Well-known Spalding woman Pamela Munro, who was a member of South Holland and the Deepings Conservative Party for over 50 years, has died at the age of 96.

Miss Munro passed away peacefully at Tanglewood Cedar Falls Nursing Home in Little London on Saturday.

A funeral service will take place at St John the Baptist Church, Spalding on Monday, February 1 at 2pm, followed by cremation at South Lincolnshire Crematorium in Surfleet. Family flowers only.

Any donations will be split between the Society of St Francis and St John the Baptist Church. These may be given at the service or sent to Lincolnshire Cooperative Funeral Services (Clubleys), St John’s Road, Spalding PE111JD.

Back in 1998 then-Conseravtive Party leader William Hague was among many to mark her service to the Conservatives when he sent a signed certificate to show his appreciation for her long service. It was presented at a special reception held in the Spalding Constitutional Club attended by more than 80 of her friends.She was also presented with an inscribed pen by MP John Hayes.

• Please feel free to share your memories of Miss Munro with us here.

A project at the RSPB’s Frampton Marsh nature reserve, to encourage larger populations and more species of wading birds and wildfowl, is proving highly successful.

Now in its second year, and supported by specialist plant breeding and seed company Limagrain, the project involves: draining an area of the reserve in spring; planting a special water bird seed mixture, which flourishes during the summer; and then flooding the area in autumn.

This helps to provide a more diverse food supply and make the site more attractive to bird species.

And so far this winter, bird watchers at Frampton have been in for a few treats with a record number of more than 5,000 wigeon spotted and significant populations of lapwings and golden plover.

The rare grey phalarope has also been spotted at Frampton this month.

Frampton’s senior sites manager John Badley sees this project as a means of “re-setting the clock”.

The 170-hectare Frampton Marsh reserve has three seven-hectare scrapes – shallow basin-like lagoons – that are typically flooded and provide a mixture of islands and shallow water for wildlife.

As part of the project, one scrape a year is drained and dried out in spring and a four-hectare area is direct drilled with the Waterbird Scrape Mixture.

“This mixture includes seed shedding species, such as mustard and fodder radish, and cereals, including triticale and rye, as well as quinoa,” added Ian Misselbrook, of Lincolnshire firm Limagrain.

“It produces an abundance of seeds and nectar and once the scrape is flooded in the autumn, the rotting vegetation provides a food source for a diverse range of invertebrates that then become an attractive and plentiful food source for over-wintering wildfowl and waders, as well as migrant bird species passing through during spring and summer.

“The process re-establishes terrestrial plant species and provides the conditions that occurred when the scrape was first flooded.”

The reserve, which attracts 45,000 visitors every year, has been awarded the RSPB’s ‘Golden Welly’ for the past three years for attracting and recording the largest number of different species of wading birds.

“We recorded 35 different species of waders in 2015 and we’re adding to this all the time,” said Mr Badley.

“Many of these birds, including seven species of duck and wintering waders, such as black-tailed godwits, redshank, lapwings and golden plover, have been seen on the newly-flooded scrapes.

“This demonstrates the benefit of this improved habitat.”

Limagrain is donating supplies of a special Waterbird Scrape Mixture for this on-going project.

It is also supplying wild bird feeding mixtures for the RSPB’s Lincolnshire reserves at Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore to benefit declining farmland birds, such as corn buntings, tree sparrows and yellowhammers.

DOCTOR CALLING: By Dr Kevin Hill

Health leaders at South Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are urging people aged over 60 to seek early advice from their pharmacist for minor winter illnesses.

Every year the NHS sees a huge increase in numbers of emergency admissions to hospital over the colder months. By encouraging people to get help earlier, the NHS hopes to reduce the number of patients who become seriously ill this winter.

People over 60, especially those with lung disease, are particularly at risk of minor illnesses developing into something more serious if they don’t seek early advice and treatment. So, it’s important that older people with coughs, colds and sore throats pop down to their local pharmacy for expert health advice.

Health leaders are also encouraging those caring for or visiting an older friend or relative to get early advice from their local pharmacist if they are feeling under the weather.

Dr Kevin Hill, Chair of NHS South Lincolnshire CCG, said: “If you’re over 60 a minor illness can get worse quickly. So, it’s best to get advice on your illness from your local pharmacist because, being older, if a winter ailment becomes serious you’re more likely to need treatment in hospital.

“People often don’t seek advice for their wheezes, coughs and sneezes because they don’t think it’s serious enough, or they don’t want to waste their pharmacist’s time.

But no problem is too small for your local pharmacist, who is a highly trained and trusted source of health advice.

“Pharmacies have long opening hours, you don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are an excellent first port of call that will help prevent serious health conditions this winter.”

People can find their nearest pharmacy by visiting www.nhs.uk or obtain more information about the national campaign by visiting www.nhs.uk/asap

The latest news from our girl about town...

As Angel was queuing up, cold and tired, to pay for petrol at the Whaplode Co-op station on Tuesday morning, there was a bread delivery.

The sprightly delivery man bounded into the shop, carrying his tray of bread and when, asked how he was, replied: “Living the dream.”

Angel would like whatever he had for breakfast.

• The headteacher at Spalding Grammar School said recently that the “students would be the losers” should staff there carry out a strike threat next month.

Well, not according to Angel’s 13-year-old nephew – he’s absolutely thrilled at the prospect of maybe a few days off school!

• Did anyone else notice the number of ‘dead’ and abandoned brollies that obviously failed during last week’s windy and wet weather? Does anyone own an umbrella that has survived more than a couple of years’ use?

