Thoughts of injured team-mate Gavin Harrison will be a motivating force for Spalding as they look for a miracle against league leaders Stamford on Saturday.

Something has to give when the south Lincolnshire rivals meet in what should be a full-blooded Midlands Two East (North) derby clash at Memorial Field, with Town looking for only their second league win over the season and the visitors hoping to avoid what would be their second league defeat.

Ben Williams’ Spalding side have had a two-week break since their ill-fated 33-12 loss at West Bridgford where Harrison, making his 1st XV debut for Town at outside centre, suffered a broken ankle within minutes of coming on the field.

Town skipper Sam Cooke said: “It was just a really freak accident and, as a club, we’ve all been rallying round to get him back on his feet and support him.

“We owe it to Gavin to get a win on Saturday and we had a very good training session on Tuesday, knowing that Stamford have always been a rival of ours.”

The two sides met earlier this season in the NLD (Notts, Lincs and Derbys Cup) when Stamford emerged 27-12 winners when front row man Kier Moore made his first start for Spalding in five years.

Cooke said: “I don’t think they outplayed us when we met them in the cup (on September 5) and we had a few players out through injury and non-availability.

“Our penalty count hasn’t been great so far this season and our discipline hasn’t been the best, so hopefully we’ll be able to improve on that.”

Meanwhile, Bourne hope to build on their Midlands Junior Vase second round win over Worksop when they visit Bedford to take on Queens in Midlands Four East (South).

Coach John Forbes said: “We’re getting back to having a full side out but we’re still missing a couple of props.”

After a five-week break, Spalding racers will be returning to action at King’s Lynn’s Adrian Flux Arena on Sunday for a packed afternoon of banger racing.

The popular annual Nutcracker event gets underway at 1pm when spectators are promised a big turnout of unlimited, 1500cc and junior bangers.

Amongst the 50-strong entry for the unlimited Nutcracker is experienced Spalding driver Simon Goodale and Paul Lambe who, judging by the action served up by the big cars at Halloween Carnival Night, should provide plenty of big crashes, thrills and spills.

Meanwhile, the 1500cc bangers contest their biggest title of the year, the National Championship, with nearly 70 cars expected to be in action.

Spalding’s Zane Gittins will be aiming to make the grid for the event through the last-chance qualifying race, as will Holbeach drivers Kevan Barton and Tommy Crawford.

Stars of the future will also be on show in the junior bangers, with Spalding pair Daniel Lambe (Paul’s son) and Lewis Ivatt seeking their first wins of the season.

Young and old are really getting into the Christmas spirit as the big day draws ever closer.

Weston Hills Primary School hopes to raise around £1,000 from a Christmas fair organised jointly with the PTA.


Headteacher Jane Fitzgerald said pupils made decorations to sell, ran stalls and games, including a seasonal one involving throwing a bean bag down a chimney.


Mrs Fitzgerald said: “It was a fantastic event, lots of people came – parents and people from the local community. Santa’s grotto was very popular.”

Saracen’s Head Village Hall was packed for the over 60s Christmas party when guests enjoyed a fabulous meal and festive fare.

Sedge Estate Agents in Spalding had a visit from Santa Claus because the company is this year sponsoring the Rotary Club of South Holland’s sleigh that’s taking him around the district.


Sedge marketing manager Sarah Trude said the sponsorship was arranged through their director, Peter Coupland. “We are very keen to support the local community and children’s charities,” said Sarah.


Two lucky children – Oskar and Nela Gadza – were visiting the Sedge base in Double Street at the time and Santa dropped in and he very generously gave them presents.

Caring pupils from Gosberton Clough and Risegate Primary School were thinking of children less fortunate than themselves – and packing Christmas cheer into gift-filled boxes that will go abroad via the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Appeal.


The school collected just under 50 boxes, including some donated by Katie’s Childcare, of Gedney Dove End.

Headteacher Bev Rooney said the school has just 85 pupils – all from 50 families – and described her pupils’ efforts as “fantastic”.


She said: “They love doing this and helping other children. It’s very much about sharing and giving.”

Bourne Town entertain Thrapston on Saturday after they upset high-flying Potton United last weekend.

Kieran Blanchard’s goal, set up by fellow sub Zak Munton, two minutes into time added at the end of the match proved decisive as Bourne snatched victory.

