Former police houses on Stonebridge Road have been demolished as the first phase in a project to open the site up for much-needed new housing

Built in 1960, they have been not been lived in for more than 30 years, when they were used as storage by police. The police moved out of Stonebridge in 2007 and the properties taken over by Grantham College.

The property and land is now owned by South Kesteven District Council after being purchased from the College in 2019. The buildings were briefly used as offices by Grantham College but have not been fully used for at least 10 years, falling into disrepair.

SKDC will propose future development ideas for the site. No specific outcome has been decided but the council is currently involved in design and feasibility work for development options.

All photos by Dave Jones

A Grantham soldier has completed 30 marathons in 30 days to help fundraise for two veterans charities and make a world record attempt in the process..

He did it while carrying a rather hefty backpack with 28 kilograms in there.

Private Richard Lake was inspired to raise the money after his friend Simon suffered a life changing injury and had to leave the army.

It’s all in aid of charities that help those who can no longer serve.

Richard Lake has been walking with a 28 kilogram backpack each day along the Grantham Canal.

He said: “I did it for two charities, Battle Back Golf, and Detecting for Veterans – which is basically the same as battle back golf but they’re using metal detecting to help them get back into society really , and help them cope with their mental health and PTSD”

He completed his final journey last night, with a reception outside Price’s Funeral Services, in Castlegate.

Richard raised more than £5000 but the money is still coming in.

Registered between 12-16 April 2021

You can click on the following link to view the forms and plans of any planning application.

http://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/planningsearch

S21/0175 Grantham & Gonerby Submission for approval of reserved matters (aorm) relating to landscaping only,  pursuant to outline permission S15/3189. : Land north of Longcliffe and South Belton Lane Applicant: Mr Mark Mann Larkfleet Homes Larkfleet House Falcon Way Bourne PE10 0FF

S21/0334 Grantham Erection of single storey front extension and conversion of existing garage.Applicant: Mr John Hands6 Ashley Drive Grantham NG31 8JL

S21/0523 Allington The proposed new building is a steel portal frame with steel cladding. Applicant: Mr James Cook Home Farm Allington Lane Allington NG32 2DU

S21/0633 Grimsthorpe Extended programme of various (ongoing) masonry repairs to walled garden at The Walled Garden Grimsthorpe Castle Edenham Road PE10 0LYApplicant: CoupsThe Grimsthorpe & Drummond Castle TrustGrimsthorpe Estate Office Bourne PE10 0LY

S21/0654 Castle Bytham  Reserved Matters (access, layout, scale, appearance and landscaping) pursuant to  S18/2381 (Outline permission for residential development for self-build or custom  build housing comprising 6 plots with all matters reserved) at 43 Station Road Castle Bytham NG33 4SJ;  Applicant: Mr P MorrissPem developmentsWalnut Cottage Braceborough

S21/0663 Great Ponton To reinstate previous driveway off the A1.Applicant: Mr Lee Vickers3 Hunters Nook Great Ponton NG33 5DE

S21/0679 Elsthorpe Install a green bedding system comprising a 5m x 5m piece of plant equipment  adjacent to slurry store and construction of a 30m x 30m dirty water lagoon.Applicant: Susan ArrowsmithJ&S Arrowsmith & SonBrook Farm Main Road Elsthorpe B PE10 0NQ

S21/0681 & S21/0682 Fulbeck  Proposed single storey porch, proposed single storey extension to the north elevation and to form a new opening in the west elevation at Manor Farm House The Green Fulbeck NG32 3JJ;  Applicant: Mr and Mrs Fane Fulbeck Manor Lincoln Road Fulbeck NG32 3JN

S21/0726 Barkston : A new wooden barn. Drift Lane Barkston; Applicant: Mrs Charlotte Major 83 Longcliffe Road Grantham NG31 8EE

S21/0689 Grantham Single storey front, side and rear extension.Applicant: Mr and Mrs A Thorpe 17, Sandcliffe Road Grantham NG31 8DT

S21/0690 & S21/0691 Barrowby Replacement Porch Extension, Replacement windows to the East Elevation & Replacement Roof to the North Elevation. (Resubmission of S20/1204). Applicant: Simon & Jayne Brodie The Grange Low Road Barrowby NG32 1DB

