CABINET CALL: By Coun Malcolm Chandler

In my previous column I wrote about issues our Licensing team were facing, focusing on reviews brought over illegal sales in off licences.

As a result of evidence presented to the Licensing committee, some seven licences were recently revoked.

It is the democratic right of licence holders to challenge these decisions in court and during the time it takes to be discharged by the magistrates, the premises can continue to sell alcohol.

I strongly believe that Licensing authorities should be given increased powers to deal with this issue.

Licensing legislation is complicated and there are many misconceptions over what authorities can do.

Under the Licensing Act 2003, South Holland District Council is required to grant an alcohol licence unless representations are received from interested parties or responsible authorities such as the police and Trading Standards.

Previously strong emphasis was required of applicants to demonstrate there was a need for new premises – but that disappeared with the current legislation.

Since last year we have been looking at the prospect of introducing a Cumulative Impact Policy (CIP) which would add to the Licensing Authority’s powers to refuse licence applications.

Back in 2013 a full review of this opportunity was carried out with a view to introducing a CIP in Spalding.

Police analysed the number of off licences and alcohol-related antisocial behaviour incidents between 2008 and 2012. It was concluded that there was insufficient evidence to show a clear link between the two factors.

Since then several other initiatives have been introduced to tackle the root cause of the problem.

These included the Safer Spalding Scheme designed to promote responsible alcohol retailing strongly supported by the local Chamber of Trade, Operation Trunk to enforce the Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) and Street Pastors to help tackle the problem of street drinking. The matter has been kept under review and the team are again working closely with the local Police Inspector and the Police Licensing Unit to assist with supplying information relating to alcohol-related crime over the last 12 months.

As part of that process we have encouraged the public to report incidents to the Police.

When I last met with our local MP to discuss these issues he pledged his support to the Cumulative Impact process. We shall be seeking his support when the evidence has been collected for review.

Furthermore, we shall be seeking support for the reintroduction of ‘Need’ into the Licensing requirements. Going forward we will look to have a legally more robust approach to alcohol licensing, giving greater powers locally to Licensing Authorities allowing them to continue to work for the general wellbeing of the communities and to ensure that those licensed premises in the district operate legally and responsibly.

Spalding Business Club is welcoming Paul Wilson, founder of PRwilson Media to its next meeting on Thursday, May 7.

It takes place at Bookmark Spalding in The Crescent and features a talk on social media website LinkedIn and how it can be used to help businesses grow.

For more details, call Ken Maggs of Moore Thompson Accountants on 01775 711333.

WARD’S WORLD: By John Ward

The sun was quite bright for the time of the day, morning before you wonder, and I double checked with the Bumper Book of Planets & Other Things Dangling in the Sky and yes, it was the sun – it’s been so long now, it comes as shock to see it is the sun.

Just to add to the fun, it was also Sun-day as in the one after Saturday but before Monday.

So all things considered, a drive into Spalding was on the cards and so off we go to see what wondrous delights are awaiting one’s wallet in this vast metropolis that is the consumer paradise of endless bargains and wonderment. I must rest up I know but I feel it’s worth saying a good word or two about the place in case strangers are reading this. I was totally amazed as during the whole trip in along the A151 and over the roundabout at the junction of the A16, then into the town centre or the Hub as some might call it, as during this trip I did not encounter any roadworks and in some respects I feel cheated as it is expected, more so with decent weather basically here.

I parked with ease, then got out the car and decisions of the day then came up in the mind and after careful consideration; I wandered off in the direction of a DIY store to see what was up for grabs or at the very least, even pay for at the check out. On getting through the doors, I was greeted with: “Can I guide you to the area you require?” to which I replied I was just killing a bit of time - to be honest I was really checking on the pricing structure or put another way, how much has it gone up by this week.

The reply was thus as the ‘semi-posh accent was gorn’: “Okay den, wunder oft alung there then and ‘ave a gander!” was the chirpy reply and to hear it spoken in fluent Spaldernease was quite refreshing as none of the usual: “Howw mhay I hellp yhoo todhay?” as spoken in cut glass English with all the charm of somebody auditioning for the part of Eliza Doosmall in ‘Moy Fare Lhady’ as spoken by Charlotte Pilkington Mudd-Flap from Customer Services.

I did indeed ‘wunder alung’ and I brought a ‘clearance line’ (?) spanner, one of, big, that while I don’t really have a use for it but the price was indeed right, much like the woman folk who buy stuff or ‘bargains’ two or three or four sizes too small and a book of ‘How to Perform Miracles in Three Days (or sizes maybe?)’, however in my case I feel sure it will come in handy the next time a bowl of walnuts presents itself at Christmas time. I prefer the blunt instrument approach to cracking walnuts as opposed to the usual, nay accepted, method of using nut-crackers as I find it easier to lay the nut on a wooden block, breed of tree not that important if you are taking notes at this stage, and then cover said nut with a non fluffy piece of cloth so that it contains all the broken outer shell so that nothing flies off and then uncovering it to retrieve the actual nut, or kernel, depending on your education level of course.

