COUNTY councillors have voted to freeze council tax rates ahead of new bills being sent out next month.

Lincolnshire County Council says it has also taken steps to protect frontline services that impact on public safety through the budget which was approved at a meeting of the full council on Friday.

Coun Kelly Smith, executive member for finance and HR, said: “This is a difficult time for everyone financially, and we feel it’s important to do all we can to make life easier for our residents. That’s why we’re freezing council tax for the second year running.”

The freeze has been confirmed despite the county being in line to receive 7.6 per cent – or £16.1m – less for services in the next financial year from its formula grant.

Coun Smith added: “In the last year, the council has made savings of over £50m. And we’ve achieved this without severe cuts to frontline services or large-scale compulsory redundancies, relying instead on making the council ever more efficient.

“Despite our tough financial position, we have again protected services that have an impact on public safety, things like child protection, the fire service, and road maintenance.

“And we also continue to invest in major infrastructure projects, such as the Lincoln Eastern Bypass and next-generation broadband, which will pave the way for renewed prosperity in Lincolnshire.”

The freeze in the county council’s share of the council tax has been made possible by a special one-off Government grant to authorities that agree to keep rises to 2.5 per cent or below.

TWO men were over the drink-drive limit when they decided to move a mate’s car to another parking space as a prank at the works “Christmas do”, Spalding magistrates heard.

Provisional licence holder Liam Martin (18), of Halmer Gate, Spalding, was driving circuits in Springfields car park on December 10 and the screeching of tyres woke someone staying at the Travelodge.

Rebecca Ritson said the guest saw the Citroen Saxo hit a kerb.

Wayne Clark (22) – who had been videoing the action – climbed into the driver’s seat, but the car wouldn’t move because a wheel was damaged.

Martin pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol in blood. Magistrates heard he was just seven milligrammes over the legal limit of 80.

He was banned from driving for 12 months, fined £160 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Martin can cut three months off the ban by completing a rehabilitation course.

He also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance but received no separate penalty.

Solicitor Gordon Holt, mitigating, said: “Initially, the intention was to move it from one space to another and then in the morning have a big laugh when the chap couldn’t find his car.”

Mr Holt said Martin had never been in court before. He had already paid for the car damage.

He said: “One of the police officers said to his mother he had never seen a detainee so remorseful and upset.”

Martin hoped to become a lorry driver and the conviction would harm his career.

Solicitor Ann Whinyates asked magistrates to use discretion in Wayne Clark’s case because he pleaded guilty to being in charge of a motor vehicle, but hadn’t moved it, and needed his car to get to work in Pinchbeck.

He had 49 microgrammes of alcohol in breath – 14 mcgs above the limit.

Clark, of Jubilee Grove, Sleaford, had his licence endorsed with ten points. He was fined £185 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

]]> 1.3542980 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:00:00 +0000 http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/breaking_news_peacocks_store_saved_1_3549442

TEN jobs have been saved after Spalding’s Peacocks store was one of 388 bought by Edinburgh Woollen Mill.

More than 220 stores will close.

MAGISTRATES issued an arrest warrant without bail for former Weston Hills man Alan Howarth when he failed to attend court in Spalding on a charge of sexually touching a girl aged 11.

Howarth (27), formerly of St John’s Road, is now living in Rotherham. The court heard on Thursday morning that the charge arises from an alleged incident in May 2010.

THREATENING to “torch” a pub in Donington after staff stopped him from becoming a drink-driver has left a man with a £165 court bill.

Darren Kitchen (39), of Elizabeth Crescent, West Pinchbeck, said the words as a parting shot to The Queen Inn landlady Martine Roper after he spent the afternoon drinking between eight and ten pints.

As a result, he was charged with using threatening words and sentenced by Spalding Magistrates’ Court last week.

Rebecca Ritson, prosecuting, said Kitchen became involved in a dispute with staff when his partner called them outside to help her.

Miss Ritson said Kitchen tried to get behind the wheel of a car when his partner arrived to pick him up.

She said he became “abusive” and swung his arms towards Mrs Roper’s husband John when they advised him not to drive. Mr Roper grabbed Kitchen and pinned him to the floor to calm him down.

When Mr Roper returned inside, Miss Ritson said Kitchen was swearing at him.

She added: “Kitchen was told to get in the car. He refused and said he would be back to torch the place.”

Mark Hudson, defending, said Kitchen did not remember the incident and was “upset” at the events.

Magistrates gave him a £65 fine and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £15 surcharge.

SPALDING Lions hold their annual race night on Friday at the South Holland Centre.

The event starts at 7pm and will raise funds for use in the community and the Lions’ charity account.

Tickets are £7.50 from Paceys in Red Lion Street, Spalding, or by phoning 07711 095686 or 01775 768700.

OWNERS of a former gas works have apologised to neighbours as work continues to bring the land back into use.

National Grid is in the middle of a remedial project on the site in Albion Street and is currently working to break up the concrete foundations of former buildings.

