Missed appointments have cost the NHS in Lincolnshire more then £6.6 million, it has been revealed.

Local health and social care service Healthwatch Lincolnshire have revealed that missed appointments in 2014 cost the NHS £6,632,000.

During early 2014 Healthwatch Lincolnshire was made aware of the increasing number of patients not attending appointments with their doctor. The issue was raised by both Patient Participation Groups, and GP Surgeries themselves, as patients failing to attend their appointments was found to be dramatically impacting the surgeries.

As a result, Healthwatch Lincolnshire conducted a survey across the county examining why patients ‘did not’ or ‘could not’ attend their appointments, and found that one in four people have booked an appointment but not attended in the last 12 months, with the two biggest reasons cited as transport and appointment booking. However, a staggering 33 per cent of patients admitted to completely forgetting to attend their appointment.

The findings from the Healthwatch Lincolnshire DNA survey has highlighted to the local health and social care systems what the triggers are for these missed appointments, revealing details such as patient transport, appointment systems or individual barriers, enabling the local area to start addressing the issues raised.

As independent consumer champions dedicated to representing the views of the public, many of the points raised have caused concern, for example 56 per cent of those unable to attend these appointments were between the ages of 50 and 89 years, prompting GP’s to recognise that such vulnerable patients need more support to be put in place.

It has been made clear that the overall impact of such ‘Do Not Attends’ on the wider health community, is creating more demand on already overstretched services, as patients unable to visit their doctors are presenting themselves at Walk-In Centres or A&E.

CEO of Healthwatch Lincolnshire Sarah Fletcher said: “Healthwatch Lincolnshire has for some time been hearing of concerns as to the numbers of patients not attending their healthcare appointments, these are not just with their doctor but other services such as hospital outpatients.”

She added: “Concerns have been raised by both professionals and patients particularly with how the significant levels of non-attendance is impacting services. To help those involved better understand what some of the barriers are Healthwatch has recently conducted a patient survey, the results of which are available in our report. When we started this work we did not have any idea what the results would reveal, patients told us transport and administration were the top two reasons. We have now shared our report with the organisations who are delivering and paying for the services to help them identify what changes need to be put in place to help with this increasing and costly issue.”

Healthwatch Lincolnshire is one of 152 local Healthwatch groups set up by the Government as part of the health reforms set out in the Health and Social Care Act in 2012.

Healthwatch Lincolnshire gathers patient views and represents those views to local NHS organisations to make sure they are taken account of.

To view the full details of the report or to share your views of the experience you’ve had with your local Health and Social care services visit www.healthwatchlincolnshire.co.uk

Holbeach Cemetery Chapels Trustees and Committee, in partnership with Heritage Lincolnshire, have been awarded £49,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The cash will see them appoint a part time project officer and offer a wide range of activities and opportunities for people to explore.

People will be able to be involved in finding out more about the beautiful Victorian chapels and their surroundings, in the centre of Holbeach.

On offer will be some exciting workshops such as photography, learning heritage skills, family history research, and exploring the fascinating environment and ecology of the cemetery.

There will be a summer holiday drama workshop for young people and an ongoing embroidery project that will celebrate the magnificence and history of the chapels and their surroundings.

This project will also help the Trust to develop the future sustainability of the Chapels, including plans to refurbish and renovate the buildings.

Heritage Lincolnshire and the Trust hope that the project will raise awareness and generate enthusiasm with local people who will then wish to ensure the Chapels survive and the surrounding area is well cared for.

Chris Penney, chair of Holbeach Cemetery Chapels, said: “We are thrilled to have received this wonderful support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and are confident that many people in the area will be delighted to participate in the wide range of activities that will be offered.”

Jenny Worth, Secretary for the group, said that she was delighted they were working in partnership with Heritage Lincolnshire and for their support.

Liz Bates, CEO of Heritage Lincolnshire said “The partnership we have with the Trust is an opportunity for us to support their vision of a sustainable future for these important buildings and this fledging building preservation trust project.”

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.

Boston Magistrates’ Court

March 16

Derick Neilson (71), of Lancelot Way, Spalding. Drink driving (in Spalding). £225 fine, £23 v/s, £85 costs, and disqualified from driving for 15 months.

Dominik Florkowski (323), of Wygate Road, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). £800 fine, £80 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 24 months.

