School lunch parcel contents “mind boggling”
A Grantham mum says,
I received the pack from ideal meals for my son and I am completely disgusted with them. I have a video of what my son received and some of it was ok but meat products in food bags with no labels to say what it is no sell by date, rolled up dough again not explaining what it is or no date no allergy awareness labels, pot of sauce I assume for a pizza base same thing no date no list of ingredients on it no allergy awareness. Pasta put in to a food bag.
Considering we are in the middle of a pandemic I think it’s disgusting the way the food items are being packaged and the fact that the food is being handled and spilt in to food bags by law food should sealed by the manufacture with labels and dates.
What my son received today was mind boggling there should be some sort of information for parents to understand what do with some of the ingredients.
Photo sent in by another parent
Lincolnshire housing market predictions in 2021
In the face of a difficult start to 2021, home buyers are seeing signs of encouragement for their hopes of purchasing a new home this year, as housebuilder Vistry Group is predicting a strong year for the housing market in Lincolnshire.
The stamp duty holiday, low-interest rates and schemes such as Help to Buy have combined to create a positive backdrop throughout 2020 and into the new year, despite obvious challenges.
Vistry East Midlands is anticipating this demand will continue well into the new year, in spite of the new challenges posed by a third national lockdown.
Nic Chapman, sales and marketing director for Vistry East Midlands, said: “While a strange year for us all, 2020 proved to be naturally challenging for the housing industry.
“From the moment the housing market safely reopened to the public, right through to the end of the year, demand for new homes continued, and our teams worked tirelessly to ensure our customers were not only safe when they visited our sites, but that the obvious complications we were all faced with were met with all the due diligence necessary.
“Last year, we acted quickly to install QR codes across all our developments as a measure to keep our staff and customers safe on site, as well as introducing telephone appointment visits, social distancing as standard and additional safety measures such as Perspex safety screens and additional hand sanitiser stations at our developments.
“Now, as we enter a new phase of the pandemic in 2021, our staff and developments are already Covid-secure thanks to the variety of measures we swiftly put in place last year, and have since enhanced following recent government guidance.
“There is also evidence that home movers remain committed to finding a new home in 2021. We are receiving enquiries from some people who had postponed a move in 2020 and now have the confidence to proceed.
“Buyers are choosing to postpone other arrangements such as holidays abroad to commit to buying a home, even in the face of a new national lockdown, as the industry continues to safely deliver new homes while following the government’s advice.”
Vistry East Midlands, which includes Bovis Homes and Linden Homes, as well as Vistry Partnerships, is not alone in witnessing a spike in demand over recent months.
In December 2020, the National Association of Estate Agents Propertymark reported a 29 per cent increase in prospective buyers in the market for a home. The average number of prospective buyers registered per estate agent rose to 580, the highest amount since August 2004.
Jason Blunden, managing director of Evolve Financial Solutions, said: “2021 is going to be a great year for house hunters across the country.
“The average house price in the UK was up 5.4 per cent in the year up to October 2020, according to the latest UK House Price Index figures from the land registry. This is the highest annual growth rate the UK has seen since October 2016 and demonstrates resilience in the market.
“While house prices continue rising, the Bank of England has kept the base interest rate at 0.1 per cent, remaining at a record all-time low. With the stamp duty holiday available on completions to the end of March and the new Help to Buy scheme assisting more first-time buyers, 2021 looks to be promising.”
With Help to Buy, you can buy a new home with a five per cent deposit and a 75 per cent mortgage. The remaining 20 per cent is provided as a government-backed equity loan which is interest-free for five years.
Help to Buy was previously available to people moving home. When the scheme was extended, it was altered to become a first-time buyer scheme and regional price caps have been introduced. Vistry is offering Help to Buy for first-time buyers across the area.
Nic Chapman added: “The housing market is of huge importance to the wider economy. Conditions for purchasers look set to remain favourable during 2021 and buying a new home presents many advantages. We look forward to helping more customers across Lincolnshire to make their first or next move.”
Vistry Group is currently building a selection of three and four-bedroom homes at its Springfields development in Deeping St James, as well as in developments across Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
For more information about Vistry East Midlands developments, visit bovishomes.co.uk and lindenhomes.co.uk/eastmidlands.
More than 500 fines issued – but most people obey the lockdown rules
As Coronavirus restrictions continue and communities continue to work together to keep each other safe, police say they would like to thank people who obeyed the Lockdown rules.
