Market Overton 2nd (160-7) lost to Long Sutton 2nd (161-9) by one wicket: SUTTON’S tail wagged as they beat Market Overton – and the weather – by a solitary wicket in Rutland League Division Seven on Sunday.

With the continuing British summer putting paid to pretty much all play over the weekend, Sutton’s Sunday second team were surprised to be in action.

With their youthful side including four players aged 15 or under, visitors Sutton were surprised to be fielding first on what looked like a good bowling pitch.

With the first wicket falling on just the fifth ball of Paul Edgeller’s first over, hopes were high.

The wet conditions and longer grass in the outfield made boundaries hard to come by in the early stages, but with growing confidence Overton’s batsmen started hitting out and pushed the scoreboard along – and at some stages put neighbouring greenhouses at risk.

With Edgeller picking up three wickets, including one ably caught on the boundary by Alex Canham, Adam Wright snaring two of his own and Ian Morris and Matt Bull both picking up a wicket apiece, Overton reached 160-7 from their 45 overs.

Sutton’s reply got off to a stuttering reply as they lost their first three wickets for just 18. But Matt Bull started to steady things up with an impressive 48 and Craig Milnes chipped in with 25.

Wickets continued to fall, meaning it was left to the bowlers to see the game home, with Wright (24no) and Edgeller (19no) seeing the game home with an over to spare.

BRUCE Patterson has moved to quash any lingering rumours of unrest at Peterborough and District League Premier Division champions Pinchbeck United.

The popular chairman admits the close season has been something of a roller-coaster, with Mark Lovelace replacing double-winning boss Ian Dunn at the helm after the most successful season in the club’s history.

Along with skipper Matt Hocking, Danny Maddison and Luke Wilson, Dunn made the step-up to UCL Premier Division outfit Boston Town early in the summer.

It took well over a month for Lovelace, who will be assisted by club legend Dan Cole and the experienced Jimmy McDonnell, to be installed as the new supremo – but Patterson is adamant that he was always the Knight Street club’s number one choice.

And, despite losing half of the line-up that won both the PFA Senior Cup and the league, the chairman is targeting another trophy rush in 2012/13.

He said: “I must admit it was a bit of a shock when Dunny and Hocks told me they were leaving.

“It was a bit of a struggle to lose them and the other lads to Boston, but you can never stand in people’s way if they want to better themselves.

“We’ll always be thankful to them for doing what they said they would – and that was winning us trophies.

“There were a lot of rumours flying around after they left and people seemed to think there was some kind of crisis at Pinchbeck.

“The truth is, we always wanted Mark Lovelace. Dan Cole and Jimmy McDonnell also wanted to be involved and it took time to get things sorted. Mark loves the club and needed to be sure he could dedicate the time to the job.

“I have no doubt whatsoever that we will be challenging for trophies this season. Everyone will want to beat us after the success of last year and we’re certainly not here to make up the numbers.”

Lovelace has also made three additions to his squad, with Michael Gardner, Steve Murphy and Curtis Yeatman all inking forms.

Gardner and Murphy were team-mates of the new boss at Skegness Town last season, while Yeatman started the previous campaign with Boston Town Reserves before moving on to Tavern Colts, who won the Boston Premier Division.

But it’s not just the first team that are exciting Patterson. Gary Coomes’ reserve side are gunning for promotion this time around, while the newly-formed ‘A’ and Sunday League teams, to be bossed by James Waldron and Tom Roberts respectively, are generating a real buzz.

Patterson added: “Gary Coomes is doing a great job with the reserves, he’s as keen as mustard and has impressed everyone so much. They are 100 per cent looking to be promoted. Everyone is talking about the A team too. We worried that the interest might not be there, but there are so many young, local lads getting involved – which was always the aim.

“The Sunday side will be a bit more social, but we’ll have a strong team.”

Pinchbeck’s first team play their first pre-season clash against Freiston at Spalding’s Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field tonight (6.30pm).

TRAIN enthusiasts will be able to catch a glimpse of a steam locomotive as it passes through Spalding on Saturday.

The 70013 Oliver Cromwell will go through at 11.46am on its tourist charter trip from London to Lincoln.

The British Railways standard class locomotive was last used in active service on the Cleethorpes to Grimsby to King’s Cross route in the early 60s.

BOXING coach John Sutton is reeling from knockout blows after losing his job and being axed from South Holland Boxing Academy.