Denny Loveridge (35), of Mill Place Caravan Park, Datchet, Slough. Trespassed in pursuit of game, woodcocks, snipes or conies (Whaplode St Catherine). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months.

Darren Matthews (44), of Thames Road, Spalding. Stole a trolley full of groceries worth £65.49 belonging to Morrisons (Pinchbeck). £80 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs. Breach of conditional discharge. £40 fine.

March 21

Joshua Teague (21), of Clarke Court, Wyberton. Assaulted a police officer (Boston). Community order with 160 hours unpaid work, £100 compensation, £60 v/s, £85 costs.

March 23

Kamil Krzyczkowski (32), of Clay Lake, Spalding. Possession of cannabis (Spalding). £300 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, cannabis to be forfeited and destroyed.

Carl Shand (33), of Hereward Road, Spalding. Stole two packs of coffee worth £9.36 belonging to Morrisons (Pinchbeck). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Marian Laczynski (37), of Tower Lane, Spalding. Drunk and disorderly (Spalding). £150 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Danielle Lee (23), of Oxford Gardens, Holbeach. Fraud (Holbeach). Four months prison sentence suspended for 12 months, 60 hours unpaid work, rehabilitation activity requirement, £80 v/s, £85 costs. No separate penalty for making a false report to police.

David Nixon (30), of Granville Terrace, Sutton Bridge. Drink driving (Sutton Bridge). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 16 months.

Carl Cottingham (29), of Little Close, Eye. Stole alcohol worth £144 belonging to Sainsbury’s (Spalding). Eight weeks prison sentence suspended for 12 months, £80 v/s.

Lewis Parnham (23), of St Pauls Road, Spalding. Used threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour (Spalding). Six months conditional discharge, £15 v/s, £85 costs.

Grantham 
Magistrates’ Court

March 8

Leo Smith (20), of Murrow Lane, Parsons Drove. Defective windscreen (Market Deeping). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs.

March 10

Ayshea Croucher (40), of Lancaster Way, Market Deeping. No TV licence. £40 fine, £20 v/s, £60 costs.

Sam Flood (23), of Willington Road, Kirton. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.

Joanne Hogan (38), of Black Prince Avenue, Market Deeping. No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.

Ben Swale (24), of Wellington Way, Market Deeping.No TV licence. £220 fine, £22 v/s, £120 costs.

Diane Clark (51), of Paddocks Estate, Horbling. No TV licence. £330 fine, £33 v/s, £120 costs.

March 14

Jason Darby (42), of The Crescent, Orton Longville. Breach of non-molestation order (Deeping St James). Twelve months conditional dishcarge, £15 v/s, £85 costs.

Rosemary McNeil (74), of Barn Owl Close, Langtoft. Drink driving (Langtoft). £120 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Christopher Hewitson (30), of Chestnut Way, Market Deeping. Assault (Bourne). Community order with 100 hours unpaid work, requirement to participate in Building Better Relationships Programme, rehabilitation activity requirement, restraining order, £60 v/s, £85 costs.

Darren Smith (38), of London Road, Spalding. Two counts of assault and criminal damage (Billingborough). Community order with curfew requirement, attend thinking skills programme, rehabilitation activity requirement, restraining order, £175 compensation, £60 v/s, £85 costs.

March 15

Clive Lewsey (65), of Town Drove, Quadring. No insurance (Gosberton). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

March 16

Fernando Carvalho (43), of Queens Road, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £265 fine, £26 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Robert Clarke (20), of Dovecote Estate, Rippingale. No insurance (Bourne). £150 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Przemyslaw Gebka (34), of Harveys Close, Spalding. Speeding (Crowland). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Nicholas Goodman (41), of Bramley Road, Market Deeping. No insurance (Market Deeping). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Joe Wooding (26), of Barkers Lane, Bedford. Driving without due care and attention (Algarkirk). £210 fine, £21 v/s, £620 costs, 8pts.

Havier Beltran (51), of Station Road, Legbourne, Louth. Speeding (Spalding). £435 fine, £44 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Aldona Grabowska (27), of Thistle Gardens, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £40 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

James Kerr (56), of Park Place, Aberdeen. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £40 fine, £20 v/s, £40 costs, 3pts.

