A monthly column by mixed media artist and allotment keeper Carol Parker.

I know I’m very predictable and that my allotment deserves more diligence, but I’m just no good in the cold and wet so the first sign of sun and I’m ready to dig.

Three visits and I seem to have got control. I’ve unearthed the edges of my veg plots and eradicated all the weeds – nearly.

This year I’d promised myself a mower as I have a lot of grass to keep trim and my strimmer is in the naughty corner…

I was away with the fairies, hypnotised by the muffled whirring of the magical nylon autofeed spool line, and protected by my full face safety mask with visor screen and ear defenders (just in case H&S are reading this), when something very un-grasslike came into view.

I put down my mean machine and bent down to take a closer look. It was… a baby bunny, the size of my palm, ears just little points, and huge beady eyes.

Once I was sure I hadn’t done any damage and had a quick cuddle, I placed him safely back where I’d found him, with his friend who’d suddenly hopped out to greet him!

No more strimming for me; this was to be a bunny safe zone for the next couple of weeks.

So, on to the growing: a bit early for planting my favourite crops yet, but I did put in a few ‘tough as old boots’ broad bean plants and Lollo Rosso lettuce. I’ve added to my herb bed and the woad plants (heritage Lincolnshire dye plant) are pushing up flower heads ready for seed to be collected in the autumn.

Because my own garden and an allotment isn’t enough, I’ve also been visiting the community gardens at Ayscoughfee Hall Musuem and I’m helping to clear the wilderness garden of ground elder. I love Ayscoughfee gardens and have been a regular visitor since my children were small so I wanted to give something back for all that pleasure.

I’ve been busy with the arts too. An Arts Council funded project has just finished and another application is going in soon. I’m delivering art for early stage dementia sessions in Bourne and Spalding and coordinating an artist networking project through social media ‘From Lincolnshire and Back’. Details on these on my blog http://artrovings.wordpress.com

Events in the district from Thursday, April 30 to Wednesday, May 6

Thursday

Scarecrow festival: until Monday, Moulton Chapel village, 01406 380551.

‘The magic of the musicals’: flower festival, stalls, until Monday (Sunday noon-5pm), Moulton Chapel Methodist Church, 01406 381429.

Flower festival: until Monday, St James’ Church, Moulton Chapel, 01406 380357.

Flower festival: ‘Our wonderful world’, stalls, hot meals, 10am-5pm, cafe 10am-4pm, until Monday, St Laurence Church, Surfleet, 01775 680746.

Pincheck Photographic Group: ‘A photo a day’ by Tony Taylor and ‘A year in close up’ by Geoff Horton, 7.30p, Pinchbeck School Hall, Fennell Road, PE11 3RP.

Magna Carta: and the 1217 Charter of the Forests, subject of a talk by Lord Cormack, 7.30pm, Reading Room, Church Street, Holbeach, 07889 805550.

All things bright and beautiful: community flower festival, until Monday, martial arts, dance troops, Maypole dancing, stalls, catering, entertainment, quilting exhibition, with art exhibition by local artist David Tibbs from Saturday, 10am-5pm, Holbeach All Saints’ Church, 01406 424441.

Flower and craft festival: ‘Music in bloom’, 40 flower displays, stalls, until Monday, 10am-5pm, cafe 10am-4pm, St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Gosberton, 01775 841001.

Flower festival: until Monday, stalls, bric-a-brac, refreshments, 10am-5.30pm (Friday, 7pm festival of praise; Sunday, 10.30am morning service, opens 11.30am), St Bartholomew’s Church, West Pinchbeck.

Homes and gardens: flower festival, until Monday, refreshments, stalls, 10am-6pm, (Songs of Praise, Sunday 6.30pm), All Saints’ Church, Moulton, 01406 370805.

No more sea: flower festival, tower climbing, until Tuesday, 10am-6pm (bric-a-brac sale in church grounds, Saturday, all day; Bishop of Grantham preaches at Parish Communion on Sunday), St Mary and St Nicolas Church, Spalding, 01775 722772.

Flower festival: ‘inns and taverns’, until Monday, 10am-7pm, catering 10am-5pm, St Mary’s Church, Long Sutton, 01406 362033.

Flower festival: until Tuesday, St Paul’s Church, Fulney, Spalding, 01775 724987.

‘Saints and sinners’: flower festival, until Monday, St Mary’s Church, Pinchbeck, 01775 640213.

‘Parables and miracles’: flower festival until Monday, Spalding United Reformed Church, Pinchbeck Road, 01775 766403.

‘Biblical creche’: flower festival until Monday, 10am-6pm, Gosberton Methodist Church, PE11 4NQ, 01775 840441.