The Wakes had been beaten by the Bedfordshire side at the Abbey Lawn earlier in the season but they turned the tables in dramatic style.

Potton were left to rue first half openings that went begging as Wakes keeper Alex Brown saved well from Joe Jordan and Gary Ansell-Carter.

But most of all, Bourne were let off after a Calum Forster missed penalty just before half-time awarded for a foul on Jack Chandler.

Steve Wilson’s men, eighth in UCL Division 1, now start a run of three winnable games, with Thrapston followed by the trip to bottom side Burton Park Wanderers and then a home clash with Wellingborough Whitworths in two weeks’ time.

Speaking to Spalding Today after his side’s 3-0 defeat to Raunds Town, Wilson said: “The players are all still learning but they are at the point where there are no excuses.”

With only three weeks to go until Christmas, Lincolnshire Trading Standards is warning consumers to shop carefully when buying children’s toys.

Colourful, interactive and musical, some toys may look like an excellent buys to parents, guaranteed to occupy kids for hours. However, sometimes, the most unsuspecting toys can actually pose a danger to children.

Senior trading standards officer at Lincolnshire County Council, Alexandra Connell, says: “Most toys sold in the UK and Europe are very safe because of laws regulating their manufacture.

“However, cheap, illegal imports are sold widely on the internet and social media shopping sites. You can also sometimes get caught out at places like local markets, temporary shops and car boot sales.”

Lincolnshire Trading Standards has put together some top tips for shopping safely:

•Always head for reputable retailers - whether on the High Street or online. They will be careful what products they stock, and you should be able to return something if there is a fault.

•Beware of counterfeit goods. They may have low prices but they are illegal and often not made to proper standards. Internet auction sites can be particularly prone to counterfeit items.

•Be wary of a “too good to be true” deal. A rule of thumb is: if something costs less than half the normal price, it’s likely to be fake.

•Make sure toys are appropriate for the child’s age. In particular, remember that babies and toddlers can choke on small or loose parts.

•Think about other possible hazards - for example, does a toy gun have the potential to cause an eye injury?

And before you buy, always check for the following:

•Name and address of the manufacturer or importer - this information is a legal requirement. Unless both the name and EU address/postcode are present - DO NOT BUY

•Type, batch, serial or model number - these must be present - if they aren’t - DO NOT BUY

•CE Mark - if only the CE Mark is present but not the above information - DO NOT BUY

•Age range of the product - toys that might be dangerous for children under three must say so and state the risks, for example: WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD

Alexandra adds: “We work closely with traders across the county to try and ensure the products they make or import are safe. This year, we’ve seized thousands of toys from markets across the East Coast, including unlicensed and unsafe “Despicable Me” Minions. If we feel a toy is unsafe, we will remove it immediately from sale. If you see a toy is unsafe, contact Citizen’s Advice on 0845 404506.”

For more information on toy safety, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards

An impressive performance from a rapidly improving Spalding Men’s 2nds saw them defeat Cambridge City Men’s 5ths 5-3.

The win takes them two points clear at the top of Division 4NW in the East Men’s Hockey League.

Cambridge went ahead on five minutes but Spalding levelled with a Glenn Richardson penalty before Glenn Perkins’ short corner made it 2-1.

Richardson scored with a fine solo effort but City side made it 3-2 before a sweet reverse strike from Sam Sly for Spalding.

Sly scored the fifth after Cambridge scored again.

Spalding Men’s 3rds made a great start at second-placed Leadenham 1sts but eventually lost 3-0.

Spalding’s missed chances came back to haunt them as Leadenham scored three goals in quick succession.

Spalding Men’s 4ths were dealt a blow in their clash with Cambridge City Men’s 6ths when Stuart Perkins, who netted five goals the previous week, was injured.

Cambridge proved too strong in the end as they sealed a 2-0 triumph, even though Lawrence Smith-Hughes was dominant in midfield as Spalding pushed their high-flying opponents all the way.

Spalding Men’s 5ths picked up a useful three points at a cold, blow, seaside venue as they saw off Alford Men’s 2nds 3-1.

The win was achieved despite eight regulars being unavailable as Andy Barlow swept home the first goal, with help from a big deflection.

Alex Cunnington doubled the lead in the second half after good work from Cameron Ibrahim and Jack Martin who fired home the third before Alford scored.

