Police are appealing for witnesses after a 15 year old boy was hit in the face.

This happened between Dysart Road and The Drive in Grantham at around 15:15 on 11 March. Thankfully the boy did not sustain any lasting injury. Nothing was stolen and the motive for this assault is unknown.    

The offender is described as being white, around 5’10 and of slim build. He was wearing a mask or balaclava obscuring his features but we understand he was wearing a khaki green tracksuit and Nike footwear.

If you saw this incident, or you have any information that could help our enquiry, please call 101 with reference number 277 of 11 March. Alternatively you can email force.control@lincs.pnn.police.uk    

Last Saturday, March 16, saw events take place across all of the market towns of South Kesteven as part of a national high street celebration day.

In spite of strong winds and stormy skies, visitors braved the elements to enjoy a variety of acts including artists, musicians, poets, and street performers, and take part in a treasure hunt across Grantham, Stamford, Bourne and Market Deeping.

The event was organised by InvestSK, the district’s economic growth and regeneration company, and funded by South Kesteven District Council, as part of the national #HighStreetSaturday campaign recently announced.

Steve Bowyer, CEO of InvestSK, said: “South Kesteven has four fantastic market towns. We’re fortunate to have a range of diverse, independent and growing retailers, bars and cafes and we need to do all we can to celebrate and promote them.

“The national campaign to celebrate the high street was announced only a few weeks ago. Clearly, we would have liked longer to have planned and advertised our events, but rather than do nothing, we chose to rise to the challenge.

“In a very short timescale and competing against adverse weather, the efforts of all of the organisers and artists was absolutely incredible.

“Feedback from many people in all towns was hugely positive: from local stallholders who applauded the efforts being made, to families who had their days brightened by personalised poems.”

In addition to the day’s celebrations, InvestSK has also ring-fenced £10,000 of its Town Centre Investment Fund for £2,500 to be made available to each of the market towns to bring forward initiatives that promote local independent businesses.

The £2,500 grants will be made available to a representative body in Stamford, Grantham, Market Deeping and Bourne where it can demonstrate that it will create more awareness of the value independent businesses bring to a town.

Having attended the ‘Healthy Conversation’ event at the Jubilee Church, Grantham on 20 March hosted by Lincs Health and Care, Chair SOS Grantham Hospital Charmaine Morgan said:

It was encouraging to see so many people present today, thanks to all concerned, campaigners, local people and organisers.

I had a number of lengthy conversations with both the Community Nursing team, Dr Baker and John Turner, Chair SWLincs Clinical Commissioning Group regarding future plans for Grantham District Hospital.

The proposals to provide better co-ordinated improved patient centric preventative care are to be welcomed. However, as a former Home Care worker myself I am aware that to succeed such plans need considerable levels of resource and a strong committed team of community nurses, other specialists and home care workers.

The current working conditions. status and pay of home care workers in particular must be improved to attract people into this important role for the plans to work. Ideally bringing their role back into the NHS. SOSGH workshop activity showed convalescent homes remain popular with patients and should also be considered also.

I commented that the Countywide loss of Meals on Wheels needs addressing. Some patients are being released from hospital without access to food. The valuable Meals on Wheels service ensured those participating received at least one hot meal a day. Furthermore people had the security of knowing someone would check up on them and say hello everyday. The fragmented replacement of this service by Lincolnshire County Council with private microwave dinner providers does not fully cater to the needs of our most vulnerable people. This gap must be addressed.

A pilot to identify patients handling isolation by making regular GP appointments seems an excellent idea, provided medical needs are still properly assessed and opportunities for isolated people to socialise are fully supported.

The discussion around Acute Care proposals revealed differing views within our healthcare provider structure over what services our A+E unit should  deliver. This has resulted in a lack of clarity and mixed messages going out to staff and members of the public over the future plans for our A+E. This issue must be resolved.

Whilst ULHT remains committed to the downgrade of our A+E department to an Urgent Care Centre it was encouraging to hear that the Clinical Commissioning Group, who commission services, have more ambitious sustainable plans that more closely reflect the needs and concerns of our community. Crucially they include retaining vital patient stabilisation and resuscitation at GDH for all ages, and, continuing to support the majority of acutely sick or injured patients.

