A small-batch handcrafted gin inspired by the rich history of the Belvoir Estate has been launched by the Duchess of Rutland.

Created by a local distillery to reflect the regal history of the Castle, Belvoir Gin marries juniper, coriander and angelica with fig, vanilla and chamomile.

Emma, Duchess of Rutland, said: “We’re thrilled with the wonderful Belvoir Gin created for us. We’re also delighted to be working with a high end artisan producer just a stone’s throw from our door. They’ve done a fantastic job of taking our brief and turning it into a wonderful gin fit for royalty!”

Brentingby’s master distiller Tom Nichol and founder Bruce Midgley, have created a fine dry gin with well balanced notes from the fig and pine from the juniper and a subtle trace of vanilla on the finish, with sweetness coming from the liquorice and orange peel.

Bruce said: “Creating a gin with subtle differences and unique botanicals to represent the regal brief has been a test, but after long hours of careful consideration, a real Juniper forward crisp clean gin has arrived.”

Beautifully presented in an embellished bottle with the distinctive Castle turrets shown in silhouette through the bottle, the Belvoir Gin (priced at RRP £39.99 per bottle) will also be available in a gift box with an engraved glass.

 Available from the Duchess’s Gallery in the estate’s artisan shopping village The Engine Yard, the Belvoir Gin will shortly be available to purchase online and from select retailers.

The Brentingby Distillery is nestled in the Leicestershire countryside and all of its gin is made and bottled in Melton Mowbray. Founded in 2018, it upholds the juniper-forward timeless tradition of gin making, putting the craft back in to distillation and ensuring the highest standards throughout.

For more information, visit www.belvoircastle.com

Arrests of children by Lincolnshire Police have fallen by 61% in the last seven years, figures published by the Howard League for Penal Reform have revealed today (Monday 9 December).

Research by the charity has found that the force made 745 arrests of children aged 17 and under last year, down from 1,911 in 2011.

Assistant Chief Constable Kerrin Wilson said: “This is good news. It shows our effective work with partners is making real positive change for the children we deal with and ultimately, giving them a chance for the future.

“Our process is now well-practiced and proven to be effective. It means children can take responsibility for bad behaviour without being criminalised. We have a chance to engage young minds and offer people an alternative, which will hopefully lead them towards making good choices rather than entering the system and committing more and more crimes, of escalating severity.

“In 2017, the Local Authority and Police launched a joint protocol aimed at reducing criminalisation of children. We have police officers working embedded with the Youth Offending Service, and have seen the successful expansion of the ‘Joint Diversionary Panel’, which ensures that all children who come into contact with the criminal justice system are dealt with proportionately and, where possible, diverted away from formal criminal justice sanctions. This is entirely right because not only can alternative restorative solutions change behaviours and prevent offending but we also know from feedback from victims that this a positive approach.

“This joint protocol has also examined cases involving looked after children, to prevent these young people being misrepresented simply as offenders. The protocol gives agencies and care homes alike the tools and guidance to deal with children and provide meaningful positive interventions to ensure that children do not become unnecessarily involved in the Criminal Justice System.

“This work has been implemented against a backdrop of well-established and successful partnership arrangements, with the strong leadership of the Lincolnshire Children’s Safeguarding Board, Children’s Services and Youth Offending Service from Lincolnshire County Council, and Lincolnshire Police.

“We will continue this partnership work to ensure that we are always assessing and addressing how we deal with children and reach a resolution that is in the interests of the individuals themselves and the wider public.”

Some core work areas from this initiative have included:

• The delivery by Children’s Services manager of joint training with custody staff.
• There are now two established posts for constables seconded full time into Youth Offending Services (YOS).
• ARC (Assisting Rehabilitation through Collaboration) works with the YOS constables on the most prolific youth offenders, and is effective at reducing reoffending.
• Details about the Joint Lincolnshire Protocol to reduce offending and the criminalisation of children in care 2017 can be found here: http://lincolnshirescb.proceduresonline.com/pdfs/reducing_criminalisation.pdf

Child arrest figures for Lincolnshire Police

2011: 1,911
2012: 1,290
2013: 1,027
2014: 990
2015: 1,117
2016: 913
2017: 779
2018: 745

Fake L.O.L Surprise! Dolls have, for the second year running, been found in Lincolnshire in the run up to Christmas.

