Abellio announces £600m investment into East Midlands train line as investigation into contract launched

• Shayan Siraj and Mollie Patterson take home bronze medals

Two bronze medals and a fifth place-finish were secured as Grantham College Table Tennis Academy players competed at the Junior National Cup in Plymouth.

Shayan Siraj and Mollie Patterson finished third in the Boys and Girls sections respectively, with Megan Gidney unfortunate to fall short of a podium position. 

It was a fiercely-fought and close competition, with all ten players in both the Boys and Girls sections each winning at least one match.

Coaches Gavin Evans and Natalie Green occupied the group on the mammoth 550-mile round trip to the south coast.

Following their return early on Monday morning, Natalie was quick to turn the players’ attentions to the upcoming European Youth Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

She said: “Congratulations go to the players, and good luck for when they represent England next month.”

As part of its 10 year strategy the Grantham-based Woodland Trust is aiming to become one of the best organisations to work for in the UK.

Over the last five years the charity has doubled its workforce and expanded its staffing presence away from its Dysart Road base to the regions.

With this in mind the charity has looked to boost the way it delivers communications to its employees. In addition new regulations in the charity sector required it to also test and develop its staff management processes. An increasingly diverse workforce also drove changes in the way the charity thought about the needs and motivations of its people.

Staff survey results were successful and there had been a steady rise in engagement figures, but wanting to take the next step in its evolution the charity turned to Investors in People for advice and guidance on promoting a best practice framework for leadership and management practices.

Using the Investors in People framework and assessment process was the logical way forward for the Trust. The assessment – a comprehensive process to gather an organisation wide perspective – was undertaken in summer of 2018. An initial meeting with the management team was held to gather context about the Trust, followed by an all employee survey and face-to-face meetings with employees and volunteers. Evidence and metrics were also presented to demonstrate leadership and management practices.

The Trust subsequently received a best practice award against the Investors in People framework.

Nicola McDonnell, HR Lead, at the Woodland Trust said: “We were thrilled to be awarded the first level of accreditation in our very first assessment. This gave us the confidence that we are doing it right, and from now on we can only get better, focusing on the areas that mean the most to our people.

“Our people are highly passionate about our cause, and we’re equally passionate about  valuing our employees. As an employer we want to ensure we have the best possible culture and processes in place to enable our people to make a difference.

“It’s vital that we have effective working practices in place to engage and motivate our                 employees and that our management team is effective in driving our strategy forward.”

This is the first step on the Trust’s journey with Investors in People to ensure continuous development and improvement but the Trust is delighted to have received the best practice award on its first assessment.

Investors in People has already made a difference to the Trust. The Trust planted 600 trees in recognition of its workforce to celebrate its accreditation. We are continuing to make improvements to become one of the best organisations to work for in the UK.

Police are appealing for help to identify the man in the image in connection of a theft of vacuum cleaners.

On May 16^th a man entered Curry’s PC World in Trinity Street, Boston, selected a Dyson Vacuum cleaner valued AT £199 and left without paying.

Police would also like to speak with this man in connection with a similar theft of two Shark vacuum cleaners, a combined total of £900, taken from Curry’s PC World in Dysart Road, Grantham on the same day.

The man is around 5ft 7inc in height. He was wearing a blue baseball cap with a dark peak, a blue jacket, and blue cargo shorts.

If you recognise the man in the image please call 101, quoting incident number 278 of 

 A man hit by a train  in the region of Peascliffe Tunnel, Great Gonerby, yesterday afternoon, has died.

The air ambulance attended and trains we cancelled or delayed by up to two hours,.

A spokesman for BT Police said: “At 3.35pm on 23 June, officers were called to the line close to Grantham after reports of a casualty on the tracks.

“Paramedics also attended however a man in his forties was pronounced dead at the scene.

“His family have been informed.

“This incident is not currently being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

Fire crews were called to tackle a blaze at a disused barn at Sempringham, near Billingborough at about 6pm yesterday.

Crews from Billingborough, Donington and Spalding  called to Neslam Road, Sempringham.

They used two major pumps, three main jets, and two hosereel jets to extinguish

The barn was destroyed together with about 162 straw bales contained within.

