A drink-driver was nearly three times the legal limit when his Vauxhall Vectra hit the back of a police van in a car park near Spalding Police Station.

Alvis Erdnanis (28). of London Road, Spalding, had gone to collect a woman who had left a nightclub and was frightened to walk home alone, magistrates heard.

Marie Stace, prosecuting, said a marked police van left the police station at 2.35am on April 4 and, as it moved onto The Green, officers saw Erdnanis drive into the nearby pet shop’s car park.

Miss Stace said the Vauxhall was on sidelights and the police van pulled in behind it.

But, as Erdnanis reversed out, his car collided with the rear offside of the police vehicle.

She said Erdnanis gave a positive breath test and an evidential test at the police station showed he had 97 microgrammes of alcohol in breath – the legal limit is 35mcgs.

Miss Stace said Erdnanis was interviewed by police and he explained he’d had a call from his sister’s friend asking for a lift because she had been to a nightclub that night and was afraid to walk home alone.

She said Erdnanis saw the police van and thought it was a normal length van but it turned out to be longer.

In his statement, Erdnanis said: “I didn’t see how long it was before I caught the vehicle bumper.”

He told police he’d had only two cans of beer that night.

Erdnanis told Boston magistrates on Wednesday he was sorry about what happened and he would lose his job because he needs to drive to pick up labels.

“My driving licence is very important to me,” he said.

But presiding magistrates Steve Burgess told him: “We have no alternative but to disqualify you from driving today.”

He was disqualified from driving for 24 months, fined £230 and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs with a £23 victim surcharge.

Erdnanis can cut 24 weeks off the ban if he completes a rehabilitation course.

The Old Chapel, Money Bridge Lane, Pinchbeck (£350,000) - William H Brown 01775 711711

A beautiful character five-bed renovated former chapel set over three floors with extensive gated off-road parking. The Old Chapel comprises of a lounge, 
kitchen, dining room, downstairs WC, five bedrooms (three of which have en-suites) and a large family bathroom.

Off Station Road, Long Sutton (£450,000) - Collings 01406 362098

One of the best bungalows in south Lincolnshire. Located on a prestigious small development of highly sought-after and rarely available homes.
The tastefully appointed, spacious accommodation includes an impressive reception hall, three reception rooms, large kitchen and separate breakfast room, utility plus garden room, three large bedrooms, family bathroom and en-suite. 
An inspection of this quality home will not disappoint.

Police stopped a man they saw driving on the A17 because his Vauxhall Vectra had a faulty headlight and it led to a three-year ban for drink-driving.

Pavels Gavrilciks was almost double the legal drink-drive limit when police spotted him at 4.35am on April 4.

They followed him to Cornfields, Holbeach, where he failed a roadside breath test.

Marie Stace, prosecuting, said an evidential reading revealed 68 microgrammes of alcohol in breath – the legal limit is 35mcgs.

Boston magistrates heard on Wednesday that Gavrilciks had a previous drink-drive conviction in 2013.

A second offence within ten years triggers an automatic three-year ban.

Gavrilciks (24), of Cornfields, was fined £340 and ordered to pay a £34 victim surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.

Presiding magistrate Steve Burgess said: “We have no alternative but to disqualify you from driving today and we are aware of the fact that you have a similar offence within a ten year period so the minimum disqualification we can impose today is one of three years and that we do.”

Magistrates offered Gavrilciks the chance to cut 36 weeks off the ban if he completes a rehabilitation course.

Solicitor Anita Toal, mitigating, said Gavrilciks was banned for 20 months for a drink-drive in March 2013, but was unable to attend the rehabilitation course because of work commitments and also the need to find an interpreter.

Mrs Toal said in the latest incident, it was the defective light that drew the police officers’ attention to him rather than the manner of his driving. Gavrilciks was aware the light was faulty and had intended to replace the bulb.

Marshland Drive, Holbeach (£550 pcm) - A1 Property Rentals 01406 490429

This two-bedroom house in Holbeach benefits from lounge and kitchen / diner on the ground floor, on the first floor the property offers two bedrooms and family bathroom.