Mr Sutton (53) lost his job as a forklift truck engineer with a materials handling company and believes he can claim constructive dismissal.

After losing his job, he pressed ahead with a family holiday in June on the Norfolk Broads.

But he came home to a bombshell letter from the Holbeach club telling him his voluntary services as head coach were “no longer required” .

He said: “I have got no reasons in the letter. That’s all it said – I am no longer required. I have asked for reasons. Nobody’s given me any.”

Mr Sutton founded the academy with the late John King, the respected boss of a house building company, and spent hours coaching youngsters over the last two years.

He had no inkling anything was wrong although he claims people were “whispering in corners”.

Mr Sutton asked for a copy of the minutes from the committee meeting in which he was “voted off” – but that was refused.

He says the academy has also refused to let him address the committee.

Mr Sutton claims he cannot set foot in the premises again once he’s collected his belongings, but wants people to know he has not walked out.

• As we went to press, academy chairman Lin Secker had not returned our call to comment on the situation.

HOLBEACH Parish Council is to press ahead with plans to make itself more visible as it tries to win back public confidence.

A new website, different venues for council meetings and making members’ contact details available to the public are some of the changes taking place to improve links with residents.

The changes come after a damaging period in which six members quit over the appointment of a new clerk.

A number of seats are still unfilled and Coun Isobel Hutchinson, who called for the changes, said they were vital to generate more public interest in what the council does.

Coun Hutchinson added: “The resignations spurred me on to rejoin the parish council in May after some time away from it because things needed to change.

“The public has lost trust and confidence in the council, so we need to be more accountable and make the public aware that we’re trying to make a difference and run things more efficiently.”

The ideas were discussed at a council meeting on Monday where members unanimously agreed to make their phone numbers available to the public.

Coun Hutchinson said: “We’re always keen to hear what people want us to be like and if they have issues, we can always look at those in turn.”

There was plenty of the Olympic spirit on show at Monkshouse Primary School’s summer fair.

Children, parents and staff prepared for the arrival of the Olympic Torch in Spalding by putting on a fun-packed day of activities linked to the once-in-a-lifetime event.

Paralympics shot put gold medallist Sally Reddin from Holbeach opened the event before children took part in Olympic-themed games, including table basketball and a mini javelin throw.

There was also a dance display, drumming and gift and refreshment stalls.

The event was organised by staff and the Friends of Monkshouse School which is raising money towards a new stage and lighting.

Sarah Asplin, chairman of the Friends of Monkshouse School, said: “Everyone thought it was a really good day, with a good atmosphere and the weather held off for us which helped.”

THE low lying nature of the land in South Holland is both a boon and a bane when it comes to flooding and insurance against it.

As a result of the nature of the land, South Holland might be considered safe when it comes to flood risk, with 631km of water course, 24km of pipe line as well as 14 pumping stations ensuring rainwater runs off fields into drains and out to sea.

The county is unique, with a number of drainage boards across most of Lincolnshire closely monitoring this process, including the Welland & Deepings Internal Drainage Board that covers the area from Stamford to Frampton.

However, the Environment Agency and other experts who have collected flood risk data have taken the view that this area might be subject to flooding, according to Steve Barber, insurance agent for NFU Mutual. This means new customers of any agency may be unable to get cover included in their house insurance – and existing customers may have to pay more for insurance against flooding in future.

Steve said: “The problem in this area is also its strength. While it is very flat and so you don’t get the Boscastle effect, so if there is an issue, water will spread over a large area, but at the same time because we are low lying there is a potential for flooding.”

Karen Daft, chief executive of the Welland & Deepings Internal Drainage Board, said: “We think we are very safe (from flooding) in Lincolnshire. For years and years the drainage boards have kept the drains cleared. I would never say flooding was impossible, but we have exceedingly good defences.”

However, Karen said a lot of people were recklessly dumping grass cuttings and rubbish into drains, which then created a flood risk. The agency has cameras on hot spots and culprits will be prosecuted once evidence is collected.

THIEVES broke into a woman’s shed in Spalding’s Alexandra Road and stole her mobility scooter and garden tools.

Police are trying to trace the Worldwide scooter and are seeking witnesses to the raid, which happened between midnight and 8.20am on June 17.

Other items stolen included a Bosch electric hedge trimmer and a stainless steel shovel.

