Artist, quizzer and former Grantham College lecturer David French has died suddenly. He was 80.

Born in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, after studying at his local collage of art and the Bath Academy, he trained as a teacher in Derby.

Moving to Grantham with his wife Heather and two young children in 1964, he was appointed as Lecturer in Fine Art at Grantham College.  

In addition to his teaching duties, David painted racehorses in his spare time (racehorses were his first love as he always wanted to be a jockey – an ambition he never fulfilled – but it was the beginning of his love of painting at the racing animal), a period in which he depicted such legendary horses as Red Rum, Shergar and later Desert Orchid.

It was through painting racehorses that David became involved in painting greyhounds.

He was introduced to leading trainer Geoff De Mulder and this meeting became a turning point in David’s life. From depicting a few of Geoff’s dogs for their owners, demands by other owners became so great for David’s work that in 1979 he resigned from his lectureship and became a professional artist , specialising in painting the racing animal.

A commission to paint a Greyhound Derby winner is always an honour and recognition for any artist, and in 1977, David painted Balliniska Band for his owner.

 Since then David painted 18 greyhound Derby winners and is the only artist in animal history to have done so, proving the high esteem in which his work is held by the sport.

Throughout his career, David was commissioned to paint countless Classic and open race winners including such household names as Ballyregan Bob and Scurlogue Champ, and was also commissioned by the B.G.R.B in 1990 to paint ‘Druids John’ which was presented to Prince Edward (now Earl of Wessex).

Since he started painting greyhounds, David produced a number of prints of his work that catered for all aspects of the breed and it is such prints that have generated such massive worldwide appreciation of his work.

And there is another area in which he was known. He became synonymous as the quizmaster for the Journal General Knowledge Quiz over past years and more recently was a squad member of the Press Gang team.

The funeral service will be held at Grantham Crematorium at 11.30am  on Monday 12^th August. Family flowers only. Donations to ULHT Charitable Funds c/o Stroke Unit, Lincoln County Hospital.

Arrangements by David Holland.

Geraldine Lockwood (Walsh) also known as Geri passed away peacefully on Wednesday 24th July 2019 at Grantham Hospital.

Geri was born to Henry and Mary Lockwood on the 23rd June 1951 in Mapperley, Nottingham. Her family moved to Caythorpe, Lincolnshire when Henry took up work at Steelweld.

Aged 19, she met Michael (Mick) Walsh. They married at St. Mary’s RC Church in 1975 and 11 years later had their only son, Drew. In 2000 Geri and Mick divorced, though remained close friends up until his death in 2005.

Before becoming a permanent wheelchair user and unable to work, Geri loved her work as a Secretary & PA at Steelweld, Grantham Road Services and Vacu-Lug to name a few, as well as working behind the bar at the Three Gables, White Lion and the Blue Bell.

Despite her disability, she managed to single-handedly raise her son and live life to the full, thanks to an army of dedicated carers around her. Her mischievous personality, strength, resilience and laughter will be missed enormously by her loving son Drew and all her family, friends and carers.

Geri’s funeral service will take place ‪on Thursday 8th August 2019 at St. Mary’s RC Church in Grantham, ‪starting at 10:30am. Geri requested a strict dress code of ‘no black’.

Following the funeral, there will be a party to celebrate her life at the Royal Queen pub on Belton Lane. Flowers are welcomed, as are donations for the MS Society. Please forward either to Robert Holland Funeral Directors, ‪14 St. Catherine’s Road, Grantham, NG31 6TS.

Drew thanks everyone at Grantham Hospital, within the Community Nursing team, at St Peter’s Hill Surgery, the Age UK response team and the hundreds of people across Grantham who have cared for his Mum over the years and in particular; Karla, Sally, Cherina, Megan, Clare, Shanie, Julie, Lynda and Gemma, who were with her until the very end.

The wife of a former Grantham police sergeant, Barbara Holmes (nee Danson), has died at her home in Boston. She was 70.

Born on Sharpe Road, Mrs Holmes was a pupil at the National School and Grantham Girls Central School.

She married police officer Mick Holmes, in 1967 and they made their first home at Denton Avenue.

Funeral arrangements are at Boston Crematorium Chapel, at 11.30am on Monday 8th October.

Malcolm Knapp

The leading expert on Grantham and its history, Malcolm G Knapp, died on Thursday aged 87.