S21/0693 Londonthorpe And Harrowby Without  Erection of car port.  Applicant: Mr Ian Doran22 St Pierre Avenue Grantham NG31 9FH

S21/0696 Grantham  T1 – Lime – To reduce hight by 25%.  Applicant: Mr Peter Lee1 Kings Gardens Grantham NG31 8TY

S21/0729 Long Bennington  Erection of one 2-bedroom bungalow. Land To The Rear Of 25 Welbournes Lane Long Bennington NG23 5DP ; Applicant: Mr Brian McInerney, 25 Welbournes Lane Long Bennington LNG23 5DP

S21/0730 Hough-On-The-Hill T1 -Elder -Fell, T2 -Laurel- Crown reduce by 2m, T3 -Yew-Crown lift by 1.5m , T4 -Laurel-Crown lift by 1.5m, T5, T6, T7 -Hornbeam- Fell, T8, T9, T10, T11 – Laurel Crown  reduce by 1.5m, T12 -Conifers – Crown lift 2m of the ground and 2-3m by height.Applicant: Mrs Lucy Saunders12 High Road Hough On The Hill NG32 2AZ

S21/0702 Grantham Erection of outbuilding to form home office and store at 86 Springfield Road Grantham NG317BEApplicant: Amaya Property Ltd71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden London WC2H 9JQ

S21/0705 Barrowby Erection of porch and enlargement of dwelling, increase in roof height, and

alterations. Applicant: Mr & Mrs McGregor Trencrom Casthorpe Road Barrowby NG32 1DP

S21/0706 Londonthorpe And Harrowby Without Request for a scoping opinion for redevelopment of the Prince William of Gloucester  Barracks with a mixed use development including up to 4,000 new dwellings,  residential conversion of listed officers’ mess building, commercial uses, local centre, schools, open space and other associated infrastructure. Applicant: Prince William Of Gloucester Barracks  Bridge End Road Grantham Lincolnshire NG31 7TJ

S21/0707 Stainfield Proposed side and rear extensions.Applicant: Mr & Mrs Kit LongstaffWoodview Elsthorpe Road Stainfield PE10 0RS

S21/0709 Barkston: Erection of single storey rear extension. To clad the existing brick garage and erection of timber carport. Applicant: Mr R Exton East House, Honington Road Barkston NG32 2NE

S21/0712 Harlaxton Listed building consent for the replacement of a single glazed window, to side of dwelling, with a heritage double glazed window.Works are in conjunction with the replacement door Application S21/0348).Applicant: Mr Keith Young8 Church Street Harlaxton NG32 1HB

S21/0714 Belton Submission of details reserved by condition 3 (Large Scale Details) and condition 4 (Material Samples) of Listed Building Consent S20/2121 (Conversion of existing  garage to provide a garden room with a glazed link to the existing house). Applicant: Mrs Elizabeth Mansel Orchard House Main Street Belton NG32 2LW

S21/0715 & S21/0716 Harlaxton  Erection of single storey extensions to dwelling. Applicant: Burn 9, Church Street Harlaxton NG32 1HB

S21/0718 Old Somerby Erection of 6 single storey dwellings ON Land Off School Lane Grantham Old Somerby NG33 4AG; Applicant: Mr D Goodridge Invicta Developments Richmond House Main Road Long Bennington NG23 5JR

S21/0742 Barrowby T1 – T15 Ash and birch to reduce hight down between 12f and 15f. Applicant: Miss Hopkins Rose Cottage Low Road Barrowby NG32 1DL

S21/0744 Grantham The installation of a new 20.00m monopole supporting 6 no. antennas with a wrap around equipment cabinet at the base of the column, installation of 3 no new equipment cabinets and ancillary development thereto ON Land At Barrowby Road Grantham NG31 8AJ; Applicant: MBNL On Behalf Of Hutchison 3G UK LtdC/O AgeNT: Miss Dianne PerryWilliams Acquisition Ltd1 Dunkirk Avenue Desborough NN14 6DE