Flower festival: ‘Inspiration’, until Sunday, St Mary and the Holy Rood Church, Donington, PE11 4UA.

‘Scarecrows go green’: flower festival, until Monday, St Mary’s Church, Sutterton, PE20 2JH.

Friday

Art exhibition: work of local artists, until May 31, open Wednesday to Sunday 10.30am-4pm, including bank holiday, Geest Gallery, Ayscoughfee Hall, Spalding.

Flower festival: until Monday, stalls, Christian book stall, 10am-4pm, lunches noon-2pm (Tom Kennedy, Irish country singer Saturday, 7.30pm, tickets 01406 426781), Songs of Praise Sunday, 4pm), Fleet Baptist Church.

Flower festival: until Monday, stalls, 10am-4pm, St Mary Magdalene Church, Fleet, 01406 424113.

A year in the life of the church: flower festival, until Monday, stalls, 10am-5pm, St Mary’s Church, Weston.

The Bookworms: by Rhubarb Theatre, on the mobile library, suitable all accompanied children, 10am Field Close, Gosberton, 11.05am Godfrey Avenue, Gosberton, noon Gosberton Risegate, 1.15pm, Coalbeach Lane, Surfleet, 2pm layby on main road, Quadring, 3pm Swineshead North End, 07747 271820, www.transportedart.com

Saturday

Tulipmania: procession, flower displays, entertainment, Peppa Pig, 9am-5pm, Springfields Events Centre, Spalding, PE12 6ET.

Family fun day: workshops, music, dance, fun and film for under 13s, from 11am, South Holland Centre, Spalding, 01775 764777.

Spalding Velo Prix: youth ‘go-race’, enter 9am, start 9.30am; guided family rides, 1pm; bikeability taster sessions, Dr Bike Clinic, bling your bike and more, 10am-2pm, Monkshouse Lane Playing Field, Pennygate, Spalding, PE11 1LG.

Art exhibition: 300 paintings, lunches, until May 8, 10am-6pm (Sunday noon-6pm), St Matthew’s Church, Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge, 01406 540219.

All things bright and beautiful: flower festival, until Monday, entertainment, Maypole dancing, stalls, catering, teddy bear parachuting, open bell ringing slot, quilting and art exhibitions, 10am-5pm, Holbeach All Saints’ Church.

Flower festival: until Monday, St John the Evangelist, Weston Hills, PE12 6DQ.

Art on the Map: open studio with artists Helen Webber and John Gray, 10am-5pm, and tomorrow, Riverbank Studios, 57a Double Street, Spalding, PE11 2AB, 01775 680683.

Coffee morning: for Dementia UK, 10am-2pm, Cecil Pywell Community Hall, Holbeach, 01406 426920.

Altered Festival: Machines in the Trees with Martin Smith, 10am-7pm, St Mary Magdalene Church, Gedney, PE12 0BJ.

NGS open garden: 2-4.30pm, Greatford Mill, Greatford, PE9 4QA.

Sunday

Tulipmania: and classic car show, 10am-4pm, Springfields Events Centre, Spalding.

Tuliptime: village parade, entertainment, decorated floats, classic cars, vintage tractors, 3pm, Moulton Chapel.

Spalding Velo Prix: inter school challenge, 10am; Fenland Road Club reliability ride (35 miles), 11am; inter club challenge, 2pm, Market Place, Spalding.

Truckfest: family day out, gates open 9am, East of England Showground, Peterborough, www.truckfest.co.uk

All things bright and beautiful: flower festival, until Monday, entertainment, stalls, catering, dog show, entertainment, quilting exhibition, art exhibition, 10am-5pm, Holbeach All Saints’ Church.

Car boot: 8am-noon, Spalding Grammar School.

Altered Festival: Machines in the Trees with Martin Smith, and tomorrow, 11am-7pm, St Mary Magdalene Church, Gedney, PE12 0BJ.

Craft fair: and tours, 10am-4pm, Moulton Windmill, PE12 6QB, 01406373237.

Gift and craft fair: 11am-4pm, Gedney Victory Hall, 01406 550627.

Craft fair: and flower festival, Crowland Abbey.

Quiz: 7.30pm, Long Sutton Royal British Legion, 01406 362076.

Pottery market: local potters, jewellery, 11am-4pm, and tomorrow, Stamford Arts Centre, PE9 2DL, 01832 226495.

Orchid show: by Fenland Orchid Society, 10am-4pm, Terrington St Clements Village Hall, Churchgate Way, PE34 4LZ.

Monday

Truckfest: gates open 9am, East of England Showground, Peterborough, www.truckfest.co.uk

Fenland ‘Keswick’ Convention: The ministry of the Holy Spirit, speaker Rev Paul Mallard, 2.15pm, Spalding Grammar School, Spalding, 01775 725702.

