Sally Slater is able to manage her college commitments around work and her life at home

In an effort to better herself and begin a new career, Sally Slater made the bold decision to return to education – while still providing for her family. 

Although she left school without the qualifications she desired, Sally enrolled at Grantham College to achieve her Functional Skills qualifications, GCSEs and a spot on the Access to Higher Education course. 

To complete her progression within the college, she now has her sights set on securing a place at university on a course related to healthcare.

Sally is keen to promote the message that it is never too late to return to education.

She explained: “Even though I have a family, the courses are manageable with determination. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.” 

Sally also paid tribute to her tutors, who she said have been “fantastic” in aiding her as she has progressed through the courses.

•  Monday 8 April, 2019
•  News Story

Unbelievably it costs £5000 to stand for the EU election – but it’s £5000 for a single independent candidate and it’s also £5000 for a national political party with seventy-three candidates.

“Since the country voted to leave, the incompetent and self-serving politicians in our national parties have made an appalling mess of BREXIT ignoring the wishes of the people.” said Peter Lundgren of Branston, currently serving District Councillor and the elected Deputy Leader of the Group.

“Nobody -remainer or leaver – voted for this mess. So why bother if it’s only a few months until we leave.

“For years Lincolnshire and the East Midlands have been lucky if we get the crumbs off the European Union table as the big parties carve up the funds for the south and the industrialised areas.

“So now that we are leaving the European Union let’s elect some local politicians who will for the last few months put Lincolnshire and the East Midlands first. Who knows, maybe we will get something for our region – we certainly couldn’t do any worse than the national parties have over the past 40 years!”

Coun Marianne Overton MBE, Leader of the Lincolnshire Independents, said “The National Parties have fallen into disarray. We need a new kind of politics, where Leadership is through conviction, a determination to find the best solutions for our residents.

“The kind of politics where we use intelligence, charm, drive and conviction to bring parties to a common aim. The current government relies on party political whips and is in deadlock.

“We have to have a fresh start and only Independents, speaking clearly for residents, can do that, locally and nationally.”

Nick Byatt, Chairman of the Lincolnshire Independents added: “As Independents, we are best placed to seek out opportunities and to support where we can agree, helping reunite communities that have been split by Brexit. 

“A secondary aim to press at every opportunity the need for the EU to reform into a leaner organisation, allowing stronger national parliaments and so less EU bureaucracy.”

They need funds to put up candidates. £5000 for a deposit and another £5,000 for leaflets and promotion. Can you help?

Crowd funding link here

She’s standing for the new Nigel Farage party in the East Midlands

John Llewellyn from South Wales has been busy of late, restoring a grasscutter made in Grantham.

He lives  on the northern edge of Cardiff in South Wales where his family has farmed for at least 180years and maybe longer.

They converted the farm to a 9 hole golf course in 1987/88 and it is still operating although no longer run the day to day business.

The machine is marked Hornsby of Grantham, which dates it 20 years either side of 1900. Before 1880 it would have been Spittlegate and after 1920 would have been Ruston and Hornsby.

Can anyone add any information to this?

Two legal executives from Grantham-based law firm JMP Solicitors have passed distinguished Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) exams.

Personal injury trainee legal executive Emily Roche completed her level three CILEx exams to qualify as an associate member of the association and Leanne Askew, also a trainee legal executive, passed her fourth level three exam.

CILex is a professional association of over 20,000 Chartered Legal Executive lawyers, paralegals and legal practitioners in England and Wales.

JMP Solicitors is fully funding the exams for its employees, which allows them to access specialist law training whilst working, that would otherwise be offered at university level.

Emily has been with JMP Solicitors for five years, specialising in road traffic accidents (RTAs), employers claims and public liability claims. After passing her level three exams, she now has her sights set on her level six exams – the final step to being fully CILEx qualified.

Leanne, who has been with JMP for more than four years and specialises in RTAs, looks forward to completing her level three exams and joining Emily in studying for the final stage of assessments.

Emily said: “The support from JMP has been great in terms of funding and having designated time in the workplace to study for examinations. I feel very proud to have passed the level three CILEx exams and look forward to continuing my studies to complete level six so I can be fully qualified and achieve further rights of audience.”

Ian Howard, managing director at JMP Solicitors, said: “Here at JMP, we strive to maximise potential for all staff. We do this by ensuring that all of our employees are supported at all levels with accessible education and training opportunities.

“CILEx is an esteemed association and to have passed exams of this calibre is a real achievement – we are very proud of Emily and Leanne and will continue to support them in their studies, as well as employees across the board.”

Barrowby Road Allotments in Grantham have been hit by thieves for the second time this year.

The thefts took place during between the evening of 17th April and 7am on the 18th April.

One item stolen was a new garden tiller.