Externally the property offers a good size enclosed rear garden and allocated parking. Available soon – call to arrange a viewing. EPC E.

Spalding and Market Deeping-based chartered accountants Moore Thompson welcomed nearly 100 business owners from across the East of England to an advice workshop on new pension freedoms.

The practice hosted a free seminar to explain the new rules that came into force a month ago to a group of leading businessmen and women at South Holland Centre, Spalding.

During the seminar, experts from Moore Thompson and sister firm, MT Financial Management, covered a range of topics, including changes to state pension entitlements, personal pensions, pension death benefits and potential tax implications when withdrawing a pension.

Mark Hildred, managing partner at Moore Thompson, said: “The event was very well attended and those that came along said they had really benefited from the advice given by our experienced team.

“But there are still many people who may be unsure of the changes that came into force on April 6.”

People with a defined contribution pension were, for the first time, given the ability to withdraw their entire pension pot as a lump sum.

A quarter of this lump sum can be withdrawn tax-free, while the remaining amount is taxed at each individual’s marginal income tax rate.

Alongside this, individuals who die with a defined pension before the age of 75 can now pass on their remaining pension pot tax-free without having to pay a punitive 55 per cent tax charge, while those who die after 75 can still pass on their pension pot which is also taxable.

Trevor Wilshire, chartered financial planner at MT Financial Management said: “The new tax year is likely to bring a rush of requests under these new rules, so there will invariably be a delay involved.

“But poor investment performance could mean that the capital is used faster than you planned and if this happens, your withdrawals will need to be reassessed to give you as much of the capital as possible for future years.

“However, and most importantly, taking your pension over a number of years instead of withdrawing it all at once will reduce your tax bill so the best option may be to wait before trying to access your money.”

A man accused of driving a Ford Transit van dangerously in Moulton Chapel, Moulton and Spalding on April 6 will have his case heard at Lincoln Crown Court.

Wayne Mitchell (25), of St Andrew’s Road, Spalding, entered no plea when he appeared at Boston Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Mitchell, also accused of driving without insurance, was sent on unconditional bail to appear at the crown court on May 13.

New pension freedoms are a bonus for buy-to-lets

Around 53 per cent of retirement savers say they would consider investing in or are already investing in buy-to-let properties to increase their income in retirement, according to the latest research. 
Mortgage lenders Kensington commissioned Consumer Intelligence to survey a representative sample of nearly 1,000 retirement savers, aged over 40 at the end of March. 
The survey found that eight per cent of retirement savers are already investing in the buy-to-let market, while another 45 per cent said they would consider it. 
New pension freedoms introduced a month led to suggestions that it would spark a buy-to-let boom and the website FTAdviser reported in February that advisers and estate agents had acknowledged that this could be the case. 
However, many experts now claim that the scale of the likely investment is being overblown as many people do not have a large enough pension pot. 
The Council of Mortgage Lenders also recently pointed out that the potential trend of buy-to-let landlords is likely to be overstated as the majority of pension pots are likely to be too small to make significant property investment, while many may be put off by the risks involved. 
Steve Griffiths, head of sales and distribution at Kensington, said: “Buy-to-let will not be right for everyone and anyone planning to do so needs to get advice from a broker, as well as advice on other issues including tax.” 
There have been other warnings of the risks inherent in property investment, with Prudential’s head of business development for retirement income Vince Smith-Hughes warning that people need to think about their circumstances before going ahead with such an investment.

Mr Smith-Hughes said: “Taking your money out of a tax-efficient wrapper, i.e. their pension, and putting it into an investment which will not be so tax-efficient is something that might not be appropriate for everyone.”

Also remember that your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

The natural world has made an impressive statement in the student reception area of the Sir John Gleed School in Spalding.

That was the theme of the mosaic project supervised by artist Fiona Gurney, assisted by 177 Year 8 and Year 12 students.
Head of art Rachel Lawson said the students all made ceramic insects or butterflies that decorate the giant tree designed by Fiona and the school’s art department.

Fiona said there were 177 insects and butterflies in all, and students worked on making these, as well as laying and grouting the little tiles.