Seized alongside counterfeit Nintendo games consoles from a number of markets in  Lincolnshire, the service is warning consumers to think – If a deal is too good to be true it usually is.

The games consoles were selling for £20, but will usually retail for approximately £80.

Chad Saratoon, principal trading standards officer at Lincolnshire Trading Standards said: “With counterfeit products, you can never really be sure that they have been made to a good standard and that they are a decent and durable product.”

“These products and others similar have been tested and there are significant safety issues, including insulation failures which pose a risk of overheating and fire, as well as lack of traceability. None of the products have correct labels.

“Counterfeit L.O.L Surprise! dolls have also been found, at a much lower cost than those on the high street. Consumers can’t be sure how these products have been made, what they are made from, or if they are safe to give to you children.”

Chad added: “We’re also seeing pop-up sellers on our high streets selling LED balloons. These are often in a unicorn shape or as a ball. These have actually been recalled, as these are potentially very dangerous.

“So for example, the LED string is too long and can detach posing a strangulation risk and the solder of the string contains an excessive amount of lead. Also, we’ve found that the battery compartment breaks easily or can be opened really easily – giving children easy access to the batteries. The product doesn’t comply with the Toy Safety Directive.”

Chad added: “I’d urge shoppers to only buy toys from responsible retailers, both on the high street or online. It’s always worth buying the genuine article as they have been though considerable amounts of safety testing – meaning you can have confidence that they meet the correct safety standards. For me, you can’t put a price on your child’s safety.”

Grantham fire crews have been collecting for @firefighters999 with their Santa Sleigh at Sainsburys, London Road this weekend.

They raised a massive £1,180!

They would like to say a big thank you to all those who donated and to Grantham Sainsburys for their support.

And just in case you missed them, they could be down your street next week ( see Santa Claus)

A tree has fallen down blocking the road down at Five Gates.

Another fell yesterday on Londonthorpe Road causing the road to be closed

Permanent Job Opportunities Available with PerCurra in Grantham and Newark

A Grantham care at home company is aiming to add the feel good factor of securing a new job for 2020 to the festive spirit with the launch of its Christmas recruitment drive.

PerCurra Grantham is looking for new members of staff to help meet the increased demand for its services across the North and South Kesteven areas. Up to ten positions are currently available for both experienced care practitioners and those looking to begin a rewarding career in care.

Successful applicants will be able to have secured their appointment with the company prior to Christmas ready to begin their new careers in 2020.

The company is looking for people committed to delivering the highest standards of care for its broad range of clients. Bespoke care packages are designed to meet the needs of individuals and PerCurra’s ethos enables practitioners to spend quality time with their clients. The business is focussed on providing care for vulnerable 18+ adults. 

Andrew White, Managing Director of PerCurra Grantham and Newark comments: “We pride ourselves in supporting vulnerable adults to continue to live the life they want to live whilst remaining in their own homes.   Key to our success is our brilliant team of staff who deliver excellent care on a daily basis to our service users”

Anyone interested in securing their new job before Christmas are invited to contact Andrew White on 01476 859843.

For further information on PerCurra please click HERE.

Councils in Lincolnshire are reminding residents to keep the three G’s (Glitter, Grease and Grub) out of their recycling bins this Christmas.

To keep recycling clean and dry and not contaminated, the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership is launching a social media campaign highlighting the key things to leave out this Christmas.

John Coates from the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership, said: “We’re trying to make things simple in the run up to Christmas, so we’re asking residents to remember to leave out the three G’s! Glitter, Grease and Grub, as none of these can be recycled in your home recycling bins/bags.” 

Glitter covered cards and wrapping paper.
Why? Glitter is hard to process in recycling process, where it can clog up equipment, and stop it working. It also works its way into recycled paper which is then rejected by the end user.

Grease covered pizza boxes, cardboard and takeaway pots.
Why? Once grease gets onto paper and card, they cannot be recycled because the paper fibres will not be able to be separated from the oils during the pulping process.