We discussed the planned access to the A+E at night and I reminded Dr Baker and John Turner Chair of the CCG of the need for 24/7 access to cater for people, especially those who self-present at the hospital. Delay caused by dialling the 111 service, currently proposed, could put people.more at risk. Dr Baker said this is a common request emerging from the event and he would be willing to reconsider access to our A+E at night.

I also received a commitment for those leading the programme of change to accept the SOS Grantham Hospital petition for consideration. Over 62k of us called for an A+E with patient stabilisation and resuscitation to be available 24/7. I explained how important it is that patient numbers are kept high at the unit to ensure it is sustainable.

Historic changes have resulted in numbers falling. A line must be drawn. Approximately 5000 patients less have used the unit since the night closure by ULHT. Of these Dr Baker estimated 140 would be severely ill and need transfer elsewhere.

Others could be treated and admitted into Grantham Hospital if necessary. If the doors were open 24/7, as we ask, all would receive resuscitation and stabilisation in an emergency, or transfer elsewhere in an ambulance.

I raised concerns regarding the experience of patients and carers left stranded at night at our A+E units or hospitals as well. I suggested an inter-hospital bus loop service ideally linking Nottingham QMC to Grantham, Sleaford, Lincoln, Boston, Louth and Skegness Hospitals to be run on an hourly basis as a minimum ideally 24/7. This could help people unable to drive needing to visit friends/family. This proposal was warmly received.

The discussions left me cautiously optimistic but much depends on the outcome of a detailed analysis of the documentation provided. The questions identified so far include:-

1. What medical conditions will continue to be supported?

2. What patients would be ‘excluded’ when the ambulance service is used?

3.What staff would provide acute care?

4. Will direct access 24/7 be restored?

An assurance that ULHT plans will not prevail is required given their ongoing involvement as a supplier.

It is important the needs and views of thousands of local people with ‘protected characteristics’ are also taken fully into account.

Further Healthy Conversations are to take place. The next proposals will reveal just how much we have been listened to. 

Police were were called to St Peters Hill at about 3.50pm today, after a report of two men acting suspiciously.

They attended and four men have been arrested on suspicion of theft.

We are receiving reports of a collision on Asda Roundabout, Ankt Augustin Way.

It involves a lorry and a Mercedes car.

There are no injuries of note.

Firefighters attended a fire in a field off Alexandra Road recycling depot, in Grantham, at 7.30pm yesterday.

There was severe damage by fire to a large quantity of waste wooden pallets and general waste. Extinguished using two hosereel jets.

CLICK ON PICTURE FOR DETAILS

These pictures were taken 24 hours after the massive farm fire at The Butts, Saltby.

It involved approximately 1,000 tonnes of bailed straw and a large quantity of tyres.

A total of eight Fire engines from across three counties (Lincs, Leics & Notts) fought the blaze along with the Water carrier from Loughborough, acommand vehicle from Shepshed and welfare vehicle from Kibworth.

A lucky LotterySK player scooped £2,000 in last weekend’s draw.

There were 66 winners in total, supporting a variety of good causes, including North Witham Village Hall and the Friends of Sandon and Ambergate (FOSA).

There are now 84 good causes receiving money directly from LotterySK, which is on course to raise over £74,000 for the community in its first year.

The most recent to sign up is Stamford Community Orchard Group. This is a non-profit making group which aims to rediscover and preserve Stamford’s lost apples.

LotterySK was launched last year by South Kesteven District Council to support local good causes. Sixty per cent of every weekly £1 lottery ticket goes either to a nominated cause or into the council-backed Community Fund. Every ticket has a one in 50 chance to win, with a top prize of £25,000. You can buy tickets or register as a good cause at lotterysk.co.uk

There are 2,388 already bought for this week by over 1,200 players. The next draw is on Saturday 23 March. To buy tickets – or to register as a good cause – visit www.lotterysk.co.uk

LotterySK gift vouchers are also available, which can be used in full, or as part-payment if the recipient decides to play for longer. You can also choose the good cause for them – or let them decide when they redeem your gift voucher.