Scott Lewis, commercial property manager, said: “We want to bring this site back into beneficial use and improve the environment but we appreciate that this work can be noisy at times and we are working to keep disruption to a minimum.

“The concrete breaking will continue in earnest for a further two weeks and after that we will need to carry out this type of work on a more infrequent basis until the middle of June when the project is scheduled to finish.”

The Albion Street site was developed as a gasworks in 1832 and expanded in the 1900s, but production ceased at the site in 1968. A small depot still operates from the site.

A BOURNE pub is to close for a five-week revamp to give it a quirky new theme.

The Jubilee in North Street closes on Sunday, February 26 and will change its name to Jubilee Garage when it reopens on Friday, April 6.

The new look will include a 1970s Volkswagen camper van as the bar, garage signs, petrol pumps and vehicle seating.

The pub will also be showing Sky Sports on six new screens.

The theme was chosen because the building was a garage between the 1920s and 1950s.

Operations manager Ross Dykes said: “It’s a quirky idea and I hope people will like what we are trying to do. It will be very different to what it is now.

“We want to turn it into more of a venue for families. We need to make it into a sustainable value-for-money pub.

“We are conscious that people are spending less and that will be reflected in the refit.”

Mr Dykes said the revamp was in line with the group’s aim to refit its pubs regularly.

Pub owner Mick Thurlby also owns Smiths in Bourne, as well as pubs in Stamford, Oakham, Ufford and Easton-on-the-Hill.

Mr Dykes added: “We decided to make it more of a pub so it has a bit of identity. At the moment it’s a restaurant during the day, a pub in the evening and a nightclub at night.”

IN a prison cell in New South Wales, Australia, a man awaits trial accused of sexual assault of two girls aged just 12 and 14.

It might be the other side of the world, but this man is believed to have flown to Australia to carry out the attacks after grooming the youngsters online from his home in Holbeach St John’s

After his arrest by New South Wales police last March, Lincolnshire Police raided his home on behalf of their Australian counterparts and took away the computer.

On it they discovered a number of indecent images of children and logs of some of the online conversations in which he had groomed his victims.

This is just one of the investigations Lincolnshire Police Paedophile Online Investigation Team has been involved with.

The team is small – just five detectives and one sergeant – but it’s size belies it’s reach – and its successes.

In 2011 the team seized five million indecent images of children – more than three times the number uncovered in 2010.

Each of those images is a picture of a victim and the team is dedicated to tracking down those victims and those who abuse them – wherever the trail leads.

DS Paul Hutchins (pictured), who heads the team, said: “The internet has no boundaries so our work tracking down those who use it to abuse children can’t be bound by county lines.

“Technology is always improving and as it grows so does people’s access to these images and the capacity they have to store them.

“Just a few years ago a large haul of indecent images would have been 60,000 to 70,000, but the last two big ones we have been involved in have been nearer 800,000.

“Academic research shows that 85 per cent of those who enjoy looking at this type of image go on to commit an hands-on offence, so when we arrest those who have images on their computers we are effectively saving a child from abuse.

“We also go to awful lengths to track down the victims in these pictures.

“The case in Australia shows just how far and wide these people operate, so that’s what we have to do.”

But DS Hutchins fears the good results achieved in the short time his team have been working could be unravelled as the squeeze on police budgets becomes ever tighter.

He said: “We are under constant review, like every other team in Lincolnshire Police.

“The force as a whole is getting close to a record low number of officers - last year we lost 70 and there will be more.

“The team has only been at its current level for 12 months and we have had a huge impact.

“To lose just one member of the team would mean we could not safeguard as many children as we do and not bring as many offenders to justice..

“We are racking the cases through the court system but we can only do that with the resources.”

SOUTH Holland District Council leader Gary Porter has fired a warning shot across the bows of both developers hoping to launch schemes in Spalding.

He said: “I wouldn’t bet on either of them getting approval because I haven’t seen anything that would convince me that we would want to do what either of them are proposing.

“From what I have seen, I would not recommend either of the two proposals, but if either of the two are likely to be developed in a way that does become attractive at the moment my money would be on Mr Moran getting there first.”

And Coun Porter reissued a challenge he previously made last year for Mr Garvie to show him the results of the consultation Mr Garvie claims he carried out with 3,300 Spalding residents.

ST IVES Town will be Holbeach United’s opponents in the UCL League Cup semi-final after beating Bugbrooke St Michaels 5-1 on Tuesday night.

The Tigers will host the last four clash, with the date still to be confirmed. John Chand’s Holbeach saw off the Saints 2-0 in the Carter’s Park league clash between the duo back on January 2.

Premier Division leaders King’s Lynn Town welcome Peterborough Northern Star in the other semi. Lynn cruised past Thrapston Town 4-0 on Tuesday, while Northern Star enjoyed a 4-1 triumph over S & L Corby.

Holbeach are on-course for two cup finals, as they visit lowly Bourne Town tonight (Wednesday) in the Lincs FA Senior Trophy semi-final (7.45pm).