In the first round of the National 2nd XI Plate, l Spalding Men’s 2nds won a penalty shoot-out 5-3 against Newmarket Men’s 2nds.

The teams had earlier finished 5-5 in normal time, with James Stone and Joe Higgins scoring for Spalding in the first half,which ended 2-2.

Glenn Perkins, Higgins and a late equaliser from Stone sent the game to flicks where Ian Ceasar saved Newmarket’s fourth flick brilliantly before Darren Grooby converted the winner.

Punchbowl Tigers went goal crazy in their Spalding Sunday League match at SAS Wanderers, storming to a remarkable 16-1 victory.

Tom Elderkin and Martin Sandall both had their shooting boots on as they each netted seven of the goals against the Sutterton-based side in the Division 1 clash on Sunday.

The other goals came courtesy of an Aidan Moore brace, while Chris Ayre netted the consolation strike for Wanderers.

Meanwhile, struggling South Holland Utd slumped to their seventh straight loss of the campaign, going down 9-0 at Jubilee and they remain bottom of the league without a point.

Jason Chilvers led the scoring for Jubilee with two goals, with Leigh Boekestyn, Dan Brackenbury, Jack and Luke Chilvers, Matthew Mineill and

Daniel Nichols also on target.

Finally, Leisure League had a comfortable 5-0 stroll over Swineshead Institute Sunday at Monks House Lane.

McCauley Grimwood, Davy Shepherd and George Smith were all on the mark in a game which saw Swineshead’s Andy Baker sent off.

In Boston Taylors Vauxhall Third Division action, it was another repeat of the Barnett Show for Old Doningtonians Reserves who beat Spalding Harriers 2-1.

This time it was son Luke, rather than dad Andy, who grabbed the headlines.

Harriers held a 1-0 half-time lead before the experience of Andy Barnett got his side back on level terms 10 minutes into the second half when he curled in an equaliser direct from a corner.

Barnett junior then converted a rebound off the home keeper to grab the winning goal.

It was tough going early on for Spalding B when they played at Louth on Saturday in their latest Lincs League Division 2 fixture.

Spalding won two rinks and got four points with their best winning rink consisting of D Groves, R West, I Stafford & T Bell.

Captain for the day was R Walpole.

In friendly action, Spalding played the first round of the friendly matches for the Welland Salver Trophy against Stamford on Saturday.

With Stamford only able to provide 18 players for the rinks game, this had to be changed to triples, with several Spalding players standing down.

Stamford gained an early lead, being nine shots ahead after five ends.

By half way, despite Spalding’s fight-back, Stamford had increased their lead

by 32 shots.

The final result was a victory for Stamford by a 104-71 margin.

Best winning rink for Spalding, with a score of 18-16, was Chris Broughton, Sam Richardson and Mick Jennings (skip).

Captain for the day was Geoff Craft.

Spalding made progress in the Egham Trophy, as their national mixed team beat Grantham on Sunday to

set up a clash with Lincoln on December 20.

Spalding led early on and remained in control throughout, winning on all four rinks and posting a 109-57 winning scoreline.

l Young Spalding talent Jordan Philpott is celebrating an international call-up.

Jordan will represent England in the Under 25 International Series, which is being held on home soil, in Bristol, on February 20 and 21.

He will make his debut at number two, with Tom Bishop, from Cyphers, leading, while Kingsthorpe’s Connor Cinato and Swale’s Perry Martin form the back-end.

SHOWCASE CINEMAS PETERBOROUGH, OUT NOW

It comes up short of classic status – and therefore won’t quite make the Oscar impact it surely intended – but competently provides a solid take on the classic US versus Soviet Union espionage formula with this ‘based on true events’ tale.

Set in 1962, Hanks stars as renowned Brooklyn insurance lawyer James Donovan, who is thrust into the middle of this war, after rising to prominence defending British-born KGB intelligence officer Rudolf Abel (sensationally played by Mark Rylance) – which inadvertently puts his family in danger due to his unwavering commitment to his client.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg for Donovan, who is then tasked by the CIA to negotiate the nigh-on-impossible release of captured American spy plane pilot Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell) – in a swop with Abel – and goes to East Berlin shortly after the Berlin Wall’s controversial birth to facilitate the potential exchange at Glienecke Bridge.