• Angel has long known that speed is a factor in the accidents that happen on the Crowland bypass – she has occasionally been overtaken by cars doing ridiculous speeds. However, after an experience on Saturday night she now knows that drivers joining the main road from smaller side roads are also to blame. Angel and her family were on their way to Crowland when a (newish) red Corsa simply pulled out in front of them, forcing them to slam the brakes on. Thankfully, there was no collision, but that night out could so easily have ended in disaster.

• Spotted on the way home from a shopping trip to Peterborough last Friday – an abandoned and dying Christmas tree, still bearing one or two pieces of tinsel
that almost seemed to be twinkling in the lovely sunshine.

Previously...

Bird whisperer rescue

CABINET CALL: By Coun Athony Casson

You may recall that late last year Spalding’s Castle Sports Complex was in the local news, facing criticism over the state of its changing rooms.

We quickly repaired and re-decorated the facilities, so it was to my great disappointment and frustration when I learned that they had again been left in an unacceptable condition.

This time bits of mud had been thrown on to the ceilings by some people who use the facilities and small holes have been created in the walls.

It may only be a minority of people doing this, but I wonder whether they would treat their own homes in such a way – I think not!

As I stated in my previous column, South Holland District Council takes the cleanliness and condition of the Castle Field changing rooms very seriously, but there is only so much we can do.

Ultimately it is the responsibility of those who use the facilities to keep them in an acceptable condition which I don’t think is too much to ask.

I expect we’ll get complaints about this latest incident – but what more could we have done?

The changing rooms looked excellent after they had been decorated and to see them spoiled just four weeks later is sad.

Following this latest incident we have since cleaned the changing rooms again and the local clubs, which hire the facilities, have been spoken to by our officers, who will continue to monitor the situation.

At the next meeting of the FA and the local leagues, officers will raise the issue again for their support in keeping the facilities in good condition.

Our officers have also created a more effective system to check the facilities after they have been used and flag up any issues so that they can be quickly dealt with.

Meanwhile we have also painted the Monkshouse changing rooms, so I hope those using these facilities will keep them in good condition.

Previously...

We want to keep South Holland frontline services safe

WARD’S WORLD: By John Ward

I suppose you know its time to go and get the eyes looked at as being a glass wearer – the spectacle things that fit over or in front of the eyes and not as in drinking glasses used for drinking from or then again dangling away as trendy earrings in some cases I have come to notice in recent times – you detect you are perhaps due for an eye test because as we get older its more noticeable as certain things strike you as being slightly not right, indeed striking being the operative word. If you find the lamppost is thicker than you thought it was as you try to walk through it as opposed to trying to walk past it as I can tell you they don’t bend much as I noticed recently as one poor soul bounced off one and exclaimed “Where did that come from?” as he stroked his forehead hoping to flatten the bump that was slowly appearing as I spoke to him.

I had approached him to ask if he was okay and he said no, his name was Eric and not Ray so at least part of his senses was still open for business and perhaps his hearing might be iffy or could it be the result of the lamppost encounter. I put it another way to Eric who is not Ray that if he was feeling a bit shaken up, perhaps a trip – the one that involves travel and not falling over – to the hospital to get himself sorted was in order and he then responded that he really ought to see the optician as he thought that it was time to have his eyes retested as he might be ‘a bit overdue’. On causally asking as in how long overdue, he replied that it was about the time we won the Eurovision Song Contest malarkey and on hearing this I offered to take him along to the opticians myself if it was that long ago but I did mention we had gone decimal in the interim and he replied he knew that as the coins were now thinner these days than before.

As we were going through the above verbal agility, a lady of possible similar age range came up to us and looked at me – this goes on a lot these days and its perhaps because of my uncanny likeness to Elvis Presley as if he was still alive, he could well resemble me or so I’m been told – and asked “What’s he been up to now?” and with a bit of this and that, this was Eric, who is not Ray, who is her hubby and she had been shopping and wondered where he had got to. I supplied the answer to that one in one swoop and pointed to the lamppost that had brought him to a premature halt in his tracks. She looked to the heavens at this point and rolled her eyes in their sockets and she spoketh: “I keep telling him he ought to see the opticians as he does need an eye test to be honest as when he’s driving he’s not all that bad (ALL that bad?!) but it’s things like putting the rubbish out that he falls down on (as opposed to over I assumed..) I have noticed lately”. Just then Eric was still stroking his forehead and looking around him and asked who I was and I replied that I was doing my decent citizen thing by stopping and asking about the poor soul who had run into the lamppost to which he asked who was it and has he gone already?. Tricky times then.

I left Eric and his wife to wander off with him still stroking his forehead and looking around as he went in some vain, fruitless quest to see the chap who had hurt himself by walking into a lamppost and must have been something of a mover as he was nowhere to be seen. Based on this I went along to book in for a new eye test myself as could Eric, who was not Ray, be a sort of omen in a sense? I like to think I do look after the important bits in life as in a swift look at my molars by my dentist in my half yearly or every six months check-ups and I always go early for such appointments in case they are having a sale as there may be bargains to be had by being an ‘early bird’ but I had neglected the eyeballs to be looked at so this was the time as I could not recall the last one, give or take the odd Eurovision Song Contest or two.

I am on first name terms with my optician – I call him Bob as it’s his name and he calls me Client (I suppose after Client Eastwood the film star bloke as I have been mistaken for him as well which just shows how bad the fog can be around these ‘ere parts at times) so we both know where we stand, me on one side of the counter and him on the other side that does the appointments side of the business. So I book in and duly turn up later for said appointment. After initial chit-chat about any problems with vision, we get down to the nitty gritty to find out if the old gag about being asked “Can you read those letters on the wall to me” and followed up by me inquiring “What wall?” is still going strong these days as in the actual eye test.