Durham Cathedral has announced the appointment of Grantham musician Joseph Beech as Sub-Organist, starting in September 2019.

Joseph will be working alongside Daniel Cook, Master of the Choristers and Organist of Durham Cathedral, Canon Michael Hampel, Vice-Dean and Precentor of Durham Cathedral, organ scholars, the music team, and the cathedral choir.  Joseph’s role as Sub-Organist will consist of playing the cathedral organ during services, recitals and concerts; rehearsing and conducting the choir; taking an active role in the cathedral’s outreach singing programme, as well as close liaison with the Chorister School.

Daniel Cook said: “I am delighted that following what was an extremely competitive application process, we have someone of Joseph’s talent, skill and experience joining our music team at Durham Cathedral. We look forward to the valuable contribution that Joseph will make to the mission, ministry and worship at Durham Cathedral, and how he will help to develop the cathedral as a centre of musical excellence within the diocese and beyond.”

Born in Nottingham in 1994, Joseph Beech moved to Grantham when he was two.While attending Cliffedale School (1998-2005) and The King’s School (2005-2012) he was successively a chorister and then the inaugural Organ Scholar at St Wulfram’s Church, studying the organ with Tim Williams and the piano with Sally Anthony. He then took up the organ scholarship at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Joseph won an entrance scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, where he was a prizewinning student of David Titterington. He has performed at numerous prestigious venues, including the Royal Albert Hall, and worked under noted conductors Marin Alsop, Yan Pascal Tortelier and Trevor Pinnock. His work as an organist has also been broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and 4 in recent years.

Concurrent with his Academy studies, Joseph successively held Organ Scholarships at the Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace; the London Oratory; and St Paul’s Cathedral. Upon graduating with a first-class degree in 2017, Joseph was presented with one of the Academy’s coveted Regency Awards for ‘notable studentship’.

Joseph then moved to Edinburgh to take up the position of Assistant Master of the Music at St Mary’s Cathedral, where he is responsible for accompanying the acclaimed cathedral choir in sung services each week, in addition to its busy schedule of concerts, recordings and tours.

Duncan Ferguson, Master of the Music at St Mary’s said: “Joseph is a fine organist and we have greatly appreciated his contribution to our music over the past two years. We congratulate him on his appointment and wish him well as he joins our friends at Durham Cathedral.”

Joseph is also Vice President of the Edinburgh Society of Organists. His forthcoming performance schedule includes such venues as Westminster Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Jakobikirche in Lübeck, Germany. In his spare time, Joseph enjoys cooking and working on his classic Austin Healey Sprite.

 

Army Engineers have shared their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) based expertise with Grantham Army Cadets at a hands-on interactive weekend.

The town’s Army cadets were among more than 180 female cadets from across the East Midlands and East Anglia that attended the event that was held to mark International Women in Engineering Day that takes place on Sunday 23^rd June.

Held at Chetwynd Barracks in Nottingham, the event gave the cadets an opportunity to speak to military personnel about their engineering and logistic roles and learn how STEM skills contribute to the success of the British Army.

The cadets completed a series of stands including command tasks, bridge building and STEM challenges.

Corporal Jasmine Pellett from Grantham Troop Royal Logistic Corps said: “It’s been a good experience. We’ve been busy, and it’s opened our minds to new experiences. I think it has helped us a lot because it has shown us what we can do.”

“It’s shown me what I could go into if I joined the Army,” said Lance Corporal Jessica Burrows (14). “People are used to men being in the Army so its great to meet female soldiers, hear what they’ve done and their roles. It’s been an eye-opener and breaks the stereotypical view of a soldier.”

The event was organised by Sergeant Kate Dunscombe who is an Army Reservist in 65 Works Group Royal Engineers, part of 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group. In her civilian life Kate works as a Signalling Systems Trainer for the London Underground and is also a Company Sergeant Major in the Army Cadet Force.

She said: “The aim is to get young women who are interested in an engineering career to see the wider opportunities available. Many people think that the Army is just about the infantry and may not be aware of the variety of engineering opportunities available.

