 3 Lisa Chenery; Ladies 1: 1 Chamelle Clayton; Roll of the day: 1 Sorren Powell

Champs of Champs – Mens: Kevin Gliddon ; Ladies: Emma Hall ; Juniors: Caine Parnell.

Ben Wilson opens his MCE British Superbike Championship campaign at one of his favourite tracks on Monday admitting he needs to be quick off the grid.

The 32-year-old Kirton racer is keen to make a big impression in his first race on the new Gearlink Kawasaki Superbike and is looking forward to getting back on track under race conditions.

Having tested his new bike over two days near Barcelona in Spain, and followed up with another session at Donington Park, Wilson can hardly wait for the real action to begin.

He said: “The short Indy Brands Hatch circuit is one of my favourite tracks and I realise the need for a strong performance in qualifying in order to be well placed on the grid. I have to make a good start as there are few passing opportunities there.”

“Michael de Bidaph and the team have worked their socks off over the past few weeks to give me such a fantastic bike.”

The weekend begins tomorrow with a one-hour test session at 2.30pm.

There are two free practices on Saturday followed by a third session on Sunday morning.

The three-part qualifying session takes place on Sunday afternoon, starting at 4.05pm, and will set the grid for the start of the first 30-lap race at 1.30pm on Monday.

The grid positions for race two will be determined by the fastest lap times set in the first race and the riders will take to the track for the second time at 4.30pm.

The qualifying on Sunday plus both races on Monday are scheduled to be shown live on Eurosport 2.

Sutton St James’ Simon Venni bids for the Saloon Stock Cars 25-and-under Championship of Great Britain title at the Norfolk Arena, King’s Lynn on Saturday (6pm), having finished third in each of the last two years.

He comes up against Spalding’s Tom Yould, who won five times at the venue last year, and Robert Heanes of Whaplode St Catherine.

The over-25s will also be in action, including Jamie Clayton (Moulton) and Andi Newman (Gosberton).

The Unlimited Bangers sees Spalding trio Simon Goodale, Will Longford and Paul Lambe plus Long Sutton’s James Jackson in action.

The 1300cc stock cars features several South Holland drivers including Yould’s younger brother Ben.

After ten years of racing at national club level, Donington speed ace Christian ‘Bomber’ Slater is edging closer to his dream of competing in the famous Isle of Man TT Race.

Slater, who got his first motorbike at the age of four, recently attended the Mike Hailwood Foundation in the Isle of Man.

The trip was designed to gain as much information as possible to assist with two weeks of practice and racing during August 16-29.

He said: “It does not get much better than racing in the Manx Grand Prix but my ultimate aim is to race in the Senior TT Race in three years time.”

Volunteers were shocked when boxes taken to a charity in Long Sutton which were thought to contain provisions for rescued pets had two adults cats hidden inside.

The abandoned animals have sparked a new plea from PJ Cat Rescue, which says it is already in crisis and the breeding season has only just begun.

Last year there were fears feral cat colonies were spiralling out of control and PJ Rescue launched a campaign to catch and neuter toms. But the problem isn’t getting any better and last week alone four kittens were abandoned at the charity shop in High Street.

Volunteer Philip Newhouse said: “Someone came in and said ‘here’s a few boxes of stuff for the cats’ but in one we found two adult cats. Then we had two more abandoned.

“There’s just no more room at the ‘inn’ – we desperately need food, money and volunteers.”

Veterinary nurse Suzhy Winfield said they had some surprise arrivals when a couple brought in a rescued cat and they found it was pregnant.

Suzhy said: “We had six lovely kittens and have already managed to rehome four. But as lovely as they are we can’t forget the importance of getting cats neutered.

“It was the same time last year that we had abandoned kittens brought into us.

“Here we go again. I can see we are going to get inundated with them again.

“We are running a neutering scheme at the moment so it is affordable. People should just come in to the vets and get their cats sorted.”

If you would like to offer help to PJ Cat Rescue, pop into the shop or call 01406 258221.

Anyone who would like information about the neutering scheme should call Vet Savers on 01775 724333.