It seems that I still have the twenty-twenty vision thing, so not too bad for an old fogey then. Then armed with my latest prescription, I head for the new range of spectacles and asked my preferences and I point out glasses would be nice. I usually opt for the basic, traditional ones you look through as ‘designer’ frames are meaningless to me and I don’t bother with the tinted variety anymore as I find it’s better to just grow my eyebrows longer to protect from the sun or any rumour or threat that it’s on the way. I have no idea if Eric, who is not Ray, has done the same if only for the lamppost’s sake.

Previously...

Instructions? It’s like pulling teeth

THOUGHTS OF A FRUITCAKE: By Carolyn Aldis

So, last week Anglican bishops met to discuss the disagreement in the Church of England over same-sex marriage. Over 100 senior Anglicans sent an open letter beforehand, urging the Church of England to repent for “discriminating” against lesbian and gay Christians, saying the Church had not loved them, treating them like “second class citizens”.

This is true. Homosexual people have been treated appallingly over the years by the Church. However, the decision of the Episcopal Church in the US to recognise same-sex marriage by appointing an openly gay bishop without consulting other bishops was in conflict with the Anglican’s view on the teaching of scripture that “upholds marriage as between a man and a woman.” This caused the Archbishop of Canterbury to impose sanctions.

I was pleasantly surprised by this step, as there has been an erosion of Biblical views of marriage and same-sex relationships from within the Christian world and anybody who disagrees with them is called “empty of love” and “homophobic”. You only have to look at discussions online about homosexuality to see comments “empty of love” from both sides.

Homophobia means “a hatred or fear of homosexuals”. I don’t hate or fear gay people…I just don’t agree with their lifestyle choice. In the same way I don’t hate or fear people who commit adultery…I just don’t agree with their lifestyle choice.

There seems to be an unwritten rule that the church has to cater for everybody, regardless of their beliefs, values or sexual preferences.

When I go to a pub, I don’t expect them to stop selling alcohol just because I don’t like seeing people get drunk…I might not agree with everything a supermarket chooses to stock, but it doesn’t stop me shopping there…I accept that they sell products that aren’t my thing. There are rules, laws, cultures and customs in our lives that we have to abide by. The Church has its “handbook for life” and that is what its teachings are based on.

Even Jesus dealt with things in His religion that He probably didn’t agree with…He paid taxes, even though He owned the world…He read the Law, even though He wrote and fulfilled it …the Pharisees told Him to do things their way, when He was THE way. The woman caught in adultery wasn’t condemned by Him, even though she had done wrong…Jesus loved her, but instead of endorsing her lifestyle, he offered the opportunity to start again.

Homosexuals are not the only victims that feel second-class…anybody of any background experiences second-class citizenship at some point in their lives. Even Jesus got second-class treatment. Though I tick all the boxes of white, heterosexual, married and Christian, I notice that although I’m part of that apparently privileged majority, I too am “missed out”, overlooked, don’t qualify, or told I can’t take part for one reason or another. Inequality affects everybody, just in different ways. Even Jesus was affected by inequality.

I accept my views may differ to others, but we are entitled to give our opinions, and then trust those in authority to make decisions. In this case, I think they made the right one…

Previously...

Why not make a circle test?

An internationally renowned orchestra is coming to Spalding next month and tickets to see them are still available.

The European Union Chamber Orchestra will be performing at the South Holland Centre on Thursday, February 11, from 7.30pm.

Directed by Hans-Peter Hofmann and featuring Tillett Trust Young Artist Platform soloist Soh-Yon Kim, the concert is being presented by Orchestras Live and will include a special appearance by members of Lincolnshire County Youth Orchestra.

The programme also features a romantic suite by Grieg (Holberg Suite), a great Mozart concerto (Violin Concerto No.5), a brand new piece from local composer Jane Wells (Two Wings and a Prayer) and a humorous Haydn symphony (Symphony No.55 ‘The Schoolmaster’).

Coun Gary Taylor, portfolio holder for arts development, said: “This is quite a coup for the South Holland Centre and with an orchestra of 20 musicians from many different European Countries this promises to be a very special evening.”

The European Union Chamber Orchestra gave its first concerts in 1981 and soon gained an international reputation as a musical ambassador for the European Union.

Funding from the European Commission enabled EUCO to make its name familiar worldwide with tours to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines, North, South and Central America, North Africa, India and the Middle East, as well as across Europe.

It regularly performs in major concert halls throughout the UK and recent years have seen live broadcasts on BBC Radio 3, the Bath Festival with Alison Balsom and a tour of Christmas concertos with Nicola Benedetti.

The schedule since 2013 has included tours to Spain, Germany, Luxemburg, Turkey, Malta and most recently to Egypt.

Tickets cost £14 for adults, £7.50 for under-26’s and £12 for concessions.

To book visit www.southhollandcentre.co.uk or call 01775 764777.

Your guide to all the games

FRIDAY

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT LEAGUE

Veterans Development Division: Glinton & Northborough v Bretton North End (7.30pm).


SATURDAY

EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

First Division South: Basford v Loughborough Dynamo, Carlton v Romulus, Chasetown v Lincoln, Coalville v Belper, Leek v Shaw Lane Aquaforce, Market Drayton v Gresley, Newcastle v Goole, Rugby v Tividale, Spalding v Sheffield, Stafford v Kidsgrove, Stocksbridge Park Steels v Daventry.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Premier Division: AFC Kempston v Wisbech, Boston v Cogenhoe, Deeping v Peterborough Northern Star, Desborough v Huntingdon, Harborough v Sileby, Holbeach v Kirby Muxloe, Oadby v Harrowby, Rothwell Corinthians v Eynesbury, Wellingborough v Northampton Spencer, Yaxley v Leicester Nirvana.