The majority of residents have followed the Government guidance which means officers’ time has been spent carrying out their usual calls for service rather than spending time dealing with those breaching the rules.
Some of our priorities include locating high risk missing people, dealing with daily incidents such as violence, road traffic collisions and tracking down our most wanted people. These are just a handful of calls for service that fill officers’ time.
Due to a majority of residents following the guidelines and rules, they have been able to place more resources into various incidents.
These have included an assault in Sleaford Road, Boston on Sunday (17th Jan), in which a man was taken to hospital. Officers swiftly arrested a man (28) and a woman (41) on suspicion of assault and they have since been bailed.
And in ongoing work to target high-harm offenders, they have located six of our Most Wanted people: https://www.lincs.police.uk/news-campaigns/news-and-campaigns/2020/lincolnshires-most-wanted/
However, there have been some occasions where fines have been issued to those who have shown blatant disregard for the rules and regulations.
576 fines have been issued from the beginning of the first lockdown in March last year, to 17th January.
Some of the most recent fines were given to eight people from different households who thought it was acceptable to have a party in a one-man tent in Oftlers Plantation in Woodhall Spa. Officers attended soon after 11pm on January 16th and handed them fines.
On another occasion, a 45-year-old male was issued a fixed penalty notice during the early hours of January 9th. The man drove from Chesterfield to do a countrywide road trip, to see the Lincoln City Football Ground.
Assistant Chief Constable Kerrin Wilson said: “We’ve got a brilliant community spirit across Lincolnshire.
“By and large everybody has been patient and they are doing their utmost to make sure that we are as a county looking after the vulnerable and being as safe as we can.
“We do however have a number of Covid breaches that are increasing here in Lincolnshire and that takes a toll on our officers to be able to deal with them.
“Some of them are quite flagrant breaches such as parties in the woods, or people travelling to go and visit a football stadium. That is breaking the rules, and we are dealing with those very robustly.
“But we do have a number of people who are bending the rules as well and that might be as simple as having an extra support bubble, or just meeting somebody to go for a coffee or inviting somebody into your house to have coffee.
“That’s putting people at risk so it’s those bending the rules that are actually adding to the potential spread of this virus, at the moment. So I’d just urge you to consider that, because by and large, we have been really, really good in this county.
“We’ve got some great news on the horizon with the rollout of the vaccines and the vaccine centres across the county, but we do need to be considerate of our behaviour, because there’s still some hurdles to get through until we get everybody vaccinated.
“Until we do that, policing still needs to continue, and I don’t have a separate team of people who deal with all of Covid breaches. They are the officers who are preventing harm and serious injury and dealing with criminalities across the county, so they’re dealing with organised criminals they’re dealing with drug offences, violent offences, domestic abuse, safeguarding children; all of that are the same officers, and I would prefer to send them to those people who are really in need, as opposed to Covid breaches.
“So if you’re not breaching then I won’t need to send people out but what I do want to say is a big, big thank you to everybody who is working with us to try and keep our communities safe.”
No parking on Harlaxton Road
Who remembers these Grantham businesses?
Minister of State for Health replies to Grantham Hospital concerns
Grantham area county councillors have received a letter back from the Minister of State for Health and Social Care, Edward Argar MP, acknowledging their concerns about the delay in resolving the long-running issues over NHS services and A&E provision at Grantham Hospital.
Councillors Linda Wootten, Ray Wootten, Mark Whittington, Bob Adams and Adam Stokes wrote to the Government asking for support in saving the A&E service at Grantham Hospital and reinstating from its current status as an urgent treatment centre.
The county council’s Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire has been informed of the response, which acknowledges the “temporary” changes to services during the Covid pandemic and the “frustration with the delay in resolving the ongoing longer term issues around the provision of services in the Grantham area”. It goes on to highlight the importance of “appropriate engagement with staff, local people, and their representatives” for any service changes. The letter has been forwarded to the Department of Health and Social Care.
“Although it’s taken some time with the ongoing pandemic, we were pleased to get a reply from the minister” said Councillor Linda Wootten, county councillor for Grantham East. “Our priority has always been to ensure that the people of Grantham and district receive the best hospital treatment that the NHS can provide and we will continue the fight for the return of our A&E.”
“We are a rural town and residents are suffering much inconvenience having to travel for A&E services.”
Councillor Carl Macey, chair of the Health Scrutiny Committee, said: “It is welcome news to see that fellow councillors concerns have been acknowledged by Government. We all share the concerns of the many people in Grantham about the changes which have had a significant impact for people, particularly in terms of travel to other sites and the downgrading of Grantham A&E.”
