South Kesteven District Council’s outdoor play areas that were closed during the Coronavirus lockdown reopened to the public on Saturday (July 4).

In line with Government guidance for lockdown restrictions to be eased, they are once again open to visitors – but there is advice to follow so they can be used safely.

Cllr Dr Peter Moseley, SKDC Cabinet Member for Commercial Operations, cut the tape that had been surrounding outdoor gym equipment in Grantham’s Wyndham Park.

He said: “We are very aware that the Coronavirus has not gone away, but outdoor play and fresh air are vitally important to children and families and have been badly missed by so many in recent weeks.

“However, we share a responsibility to keep each other safe and each have a role to play in that. I would politely remind parents to take care when their children are using play equipment, particularly at this time. If the play areas are busy, for example, it may be worth returning at another time when there are fewer people around.

“Signs have gone up at all our play areas across the district to help remind users of the precautions they need to take to keep them and their families safe. We must all do what we can to prevent any further spread of the virus. It is great to see our play areas open, please help us to keep it that way.”

The advice includes observing social distancing guidelines, wiping down equipment before and after using it, applying hand sanitiser regularly and washing hands as soon as possible after using the equipment. Anyone using the outdoor gym is advised to take a towel so they can wipe down the equipment before and after use.

Rod Tyler, President of the Rotary Club of Grantham, said: “I am absolutely delighted to see our gym equipment open for the public to use again. Clearly people need to always follow the social distancing advice, but exercise and fresh air is so important to people that it will be great to see play areas and our outdoor gym back in use.”

Joining them in Wyndham Park was fellow Rotarian Roger Graves. The Rotary Club paid for the £20,000 outdoor gym with money raised from its annual RotarySwimarathon at the Meres Leisure Centre. The ten pieces of equipment allow aerobic, muscle-toning and strength-building exercises. The outdoor gym is very popular with people of all ages and abilities. It offers the perfect way to kick-start a more active lifestyle following lockdown.

Food and drink are not allowed near play facilities and people are urged to take any litter home.

Heartwarming images illustrating life during the coronavirus crisis have been submitted in a special Photo Lockdown Competition run by the Guildhall, Grantham and Stamford Arts Centres at South Kesteven District Council’s Cultural Services team.

Drawing over 100 entries,  the online competition attracted photos from nature, lockdown-activities, funny moments, Victory in Europe Day, friends, family and neighbours.

The winner of the public vote was a touching photo of ‘First visit from Grandparent in six weeks’ and a second winner, chosen by Cllr Rosemary Trollope-Bellew, SKDC Cabinet member for Culture & Visitor Economy, was ‘Dad’s Lockdown Den’.

All 134 entries can be seen here and shortlisted photos will be featured on Instagram: Stamford and Guildhall.

Councillor Trollope-Bellew said: “The high standard of imagination, creativity and photography resulted in a hugely rewarding project.  We were delighted with the response and excellent support from members of the public casting their votes. We hope to make this an annual event as part of a commitment to extend our online programme.” 

Winner of the public vote, Christine Abbott, from Stamford, said: “That photo was genuinely a very moving and emotional reuniting for both of us! Only after about a month into lockdown Myles asked ‘when will this lockdown end as it feels like it’s been a 100 days!’

Councillor Trollope-Bellew’s pick was submitted by Lorraine Wales, from Cambridge, who said she hoped the photo raises a smile to all.

Ben Reynolds, Stamford Arts Centre’s Box Office Supervisor thanked everyone who entered and  said: “It’s so heartening to see so much love and warmth across all the entries, and lovely to see such a diverse range of photographs on different subjects. We were really pleased to see them all.”

Winners will receive a goody bag of treats from Stamford Arts Centre and  The Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham, as well as £50 worth of vouchers to spend with the centres when they re-open.

www.guildhallartscentre.com  

South Kesteven District Council is working to harness and sustain the goodwill and community support shown in abundance by volunteer groups throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

The council wants to maintain the relationships built with communities through its Community Hub by creating long-lasting networks and shaping funding streams to provide ongoing support, as well as evolving its Befriending Service.

Around 55 groups are now registered with the SK Community Hub, established at the start of the crisis and representing at least 1,500 volunteers collectively. Around 300 vulnerable residents receive a weekly telephone call via the council’s Befriending Service staff.

Cllr Annie Mason, SKDC Cabinet member for Communities, said: “We have been absolutely staggered by the outpouring of goodwill and sheer neighbourliness that we have seen during this crisis.