Mr Knapp published a number of books about the town, firstly in collaboration with Michael Pointer, before going solo.

Grantham-born, he went to Brownlow School, then King’s School.

He did his National Service in the Lincolnshire Regiment.

Most of his working life was in the stores at local factories, including Coles Cranes and Aveling Barford.

In the 1950s/60s he ran Grantham Rhythm Club at the Five Bells, and organised many bus trips to De Montfort Hall, Leicester, to see the leading American big band tours of the day.

But it was as a local historian he is best known, by writing books, giving talks and leading walks around the town as a green badge guide.

Grantham will never be quite the same again.

A former Grantham Journal editor died suddenly at his Hunstanton holiday home on Saturday.

Malcolm Scott, 81, was appointed editor in January 1985, shortly after the local paper was bought by EMAP. He took over from Fred Goodliff.

Mr Scott, who lived in Lincoln, leaves a widow, Bridget.

Malcolm Scott

He joined the Journal from the Newmarket Journal and his first influence at Grantham was to change the format of the Journal from broadsheet to tabloid.

He made his home at Harlaxton during that time.

Other titles he edited during his career included Spalding Guardian, the Bury Free Press, the Newmarket Journal and the Lynn News office in the 1990s as the managing director of EMAP Anglia.

An experienced and highly respected journalist and author, Mr Scott was the son of a Methodist minister.

Mr Scott took early retirement because of cancer from which he made a remarkable recovery – surviving for a further 25 years.

On his retirement Mr Scott did consultancy work and then took up writing again, winning a national award.

As well as his wife, Bridget, Mr Scott leaves a daughter, Melanie, from his first marriage and two grandsons.

John Pinchbeck, Journal sports editor during Mr Scott’s reign said: “He was a great editor and human being.

“There was nothing not to like about him.

“We were still in touch by facebook less than two weeks ago. It’s quite a shock.”

John Wood

Mr John Wood of Grantham  died in Grantham Hospital last Saturday, following a long illness. He was 83.

After qualifying at University of London, Mr Wood joined British Gypsum at Staunton-in-the-Vale, near Long Bennington, in the laboratory, becoming chief chemist. He then moved to the East Leake Works.

He continued to live in Grantham throughout and was an enthusiastic singer. Over the years was a member of Grantham Choral Society, Grantham Singers and Grantham Operatic Society.

Arrangements have been made by Robert Holland Funerals, for Thursday 5th July at 11.30am, at Grantham crematorium.

It is with great sadness we report the passing of former Grantham Town and local league footballer,  Ron Harrison

Born at Antrim, Northern Ireland, Ronald Clinton Harrison was a Grantham Town central defender who had played in the Grantham League for Navenby and Fulbeck.

He went to Fulbeck Primary School and Leadenham Secondary Modern (later Wiliiam Robertson).

He made his debut for Grantham Town in the opening Midland League match of the 1966/67 season at Goole Town, scoring his first goal for the club in October against Loughborough United.

He played in many of that season’s games, including the FA Cup ties against Wimbledon and Oldham Athletic and over the next few years also made appearances in FA Cup Proper rounds against Altrincham, Chelmsford City, Swindon Town, the second match against Oldham Athletic, Stockport County and Rotherham United.

Towards the end of the decade Ronnie and the team began to start putting together some trophies and medals and by the club’s entry into the Southern League he had played his part in the two Midland League Championships and the two Midland League Cup victories.

Also, within the FA Trophy competition there were the highlights of playing in front of 6,714 spectators at Worcester City and a London Road Quarter-Final tie against Yeovil Town.
Elsewhere he scored one of the goals that secured the Lincolnshire County Cup victory over Scunthorpe United and he had already been awarded a joint Testimonial, along with Mick Chambers, when a Leicester City side came to London Road in May 1971.

As Grantham moved into the Southern League, there was soon another FA Cup Proper appearance for Ronnie when the club played Bradford City and this was followed only months later with another league championship winner’s medal.

The 1973/74 season was one of the greatest seasons in the club’s history and Ronnie played his part in every round of that year’s FA Cup run, including the ties against Rochdale and Middlesbrough.
The following two seasons still saw Ronnie as an important member of the side and he was rewarded with another FA Cup memory when the club played Port Vale in November 1975.

After a fairly uneventful following campaign, the 1977/78 season unfortunately saw Grantham battling at the foot of the table all year.