Artur Perveinis (27), of Ramnoth Road, Wisbech. Driving while using a hand held mobile phone (Spalding). £85 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

James Thompson (85), of Bakestraw Gate, Moulton. Speeding (Whaplode). £40 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs and 3pts.

Market Deeping has its first woman firefighter, Leah Chapman, who has joined the ranks of the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue heroes who once saved her life.

Leah (19) has wanted to be a firefighter ever since she was rescued from a burning, crashed car when she was just 13-years-old.

She said: “I kind of owe my life to them.”

Leah said one of her friends had just passed their driving test and they went out together in Stamford when it was quite icy and the car ran off the road on some black ice on a corner and hit a tree.

Her friend exited the car unhurt, but Leah was trapped.

Leah said: “The car caught fire and I was stuck in the car.

“My seat belt was a bit jammed so I spent longer in the car than my friend did.

“As soon as they (the firefighters) got there, they managed to get me out really quickly and made sure I was safe.

“They arrived really quickly – it must have been within five minutes.”

Leah qualified as a retained firefighter about three weeks ago and has already attended eight incidents.

She said her initial training course lasted about three months and covered such things as house fires, where firefighters learn how to safely search a property and bring casualties out, road traffic accidents and water rescue work.

Retained firefighters attend fire stations for a few hours a week for training, but otherwise they do their “day jobs” until they get an emergency call-out.

Leah’s current day job is in the bar at The Deeping Stage pub, in Market Place, Market Deeping.

Retained firefighters attend precisely the same, full range of incidents as their wholetime colleagues, but Leah hopes one day to switch careers and become a wholetime firefighter.

She said: “I have always wanted to do something to help in the public services. I just want to be part of the community and help the community.”

Leah says becoming a firefighter is the best thing she’s ever done.

“I think it’s even better than I imagined,” said Leah. “My colleagues help me so much and help me to gain as much experience as I can. They have been really accepting.”

Leah lives in Northborough with her mum, Agi, and dad Steve. She has two older sisters.

She said: “My family are extremely happy and proud I have become a firefighter because I really wanted to do it and I have achieved what I wanted to do.”

Previously ...

Crowland firefighters’ car wash is sealed with a birthday kiss

Sign up to Long Sutton firefighters and save lives

Queen thanks Donington firefighters for copy of calendar

Two people have been ‘very seriously injured’ in a collision on the A52 at Swineshead this afternoon, say police.

A force spokesman said they had been called to the collision involving ‘a lorry and at least two cars’ at about 12.30pm.

The air ambulance is reported to be in attendance.

A force statement said: “The road has been closed and is likely to remain so for some time.”

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue have said that crews from Donington, Kirton and Boston attended the incident at 12.36pm.

They said it involved two cars and a lorry and said they assisted the ambulance with casualty care.

More details will be released as they become available.

Spalding war veteran Tom Fowler (97) is to receive a medal from Norway’s government to recognise his services in helping to restore that country’s freedom during the Second World War.

Mr Fowler was one of the brave 4th Lincolns involved in the first land fight of the war between British and German troops at Norway’s remote Krog’s Farm in April 1940.

In January this year, the D-Day veteran was presented with France’s highest award – the Legion d’honneur – for helping to restore freedom to France.

Jean-Claude Lafontaine, who presented the Legion d’honneur to Tom at Spalding’s Lighthouse Church, said: “It’s an amazing opportunity to say thank you to Tom Fowler who came to France nearly 70 years ago and was ready to give his life in a way we will never forget.”

Tom will be presented with his Norway medal at a lunch later this month that will be attended by members of his family and Spalding branch of The Lincolns regimental association.

Previously ...

France’s top military honour for Spalding hero Tom

Poignant visitors for veteran Tom

An inspirational personal trainer who lost a leg after a horrific crash at a motorcycle sidecar race is celebrating victory at his first ever strongman competition.

Rick Long, 54, who works at Bourne Leisure Centre, was crowned Strongest Disabled Man at the Spring Strongman Sanctuary event in Dartford, Kent.

Over five gruelling events, Rick fought off the challenge of six other competitors - including Lee Small, current holder of the British and 
world strongest disabled man titles.

He is now training for 
British Championships due to be held on May 28 and, if he secures a top-three finish, Rick will qualify for the World Championships in Iceland.

It has been an amazing journey for Rick, who lives in Baston with wife Jenny, because he only started working out last year when training to be a physical trainer.

