We know during Christmas period more drivers take a risk and drive while they are impaired through both alcohol and drugs. 

So officers prioritise this area of policing,  by stopping drivers in their tracks, before they kill or seriously injure someone on the county’s roads.  

It’s hard to understand that so many people took a decision to drive, putting other road users at risk and putting themselves at risk. 

During December, 62 people were suspected of driving or being in charge of a vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit and 77 people who were suspected of driving while impaired through controlled drugs.  That’s 139 people who were arrested, face an investigation, most likely face court proceedings and will lose their driving licence.

Police Sergeant Adie Scargill, Roads Policing, Lincolnshire Police, said: “We target drink and drug drivers throughout the year and the results show how important it is we keep our focus on drivers who continue to break the law driving while impaired. 

“Many of the arrests will lead to drivers being disqualified and this affects their employment and life in general.  We will target those who chose to continue to drive while they are disqualified from doing so.  I ask for the help of our communities with this.  If you know someone is driving when they have been disqualified please tell us.  Ring, report on-line or via Crimestoppers anonymously, we will do the rest.

“The decisions drivers make are impaired when they have alcohol or drugs in their system.  The more alcohol or drugs the worse their driving and the more dangerous they become.  Disqualified drivers will not be covered by insurance policies.  Help us take these irresponsible and dangerous drivers off the road and make our counties roads a safer place to use.”

PreciousLittleOne, based in a warehouse behind B&Q, on  London Road Industrial Estate, has gone into administration.

In a statement yesterday, joint adminstrators Andrew Smith and Kenneth Marland announced the company had ceased trading with immediate effect with many customers left in limbo over their outstanding orders. They said in a statement:  “We advise that Preciouslittleone Limited was placed into Administration today. Formal notice will be sent to you in due course.

“The administrators are reviewing the company position but are aware that some customers had placed and paid for orders where the goods have not been provided.

“It is unlikely that the company in administration will be fulfilling those orders in the near future.

“If you paid with a credit card, and the cost of the goods or services was between £100 and £30,000, you may be able to get a refund from your card issuer.

“This is known as a Section 75 claim and is a statutory right under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

“Under Section 75, if you have a claim against the retailer for breaking the terms of any contract you have with them or for making untrue statements, you can bring the same claim for a refund against your credit card issuer. Paying for any part of the price of the goods or services on your credit card will allow you to make such a claim.

“Your claim can include any circumstances where the product is faulty or the retailer does not deliver what they promised, including if they go out of business.”

To raise this type of claim with a credit card issuer, you should speak to your card company/bank within 6 years of buying the goods or services or, in case of non-receipt, when you were due to receive the goods or services.

If the payment was made though another business such as Paypal or Sagepay, you will need to review their terms and conditions and your ability to make a claim against them for undelivered goods or defective goods.

“Please do not contact the Preciouslittleone Limited or the joint administrators as we will be unable to supply any further information at this stage.”

The joint administrators will contact each customer and creditor individually in due course in relation to this appointment.

Couples who have adopted a pet during the pandemic can save themselves the unnecessary heartache of losing shared pets by arranging a ‘pet-nuptial’ agreement in case of future separation with their partner.

When going through a divorce, deciding what happens to shared pets can be difficult and having a plan in place can really help.

For custody of furry friends, there is currently no official legally binding measures in place for what happens to pets after a breakup.

Legally a pet is seen as an asset, and as with any assets in a divorce, ownership will be decided by the court – however having a prearranged agreement in place, commonly known as a prenuptial agreement, can assist the court to make a decision.

To decide the future home of a pet during a separation, couples can include a clause in a wider prenuptial agreement regarding ownership of an animal in the same way they can for material goods, such as furniture or a TV.

Pre-nups are seen as a reflection of the parties’ intentions regarding ownership of property and assets prior to marriage, and although they are not legally binding in the UK, they will be taken into consideration by the court in the event of a relationship breakdown.