Follow @LFPSport on Twitter for updates.

THE Marjorum Beehive Association are hosting a Pamper Afternoon Cream Tea on Saturday at the Marjorum Hall, Gosberton Risegate from 2pm until 5pm.

Entry is free and you will be able to decide which treatments take your fancy from hopi ear candles, reiki, manicure, hand massage, Indian head massage and much more.

There will be homemade scones, cakes and traditional cream teas to enjoy whilst you are deciding. Treatments are priced individually for more information contact 07737 627252.

RAUNDS TOWN 3 (King 17, 50 & 60) BOURNE TOWN 1 (Brockbank 8): BOURNE’S unbeaten run in 2012 was canned by a Karl King hat-trick on Saturday.

Alex Brockbank struck early on to fire Darren Munton’s men into a deserved eighth-minute lead, only for King to notch Raunds’ leveller soon after.

Two goals in ten minutes after the interval then accounted for the Wakes’ four-game unbeaten run in UCL Division One, as King completed his treble.

The defeat ensures that Bourne remain in the bottom three – but they still have a chance of reaching the Lincs FA Senior Trophy final.

They matched higher-graded rivals Holbeach in the Abbey Lawn semi-final three weeks ago, before a floodlight failure saw the tie called off. The duo will try again tonight (7.45pm), with Jason Kilbride (ankle) hoping to return.

Wakes: Gilson, Elger, Cardall (Pick), Hood (Stubbs), Smith, Jesson, Currall, Lambie, Brockbank, G Spearink, Jarman.

• Saturday – Wakes v Rothwell Town (3pm).

CEREBRAL palsy sufferer Alice Bates is on top of the world now Botox treatment has boosted the distance she can walk with her gait trainer.

Alice (5), from Long Sutton, had the drug injected into her hips earlier this month and started intensive physiotherapy. Within days she went from taking her usual five or six steps to walking 20 metres.

The drug relaxed muscles in Alice’s legs, stopping them from crossing over and allowing her to step with confidence.

Mum Charlotte said: “We noticed a difference almost immediately. It wasn’t so difficult to move her legs while we were dressing her.

“About ten days afterwards we had an assessment with her physiotherapist and she wasn’t tripping over her own feet.

“She’s gone from taking five or six steps to walking the whole length of the school hall and back, which I would say is about 20 metres.”

Last year Alice received two life-changing gifts from Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian readers.

Within two months of us launching an appeal, you bought Alice an £8,000 powered wheelchair with donations to the Lincolnshire Free Press Children’s Fund.

It was the first time Alice could move any distance under her own steam and join her brothers and sisters for play times in the park.

The chair is also Alice’s transport to and from school.

Earlier this term, Alice was awarded a certificate in her school assembly for achieving level one power chair skills.

Charlotte said: “She is very pleased with herself. She can now go in any direction on command – when she feels like taking instructions – and can anticipate when to stop when approaching an obstacle.”

Long Sutton Primary provided Alice with a gait trainer to use at school, but your donations allowed the family to have a secondhand £500 gait trainer at home.

Charlotte said: “I don’t know what we would have done without the Children’s Fund. There is no doubt it makes a huge difference to children’s lives and I want to say thank you again to everyone who donated.”

RENOWNED Guild of Battlefield Guides tour guide Clive Harris will be the guest speaker at this month’s Western Front Association meeting.

Clive’s talk is entitled ‘Sporting Icons Who Fell in the Great War’ and looks at the lives, both pre-war – as sportsmen – and their military careers up to their deaths in action.

Clive has run battlefield tours for many years and is the owner of the Battle Honours company which operates battlefield tours all over Europe.

The Spalding Branch of the Western Front Association meets on Thursday at 7.30pm at The Royal Mail Cart, Pinchbeck Road, Spalding.

PAVIORS RFC 28 SPALDING RFC 34: TERRIFIC Town ended their year-long wait for an away win in sensational style on Saturday.

Captain fantastic Harry Sharman ran in two tries against third-placed Paviors, while Kevin Childs, Josh McNally and Richie Craig also got in on the act.

Having suffered a humiliating 73-6 loss in the Memorial Field reverse, this was some turnaround from relegation-threatened Town.

Delighted skipper Sharman said: “To finally win away – and in that style – is very special. Not many people would have expected us to win there, but I always knew that this team had it in them.

“We made no major changes in personnel, it was simply a change in attitude.

“Games against the top teams have brought out the best in us, but we need to match that kind of performance every week.

“It’s not been a great season, but hopefully we can now kick on and get ourselves into mid-table – we should be looking up, not down.”

Spalding had all of the elements in their favour during the first half in Nottinghamshire, with the wind behind them as they attacked down an ample slope.

They started superbly, with McNally making good ground in the centre of the field before passing to Sharman.

He brilliantly broke through three tackles before touching down under the posts, leaving Dave Hankinson a simple conversion.