Division One: Blackstones v Potton, Bourne v Lutterworth , Buckingham v Raunds, Bugbrooke St Michaels v Thrapston, Burton Park Wanderers v Irchester, Long Buckby v Oakham, ON Chenecks v Woodford, Rushden & Higham v Stewarts & Lloyds Corby, Whitworth v Peterborough Sports.

Reserve Division: Cogenhoe v Bourne (2pm), Irchester v Bugbrooke St Michaels, Northampton Spencer v ON Chenecks, Peterborough Northern Star v Whitworth, Raunds v Harborough, Thrapston v Olney.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT LEAGUE

Premier Division (2pm): Langtoft v Leverington Sports, Moulton Harrox v Holbeach Res, Peterborough ICA Sports v Pinchbeck, Riverside v Stilton, Thorney v Crowland, Uppingham v AFC Stanground, Whittlesey v Deeping Res.

Division One (2pm): Baston v Oundle, Long Sutton v Kings Cliffe, Stamford Belvedere v Spalding Res, Stamford Lions v Moulton Harrox Res, Wisbech Res v Langtoft Res, Wittering v Netherton Res.

Division Two (2pm): Crowland Res v Whittlesey A, Ketton Res v Glinton & Northborough, Oakham Res v Leverington Sports Res, Peterborough Polonia v Spalding Town, Pinchbeck Res v Hampton Sport, Sawtry Res v Netherton A, Thorney Res v Parkway Eagles.

Division Three (2pm): Farcet v Tydd St Mary, Oundle Res v Uppingham Res, Stamford Lions Res v Riverside Res, Stanground Sports v Baston Res, Stilton Res v Bretton North End, Thorpe Wood Rangers v Whittlesey B.

Division Four (2pm): AFC Stanground Res v Long Sutton Res, FC Peterborough v Holbeach Bank, Netherton B v Brotherhood Sports, Rutland DR v Stamford Belvedere Res, Sutton Bridge Res v Huntingdon Rovers, Whaplode Drove v Warboys Res.

Division Five (2pm): Feeder v Stamford Lions A, Harrowby Res v Wittering Res, Holbeach A v KRC Deeping, Leverington Sports A v FC Peterborough Res, Limetree UTR v Stanground Sports Res, Parkside Res v Whittlesey C.

Chairman Championship Shield quarter-final (1.30pm): Whittlesey Res v Sutton Bridge (winners away to Wittering).

League Shield quarter-final (1.30pm): Tydd St Mary Res v Parkside (winners at home to AFC Stanground Res).

PFA SENIOR CUP

Second round (2pm): Warboys v Netherton (winners away to Stamford Lions).

BALCAN LIGHTING SUPPLIES LINCOLNSHIRE LEAGUE (2PM)

Hykeham v CGB Humbertherm, Lincoln Railway v Brigg Res (3pm), Market Rasen v Horncastle, Ruston Sports v Sleaford Res, Skegness United v Cleethorpes DS, Wyberton v Skegness Town.

TAYLORS SERVICE GARAGES BOSTON LEAGUE

Taylors Garages Premier Division (2pm): Billinghay v Ruskington, Pointon v Heckington.

Taylors Peugeot Division One (2pm): Old Doningtonians v Fosdyke, Sutterton v Freiston, Swineshead Res v Woodhall Spa.

Taylors Ford Division Two (2pm): Holbeach Bank v Eastern European, Mareham v Billinghay Res, Park v Kirton Res, Pointon Res v Swineshead A, Sibsey v Fishtoft Res.

Taylors Vauxhall Division Three (2pm): Boston Athletic v Boston Titans, Northgate Olympic v Benington Res, Spalding Harriers v Spilsby Res, Wyberton A v Pointon A.

Sharman Burgess Boston Sports Cup third round (1.30pm): Boston College v Swineshead, Coningsby v Fishtoft, FC Hammers v Old Leake, FC Wrangle v Wyberton Res, Friskney v Skegness Town Res, Kirton v Benington, Leverton Sheepgate v Spilsby, Railway v AFC Tetford.

PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT JUNIOR ALLIANCE

Under-7 Zone (10.30am): Bourne Red v Phoenix, Crowland v Park Farm Red, Feeder Blue v Feeder Red, ICA v One Touch, Parkside v G&N, Pinchbeck v Werrington, Stamford v Stamford Yellow.

Under-8 Zone (10am): Stamford Red v Bourne Red.

Under-8 Zone (10.30am): Boston v Holbeach Yellow, G&N Blue v Stanground Purple, Hampton v Park Farm Black, IPTA v Whittlesey, Netherton v Peterborough White, Northern Star v Phoenix, Oundle Blue v Oundle White, Park Farm Red v Riverside, Spalding Blue v Thurlby, Stamford Yellow v Spalding Orange, Thorney v Stanground Black, Wittering v One Touch.

Under-8 Zone (11am): Bourne Claret v Holbeach Black.

Under-8 Zone (11.30am): Crowland v Deeping Claret, Feeder Red v Peterborough Blue, G&N Amber v Parkside Green, Werrington v Parkside Yellow.

Under-9 Zone (10.30am): Bourne Red v Feeder, Deeping Blue v Riverside Blue, Holbeach Black v Riverside Purple, IPTA v Stanground, Leverington v Park Farm Red, One Touch v Netherton, Parkside Blue v FC Peterborough, Thorney v Peterborough Blue, Thurlby v Werrington Red, Werrington Blue v Deeping Claret.

