Two SKDC members returned unopposed

Two wards in the South Kesteven District Council elections will be uncontested when voters go to the polls on Thursday 2 May.

The number of nominated candidates did not exceed the number of seats in the Aveland and Dole Wood wards.

Residents of Aslackby and Laughton, Dowsby, Dunsby, Haconby and Stainfield, Rippingale, Braceborough and Wilsthorpe, and Thurlby will not be voting as neither district or parish elections are contested.

The deadline is approaching to apply for a proxy vote. Application forms can be downloaded at www.yourvotematters.co.uk/how-do-i-vote

Proxy vote applications cannot be submitted online and must be signed and returned to the Electoral Registration Officer, South Kesteven District Council, Council Offices, St Peter’s Hill, Grantham NG31 6PZ and be received by 5pm on Wednesday 24 April.

Signed copies can also be sent by email to elections@southkesteven.gov.uk

More information is available from SKDC’s elections team on 01476 406080 or by emailing elections@southkesteven.gov.uk

560 cats abandoned in Lincolnshire last year alone

Registered nurses are being invited to come and find out about working in a busy hospital emergency department.

A recruitment day at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston is looking to attract a new cohort of nursing staff to its emergency and urgent care unit, which comprises an A&E, 24 bay integrated assessment centre (IAC) for both medical and surgical patients and a new acute medical short stay ward.

The ‘drop-in’ style event will take place on Thursday 2 May, with a number of qualified nursing roles available to apply for on the day.

Matron for Urgent and Emergency Care at Pilgrim, Maxine Skinner, said it’s a great time to come on board with the friendly team at Pilgrim.

“We are looking for registered nurses at both bands 5 and 6, depending on experience, to join our urgent and emergency care unit team,” said Maxine.

“If you’re looking for a new challenge in your nursing career we would love for you to join the journey we have started to help us create a new and improved service that will provide excellent care for the community.

“As a Trust we have faced a number of challenges over the years, but recent changes to the way our urgent and emergency care pathways operate at Pilgrim, means that now there is a brilliant opportunity to help re-shape our services.

“We held a nursing recruitment day last year and it was a really popular event, with people queuing out the door to find out what roles we had. So get there early and find out what we can offer you.”  

Interviews will be available on the day, so prospective candidates are asked to bring along copies of their qualifications and ID documentation so they can be checked by HR staff.

The recruitment event will run from 10am to 2pm in the conference hall inside the medical education centre at Pilgrim hospital. A range of senior nurses will also be on hand to chat to for advice and guidance.

For more information on the types of roles available please contact Maxine on 07920 541456.

For more information please contact the ULHT communications team on 01522 573986.

British oaks from some of the UK’s most famous estates could contribute towards the rebuilding of Notre Dame cathedral, following an offer from members of Historic Houses, the association for independently owned historic homes and gardens.

So far more than one hundred donor estates, including Belvoir Castle, Hutton-in-the-Forest, Scone Palace, Castle Howard, Holkham Hall, Powderham Castle, and Firle Place (named after the Anglo-Saxon word for ‘oak woodland’), have volunteered valuable trees, planted for timber centuries ago, as a gift from the UK to France for the restoration of the iconic landmark’s roof, destroyed by fire earlier this week. 

It’s not the first time Britain’s great houses have rallied round to help with major heritage restoration project. After the devastating York Minster fire in 1984 more than forty Historic Houses member places pledged eighty oak trees for the reconstruction efforts, joining donations from the Queen and the Prince of Wales.

Given that the construction of the original roof in the twelfth century is estimated to have required 1,300 mature oaks, the donors are well aware that their contribution could only provide a fraction of what’s needed, but they hope the gesture will inspire others.J

The Duke of Rutland, who first suggested the idea to his fellow members, said: “Anyone who lives in an old building knows there’s something special about the way it was built and the materials used.

“The trees in the original roof at Notre Dame probably started growing over a thousand years ago.

“We’re able to donate replacements because my great-great-grandfather had the foresight to plant trees that would only be valuable long after he died. And in turn we’ll replant every tree we fell – someone will need them for something in another few hundred years.

“It’s a reminder of how important it is to both look after and renew our heritage resources. In our business you have to plan in centuries, not years.”

The trees, from sustainable forestry and already destined for use as commercial timber, are estimated to have a combined market value of well over £100,000. But the donors are keen to emphasise that the timbers used in buildings like Notre Dame are about something that money alone can’t buy.

One lane of the A1 near Grantham is closed and queueing traffic due to accident on the southbound at Little Ponton.

This is affecting traffic travelling between Grantham and Peterborough.