Despite pets being a big part of the family, animal charities such as The Blue Cross and Kennel Club both advise against joint custody of an animal as it can be unsettling and negatively affect the animal’s wellbeing. Splitting up animals who have lived together for a long time may also cause distress to animals so it’s not advisable.

It is suggested to appoint a primary caregiver of the animal upon adopting, with a pet-nup clause outlining who this will be and what the duty of care will entail.

Neil Remnant, head of family law at JMP Solicitors, said: “With many couples adopting pets during lockdown, it is important to implement safeguarding in case of an eventual relationship breakdown to ensure you, your family and your pet are put through the least amount of distress possible.

“Once divorce proceedings begin, the custody of the pet is in the hands of the court. They will look at a number of factors such as who can best meet the animal’s needs, who has the most suitable home and what is best for the animal.

“A pet-nup clause can have a significant impact on any decision the court is asked to make and sets out the intentions of the parties prior to marriage. It can outline custody agreements, as well as financial responsibilities such as veterinary and grooming bills. Whilst it is not officially binding, it is certainly an influential factor in deciding what happens to your pets.

“When drafting the agreement, it’s important to bear in mind what would be best for the animal, and agreed primary owners must adhere to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and agree to be responsible for caring for the animal in all eventualities.”

To find out more about pet-nups and available family law services, please contact JMP Solicitors.

The Lincolnshire Music Service has been named ‘Youth Organisation of 2020’ by the Classical Music Digital Awards in recognition of their amazing achievements in online music teaching, and video collaborations during the pandemic.

The awards were established by music entrepreneur David Taylor, who wanted to recognise the incredible innovation, resilience, and creativity shown by musicians, ensembles, orchestras, and projects during 2020, who embraced digital forms of music and performance, while live performance wasn’t possible.

Lincolnshire Music Service moved their delivery of music teaching online at the start of the pandemic to reach out to around 800 young people weekly through fully subsidised instrumental/vocal lessons. This was done quickly and efficiently, creating a lifeline of playing music, which supported the well-being of many young people during these difficult times.

In addition, although the music service students couldn’t be together physically to rehearse and play music, they have taken part in numerous online music collaborations, all shared on YouTube. These include a joyous tribute to the NHS with ‘We’re still standing!’ from the Boston Youth Jazz Orchestra’; Horncastle MAT Jazz Band performed Adele’s ‘Rolling in the Deep’, and Lincolnshire Youth Virtual Ensemble Orchestra entertained with ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’. Perhaps most spectacular was the virtual concert released in December, and the performance of Skyrim, by County Group members with the Manchester Video Gaming Orchestra.

Jennifer McKie, senior music adviser said, “It’s such a fantastic boost for Lincolnshire Music Service to have received this award. This has been a very difficult year, and our team went over and beyond the call of duty teaching during the day as well as evening and weekends, to ensure that young people could access their music lessons.

“Our students also put in huge efforts to continue their music learning, and fully embraced taking part in numerous online collaborations. I’m delighted that we were able to offer many students the opportunity to perform with prestigious orchestras such as the Manchester Video Gaming Orchestra and Chineke! Orchestra.”

Other winners read like a who’s who in classical music, including Amelia Conway-Jones, Royal Opera Violinist, who has raised over £46,000 for other musicians during 2020; the Philharmonia Orchestra, for its combination of digital projects, social media, and livestreaming  and London Handel Festival for their livestreamed performances, including Handel’s Messiah.

Registered between 04 and 08 January 2021

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

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

S20/2108 Colsterworth Details of the reserved matters for i. Layout; ii. Scale; iii. Appearance followingoutline consent (ref:S18/1335) for 2 x large buildings for B1, B2 and B8 uses andassociated hardstanding and landscaping (Phase 2).Applicant: Mr David WilsonDavid Wilson Trailers Ltd, Jubilee Park, Honey Pot Lane Colsterworth NG33 5LZ

S20/2155 Grantham Refurbishment and reconfiguration of existing theatre toilets and public toilets. Creation of new theatre changing rooms and cycle changing rooms at Guildhall Arts Centre St Peter’s Hill Grantham NG31 6PY. Applicant: Mr Gyles Teasdale South Kesteven District Council Council Offices St Peters Hill GRANTHAM NG31 6PZ