Under-9 Zone (11.30am): Bourne Claret v Oundle, Gunthorpe v Peterborough White, Hampton v Park Farm Black, Holbeach Yellow v Stamford Red, Park Farm Blue v Bretton, Parkside Red v G&N, Spalding Orange v Stamford White, Stamford Yellow v Crowland, Wittering v TWR.

Under-10 Zone (10.30am): Blackstones v Stamford Yellow, Deeping Claret v Feeder, G&N Amber v Riverside Purple, Hampton Blue v Pinchbeck Predators, Holbeach Yellow v Bourne Red, March SS v Riverside Blue, Netherton Wagtails v Stanground, Spalding Blue v FC Peterborough, Whittlesey v Yaxley.

Under-10 Zone (11.30am): Bourne Claret v Boston, G&N Black v Spalding Orange, Hampton Royal v One Touch, Oundle Green v Crowland, Park Farm Red v Netherton Ravens, Pinchbeck Pumas v Parkside, Spalding Orange v Holbeach Black, Thurlby v Oundle Red, WSM v Phoenix, Werrington v IPTA.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE WOMEN’S & GIRLS COUNTY LEAGUE

Under-13 North (10.30am): Bourne v Chatteris, G&N v Bluntisham, March SS v Yaxley, Pinchbeck v St Ives, Priory Parkside v Ramsey.

Under-16: Burwell v St Ives (10.30am), Histon v Cambridge City (10am), Sutton v Melbourn Dynamos (10.30am).

Under-18 (10.30am): Bourne v Newmarket, Sawtry v St Neots.

SUNDAY

LINCOLNSHIRE FA CUP

Fourth round (1pm): Fender BCS v Pinchbeck (winners at home to Cleethorpes Motors or Ironstone Gunness).

SPALDING LEAGUE (10.30AM)

Mulberry v Leisure League, SAS Wanderers v Punchbowl Panthers, South Holland v Jubilee.

John Chappell Shield semi-final second leg (10.15am): Swineshead v Sutton Bridge (first leg 3-7).

WEST NORFOLK SCAFFOLDING KING’S LYNN & DISTRICT LEAGUE (10.30AM)

Division One: Dersingham Social Club v Flitcham Bell, England’s Hope v Sutton St James, FANG v Tilney Green Lions.

Division Two: CR Eastern Province v Necton, CSKA Res v March Saracens.

League Cup first round: Clenchwarton Victory v Heacham. Quarter-final: CSKA v Elm.

Hardy Sheen Cup semi-finals: Shouldham v CSKA Young Boys, Tydd St Mary v West Winch William Burt.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE WOMEN’S & GIRLS COUNTY LEAGUE

Championship North (2pm): Downham v Tydd St Mary, Hungate v Swineshead, March v Stamford, WSM v Wisbech.

PFA UNDER-11 KNOCKOUT CUP

WSM v Deeping Blue (10.30am), Hampton Blue v Bourne Claret (2pm).

PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT JUNIOR ALLIANCE

Under-11 Zone (10.30am): Gunthorpe Navy v Stanground.

Under-11 Hereward Cup Group A: Northern Star v FC Peterborough (10.30am), G&N Amber v March SS (2pm), Gunthorpe Sky v Whittlesey Blue (2pm).

Under-11 Hereward Cup Group B (10.30am): Whittlesey Red v Hampton Navy (noon), Deeping Claret v Wittering (2pm), G&N Blue v Oundle (2pm).

Under-11 Hereward Cup Group C (10.30am): G &N Black v Spalding Orange, Tydd St Mary v Park Farm Black.

Under-11 League Cup Group A: Park Farm Red v Netherton (10.30am), Riverside v Spalding Blue (10.30am), Yaxley v One Touch (noon).

Under-11 League Cup Group B: Leverington v Hampton Royal (10.30am), Thurlby v Boston (10.30am), Holbeach v IPTA (noon), Bourne Red v Stamford 
(2pm).

Under-12 Division One: Hampton Navy v Riverside (10.30am), Holbeach v One Touch (10.30am), Netherton v Gunthorpe (10.30am), Feeder v Deeping Blue (noon).

Under-12 Division Two (10.30am): Crowland v Hampton Blue, Werrington v G&N Amber, Whittlesey Blue v Northern Star, Young Dons v Malborne.

Under-12 Division Three: Yaxley v Hungate (10.30am), WSM v Bourne (noon), G&N Black v Sawtry (2pm).

Under-12 Division Four: Spalding Blue v Stanground (10.30am), FC Peterborough v Boston (2pm), R&F v Tydd St Mary (2pm), Spalding Orange v Hampton Royal (2pm).

Under-12 Hereward Cup quarter-final (noon): Kings Cliffe v Blackstones (winners away to Tydd St Mary).

Under-12 League Cup quarter-final (noon): Leverington v Baston (winners at home to Riverside).

Under-13 Division Two: Leverington v Colsterworth (10.30am), Northern Star White v Spalding (10.30am), Oundle v Deeping Blue (10.30am), Netherton Phoenix v Bourne (2pm).

Under-13 Division Four: Parkside v Holbeach Black (10.30am), Tydd St Mary v Wittering (2pm).

Under-13 Hereward Cup quarter-finals: G&N Amber v Whittlesey (10.30am), Park Farm Black v March Rangers (noon), Thurlby v Park Farm Red (2pm), Werrington Red v Netherton Hawks (2pm).

Under-13 League Cup quarter-finals: Feeder v Deeping Claret (10.30am), Holbeach Yellow v Alconbury (10.30am), Hampton Blue v Pinchbeck (noon), Yaxley v WSM (12.30pm).

Under-14 Division Two: Deeping Amber v Spalding (10.30am), Hungate Green v Werrington (10.30am), Bourne Claret v March SS (noon), Whittlesey v Phoenix (noon), Thurlby v Langtoft (12.30pm).