S21/0721 Colsterworth Single storey rear extension. Applicant: Mr & Mrs Lewis 16 Hawking Close Colsterworth NG33 5GG

S21/0725 Barrowby Erection of single storey extension to front of dwelling. Applicant: Mr Ben Defusto 20 Reedings Road Barrowby NG32 1AT

S21/0745 Stubton  3 Lime Trees – 1 Silver Birch – To crown raise by 3m.Applicant: Mr Hugh Wilson The Home Farm Fenton Road Stubton NG23 5DB

S21/0734 Grantham: Works to trees – Yew (T3) Crown balancing, Walnut (T12) Crown balancing and remove dead wood, Ash (T17 ) Crown balancing, Reduce overhanging  branches/Balancing of 2x Copper Beech (T20 and T22) and Remove Lime trees  (T1, T21, T22 and T23), ash trees (T14, T15 and T16) and Willow tree (T13) at 33/35 Cold Harbour Lane Grantham NG31 7TN  . Applicant: Mr Mike Brummitt 35 Springhill Cold Harbour Lane Grantham NG31 7TN

S21/0749 Easton  Introduction of merlin grey and anthracite grey on the south elevation of the low bay  and adjoining office (non material amendment to permission S20/2048). Christian Salvesen Ltd Burton Lane Easton NG33 5AU;  Applicant: Sophie WatkinEaston Stores Properties LLPPark Road Holmewood Industrial Park Chesterfield

S21/0751 Grantham Two storey front and side extension and single storey rear extension. Applicant: Mr & Mrs Chan 5, Meadowdale Crescent Grantham NG31 8EY

The unbeaten rubber band flight record set in Grantham

CLICK ON PICTURE FOR DETAILS

Thirty local community organisations and groups which help people with their mental health and wellbeing have launched new projects as part of Lincolnshire’s Managed Care Network.

The Managed Care Network is an alliance of groups and organisations that provide a range of activities and services to give people support, structure and choice in their lives, and help maintain their wellbeing in the community. Activities include peer to peer support, sporting and other outdoor activities, creative art sessions, learning different skills, developing coping strategies, meeting new people and taking on challenges.

Collectively, these projects aim to support people to live independently in their local communities, reduce social isolation, and build stronger connections and networks with local people. Working in partnership, funding comes directly from Lincolnshire County Council and is managed by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT).

One of the organisations receiving funding for the first time includes Active Arena in Lincoln, which is using the funds for their ‘Dads and Lads’ project.

Stacey Hone, Director of Active Arena in Lincoln, said: “By receiving this investment for our Dads and Lads project, we can help to break down barriers and remove stigma around men accessing mental health support. By using football as a positive physical activity, we believe it gives men a much needed opportunity to take part, find enjoyment and have the time to talk.”

The network is also continuing to support Sage Gardener CIC, which is a Community Interest Company based in the heart of the Lincolnshire countryside. The group offers engaging gardening, exercise and creative sessions for people living with mental ill health or dementia.

Jane Newman, Director of Sage Gardener CIC, said: “It is invaluable to be able to have continued support and funding at the moment when so many of our clients are really struggling with the pandemic.

“We are now able to support people in a flexible and appropriate way to assist with their wellbeing and recovery. This new funding will pilot our Nature’s Pathways programme and during the next year, we will be establishing workshops and resources to support many vulnerable people by using the outdoors.

“Last year we focused on supporting older groups, carers, and people living with dementia, as well as those who are feeling isolated and lonely. Our team helped individuals by brightening long days with phone calls, befriending, and wellbeing, gardening, craft and recipe ideas to learn during lockdown.

“We used our safe environment and unusual activities such as wild cooking and shinrin yoku (forest bathing) to encourage people to venture out into the natural outdoors and resume some form of safe interaction with others whilst learning new skills.”

Glen Garrod, Lincolnshire County Council’s Executive Director of Adult Care and Community Wellbeing, said: “It’s important to have good quality, effective mental health support for people who need it going forward. This is even more vital as we come out from a pandemic that has meant long periods of isolation for many people.