Police are still appealing for witnesses to the theft of a red Victory mobility scooter from the fourth floor of a block of flats in Broad Street, Spalding, on Monday of last week.

Witnesses should call police on 101.

DONINGTON’S annual Party in the Park has been cancelled.

The annual fundraiser for Flinders Founders youth group was due to take place on Saturday.

A number of local bands were lined up to appear at Flinders Park at what was promised to be a fun-filled family event.

Last year, 500 people attended and the group raised £1,500.

Spokesman Amy Bristow said: “We want to apologise that we have decided to cancel, but rain expected tomorrow and into Saturday means the field will be unfit to hold an event.

“However, we hope to hold it later in the year and we will let everyone know when we have fixed a date.”

A MAN has been charged in connection with a robbery at Tydd Gote post office last month.

Sam Holmes (21), of The Knole, London, was charged with robbery after being arrested in Southend, Essex.

He appeared before Lincoln magistrates on Saturday where he was remanded until tomorrow.

POLICE are appealing for help to locate a missing 44-year-old man from Sutton Bridge.

Martin Critchlow was last seen when he left home just after 9pm yesterday.

There are concerns for Mr Critchlow’s health and well-being and it is thought he may be in the King’s Lynn area.

He is white, 5ft 7ins tall with short cropped dark hair and some facial stubble.

He was last seen wearing a blue checkered shirt, black jeans and black shoes.

Anyone who has seen him, or knows of Mr Critchlow’s whereabouts is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident 453 of July 11.

SPALDING has seen the biggest fall in retail rents in the East Midlands according to a report.

Rents across the region have fallen by 5.7 per cent in the last year according to Colliers International’s annual Midsummer Retail Report.

Of the 27 regional shopping centres and high streets surveyed, not one saw a rise in rents.

Thirteen saw a slide in rents, with Spalding seeing the biggest drop, at 20 per cent. Rent in the town is now £40 per sq ft, which is less than Boston’s £70 and Stamford’s £80.

Overall, the average rent in the region is £73.1 per sq ft, compared to the national average of £109.80.

The cheapest rents in the region can be found in Alfreton. Shop space can be had in the former Derbyshire coal mining town for just £30 per sq ft.

The overall regional decline of 5.7 per cent compares with a national average of 1.2 per cent.

According to Nick Round, national head of shopping centre leasing at Colliers, the research demonstrates that the gulf between the performance of major city and town centres and traditional suburban high streets continues to widen.

“Traditional high streets, such as Spalding just can’t compete – they lack the variety of stores, are often difficult to access and expensive to park in and simply just aren’t exciting enough.”

He added: “The retail sector as a whole is in challenging times. Retailers are under attack from reducing disposable incomes and competition from new channels, such as the internet and TV.

“For traditional high streets in secondary locations, competition from city and town centres and out-of-town shopping malls can be added to this.

“Shoppers now expect a complete leisure experience, incorporating a wide variety of entertainment, food, drink and retail brands.

“City centres and dedicated malls are in a better position to offer this.”

A break-in at St Paul’s Church, Spalding, may have been due to someone looking for a bed for the night, a vicar claims.

Assistant vicar Rev Mike Chesher made the claim after the burglary at some point overnight last Saturday.

Nothing was stolen by the offender who got in through the back gate and an unlocked door at the back of the building.

They then broke the lock to the kitchen door with a broom handle.

Mr Chesher said: “There was no mess, no damage and no vandalism, so we seem to have been protected by an unseen force.

“The only things that were broken were the broom handle and the padlock for the kitchen door.

“I wonder if someone broke in for somewhere to stay for the night.

“If that’s the case then fair enough because I don’t think there’s many places in Spalding where the homeless can stay for a night.”

A Lincolnshire Police spokeswoman confirmed that a forensic examination had taken place and they were treating the matter as burglary.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101.

THREE men have gone on trial accused of a four-month rampage of burglaries, including some in Spalding.

They are alleged to have been involved in a string of 82 burglaries in which items including jewellery, cash and laptops were stolen from homes in Spalding, South Kyme and Boston among others.

Oskar Beitans (25), of Kinderly Road, Wisbech and Jurijs Kazacoks (23), and Janis Kocans (26), both of Princes Road, Wisbech, have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy with others to burgle homes between June 1 and September 22 last year.