Under-14 Division Three: Bourne Red v Pinchbeck (10.30am), Crowland v Stamford (10.30am), Stanground v Oundle (10.30am), Wittering v R&F (noon), Feeder v Riverside (12.30pm), Gunthorpe Sky v Thorney (2pm).

PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT YOUTH LEAGUE

Under-15 Division One: Gonerby v Stamford (10.30am), Deeping v Northern Star Blue (2pm), G&N Amber v Hampton Blue (2pm), Holbeach v Bourne (2pm).

Under-15 Division Two: Northern Star Red v TWR Blue (10.30am), R&F v Pinchbeck (10.30am), Feeder Soccer v Kings Cliffe (2pm), Oundle v Blackstones (2pm).

Under-15 Division Three: Netherton v Parkside (10.30am), TWR Red v Thurlby (10.30am), Boston Yellow v Leverington (2pm).

Under-15 Knockout Cup quarter-final (10.30am): Malborne v WSM (winners away to Ketton).

Under-16 Division One: Pinchbeck v Eye (10.30am), Stamford Red v Yaxley Lynx (2pm).

Under-16 Division Two: Netherton Blue Jays v Deeping Claret (10.30am), March SS v WSM Purple (2pm), Stanground v Ryhall Orange (2pm).

Under-16 Division Three: Hungate v Wittering (10.30am), Parkway Eagles v Spalding Orange (10.30am), Thurlby v Long Sutton (2pm).

Under-16 Knockout Cup quarter-final (10.30am): March v Peterborough Sports (winners away to Pinchbeck).

Under-18 Division One: Bourne Black v G&N Amber (10.30am), Stamford v Riverside (2pm), Werrington v Stanground (2pm).

Under-18 Division Two: Bourne Red v March Saracens (10.30am), Ketton v Blackstones (10.30am), Outwell Swifts v Pinchbeck (10.30am), Spalding v British School of Sport (10.30am), G&N Black v Bourne Blue (2pm).

PFA UNDER-15 CUP

Gunthorpe v Ketton (1.30pm).

LINCOLNSHIRE FA UNDER-16 CUP

Third round (1pm): Bottesford v Bourne.


TUESDAY

EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

First Division South: Basford v Chasetown, Gresley v Tividale, Market Drayton v Carlton, Shaw Lane Aquaforce v Newcastle, Sheffield v Leek, Stocksbridge Park Steels v Kidsgrove.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Knockout Cup second round: Eynesbury v AFC Kempston (winners away to Cogenhoe or Harrowby).

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT LEAGUE

Veterans Development Division: Cottesmore Amateurs v Long Sutton.


WEDNESDAY

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT LEAGUE

President Premier Shield quarter-final: Whittlesey v Netherton (8pm, winners away to Moulton Harrox).

Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick has vowed to keep the county’s 1,100 front-line officers in a job – despite the pressure to make significant cuts.

Mr Hardwick has also promised to retain all 149 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), even if the County Council withdraws funding.

The message comes as his own future as Commissioner continues to be shrouded in speculation.

Mr Hardwick has yet to reveal whether he will stand for the £85,000-a-year post in May’s election.

Speaking at police community forum on Tuesday, he said it would be ‘wrong’ to read anything into his pledge not to axe officers, despite increased financial pressure.

Mr Hardwick said: “Whatever happens in the election – and irrespective of whether or not I stand – I am putting things in place to ensure we don’t lose any frontline officers – or any PCSO’s.

“Given the financial position, it will not be easy to achieve that.

“However, as Commissioner, I have a duty to the people of Lincolnshire to keep them safe and secure.

“Our offices and our PCSOs do an absolutely fantastic job and I will find the money and do everything I can to make sure there are no reductions in numbers.”

There has been widespread speculation that frontline officers could come under threat because of cutbacks in central Government funding.

Mr Hardwick – backed by Chief Constable Neil Rhodes – is leading the campaign for more cash for the county force.

He is “hopeful” the Government will change the current funding formula which, he says, penalises successful forces, particularly in rural areas.

The Government has 
admitted it is looking at the whole issue of funding but has yet to make any firm 
announcement.

Meanwhile, cash-strapped Lincolnshire County Council has admitted it is considering whether to continue to help funding the Force’s PCSOs.

Mr Hardwick said: “I have heard and read about the (county council) cuts and the rumours that funding for PCSOs might come to an end.

“However, nothing has 
arrived on my desk yet.

“But, as I said, even if that avenue of funding is switched off, I will find the money somehow to keep our PCSOs.”

Asked about his own 
future, Mr Hardwick said he would make a decision “withing the next few weeks”.

He added: “Hand on heart, I haven’t made my mind up what to do.

“I’ve been too busy trying to sort out a whole range of issues.

“I realise there is a deadline a few weeks before the election and I will meet that.”

The Conservatives (Marc Jones) and UKIP (Victoria Ayling) have already announced their candidates for the elections (see below) but Mr Hardwick said the fact he is an independent allowed him extra time to make a decision.

The woman behind a petition to create a one-way system outside a Bourne school is happy to work with others to find alternative solutions.

Mum-of-two Jenny Pace decided something had to be done about traffic problems outside Bourne Westfield Primary Academy after a near miss in October when a car mounted the pavement where her sons were walking.

She came up with the idea of making Kingsley Avenue, part of Saxon Way and Leofric Avenue into a one-way system, and painting keep clear zig-zags from the corner of Godiva Crescent and past the school gate.

A petition calling for the new system so far has more than 215 signatures, and Jenny has presented it to Bourne Town Council. But a number of people living in the proposed one-way system have objected, saying it is unnecessary and would make their lives more difficult.