Then, for the icing on the cake, Donovan inexplicably wants to throw the release of wrongly imprisoned American Yale student (Will Rogers) into the mix – in what leads to some tense negotiations that includes the Germans to boot.

And for the most part this works very nicely with a compelling screenplay from British scribe Mark Charman (which was tidied up by Oscar winning duo the Coen Brothers), and led by great performances from Hanks and acclaimed stage actor Rylance – who adds grace and wit to proceedings.

It does fall foul of being a bit overly mainstream by holding the audience’s hand a bit too much throughout the duration – which means it never quite breaks out from its sometimes familiar genre tropes – but for the most part this is suspenseful and engaging fare, well managed by Spielberg’s ever competent direction.

And when it does fall a little short – Hanks and Rylance are always there to bridge the gap.

Rating: 
4/5 
Gavin Miller

The following decisions have been made by magistrates at court hearings. In all drink-drive cases the legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood or 107 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine. Addresses of defendants published here are taken from the legal records held by the magistrates’ courts. V/S means victim surcharge; C/C/C means criminal courts charge.

Grantham Magistrates’ Court

November 11

Adrian Hanga (41), of Dock road, Tilbury, Thurrock. Speeding (Deeping Common). £135 fine, £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, 3pts.

Philip Fountain (28), of Broad Lane, Moulton. No insurance (Spalding). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for defective stop lamp.

Jemma Grooby (28), of Monarchs Road, Sutterton. Speeding (Moulton Seas End). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Gail Murphy (45), of Horseshoe Lane, Kirton. Failed to give driver ID (Nettleham). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, £150 criminal courts charge, 6pts.

Karolina Turcinaviciute (26), of Double Street, Spalding. Failed to give driver ID (Nettleham). £250 fine, £25 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Marius Alkenas (36), of Dickens Street, Peterborough. Driving without due care and attention (Crowland). £85 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 4pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Leslie Marshall (32), of Bridge of Dee, Castle Douglas. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £170 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Malcolm Dodd (71), of Chapel Lane, Folkingham. Defective tyre (Grantham). £440 fine, £44 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

November 16

Sandra Norris (49), of Snowden Close, Crowland. Speeding (Whaplode). £65 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Martin Smalley (62), of Albert Avenue, Skegness. Speeding (Kirton Holme). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

David Brooks (58), of Harwood Road, Norwich. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £185 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Jan Horvath (61), of Landsdowne Court, Spalding. Failed to give driver ID (Nettleham). £160 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Floricel Manole (29), of Finlay Close, Spalding. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £65 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

November 17

Robert Foster (21), of Middle Marsh Road, Holbeach St Marks. Failed to give driver ID (Boston). £260 fine, £26 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 6pts.

Jayne Jarvis (56), of Coronation Avenue, Deeping St Nicholas. Speeding (Spalding). £90 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Edgars Vilcins (24), of Cornfields, Holbeach. Speeding (Spalding). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Shane Wood (43), of Elizabeth Drive, Billingborough. Failed to give driver ID (Nettleham). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, 6pts.

Vidmantas Girzadas (40), of Alverthorpe, Wakefield. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Roy Bearman (51), of Havens Close, Fleet. Failed to give driver ID (Nettleham). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months.

Benjamin Chapman (32), of Whitehall, Gosberton. Stole 100 litres of diesel worth £107.70 belonging to Tesco (Wyberton). 14 months conditional discharge, £107.70 compensation, £40 costs, £180 c/c/c.

Ross Gallagher (24), of Meadowbrook, Ruskington. Drink driving (Sutterton). Community order with 180 hours unpaid work, £60 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, disqualified from driving for 26 months.

Stephen Godfrey (61), of Hurn Road, Holbeach Hurn. Drink driving (Holbeach Hurn). £350 fine, £35 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, disqualified from driving for 19 months.

Jornas Aulasas (35), of Westlode Street, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). 8 weeks prison sentence, suspended for 2 years, 220 hours unpaid work, £80 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, disqualified from driving for 36 months.

John Binney (60), of St Thomas’s Road, Spalding. Two counts of assault and criminal damage (Spalding). Community order with requirement to participate in Building Better Relationships programme, rehabilitation activity requirement, restraining order, £60 v/s, 385 costs, £150 c/c/c.