Once out of the DIY metropolis, off to the delights of the supermarket. Wandering around, as opposed to ‘wundering’, I came across the bakery section and commenting to a baker who was replenishing some stock on those stands that has the tags pointing out everything is a pound an item, I informed him that we had one of the packs of jam doughnuts last week and had found a smear of jam in one and I wondered if he could guide me to where I might fill in a claim form in order to be entered into the prize draw for getting a whole pack with jam in all of them but all I got was a sheepish grin and silence, so I assume it’s already been won – they tell us nothing, absolutely nothing.

Back to the car now – you are keeping up I hope – and once in and getting ready to go, I put the radio on more to hear of any possible traffic hold-ups locally so I can nip along and join in so that I know in myself, I have indeed visited the town in all its usual, and expected, glory. But what do I get? – waffle in the form of ‘results of surveys’ that are usually meaningless as in – wait for it – ‘Woman are more attracted to handsome men’ (you don’t say..) and I can vouch for that although I have now got wiser and instead of talking them out of it, I now give them a card from a local opticians to get in for an eye test pronto. However another side to this is that it does tend to alienate the likes of Quasimodo and his kindred folk as how does this make them feel? – no ‘survey’ results for his lot were mentioned, so I feel sorry for poor Quasi and his mates plus what must his mum, Mrs Modo, think about it all?

Having had enough of that, I twiddled the station thingy and after hearing whatever it was they were warbling, bless me if we then went into ‘recent research shows that’ waffle and this time it was somebody going on about possible life forms on other planets and how many years research had gone into assorted experiments and such like but we all know by now if there was any life form on another or any planet, planning permission would have been put in for the first ‘zap through’ burger joint and opening offer of a free ‘Zoonie Melt’ , with crushed nuts, with every order for the first load of intergalactic coach trippers passing through.

Sadly while all these efforts from many countries are going on to send probes, manned craft when available or still waiting for spare parts as in ‘The man in the service dept. said the bits will be in by Tuesday and will ring when it’s ready’ syndrome, plus bouncing radio beams off the side of the said planets to see if there is water there and if so, when can the first hand car wash joint start up?.

This all takes money, loads of, plus while all these folk are engaged in these loss making ventures and using valuable planet resources to overstate the blindingly obvious, why do we still have vast amounts of potholes in our roads on this planet and more so this county. So what is the chance ‘life forms’ on other planets will be sending probes to see when they can send a gang down to get them fixed or put another way, instead of wasting money of playing at ‘Star Struck’, we have enough things that need sorting down here first before flights of fancy in the name of science. Boldly going, but do mind the potholes...

THOUGHTS OF A FRUITCAKE: By Carolyn Aldis

So, last week, one of my daughters had to go to hospital to have some teeth removed under G.A, to make room for her brace. It’s quite a straightforward procedure, although she had to have an extra tooth removed from her palate.

Normally, having more of something is a positive thing...the buy one get one free offers, 50% extra in your crisp packet, 6 apples in a bag instead of 5...extra teeth are a negative, though, and need removing.

I felt, as her mother, that I should have been the one that went with her...I was there when they had their routine injections as babies, I took them to the doctor when they were poorly and I spent four days in a room the size of a cupboard with a three-week-old with suspected meningitis.

But I’m not very good at doing these things with them...their routine injections? They were not the only ones sobbing and as the nurse passed me a tissue and said “I see it all the time, don’t worry,” I still felt foolish. Visiting the doctor, I would feel anxious, worried that the innocent cough was pneumonia, the sickness would never stop or that the routine appointment would turn into a medical emergency...which it did when my unusually sleepy baby wouldn’t wake up.

I was in such a state by the time we got into the isolation room, that when they took her for a lumbar puncture, I couldn’t cope with anymore...I asked to be excused and left her in the care of her Daddy, while I sobbed, listening to her cries and feeling like a failure.

Relaying the lumbar puncture later, my husband told me that he had his hand on her head the whole time, and whispered “God loves you, Jesus loves you, Mummy loves you and Daddy loves you”, over and over again into her ear.

See, I would like to think I would do that, but I don’t operate rationally when it’s an emotional moment; I’m too busy having my own meltdown.

This kind of set the pattern that I deal with the basic stuff, but when it comes to hospital care, my husband is the man for the job. He is just so much better at it.

I knew that when he took our daughter for her operation at 7.30am, he would be considerate and not eat or drink anything, because she couldn’t either. I also knew that he would crack jokes and keep her entertained while they waited, to take her mind off it and help her relax...whereas I would say something stupid about problems during routine procedures. He would be calm while he waited with her until she was “under” – just the thought makes me want to cry, I really would be useless. It’s another shared memory that only her father went through with her, strengthening their bond.