Grub (aka Food).
Why? Food just can’t be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin/bag. If you are in the food waste trial running in South Kesteven, put in your food caddy, anywhere else in the county, please put in your household waste bin/bags.

John adds: “The other issue people always ask is what to do with wrapping paper. If it is glitter-free paper, we’d ask you to do the ‘scrunch test’. Crumple the paper in your hand. If it stays crunched – it is recyclable, and if not – it isn’t.

“If there is anything you aren’t sure about, please put it in your waste bin. Last year, 96% of Lincolnshire’s waste was recycled, reused, composted or converted into electricity – powering over 29,000 homes.”

For more information on recycling, including information about side waste and collections, please visit your local district council website. For information about your local household waste recycling centre, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/recycling

Registered between 2 – 6 December 2019

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

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

S19/1774 Castle Bytham Approval of details reserved by conditions 3 (written scheme of archaeological investigation) and 4 (subsurface materials removal) of planning approval S18/1322 Applicant: Mr S Mellows 10A Cumberland Gardens Castle Bytham      

S19/1783 Grantham: Application for Change of Use of Vacant Shop Unit (A1) to Orthodontist Practice (D1) (Ground Floor Unit)  38 Isaac Newton Shopping Centre Grantham NG31 6EE    ; Applicant: Trinity House Orthodontics Trinity House Orthodontics C/O Agent Mr Patrick Townsend Johnson Mowat Coronet House Queen Street Leeds LS1 2TW West Yorkshire 

S19/2055 Ingoldsby Proposed base station installation South West Of Unnamed Road Off Main Street Ingoldsby NG33 4EH;   Applicant: Mr Jamaal Hafiz Clarke Telecom Limited Unit E Madison Place Northampton Road  Manchester Greater Manchester  M40 5AG

S19/2067 Caythorpe Erection of 1.2m high timber fence to front boundry: Mr Tim Dudfield 9 High Street Caythorpe NG32 3BP     

 S19/2070 Billingborough Prune back 2 no silver birch (T1 & 2), 1 no. magnolia (T3) by approximately 1.5m. remove lowest (southern) banch of hawthorn (T4) in front of garage;  John Spreadbury Osbourne House  3 Low Street Billingborough  NG34 0QJ   

S19/2083 Kirkby Underwood: Change of use from agriculture to equestrian and stationing of stable block and two storage containers on Land Off Stainfield Road Kirkby Underwood PE10 0SG Applicant: Mrs B Bradford c/o Robert Doughty Consultancy Ltd   32 High Street Helpringham Sleaford NG34 0RA  

S19/2089 Colsterworth: Re-pollard Ash tree (T1) to previous cuts, reduce back overhanging branches to fencing on Ash trees (T2) and (T3), multistemmed Ash trees (T4, T5 and T6) reduce branches back to the fencing boundary at Axholme Lodge 51 Newton Way Woolsthorpe By Colsterworth NG33 5NP  Applicant: Mr Roldano Morselli Willow Lodge Water Lane Woolsthorpe By Colsterworth  Grantham  NG33

S19/2093  Grantham Non material amendment to planning approval S18/0829 to alter retaining feature of plots 223, 240 and 242 to gabion walls at Poplar Farm Barrowby Road Grantham NG31 8AF   : Mr Wei Lei Barratt Homes 2 Horizon Place Nottingham NG8 6PY     

 S19/2101 Harrowby Without Proposed single storey / two storey extension to rear, single storey side extension and internal alterations Applicant: Mr & Mrs Daniel Chapman The Poplars 45 Turnor Road Harrowby  NG31 9ET   

 S19/2107 Caythorpe Erection of single dwelling Applicant: Mrs E Frazerdarling St Vincents House 47 Old Lincoln Road Caythorpe  NG32

The Museum of Lincolnshire Life is looking for people to contribute to an exhibition exploring how VE Day and the aftermath of World War II shaped life in Lincolnshire.

‘Memories of VE Day and Beyond: How WWII Shaped Lincolnshire’ will open at the museum in May 2020, commemorating the 75^th anniversary of VE Day.

The project team is keen to feature people’s memories and stories of what life in Lincolnshire was like in the period immediately following the war.