Joanne Jarvis (44), of Sefton Avenue, Wisbech. Assault (Holbeach). 16 weeks prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, £100 compensation, £80 v/s, £220 costs. Assault (Holbeach). 11 weeks prison sentence concurrent, suspended for 24 months, £100 compensation. No action taken on breach of conditional discharge.

November 19

Pauline Chamberlain (60), of Cranmore Lane, Holbeach. No TV licence. £60 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs, £150 c/c/c.

Louise Chipperfield (30), of Cranesgate North, Whaplode St Catherine. No TV without a licence. £250 fine, £25 v/s, £120 costs, £150 c/c/c.

Elvyra Jaugelaviciute (33), of Ellen Crescent, Spalding. No TV licence. £250 fine, £25 v/s, £120 costs, £150 c/c/c.

Sophie King (24), of Spalding Road, Gosberton. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs, £150 c/c/c.

Joseph McEwan (51), of St William Court, Holbeach. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.

Vicky Murkin (30), of Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge. No TV licence. £40 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs, £150 c/c/c.

Peter Nicholls (57), of Queensway, Long Sutton. No TV licence. £80 fine, £20 v/s, £120 costs, £150 c/c/c.

Lisa Osborne (23), of Commercial Road, Spalding. No TV licence. £250 fine, £25 v/s, £120 costs, £150 c/c/c.

Vicki Tebbs (40), of Edinburgh Drive, Kirton. No TV licence. £40 fine, £20 v/s, £150 c/c/c.

Brian Winter (29), of Halfleet, Market Deeping. No TV licence. £250 fine, £25 v/s, £120 costs, £150 c/c/c.

Denise Yould (30), of Laxton Gardens, Pinchbeck. No TV licence. £250 fine, £25 v/s, £120 costs, £155 c/c/c.

Georgina Halligan (45), of Minster Court, Long Sutton. No TV licence. £90 fine, £20 v/s, £150 c/c/c.

Michelle Watson (44), of Lowgate Avenue, Bicker. No TV licence. £60 fine, £20 v/s, £150 c/c/c.

Gita Zundane (23), of Ayscough Avenue, Spalding. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 cost.

Holbeach United Community Sports Academy has a new defibrillator at its Penny Hill base thanks to young footballers who did a bag pack at Tesco and the town’s charity shop, Chosen.

The players raised £600 and Chosen donated £1,000.

Academy vice chairman and trustee Stuart Clark said: “With all of the children and adults we have here at weekends, a defibrillator was one of the first things we wanted to raise money for.”

The centre, also known as King’s Academy, has trained ten people to use the machine, which can re-start a stopped heart. Pictured with Stuart (front, right) are Max Holt, Tracey Carter and players who raised the money. SG26115-103TW

Previously ...

Centre of sporting excellence for tomorrow’s stars opens officially in Holbeach

‘Showpiece’ football academy takes shape

A family donated £1,659 to St Barnabas Hospice in gratitude for home care given to a Moulton woman, Diane Harris, who passed away aged 52 in September.

Diane’s sister, Sally Cheatle, said the hospice at home care was second to none and enabled Diane to stay with her mum, Queenie Harris, until the last few hours of her life.

The bulk of the cash, £1,159, was given in donations at Diane’s funeral and the remainder was raised from a karaoke event at The Bell Inn, Weston Hills.

Pictured are landlady Kathleen Filby, St Barnabas representatives Vikki Allen and Karen Gedney, Sally Cheatle, Sophie Cheatle and Queenie Harris. SG221115-300TW

Previously ...

Spalding Lions cheque boost for St Barnabas

Hospice to host Light Up A Life celebration in Spalding

YOUR LETTERS: Hospice event in Spalding

Crowland Community Hub hopes to attract younger users now it has extended its library service opening times.

The full library service is available from 12.30pm-5pm on Tuesdays, taking the total provision to 26.5 hours a week – including 15 hours of self-service.

Crowland Community Hub chairman Paul Bywater said: “We are delighted to be able to provide these extra hours of full library service, and it demonstrates that we are able to meet requirements of users thanks to our growing team of trained volunteers.

“One of our objectives has been to attract more younger library users, and we think these extra hours will be appealing to children on the way home from school.”

The boost for library users in Crowland came on the day that Lincolnshire County Council voted on outsourcing library services across the county to an outside organisation, Greenwich Leisure Ltd.