“Both mental and physical wellbeing is going to be a major recovery step for people, helping them to live independently, meet family and friends again and build connections they have lost. These community projects will play a huge part in this support.”

Jane Marshall, Director of Strategy, People and Partnerships at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, added: “We are delighted that with the tenth wave of the Mental Health Promotion Fund, we can continue to develop and support networks within our communities for people with mental health problems.

“With this round of funding, our key aims are to reduce social isolation by building stronger community networks, and prevent hospital admission by enabling people to better take care of their physical and mental health needs.

“We recognise the importance of supporting these fantastic community groups and the mental health benefits of learning new skills and accessing new opportunities.”

Details about all of the activities and groups available are on the Trust’s website at www.lpft.nhs.uk/MCN

Your Co-op Travel*, part of The Midcounties Co-operative, has teamed up with Your Co-op Pharmacy to launch a dedicated “Travel Healthcare” service to give holidaymakers added protection for their health when they travel.

The “Travel Healthcare” website features video content from television’s Dr Hilary Jones on a variety of travel healthcare topics, and the service offers Your Co-op Travel customers access to a UK NHS registered online doctor, should they fall ill during their holiday.

The initiative has been launched, following the re-opening of all 78 branches on 12 April, including Your Co-op Travel in Guildhall Street, Grantham.

Natalie Turner, Head of Branches for Your Co-op Travel, said: “We’re delighted to have re-opened all of our branches, including three in Lincolnshire and Rutland, and our expert travel agents have had a fantastic first week welcoming customers back in to book their long-awaited getaway.

“Following the publication of the government’s Global Travel Taskforce report on 9 April and the re-opening of our branches last week, we have seen a lift in optimism among our customers that they will get their summer holiday abroad this year.   Bookings last week were up 250 per cent versus the previous week and holidays for late summer 2021 accounted for 43 per cent of the bookings, up from just 21 per cent the week before.

“Couples are leading the charge when it comes to bookings for this summer and they are opting for luxury escapes, after months spent in lockdown at home.  We’re also seeing a growing trend for “seacations” around the UK, with regular cruisers and new-to-cruise customers, alike, taking advantage of the raft of cruise lines bringing ships to the UK for the summer. The ships themselves are proving to be a major draw as customers get to experience the luxury accommodation, dining and entertainment onboard these spectacular ships that would usually be located in far-flung destinations, involving a flight to reach them.

“Summer 2022 remains strong, particularly among families, representing 44 per cent of the bookings made last week. The most popular destinations are Tenerife, Majorca, Dalaman and Antalya in Turkey and Lanzarote.

“We’re bringing sunshine back into our customers’ lives with a raft of amazing holiday deals available in store, online and via our call centre, courtesy of the many and varied travel companies we work with. Holidaymakers can snap up luxury holidays at great prices and with an unprecedented level of flexibility, including seven-nights, all-inclusive at the five-star, adults-only Marmaris Bay Resort in Turkey, with Co-op Holidays, from just £602pp, including flights and transfers, based on 5 May 2022 departure; 10-nights, bed and breakfast at the four-star, Eix Lagotel family resort in Majorca, with easyJet Holidays, from £2,223 for a family of four, including flights and transfers, based on 28 July 2022 departure; and a four-night “seacation” in the UK onboard MSC Cruises’ MSC Virtuosa ship, departing on several dates this summer from £499pp, based on two people sharing a balcony cabin, including all meals, a premium drinks package and gratuities.

“We’re also offering £75*** off new holiday bookings for customers who book an appointment, via our website, to visit a travel expert in one of our branches.

“We know that value is still important to our customers but, post-pandemic, safety, health, flexibility, and the reassurance of booking with a trusted travel agent and a financially secure business, such as Your Co-op, is more crucial than ever. That’s why we’re offering flexible payment options, free child places as well as free changes and cancellations, low deposits and cash refunds within 10 days, as part of the Co-op Holidays Promise***.

“In addition, our refreshed cooptravel.co.uk website features a new Covid Travel Service section that includes information on Covid testing, the latest updates from the FCDO, a guide to what to expect when you travel, an extensive frequently asked questions page and the all-important travel checklist.”