“As a committee we have previously written to Government on this issue and we will continue to press United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust and NHS management on plans for ensuring comprehensive hospital services that local people deserve.”
Julia Ann Ferrity
Julia Ann Ferrity passed away peacefully at Lincoln County Hospital on 11th January 2021 aged 75.
Julia will be missed by all her family and friends. May she rest in peace.
Julia’s funeral will take place on Wednesday 27th January 2021 at Grantham Crematorium at 9.30am.
For further information please contact Townsend Moore Funeral Services 23 Wharf Road Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 6BG Tel: 01476 566933
Now that’s what you call a bonfire!
How to look after your dog during lockdown
If you’re a dog owner who has coronavirus symptoms ask someone who doesn’t live with you to walk your dog.
If you do not have symptoms of coronavirus and you’re walking your or somebody else’s dog
Keep 2 metres away from other people and animals.
Pick up and drop off someone else’s dog at their door –
wash your hands when you get home
Dogs get new lease of life after heartbreaking neglect at kennels
Fire and Rescue at heart of Covid response
Firefighters in Lincolnshire have again been stepping up to a range of different activities to support the countywide Covid-19 response.
Behind the scenes, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue have been part of many multi-agency teams keeping services running, ensuring stocks of PPE are available where needed and supporting Lincolnshire communities.
As well as driving ambulances when demand has been high, fire crews from Lincoln South and Wainfleet have been helping with the roll out of lateral flow testing in Lincoln and Boston. Firefighters from Skegness, Boston and Lincoln North supported the construction of vaccination sites in their local areas too.
And this is on top of continuing to respond to emergencies around the county, providing advice over the phone, and continuing to visit the most vulnerable residents in their homes.
Mark Baxter, Interim Chief Fire Officer, said: “Just like during the last lockdown, our firefighters have again been playing a key role in the ongoing coronavirus response- protecting our residents and helping wherever they’re needed.
“We remain committed to supporting our colleagues and partner agencies across Lincolnshire and to carry on with our prevention work that helps those most at risk of harm.”
Cllr Nick Worth, executive councillor for emergency services at the county council, said: “I’m incredibly proud of both our frontline firefighters and our staff working behind the scenes who continue to work for the benefit of the county.
“They have taken on additional responsibilities and new working practices, whilst still providing a first-class response to their communities. We often say the role is not just about fires, and the last year has shown just how much firefighters do to keep people safe.”
School meal packages, the saga continues.
Anon says,
Well I think the school lunch parcels are appalling. This is from my son’s primary school. Just over £7 each week where they could be giving out vouchers!
School gets £15 per week per child. We’re also in the middle of a pandemic there’s a lot of parents who aren’t able to get up to the school to collect the food parcels and the school aren’t catering for children’s dietary needs etc my son for example is 10 and he has been a fussy eater since 2 years old so the only thing he would eat from the parcel is a tuna sandwich – 1 can is 2 sandwiches.
The vouchers to most parents would be so helpful and would stretch a lot further. It saddens me to think that someone is profiting from this!
I checked prices against local wholesaler like Brakes which is what a lot of local schools use.
An example of what Morrisons has to offer for £15
Another mother, with a child at the same school also contacted GM to say,
I understand the school parcel / voucher is an issue that’s been raised nationwide.
However my immediate concern at local level is the produce such as fruit provided would be deemed unfit for sale in retail outlets and is way beyond what could be classed as fresh.
The parcels are totally unbalanced and while allergies are catered for giving my son a pre determined lunch parcel that contains much that he doesn’t like and has never eaten is not the equivalent to choice of meal in school or voucher equivalent.
This is not what the entitlement was meant to be. It has become a money making scheme for outsourced firms and the amount of food that will be wasted is appalling as some children won’t be catered for at all from the choices made for them.
This is an entitlement given by the government not something for firms to skim for their own gain. The message that those families struggling financially should be grateful for poor quality food for their children is disgusting especially in such difficult times.
New kitchen for Grantham school
Who do you know in this Grantham school photo?
St Wulframs School were crowned Kesteven Secondary Schools League champions in 1961 with 13 wins from 14 games They scored 102 goals conceding 18. Pictured are (back, from left): D. Chantry, D. Green, L. Bond, B. Merrick, M. Baines, M. Guy, E. Garton; (front, from left) T. Rawson, T. Whittaker, D. Berridge (capt), M. Elkington, C. Short.