It was also a year which saw Ronnie’s final goal for the club when he scored in the April 1978 fixture at home to Dover, a game which saw a rare victory for The Gingerbreads.
Despite playing in the side for many of the games after the Summer break, his appearance in the October 1978 FA Cup tie at Boston FC was to be his last for the team, with the imminent departure of Terry Bly just around the corner.

However, he continued to be involved with the club and even went on to have two spells as Grantham manager, first midway through the 1979/80 season after Bob Norris left the club, and then towards the end of the following season with the departure of Geoff Barker.

Off the field, Ronnie served an apprenticeship with Ruston and Hornsby, followed by a short spell at Steelweld before moving the BMARCo.
In 1992 he opened his own engineering company off Swingbridge Road, up to retirement.

Geoff Winter (1932-2018) 

Grantham lost one it’s most influencial musicians yesterday, when former teacher, organist and all-round inspiration Geoff Winter died, aged 85.

There are few people in Grantham who have had anything do with music, who hasn’t been influenced by Geoff, either tutored or by one of the groups, school events or festivals he created.

Geoff was born in Gorse Rise, around the corner from Hill Avenue where lived with his wife Cecilia.

He went first to Brownlow Infants School, Castlegate then to Harrowby Infants and finally Kings School.

He had been showing an interest in music since the age of two and this was especially encouraged by Kings’ music teacher and St Wulfram’s church organist Stephen ‘Soloman’ Mundy who encouraged him on both piano and church organ.

From there Geoff went to teacher training specialising in music at St John’s College, York.

On his return, he became organist first at St John’s, Manthorpe, then St Anne’s, before taking over at St John in Spittlegate in 1960 – where he is still in post.  Mr Winter is also a choirmaster at St John’s.

He also became music master at St Wulfram’s School (1956-65) then St Hugh’s School until retiring in 1989 although until recently he gave private lessons.

His influence on Grantham’s music is legendary.  He was musical director of Grantham Singers, joint founder with Vincent Cable of Grantham Operatic Society and a founder member of Grantham Music Festival.

And his family continue to be influenced by his love of music. Married to Cecilia (patron saint of church music), his daughter Helen is a professional singer.  Granddaughter Rebecca is a member of the Soldier’s Wives’ choir while son and grandson were both in local pop groups.

In the Queen’s 2013 New Year’s Honours he was awarded a British Empire Medal in recognition of his contribution to music.

His funeral will be held at St John’s Church on Thursday May 17th at 1:30pm. All welcome to attend.

This will then be followed by a private service at Grantham Crematorium after which the family will return to St John’s for the reception

Grantham music teacher and church organist Geoff Winter receives the British Empire Medal (BEM) from Lord Lt of Lincolnshire Tony Worth at St John in Spittlegate. Below, joined by his wife Cecilia at the same event. Church, 23rd March 2013.

The funeral arrangements have now been made for former singer with the Magic Roundabout and  Mad Hatters Disco DJ, Michael Lee, who died earlier this month.

It is on Wednesday 2nd May at 2.45pm at St Wulfram’s Church followed by a cremation.

His celebration of life will be at The Railway Club afterwards.

Flowers or donations to British Heart foundation are all welcome.

Mick Lee of the Mad Hatters Disco in 1984

Click on icon below for details…

POPULAR Grantham sportsman Vic Heppenstall has died aged 86.

He was best known as an umpire with Belvoir Cricket Club, but he also helped coach many youngsters in the area for 30 years. For his help with Kings School cricketers, he was presented in 2014 with a portrait of himself by former West Indies all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers.

A post on Belvoir CC’s fb site says “The passing of “Vic” as everyone associated with cricket knew him, has saddened not only the cricketing fraternity, but everyone that ever met him. He was just one of the good guys.”

Among his other interest were collecting cricket-associated neckties.

‏Before retiring, he was proprietor of Grantham Shopfitters.

In 1972, he removed the original cast-ironwork which mounted the Guildhall clock which had become badly corroded and sections were disintegrating. It was replaced by an incurved pyramid was fabricated from strength and lightness with a copper covering, keeping the weight down to 250kgs.

Funeral arrangements  are for Wednesday 11th April at 2pm at St Wulfram’s Church.

Sir Garfield (Gary) Sobers, the legendary West Indies cricketer, considered one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders presents a portrait to Grantham & Belvoir’s legendary umpire Vic Heppenstall.