What helped me most was knowing that not only was she in the care of her father, but also in the care of her Heavenly Father, who is as soft over her, in fact more so, than I am.

Engineers have been called out to a broadband junction box in Spalding that was damaged on Friday.

The cause is unknown and a BT spokesman said: “Our cabinet on Ladywood Road has been damaged and our engineers have been to the site.

“We are assessing the damage to see what repairs need to take place.”

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: By Pastor Ross Dean, Fleet and Sutton St James Baptist Churches

In about six weeks time, I will be heading off to Normandy again with our few surviving Normandy veterans, perhaps for the last time, to visit the battle fields of their youth, and to pay tribute to the fallen.

Remembering in war grave cemeteries, that bear testimony to the bravery and self sacrifice of soldiers, sailors and airmen, who fought for the peace that we enjoy today.

In today’s troubled world, with so many people prepared to take perilous journeys, many trying to come to Europe, where they seek a better life for their families, we need to be very careful that we do not judge all people by the acts of a few.

We need to have compassion for the needs of others, and remember that Jesus had compassion on the multitude, who he saw as sheep without a shepherd. For me, seeing the lines of people making their way across borders, and with no real idea of their final destination, draws a parallel with the multitude on whom Jesus had compassion.

Just stop and think how you would feel, if you were suddenly homeless, hungry and unsure what the future held. Would you want someone to have compassion on you? I would.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) have moved to reassure dog owners that getting their pet microchipped is perfectly safe.

Earlier this month, it became law for all dogs in the UK to be microchipped and registered on an approved database. But some media reports have caused concern amongst pet lovers by linking microchipping to health problems.

Dogs Naturally Magazine, and numerous online commentators and bloggers, have cited reports linking microchips to cancerous growths, neurological damage and complications stemming from the microchipping procedure.

But a joint statement from the BVA and the BSAVA warned against scaremongering and reassured British dog owners that getting your dog ‘chipped’ is perfectly safe:“We’d like to reassure all dog owners that microchipping is a routine and harmless procedure that provides your pet with a form of identification that lasts a lifetime.

“For vets, your pet’s welfare is their primary concern and if they think that microchipping could have an adverse effect on your dog’s health – for example, because of existing ill-health - then they can issue an exemption certificate, but this is not a decision that dog owners should be taking themselves.”

The organisations admit that adverse reactions to microchipping are possible, they are very unlikely: “Adverse reactions to microchipping are incredibly rare and while temporary swelling could occur or migration of the microchip might take place over time these are uncommon and harmless possibilities.

“Very few veterinary surgeons ever see an adverse outcome of microchipping, while many see heartbroken pet owners whose dog has been lost and finding them has been delayed due to lack of a microchip. Last year, 7 in 10 vets could not reunite a dog with its owners because it didn’t have an identifier.

“A microchip that is implanted properly at your local veterinary practice and then checked during your pet’s regular vet visits can save lives as well as emotional heartache for owners.”

As microchipping your dog is now law, the BVA has developed guidance for owners - and for vets - regarding their respective responsibilities on dog welfare.

A Spalding-based nursing home has been named as the top care home in the county.

The 47-bed Ashwood Nursing Home, of Spalding Common, has also been voted number three best care home in the East Midlands.

The accolades have come from the online care home directory carehome.co.uk, which helps tens of thousands of people search for the right care home.

The award is based on resident and relative feedback, with Ashwood Nursing Home currently boasting a score of 10/10, from 95 reviews.

There are more than 25,000 recommendations across the whole Carehome.co.uk website

Daniella Phillips, manager of Ashwood Nursing Home, said: “We are all absolutely delighted to find out that Ashwood Nursing Home has come first in Lincolnshire and third in East Midlands, in the Carehome.co.uk awards.

“This award gives our dedicated and hard working team the recognition they deserve.

She added: “We constantly strive to give our residents the best care possible, and it seems this hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“Thank you to everyone.”

Ashwood is part of the Country Court Care Group, and is registered to provide Nursing and Dementia care to the local community.

Resident Josephine gave the home an “excellent” rating.

She said: “This is a very special home. I have been made to feel very welcome. The staff are so caring.”

“Nothing is ever too much for them.”

In the past few weeks we have heard arguments from both sides of the fence on whether we should stay in the EU or leave it. Today we give a platform to John Marriott of the South Lincolnshire Liberal Democrats.

Well, the ‘official’ EU referendum campaign has finally begun. Funny, it appears to have been going on for months already.

I was interested to see the images of the two official campaigns juxtaposed today in the BBC report on my TV screen.

The ‘Leave’ campaign was illustrated by old footage of Tories Grayling, Gove and Whittingdale, etc, manning the phone lines, whereas the ‘In’ footage showed Tory, 
Labour and Lib Dem politicians, including the Prime Minister, doing the same thing.