Jenny, who lives in Saxon Way, said the roads were not wide enough for a line of parked cars plus two cars driving in opposite directions.

“This leads to cars mounting the pavements frequently endangering children’s lives, and occurs not just at school run times but every time there is a parent’s evening, school disco, school fete etcetera.

“A one-way system would stop the need for cars and lorries to mount the pavements, would allow cars to drive in the direction they need and would mean that residents would be able to get in and out of their properties regardless of what events are happening at the school.

She added: “If there is another solution that I haven’t thought of then brilliant, but this is the only way I can see of making a permanent solution for everyone.”

But Laura Holmes, of Leofric Avenue, said a one-way system was the wrong option.

“I agree with Jenny that the school run is unacceptable in its current state,” she said. “However the residents of the area are not the culprits, yet through this campaign the punishment is also being placed upon us.”

Laura said existing traffic restrictions were ignored, and should be enforced better.

And Jeanette Cliffe, also of Leofric Avenue, said the petition was like “rewarding the naughty kids in school and ignoring the feelings of the good ones.”

She added: “There is nothing wrong with the layout of the roads and certainly not with Leofric Avenue which at all other times of day is quite and peaceful road.”

After Jenny presented her petition to Bourne Town Council, chairman of highways and planning David Mapp said: “A resolution of the residents’ concerns rests primarily with Lincolnshire County Council which controls highways.

“But as a council, we should consider carefully the views expressed by residents and, where possible, assist in garnering support from Lincolnshire County Council to alleviate those concerns. At our next meeting, we will be having a general discussion ascertaining the routes open to us.”

Jenny has set up a Facebook page to try to raise support for her idea at {http://www.facebook.com/BourneWestfieldSchoolRunOneWay|www.facebook.com/BourneWestfieldSchoolRunOneWay}, or you can e-mail her at {mailto:westfield1way@outlook.com|westfield1way@outlook.com}.

Fuel prices look set to drop further as one of the major supermarkets makes more cuts at the pumps today.

Drivers filling up at any of Asda’s 279 fillings stations across the country will only pay 97.7ppl for diesel from Friday, January 22.

The two pence per litre cut sends diesel to its lowest price for six years.

Meanwhile, unleaded remains at 99.7ppl across the UK at Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.

And now one of the big four has cut it’s fuel price, it is the trend that the other three will follow suit shortly.

Andy Peake, Asda’s Senior Petrol Director said, “We’re delighted to be the first retailer to take diesel to its lowest price level in over six years.

“This latest announcement shows that we’re committed to being the driving force behind lowering fuel prices across the UK regardless of where you live.”

Josh Moreman is aiming for a double celebration at the end of this season after staying loyal to Spalding United.

The 16-goal top scorer will remain at the Tulips despite transfer talks with King’s Lynn Town last week.

The Linnets revealed they could not match Moreman’s current wages – giving a huge boost to Spalding’s play-off dreams.

Assistant-manager Danny Hussey said: “It’s a big bonus that Josh turned down a move to King’s Lynn and decided to stay with us.

“It’s great news that he has shown some loyalty after our previous departures which came for various reasons.

“Josh likes his relationship with the management and squad.

“He feels like he can trust us and his team-mates are good mates out of football as well as playing together on the pitch.

“We will keep fighting for a play-off position and I know Josh wants to finish as the leading goalscorer in the division.

“We have set objectives for Josh to achieve with us.”

Spalding dropped to fifth spot in midweek as Lincoln United moved above them in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division South.

Goals from former Tulips players Jack McGovern and Mitch Griffiths earned a 2-0 win for the Whites away to Shaw Lane Aquaforce.

Spalding will be back in action on Saturday at home to Sheffield who rescued a point with two late goals in August after Moreman and Charley Sanders put the Tulips 2-0 up.

Hussey added: “We should have beaten them at the start of the season when the side was not as strong as it is now.

“We are playing with more confidence and freedom. If we put in a good shift then there is no reason why we can’t get three points.

“We have a full-strength squad and hopefully the pitch will be in a better condition.

“We are still looking to bring in a striker but that needs to be done at the right price with someone who can fit nicely in the squad.”

Shoe retailer Brantano has gone into administration, some four months after the chain was bought by an investment firm, putting 2,000 jobs at risk.

Brantano employs about 2,000 staff in 140 stores and 60 concessions across the UK.

Administrators from PwC are now running the business, which they said would trade normally while they sought a buyer.

PwC’s Tony Barrell said the chain was a victim of changing consumer habits.

“The continuing challenging conditions for ‘bricks and mortar’ retail stores are well documented.

“Like many others, Brantano has been hit hard by the change in consumers’ shopping habits and the evolution of the UK retail environment.”

Brantano, along with Jones Bootmaker, was bought by retail investment firm Alteri Investors in October from Dutch-based Macintosh Retail Group. Jones is not affected by the administration.

Mr Barrell added: “The administrators are continuing to trade the businesses as normal whilst we assess the trading strategy over the coming days and weeks.

“Staff will be paid their arrears of wages and salaries, and will continue to be paid for their work during the administration.”

Lincolnshire Police say that crime in the county has reduced year on year but sexual offences are on the up.

Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Gibson says he is pleased that overall recorded crime in Lincolnshire has continued to reduce and that the rise in sexual offences is as a result of national publicity about historical sex abuse encouraging people to come forward.

“Overall crime is down by one per cent in the year to September 2015, which bucks the general national trend of increases,” he says.