Hosts Paviors, who are battling for promotion, instantly hit back with a score in the corner, though. With the conversion failing, it was 7-5 in Spalding’s favour after just five minutes.

The scores continued to flow, with Town about to produce one of their most memorable spells of the season.

Sharman broke clear and was able to offload to speedy winger Childs, who went over for another score just wide of the posts. The trusty boot of Hankinson converted.

Paviors reduced the deficit with a penalty awarded for offside, but Hankinson restored the nine-point advantage with a kick of his own.

Spalding were next to score when an interception by the towering McNally saw him shrug off two tackles and race 35 metres to go over under the posts. Again, Hankinson added the extra points.

Amazingly, there was still time for Sharman to touch down his second of the afternoon, following more fine play from Childs. Although the conversion failed this time, Town took a commanding 29-8 lead into the second half.

Already assured of a bonus point, the visitors were determined to make it hard for their illustrious hosts after the interval.

An early try, scored after Town shipped a penalty, looked to have set the tone for the half – but a pivotal score from Craig moments later was the boost the away side needed.

Again the talismanic Sharman was heavily involved, passing inside for his team-mate to make it 34-13 in their favour.

With 15 minutes left a converted score reeled Spalding in a little more, before another five points for Pavs set up a grandstand finish at 34-25.

With time running out the home side added another penalty, but the final whistle sounded after the ball bisected the upright.

Having cured their travel sickness in spectacular fashion, Spalding will now be hopefuls of recording back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they welcome fellow strugglers Coalville to the Memorial Field this weekend.

Another victory would further ease any lingering relegation fears for Sharman and his side.

Town: Harry Sharman (captain), Peter Shakespeare, Jimmy Rowlands, Fraser Welsh, Josh McNally, Tom Duerden, Richie Craig, Ed Duerden, Jim Williams, Dave Hankinson, Kevin Childs, Ryan Chappell, Ben Williamson, George Brown, Rob Lucas, Craig Dowse, Harry Brown, Ollie Phillips.

• Saturday: Spalding v Coalville (2.15pm).

MARKET RASEN 2 PINCHBECK UNITED 1: IAN Dunn admitted that too many of his players flopped on the big stage as Pinchbeck suffered a second Lincs Junior Cup semi-final defeat in as many years.

United suffered injury time heartbreak at unfancied Rasen, having hauled themselves level 15 minutes from time through player/boss Dunn.

Despite bossing the game for large periods, Pinchbeck found themselves 1-0 down at the break.

And Dunn refused to feel sorry for himself after the shock loss – placing the blame firmly at the door of his squad.

He said: “I thought we controlled the game, but our finishing and final ball just wasn’t good enough.

“It’s frustrating, this just isn’t the kind of performance I expect from this team.

“We had more than enough chances to win and when we equalised their heads seemed to drop.

“But we couldn’t capitalise and it’s just a massive let down for everyone at the club.”

Pinchbeck’s scheduled friendly at Sleaford Town tonight has been called off.

Pinchbeck: Drury, Roberts, Marshall, Hocking, McDonnell (Cole 60), Woods (Clay 70), Wilson, Maltby (Lawrence 85), Law, Dunn, Gosling.

• Saturday: Pinchbeck v Eye (PFA Senior Cup semi-final, 1.30pm).

• Moulton Harrox eased to a 3-0 derby win over Crowland Town in the Peterborough and District Premier Division on Saturday.

Bobby Patterson, Steve Mastin and Tom Panton struck the decisive goals at Broad Lane.

Elsewhere, Deeping Rangers Reserves were beaten 3-1 by title hopefuls Eye Sports, Tom Waumsley getting their solitary strike.

WELLINGBOROUGH TOWN 0 DEEPING RANGERS 2 (Evans 5, Gilbert 90): MATTY Evans marked his final Deeping appearance with a goal as his side eased to an eye-catching success.

The former Spalding United skipper, who is leaving for the Army, fired a fifth-minute opener at the Dog and Duck on Saturday.

A last-minute second from substitute Kev Gibert sealed Rangers’ 13th UCL Premier Division triumph of the campaign – but it was Evans who took the plaudits from player/boss Tuncay Korkmaz.

The Turkish tactician said: “It was nice for Matt to go out with another goal and we had a night out to say goodbye to him afterwards.”

Evans was equally glowing in his praise of Deeping, on social networking site Twitter.

He said: “Cheers for everything that everyone has done. Appreciate it. Hope to see you all soon.”

The right back, who also netted in his penultimate game for Rangers at Holbeach last Wednesday (report page 62), wasted little time in firing his side ahead.

After that it was all Rangers, who wasted a string of fine chances. A number of them were spurned by leading scorer Josh Moreman, who left his shooting boots at home.

Deeping were forced to wait until the final minute to wrap up the points, Gilbert jumping off the bench to net his sixth goal of the season.

Rangers: Doughty, Evans, Jackson, Logan, Tinkler, Weston, Holt, Burton-Jones, Beck (Ginty), Heron, Moreman (Gilbert).