Macmillan Cancer Support: information and support on skin cancer during Sun Awareness Week (until May 10), Gibbs and Dandy, St Thomas’s Road, Spalding.

The Full English: 7pm, Engine Shed, Lincoln.

Wednesday

Flowers Lovers Club: area demonstrator Pat Billing, 7.15pm, Spalding Grammar School, 01775 761740.

Bingo: doors 6.30pm, eyes down 7.30pm, Gedney Drove End Village Hall.

Stamp Club: Arthur Long with Zanzibar, 2pm, Fraiser Room, Surfleet, 01775 762661.

Movies

South Holland Centre

Still Alice, Thursday 2pm; The Hard Problem (NT Live), Thursday 7pm; Focus, Friday and Saturday 7.30pm; Mary Poppins (family day) Monday 3.30pm; The Water Diviner, Tuesday 2pm, Wednesday 7.30pm.

For more information visit www.southhollandcentre.co.uk

Peterborough Showcase

For times visit www.showcasecinemas.co.uk

Music

Saturday

Bad to the Bone, 8.30pm, Five Bells, Tydd St Mary; Duo Tommy Curtis and Steve Baxter, 8pm, Donington RBL, 01775 821112; Mark Rose Irish folk Group, 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church, Long Sutton, 01406 362033; Pat Campbell, 8.30pm, Long Sutton RBL, 01406 362076; country singer Tom Kennedy, 7.30pm, Fleet Baptist Church, 01406 426781.

Sunday

David Logan, 8pm, Donington RBL; Gypsy Fire, 7.30pm, Peterborough Jazz Club, Great Northern Hotel, Peterborough, 01733 571764.

Wednesday

Luke Jackson (Spalding Folk Club), 8.15pm, South Holland Centre, Spalding, 01775 764777.

Theatre

South Holland Centre, Spalding

Lee Nelson, Tuesday 7.30pm.

Key Theatre, Peterborough

Roy Orbison and the Travelling Wilburys Tribute Show, The Ronnie Scott’s all Stars Quintet, An evening with Julian Lloyd Webber.

Sutton Bridge Post Office could move 100 yards along Bridge Road to the Nisa Local – and open more than 60 extra hours a week, including Sundays from 7am-9pm.

The Post Office is now asking residents for their comments on the move in a public consultation ending on June 10.

As well as Sunday opening, the proposed Monday-Saturday opening hours for the newly sited Post Office are 6am-9pm – which will mean an end to lunchtime closing and the service increased up to 104 hours a week.

Post Office regional manager Will Russell said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in Sutton Bridge and we are confident this new, modern Post Office service will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future.

“This modernisation is part of a major investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office and marks a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.”

• To comment on the plans, address your letter Free Post YOUR COMMENTS to Post Office Ltd or email comments@postoffice.co.uk or call 08457 223344.

Holbeach & Fenland Tumble Squad’s Tia Withers and Dani Ketteringham have secured places on the East Midlands team.

They will be competing at national semi-finals in Peterborough and Sheffield in May and June, hoping to gain a place to compete at the national final in July.

Following this success, many gymnasts competed for the first time at a friendly competition in Boston.

Club level 1 tumblers Faith Seamark, Lily Hook and Tilly Ransome took gold, silver and bronze medals respectively with Nicole Ward just pipped in to fourth place by her team-mates.

At Club 2 level Zoe Baker took gold and the medal haul was followed with Ellen Vicente achieving silver at Club 3 closely followed by Lexi Withers in bronze medal place.

The competition then moved to National level tumblers with Callum Crisp gaining a silver medal at National 1.

In the girls 9/10 age group, Tia Withers took silver with Abbey Jackson just missing out on the medals in fourth place.

In the 13-plus category Ellie Burton took silver with team-mate Erika Webb in the bronze position.

National 2 tumblers Ketteringham and Kayleigh Britton took silver and bronze with Frank Thompson finishing the club’s medal haul with a gold at National 2.

Holbeach’s Ashley Rudd led from start to finish in the second round of the Peterborough Junior Motocross Club championships at Chatteris.

In the schoolboy class, he had three holeshot awards for getting to the first corner ahead of all his rivals off the start line.
He won all three races but almost crashed on the last lap of the final event.
Junior rider Kieran Rudd was second overall after finishing third, second and first.
Their uncle Lee is back in supermoto action in Cumbria this weekend.

Long Sutton Athletic’s fight for survival is over after they finished at the foot of the Peterborough & District League Division One table.

Relegation rivals Langtoft United Reserves and Kings Cliffe both had home wins.