She said: “All the students and staff are really proud of what’s been achieved. It’s made a huge impact. It was a really good experience for them and a good opportunity.”

Photo (TIM WILSON): SG2201415-109TW

Tickets have started to sell for our popular Two Lips charity quiz night, back after a year’s break on Tuesday, May 12.

As in 2012 and 2013 the quiz will be held at St Norbert’s Church Hall in St Thomas’ Road, Spalding.

Tickets are £8 per person and include a fish and chip supper provided by Sheddy’s.

Teams can be a minimum of four and maximum of eight people. There will be prizes for the winners, a raffle on the night and the chance to bid on a souvenir miniature cricket bat and autograph book, both signed by England cricketer Matt Prior during his recent visit to Spalding Grammar School.

Raffle prizes already include a portrait sitting with professional photographer Veena Cornish, a bottle of vodka donated by Paul and Lorraine McDermott, a Sunday lunch for two at Spalding Lifestyle and an Amelia and Friends pony set.

The quiz, which is 6.30pm for a 7pm start, is once again supporting the Rotary Club of Spalding and Welland’s Two Lips Appeal.

The annual appeal is this year supporting PHAB, the NSPCC and Macmillan Cancer Support.

There is a licensed bar and the evening should be over by around 10pm.

Free Press and Spalding Guardian editor Jeremy Ransome said: “I would like to thank St Norbert’s for the hire of the hall, Sheddy’s for providing the tasty suppers and D&M Sports of Vine Street, Spalding, for providing the bat for Matt to sign.

“Also, all those who have bought tickets and donated raffle prizes so far. We need to sell more tickets and receive more raffle prizes, so please support this great cause.”

You can buy your tickets 
from our front office at Priory House in The Crescent, 
Spalding (please see page 16 for opening times) or by 
calling Denise Vickers on 01775 765400. Please note, we can only accept cash.

If anyone is willing to sponsor the event by offering a raffle prize, we would be very grateful. Please call us on 01775 765400 if you can help.

FOCUS (15, SOUTH HOLLAND CENTRE, TOMORROW AND SATURDAY)

After the lacklustre response to both MIB 3 and After Earth, Will Smith gets somewhat back on track in this comedy crime-drama, starring as a con artist who gets romantically involved with his inexperienced apprentice (The Wolf of Wall Street’s Margot Robbie).

THE WATER DIVINER (15, SOUTH HOLLAND CENTRE, FROM TUESDAY)

Russell Crowe makes his big-screen directorial debut with this war-drama, in which he also stars – alongside Oblivion’s Olga Kurylenko – as an Australian man who travels to Turkey after the Battle of Gallipoli to try and locate his three missing sons.

FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD (12A, SHOWCASE CINEMAS PETERBOROUGH, FROM TOMORROW)

British actress Carey Mulligan (The Great Gatsby) lead stars in this remake of a timeless love story – previously portrayed in the 1967 film – which is garnering generally favourable early reviews.

As independently headstrong young woman, Bathsheba Everdene, she attracts three different suitors – a captivating sheep farmer (A Little Chaos’ Matthias Schoenaerts), a reckless Sergeant (The Boat That Rocked’s Tom Sturridge) and a prosperous bachelor (Brit favourite Michael Sheen) – in this romantic-drama set in Victorian England.

UNFRIENDED (15, SHOWCASE CINEMAS PETERBOROUGH, FROM TOMORROW)

A group of online chat room pals find themselves haunted by a mysteriously vengeful supernatural force using the account of their dead friend, in this horror that reportedly avoids the usual clichés with a technological twist and some genuine scares.

TWO BY TWO: OOPS THE ARK HAS GONE (U, SHOWCASE CINEMAS PETERBOROUGH, FROM TOMORROW)

This animation comes without a lot of fanfare or A-list voice talent, as Dave and his son, Finny – clumsily colourful animals known as Nestrians – try and catch a ride on the ark as the infamous flood hits, after initially failing to snag a place on the life-saving boat.

WWE 2K (iOS/ANDROID) OUT NOW

A commendable – but watered-down – version of WWE 2K15’s wrestling game has hit the likes of iPad, iPhone and Android devices.