“Our countywide Operation Nova (say NO to Violence and Abuse) is specifically targeting violent crime and we are confident that our multi-agency efforts in this area will result in returning to a reducing trend for the next period of reporting from the nine per cent increase reported today,” said Mr Gibson. “However, it is important to emphasise that Lincolnshire has one of the lowest recorded rates of violent crime in the country.”

Mr Gibson says that like most forces Lincolnshire is experiencing an increase in reported sexual offences. “A large proportion of this is as a result of the widespread and national publicity about historical sex abuse which is encouraging people to report such crimes more readily than they would have done before,” he says.

“We have already made announcements that we are changing our policing model to put more resources into protecting vulnerable people, which includes further investment in child sexual exploitation, on-line grooming, cyber-crime and other emerging crime areas.”

He also welcomed reductions in theft and house burglary. “The reductions in these offences have contributed to the overall reduction in recorded crime in Lincolnshire.”

Police were called to St Thomas’ Road in Spalding last night (Thursday) after a car hit a wall.

The incident happened at 8.50pm and involved a Peugeot 306. There were no injuries and the vehicle was recovered within the hour.

A man is due to appear in court in connection with a collision on the B1043 near Stilton where a man died.

Gregory Berry (38) of Littleworth Drove, Deeping St Nicholas, has been charged with death by dangerous driving and will appear at Cambridge Magistrates Court this morning (Friday, January 22).

The collision happened at about 7am on January 20.

Related

Police name man killed in Stilton crash

Man killed in crash between Stilton and Conington

Roads were closed for an hour last night after a crash at the notorious Peppermint Junction in Holbeach, where the A151 meets the A17.

Emergency services attended after the accident, at 7pm, which involved an Audi and a Kia.

Spalding Police, the ambulance service and fire crews from Holbeach, Long Sutton and Spalding attended and the Kia driver was freed from his car and taken to hospital with minor injuries and both vehicles made safe.

Part of the A151 and A17 was closed for an hour and reopened at 8pm.

Previously...

Peppermint Junction project pledge for work to start in 2016

Have your say on Peppermint Junction roundabout plan at exhibition

Roundabouts plan for Holbeach’s Peppermint Junction unveiled

PEPPERMINT JUNCTION: Justify this huge cost

PEPPERMINT JUNCTION: Others say it would only cost £500K

Lincolnshire’s GCSE results for 2015 have shown a dramatic rise in performance, with a higher percentage of pupils achieving 5A*-C including English and Maths.

They rose by 1.3% from 54.8 to 56.1%, outstripping by more than three times the national increase of only 0.4%. Lincolnshire already does significantly better than the East Midlands average of 54.2%.

These results follow a massive shift in 2014 in the way GCSEs operated, when most areas saw a reduction in the percentage of pupils gaining five or more GCSEs including English and Maths. Lincolnshire was no exception.

Lincolnshire’s grammar schools continued to perform magnificently in 2015. In 14 of the county’s grammar schools, at least 90% of pupils achieved 5 or more A*-C grades including English and Maths.

However, this measure does not give a true reflection of the achievements of many of the county’s secondary modern schools . When the more able students in an area choose go to a grammar school, it is not reasonable to expect the non-selective schools to do as well as the grammars in terms of the proportion of pupils achieving the highest grades.

That’s why the new Progress 8 measure established by the government, is so important. It will allow our non-selective schools to show how much progress their pupils make across eight subjects.

Some schools have elected to be measured by Progress 8 this year but all schools will be measured by it next year.

The County Council is confident that several schools that might appear to underperform by the old measure will be seen to be doing well when the new Progress 8 measure is introduced for all schools and academies later in 2016.

Director of Children’s services, Debbie Barnes, said: “Most of our schools are doing really well but we are not complacent, and there are some significant challenges to overcome.

“The progress that our young people make in English is improving but we still need to do better.

“Progress in Maths is an issue that we aim to address by supporting the recruitment of more really good maths teachers. “

“It is excellent to see our schools and academies coming together to tackle these challenges together: learning from each other and from best practice elsewhere.”

Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell, executive councillor of Children’s Services said: “It’s wonderful to see so many young people realising their potential in our schools. Pupils, parents, carers and teachers all deserve our congratulations.

“We are tremendously excited about the possibilities when we really get our schools learning from each other.

“There is some fantastic practice out there just waiting to be shared. We need to work together to attract the best teachers to work and settle in Lincolnshire. “

Spalding are basking in the glow of four straight home wins in Midlands Two East (North) – the last three under head coach Bruno ‘The Special One’ Figuireido.

Skipper Sam Cooke summed up the ‘Summertime’, a song by his late American soul-singing namesake, at Memorial Field with the words “it’s nice to be feared again” as Town look to right some wrongs at Market Bosworth on Saturday.

The Elephants should have won their home encounter last October when leading 15-10 with 15 minutes to go before a mistake by Cooke himself led to the winning Bosworth try.

Cooke said: “We upset ourselves when we played Bosworth at our place so now is the chance for us to go and perform in the way that we should have done.

“There’s a little bit more pressure on us because of the journey but the reality is that if we want to keep going then we have to pick these away wins up.”

Town are without fly-half James West who suffered a hamstring pull in the 9-8 win over Mansfield last Saturday.

Josh Broome is expected to replace him while Figuireido can also welcome back George Brown to the back line after a knee injury.

One player definitely staying in the XV is winger Tom Winch who showed enough on his senior debut for the Elephants to be trusted against their second-placed opponents.

Cooke said: “It’s nice to be feared again and to know that Spalding are putting a fear amongst the other teams that we’re a force to be reckoned with.”

Meanwhile in Midlands Four East (South), Bourne and Deepings have home games against Birstall and Wellingborough Old Grammarians respectively.

Guts and glory win for Spalding

Elephants aim to take winning show on the road