Substitute Ashley Clipston got the only goal to condemn Long Sutton to defeat in their last game of the season.

The second-half strike was enough for Ketton to keep alive their hopes of claiming the runners-up spot.

Langtoft were 6-2 winners over league champions Coates Athletic Reserves with the goals shared between Ryan Bird, Dan Evans, Tom Glindon, 
Jacob Smitheringale, Tony Wooding and substitute Modesto Santaniello.

Mid-table Sutton Bridge United lost 4-3 at home to AFC Stanground who led 3-0 at the break but ended the game with four red cards.

Matt Eaton, Jake Lally and Ben Partridge were on target for Sutton Bridge.

One beer and “about five vodka shots” led to an 18-month ban for a driver caught behind the wheel in Spalding.

Daivaras Sarkauskis (20), who lives in the town’s Meadowgate Lane, was driving on London Road at 11.45pm on April 4.

Marie Stace, prosecuting, said police officers were driving behind him and “due to his behaviour in the car” he was stopped and failed a roadside breath test.

She said an evidential sample revealed 68 microgrammes of alcohol in breath – almost double the legal limit.

Boston magistrates yesterday (Wednesday) banned Sarkauskis from driving for 18 months and fined him £220 with £85 prosecution costs and a £22 victim surcharge. He can cut 18 months off the ban if he completes a rehabilitation course.

Solicitor Andrew Goldsborough, mitigating, said: “He felt he was driving normally but clearly it aroused the suspicion of the police officers.”

He said Sarkauskis went to a party and decided to drive home when he felt sleepy.

Mystery surrounds the “unexplained death” of a 47-year-old woman found with head injuries at a house in West Pinchbeck over the weekend.

Police are waiting for forensic tests and the results of a post-mortem carried out on the body of the woman who was found dead inside a house in Elizabeth Crescent at about 4.20pm on Sunday.

Paramedics pronounced the woman dead at the scene and detectives have been conducting house-to-house enquiries to find out more about the woman and her partner, both said to be English, who neighbours claimed had only moved into the house about six months ago.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “At about 2.45pm on Sunday, two LIVES First Responders turned up.

“Then an ambulance parked in the middle of the road and another ambulance pulled onto our driveway.

“But we only got the gist of what was happening when we had a police car here, followed by a second one and then both CID and forensics officers.

“I didn’t know the woman but I knew the man she was living with because we met about 14 or 15 years ago.

“They were an English couple but their surnames were different.

Another neighbour, who also asked not to be named, added: “There’s a man who lives a few doors down from me who has heart trouble and so I thought the paramedics had come to see him.

“But then there were police cars here at about 4pm on Sunday and scenes of crime officers were here all night.

“Everybody was questioned by the police and CID detectives, then they put tape round the house and a copper on 24-hour guard.

“I’ve lived here for about three years and I’ve never seen that much police activity, even though I’ve lived in towns most of my life.”

Vicar of Pinchbeck, Rev David Sweeting, said: “Thankfully, these types of incidents occur so rarely in a sleepy, little village like West Pinchbeck.”

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman confirmed that the woman’s name may be released later today but forensic tests that are currently taking place will “take some weeks to complete”.

“A post-mortem examination has taken place but the nature of some of the forensic tests involved with post-mortems means that it can be many weeks before the results are returned,” the spokesman said. “These further forensic tests are ongoing and will take some weeks but enquiries remain ongoing and the death continues to be treated as unexplained in the meantime.”

A police guard initially put in place outside the house, not far from the former Primitive Methodist Church, was lifted on Tuesday while enquiries are led by detectives based at Boston Police Station.

Anyone with information about the woman or the circumstances of her death should call 101, quoting incident 244 of April 26.

You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Donington mum Rose Sharman celebrated her 100th birthday on Friday by holding open house at the home she shares with her twin daughters, Janice and Jacqueline Sharman.

Rose had a telegram from the Queen to mark her big day and she was thrilled to have her second message from the monarch.

The first came when Rose and her now late husband, Jack, celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2000.

Born in New Leake, Rose was educated at Stickney School and spent her early working years on the land and as a post woman.

Rose met Jack when he was a waggoner working horses on the land.

The couple married in 1940 and settled in Station Street, Donington, where Rose still lives although the house has been changed over the years.

Her daughter, Janice, said: “During the war, mum used to work at Wright’s Bakery in Donington and that’s where the paratroopers used to come in.”

As well as greeting friends on Friday – and being showered with flowers and 70 cards – Rose had another special day on Saturday at church.

Janice (66) said Rose has been a life-long Methodist and has attended Sutterton Methodist Church since the Donington one closed a few years ago.