Rick said: “I lost my leg at Hockenheim, Germany, back in 2008 and it totally changed everything.

“My team-mate was killed. I crashed into a concrete wall feet first at 146 miles per hour and suffered very serious injuries.

“It was a horrific experience, but I was determined to make the best of things.”

At the time of the crash, Rick was employed as an operating theatre practitioner in anaesthetics.

But losing his left leg and having his right ankle fused in place made carrying on with this work difficult - as did the requirement to keep his qualifications up to date during his recovery.

Rick later decided to persue a career in physical training after seeing an advert for InstructAbility – an award-winning project to help disabled people to become qualified fitness professionals.

A work placement last year lead to an offer of employment at Bourne Leisure Centre.

Rick said: “When I was doing the InstructAbility training in Peterborough last year I met a guy from Bedford called Tony Butcher, who is tetraplegic but competes in powerlifting competitions.

“He inspired me to have a go and, after some training and a trial event a few months ago, I decided to enter my first proper competition.”

The Spring Strongman Sanctuary saw Rick and his fellow competitors lift five Atlas stones weighing between 50 and 90kg onto oil drums; pull a four-tonne truck across a 20-metre course; do multiple 160kg deadlifts and 75kg Viking presses against the clock; and finally carry four 60kg bags over a 20-metre course in the load race.

Rick wears a prosthetic leg, but the weights involved are so large it could not take the pressure. He therefore competes while sitting down.

“I’m looking forward to the British Championships, but I’m not putting too much pressure on myself,” added Rick, who has two grown-up children.

“Qualifying for the World Championships in Iceland would be a dream come true, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens.”

Away from the gym, Rick has also returned to sidecar racing.

His memories of the Hockenheim crash, which killed team-mate Steve Norbury, 37, are still very raw, but he is happy to be back competiting in a sport which he loves.

Householders having a spring clean in Bourne and the Deepings are being asked to check before calling out workers to collect it.

South Kesteven District Council is advising people to check waste carriers’ licences when having household or garden waste collected from their homes.

Once waste is collected, it is the owner or tenant’s responsibility to check the service holds a waste carrier’s licence and where the waste will be disposed of to avoid committing an offence.

Ian Yates, the district council’s executive manager for environment, said: “As the weather improves in the coming weeks, we know it is a popular time of the year for spring cleaning homes and gardens.

“But if you are having a house or garden clearance, simply ask the company you employ to show you their licence and where your items will be deposited.

“We do not want our residents potentially committing criminal offences and, in this way, you can do your part to avoid unlicensed carriers flytipping in the district or elsewhere.

“Most businesses are very trustworthy and will not hesitate to show you documentation on request as it is an offence for collectors to fail to display a licence.

“So make the necessary checks that you are using a reputable business for your own peace of mind.”

An animal charity has launched a new campaign urging drivers to slow down for horses in the wake of shocking figures revealing the injuries suffered by riders and animals in on-road incidents.

The British Horse Society (BHS) is urging drivers to slow down to 15mph when they meet a horse and rider on the road.

Its Dead Slow campaign follows the revelation that in the last five years 36 riders and 181 horses have died as a result of incidents on the road.

Seventy-five per cent of the 2,000 incidents reported to its horse accidents website have been attributed to vehicles getting too close to the animal while passing. A quarter of respondents also said they had been subjected to road rage while riding.

Lee Hackett, director of policy at the BHS, said: “We are asking drivers to slow down to 15mph when they see a horse on the road.

“A lot of people aren’t sure how to safely pass a horse when driving, and so we have produced a video showing exactly how it should be done.

“It’s worth remembering that these statistics are just the accidents reported to us, there will be countless others. Almost everyone who rides horses can recount a story about a time they had a near miss on the roads.

“We are campaigning for legislative change, but that can take a long time. That is why we are asking for this instant change in behaviour from drivers.”

The launch of the campaign follows the injury of horse carriage master Mark Evans and the death of his horse Wil, who was hit by a car in Wales last month as he pulled a funeral cortege.

The BHS figures reveal that the majority of incidents occurred on minor rural roads. Of the 2,070 respondents, 1,799 were involved in an accident in England, 146 in Wales, 115 in Scotland, and 10 in Northern Ireland.