Your Co-op Travel’s “Travel Healthcare” service provides customers booking a holiday with Your Co-op Travel online, via the call centre, or in-store, access to a UK NHS registered online doctor during their holiday for £9.99 for Midcounties Co-operative society members and £14.99 for non-members. In addition, they will receive a 10 per cent discount on a range of Your Co-op Pharmacy products available online, including sunscreen, travel kits, masks and sanitiser, flight accessories, and travel sickness, malaria, and jet lag medication. They will receive discounted travel vaccinations too.

“Because Your Co-op Travel is part of the wider Midcounties Co-operative society, we are not just a travel business, and are able to utilise the resource and expertise of the other businesses in our society, to benefit our customers and members”, continued Turner. 

“The new Travel Healthcare service offers holidaymakers valuable peace of mind that they can call on a UK NHS registered doctor for advice, should they or a family member become ill or have health concerns during their holiday.”

Your Co-op Travel has 78 branches across the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Gloucestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Somerset, Wiltshire and Rutland, in addition to a virtual call centre and website, where customers can make bookings and enquiries.

For more information on Your Co-op Travel, please go to www.cooptravel.co.uk or call 01922 908 389.

Plans for 4,000 homes to be built on the edge of Grantham, have been submitted for opinions to the district council.

They will be on the site of Prince William of Gloucester Barracks, due to close in 2024.

Listed building the officers’ mess will be converted to residentials, and three new schools will be built on the site, together with shops and a GP surgery.

Opposite the Site, to the south of the A52, is the Spittlegate Heath Garden Village. This development comprises 3700 homes. South Kesteven District  Council have resolved to approve the outline planning application for this development, and, subject to finalising the s106 agreement, it is  anticipated that planning permission will be issued later this year.

To see the plans go to http://planning.southkesteven.gov.uk/SKDC/S21-0706/1924108.pdf

Residents in the Grantham area are now allowed to take rubbish to the Alexandra Road recycling depot on trailers.

The rules were relaxed from yesterday at the county’s Household Waste Recycling Centres on any day they are open.

But appointments still need to be booked via the Click and Tip website.

Lincolnshire County Council hopes that this will give residents more flexibility to use the sites.

Mike Reed, waste services at the council, said: “We’d like to thank residents for sharing their thoughts and experiences with us – so we can see what systems are working well and which areas we can improve.

“Based on feedback, we’ve made a number of changes to make the sites better – so accepting general waste, recycling and green waste on any open day, and adding almost 7,000 more timeslots and now, from Monday, April 19, residents using trailers will be allowed on any open day.”

But vans and larger trailers will still need a permit to access any  tip in the county.

Community grants totalling more than £18,000 have been agreed by South Kesteven District Council to help projects including youth work, culture, play area facilities and dance sessions to help Parkinson’s Disease sufferers.

Senior Community Development Officer Carol Drury said: “Community grants continue to help an incredible range of groups and volunteers right across the district.

“Our grant funding gets to the very root of what charities and organisations need to make a real difference to people’s lives.”

A £5,000 grant for the 2nd Stamford Scouts charity will help towards their New Scout HQ on Empingham Road to improve youth facilities in the town. With much of the £10,345 project costs covered, the grant supports the cost of architect design fees for a building to house scouts and be available to hire for other local groups.

Stamford currently has two scout huts, one built as a farm building around 200 years ago, but neither offers space that is accessible to all regardless of physical ability.

Caythorpe Playing Field Management Committee is to receive a £4,300 community grant to improve facilities at the village’s only playing field, used for cricket and football clubs as well as being the green open space for both Caythorpe and Frieston.

Play equipment was judged to be at medium risk in a recent inspection and the project, whose total cost is £5,428.22, will bring the horse spring mobile, nets on the large utility unit and the cradle swing up to required standard.

Dance for Parkinson’s sessions could be underway thanks to a provisional offer of a £1,964 community grant for Parkinson’s UK Grantham branch.

The project follows medical advice that exercise is as important as medication for treatment of the disease. With Covid restrictions likely to delay the project start date, the branch has been asked to prove that the project will still go ahead, with funding spent and the project completed within a year. The £2,024 project will organise weekly sessions by an instructor from Lincs Inspire.