She said: “We invited some of the ex-ministers – some of them are retired and some are still preaching – and mum really enjoyed herself.”

Asked about the secret of her mum’s long life, Janice said: “She doesn’t drink, she doesn’t eat meat and I think it’s in her genes because quite a few members of her family have lived to a great age.

“She had one uncle who made 100 and she still has a sister, Bessie, who is 97 and lives in Stickney.”

As well as her twins, Rose cared for an evacuee during the war and the lady concerned, Shirley Stevenson, now lives in the village.

Janice described her mum as “a very caring person.”

She said: “She was brought up by her grandparents because her dad died in the First World War. She was only two when he died.

“She had a strict upbringing and she was strict with us yet she had got such a kind heart. She would do anything for anybody.”

The countdown is on! There’s just seven days to go until the elections on Thursday, May 7 and residents are urged to check details of their Polling Station on their Polling Cards.

This year not only will there be National ‘General’ Elections where you will choose your MP, there will also be District Council elections and in some areas Town or Parish Council elections.

This means that when attending your Polling Station you will be given up to three ballot papers – one for each election. You must read them thoroughly to understand which election you are voting in.

It is important that you check your Polling Card to know where to vote as there have been some changes to both Ward boundaries and Polling Stations so you may be voting at a different Polling Station than you have done previously. Polling Stations will be open 7am until 10pm on Election Day.

The first of the season’s popular Classic Car & Bike Meets organised by Richard Joyce at The Bluebell Inn, Whaplode St Catherine, is on Wednesday.


Richard, a classic enthusiast, began organising the meets for people like him who don’t have the time for an all-day event, but like to get together after work.
He said: “We have had over 100. In fact we had 130 cars one night and 40 motorbikes. At the first one at the beginning of May we had 35 cars and it was a wet night. They sit and have a burger and chips and talk about old cars.”
Enthusiasts meet from 5pm onwards. Queries to Richard on 07860 689858.

Your guide to all the games

Thursday

ChromaSport & Trophies Peterborough & District League

Division Two: Parkway Eagles v Wittering (6.30pm), Stamford Belvedere v Oakham Res (7.30pm).

Division Four: Peterborough ICA Sports B v Eye (6.30pm).

Veterans Development Division: Ryhall v Oakham (6.30pm).

Sills & Betteridge Solicitors Lincolnshire League

Supplementary Cup final: Hykeham v Ruston Sports (7.30pm).

Taylors Service Garages Boston & District League

BB Insurance Willoughby Cup final (7pm): Coningsby v Swineshead Institute (at Boston Town).

Hereward Teamwear & Trophies Peterborough & District Junior Alliance

Under-11 Division Two (6pm): Woodston v Riverside.

Under-11 Division Three (6.30pm): Northern Star v Whittlesey Red.

Peterborough & District Youth League

Under-18 Division One: Whittlesey Junior Red v Glinton & Northborough Black (6.30pm), Deeping v Rippingale & Folkingham.

Saturday

Evo-Stik League

First Division South play-off final: Leek v Sutton Coldfield.

ChromaSport & Trophies Peterborough & District League (2pm)

Premier Division: Moulton Harrox v Coates, Pinchbeck v Peterborough ICA Sports, Riverside v Netherton, Sawtry v Leverington Sports, Stilton v Oakham.

Division One: Kings Cliffe v Sutton Bridge.

Division Two: Leverington Sports Res v Ketton Res (1.30pm), Sawtry Res v Netherton A, Spalding Res v Coates A, Stamford Belvedere v Parkside, Wittering v Thorney Res.

Division Three: Coates B v Riverside Res, Glinton & Northborough v Farcet, Hampton Sport v Tydd St Mary, Ryhall Res v Kings Cliffe Res, Uppingham Res v Ramsey.

Division Four: Bretton North End v Warboys Res, Holbeach Bank v Stanground Sports, Leverington Sports A v Rutland DR, Long Sutton Res v Sutton Bridge Res, Thorpe Wood Rangers v Stamford Belvedere Res.

Division Five: Parkway Eagles Res v FC Peterborough.

Intermediate Shield final: Spalding Town v Peterborough Sports A (1pm; at The Grange 3G, Peterborough).

Chairman Championship Shield final: Oundle v Ketton (5.45pm; at The Grange 3G, Peterborough).

Sills & Betteridge Solicitors Lincolnshire League

Ruston Sports v Cleethorpes AKP.

Taylors Service Garages Boston & District League (2.30pm)

Taylors Garages Premier Division: Billinghay v Kirton, Swineshead Institute v Benington, Woodhall Spa v Pointon.

Taylors Peugeot Division One: Coningsby v Freiston, Friskney v Pointon Res.