For an organisation that has tried so far to be unfailingly impartial in its reporting of the campaign in its ‘phoney war’ stage, I have a feeling that the BBC has possibly given the ‘In’ campaign a visual leg up, by showing its multi-party nature.

Now, whether we get politicians of different parties actually sharing a platform as we did in 1975 is a different matter.

So far, the arguments for and against have been pretty well rehearsed. We should park immigration for a moment, which could be the deciding factor, but which will still pose problems for us whether or not we stay in the EU.

As an EU pragmatist, who thinks that, on balance, leaving the EU now would be a massive gamble, I do have to say that some of the arguments being put forward repeatedly by the Brexiters need challenging.

Let’s start with sovereignty. I tend to take the Johnsonian view of patriotism. For me, what is more important is to work with my neighbours. If compromise is required in a few specific areas I can live with that.

I just wish that people would stop saying that we are ruled by Brussels. If you want an honest answer, many of us up here in Lincolnshire are fed up with being ruled by London! Oh, and I shall be roaring England on in the upcoming European Football championships. As far as sport is concerned, I think I could pass the Tebbit test.

“The UK is the world’s fifth largest economy”. That appears to be the economic mantra coming from the Brexit side. So, how did we get to this exalted position? It wasn’t surely from making things. We stopped doing that on a large scale decades ago, thanks mainly to stroppy unions, weak management and Mrs T.

In fact, the same arrogant attitude that the world owes us a living that pervaded in the 1950s, 60s and 70s appears to be alive and well and living in the Brexit camp today.

No, we are probably where we are today largely because of our ability to shuffle money around in the city and elsewhere, which, together with our easy access to Europe’s single market has proved very attractive to major firms across the world.

According to the Guardian 100,000 financial services jobs could be lost if we vote to leave. It would seem pretty easy to transfer that desk and computer to Paris or Frankfurt compared with building a new car factory in the Czech Republic and there surely goes your fifth position in the world economic rankings.

“We don’t want to be part of a European Super State”. Neither do I and I have a sneaking suspicion that neither do the citizens of most of the other member states of the EU either.

I reckon that the EU in ten years time will be a very different animal from what it is today. Are you listening Mr Juncker? It might not quite be the ‘Common Market’ that I and millions of my fellow citizens voted to stay in 41 years ago; but it will still be a place in which I hope that my children and grandchildren will thrive long after I have gone.

Heavy land combinable crops farming is going through a very painful period at present, writes Tony Gent.

Deterioration of soil structure, grass weed problems and economics are causing many to reconsider their rotation and the system they use. It is essential that as a result of this pain these problems are addressed appropriately.

The main cause of soil structure problems is loss of organic matter. This is mainly caused by over cultivation which allows the soil to dry out and oxides away the organic matter and kills worms and microbes in the soil.

The main grass weed problem we have is black grass which has become very resistant to control by selective herbicide, therefore any seeds returned to the soil will produce plants that are now impossible to kill. If those seeds are cultivated into the soil, then the problem will resurface for many years to come every time the soil is moved by cultivation.

One aspect of the economic problem is low world commodity price, which we can do nothing about, but we can do something about cost.

So we have a soil structure problem that’s caused by moving soil around too much, an ongoing grass weed problem that will not go away if we keep bringing viable seeds to the surface and an economic problem that’s made much worse by enormous cultivation costs.

No-till is not an instant magic fix; on heavy poorly structured soil it will take time, but worms and microbes soon recover and soil structure quickly improves. Grass weed seeds are left on the surface where they are much easier to deal with, either by natural deterioration or geminating before subsequent crop is sown and then killed off by broad spectrum herbicide.

The adoption of no-till will therefore improve soil structure, help control grass weeds, relieve economic pressure and turn the pain into a positive.

Pinchbeck Mothers’ Union (MU) marked the organisation’s 140th anniversary with celebrations at St Mary’s Church Hall.

Pat Lake, secretary of Pincbeck MU, said the MU was founded by Mary Sumner, wife of the Rector of Old Alresford, in 1876.

Mary was inspired by a great vision concerning the Christian responsibilities of motherhood. From that humble beginning, the MU now works with people of all faiths and none in 83 countries, promoting stable marriage, family life and the protection of children through praying, enabling and campaigning.

Mrs Lake said: “Queen Victoria was the first Royal Patron, today it is Queen Elizabeth II.

“The MU tries very hard to improve conditions for families, it runs many programmes to bring literacy to areas where few can read or write and tries to help women especially to set up their own business, to help pay for food and schooling.

“In the developed world it runs a ‘Bye Bye Childhood’ campaign against commercialisation and sexualisation of children – campaigning against unsuitable, pre-watershed programmes, video games, clothes and pop videos.”

The MU also leads a campaign to try to stop violence against women and girls.