POLICE are appealing for information following the theft of a white Mercedes Sprinter from the car park at the Premier Inn, in Harlaxton Road.

Officers investigating believe the vehicle was taken at around 4am on 13 April and offenders have disconnected a trailer from the vehicle before making off with it.

Anyone who witnessed suspicious behavior can report by calling 101. To report anonymously, Please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ONE person was taken to hospital following a collision on the A1 northbound at South Witham, at about 11pm last night.

They were freed from their vehicle by firefighters from Grantham, Corby Glen and Stamford who removed the rear seats to extracate them.

They were taken to hospital by ambulance

Hospital patients will be able to enjoy a new garden sooner than expected following a generous donation to a charity that’s transforming hospital gardens. Local charity GROW, which stands for Gardens Restore Our Wellbeing, are planning to design and build practical but tranquil gardens for patients, visitors and staff at Lincolnshire’s hospitals. The first garden to be transformed is ward 6 at Grantham and District Hospital, and following a huge £9,500 donation from the League of Friends of Grantham Hospital, the garden can now blossom. Simon Needham, Chairman of the League of Friends of Grantham Hospital, which has raised around £1 million for the hospital in the last 49 years, said: “We are delighted to have been able to make this donation. It has only been possible thanks to all of those who’ve supported the League of Friends, especially those who have been tirelessly fundraising for us.” Ward 6 cares for people who’ve had a stroke or have respiratory issues, and the new garden will aid patients with their rehabilitation. It will also provide a much needed space for family and friends to go when visiting their loved ones. Nikki Applewhite, GROW founder and garden landscaper, said: “When my father was in hospital for a long period, there was nowhere for us to take him or for us to go if we needed some time to ourselves. We hope that GROW will make people’s time in hospital, whether as a patient or a visitor, a better experience. “We can’t thank the League of Friends of Grantham hospital enough for this donation. It’s a great boost and will allow us to complete the garden before the end of summer.” The bespoke garden design will be accessible for all patients on the ward, will have plants which can weather all seasons and will be a great habitat for wildlife. Staff, patients and the people of Grantham continue to fundraise for the ward 6 garden, as the total cost of the transformation is around £15,000 Ward 6 Sister, Tracy Pemberton, said: “All of us on the ward would like to say a huge thanks to the League of Friends for their incredibly kind donation. We’re looking forward to taking our patients outside to enjoy the sunshine and our occupational therapists will be able to do some gardening with them too! This will make such a difference to our patients and we’re very excited.” Once it’s ready for patients and visitors to enjoy, GROW will start work on another garden for United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which has hospitals in Grantham, Lincoln, Boston and Louth. To donate to GROW, please visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hospitalgardens

Registered between 8 – 12 April 2019

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

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

S19/0374 Belmont Ward Construction of new dwelling; including conversion of part of former farm building on Land Off Hall Road Harrowby associated hard and soft landscaping, means of access and means of enclosure. Applicant: Mr D Parry Carlin Construction Ltd Launder House Launder St Orston NG13 9NT

S19/0551 Grantham Springfield Ward: Erection of detached single storey double garage; Applicant: Mr David Rowland 19 Welwyn Close Grantham NG31 7JU

S19/0552 Lincrest Ward Erection of single storey extension and addition of hipped roof Applicant: Mr & Mrs Berry 12, Somerby Road Ropsley NG33 4AY

S19/0558 Grantham Barrowby Gate Ward Extensions to dwelling, remodelling including rendering existing and proposedstructures and erection of detached garage; Applicant: Mr Osborne42, Barrowby Gate Grantham NG31 7LT

S19/0571 Grantham Barrowby Gate Ward Non-material amendment to S18/1088 (Demolition of existing garage and erection of two storey extension to side of house with single storey extension to front) including replacement of cladding to porch and fair faced brickwork to first floor gable with render, finish colour graphite; Applicant: Mr & Mrs S Cardoso 99, Winchester Road Grantham NG31 8RN

S19/0588 Grantham St. Wulfram’s Ward Reserved matters pursuant to S17/0057 (24 flats) – matter of landscaping only on land To Rear Of Gladstone Terrace Prospect Place Grantham NG31 8BW; Applicant: D Goodridge Invicta Rentals Ltd Richmond House Main Street Long Bennington Newark NG23 5JR

S19/0593 Viking Ward Application for Variation of Condition 6 (surface water drainage) of p/p ref. S16/2350; Applicant: Mr Mark Eames 3 Main Road Long Bennington NG23 5EH