• Saturday: Deeping v Daventry Utd (3pm).

A FARM worker who tried to rip the heart from a woman after horrifically stabbing her in the chest has today been jailed for 18 years.

Andrzej Chranowski (34) stabbed night shift worker Christine Seymour (59), while she was talking to a mate on her mobile phone outside her home in Spalding. He then pushed his hands inside her chest in an apparent attempt to tear out her heart.

Police, alerted by other residents in the shared property, arrested him inside Ms Seymour’s room.

Michael Cranmer-Brown, prosecuting, said that when officers entered the room Chranowski calmly asked for a cigarette and confessed “I’ve just killed a woman with this,” still holding the scissors.

Chranowski, of Green Lane, Spalding, denied attempted murder on February 2, 2011 but was found guilty by a jury after a trial. He was also convicted of wounding another resident with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm.

Judge John Milmo QC, passing sentence at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday, said “This was a wholly unprovoked attack with a potentially lethal weapon.

A 78-YEAR-old Long Sutton woman denied attempting to murder her husband when she appeared before Lincoln Crown Court today.

Florence Thomson, of Sturton Way, is alleged to have stabbed her husband Keith Thomson on November 11.

Judge Michael Heath adjourned the case for trial on a date to be fixed and remanded Thomson in custody.

A MAN of 18 was remanded in custody by Grantham magistrates on Thursday when he appeared in court accused of dangerous driving after a car crashed in Foxes Low Road, Holbeach, on Wednesday.

Adam Hughes, of no fixed address, is also accused of driving without a licence, insurance and MOT. He will appear at Lincoln Crown Court at a later date.

A RENEWABLE energy pioneer has become the first in Lincolnshire to have the newly MCS accredited Bergey Excel-S 10kW wind turbine installed on his property.

Roger Marshall, who owns a cold-store business near Quadring, trading in vegetables, opted for a Bergey system maintained by a 25 metre self-supporting lattice tower, ensuring the turbine will not be affected by wind shear and turbulence.

SIAC Wind Energy, which installed the turbine, has taken a unique approach within the UK and bucked micro wind energy trends by advocating taller towers, ensuring output is maximised at each installation.

The turbine was put up by a team from SIAC’s installation and re-sale partner for Lincolnshire and Norfolk, Greenleaf Microgen, of Spalding.

It is expected that the 10kW turbine will pay for itself in less than five years.

Jon Naylor, Regional Manager at SIAC Wind Energy, said: “It has been a pleasure working with Roger to bring his Bergey installation to fruition.

“He already embraces environmentally friendly technology, using heat from his cold stores to heat his home and a Photovoltaic system installed on the roof of the building.

“His enthusiasm for all things renewable really knows no bounds.

“Roger will now enjoy many years of free energy and income from the Government’s Feed-In Tariff scheme.”

For more information visit www.siacwindenergy.com

THE efforts of apprentices and employers alike have been celebrated at a ceremony in Holbeach.

Staff, apprentices and guests turned out to University Academy Holbeach to see who would be crowned top of the class in three categories for the annual apprenticeship awards night.

Glen Farrow in Spalding and Mick Cawley Motor Engineers were jointly praised for their roles in the Employer of the Year Award.

Apprentice Samantha Scott was applauded for her efforts to train in the motor trade as she was crowned Personal Achiever of the Year.

The final award of the night saw the apprenticeship assessors put forward their nominations for Apprentice Of the Year and Tasmin Cunningham, who is completing her level three in business and administration, took the top spot.

A MAN and a woman accused of intimidating a court witness have been sent to Lincoln Crown Court.

Adam Bishop (28) is accused of driving a car at Anna Burnett as she walked across the entrance to a car park on October 9 in Boston Road South, Holbeach.

Kerrieann Facer (29) is accused of telling Ms Burnett: “Mark said ‘hi’ and whatever happens, we’ll come and get you” on October 13 in St John’s Street, Holbeach.

Bishop, of Lawyers Close, Holbeach, and Facer, of Fleet Street, Holbeach, had their conditional bail extended when they appeared at Spalding Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

They are due to appear at the higher court on March 15.

TAKE your dog along to Baytree Garden Centre, Weston to enter the free Dog Portrait Competition on Saturday and Sunday.

The Dog Portrait Company will be in store on Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 3.30pm, no appointment is necessary and you could be in with a chance to win a large framed photograph of your dog.

HOMES without water in Market Deeping should have a normal service shortly after 12noon today.

Anglian Water engineers were called out to Church Street at 6.50am where a four-inch pipe had burst.

A spokesman for the firm said a normal service is expected to resume just after 12noon.

If problems do continue into the afternoon, customers are asked to report them to customer services.

Original story, 10.30am today - A BURST water main is to blame for homes in Market Deeping having no water or low water pressure this morning.

Anglian Water engineers are currently working to restore the supply to the area and an estimated completion time has been given on the company’s website as 2pm.

The message adds: “Once again, we apologise for the inconvenience caused by this interruption to your service.”