“Passionate about Parenting” is one of the MU’s most extensive programmes and it now helps parents in 26 countries, including England.

Four local MU groups, Pinchbeck, Spalding St John’s, Spalding St Mary’s and Moulton, attended a Lady Day Service at Moulton on April 4.

Main aims of The Mothers’ Union (MU) are:

• Promote and support married life.

• Encourage parents in their role to develop the faith of their children.

• Maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service.

• Promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children.

• Help those whose family life has met with adversity.

You don’t need to be married or a mother to belong to the MU.

• For more information on Pinchbeck MU, please contact its chairman, Janet Bettinson on 01775 766170 or Mrs Lake on 01775 724487

This photograph of “a merry lot of troopers” appeared in these newspapers in 1916.

They were (standing, from left) Cecil Webster, of Moulton Seas End; Charles Wright, of Ruskington; and Herbert Didwell, of Spalding, and late of Holbeach (last two not shown).

The mounted troopers were F Ward, of Holbeach Fen; Arthur William Taylor, of Stockwell Gate, Holbeach; Arthur Fletcher, of Whaplode; Frank Woolhouse, of Stamford; and William Wass, of Tallington.

The men were all in Egypt, except for Arthur Taylor, who the report said “through a motor accident, is at home awaiting his discharge”.

The horse, adorned with Frank Woolhouse’s cap, was the property of Ward, and had been bought by the Government the day after England declared war.

With regard to the recent articles on the abysmal traffic problems in Gosberton.

There are two issues that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

They are the need for a crossing on Gosberton high street and a restriction on the use of Gosberton as a rat run for heavy lorries.

With the significant and sustained increase in traffic on the A152, as confirmed in the recent traffic survey, the village has effectively been cut in two.

While one side of the high street has the medical centre, a butcher’s and a main bus stop, the other side has a post office, dentist and stores.

For a thriving village with a significant older population and young children attending two schools, it is an intolerable situation.

The population of the village and the traffic flow, on a straight road, through the village demands action.

Part of this increase in traffic relates to the heavy lorries thundering through the village all hours of the day, seven days a week.

With many properties so close to the main road and a minimal footpath, this too is not only a significant nuisance but also a threat to pedestrians.

While I understand that we are in a rural area with many livelihoods dependent upon produce and its transportation, the only reason for this traffic is profit.

The transport companies simply use Gosberton as a rat run to avoid the A17, reduce costs and increase their profit. All at the expense of safety, health and society.

Although this is not a new problem, there has been a substantial increase in lorry movements through the village in recent years.

The villages of Quadring, Gosberton and Donnington are all affected by this blight, all for the sake of 4.7 miles – the difference in distance between using the A17 rather than the A152.

While a pedestrian crossing in the village would be welcome, the air and noise pollution from lorries stopping and starting would be more intolerable than at present.

The only solution is an immediate weight limit through the high street and a pedestrian crossing.

We cannot afford to have another village cut in two by unnecessary traffic and risk the lives of our community.

It is, of course, understood that the current Turners depot in Quadring would not be affected by any weight limit, although we would expect it to be applicable to the depot in Donnington.

I would, however, express sympathy with the villagers of Quadring and question the council for allowing such a high volume of vehicle movements so late in the evening.

There was an interesting letter from Mark Tinsley in last week’s Guardian.

I do understand his concern about the uncertainty surrounding the result of the referendum on the UK’s EU membership.

Unfortunately, this applies equally to both sides of the debate.

There are nine prospective new members waiting in the wings to join the EU after our vote. They all have underdeveloped agricultural industries and will want EU support.

The EU generates no money of its own. Farming subsidies and other grants are all paid for by contributions from a few main EU members, including the UK – and we get back far less than we pay in.

No-one knows exactly what will happen if we remain. It will certainly herald huge change and expansion of EU control, not the status quo.

It may help to know that the Conservative agriculture minister, George Eustice, supports Brexit and believes that UK farm subsidies will continue as before, while support for farmers may actually increase.

That surely has to be better than the UK paying out to farmers in up to 36 other nations.

The issue of migrant labourers would not be a problem either. After Brexit, they could still apply for temporary fixed-time work visas and those who have special skills that are needed could enter under a points system, subject to proper screening.

The same applies to the health services. NHS hospitals will not suddenly lose their migrant workers, that’s just part of the scare campaign.

EU nationals already living here legally would not be affected.

An administration which fails to produce a plan B, in case it loses, is acting irresponsibly and for political purposes.

There will be huge change after June, whatever we decide.

Personally, I prefer to have that change controlled by people I can vote out if they get it wrong, not by unelected committees in Brussels, so I will vote to leave.

Ben Allen’s hat-trick helped Moulton Harrox to secure the title in style on Saturday.

Following a midweek defeat at Pinchbeck United, they still needed one point to be crowned champions in the ChromaSport & Trophies Peterborough and District League Premier Division.