They will be held in Grantham but will be available for the whole of the district. Other local clubs can join in if members could benefit from the exercises, promoting healthier lifestyle at the same time as encouraging social mixing to help combat loneliness, rural isolation and mental health.

Touring theatre company and registered charity Rhubarb Theatre will put its £2,000 community grant towards developing a high-quality online arts package that focuses on environmental elements.

The £20,000 project, aimed at young people and families, will be open to primary schools and to the public via a web link. It follows conversations with schoolteachers, children and families, establishing the environment as a top priority, and will start within their own communities. The story will be adapted into a full-length family show.

A short film, Dustbin Doris, will be included with themes of immigration, homelessness and the environment.

Stamford and Bourne Scouts can now develop their Mental Health First Aid Course for adult volunteers and a series of sessions for young people thanks to a £3,449.68 community grant.

The project, with a total cost of £4,312, will help to improve mental health for young people across the south of the district and reduce the sense of isolation that the pandemic has caused. It will take place at the Scout campsite and other sites, and will including outdoor activities, possibly the first in months, based on nature and mental health awareness. A COVID-19 autumn 2020 survey carried out by Young Minds showed that many young people with mental health problems are struggling to cope as they return to school, after months of living through the COVID-19 crisis. The sessions will also provide a model for other groups to run similar sessions making the project sustainable.

Event designed in a Covid safe environment

Touchpoint Live Media the organisers of the hugely popular Dogfest events are delighted to announce that their Big Dog Walk Series is back for 2021. Following the government’s green light to open up outdoor events, this is truly the time to start planning days out and booking things to look forward to. There are 6 Big Dog Walks planned across the year starting on the 30th May running through to 17th October at stunning locations across the country.

The Big Dog Walks are a unique opportunity for dog owners and their families to walk together in some of the country’s most beautiful stately parks. Dogs and their owners can choose from either a 2k, 5k or 10k route and walk times have been staggered this year for the comfort and safety of all taking part.

Brand new this year there will be a Puppy’s First Socialisation Walk at each of the venues, taking place at 10am, this will be a 2k walk for those with little legs and is a fabulous opportunity to introduce your new addition to other dogs and socialise them in a safe organised way.

The walks aim to bring together dog lovers and dogs and encourage socialisation and exercise. The walk will be the best walk ever for dogs and their families with fun games, surprises around the route.

Back at the Event Village there will be plenty of have-a-go activities for dogs such as a Dogstacle course for you and your dog to take on, shopping, expert advice, fun dog show, doggy splash park, and plenty of refreshments. We are delighted this year to have the Dogs Trust onboard as our Official Charity Partner. Participants can also raise more money for any charity of their choice upon signing up.

The first event in the series is taking place on Sunday 30th May at Belvoir Castle, Lincolnshire followed by Loseley Park, Surrey on 6th June, Borde Hill, Sussex on Sunday 13th June, Harewood House, Yorkshire on 27th June and a little later in the year St Clere, Kent on 3rd October and the final one Hylands Park, Essex on 17th October.

Prices are £10.50 per adult and children 5-16 years are free of charge.

Nicole Cooper, Managing Director of Touchpoint Live Media says; “The Big Dog Walk is a wonderful opportunity for all dog lovers to get out and walk with the four-legged member of the family. We are so thrilled to be hosting walks again this year at these six beautiful locations.

“These walks are a brilliant way to all get together in the great outdoors with all the family, and we cannot wait to welcome everyone”

Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, NG32 1PE, 30th May  https://www.belvoircastle.com/

Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage following a serious collision on the A52.

They believe this was a single vehicle collision and involved a white Suzuki Splash.

The collision happened in the westbound lane on A52 between Barrowby and Sedgebrook at around 7.20pm on Friday 16^th April.

The driver of the car, a 19-year-old man, suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital.

We would like to speak with anyone who witnessed the collision or may have dashcam footage and hasn’t already come forward. Or anyone who witnessed the vehicle as it travelled prior the collision taking place.  It is believed the vehicle has travelled from Grantham on the A52 Barrowby Road before the collision,

If you can assist with our investigation, please contact us in one of the following ways:

By calling 101, quoting incident 402 of April 16.