Lancashire saw the third-highest number of road incidents, with 81 reported to the BHS site. It came just behind Essex, with 155 reported road accidents and Kent, with 89 road accidents.

Kevin Clinton, head of road safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: “Horses are large, powerful animals and they can easily panic and bolt if startled. This is dangerous for the horse, the rider and other road users.

“All drivers should be aware that they may come across horse riders at any time, especially in rural areas.

“If you see one, slow right down as you approach and pass it slowly and smoothly, without revving your engine or sounding your horn. If there’s not room to pass it safely, wait until there is.”

Horse accidents can be reported to the BHS at www.horseaccidents.org.uk

One of the single most important video games in history has been given a hotly anticipated next gen sequel more than 20 years on and you can play it this weekend.

Doom is back this May having been lovingly crafted for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.

But you can play it this weekend as an open beta running from April 15 at 12am through April 17 at 11:59pm goes live on all three platforms.

Bethesda has also released a new trailer offering a quick look at some of the action you can expect.

Pre-loading for the open beta started on Tuesday but for PS4, you’ll need to go to the PlayStation Store, search for Doom, and download the ‘DOOM Open Beta’ file.

It looks like it will be well worth it too with two maps, Heatwave and Infernal, two game modes namely 6v6 Team Deathmatch and Warpath.

The Demon - Revenant is also in there which gives you the chance to be the demon for the first time in Doom’s illlustrious history.

Weapons include a Rocket Launcher, Plasma Rifle, Super Shotgun, Vortex Rifle, Static Rifle, Heavy Assault Rifle, and Lightning Gun while there is also a power weapon in the shape of the Gauss Cannon.

Frag Grenades, a Personal Teleporter and a Siphon Grenade make up the equipment included in the beta which supports English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian, Latin American Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese languages.

The full Doom game launches worldwide on Friday, May 13.

If like me you grew up mesmerised by the original Doom, this is sure to bring a sense of nostalgia but the game genuinely looks top drawer. Footage smacks very much of the fast-paced Unreal Tournament which was seen as the spiritual successor to Doom by many video game fans. Still not sure? Well this is the perfect opportunity to try before you buy.

As many of your readers may know, I have campaigned against the old Radar Corner junction on the A16 since it was first opened.

I’ve recently held a positive meeting with MP John Hayes, with us both agreeing that something must be done concerning this junction and parts of the road before more drivers are seriously or fatally injured.

Over the last two months, I’ve been in contact with Richard Davies at Lincolnshire County Council’s highways department.

His opinion is that there is not a problem – it’s the drivers. We all know this is true, but I believe we must be protected from them.

Following my meeting with Mr Hayes, he is now trying to arrange a meeting with Mr Davies to discuss the on-going problems.

So Mr Davies, is it not about time you left the comfort of your office and looked at this junction?

Have you ever been to look at the junction when it is at its busiest?

In the meantime, and in response to safety issues at this junction, the county’s senior coroner, Professor Robert Forrest, has bypassed the highways department and is now writing to the Secretary of State for Transport.

At last, I’m so pleased that someone, hopefully, is going to listen to the local residents of the area.

I’m just sorry that it has taken the loss of so many lives to get to this point.

A new ‘non-judgemental’ integrated sexual health service is launching in boston and other areas of the county this month.

This Lincolnshire Integrated Sexual Health service (LISH) will provide a flexible, confidential service to anyone who need it for sexually transmitted infection/HIV advice, screening and treatment and/or contraceptive health needs.

From April 1, Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) became the main provider of sexual health services in the county, on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council, through the council’s public health grant. The same services will continue to be delivered with improved access, extended opening hours and additional clinics.

LISH will also provide an outreach service, delivered through a new ‘clinic in a boot’ mobile initiative. Sexual health staff will be able to deliver services based on a need, in a confidential room in an area which doesn’t have a static clinic. For instance, if a GP requests chlamydia screening because of a recent outbreak this can be delivered through this initiative.

Paula Moody, strategic lead, Adult Public Health Services for LCHS, said: “We’re thrilled to be providing an extended sexual health service for the people of Lincolnshire.

“We will still be offering the services we previously provided such as FLY-Bye clinics, contraception, emergency contraception and sexual health screening with the addition of the C-Card scheme.”