TWO developers at the centre of ambitious plans to bring big name stores to Spalding have locked horns over the benefits their schemes will bring to the town.

After claims in the Spalding Guardian on Thursday that the Holland Market development would not bring any benefits for the people of South Holland, a furious Michael Moran, who represents Holland Market owner Corbo’s interests in the UK, is believed to have contacted Richard Garvie to express his anger.

Mr Garvie, the man behind plans for a Sustainable Spalding regeneration company, revealed plans to bring a supermarket and cinema to a 12-acre site off the A151 opposite Spalding’s McDonalds.

He claims it would generate millions of pounds of investment and pay for the running costs of a regeneration company for five years, while Holland Market plans would “not lead to any new investment in new facilities for Spalding”.

Corbo has threatened to take legal action against Mr Garvie unless he publicly retracts his statement.

Mr Moran told the Lincolnshire Free Press: “I had a rather blunt conversation with him and I told him we take it very seriously when someone makes false claims about our scheme.

“He hasn’t got a clue what we are doing.”

Town leaders have dismissed Mr Garvie’s plan as “pie in the sky”, saying he has not come forward with any concrete evidence to back up claims the site was the option preferred by the majority of people he talked to during a consultation exercise last year.

Jason Rooke, chairman of Spalding and District Area Chamber of Commerce, said: “It strikes me that Mr Garvie’s plan hasn’t got any legs, but even if it did, what would we prefer – a development within the town, albeit to the side of the town centre, or one on the outskirts of town?

“To me the town needs development, not the bypass, so my feeling would be that if Holland Market is done carefully it would be a positive thing.

“To say that Holland Market development would not lead to investment in the town is ridiculous, because there are plans for additional community facilities such as the football stadium.”

YOUNGSTERS from three Spalding schools came together for a fun morning of competitive sports.

Pupils from the Parish Church of England Day School, St Norbert’s primary and Monkshouse primary took part in a kingball tournament, hosted by the Sir John Gleed School.

PE teacher Hannah Bray said: “Mixed teams of ten took to the court.

“Myself and fellow PE teacher Alice Dooley co-ordinated the festival by issuing kingball games packs to the schools, then allowing them time during PE lessons to prepare for the event.”

After the scores had been settled, headteacher Janet Daniels presented medals to the winning school, St Norbert’s.

Mrs Daniels said: “It was a fantastic morning of sport. A fun time was had by all involved and when the games had finished, pupils were given juice, fresh fruit platters and an opportunity to have a guided tour of the school.”

THE Ukulele Orchestra meeting on Thursday night has been cancelled, the next meeting will be on Thursday, March 1 at 7pm.

For more information or if you are interested in joining the orchestra contact 01775 710329.

SPALDING author Michael Elston will be speaking on Old Spalding on Friday.

The talk, which has been organised by the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology, takes place at St John’s Church lounge, Hawthorn Bank, Spalding.

The talk, which is open to all, starts at 7.30pm.

YAXLEY 1 (Bettinson 1) HOLBEACH UNITED 2 (A Stevens 28, Tidswell 37): RED-HOT strike duo Ashley Stevens and Andrew Tidswell fired Holbeach to scrappy Leading Drove success on Saturday.

Having fallen behind inside 60 seconds, it looked like the Tigers’ poor recent form against Yaxley was going to continue.

But Stevens soon levelled, setting the stage for Tidswell to mark his return from a trial at professional Finnish outfit SJK with a trademark 35-yard free kick winner.

The lethal pairing now have a remarkable 48 goals between them, 24 each, as Holbeach tightened their grip on third place in the UCL Premier Division.

Boss John Chand said: “We didn’t really play very well, which seems to always happen against Yaxley. Leigh Overton has made an uncharacteristic error for their goal, but we came back well – even if we did miss a lot of chances.

“We got the three points though, which is all you can do. Last season we might not have won this game.”

Chand’s side couldn’t have made a worse start, with Overton gift-wrapping an early opener for Yaxley hitman Sam Bettinson.

Holbeach responded in typical fashion though, with Stevens rattling the post minutes before netting the equaliser from Tidswell’s corner.

Overton redeemed himself with a smart stop from Luke Hipwell, before Stevens blazed over at the other end following another Tidswell cross.

The Tigers did get themselves ahead at the interval, with dead-ball expert Tidswell firing home another set piece from ample distance.

Both strikers could have added to their tallies after the break, before a late barrage from the Cuckoos saw Overton deny Richard Challinor and Firas Zamir shoot wide.

Next up for Holbeach is Wednesday night’s rearranged Lincs FA Senior Trophy semi-final at Bourne Town (7.45pm).

On-loan Lincoln City striker James Wilson is cup tied, but Ollie Ryan could be available.

Matt Warfield and Paul Goodhand are pushing for starts, while Tommy Treacher is struggling with a knock.

Tigers: Overton, Allen, Jackson, Brown, J Stevens, Flack, Lewis, Kennedy (Goodhand 61), Wilson (Griffiths 61), Tidswell, A Stevens (Treacher 75). Not used: Warfield, Elston.