By emailing force.control@lincs.pnn.police.uk – remember to put quote the incident number of 402 of April 16.

Note: The incident number has been amended from 420 to 402. 

Policewould like to thank for the public for largely sticking to the rules during the first weekend since the latest relaxation of lockdown.

The most recent stage of the Government’s roadmap out of Lockdown came into play last Monday, April 12.

Last weekend was the first weekend since bars and pubs could open to customers sitting outdoors under the new rules and we are pleased to say that the majority of people enjoyed their time outside while following these. 

Chief Inspector Andy Morrice said: “We had a very busy weekend in terms of general calls for service – a 20% rise. This increase was to be expected as more people are out and about due to restrictions easing.

“We would like to thank the majority of people who have stuck to the rules and we would like to reinforce that lockdown has eased and not ended. The rules have been put in place to help people protect themselves and others and I would encourage people to continue to follow the guidance and ensure they meet in a group of no more than six outdoors. Gatherings indoors are not yet permitted.”

While we had no major issues in relation to Covid breaches over the weekend, we did have two main areas of concern.

Over the weekend we attended several locations in Skegness following reports groups of more than six youths gathering and drinking alcohol. Our officers attended and we are looking into what offences have taken place. These groups will be dealt with in due course.

Coastal Inspector Colin Haigh said: “These youngsters are the responsibility of their parents and parents should ensure they know where their children are. We attended numerous reports of youths drinking in groups larger than six and they will be dealt with.

“We will not tolerate this behaviour and we take these incidents very seriously and will take further action. Those breaking the rules are not only putting themselves at risk but others also. We will also be looking at any potential licensing breaches as to where the youths obtained their alcohol.”

Our officers also attended a report of a gathering of around 40 people in The Meadows in Stamford. A man was assaulted and received minor injuries, and one officer also suffered minor injury after an assault. Two youths were arrested and released. They will be required to attend a voluntary interview.  

The group dispersed and they will be dealt with in due course.

Grantham Inspector Gary Stewart said: “This behaviour is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We are looking into this further and those involved will be dealt with.

“A Dispersal Order will be in place across Stamford again on the weekend to ensure those who are out and acting responsibly can do so without having their day ruined by the minority.”

We are still in the process of collating the latest figures in relation to FPNs and these will be subject to review.

The rules, as of 12th April, are: 

• non-essential retail will be able to reopen 
• personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons will be able to reopen 
• public buildings such as libraries and community centres will be able to reopen 
• outdoor hospitality venues will be able to reopen, with table service only 
• most outdoor attractions including zoos, theme parks, and drive-in performances (such as cinemas and concerts) will be able to reopen 
• some smaller outdoor events such as fetes, literary fairs, and fairgrounds will be able to take place 
• indoor leisure and sports facilities will be able to reopen for individual exercise, or exercise with your household or support bubble 
• all childcare and supervised activities will be allowed indoors (as well as outdoors) for all children. Parent and child groups can take place indoors (as well as outdoors) for up to 15 people (children under 5 will not be counted in this number) 
• weddings, civil partnership ceremonies, wakes and other commemorative events will be able to take place for up to 15 people (anyone working is not included in this limit), including in indoor venues that are permitted to open or where an exemption applies. Wedding receptions can also take place for up to 15 people, but must take place outdoors, not including private gardens 
• self-contained accommodation will be able to open for overnight stays in England with your household or support bubbles
• you should continue to minimise the amount that you travel where possible 
• care home residents will be able to nominate two named individuals for regular indoor visits (following a rapid lateral flow test) 

The rule of six remains for outdoor socialising, which means that group of up to size people form any number of households can meet. Children of all ages count towards the limit of six. A group of any size which is made up of two households can also meet. Each household can include an existing support bubble. 

People must not meet indoors with anybody they don’t live with unless they are part of the same support bubble, or another legal exemption applies. 

For more on how we are responding the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit https://www.lincs.police.uk/news-campaigns/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19/