Clinics are available at Boston, Skegness, Sleaford, Spalding, Lincoln, Louth, Gainsborough, Grantham and Stamford. Future plans will also see this outreach service delivered from a ‘health bus’ which will be available at different locations throughout the year.

Paula added: “We are also working with the Terrence Higgins Trust to provide chlamydia screening. Chlamydia screening kits can be ordered through our dedicated sexual health website.”

A dedicated sexual health website is now available on any platform with the internet, making it easy for people to access anytime anywhere. The website features information on clinics, contraception, STIs, HIV, safer sex and the C-Card scheme. Visit the website at: www.lincolnshirehealthyfamilies.nhs.uk/sexualhealth

To book an appointment at any clinic, call the central booking line number on 01522 308800 which is open 8am-6.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8am-5pm on Fridays.

You can also follow @LCHSSexHealth on Twitter and LCHS Sexual Health on Facebook.

I have just received a copy of the Government’s propaganda leaflet (stretching to 16 pages) that we, as taxpayers have paid for, on why we should remain in the EU.

I have never seen an official document with so many untruths and half-truths.

They say: If the UK votes to leave, there would be a risk of higher prices in some household goods.

I say: And a dramatic reduction in others.

They say: A vote to leave could mean a decade or more of uncertainties.

I say: A vote to remain would mean permanent entrapment and servitude.

They say: EU membership means UK police can use law enforcement intelligence from 27 EU countries.

I say: But is denied intelligence from other countries because it would have to be released to the leaky EU.

The only jobs that would be lost would be the MEPs, who each cost us over £1million a year in salaries and expenses.

June 23 (they did at least get the date right) will be your chance to right the wrongs of 1975. It is an opportunity we should grasp with both hands.

Although perhaps showing my age a little too much, the title of this article and indeed a memorable hit by The Clash from the early 80s, sums up quite nicely the decision that we will all be debating over the course of the coming weeks, writes Andrew Cross.

The EU Referendum, by its nature, will of course divide opinion within the differing commercial sectors as well as communities and indeed households alike. Human nature will mean that the ‘what’s in it for me?’ question will always be a key factor in any decision and inevitably the industry or sector you are involved in will have a large bearing on this.

My work alongside the local agricultural, horticultural community along with the wider food chain coexists with other family involvements in the NHS, Service & Manufacturing sectors. I am sure this picture is replicated around many dining tables and that lively debate is commonplace.

Two factors where there is no argument, in our household, are the need for quality information on which to base decisions rather than mere political bluster and the importance of the agricultural and horticultural sector to both the local and national economy. The outcome of the Referendum has the potential for a ‘ripple’ effect throughout the national food chain. Whilst hard facts appear to be at a premium in the national press, the NFU has commissioned a world-leading research agricultural institute to consider the impact if the UK were to leave the EU.

The findings of this report can be read in a report entitled ‘British Agriculture – The implications of a UK exit from the EU’ which has been rolled out at a series of recent EU Referendum meetings.

If you were unable to attend one of these meetings, the report is available on the NFU website http://www.nfuonline.com

Market Deeping rector the Rev P O Ashby and Mrs Ashby were photographed outside Buckingham Palace in 1916.

Mr Ashby, chaplain to the Lincolns, had been decorated by the King with the Military Cross for “conspicuous bravery at Ypres”.

The report stated: “At one period Mr Ashby, who has done such good service as chaplain to the Lincolns, was in the trenches for eight weeks without a break.”

The photograph had appeared originally in the Daily Graphic.

The other local man to receive high military honours in 1916 was Liet-Colonel Edward Hilliam, son of Mrs Hilliam, of Cowbit Road, Spalding, who was serving with the Canadian Contingent at the front. He was with the Canadian troops in their “historic fight and charge” near Ypres.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).

A regular column from South Holland Centre in Spalding.

An upcoming exhibition screening from The Cleveland Museum of Art and The Royal Academy London ‘Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse’ explores the intriguing relationship between the world’s greatest artists and horticulture.

The film, at South Holland Centre on Wednesday, May 4 at 2pm, will transport viewers across Europe to some of the most beautiful gardens depicted in art, from Monet’s water lilies at Giverny to Bonnard’s privately owned garden in Vernonnet.

It will also offer privileged access to the artworks they inspired, which have been on display at the Royal Academy exhibition for several weeks (concluding tomorrow).