“It surpassed anything that I could have imagined, and we want to make it part of our council DNA. It cannot be seen as a one-off event where all that good work dissipates once the crisis is over and we want to find a way to nurture what those amazing people have stepped up to do.

“This dreadful virus will re-shape our future society and its legacy will, I hope, be stronger community bonds. If you have been involved in any sort of community voluntary work, don’t stop, keep volunteering, perhaps in different ways.

“Supporting those who give their time voluntarily is something that I feel passionately about and our challenge as a council now is to keep that going in a supportive fashion.

“There has never been a better time to do that and strengthen the incredible relationships between ourselves and the community.”

There are opportunities to continue volunteering right across the district, but, as a first step, SKDC is looking at how to carry forward its Befriending Service.

At its height, the service saw council staff and Councillors making weekly calls to nearly 300 of the district’s most vulnerable people, providing what some have described as a lifeline. Some SKDC staff were redeployed to support the service during lockdown as part of the council’s commitment to support residents through the Coronavirus pandemic.

Now SKDC is asking volunteers if they can help to carry on the friendly-voice Befriending Service as redeployed council staff go back to their pre-lockdown roles. The volunteers will work closely with established community organisations Evergreen Care Trust and BHive. Training will be provided to all who want to show their support.

National Volunteers’ Week saw South Kesteven District Council officially thank more than 50 groups for their community work, with dozens of local heroes also nominated for their individual efforts.

All were sent signed certificates of appreciation by the council as part of the annual event. SKDC’s social media campaign to celebrate the work of volunteers included Facebook posts seen by more than 30,000 people with lots of support for work of unsung heroes across the district.

Anyone interested in discussing volunteering opportunities can contact the SKDC Community Hub on 01476 406177 and 01476 406358 or email SKCommunityHub@southkesteven.gov.uk

A fire crew from Corby Glen attended a report of a van fire on Coronation Road, Corby Glen, at lunchtime today.

Crews used a hosereel jet to extinguish.

There was severe damage by fire to interior rear cab caused by electrical fault.

As the night time economy re-opens we are reminding people of the need to be clear on consent. Regardless of if you have just met, are in a relationship or are married to your sexual partner, there is no room for ambiguity.

This is an ongoing campaign which aims to remind people of what consent means and their obligation to get it. At the same time we want to encourage reporting and highlight the support available for victims of sexual assault.    

Detective Supt Martyn Parker is Head of the Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit. He said, “If consent is not enthusiastic, given freely, informed, specific and reversible, then it is not consent. We know alcohol removes inhibitions, but don’t let it cloud your judgement. Your sexual partner may be too intoxicated to consent and there is no place for ambiguity, presumption or pressure.”   

About consent

Sexual consent relies on the person having freedom and capacity to agree to sexual activity. It is not the absence of a ‘no’.

Consent must be:

• Enthusiastic– a partner should not be worried, reluctant or unsure.
• Given freely– not pressured, pestered, bullied, guilt tripped, intimidated, or threatened.
• Informed– you can only consent if you know and understand what you are consenting to.
• Specific– consent for one thing, is not consent for anything else; consent one day is not consent for any other occasion.
• Reversible– you can change your mind at any point.

Have you been affected?

A vital part of the ongoing consent campaign is about building trust and confidence in victims and highlighting the channels available for support. These agencies can help you regardless of whether you decide to report your assault to Police. For more information see our advice section on rape and sexual assault.  

If you need help;

For Police – Call 101 (or 999 in an emergency)

• For Spring Lodge– Lincolnshire’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre – call 01522 524402 (or 0303 1234 000 for out of hours)
• For Lincolnshire Rape Crisis– support for anyone affected by any form of sexual violence – call 0800 33 4 55 00
• For Victim Lincs– advice and support for Lincolnshire victims – call 01522 947510

Lincolnshire County Council has submitted plans to the Department for Transport for funding to make changes to our town and city streets.

The changes will predominantly focus on roads in Lincoln, Grantham, Boston, Spalding, Sleaford and Holbeach and include:

• Creating temporary cycle lanes using bollards, planters or cones
• Closing roads to vehicles to allow only pedestrians and cyclists
• Widening or creating new pedestrian crossings to maximise space for people
• Providing more cycle parking
• Relocating parking or loading bays to provide extra space for walking and queuing in town and city centres.

The measures will initially be temporary to allow them to be implemented as quickly as possible. However, each intervention will be assessed and could be made permanent.

If the plans are approved by the Department for Transport (DfT), all the work will be completed within just two months.

Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways and transport, said:

“As Lincolnshire continues to open up again, we’re laying out plans to use temporary measures in our urban areas to promote cycling and walking as an alternative to other modes of transport and to encourage sustainable travel.

“We’ve focussed our plans on the places where these measures will make the most difference: these are compact urban areas where cycling and walking are feasible alternatives to both public transport and driving.

“The measures will also support retail businesses in our town and city centres, creating space for customers to social distance and queue safely.

“We’re working on cycling and walking plans for each of our larger towns and Lincoln, so we’ll see the effects these temporary measures have and they will be factored into the plans and could well be made permanent.

“Over the past few months, we’ve seen a huge rise in the number of people walking and cycling. Whilst traffic remains below pre-lockdown levels, we’re still seeing almost double the number of cyclists on the roads, according to data from the DfT.

“We want to help make it easier for people to keep those new cycling and walking habits; pop-up cycle lanes, traffic-free streets and more space will allow us to do that.”

The Government launched the emergency active travel fund in May 2020 to support more sustainable transport as part of the country’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Local authorities will be allocated funding in two phases:

1. To support the installation of temporary improvements and projects for the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. To create longer term projects.​

Lincolnshire County Council was provisionally allocated £211,000 for phase one, and £842,000 for phase two: a total investment of just over £1m. However, before receiving any funding, the council must submit satisfactory plans to the Department for Transport.

These plans are part of phase one. Phase two will take place at a later date.

Further details on the scheme – including the precise locations and nature of any changes to roads – will be released on the approval of the plans.

More than £2 million in cash has been seized by a team of regional officers as part of the UK’s most significant law enforcement operation ever.

Over the last few weeks, officers and staff from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), of which Lincolnshire Police is a part, have been working closely with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and a number of forces on a series of investigations linked to an international inquiry.

The regional action has resulted in the seizure of £2,191,200 in cash and £52kg of Class A drugs, and 29 arrests. Of particular note, were the investigations into two prominent gangs.

The first is believed to have operated out of Derbyshire, with links to London and Luton. Enforcement in all three areas in June led to the seizure of £1.4 million in bank notes, gold bullion worth more than £6,000 and 19 vehicles thought to have been purchased with criminal cash. Eleven people were arrested.

The second organised crime group (OCG) is thought to have roots in Nottinghamshire, with reach into Liverpool, and a number of warrants in the county has led to the seizure of 7.5kg in cocaine and heroin, and £620,000 in cash. Five people were arrested, with information gained from the wider inquiry helping to complete the investigation.

The two gangs may have been operating separately in the region, but they had one thing in common: They were both utilising a secret criminal communications network to conduct their illicit business.

And they weren’t alone. Around 60,000 serious and organised criminals across the globe were using ‘EncroChat’ in a bid to evade police surveillance. But their illegal activities came to an abrupt end last month, after a coordinated strike saw thousands of arrests and significant drugs, firearms and cash seizures.

Earlier in the year, a cross-continental operation resulted in French and Dutch authorities infiltrating this encrypted platform, laying bare details of thousands of handsets and their users, as well as revealing millions of messages ripe for analysis. The intelligence gained from this information was then passed to the relevant country to action.

The NCA coordinated the UK response — codenamed Operation Venetic — in partnership with the nation’s nine Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCUs) and supported by all 43 forces. So far, it has resulted in the seizure of more than £50 million in cash, 74 firearms, more than two tonnes of Class A and B drugs, and nearly 700 arrests.

Today (Thursday 2 July 2020) EncroChat servers were shut down, putting an end to this criminal subterfuge.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Kirby heads up EMSOU, which includes the East Midlands’ ROCU. He said: “By using EncroChat, these criminals thought they could conduct their illegal enterprises beneath our radar. They thought we didn’t know what they were up to. What they didn’t know was that from the very means by which they were plotting their crimes, we were taking notes; and this has made for some compelling evidence.

“As the country was under lockdown, these criminals continued to traffic their illicit wares and inflict incredible harm to our communities. But as they continued to operate, so too did we. The intelligence garnered under Operation Venetic has not only informed some of our existing operations, but has also exposed the scale and reach of some of our most serious and organised criminals.

“The results we have seen both in the region and across the country reflect some impressive talent and dedication, and a massive coordinated effort, not only to arrest suspected perpetrators and seize deadly drugs and weapons, but also in preventing and disrupting countless other crimes.