S20/2170 Ropsley  Erection of side porch; Applicant: Lorna Groom The Cottage The Green Little Humby NG33 4HW

S20/2179 Great Humby  Re-use of an existing traditional agricultural building for the provision of 2no. dwellinghouses at Manor Farm Great Humby NG33 4HW; Applicant: Yareal Humby Ltd c/o Bidwells Bidwell House Trumpington Road Cambridge CB2 9LD C

S20/2180 Fulbeck Removal of tree 5157 – Sycamore (S19/1251) at The Grange Lincoln Road Fulbeck NG32 3JN; Applicant: Mr Craig Harrison14 Greendale Avenue Edwinstowe Mansfield NG2 19NA

S20/2216 Londonthorpe And Harrowby Without Proposed two storey side extension Applicant: Mr Sam Turner 12 Wentworth Drive Grantham Lincolnshire NG31 9QQ

S20/2221 & S20/2222 Great Humby Prior notification for a Change of Use of Agricultural Buildings to Dwellinghouses(Class C3), and for building operationsreasonably necessary for the conversion under Schedule 2, Part 3, Class QApplicant: Yareal Humby Ltdc/o BidwellsBidwell House Trumpington Road Cambridge CB2 9LD

S20/2223 Londonthorpe And Harrowby Without Parish: Additional pitch on private travellers site; Applicant: Mr George Gaskin Green Acres Harrowby Lane Harrowby  NG31 9HB

S20/2224 Barrowby Fell Willow Applicant: Mr Peter Boneham 3 High Road Barrowby LNG32 1BH

S20/2183 Grantham Single storey extensions to front and rear. Applicant: Mr & Mrs David Bird 112 New Beacon Road Grantham NG31 9LL

S20/2185 Stoke Rochford  Display of digital 48-Sheet free-standing advertisement at Stoke Rochford Golf Course Great North Road Stoke Rochford NG33 5EW; Applicant: Kyle TideyMy Club Europe Limited, Quadrant House 47 Croydon Road Caterham CR3 6PB

S20/2190 Oasby Erection of detached garage, coversion of existing garage to gym, extension of existing bedroom to include balcony with terrace to rear elevation; Applicant: Mr Curtis Dingley Highfield House, Ancaster Lane Oasby NG32 3NA

S20/2191 Marston Submission of details reserved by condition 4 (surface water drainage) of S17/2399(Demolition of existing petrol filling station to provide a new petrol filling station facility with forecourt shop/sales building , customer car parking, staff car parking spaces, HGV parking and associated services.) Toll Bar Service Station Toll Bar Road Marston NG32 2AD; Applicant: Motor Fuel Group Gladstone Place 36-38 Upper Marlborough Road St Albans AL1 3UU

S20/2192 Rippingale Conversion of an existing agricultural barn into two dwellings and associated access, parking and residential garden area at Rippingale Fen Farm Long Drove Rippingale PE10 0TG Applicant: Kylie Roberts, The Crown Estate Comissioners c/o Carter Jonas Carter Jonas 12 Waterside Way Bedford Road Northampton NN4 7XD

S20/2199 Grantham Single storey rear extensionApplicant: Mr D Baker16 Signal Road Grantham NG31 9BL

S20/2203 Grantham T1,T2-Horse Chestnut trees – Reduce in height pruning on or above previous reduction points. Applicant: Mrs J Sharp 11, Woodlands Drive Grantham NG31 9DJ

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust has won the Estates and Facilities Innovation Award at this year’s Health Business Awards.

This award highlights the amazing work the Trust’s Facilities Team has been doing to reduce its carbon footprint and at the same time make financial savings which can instead be used for patient care. The Trust has joined forces with Veolia to manage improvements to its energy infrastructure over the next 15 years. In the first year of this contract the Trust has installed LED lighting in its hospitals at Lincoln, Boston and Grantham, and installed a new combined heat and power unit at Lincoln.