“I’ve always enjoyed maths and science and finding out how things work. I enjoy problem solving and that’s what engineering is about; you have a look at the problem and you think how you could find a solution; how many different ways are there to solve it.”

She continued: “The motto of the Army Cadet Force is to inspire to achieve and that’s what we have set out to do this weekend. We have put females in the spotlight and demonstrated how innovative, challenging and exciting engineering can be and that it’s a career choice open to all.”

“I wanted the girls to meet women who are working in engineering already and see what they have achieved. I hope they leave knowing a little more about engineering and how being a woman is no barrier to a fantastic career in engineering.”

Insight into the breadth and scope of engineering careers was given by female Army Officers and soldiers and concluded with a Question and Answer session.

They also heard how a STEM career path doesn’t have to mean university. The Army has one of the largest nationally recognised apprenticeship schemes in the UK including engineering and maintenance and technology and communications.

There has been an accident on the A52 between Sedgebrook and Grantham.

A car has collided with a lamppost and careered off the road.

Emergency services are currently at the scene.

Delays to traffic

A person has been hit by a train  in the region of Peascliffe Tunnel near Grantham

As a result of this, trains may be cancelled or delayed by up to two hours.

This is expected to continue until 8.30pm.

Air ambulance is on the scene

Oyster Creatives are returning home with their critically acclaimed newest production, “Oysters”, after wowing Australian audiences at the 2019 Adelaide Fringe. With sell-out shows and a bag full of 5-star reviews, Oysters is back, and is proud to be adding Sabina Arthur (“Game Of Thrones”, “Coronation St” and “The Vote”) to their cast. Distinguished violinist Eleanor Ryan reprises her role as The Musician.

Johannes Brahms is attending a party to celebrate the first performance of his Violin Concerto – but his genius is overshadowed by his self-destructive ego. His friends are all there, but everyone is caught in a seething cauldron of passionate recriminations – and darkly hilarious outcomes. Everyone has their own agenda – the arthritic, embittered and ageing Clara Schumann from his past: jealous, unstable virtuoso Josef Joachim; pompous and waspish critic Hanslick – and gentle friend and disciple Von Herzogenberg. As the evening progresses and emotions turn on a sixpence, the play moves to its extraordinary conclusion fuelled by turbulent feelings and farcical misunderstandings. Laughing through our tears we are continually challenged with the questions: Why art? – and what price do we pay for it?

Oyster Creatives create new plays, fusing music, history and comedy, to tell compelling and darkly funny tales, exploring the passions and foibles of iconic characters. 

Actor/Writer Neil Salvage, veteran of over 160 productions, working with the likes of Mike Leigh, Richard Eyre, Antonio Banderas, Liam Neeson, Jim Broadbent and others, stalwart of Royal National Theatre and London Old Vic Theatre Companies, saw his screenplay “Caught in the Act” on release in 2008. 

Actor/Producer Nicholas Collett has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and in London’s West End. Co-founder of Third Party (Peter Hall Award winners), writer/performer of Adelaide Fringe hits “Spitfire Solo” and “Your Bard” and British Arrow Best Actor award winner.

Actor Sabina Arthur’s stage work includes The Vote (Donmar Warehouse), Phillip Pullman’s Grimm Tales 1 and 2 (Bargehouse, South Bank and The Ditch), Mystery Solved (St Martin’s Theatre, West End),  Hamlet (Theatre Nation), Ardent (King’s Head), Super Skinny Bitches (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Der Ring Des Nibelungen (Royal Opera House). On screen, Sabina has appeared in Game of Thrones (HBO), Coronation Street (ITV), Typical (Perty Productions) and Damian (Adverto Studios). She won the Runner-Up Prize in the BBC Radio Drama Norman Beaton Fellowship and can be heard as Sarah in BBC Radio 4’s WW1 drama, Listening to the Dead.

Musician Eleanor Ryanis originally from Wellington, New Zealand where she gained her undergraduate degree in Violin performance from Victoria University, Wellington. She went on to achieve a Master’s Degree with distinction in performance from the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in Manchester, UK.