“I hope this work not only reassures our communities of the skills, capabilities and sheer dogged determination within policing and our partners to seek out and prosecute those who pose the most serious risks, but also acts as a warning to those who continue to inflict harm in our society, that there is nowhere to hide.”

Details of the operation have, until this point, been withheld to ensure maximum impact of police activity on the OCGs involved.

Paul Williamson, NCA Regional Head of Investigations, said: “This piece of activity in the East Midlands and across the UK was unprecedented. It is without doubt the broadest and deepest ever operation into serious organised crime, with the people targeted at the top end of the criminal tree.

“The NCA has worked with international partners and every single police force across the UK, but the extraordinary results we have had is testimony to the partnership we have with Regional Organised Crime Units like EMSOU.

“By working together we have had tremendous success in penetrating organised criminal networks, seizing huge amounts of criminal cash, stopping firearms and drugs reaching our streets and protecting the people of the East Midlands.”

Chief Constable Steve Jupp, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for serious organised crime, added: “I want to emphasise that this work is the culmination of meticulous planning to tackle the most serious and organised crime groups that have been working in our communities.

“Every UK police force has worked together to carry out these warrants, and I’m extremely proud of their hard work and determination, which doesn’t stop here.

“This sort of activity is just one aspect of our continued fight to tackle serious and organised crime. I hope this sends a clear message to the public of our determination to rid communities of this sort of criminalisation.”

Fire crews from Billingborough and Donington attended Acre Lane, Threekingham, at lunchtime, where about 50 straw bales and a large quantity of manure were on fire.

There was also heat damage to a nearby hedgerow.

Firefighters used two hosereel jets and the farmer’s teleporter to extinguish the blaze.

Children and young people’s sporting achievements were celebrated this week and winners announced  in Active Lincolnshire’s School Games Virtual County Finals, which went live at 10am on 1 July. The showcase video features footage of  82 of the finalists from the Lincolnshire Virtual School Games competitions, which have been keeping children and young people active at home during lockdown since the end of April. The action from the eight competitions which were based around: Dance, Athletics, Boccia, Cricket, Running, Tennis, Netball, and Golf, was bought to life by  guest commentators from the world of sport including Loughborough Lighting Captain and GB netballer Nat Panagarry and Lincolnshire based PGA Golf pro, Ashton Turner.

The finalists came from 51 schools across the county and many of these tuned in on Wednesday,  as the video went live, to cheer on their pupils and celebrate their success.

Each school that takes part in the School Games is grouped into a School Sport Partnership (SSP) depending on where they are in the county.  The Winning School Sports Partnership for the Virtual School Games, with 11 medals across the competition, was the South West Area (which covers Grantham, Stamford and the surrounding areas).

You can watch the Virtual County Finals here;  https://youtu.be/Vd-IatTwekA

More information about the County Finals and results tables can be found at https://activelincolnshire.com/county-finals/

Although the competition is now closed, children can still have a go at the challenges for fun, they can be found at:  https://activelincolnshire.com/lincolnshire-virtual-school-games/

About the Lincolnshire Virtual School Games

The Lincolnshire School Games programme is a hugely popular annual programme, designed to keep competitive sport at the heart of schools and provide young people with the opportunity to compete and achieve their personal best.  Following the closure of schools in March, The Lincolnshire School Sports Partnerships and Active Lincolnshire who usually organise intra and inter school competitions, and co-ordinate the School Games County Finals, worked together to make it possible for children and young people across Lincolnshire to enjoy the spirit of the School Games from the safety of their homes. 

For more ideas and inspiration to keep children active at home visit the Keeping Children Active at Home page on the Active Lincolnshire website https://activelincolnshire.com/keeping-children-active-home/.

To find out more about Active Lincolnshire’s support for schools visit https://activelincolnshire.com/sport/children-young-people/

Shielded and vulnerable people, some of whom may have recovered from coronavirus, are being provided with online support to build up their strength and fitness following lockdown.

Connect to Support has a dedicated coronavirus information and support section with helpful advice and links for health and wellbeing during the pandemic, including guidance on how to be active at home and in your local communities.

“It’s more important than ever at this time to look after both your physical health and mental wellbeing”, said Councillor Mrs Patricia Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Adult Care and Health.

“Many people may be in need of exercise to increase their fitness after being forced to remain in their own homes over the past few months. And being isolated can lead to higher levels of anxiety and worry due to the pandemic. Taking care of your physical wellbeing, including a healthy diet and regular exercise, can have a positive impact on your mental health.

“The easiest way to become active is to build exercise into your daily routine and find something you enjoy doing. This information on Connect to Support will give you some simple ideas on how to stay fit and healthy.”