The thieves must have had transport and believed to have parked either on Barrowby Road or the end of the footpath to the allotment on Lauriston Road , Barrowby Lodge estate.

AN international day highlighting the bravery of meningitis survivors and those whose lives have been changed forever through losing someone to the disease is being backed by Meningitis Now, the UK’s leading meningitis charity.

World Meningitis Day (Wednesday 24 April), an initiative of the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO), focuses on ‘Life After Meningitis’.

Meningitis Now Chief Executive Dr Tom Nutt, said: “We know that life after meningitis is tough for many people and we want to use World Meningitis Day to showcase the bravery of meningitis survivors and those who have lost a loved one.

“Through our supporters telling their stories, raising awareness of the signs and symptoms and increasing vaccine knowledge, we can raise the profile of this devastating disease and help to reduce its impact for future generations.”

There are an estimated 22 cases of meningitis each day across the UK. The disease can strike in hours, but the after-effects, including deafness, limb loss and brain damage, can last a lifetime. Those who lose a loved one to the disease have their lives changed forever.

“On World Meningitis Day, as on every other day, we are here to help and support those who need us.” Tom added.

The charity is keen to use World Meningitis Day to promote its range of support services, including its recently-launched Rebuilding Futures Fund, which provides financial, practical and emotional support for people of all ages affected by meningitis.

“We’re not about quick fixes; we’re here to provide tailored support with long-term impact, that will really help people and families to rebuild their lives after meningitis,” Tom said.

“We’re proud to provide this unique, life-changing support – the only meningitis organisation to do so in the UK.”

Other charity support activity includes its popular Family Days – regional fun days out for families affected by meningitis – and the Believe & Achieve programme especially for young people.

Meningitis Now is also launching its first Facebook fundraiser on World Meningitis Day to help fundraise for that support and calling on the public to contribute if they’re able to and make a difference for those impacted by meningitis in the future. Visit www.MeningitisNow.org for more details.

If you have been affected by meningitis or would like more information, visit www.meningitisnow.org or contact the Meningitis Now helpline on 0808 80 10 388 or helpline@meningitisnow.org

Meningitis Now is working towards a future where no one in the UK loses their life to meningitis and everyone affected gets the support they need.

It does this by funding research into vaccines and prevention, raising awareness so people know what to look for and what action to take if they suspect meningitis and rebuilding futures by providing dedicated support to people living with the impact of the disease.

The next meeting of the Board of Directors for Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will take place in public on Tuesday, 30 April 2019 at 9.00am at the Trust’s Headquarters, St George’s, Long Leys Road, Lincoln, LN1 1FS.

Once again, the Board will receive important feedback on patient experience of services.  A report from the Interim Chief Executive will be received, in addition to a performance report, setting out the Trust’s progress against the key performance targets it has to meet for quality, activity and finance.

The Board will also receive a report from the Trust’s Interim Director of Nursing, AHPs and Quality on inpatient safe staffing and the Medical Director will present a report on learning from deaths.  Board members will carry out a quarterly review of the Board Assurance Framework and consider approval of the Trust’s annual declarations for 2018/19, for submission to NHS Improvement (the Regulator for NHS trusts).  

Paul Devlin, Trust Chair, said:  “Our board meetings give people a chance to find out more about the work of the Trust and the services we provide for the community of Lincolnshire. The public are very welcome to attend and listen to the discussions and to submit questions to us at the beginning of the meeting if they wish.”

This meeting is open to members of the public and interested parties. To register your interest in attending the meeting and/or to table a question, please contact Karen Scott on 01522 309175, or email karen.scott@lpft.nhs.uk.  

A ring Margaret Thatcher wore the day she became the UK’s first female Prime Minister in 1979 is among a haul of personal possessions that will be auctioned next month.

Christie’s auction house is holding an online sale of personal items to mark the 40th anniversary of her election.

A bracelet worn while meeting Nelson Mandela, clothes and signature handbags will also be sold.

Christie’s estimated the 170 lots could sell from between £100 to £15,000.

It is the third Christie’s auction of the belongings of Mrs Thatcher, who was born in Grantham and died of a stroke in 2013.

The 18-carat gold and amethyst ring that she was photographed wearing when she arrived at 10 Downing Street, on 4 May 1979, is expected to sell for between £1,200 and £1,800.

Mrs Thatcher’s radical and sometimes confrontational approach defined her 11-year period at No 10 and her rejection of consensus politics made her a divisive figure.

Other items in the sale include a diamond-set gilt Cartier pen in its box and an Asprey handbag, which has a lizard skin exterior.

Adrian Hume-Sayer, of Christie’s, said the auction offered collectors, admirers and enthusiasts “one last chance to bid for a memento of ‘The Iron Lady'”.

The sale is to open for bidding between 2 and 9 May.