Vic Heppenstall waves from the Guildhall in January 1972 when the old capping had been removed from the Guildhall Clock.

Vic (left) and council workers prepare to put the new cap on the Guildhall Clock in 1972

Actor, author, teacher and creator of a favour TV children’s character, Paul Groves has died at Avery Lodge Care Home. He was 87.

He will be best known locally as Enbglish teacher ar St Hugh’s for more than 20 years, although he also worked on the stage, for TV and writing chidren’s books.

Paul Groves began in the acting profession and went on to become one of Britain’s most prolific children’s writers.

Born in Oxford in 1930, Paul showed a talent for acting at a young age and was encouraged by his father with whom he performed in amateur productions with.

At the age of 12 he appeared on stage in the D’Oyly Carte production of Mikado at the New Theatre in Oxford in front of a packed house.

After attending the City of Oxford School, Paul earned a scholarship to study at RADA with fellow students Warren Mitchell and Joan Collins.

The following three years saw Paul perform in a variety of plays, including a stint at the Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool.

Becoming disillusioned with acting, Paul trained to be a teacher in 1957.

He moved to Grantham in 1961 to head the English department at St Hugh’s School, where he taught for 23 years.

The move was a turning point in his life and set him on the path to becoming a children’s writer.

He said: “Some time after moving to the school, I noticed there were a number of pupils for whom there was no material to help them learn to read and write.

“I decided to fill the gaps in the market.”

This realisation prompted Paul to create the Tempo series of books which helped reintroduce the use of phonics.

Following this, Paul created Egbert Nosh in a bedtime story created for his two daughters, Wendy and Sally.

The story of a house which followed its owner was later read on Play School and, in 1970, was made into the only colour cartoons the BBC produced.

Paul’s most famous series of books is Bangers and Mash, 50 tales about naughty chimpanzees designed to introduce humour into teaching children to read.

The stories were enriched by Edward McLachlan’s illustrations.

ITV aired 25 cartoons in the 1970s which increased the chimps’ popularity.

Paul’s educational best-seller came in the form of Smudge and Chewpen – books to encourage children to correct common grammatical errors – which were in print for more than 20 years.

With 215 publications under his belt Paul returned to his thespian roots to become a playwright and performer.

Together with Howard Imber, he completed a Gilbert and Sullivan spoof called “Here’s a How-do-you-do” which they promoted nationally and locally.

At the age of 74 he began performing a stand-up comedy routine.

He was a former president and co-founder of Grantham Writers.

The funeral service will be held at Grantham Crematorium, at 2pm on Tuesday 19th December. Arrangements by Robert Holland.

Grantham has lost two musicians who make their mark on the town’s lively music scene in the 1960s.

Mick ‘Pedlar’ Palmer was lead guitarist with a number of local groups, including Triangle, The Donnas and The Atmonics.

His funeral service will be at Grantham Crematorium at 1pm on Monday 2^nd October

Best known as his alter ego Ricky Elvin, John Murphy (aka Rumfitt) he cut his first disc, Singing the Blues, at a penny-in-the slot recorder in America, while serving as a bellboy on the Queen Mary.

He sent a copy to ‘Uncle’ Harry Sanders, manager at the Granada, who played it to the audience on Sunday evening to rapturous applause.

He joined local group The Pontiacs as a singer and went with them on a European tour of American airbases.

After the group disbanded, he became resident singer at the Peacock, Redmile for a number of years.

His funeral service will be at Grantham Crematorium at 2pm on Monday, October 9

Franceso Elia Angeloni, better know as ‘Frank’, has died following a long illness. He was 68.

Born at Croxton Kerrial, he was the son of former naval pow Albino and his wife Pamela.

He claimed to have a ‘finely tuned ear’ and could diagnose a car fault simply by listening to it.

He worked for Franks Taxis and was the former owner of Abbey Cabs.

His son Mark said: “He was always the life and soul.

“He never turned away anyone who needed help. He was head and rock of our family. We will miss him greatly.”

The funeral service will be held at Grantham Crematorium at 11am on Friday 17th February. Arrangements are by Robert Holland Funeral Services. Everyone welcome to attend.

The family request no flowers, but donations to Marie Curie rapid response unit, can be made at Robert Holland, St Catherine’s Road.