Crowland’s hub officially opened on October 31 and has been raising funds through donations, events and a new charity shop to cover costs associated with running the library.

Mr Bywater added: “We have striven to reach this stage after two years of hard work by the Hub, and the road ahead is by no means certain. We, and the people of Crowland, are relying on Lincolnshire County Council to protect the future of the hub.”

Previously ...

Magic Halloween opening for Crowland Community Hub

SHOWCASE CINEMAS PETERBOROUGH, OUT NOW

James ‘Professor X’ McAvoy and Daniel ‘Harry Potter’ Radcliffe star in this twist on the legendary tale – which sadly hasn’t exactly received great reviews – as radical scientist Victor Von Frankenstein and his brilliant protégé Igor Strausman respectively.

When Victor takes their groundbreaking research into immortality too far, only Igor can bring his friend from the brink of madness.

Read more... Film preview: THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2

The home nursing team at St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice have relocated from Stamford hospital to the purpose-built office space above the charity’s shop in Bourne.

The move to the Bourne shop is the first time that St Barnabas has used one of its 25 shops to support their care services.

Michelle Webb, director of patient care for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, said:

“Working in partnership with our shops department provides an innovative approach to greater joint working within the Trust. It also allows us to put our nursing expertise on the high street and will help to increase the local community focus.

“We are hoping that the convenient location will mean that our team will be able to support members of the public directly and will offer an increased choice of services including welfare and benefits advice and support from the family support services team.”

The Bourne location will also act as a ‘hot desk’ for other health and social care professionals and will support collaboration of palliative care services in the local community.

The new telephone number for the Stamford Hospice at Home team is: 01778 394324.

A buoyant Lincolnshire economy has helped power a county estate agents to some of its best sales figures in a decade.

Estate agents Pygott & Crone has just announced that its sales figures for the last two months are the highest in 10 years.

The company sold 224 homes in October and 186 in November, compared to 117 in October 2005 and 65 in November 2005 - a 91 per cent increase in October and a 186 per cent increase in November.

Senior partner Kevin Scrupps said the firm’s success came as Lincolnshire’s tourism and economy is growing, strengthening the property market and enticing buyers from within the county and beyond to invest in Lincolnshire property.

He said the hike in sales has been seen across the firm’s 11 county offices.

He added: “It is a great testament to the staff at Pygott & Crone and the business as a whole to report these fantastic record figures after a very difficult period in the housing market and the economy.

“As a business we continue to invest heavily in staff training and technology and we are now reaping the benefits of this investment which is illustrated in these figures.”

In addition to the increased sales figures, a survey has shown Pygott & Crone’s customer satisfaction rating now stands at 96 per cent.

Mr Scrupps said: “We are lucky enough to have a very loyal customer base and welcome new clients on a daily basis across our sites.

“The firm’s success is very much down to our customers and our excellent customer service.

He added: “Our new customer call centre has recently opened offering after-sales care to customers across the East Midlands, and I think this is having a real impact on client satisfaction and therefore repeat custom.”

A Moulton woman is to face trial after she denied stealing a bank card and £550 cash from a Spalding pensioner.

Maria Pridmore (35) pleaded not guilty to three charges of theft when she appeared at Lincoln Crown Court today (Friday).

Pridmore denies that she stole a bank card and pin number belonging to the senior citizen on May 28 this year.

She also pleaded not guilty to theft of £250 cash and £300 cash belonging to the OAP on May 28 and 29.

Judge Michael Heath adjourned the case for trial on a date to be fixed in the New Year.

Pridmore, of West Cobgate, Moulton, Spalding, was granted conditional bail. She is not allowed to contact the alleged victim or go to Woolram Wygate in Spalding.

Funding for the first large-scale improvements to sea banks for over 30 years is now a step closer.

The announcement from the Wash Frontage Group (WFG) coincides with the second anniversary of the December 5 2013 storm surge, when over 300 houses and 500 acres of farmland were flooded.

The planned improvements along 5km of sea bank between Leverton and Wrangle are thanks to a working partnership between the Environment Agency (EA), Witham Fourth Internal Drainage Board (WFIDB), and local farmers.

The WFG is a voluntary organisation made up of the landowners and farmers who farm the land on the coast line of The Wash from Gibraltar Point in Lincolnshire to Wolferton Creek in Norfolk.