Ron Frayne, collections manager, said: “We’re primarily looking for experiences from 1945-1954.

“These may relate to VE Day itself, or perhaps other major events, such as the birth of the NHS and development of the welfare state in Lincolnshire.

“Perhaps you could tell us about local housing and communities, changes to industry and the workplace, family life, multiculturalism, or how people spent their leisure time. 

“So if you have stories or memories from this period you’d like to share, please do get in touch.” 

If you think you can help, please email anya.johnson@lincolnshire.gov.uk or francesa.white@lincolnshire.gov.uk . Alternatively, write to: Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Burton Road, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN1 3LY.

Contributions should be sent before the end of January 2020. Please note some contributions might not be included within the final exhibition.

Controversal broadcaster Ian ‘Pugsey’ Parker, has been sacked by Grantham-based radio station – again.

He received a letter from the station manger saying:

“Following a number of complaints in recent weeks, the management have reluctantly decided that it is not in the long term interests of the station for you to carry on in a volunteer role.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the shows that you have contributed, however, given the latest verbal attack on another presenter, we can not allow that situation to occur again.

“To be very clear, the management of Gravity FM will not tolerate verbal abuse of other volunteers, especially when made based on a persons (wrongly) perceived sexuality, or any other characteristic.

“Please note that given the nature of the complaints against you, that with immediate effect, you are no longer permitted on the premises.”

Mr Parker, who was sacked by the station about 10 years ago, following a confrontation with rock singer Vince Eager, said: “I speak my mind but I’m sometimes misunderstood.”

Until recently, he had been with the Newark community radio station, but returned to Gravity last year.

With Christmas now almost upon us, police are reminding people to ensure their personal and home security remains a priority as part of the #SaferChristmas campaign.

There are a few simple steps you can take to reduce the possibility of becoming the victim of crime over the Christmas period.

When you are out shopping:

• Be aware of what is going on around you and ensure your purse or wallet, telephone and anything of value are out of sight.  If you have a handbag make sure it is secure and don’t leave it undone or unattended, especially when in crowded shops or supermarkets.
• Only carry the cards and cash that you need and take care when entering your PIN at ATM machines and shopping outlets – make sure no one is looking over your shoulder.
• Consider where you park your car, especially if it will be dark when you return.  If you can, park your vehicle in a secure car park – look for the ParkMark signs – visit www.parkmark.co.uk for accredited car parks.
• If you have to return to your car to drop off bags before continuing with your shopping, just take a moment to make sure you are not being watched, make sure the shopping is out of view in the boot, the car is locked and it is a good idea to keep the receipts with you – don’t leave them in the shopping bags.
• When driving in built-up areas if you have bags on the car seats it is a good idea to lock the doors.

At Home 

• However tempting it is don’t leave presents under your Christmas tree if they are visible to passers-by. 
• Don’t keep large amounts of cash at home.
• Ensure you lock doors, windows and, if you have one, set your intruder alarm.
• Make your home look as occupied as possible – consider your home security. 
• If your car has “keyless entry” consider purchasing a faraday type bag/signal blocking pouch for your car keys to prevent offenders using relay attack devises.
• Consider your cyber security – we tend to purchase many more items over the internet at Christmas time – always think twice before you “click” for more information visit www.actionfraud.police.uk

After Christmas 

• Many of us will have new expensive items after Christmas.  Don’t advertise what you have by putting packaging outside – dispose of it carefully.  Break down any packaging/boxes fold them and place in your wheelie bin.

If you see anything suspicious please call 101

If you witness a crime in progress call 999

If you have any information about any crime you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 – no personal details are taken, information cannot be traced and you will not go to court.

For more information contact your local Crime Reduction Tactical Adviser – email – sally.picker@lincs.pnn.police.uk or ring 07867936487.

Great North Road (A1), Traffic control (Two-way signals), December  11 to January 24.

Kitty Briggs Lane, Traffic control (Two-way signals),December 12 to 18.

Sharpe Road, Traffic Control (Give and take), December 9 to 11.

Welby Gardens, Traffic Control (Give and take), December 9 to 13.

Click on picture above for details