It offers some nice (if hit and miss) touch controls, impressive graphics and full ring entrances that most fans will appreciate – but that is tempered with a generally bare bones version of the home console simulator, that only offers a small range of wrestlers (but still includes the likes of Hulk Hogan, Sting, Dean Ambrose and Bad News Barrett).

This time round it is simply noteworthy at little over a fiver, but could eventually evolve into a ‘Superman’ punch with a bit of an ‘Attitude Adjustment’.

By Gavin Miller – Rating: 3/5

AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON (12A) SHOWCASE CINEMAS PETERBOROUGH, OUT NOW

Blockbuster sequel Avengers: Age of Ultron literally Hulk smashed multiple records at the box-office this weekend – see last week’s Spalding Guardian for the in-depth review – to easily become the biggest film of the year so far.

After taking more than £18m across the UK for 2015’s weekend record – beating Fifty Shades of Grey (£13.5m) and Fast and Furious 7 (£12.75m) – it also notched April’s biggest opening ever, the biggest ever single day for superhero movie, and was the best ever day for a Disney film.

The movie, which sees Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), Captain America (Chris Evans), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and co. battling the technological robotic marvel Ultron (James Spader), and his right-hand Maximoff siblings Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), notched the biggest UK weekend total since Skyfall (£20.2m in October 2012) and eighth-biggest of all-time – and garnered more than $200m overseas prior to its US opening.

With Spider-Man expecting to join (the just announced) Scarlet Witch, Iron Man, Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and villain Baron Zemo (Daniel Bruhl) in Captain America: Civil War next year – alongside the returning Cap, Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Falcon (Anthony Mackie), Crossbones (Frank Grillo) and Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) – that sequel (released on April 29 next year) could nearly be as big as Joss Whedon’s latest Avengers instalment.

Until then we will just have the small matter of Marvel superhero Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) to fill the void when it comes out on July 17...

Rating: 4/5 if you’re a casual cinema-goer, 5/5 if you’re a Marvel fan!

A retired villager in Fleet Hargate was shocked to find a historic bus stop she has relied on for transport has been boarded up.

Joan Woolard says the shelter has been in constant use for 62 years and a lifeline for people like her who are retired and can’t drive.

The bus stop is situated in Old Main Road, on private land outside the old Fleet Hargate school, which was previously used as a fitness centre.

Joan said: “It’s in a conservation area and the bus stop was built by the parish council for about £40, the proceeds of the old jail – a site now occupied by two semis opposite the Bull Inn.

“Tradition says the school was moved ‘brick by brick’ from the churchyard (a mile westward) to its present site on the Hargate (now Old Main Road).

“A stone on the gable end facing the road says 1842. The hall was owned by the church and then used by Royal British Legion and others for whist drives, etc, until it was sold to Fleurette Stinders, who opened it as a gym while living in the attached bungalow at the rear.

“She retired and now her son Steve Stinders is developing it into two apartments.

“I know it’s on private land but the bus shelter belongs to the parish council and it was boarded up without warning.

“People don’t understand the impact of something like this unless it effects them – most people drive.

“But until recently it was used and has been in constant use for 62 years.”

South Holland District Council received a revised application for conversion of the gymnasium/ fitness centre to two dwellings in December last year. The plan won approval at the planning committee meeting last month and work has now begun.

At the time of going to press Mr Stinders had not been in contact with the Spalding Guardian to comment.

A spokesman for Norfolk Green bus service said: “We operate a hail and ride service so residents will still be able to catch our buses if they are stood in a safe place.”

Aspiring actors are being invited to an open casting session at the weekend for a feature film being shot in South Holland.

Actor Steph Geneovese, who is taking the lead role in the action / thriller Dishonoured, which he has penned himself, is now seeking others to play both major and minor roles in the film.

Steph, of Holbeach, says there are plenty of parts for all abilities up for grabs – including the role of leading lady Janine, who will be played by a woman aged between 25 and 35.

Other parts still to be cast include members of a teen gang aged between 16 and 20 years old, gang leaders, villains, guards and numerous background extras.