Eleanor has regularly worked with many top UK ensembles including the Hallé Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic and Northern Sinfonia. Alongside this work she developed her teaching career and held teaching positions in violin, chamber music and orchestral studies at the renowned Cheethams School of Music in Manchester.

From 2009-2018 Eleanor worked as Assistant Professor of Violin at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. She recently took up the post of Head of Strings at Repton School in Derbyshire.

Amy Bonsallhas been a theatre director over 15 years and her work has been seen around the world. Highlights include assisting Dame Janet Suzman for the Baxter Theatre and the RSC in Capetown and Stratford upon on ‘Hamlet’ 04/05. ‘I’m A Minger!’ at The Arts Theatre London, The Latitude Theatre Festival, The Belgrade Theatre and UK tour 2008-10. ‘Chutney in the Street’ a festival piece that has toured to the Melbourne Festival and the UK extensively. ‘Romio Nditani Julieti’ a Chichewa Language translation of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ which toured Malawi in 2016. Amy is also a published academic and she holds a PhD from the University of Leeds. Director Amy Bonsall is associate director of Bilimankhwe Theatre.

Set and costumes designed by Maddy Sinclair.

What the Adelaide press had to say about “Oysters”

“Delightful to watch” ***** Glam Adelaide

“A Superb piece of theatre” ***** Broadway World

“I’m going to need to start giving out six stars” *****(*) This and That

“Brilliant Performance” **** The Adelaide Advertiser

Oyster Creatives are proud to be embarking on this tour thanks to the generous support of the Arts Council of England.

Web: oystercreatives.co.uk Twitter: @oystercreatives 
Facebook: oystercreatives2017 Trailer: https://youtu.be/z5j0Cddk3Gs

LISTING INFORMATION

Venue: The Guildhall Arts Centre
Time:  7.30pm     Running Time:  120 mins (approx.)

Dates: Tuesday, 25^th June 2019
Tickets: £8 – £12Bookings: https://www.guildhallartscentre.com/whats-on/all-shows/oysters

If you’re part of a group which is undertaking a heritage project in South Kesteven you could pick up some valuable tips at a seminar day next month.

Hosted by InvestSK, the Pathway to Project Success seminar day on 5th July will provide support and advice to any South Kesteven group which is either undertaking or considering a heritage project in the district.

The networking event in Bourne will provide an opportunity for groups to explore the routes to turn their heritage project from an idea into a success.

Speakers from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Architectural Heritage Fund will provide insight into the world of heritage funding, while speakers from Community Lincs and Lincolnshire County Council will explore ways of involving your community in your project.

Attendees will also hear from the project teams behind Grantham’s award-winning Wyndham Park and from Bourne Town Hall, who will share their experiences and the lessons learnt throughout their projects.

This advice will be invaluable for groups that are developing a fundraising strategy or writing a bid, and there will be opportunities to network with the speakers, who will offer their knowledge and experience of the heritage sector.

Speakers will include:

• Lesley Owen Jones, Regional Development Manager, National Lottery Heritage Fund
• Asha Karbhari, Business Development Officer, The Architectural Heritage Fund
• Jannette Warrener, Lincolnshire Heritage Forum
• Anna Belczynska, Community Collaboration Officer, Community Lincs (Lincolnshire County Council)
• Charles Houseago, Bourne Town Hall Trust
• Steve Frisby, South Kesteven District Council / Wyndham Park

Claire Saunders, Heritage Regeneration Officer at InvestSK, said: “Our aim is to support and advise groups throughout their projects, whether they are just starting out, or are well established and in the midst of major works.

“Through the seminar day we hope to build knowledge and skills, increasing the capacity of groups in our district to complete heritage projects successfully.

“This will be a really fantastic opportunity for heritage organisations in South Kesteven to meet with key funders, and with each other, to share their experiences, and discover more about the support available to bring their plans to fruition.”

The seminar will take place at Bourne Town Hall on Friday 5th July between 9am and 4pm. The event is free of charge; however, places are limited and registration is essential.

Delegates can register by visiting https://heritagealive.co.uk/event/pathway-to-project-success/, by emailing claire.saunders@investsk.co.uk or by calling 01476 406318.