S19/0595 Glen Ward Remove stem and 3 lower secondary branches of Field Maple (T1) and reduce longer low growth towards house by 1m. Remove Elder (T2) to ground level and reduce spread of various trees (G3) to give 1m clearance from No.2 High street (Next To No.26) 26 Cumberland Gardens Castle Bytham NG33 4SQ ; Applicant: c/o Muriel Cook Castle Bytham Parish Council 40 Station road Castle Bytham NG33 4SB

S19/0596 Grantham St. Wulfram’s Ward : Change of Use from A1 (retail) to A3 (cafe) at 28 Westgate Grantham NG31 6LX; Applicant: Ms Nhi Yen Thi Pham, 185 Dysart Road Grantham NG31 7DX

S19/0602 Grantham Earlesfield Ward Change of Use of industrial unit to martial arts centre at Burnside Industrial Estate, Unit 3 Turnpike Close Just Off Swingbridge Road Grantham NG31 7XU ; Applicant: Mrs Joanne Horton-Copeland EWFMA 5 Langham Place Ashwell Road Oakham LE157QN

S19/0603 Isaac Newton Ward  Internal and external alterations and additional (private) vehicular access. Applicant: Mr James Hodgkin Electrical Installations (Lincs) Unit 2 Station Road Little Bytham NG33 4RA

S19/0604 Peascliffe and Ridgeway Ward Erection of a storage building  at Heath House Heath Lane Barkston NG32 2DE; Applicant: Cancer Research UK c/o Robert Doughty Consultancy Ltd Agent: Mr Lewis Smith Robert Doughty Consultancy Ltd 32 High Street Helpringham NG34 0RA

S19/0624 Grantham St. Wulfram’s Ward Proposal: Display of various signage including: 3 x Illuminated poster frames on West elevation; 6 x Illuminated poster frames on South elevation; Projecting aluminium fin sign with individually illuminated lettering to both sides; Fascia sign with individually illuminated lettering on South elevation; and installation of LED strip lighting at 18 St Catherines Road Grantham NG31 6TT; Applicant: Mr James Collington Savoy Cinemas Derby Road Nottingham

S19/0630 Marston Extend existing dormers and re-roof; Applicant: Simon Brown The Smithy Pinfold Lane Marston NG32 2HR

S19/0652 Peascliffe and Ridgeway Ward Approval of details reserved by Condition No.3 (Materials) of S18/1072 (Rear extension and demolition of outbuilding) at Honeysuckle Cottage 30 Low Road Manthorpe NG31 8NQ; Applicant: Mr & Mrs Dyer 5 Whattons Close Sedgebrook NG32 2E

S19/0655 Grantham Extension and alterations to dwelling; Applicant: Mr & Mrs R Noon 20, Webster Way Grantham NG31 8GH

S19/0657 Foston Roof extension to existing dwellinghouse including proposed dormer extension; Applicant: Mr & Mrs Smith  Rookwood Main Street Foston NG32 2JU

S19/0661 Belvoir Ward Pinus strobus (T1) – crown reduction upto 1 metre back to original cuts; Applicant: Mr D Taylor The Laurels Bottom Street Allington NG32 2DT

A new initiative has been launched at the local mental health and learning disabilities trust to benefit carers who are visiting their relatives in hospital.

Carer leads at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) will be starting to wear bright orange lanyards, whilst on shift to enable them to be easily identifiable to visiting carers who may need to speak to them about their family member.

Carers visiting their relatives in hospital are often anxious and don’t always feel able to approach busy staff to ask questions, for example about their relative’s care and treatment.

Donna Bradford, Service Manager for Carers and Peer Support Lead, developed the idea after seeing a similar scheme in another trust.

She said, “We have been told carers can see staff are busy and they don’t want to feel like they are being a nuisance by talking to staff and taking their time away from patients.

“Therefore it was apparent that visitors needed to be able to easily identify staff that can answer their questions and alleviate their concerns.”

The scheme was discussed at a carer group meeting and further developed after the approval of attendees.

Carer lead staff who wear the lanyards have easy access to carers assessments and have had carers awareness training or family therapy training. Wards that do not wear lanyards for safety reasons, wear the orange lanyard on their security belts.

Community teams have carer leads identified too and these staff also wear orange lanyards on shift, so carers attending outpatient appointments can speak to a carer lead easily.

Jane Marshall, Director of Strategy at LPFT said: “By ensuring that the carer is listened to and cared for, they are better informed to cope with their relative’s illness and better supported by our staff.  Carers say to us that if they are informed, supported and understand what is happening to their relative whilst in our care, then they are better able to continue to help their relative following discharge from our services.