List of beneficiaries (March 5, 2019): Stamford Community Orchard Group; Grantham Youth Bowling Club; G.R.O.W. Gardens Restore Our Wellbeing; Beat-It East Midlands; Little Miracles Bourne; Deepings Swimming Club; 2nd Grantham St Wulfram’s Scout Group; Peterborough and District Deaf Children’s Society; The Thorold Arms Community Benefit Society; Bourne and District Lions Club; Cliffedale Chandlers Table Tennis club; Don’t Lose Hope; Grantham Athletic Club; 9th Grantham (St Anne’s) Beavers, Cubs and Scouts; Langtoft Festival; Sunshine Pre-School Great Gonerby; Barrowby Junior Football Club; Grantham Archers; Carers Sitter Service; 2nd Stamford Town Scouts; The Friends of St Wulfram’s church; Caythorpe & Frieston Village Hall; Barrowby Scout Group; The Deepings Rotary Club; Grantham Sunrise Rotary; Samaritans of Grantham; Gonerby Youth Football Club; Grantham and District Talking Newspaper; Rotary Club of Grantham Kesteven; 7th Grantham Scout Group; Deeping United FC; South Lincolnshire Blind Society; Careby, Aunby and Holywell Village Hall; Grantham Lions Club; Manthorpe Preschool Playgroup; Friends of Langtoft School; Ancaster Pre-school; Brudenell Playing Fields Management Committee; Thurlby PTFA; Malcolm Sargent PTFA; Dowsby Village Hall; 1st Thurlby (St Firmin) Scout Group; The Mutts Nutts Rescue; Ropsley Village Hall; Dementia Support South Lincs; Deepings Raft Race; Grantham Disabled

Ref: 067PA

Release Date: 20 March 2019

Children Society; Dimension Skatepark; 2071 Stamford Air Cadets; Bythams Woodland Trust, The Spinney; Corby Glen Preschool; Grantham Autistic Information Network (GAIN); The Deepings Library; Grantham District Scout Association; Age Concern Deepings; Grantham Men’s Shed; Caythorpe & Ancaster Medical Equipment Trust; Colsterworth Church Isaac Newton Project; Trust House Lincolnshire; Grantham Journal Children’s Fund; Rotary Club of Grantham; Langtoft United Football Club; Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire; Headway Lincolnshire; Grantham Museum; 1st Barkston Guides; St Peter’s Hill Players; Grantham Canal; Grantham District Explorers; Belvoir Cricket & Countryside Trust; SSAFA Grantham Division; North Witham Village Hall; Foxdale Equine Assisted Learning; Grantham Civic Society; MindSpace (Stamford) Limited; Kesteven Rideability; The Butterfield Centre; Three Counties Dog Rescue; Grantham Target Shooting Club; Carers FIRST; All Saints’ and St John’s Unity Centre, Stamford; Inspire+; Friends of Sandon and Ambergate (FOSA).

Woman defrauded widowed mother-in-law out of £25k

Still time to submit nominations for district and parish elections

Do you have an interest in improving your local community and helping others who live in the area?

If you do, why not stand as a district or parish councillor in the local elections on Thursday 2 May.

Nomination packs are available from the elections team at South Kesteven District Council which explain the process, the election timetable as well as matters relating to voting, campaigning and count arrangements.

Aidan Rave, Chief Executive and Returning Officer for the district, said: “There are many reasons why people want to be a councillor; to represent their community, raise issues that they feel passionate about, or to use their skills to help shape the future of the place they live.

“The notion of public service is subject to much debate and no small amount of criticism currently, but it remains a noble pursuit and one that enables people to actually change things for the better, rather than just talking about it.”

The election process began this week with the publication of the Notice of Election. Candidates now have until 4pm on Wednesday 3 April to submit completed nomination papers.

For the district elections nomination papers must be subscribed by a proposer, seconder and eight supporters who must be registered as local government electors within the relevant ward.  For parish and town council elections, nominations must be subscribed by a proposer and seconder from the area of the parish.

For more information or to request a nomination pack contact Electoral Services at South Kesteven District Council on 01476 406080, email elections@southkesteven.gov.uk, specifying the ward or parish you wish to stand as a candidate, or visit our website www.southkesteven.gov.uk/elections2019

Completed papers for both district and parish council elections MUST BE DELIVERED BY HAND by 4pm on 3 April  to the office of the Returning Officer, Customer Service Centre, Council Offices, St Peter’s Hill, Grantham, NG31 6PZ.  Nomination papers received by post cannot be accepted.