• Sat: Tigers v Sleaford (3pm).

THE roof of a house at Gosberton Risegate has been completely destroyed in a blaze which saw firefighters on the scene for six hours.

The fire broke out at the semi-detached house in Siltside at about 3.30pm yesterday.

Fire crews from Donington and Spalding attended initially and were later joined by crews from Kirton, Holbeach and a second crew from Spalding.

The roof was destroyed, while the rest of the house, including the garage, was severely water and smoke damaged.

Firefighters used two breathing apparatus, four hose reel jets and three main jets to tackle the blaze, which was caused by hot metal filings from an angle grinder igniting wood shavings.

SPALDING & DISTRICT TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE (Sponsored by Magellan Solutions Ltd): DEFENDERS pulled off something of a shock as they finally completed their Guardian Cup tie with JDM Allsorts.

In most people’s books Defenders were the underdogs against regular title challengers JDM, but in the end that counted for little.

With two good wins out of the four, Defenders found themselves five points to the good before a generous addition of 42, to give themselves a 157-110 win. They now meet No Name.

Meanwhile, the only Division One match played saw Bladerunners close up a little on second place.

The most interesting aspect of the match was the clash between Blades’ Pete Budd, currently number one in the rankings, and JAG’s Eddie Haynes, the number two.

These two held the only 100 per cent records in the league, and Budd put paid to his opponent’s in four ends.

By winning his other singles – and a close fought doubles – Budd did enough to take the match for Blades.

Haynes won his other game, as did team mate James Gibson, to hold the score down to 3-2. As a result, Bladerunners move up to second place in the title race.

Chunky and Chunkier took full advantage in their match with Ha’st to record a 5–0 victory, which took them above the leaders in Division Two.

Dave Coley and Paddy Palgrave didn’t have things all their own way, as Ha’st’s Stuart Duffill forced them both to a fourth end and they had to come back from two ends down to win the doubles.

Later in the evening Chunky completed their on/off match with Barry Whites Babes to add another 5–0 win to their record and move them eight points clear.

Rivals Seriously Adrift, having been struck by injury, could only field one player against Insidious, but Reece Kerry did his team proud with two wins to be carried over.

Elsewhere, Moulton Butchers had a busy evening doubling up on their fixtures.

In the scheduled match they went down 3-2 against the Babes, though two of their losses went to a fifth end. Nicola Wilkinson scored both points.

At the same time they met Castle Sports in a match postponed from January.

The singles were shared, but this time another close fought doubles went their way in the last and they secured the victory 3–2.

Joe Bombardini completed another double for the losers.

DAVID Bryan is the special guest at the Spalding Referee Association’s next meeting on Thursday (7.30pm).

The Stamford-based official will talk about his experiences as a UEFA and Premier League assistant referee at Spalding Sports and Social Club on High Street in Spalding.

All local referees are invited to attend.

ROB Childs continued his purple patch in Spalding and District Billiards League with a scintillating 103 break against Consti A.

The Crowland B maestro, who plays off a massive O190 handicap, was in sensational form in his tight tussle with Lindsay Porter (R80).

Having already reeled off respectable scores of 58, 43 and 32, Childs plundered a ton and then a 32 clearance to edge the frame 200-189 and help his side secure a 5-2 success overall.

However, Childs’ fine effort is still some 23 shy of Mick Johnson’s 126, which is the top break so far this season.

Meanwhile, Pyramid B continue to wobble at the summit. The leaders, who won their first 13 league games of the season, were handed a third-successive loss.

This time it was fellow club side Pyramid A who knocked them off 5-2, with Brian Kendall (R50) sealing the win with a super 42 clearance.

Consti C were also on fine form, as they crushed Holbeach C 7-0. Veteran ace Hugh Pinner (O170) made breaks of 49, 44 and 28 in vain for Holbeach.

CHAMPION throwers New Saracen’s Head have been denied a flawless Spalding and District Ladies’ League season.

The Division One winners dropped their first points of the season on the final round of fixtures (they still have two other matches outstanding) after Dun Cow held them to a 9-9 draw.

In a game that saw both Dawn MacTavish and Dawn Wright hit 180s, the Cowbit side looked set for a shock success when then went into the last match 8-7 up.

But Pauline Hunt and MacTavish rose to the occasion in the doubles, taking the spoils 2-1 to ensure a draw.

At the other end, Elizabethan did their survival hopes no harm at all by edging out Riverside 10-8.

A doubles triumph from Anne Parker and Rita Tomizzi sealed the victory. Although they are currently sat in the bottom two, they have one fixture to catch up on.

Down in Division Two, Lincoln Arms will be promoted as champions.

They kept their unbeaten record intact by drawing 9-9 with Lake Ross, Pearl Marks throwing a 140 en route to salvaging a point in the final doubles with Eva Spinks.