Behind-the-scenes visits to these stunning landscapes provide an essential backdrop to the exhibition, examining the role of the garden in art history from Impressionism to the Avant-Garde.

Cinemagoers will be able to appreciate the natural beauty from which painters such as Liebermann, Sorolla and Nolde worked, and discover how these inspiring surroundings translated on to the canvas.

This film offers fresh insights from international gardening experts and art critics in order to bring the history of the garden’s relationship with art to life. Interviews with renowned modern artists Lachlan Goudie and Tania Kovats will also reveal how the relationship between the artist and the natural world continues to flourish in the 21st century.

Exhibition screening tickets are £10, or £7.50 for schools.

Before the film, budding Monets (over the age of 16) wishing to capture the colour of spring can join local artist Rosie Redzia in Ayscoughfee Gardens for a two-hour ‘Drawing The Garden’ workshop at 10.30am. Workshop tickets are £10 from the Box Office 01775 764777 or online at www.southhollandcentre.co.uk

The cheery spirit of the men in the trenches was a source of wonder to two Bourne men at the front.

Pte Harold Robinson and Pte Stephen Grummitt, who were serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps, expressed their surprise in letters home in 1916.

Pte Robinson was the son of Frank Robinson, of West Street, and Pte Grummitt was the son of John Grummitt, of Willoughby Road.

Writing from “somewhere in France” the men firstly reassured those at home that “although during the past three months we have been under the rough conditions of active service, we are yet always happy”.

They continued: “Our rations are fine. We have always plenty to eat although at the front, we are properly looked after, and are quite content.”

The work the men were doing was being “constantly up the line, bringing down the wounded”.

Their corps did not carry rifles, but the men assured those at home, “for our part, if need be, we should be quite willing to carry one, to help to bring this war to a victorious end”.

One of the letters continued: “It makes our blood boil to see our poor brave men, so badly wounded, yet they are so cheery.

“Indeed, the cheery spirit of the men in the trenches fills one with wonder. They are always happy.”

Another Bourne man, Pte Fred Hinson, son of Jabez Hinson, of Wood View, wrote home about the fun he was having training mules with Pte Hobbs.

The pair were in the Transport Section and were training mules to use harnesses by a railway line when a train passed. Fred said by the time the train had gone by there were no mules left in the field and they had the job of catching them again.

There have been reports about a hit and run incident in Spalding in which a car and van were seriously damaged.

The incident happened around 11am in Spring Gardens.

A witness said a car and large van were seriously damaged at the bottom end of the street.

More on this as we get it.

Lidl is recalling packs of ‘Green Grocer’s brand of Mexican, Gourmet and Oriental Mixed Vegetables because they contain milk, gluten, soya and celery which are not mentioned on the label in English.

This means the 750g packs may be a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents and/or gluten or an allergy to soya and/or celery.

CABINET CALL: By South Holland District Councillor Nick Worth

As part of our commitment to helping the South Holland economy develop and thrive, we’re inviting anyone looking for a job or a career change to the South Holland Jobs Fair.

The free annual event takes place between 10am – 2pm on Tuesday, April 26 at the South Holland Centre in Spalding and gives people the chance to speak to over 30 employers and training providers from a range of industries who are currently recruiting in the district.

The Jobs Fair, which is organised by the council’s Economic Development team in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, has been running for six years now and is widely recognised as a very useful event – last year around 400 people attended.

Representatives from several sectors including the food industry, care and training providers will be on hand to discuss current vacancies as well as offering information about a wide range of jobs.

You can also get career advice and learn about the skills needed for different roles.

Helpful hints will be offered to anyone who is thinking of starting their own business or looking to benefit from training and development opportunities.

So if you’re looking for work or want to learn more about different careers and opportunities, you will find it a very valuable experience.

Meanwhile, a recent networking event giving local businesses the chance to understand about opportunities for working with South Holland District Council has been hailed as a success.

The first-ever ‘Meet the Buyer’ event took place at the South Holland Centre in Spalding back in February and was attended by over 80 people.

The event gave business representatives the opportunity to learn about winning contracts to provide goods and services for the authority, as well as taking part in some valuable networking.

I’d like to thank everyone who attended and organisers from our Economic Team.

For more information about the South Holland Jobs Fair contact 01775 764895 or email economicdevelopment@sholland.gov.uk