“All the available parts are on our website and we would definitely encourage everyone who has a passion for film to have a look at what roles we have and apply for any they feel they can do.

“We just want the best the area has got – so hopefully this will encourage lots of activity and people will get involved,” said Steph, who has worked as an extra on shows including Sky Atlantic’s Fortitude and the forthcoming Pan movie starring Hugh Jackman.

Steph, who also works as a radio and mobile DJ, decided to write his own film so he could give himself a break and help others get involved in the industry without having to travel to London.

He has already pulled together a crew including professional cameramen and sound recordists who have all given their time voluntarily to help produce a professional film.

As well as actors, Steph has also been seeking financial backing for his project and earlier this month launched a fundraising campaign to raise £2,000 via online funding platform Kickstarter.

Dishonoured is the story of a former UK secret services agent dishonourably discharged after disobeying Downing Street.

He is forced out of retirement when his only friend mistakenly gets sucked into the world of a vicious mob.

* Open auditions will take place at 1pm on Sunday at the Women’s Institute Hall, Park Road, Holbeach.

Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information about the available roles visit www.dishonouredmovie.wix.com/dishonoured-movie

Church flower festivals are gearing up to welcome families of cyclists heading to the area to ride Spalding.

They are hoping to put flower power behind the pedals this weekend by serving up refreshments and inviting riders to have a look at their displays.

Mary Sharrocks, of St Laurence Church in Surfleet, said she had already informed her team of caterers to be ready to welcome the riders.

She said: “I think it’s fantastic to have a group of cyclists stopping off here.

“We had a fantastic weekend last week but this is something new which has been needed since the Spalding Flower Parade ended, as it always brought a lot of people.”

The ride is part of the new Spalding Velo Prix on Saturday and Sunday, organised by Spalding Cycling Club and backed by the Spalding Guardian, one of the event’s official partners.

Families will have three guided routes to choose from - five, ten and 15 miles – all setting off from Monks House Lane Playing Field on Saturday, at intervals from 1pm.

The longer ride will take in two churches - the one at Surfleet and St Mary’s, Pinchbeck.

Spalding Cycling Club members have been busy putting the finishing touches to plans for the cycling events running on Saturday and Sunday.

Simon Wright, the club chairman and lead organiser, said; “Since the idea of holding an event to encourage people to get on their bikes was first considered last September, we have been overwhelmed by the level of support that our plans have attracted and the commitment from sponsors, schools, stakeholders and local cycling clubs to make the event a reality has been terrific.

“We are also looking forward to welcoming anyone who would like to join our family guided rides to the area’s flower festivals.”

Government minister John Hayes, who introduced the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy amendment in the Infrastructure Bill, has promised to be on the starting line of the guided rides.

He said: “I fully support the idea and hope everyone gets behind it. It has always been my ambition to make Spalding the cycling capital of England.

“That’s what I said in the House of Commons when I launched the amendment to the infastructure bill. I want cycling to play a central role in that and Spalding to be part of it.”

Younger riders will be able to sharpen their skills in ‘Go Race’ activities at Monks House Lane Playing Field on Saturday morning.

The event is sponsored by Gibbons Cycles and Alan Boswell Group, with Lincolnshire County Council’s Bikeability Team providing additional fun activities.

Sunday sees racing return to Spalding Market Place. Local schools taking part in the Italian Pursuit on Sunday morning include Gosberton Clough and Risegate Community Primary, St Bartholomews’s Church of England Primary, West Pinchbeck, Weston Hills Church of England Primary and Spalding Primary.

In the afternoon, teams from as far afield as Nottingham and Lincoln will race in an inter club competition. These include Spalding CC, Bourne Bullets, Boston Wheelers, Sleaford Wheelers, VC Lincoln and Nottingham Clarion.

These events are being managed by British Cycling and generously supported by Broadgate Homes and Springfield Exhibition Centre.

Fenland Road Club’s “Reliability Ride” of about 35 miles for more hard-core cyclists will also start in the town centre in the morning.

l For more details on the weekend, visit www.spaldingcc.org.uk