A jury at Norwich Crown Court was told the raiders targeted unoccupied properties, often detached bungalows owned by retired people.

The raids took place at night, curtains were drawn, and searches carried out, said prosecutor Maryam Syed.

In all but ten of the 82 raids locks at the properties were snapped to gain entry.

Miss Syed said that the defendants were arrested in two cars and in both cases the vehicles contained tools and gloves. She said that property stolen included jewellery, cash and laptops and that some was recovered at an address in Princes Road, Wisbech.

The hearing continues.

A COUPLE forced out of their home by noise from a wind farm face a second battle after buying a new house close to nine proposed turbines.

Jane and Julian Davis reached an out-of-court settlement at the end of 2011 after a five-year battle over alleged noise nuisance from the wind farm at Deeping St Nicholas.

After the settlement, the couple spoke of the relief at the end of their nightmare and set about getting their lives back to normal.

One of the first things they did was buy a new home for Julian’s ageing parents close to Cuckoo Bridge in Horseshoe Road.

But their dreams of a quiet life have been shattered by plans for up to nine 125m turbines within about 1.5km and in the direct line of sight of Julian’s parents’ new home.

Jane said: “When we heard about these plans we literally put our heads in our hands and said ‘oh no, not again’.

“The house isn’t quite as close as we were before, but there is the potential for noise and certainly it will spoil their view.

“We just can’t stand the thought of having to go through it all again.

“It took six months to persuade them to move and now their lives are going to be blighted by the sight of these turbines.”

Jane and Julian are now throwing their weight – as well as their almost expert knowledge of wind turbines – behind a campaign to stop the development at The Delph – but have vowed not to let it take over their lives as their battle against developers of the Deeping St Nicholas farm did.

The couple claim noise from the turbines prevented them from sleeping at their home in North Drove Bank, Spalding, which was just 1,050 metres away from the nearest turbine.

They sued landowners and the companies that owned and operated the turbines, but a secret settlement was reached as expert witnesses were due to take the stand at London’s High Court.

Julian added: “My parents, who will be 80 this year, had five long years of this hell and we have all just got our lives back on track.

“My dad has been ill and we want to keep them out of it as much as possible, but we will do what we can to help oppose these plans.”

The couple joined almost 200 other residents of West Pinchbeck to voice their views of the proposed wind farm at The Delph at a public meeting on Monday.

One of their big bugbears is the “drop in the ocean” amount of electricity generated by wind farms when compared to the exisitng Spalding Power Station.

Jane said: “When Spalding Power Station expands I believe it will equate to the output of about 7,000 of these wind turbines.

“So this wind farm will provide just a drop in the ocean but will mean misery for the people who live in its shadow.

“We bought this house for Julian’s parents because they wanted somewhere quiet, but it seems nowhere in South Holland is safe from the relentless march of turbines.”

THE misery suffered by Donington residents as a result of roadworks in the Market Place is due to come to an end this week.

Liz Walker, chairman of Donington in Bloom, said the situation has been “absolutely horrendous” for local residents, with a large section of the Market Place cordoned off, leaving people with nowhere to park and making access difficult for local homeowners.

Liz said: “People have no idea unless they live here or come though the village how difficult it has been since March and there appears to be very little sign of anything coming to an end. It has been absolutely horrendous.”

However, area highways manager for Lincolnshire County Council Andy Wharff reassured residents that the major work would be finished by last week, leaving “further minor works” to be completed this week.

He said Donington Market Place has had a history of flooding and the county council as lead local flood authority had secured funding for a surface water drainage scheme to alleviate the potential for future flooding.

He added: “This will provide a great benefit to properties in the area by significantly reducing any future flooding events.”

Harry Bellars and Neil Palmer eased to victory at the first round of Spalding Cycling Club’s new two-man ten mile time trial meets.

Having bossed the lion’s share of the individual time trial league events at Pode Hole, it was no surprise to see Palmer once again at the top of the standings.

He and young gun Bellars finished the course in 23.04 minutes – which was over a minute clear of the father and son team of Ian and Ollie Fensom (24.12).

The two-man meets are replacing Spalding’s 17 mile time trial races this year.