Taylors Ford Division Two: Sibsey v Holbeach Bank.

Arthur Younge Memorial Cup final: Old Leake v Park United.

Hereward Teamwear & Trophies Peterborough & District Junior Alliance

Under-8 Blue Zone: Park Farm Red v Park Farm Black (10.30am), Thurlby v G&N (10.30am), Stamford v Stanground (11.30am).

Sunday

Spalding League (10.30am)

Brennan’s Sports v Swineshead Institute, Jubilee v Pinchbeck, Pinchbeck v Jubilee (double-headed fixture).

Hereward Teamwear & Trophies Peterborough & District Junior Alliance

Under-11 Division One (10.30am): Stamford v ASSL.

Under-11 Division Two: Hampton Navy v WSM (10.30am), Oundle v Riverside (noon).

Under-13 9x9 (noon): Wittering v Deeping Claret.

Under-13 Division One (10.30am): Deeping Blue v Hampton.

Under-14 Division One (10.30am): G&N Amber v Northern Star Blue.

Under-14 Division Three (2pm): TWR Red v Northern Star Red, WSM v TWR Blue.

Peterborough & District Youth League

Under-15 Division One: Hampton v Deeping Claret (10.30am), Deeping Blue v March Town United (2pm).

Under-15 Division Two (2pm): Bourne v Stanground.

Under-18 Division One (2pm): G&N Amber v Stamford, Whittlesey Red v Bourne.

Under-18 Division Two (2pm): Leverington v Sawtry.

Monday

ChromaSport & Trophies United Counties League

Knockout Cup final: Potton v AFC Rushden & Diamonds (at Yaxley).

Tuesday

ChromaSport & Trophies Peterborough & District League

Premier Division: Pinchbeck v Leverington Sports (6.30pm), Deeping Res v Netherton.

Division Two: Stamford Belvedere v Ketton Res (6.30pm), Spalding Res v Parkway Eagles.

Division Three: Baston Res v Spalding Town (6.30pm), Stilton Res v Farcet(6.30pm), Peterborough Sports A v Tydd St Mary.

Division Four (6.30pm): Bretton North End v Stanground Sports, Eye v Peterborough ICA Sports B, Long Sutton Res v Leverington Sports 
A.

Veterans Development Division: Glinton & Northborough v Peterborough ICA Sports (7pm).

Wednesday

ChromaSport & Trophies Peterborough & District League

Premier Division: Peterborough Sports Res v Coates.

Division One (6.50pm): Ketton v Whittlesey Blue Star, Moulton Harrox Res v Oundle.

Division Two (6.30pm): Crowland Res v Thorney Res, Peterborough ICA Sports A v Wittering, Sawtry Res v Coates A.

Veterans Development Division: Rutland v Ryhall (7.30pm).

Sills & Betteridge Solicitors Lincolnshire League

Challenge Cup final: Ruston Sports v Wyberton (7.30pm).

Hereward Teamwear & Trophies Peterborough & District Junior Alliance

Under-13 9x9 (6.45pm): Northern Star v Netherton.

The names of some of the people who first came to this area as prisoners of war or as refugees will be familiar to local residents.

There is Hans Heib, who married local girl Audrey; Heinz Radeloff, the last prisoner released from the camp at Sutton Bridge, who married Rene; and Stefan Artanan, who also settled down with a Sutton Bridge girl, Mary.

Then there were the evacuees who arrived in 1942, among whom David Newton chose to make his life in Long Sutton, and the men who served in the various services, such as Doug Marsh and Ken Markillie.

Wendy Jeffries says there are also the men who came to train at Sutton Bridge airfield who went on to become household names, such as Sailor Malan, Paddy Finucane and Johnnie Johnson.

And there are the men who came and lost their lives in the skies and fields of the district.

In acknowledgement of the men who lie in Sutton Bridge war graves, looked after by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, a plaque is to be dedicated at St Matthew’s Church on Sunday, May 24 at 12.30pm, and there will hopefully be a memorial fly past.

They came to Sutton Bridge and Long Sutton under unusual circumstances in the Second World War.

They arrived as prisoners of war, as evacuees, and some as airmen with the RAF.

Some of them never left, making their home among the people of the Suttons. Others never left because they made the greatest sacrifice of all and their bones now rest among the Sutton Bridge war graves.

The Suttons’ involvement in the war was greater than that of other parishes because of the RAF airfield and the prisoner of war camp at Sutton Bridge.

Now the history of that time is to be told in a series of exhibitions being organised by Long Sutton & District Civic Society.

The society plans to hold the first one at the Curlew Centre at Sutton Bridge on Tuesday, May 19 (7pm).

That one, Blitz & Pieces, tells the personal stories behind a collection of service memorabilia.