One You Lincolnshire can help you move more, be smoke free, eat well, lose weight and drink less. Support is being offered digitally and remotely during this time. If you live in Lincolnshire and would like free support, find out more at www.oneyoulincolnshire.org.uk/lincolnshire-residents For more information please call our Triage and support team on 01522 705162.

If you’re new to physical activity and exercise, starting to get active can often seem daunting. Visit the Active Lincolnshire website for advice on getting started and links to further support.

If you are heading out when the pubs reopen, make sure you have a plan to get home safely. That’s the message today from Lincolnshire Police and the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership.  

Insp Marc Gee of Lincolnshire Police said: “Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs your judgement and ability to drive safely.  You will be endangering the lives of other drivers, passengers and pedestrians as well as your own. Aside from the greatly increased risk of causing a collision, being caught drink or drug driving has consequences including a criminal record and a heavy fine.

“We have extra patrols on at key times in response to the pubs reopening and we will specifically be seeking out anyone driving whilst unfit through alcohol or drugs.

“The reopening of pubs might feel like a new freedom to be celebrating, but that would be very short lived if you are arrested for causing death or serious injury by dangerous driving.”  

John Siddle of the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership said: “Drivers may see that the re-opening of pubs this weekend as an opportunity to get back to some sort of normal, go out and enjoy the company of friends, celebrate being back in their local pub.

“We would ask anyone tempted to drive, knowing that they will drink too much to think again. We know you would rather not use public transport or get a taxi. What we would say is if you can’t drink less than the legal limit to drive or find a way to celebrate safely without putting yourself or others at risk on the road, then stay at home. One incident of drinking and driving may alter your life, or at worst case, may end someone’s life.”

Alcohol

Alcohol effects people in different ways so it is impossible to say how many drinks it takes to reach the legal limit. It can vary depending on several factors including age, sex and metabolism.  

Our advice is simple.  Do not consume alcoholic drinks if you are driving or intend to drive. If it’s the morning after, bear in mind that you may well still be over the limit and plan accordingly.

You could face a prison sentence, a ban from driving and a fine if you’re found guilty of drink driving.

Find out more about drink driving penalties at gov.uk

www.gov.uk/drink-driving-penalties

Drugs

It is also an offence to drive with certain drugs above a specified level in your blood.  This offence relates to both legal and illegal drugs.

The limits for all illegal drugs are low: taking even a small amount of an illegal drug could put you over the limit.

You can see the drug driving limits on the gov.uk website

www.gov.uk/government/collections/drug-driving

As with alcohol, it is impossible to say what dosage would equate to being over the specified limits.

The punishments for drug driving are similar to those of drink driving.

Find out more about drug driving law at gov.uk

www.gov.uk/drug-driving-law

Advice     

There is no safe limit for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  Our advice is simple, do not drive:

• If you have or are planning to drink alcohol, plan your journey home without driving
• Don’t offer an alcoholic drink or drugs to someone you know is planning to drive
• Don’t accept a lift from a driver who you know has drunk alcohol or taken drugs

Report it

If you want to report someone who habitually drives whilst under the influence of drink or drugs please report to Crimestoppers.
crimestoppers-uk.org

If you suspect someone of drink or drug driving, or know someone who is about to drive while under the influence of drink or drugs, call police on 101.  

If there is an immediate danger to life, call us on 999.

Joint statement from Councillor Martin Hill, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council and Councillor Craig Leyland, Leader of East Lindsey District Council.

“Whilst we are slowly opening up our east coast to visitors, we have to stress that we are a long way away from returning to normal.

“Not all shops and businesses are opening just yet and we are asking people to use common sense and make reasonable adjustments when they visit.

“With pubs and restaurants opening this weekend, we understand people will want to celebrate the easing of restrictions but we are urging people to drink responsibly, respect social distancing and keep safe.

“It is also the time of year when traditionally we have welcomed many guests from the Leicester area and it is with great sadness that we know for the time being that they are in a Covid-19 localised lockdown.

“We want to reassure our residents that we are doing all we can to keep everyone safe and in line with the government guidance. Residents from Leicester and the suburbs have been told to stay at home where possible and only undertake essential travel to, from and within Leicester.

“Those who had planned a visit to the coast are being advised to talk with the respective caravan site or hotel in order to rebook their visit.

“We are also asking pub licensees, hotel and caravan site owners to be vigilant but also to be flexible in rebooking alternative dates for those from the Leicester lockdown.