Allen put them 2-0 up at half-time away to Stilton United and Harrox went on to claim a 5-1 victory.

Captain Billy King and Daniel Lambe-Hyner were also on target to remain 20 points clear at the top of the table.

Manager Dave Panton said: “It’s a relief, to be honest.

“The lads have been superb all season and it was just a case of getting over the line.

“We are not used to losing so when we were beaten 2-1 at Pinchbeck we had to regroup because we had gone unbeaten so long into the season.

“Ben scored a cracking hat-trick and we got the job done.”

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT LEAGUE

Premier Division: AFC Stanground 1 Pinchbeck 3, Ketton 1 Whittlesey 3, Langtoft 0 Thorney 2, Stilton 1 Moulton Harrox 5.

Division One: Baston 1 Sutton Bridge 1, Oundle 4 Spalding Res 1, Stamford Belvedere 0 Langtoft Res 3, Warboys 0 Long Sutton 7, Whittlesey Res 1 Wisbech Res 2, Wittering 0 Peterborough ICA Sports Res 3.

Division Two: Leverington Sports Res 3 Parkway Eagles 2, Peterborough Polonia 0 Oakham Res 2, Pinchbeck Res 1 Whittlesey A 1, Spalding Town 3 Glinton & Northborough 2.

Division Three: Farcet 1 Ramsey 4, Stamford Lions Res 1 Eye 3, Stanground Sports 5 Thorpe Wood Rangers 1.

Division Four: Brotherhood Sports 5 Whaplode Drove 1, Holbeach Bank v Stamford Belvedere Res abandoned, Rutland DR 3 Long Sutton Res 2, Warboys Res 1 Tydd St Mary Res 4.

Division Five: Harrowby Res 5 KRC Deeping 0, Leverington Sports A 5 FC Peterborough Res 1, Limetree UTR 4 Feeder 1.

The penultimate Saturday of the season saw home defeats for Holbeach United, Deeping Rangers and Bourne Town.

The Tigers suffered a sixth successive loss in the ChromaSport & Trophies United Counties League Premier Division.

Newport Pagnell Town had lost on their last four Carter’s Park visits but proved too strong for the tired Tigers as they completed a double.

Greg Ling made the Newport breakthrough 19 minutes in and the Swans added a 33rd-minute second through Paul Edgeworth.

Ollie Pinner won possession to set up Jake Clitheroe for a 41st-minute reply but it wasn’t enough to end Holbeach’s losing run.

Deeping’s poor run continued as Jordan Nuttell’s hat-trick brought a well-deserved win for Boston Town.

The Poachers started brightly and Ryan Parnell was off target after Terry Fleming’s pass in behind the defence sent him clear.

After 13 minutes Parnell again got in behind the home rearguard, his shot was pushed out by Danny Bircham but Nuttell was well placed to fire in off the foot of the post.

Chris Hibbitt sent Scott Coupland away on the left but he shot across goal and shortly afterwards he rattled the post from close range.

David Burton-Jones was close to a leveller before the break, collecting Tom Smith’s pass and shooting narrowly wide from 25 yards.

Deeping levelled five minutes into the second half. Dan Flack’s deep cross from the right allowed Luke Avis to fire high into the net at the far post.

Thereafter it was Boston who regained the initiative with Nuttell playing Fraser Bayliss clear only for Bircham to save.

Bayliss then had a shot deflected over but the Poachers went back in front after 66 minutes - Bayliss’ lay-off finding Nuttell to shoot hard and low into the bottom corner.

Two minutes later another good finish from Nuttell saw him complete his treble.

Jason Field was narrowly off target from a free-kick and Deeping never looked like getting back into the game.

Division One champions Peterborough Sports won at the Abbey Lawn for a third season running.

Karl Gibbs put them ahead two minutes past the hour but Zak Munton’s 24th goal of the season six minutes later got Bourne on level terms.

Sports produced an immediate response with Gibbs restoring their lead after 70 minutes and former Spalding United striker Josh Moreman extending it after 73.

Gibbs took his season’s goal total to 35 with his hat-trick goal after 83 minutes.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Premier Division: Cogenhoe 2 Harborough 0, Deeping 1 Boston 3, Desborough 6 Harrowby 1, Eynesbury 0 Northampton Spencer 1, Holbeach 1 Newport Pagnell 2, Kirby Muxloe 0 Yaxley 2, Leicester Nirvana 3 Rothwell Corinthians 2, Oadby 0 AFC Kempston 4, Sileby 3 Sleaford 2, Wisbech 3 Wellingborough 2.

Division One: Blackstones 0 Whitworth 0, Bourne 1 Peterborough Sports 4, Burton Park Wanderers 2 Bugbrooke St Michaels 1, Oakham 2 Lutterworth 1, Olney 1 Stewarts & Lloyds Corby 0, Potton 2 Buckingham 0, Rushden & Higham 0 Long Buckby 1, Woodford 0 Raunds 1.