On Sunday, May 24 (10am-4pm), again at the Curlew Centre, the society is commemorating the 70th anniversary of VE day with an exhibition.

On September 12 and 13, to coincide with Heritage Open Days, the exhibition will move to the Masonic Hall at Long Sutton, the WW2 officers’ mess of the Queen’s Royal Regiment, with displays also at Long Sutton Scout and Guide Hall (10am-4pm both venues).

Of course, the residents of both villages were also caught up in those difficult years, either serving in the forces, volunteering with the local defence force, or simply waiting at home for news of a loved one.

A film show, entitled Local Heroes, which includes interviews with local residents, will be played during the exhibitions.

It is all of those stories, together with photographs, letters and any other records, that civic society members would like to include in the exhibition.

Events organiser Wendy Jeffries plans to include the details of the airmen from all over the world who came to train at the airfield, but who never left.

She also has the letters from bereaved families to the local vicar at the time, the Rev Cawley, thanking him for words of comfort. He would have conducted services for the 56 or so men in the graveyard – three at the same time on one fateful occasion.

Society chairman Tim Machin explains: “The men came for a short period of time and survived or died. They came off Tiger Moths straight into high performance single engine fighters with minimal training, and they were flying solo straight away.”

Wendy appeals to anyone with information about families whose names appear on the local war memorial to get in touch on 01406 362310.

Prices of foodstuffs and other household items had risen by around 20 per cent since the outbreak of war.

That was according to an official survey of the prices of commodities in the country.

It’s safe to assume that would have resulted in hardship for many, in particular an anonymous widow who wrote to these newspapers in 1915 about her plight.

The woman wrote: “May I call your attention to the position of widows and orphans. At the commencement of this war my husband enlisted, was examined by three Army doctors, who declared him to be in fit health to undergo the training fitting him to serve his country.

“He did eight months’ training, and was sent into hospital and operated upon for a supposed abscess on the back.

“He was then sent home, and discharged on account of health. I had a doctor to engage, who refused to give his advice until paid.

“My husband died a month after his discharge, and even over his death certificate I had difficulties. The doctor demanded 18s before giving it. Where would I have obtained 18s out of 12s 6d a week, which had been my allowance, never having received any for my child?

“But this I did not mind, as I was working, and so provided maintenance for my child. But can you expect my boy to have any love for Army or Country when he becomes a man, knowing how his mother has been treated?

“I have one child to support and I should like to know what would have become of us now, should I not have been able to go out into the world to gain a living for our maintenance.

“The only thing I can see is that after having tried to lead a respectable life, and given my husband to my country, the reward would be the workhouse.

“Can you wonder men hesitate to enlist?”

Ryhall United goalkeeper Steve Rudkin put in a man of the match performance to help his side win the PFA Junior Cup against Spalding Town on Wednesday night.

Ryhall won on penalties in the final at Chestnut Avenue,with Rudkin saving twice after a busy night in goal.

After 90 minutes the two sides could not be separated, drawing 1-1 at the final whistle, despite Ryhall playing two leagues higher than their opponents.

Spalding opened the game looking the more dangerous of the two sides and in the opening moments the Ryhall defence had to be alert to clear a dangerous cross by Marcus Parry.

Parry was the danger man all night for Spalding and in the 12th minute he forced Ryhall keeper Rudkin into a save after an effort at the near post.

Three minutes later Martin Sandall tested the Ryhall stopper with an effort from the edge of the 18 yard box but the busy Rudkin was a match to it.

So when Ryhall scored in the 20th minute it was rather against the run of play. The ball was delivered into the box from a corner and Spalding goalkeeper Brendan Taylor missed it, allowing Jonathan Smith to bundle the ball into the net. With the lead the Rutland side attacked again and just a minute later Phillip Bartlett fired a volley wide from 20 yards out.

Spalding replied with some long distance shooting of their own, in the 27th minute James Thorold tested Rudkin but he gathered it well.

Ryhall’s defence were struggling to contain Parry who was causing problems down the wing to get behind the defensive line. Ten minutes before the break he played in his strike partner but the Spalding attacker’s side foot shot went just inches wide of the upright.

However the teams were level at the break when Thorold finally beat Rudkin. He struck a low and hard shot from the edge of the box and thanks to a little deflection it found the back of the net to make it 1-1 after 40 minutes.

At that point Ryhall were hanging on as a buoyant Spalding looked to take the lead and twice they were just inches away from doing so. First goalscorer Thorold hit an effort just over the bar and then Parry struck the outside of the post after he beat the offside trap. In the final minute of the first half Rudkin again denied Parry when he had a decent chance to score.