Seaside hotel loses alcohol licence for opening during lockdown
The Grosvenor House Hotel, North Parade, Skegness has had their Alcohol Premises Licence Revoked
The Alcohol Licensing Team from Lincolnshire Police submitted paperwork for a Licence Review Hearing following a visit to the premises on 19th November 2020, where officers seized CCTV footage. Once this footage had been examined The Grosvenor Hotel was found to be open and trading on Friday 13th November 2020 and Saturday 14th November 2020. The business was open with customers inside consuming alcohol in contravention of the government closure order which started at midnight on 4th November 2020.
On Tuesday 19th January 2021 a digital hearing was held in front of Skegness District Council Licensing Sub-Committee. After hearing all the evidence they agreed with the police that this licenced premises had opened in breach of the regulations when other businesses were subject to closure.
The Sub-Committee were of the view that the breaches were so serious in a time when coronavirus was particularly prevalent in the area and when the Government had declared a national lockdown for the country that it was appropriate for the promotion of all four of the licensing objectives to revoke the licence.
There is a 21 day appeal process; if no appeal is submitted then the suspension comes into force.
Lincolnshire Police initially received a photograph from a Facebook account which appeared to show a group of males sat in a large group drinking pints and posing for photos.
Sergeant Kim Enderby, Alcohol Licensing Manager for Lincolnshire Police, said: “Following that initial Facebook image being sent to my team we carried out a thorough investigation. We quickly attended at the hotel and carried out a review of the CCTV hard drive. I thought after 29 years in the police there wasn’t a lot left to shock me but the way in which this venue was operating was awful. Nearly two weeks after the November lockdown had started we found footage of over fifteen people in the bar area. They were being served pint after pint by the owner of the premises Mr Sparks. Obviously this hotel bar should have been closed; people should not have been allowed inside to drink alcohol. But of equal concern was the total lack of social distancing measures in place. At one point over ten men were crammed round a small table drinking and posing for what we think were the Facebook posts. There were no face masks being worn by customers or staff, nothing had been put in place to try and prevent the spread of the virus.
“We also discovered footage of three males smoking in the bar area, despite the fact that it has been illegal to smoke on licensed premises in England since 1st July 2007- over thirteen years. The males were seen to be drinking and smoking whilst children sat and ate at a table behind them. Mr Sparks claimed it was an error of judgement on his part to open the bar but that is a poor excuse. The blatant disregard for both the closure order and social distancing measures demonstrates a lack of management and control over these premises.
“We are not yet out of this pandemic, whilst the vaccine rollout is well under way, we still need everyone to be sensible and follow the regulations. Anyone responsible for running licensed premises is expected to do so responsibly and within the law.
“The decision of East Lindsey District Council to revoke this licence sends a really strong deterrent message to anyone owning or running licensed premises. They need to follow the guidance, operate lawfully and responsibly. We will not hesitate to take action against any licensed premises whose operation presents a risk to the public, where there is criminality and where the licensing objectives are undermined.”
Who spent their Saturdays here in Grantham?
Ronald Peasgood
Ronald Peasgood passed away peacefully in Peterborough Hospital on 9th January 2021 aged 91.
Ronald will be missed by all his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
Ronald’s funeral will take place on Monday 1st February 2021 at Grantham Crematorium at 11.30am.
Gifts in memory of Ronald are being received on behalf of Royal British Legion. They can be forwarded to Townsend Moore Funeral Services 23 Wharf Road Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 6BG Tel: 01476 566933
Lincolnshire NHS staff say parking fines handed out during pandemic are causing them to ‘lose sleep’ with stress
Helping children stay safe online
The Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership and the Stay Safe Partnership are live-streaming two sessions for parents and carers on online safety later this week.
The sessions take place on Thursday 21 January, starting at 12:30pm and 7:30pm. They will also be available to view on the LSCP YouTube channel once they have ended.
Chris Cook, chairman of the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership, said: “With most children learning online at the moment, internet safety has never been more important. Our online sessions are the ideal way for parents and carers to find out how to help their children safely enjoy all the benefits the online world has to offer.”
Link for the 12:30pm stream:
Link for the 7:30pm stream:
LSCP YouTube channel link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxMnZ02Sl1AbtIhq-m3rrVQ
If you believe that a child may be a victim of neglect, abuse or cruelty, call children’s safeguarding on 01522 782111 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm) or 01522 782333 (outside office hours)