Reserve Division: Bugbrooke St Michaels 1 Cogenhoe 2, Harborough 2 Olney 0, Irchester 3 Thrapston 0, Northampton Spencer 2 Raunds 0, Peterborough Northern Star 6 Bourne 1, Rothwell Corinthians 2 Rushden & Higham 2.

ANCASTER CUP

Semi-final: Pointon 2 Stamford Lions 5 (Stamford Lions to play Bourne Res).

BALCAN LIGHTING SUPPLIES LINCOLNSHIRE LEAGUE

CGB Humbertherm 1 Wyberton 2, Cleethorpes DS 1 Hykeham 1, Sleaford Res 0 Skegness Town 7.

TAYLORS SERVICE GARAGES BOSTON LEAGUE

Taylors Garages Premier Division: Coningsby 1 Benington 0, Heckington 5 Wyberton Res 0, Old Leake 1 Spilsby 1, Skegness Town Res 1 Swineshead 6 (at Friskney).

Taylors Peugeot Division One: FC Wrangle 3 Freiston 1.

Taylors Ford Division Two: Billinghay Res 1 FC Kirton 2, Eastern European 3 Park 4, Fishtoft Res 4 Mareham 0, Holbeach Bank 5 Pointon Res 2, Kirton Town Res 5 Sibsey 7, Railway 3 Coningsby Res 2.

Taylors Vauxhall Division Three: FC Hammers 3 Spilsby Res 3, Old Doningtonians Res 2 Benington Res 1, Spalding Harriers 1 Wyberton A 0.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE WOMEN’S & GIRLS COUNTY LEAGUE

Under-13 North: Bluntisham 0 Bourne 5, Pinchbeck 2 Chatteris Town 0, Priory Parkside 2 St Ives 2.

Under-16: Histon 0 St Ives 3, Cambridge City 18 Burwell 1, Spalding 1 Pinchbeck 1.

Jordan Nuttell’s hat-trick earned the derby-day honours in a battle of two under-achieving teams.

The youngster – who started the season at Spalding United with plenty of expectation – ended Deeping Rangers’ mini unbeaten league run.

But they can’t wait for the campaign to finish after a poor start to 2016.

Since a 2-0 win at Boston Town ended last year on a high with ambitions of a top-four finish, Deeping have got two victories in 15 Premier Division games.

The Poachers’ inconsistent form has kept them in the bottom half of the table but there is no doubt they fully deserved three points at the Haydon Whitham Stadium on Saturday.

A bright start was duly rewarded as Ryan Parnell got into space behind defender Luke Hunnings and saw his shot pushed out by Danny Bircham to Nuttell who poked home.

Scott Coupland – who hit a hat-trick as Deeping knocked Boston out of the FA Cup last August – struck the post but Deeping were level just five minutes into the second half.

Dan Flack’s right-wing cross was converted at the far post by Luke Avis.

However, Boston regained the advantage when Fraser Bayliss capitalised on a poor header by Hunnings to set up Nuttell’s sidefoot finish.

Two minutes later Lori Borbely claimed the assist as Nuttell’s right-foot volley completed a treble to make it look pretty comfortable.

DEEPING RANGERS

4-1-3-2: Bircham; Flack, Hunnings, Marsden, Smith; Burton-Jones; Hibbitt, Dunn, Avis; Coupland, Mooney. Subs not used: Bird, Pycock.

BOSTON TOWN

4-4-2: Doughty; Fleming, Ashton, Field, Parker; Borbely, Ford, Dykes, Bayliss; Parnell, Nuttell. Subs not used: Callaby, Lempard.

REFEREE

Hallam Cutmore.

GOALS

Nuttell (13 mins, 0-1); Avis (50 mins, 1-1); Nuttell (66 mins, 1-2); Nuttell (68 mins, 1-3).

BOOKINGS

Hibbitt, Hunnings (fouls); Mooney (dissent).

ATTENDANCE

80

ENTERTAINMENT

★★

Boss Michael Goode called on Deeping Rangers to “put it right” after a below-par display.

They face a trip to Harrowby United on Tuesday night after five games without a win.

The Hinchingbrooke Cup semi-final defeat at home to Peterborough Northern Star was followed by Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Boston Town which ended a five-match unbeaten league run with four draws.

Goode – serving a three-match touchline ban – said: “It was very poor, but not for the full 90 minutes on Saturday.

“We played good football and created little openings. We hit the post and had another ball across the face of goal.

“But then we conceded a soft goal from a long ball behind our defence.

“After that we had three good spells of five minutes and at half-time we talked about playing the ball forward.

“As soon as we equalised, we tried to over-complicate it by over-playing and over-passing by giving the ball away in some ridiculous areas around the penalty box.