WFG chairman Stafford Proctor said: “The second anniversary of the terrible events has come around quickly. I am pleased that steps are being taken to carry out much-needed improvement works to the sea banks which protect South Lincolnshire and beyond from flooding.

“In particular the EA, WFIDB and the coastline farmers have developed a working partnership and we are hopeful that we will hear shortly that funding has been approved for improvements to the sea bank along 5km between Leverton and Wrangle. These will be the first substantial works to the sea banks for over 30 years.

“The WFG sees these works as an important step in a process which is critical to South Lincolnshire, West Norfolk, and East Midlands as a whole.

“The Wash Shoreline Management Plan of 2010 identified the need to carry out improvements to our sea defences to keep pace with climate change. The Wash Banks Performance Review in 2012 identified the Leverton to Wrangle section as the lowest bank, and that, in parts, it was the only line of defence.

“It is vitally important that this ambition becomes a reality. I commend the works of the EA, the WFIDB and the farmers in taking a first step towards this. WFG has in the last year sought to facilitate and enable improvements to the sea defences, which will benefit the region as a whole.”

Before the local councils

South Holland

District Council

M Sargeant, Park Manor, 3 Park Lane, Donington. Works to tree in conservation area.

South Holland District Council, Ayscoughfee Hall, Church Gate, Spalding. Pavilion (re-submission).

R Seaman, 60 New Road, Sutton Bridge. Details of external materials.

A Petchell, 2 Grove Farm, Bridge Road, Long Sutton. Dwelling.

J Rawlings, New England Farm, Delgate Bank, Weston Hills. Details of windows, doors, roof lights and design and position of meter boxes, gas flues and vent pipes.

J Britton, Pinchbeck Hall, Church Street, Pinchbeck. Equine area.

A Stalioraitis, 21 Station Street, Spalding. Change of use of shop to takeaway.

Proctor Bros Long Sutton, adj 6 St James Road, Long Sutton. Four dwellings.

Halifax, 25 Bridge Street, Spalding. Extruded acrylic with internal LEDs keyline lighting.

Lloyds TSB Bank, 15 Market Place, Spalding. Extruded acrylic with internal LEDs keyline lighting.

S Phillips, 7 Russell Drive, Cowbit. Extension.

D Branton, C Branton and C Wheeler, Byron Cottage, Campains Lane, Deeping St Nicholas. Residential development.

A Pendry, 29 Flinders Road, Donington. Extension.

South Lincs Vet Group, 20 West End, Holbeach. Signage.

Castlebuild Scaffolding, Holbeach Road, Spalding. Office extension.

South Kesteven

District Council

J Murray, land rear 32-34 High Street, Billingborough. Approval of condition details.

Brudenell Playing Field, Main Street, Baston. Storage container and associated fencing.

N Turner, The Vicarage, 13 High Street, Billingborough. Remove one sycamore and one silver birch, re-shaping and crown lifting various trees.

B Benton, 2 Walnut Farm, North Drove, Twenty. Change of agricultural barns to dwelling.

M King, 31 Allen Close, Billingborough. Fell lime tree.

N Lavender, 5 South Street, Bourne. Removal of bay window and insert door opening.

Western Power Distribution, land between Bourne and West Deeping. Extend and replace overhead lines.

N Lavender, 5 South Street, Bourne. Erection of adverts.

Mr Worrall, 3 Scotts Close, Langtoft. Extension.

Boston Borough Council

Richard Reed (Builders), land adj London road/Drainside South, Kirton. 45 dwellings.

Visual Development (Sutterton), former Beridge Arms site, Station Road, Sutterton. Nine dwellings with new access and associated works (amendments to siting of pair of semi-detached dwellings on plots 8 and 9).

Intruders broke into a garage and stole electrical tools from outside a house in Burton Lane, Billingborough.

It happened on Thursday, November 19 when the garage’s back door was forced open at about 2.30am.

Police are looking for a bronze Chrysler Voyager, with part registration T558 R**, that was seen in the area around the time of the theft.

There were also reports of a man wearing a head torch who was in the area.

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident 323 of November 21.

Meanwhile, police are looking for the owner of a dark grey Nissan pick-up truck in connection with the theft of diesel from a building site in Bourne.

The theft was discovered when the Nissan’s alarm was heard sounding in Bath Close some time overnight between November 23 and 24.

Anyone with information should call 101.