• Results: Harry Bellars & Neil Palmer 23.04mins; Ollie Fensom & Ian Fensom 24.12; Chris Pratt & Aimmee Stocker 24.40; Jennifer McAndrew & Graham McAndrew 24.58; Gary Bentley & David Thornley 27.02; Shane Norton & Ben Richards 27.13; Derek Chamberlain & Sarah Plows 27.13; Barry Drew & Brett Shepherd 27.46; Andy Pack & Reece Moradkhan 28.04; Andrew Gurney & Tilly Gurney 29.45; Sam Bentley 25.53.

• Guests: Tom Drew & Jamie Graham 25.47mins; Sian Botteley & Tim James 26.53; Adam Botteley 28.59; Maddie Gammons 36.33.

A FOOTBALL fan lost track of his drinks when he went to a barbecue for England’s match with Italy in Euro 2012.

Nigel Frost (47), of Broad Lane, Moulton, felt fine by midnight but attracted police attention because he was driving so slowly on the way home.

Jim Clare, prosecuting, told Spalding magistrates Frost had 84 microgrammes of alcohol in breath – more than double the legal limit of 35mcgs.

He was stopped in the early hours of the morning of June 26 on Broad Lane.

Solicitor Mike Alexander, mitigating, said Frost told his boss the next day and had already lost his job.

He said Frost clearly had been drinking during the evening but “felt absolutely fine” by midnight.

Mr Alexander said: “He tells me ‘I really didn’t think about it – I felt fine’.”

Frost was banned from driving for 20 months, but can cut five months off the ban if he completes a rehabilitation course.

He was also fined £110 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 vicim surcharge.

Frost pleaded guilty at Thursday’s hearing to driving with excess 
alcohol.

THERE are small signs that the Spalding and District Table Tennis League’s search for new players could be bearing fruit – but more new faces are still being sought.

With anything up to a third of last year’s membership definitely leaving or ending the season injured – not, it should be said, while playing – the league need a bumper harvest just to maintain the same levels.

At last Wednesday’s session league officials were pleased to see two players arriving to express an interest in signing up for the new season in the autumn. Two more fresh faces also came back for second week, while a member brought his young daughter along for a try.

However, it’s not a promising scenario overall.Attendance was better, with a total of 12 coming through the door – but taking away visitors, it was not a good turn out by last season’s membership. Better is hoped for over the coming weeks.

Anybody interested in trying out table tennis will be given a very warm welcome by the league. Players of all abilities will be provided with support .

Players meet at Spalding’s Castle Sports Complex every Wednesday (7.15pm-10pm), with a small charge of £3 per session.

• The date for the league’s AGM and presentations has been set for August 8.

SPALDING Magistrates’ Court is again facing the threat of closure – this time because its cells may no longer be deemed fit to receive prisoners.

The custody suite has been temporarily closed for a health and safety assessment.

Campaigners including magistrates, solicitors and MP John Hayes celebrated victory in December 2010 following a battle to save the court from Government financial cuts.

They argued that a trek to the court at Grantham would be too far for witnesses and defendants – and won the backing of the nation’s top judge, Lord Justice Goldring, who said plans to shut the building were “unacceptable”.

The then chairman of the Elloes Bench, Richard Spinks, was at the forefront of the campaign.

Mr Spinks – who sits on the successor South Lincolnshire Bench – believes health and safety concerns are a back door way of shutting the court.

He said: “Quite honestly, I feel with the higher management of Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service, it is a case of if we can’t get them one way, we will get them another way.”

Mr Spinks said thousands of pounds were spent renovating the court in 2002 and it was hailed then as a model of how a Victorian building could be brought up to 21st Century standards.

He says the body that inspects the courts is unhappy with the cells and the winding staircase from the cells up to the court.

And the inspectors don’t like prisoners being “overlooked” as they walk between the G4S van and the Spalding courthouse when they are driven straight inside more modern courts.

Mr Spinks said the inspectors are also criticising Lincoln Crown Court for sitting inside a Norman castle.

He feels the higher management of the courts’ service want Lincolnshire to have one massive modern court at Lincoln and everything to go there.

Mr Spinks said: “I think that’s somebody’s real agenda if they were honest and spoke the truth.”

A courts’ service spokeman said: “The custody suite at Spalding Magistrates’ Court has been temporarily closed so that a health and safety assessment of the accommodation can be carried out.

“Remand cases have been transferred to Lincoln Magistrates’ Court while the health and safety assessment is being made.”

The spokesman added: “No decisions have been made as to next steps.”