“We tried to do things that are outside the comfort zone. We are at this level for a reason and we’re not good enough to play to feet all the time.

“When it’s not going well, you have to work harder but for 90 minutes in the cup game and the second half on Saturday our ethic to win the ball back was not there.”

Spencer Tinkler and Ryan Semple are due to return to the squad for Tuesday’s game.

HAYES IN THE HOUSE: By MP John Hayes

There is a harmless joy in the ownership of some long desired possession which once acquired becomes prized. I recall collecting stamps as a child, with each new cherished discovery carefully arranged in my album.

The exceptionally wealthy can enjoy such thrills on an altogether different scale, though perhaps without quite the same simple pleasure. Football clubs became the plaything of the super-rich some time ago, with the increasing distinction between many small soccer clubs and the generously financed few having grown ever greater. A handful of richly adorned football businesses, having bought the most expensive players, have dominated the Premier League. Today, this small cabal of super-rich teams tend to monopolize the sport; a basic rule of thumb is that the teams with most money win the most trophies.

Much of modern football feels disconnected from the game of my youth, when working class men cheered players from the same background as their own; an era when clubs were representative of the communities and towns in which they were rooted.

That’s why the extraordinary rise of Leicester City this season has captured the popular imagination. A year ago Leicester were nearly relegated from the Premier League, today they sit atop the table and are just a few matches away from the most incredible title win since Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest triumphed in the late 1970s.

Although normally my sporting passions are directed to cricket and rugby union, in particular Leicester Tigers, it is hard to not to be swept up in the excitement of their neighbouring soccer team’s progress. The Foxes’ improbable ascent reminds us all that success is not limited to those with the deepest pockets, and that each of us are capable of achieving extraordinary things regardless of from where we start.

Perhaps the biggest lesson of all from Leicester City’s phenomenal rise is that time honoured (some would say unfashionable) values of hard work, perseverance, and determination trump all else. It’s not only about teamwork - individual achievements abound too; star striker Jamie Vardy has gone from playing non-league football just a few years ago to breaking Premiership records and representing England. What better demonstration could there be that raw talent will always win out in the end, and that we should never let self-doubt conquer self-belief.

All this contrasts with the wider corporate gloss that envelops contemporary professional sport – given vulgar glamour by the incomprehensible sums of money which flow through it – which explains why so many people are rooting for Leicester City. Few of us can resist a rags to riches tale, but hope is the magic that makes tales come true. As Leicester’s Italian manager Claudio Ranieri says, “in an era when money counts for everything, I think we give hope to everybody.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: Mr Hayes’ column was written before Jamie Vardy’s indescretion against West Ham at the weekend!

There was joy for Market Deeping, but despair for Bourne as the Lincs Premier Division season finally started yesterday (April 23).

After the first scheduled weekend was washed out completely, Deeping made the long haul to Grimsby and returned with a four-wicket win under their belts thanks to a solid all-round team display.

But Bourne found no comfort at home to Grantham who left the Abbey Lawns as convincing winners by 122 runs.

Deeping would have enjoyed a far greater margin of victory, but for dropping home century-maker Neil Snell early in his innings.

Snalle cracked 109 of Grimsby’s 187 all-out. No other home batsman managed more than 19 as spin twins Meli Adatia (3-43) and Zac Simmonds (3-51) bowled well. Worcester Cricket Academy pupil Patrick Brown chipped in with two wickets.

Deeping sent in Ali Sharp to pinch-hit from the start and after his quickfire 23 (16 balls) had ended, Alex Wheatley (47), Patrick Harrington (42) and David Sargeant (35) helped the visitors to recover from 40-3 to claim victory with almost five overs to spare.

Bourne hardly fired at all in their first action of the summer. Grantham opened up with a stand of 104 and pretty much kept going well throughout their 50 overs to post a formidable total of 278-7.

Opener Ross Carnelly (74) and Ben Powell (72no) top scored for Grantham as only only new Bourne off-spinner Ben Collins (4-76) found any sort of form with the ball.

Bourne then lost Archie Stroud in the first over of their reply before Robert Dunn (35) and captain Peter Morgan (30) at least ensured some respectability before they were dismissed for 156.

RESULTS


BOURNE lost to GRANTHAM by 122 runs

Grantham 278-7 (R. Carnelly 74, B. Powell 72no, J. Dobson 48, B. Collins 4-76).

Bourne 156 (R. Dunn 35, P. Morgan 30, J. Peck 3-34, N. Stevenson 3-47, D. Freeman 2-28).

GRIMSBY lost to MARKET DEEPING by 4 wkts

Grimsby 187 (N. Snell 109, M. Adatia 3-43, Z. Simmonds 3-51, P. Brown 2-49).

Market Deeping 190-6 (A. Wheatley 47, P. Harrington 42, D. Sargeant 35, A. Sharp 23, L. Charlton 3-53).