“Patients also benefit as the carer is often the main source of support and care when people are back at home. 

“I commend those staff who have put themselves forward to be part of this initiative to show how much we value those people who are carers”.

This initiative was part of the submission that helped LPFT gain reaccreditation to the Lincolnshire Carers Quality Award; as it showed the continued improvement and quality the Trust provides for carers. The awarding body described the orange lanyard initiative as ‘a simple yet creative idea’ to have bright orange lanyards for carer leads to make them more visible for carers.

The Trust is now working on sharing this best practice with partner organisations. The Carers FIRST charity is already onboard and will be informing carers who have patients under LPFT’s care, to approach staff wearing orange lanyards for support, when they have appointments at the Trust or their relative is in hospital.

The initiative is currently being rolled out across the Trust with increasing numbers of staff wearing them.

Ambulance to A&E transfer delays in Lincolnshire twice what they should be

The vast majority of children, 94%, have been offered a place at a school of their choice this year. 

Along with the rest of the country, Lincolnshire has experienced high numbers of families wanting their children to start school in September.

There are around 7,500 children wanting a school place this year. 

Of the offers made to Lincolnshire primary schools, 7065 (94.17%) children will receive their first choice of school. This is a minor decrease on last year’s impressive (95.02%). 

A further 292 (3.89%) have been offered their second choice, and 50 (0.67%) more their third choice. A small minority of children, 95 (1.27%), will be offered a local school that isn’t one of their 3 preferences. 

Councillor Mrs Patricia Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, said: “I am delighted to see so many children getting their first school of preference and this should be even better by September. It’s always our intention to support as many parents as possible with their preferences. Every year the overwhelming majority of parents are successful in gaining admission to the school of their choice.” 

The vast majority of parents/carers will receive an e-mail containing a secure link to their offer letter on 16 April – go to http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions for further information.

 Parents have until 21 May to lodge an appeal if they are unhappy with the offered school. If they return the appeal form by the deadline it will be heard before the end of term – if it is received late it will still be heard, but this may be in September. 

Because of appeals and movement on the reserve list, it is usual for the percentage of first choice to increase by the time children start in September.

RECORD numbers of locals defied the chilly wind and headed to the Lincolnshire Showground at the weekend for a fun-filled day at Countryside Lincs.

More than 4,500 people attended the family-friendly, educational event on Sunday 14 April, featuring all things farming, food and fun, as well as a number of interactive displays, sporting activities and attractions.

Now in its fifth year, the all-weather countryside show is organised by the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.

The day saw families and children of all ages get up close and personal with farmyard animals, try their hand at cooking, learn about Lincolnshire’s rural heritage have a go at new sports and activities. Attendees also had chance to taste locally produced food and experience an exciting schedule of entertainment in the Countryside ring.

Kaelin (12) from Grantham, said: “It was loads of fun and I never got bored. There were lots of animals to see and touch, I’ve sown a sunflower and hope to watch it grow, and tried archery and fishing. Amazing!

“Best day ever.”

His grandad added: “Wonderful to see so many young children outdoors getting involved with something that didn’t involve a mobile phone. We are all looking forward to next year’e event preferably with warmer weather.”

Amy Clark from Louth said: “We’ve had a really good day, kids have thoroughly enjoyed themselves, they’ve made loads of things, tried different foods and really loved seeing the animals.”

Jayne Southall, CEO at Lincolnshire Showground, said: “We’ve seen a surge in visitor numbers this year, which is fantastic. We’re thrilled that so many families are returning to Countryside Lincs and enjoying all the activities we have on offer.

“Nearly all of the activities and entertainment on offer is included in the ticket price and we’ve had really great feedback about the variety of things to do; from biscuit decorating, sausage making, bike obstacle courses and archery, to ferret racing, tractor rides and the hugely popular sheep roadshow.”

Rosie Crust, education and development officer for the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, said: “We’ve made the show bigger and better this year, giving youngsters and their families even more opportunity to experience hands-on activities.

“One of our main priorities at the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society is to teach the next generation about where their food comes from and the significance of local agriculture and the countryside.

“We find that children are inspired when they experience it first-hand, which is why we encourage them to interact with the animals and taste local produce. We also find that our tractors are a big hit with the children and parents as they get to sit inside the huge machines!”

Countryside Lincs was sponsored by Branston, Pentagon Motor Group and Thompson and Richardson Insurance Brokers. For more information about sponsorship, exhibiting or visiting Countryside Lincs, please visit lincolnshireshowground.co.uk. 

Grantham singer, 19, gets first gig at Glastonbury