It was much the same story in the second half, Rudkin was by far the busier keeper, saving first from Andy Williams and then Parry in the 64th minute. Ryhall were lucky their keeper was having an inspired night because Bartlett was struggling to find the target with his efforts, wasting a couple of chances in the second half before rattling the crossbar in the 75th minute.

Remarkably the game ended at 1-1 and it went to a dreaded set-piece showdown.

Ryhall scored the opening spot kick, Scott McKenzie with a shot to the right for 1-0 and then Rudkin did what he had done all night and saved Thorold’s effort to give the village side the advantage. Anton Wells was fortunate with his effort as the ball bounced over the keepers’ hand but he scored all the save to increase United’s lead.

Unbelievably Rudkin saved again, this time denying Scott Burrell. Both sides were then successful before Andrew Ward scored a perfect penalty, converting off the inside of the post to secure an unlikely victory on the balance of play.

Ryhall United: Steve Rudkin, Andrew Ward, Matt Laughton, Nick Harradence, Russell Aust, Jonathan Smith, Rhys Wilson, Rich Wilkinson, Scott McKenzie, Phillip Bartlett, Dan Aust

Substitutes: James Russon, Anton Wells, Adam Richardson, Neil Christian, Stuart Moss

Spalding Town: Brendan Taylor, Josh McGuire, Sam Deykin, Scott Phillips, Gav Bailey, Gary Booth, Marcus Parry, Andy Williams, Ash Wilson, Martin Sandall, JamesThorold

Substitutes: Ben Holland, Tom Elderkin, Scott Burrell, Mark Astley, Joel Meadows

Referee: James Truman

Dog owners across Lincolnshire are being urged to take extra precautions when out walking their pets this spring and summer, to help prevent the spread of the deadly disease, Alabama Rot.

The mysterious illness, which first appeared in the late 1980s affecting greyhounds in America, has spread to at least 18 counties in England, with 46 cases confirmed since December 2013 – an increase of 460 per cent compared to the period from November 2012 to November 2013*.

Now Vets4Pets has launched an interactive guide to provide dog owners with information on the disease, including confirmed locations and tips on how to reduce the risk of dogs becoming infected - www.vets4pets.com/stop-alabama-rot/

“The cause of Alabama Rot, clinically known as idiopathic cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), is still unknown and there is no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease,” said Huw Stacey, head of clinical services at Vets4Pets.

“This is why we have produced an interactive guide, which follows on from the feature on Alabama Rot in our 2014 Vets Report, that helps dog owners understand where in the UK confirmed cases have occurred, how to spot symptoms and tips on reducing the risk of infection.

“The concern among vets in the UK is that unlike the Alabama Rot that affected greyhounds in America, the disease in the UK does not seem to target any specific breed, age, sex or weight of dog.

“Of course cases are currently extremely rare and this information is aimed at preventing a large scale outbreak by stopping the disease spread and ensuring dogs are kept safe while enjoying the great UK outdoors.”

Vets4Pets, which has over 300 practices across the UK, is currently supporting the research work carried out by Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists and the Animal Health Trust to help understand the disease, how it can be treated and prevented.

Huw added: “The first sign that is normally seen is a skin sore that isn’t caused by a known injury. Most commonly these sores are found below the elbow or knee and appear as a distinct swelling, a patch of red skin or are open and ulcer-like.

“If a dog becomes infected the best outcome will come from early and intensive veterinary care, which has resulted in some dogs successfully recovering.”

“Any dog owners who think their pet has Alabama Rot symptoms should contact their nearest vet immediately.

“This will help build knowledge about the spread of the disease and also give a dog the best chance of survival.”

To find out where in the UK cases of Alabama Rot have been recorded follow this link www.vets4pets.com/stop-alabama-rot/ and for further information on Alabama Rot read the 2014 Vets Report www.vets4pets.com/thevetreport

Richard Luff, of Long Sutton, had been injured in the war and sent this photograph of himself (in the left-hand bed, with his tunic across the foot of the bed) recovering in Manchester Hospital.

Luff was in the Lincolnshire Regiment.

News had also arrived that Acting-Adjutant Capt Edward Hilliam, son of Mrs Hilliam of Cowbit Road, Spalding, had been “perilously wounded”.

The captain had been in “the terrible fight near Ypres, and was shot in the left lung”.

It seemed at first that this was a serious wound but it was reported he was writing home asking for clothes and boots, so it was thought “he must be progressing satisfactorily”.

He served with the 5th Battalion, Western Cavalry, Canadian Contingent.

News had been received of the death of Sgt William Pawlett, of Gosberton, who had served with the 1st Lincolnshire Regiment.

Sgt Pawlett joined the regiment at 16, serving through three wars.

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