That draw leaves Lake Ross third, a point behind Lamb and Flag in second – and both have a game still to play.

In Division Three, Tigers wrapped up the title with the 13-5 beating of bottom-of-the-pile Robin Hood.

Second place is still to be decided, but Drayman’s Arms look to be in the box seat following their 9-9 draw with Bull.

Georgina Esposito and Karen Gray helped keep their hopes alive with a last-gasp doubles triumph.

• LAMB and Flag A landed a big blow in the Pinchbeck and District League Division One title race as they defeated leaders Royal Mail Cart 5-3.

The second-placed side closed the gap at the top to just one point after delivering a barnstorming finish.

Simon Hall, Daniel Vaughan and Mark Woodrow reeled off back-to-back wins in the final three individual matches to turn a 3-2 deficit into a 5-3 advantage.

Flag’s Simon Hill nailed a 180 in the match, while team-mate Ash Allen checked out with a fine 110.

Riverside B edged a KO Cup thriller with Lincoln Arms A 4-3. With the game level at 3-3, the last match between Steve Taylor and Colin Healands went down to the final leg.

With Lincoln’s Taylor needing 68 to win, Healands went 20, 60 and double five to book a semi-final tie with Fenway A.

• NEW Saracen’s Head C turned on the style to smash Tydd Gote 8-1 in Spalding and District League Division One.

Dun Hunt hit a typical 180 for the leaders, but Lauren Grimsey replied with a maximum of her own.

MORE than 1,700 South Holland people could soon make history by switching to the first ever cheap gas and electricity deal negotiated by a district council.

Bills are set to be slashed by at least 15 per cent – and more savings are likely to come with the so far unnamed consortium offering to put all customers on Smart Meters.

More than 1,700 people have so far registered an interest and council leader Coun Gary Porter says there are at least another 400 people in the pipeline.

Coun Porter said the consortium is happy to start with “a relatively small number” of interested people to make the deal happen and they about to submit a formal proposal to the council.

He said: “We will then get our people to do ‘due diligence’ on it to make sure it all stacks.

“I am fairly confident that it will stack, but I still wouldn’t want to put our name on it until we have thoroughly checked it out.”

No one who has registered an interest is committed to going with the new deal. The final deal will be offered formally once the council is completely satisfied.

Coun Porter said the council is working out its communications strategy for residents switching to cheaper fuel and it may include village roadshows where people can sign up with the consortium.

He said: “We have told them we don’t want any cold calling so there will be no door knocking.”

Coun Porter personally negotiated the cheaper fuel deal after publicly criticising energy companies for charging inflated prices.

He is delighted the deal is about to be sealed and says he will be even more pleased when he too is benefiting from cheaper energy.

Coun Porter said: “If the deal is the right deal, it would be stupid for me not to sign up. People will think I am either a liar or a fool if I don’t sign and I don’t want people to think either of those things.”

You can register an interest by:

l Visiting www.sholland.gov.uk and clicking on ‘Deal Offered for Cut-Price Fuel’

l Visiting the council offices in Priory Road, Spalding, or seeing your ward councillor

SPALDING landlords and police have welcomed calls by Prime Minister David Cameron for measures to help ensure responsible drinking.

Mr Cameron has vowed to launch a new strategy to tackle the “scandal” of drunkenness and alcohol abuse which blight many town centres on Friday and Saturday nights.

One of the measures that could be included come the autumn is a minimum price on alcohol, which could see the cost of supermarket own brand bottle of vodka rise from £8.35 to £11.85 and a cheap bottle of wine from £3.75 to £4.20.

It is hoped that it will discourage people from binge drinking and getting “pre-loaded” before they go out for a night in town.

Insp Rod Rose, of Lincolnshire Police, said: “Many people choose to buy cheaper alcohol from supermarkets to drink before they go out because at the moment some alcohol is very cheap.

“If a minimum price was introduced it might result in a reversal of that trend.

“People would still only have the same amount of money but if they spent it in pubs and clubs they would not have so much alcohol and therefore not get so intoxicated and would not be so incapable of behaving themselves.

“A lot of problems we face at the moment are because people are coming into town after having so much to drink at home first.

“It is the police and health services who have to pick up the pieces when people get out of control”

Matt Clark, owner of Spalding’s Loaded nightclub, said there is a definite trend of people drinking at home before a night out.

“He said: “Our venues are predominantly entertainment so we don’t rely so much on the sale of alcohol but pubs and bars need those sales to stay alive.

“I think people definitely do pre-load because we have definitely seen an increase in the number of people coming to Loaded straight from home who are already inebriated.”

And Pete Williams, landlord of the Punchbowl in New Road, said: “A lot of people don’t come into town now until 10pm or 11pm and they are already well oiled, then they may only buy two drinks in the pub until closing time.

“They come in to enjoy the ambience but they are already at the alcohol level they want to be at to enjoy the evening and I don’t get the benefit of taking their money.

“So I would welcome a minimum charge, it would be a miniscule amount of help but it’s a step in the right direction.”