• More news from Lincolnshire

POLICE are appealing for communities to report suspicious activity at churches following a series of lead thefts.  Over the last 6 weeks, 10 churches have reported thefts.  These occurred in Tallington, Swinstead, Navenby, Eagle, North Scarle, Haconby, Stoke Rochford, Skillington, North Witham and Hough on the Hill.

This type of theft can cost churches tens of thousands of pounds and can mean that rainwater gets into a church and damages the interior.

Police are asking for the support of local residents and especially people who live close enough to be able to see their church.  The message from officers is please report any suspicious activity and if you notice unusual vehicles or behaviour in the vicinity of a church please call 101 quoting ‘Operation Brompton 2’.

Descriptions and vehicle registration numbers are extremely helpful, but never put yourself at any risk.

Sally Picker from Lincolnshire Police’s Crime Prevention Team, adds: “Sometimes it is difficult to see that lead is missing and unfortunately some churches only notice when it has rained. 

“There are however some key things to look out for and residents can play a big part in helping us prevent these crimes .

“If you do live near a church and hear dull thudding noises, it could be lead being dropped from the church roof. 

“Another giveaway that lead has been stripped from a roof is if you see divots in the grass around a church or on gravel pathways.  If you spot either of these signs, please call us on 101 immediately.

“There are measures that can be taken to significantly reduce the vulnerability of our beautiful churches and our Crime Reduction Tactical Advisors are available to visit and make recommendations.  Please call me on 07867936487 or email sally.picker@lincs.pnn.police.uk for further advice.”

Measures which could be taken to increase security include:

• Installing a roof alarm;
• Making sure that gates cannot be lifted from their hinges, and ensure they are locked at night;
• Keeping trees well pruned, with branches taken up to around 2.5m to help with natural surveillance;
• Making regular checks of the roof;
• Securing wheelie bins so they cannot be used to drag lead to a vehicle 
• Ensuring any tools and machinery in outbuildings are securely locked and properly marked;
• Taking professional advice about lighting for the church and churchyard 
• Cutting back foliage around church doors.

Anyone with information about the lead thefts should contact Lincolnshire Police on 101.  If a crime is in progress, call 999.  You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555111.

Looking for a convenient and cost-effective way to recycle your garden waste?

Then look no further than the South Kesteven District Council garden waste collection service.

So far almost 26,500 households have signed up for SKDC to collect their garden waste for composting.

It’s not too late to join the scheme. Over 400 new garden waste bins have been distributed so far this year, and you can sign up at any point.
As garden maintenance increases over the summer months, this service saves you time, money and hassle disposing of your garden waste, with no need for trips to the tip or the chance of messing up your car with bags of garden waste.

And now it’s easier than ever to join by paying online through direct debit, and you’ll save money into the bargain.

New members pay just the one-off annual fee which included green bin collection every fortnight (monthly in winter) and there is no limit on the number of garden waste bins you can buy.

You can even take it with you if you move within the district and notify us of your change of address.

Simply visit www.southkesteven.gov.uk/greenbin to join the scheme.

Shot05 – The showhome at The Oaks

Homehunters in Lincolnshire are invited to Lovell Homes’ exclusive family fun day on Saturday 20^th April at its The Oaks development in Greylees, near South Rauceby, from 11am until 4pm, where a brand new four-bedroom showhome is officially being launched.

Parents can come and view the beautiful homes available and enjoy a gin on Lovell whilst children will be entertained by the free face painter, ice cream, goody bags, cupcakes and the chance to win an exclusive prize in the Lovell Homes drawing competition.

The Oaks, located on Murrayfield Avenue, is a selection of 35 two, three and four-bedroom homes, perfect for all types of purchaser.

Shot21 – The showhome at The Oaks

Throughout the day, visitors will be able to take a look around the wonderful showhomes and view the true quality of a Lovell Home first hand, whilst experiencing the friendly development and its beautiful surroundings.

It is not just families that are able to visit this event; all potential home hunters searching for their dream home in the Sleaford area are invited to come and see the development and enjoy a day with Lovell Homes.

Toni Boden, regional sales manager at Lovell Homes said: “We are so excited about the homes at The Oaks and to be launching our brand new Cotterdale style showhome.

“Anyone who is interested in purchasing one of these beautiful homes is welcome to come and visit the development for the opening of the showhome, and enjoy an ice cream, a gin or even have their face painted!

“We have already received a lot of interest in these beautifully designed homes, so with the opening of the new showhome we anticipate the development to be even more popular. I would advise anyone interested to come and visit us for the open day to avoid missing out on one of these desirable homes.”

Shot27 – The showhome at The Oaks

The Oaks is situated in the picturesque village of Greylees, located on the outskirts of Sleaford, just off the A15. There are many local amenities including a primary school, shop and Sleaford Golf Course.

For information on the homes available at the development, please call 01529 664 371 or visit https://www.lovell.co.uk/developments/the-oaks-greylees/.