These energy upgrades are expected to generate financial savings of £1.4 million per year and will cut annual carbon emissions by 7,712 tonnes.

Veolia have worked with the Trust for 15 years and this extends that partnership for a further 15, in which we will continuously support the Trust to reach their Net Zero goals.

Associate Director of Strategic Business Planning, Claire Hall, said: “This award means a great deal to the team, over a number of years we have worked to develop projects with Veolia to invest in our energy infrastructure to improve our sustainability and resilience.

“The Trust received a grant from the National Energy Efficiency Fund for £2.6 million enabling the replacement of around 12,000 light fittings with modern LED fittings with smart technology that mean lights turn off after a period of inactivity saving energy and money for the Trust.”

Chief Operating Officer, Simon Evans said: “I am so proud of the team and this award goes some way to recognising all of the hard work they have put in to improve our environments for patients and colleagues, as well as being better for the environment and enabling us to use the savings we have made for patient care.”

This year’s awards were held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A group of Grantham volunteers is looking to help children in need of technology to help keep in touch while schools are in lockdown.

GRACE (Grantham and Rural Areas Covid-19 effort), based at St John’s Church,  launched  the appeal due to many children being  educated at home again due to  current restrictions.

Jayne Robb said: “You will have all heard in the press about device/technology shortages for children to use to access remote learning.

“We would like to start an initiative that works along the same lines as a furniture/clothes bank, a ‘Tech Bank’.

“We are hoping to gather old/used devices (iPads, phones etc) that have been returned to factory settings that children can use in order to access their remote learning.

“We have connections with a number of schools/children who would benefit greatly from improved access to technology and in turn remote learning.

“This isn’t a political post about the rights and wrongs of school closure or about who should/shouldn’t be providing children with technology just a genuine request to anyone who believes they have any old/unwanted devices that may benefit a child and their access to learning to get in touch.

“We will guarantee that the devices are provided directly to families struggling to keep up with home learning. We are happy to provide more information through direct messages.

“Thank you.”

For more information go to…

(20+) GRACE (Grantham & Rural Areas Covid-19 Effort) | Facebook

The Government has announced a community testing programme for Lincolnshire which will target communities in Lincoln and Boston.

Testing will help protect people most at risk, using rapid turnaround tests supplied by NHS Test and Trace.

Final plans and details around the testing sites are being put in place and more information will be confirmed this week.

“This is a massive boost for Lincolnshire’s testing plans, running alongside the rollout of vaccines for our most vulnerable residents and critical support staff”, said Councillor Martin Hill, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council.

“Using local knowledge and expertise, it will mean testing for all people in some areas, whether they have symptoms or not, with easy access to additional local testing sites being finalised in Lincoln and Boston.”

“Many people may not be showing symptoms but will be carrying the virus so this will help identify these hidden infections and slow the rate of transmissions.”

 Councillor Ric Metcalfe, Leader of City of Lincoln Council, added: “This is an important step forward in our fight to bring down coronavirus transmission levels in Lincoln

“In the UK, it is estimated that as many as one in 50 people may currently have the virus. Many do not have symptoms and so are spreading the disease unknowingly.

“The more people that can be tested the better as this helps us identify cases and to encourage people to isolate in order to break the chain of infection.

“We all want an end to lockdown and a return to normality and this additional further testing, alongside the ongoing vaccination programme, will help achieve this.

“I encourage residents to take advantage of the service and take a test. It is important that we all play our part in keeping Lincoln safe.”

Leader of Boston Borough Council, Councillor Paul Skinner, said: “We are pleased that Boston has been identified alongside Lincoln for an Enhanced Community Testing programme. The Boston team are working hard around the clock with partners and plans are well underway for this to be rolled out in the following days.

“By increasing the amount of testing done, we can identify more people who do not have coronavirus symptoms, but who are infectious and unknowingly spreading the disease to others.

“The tests are safe and free, taking less than 15 minutes to administer and with a result in under an hour.

“Once we can confirm dates when this will be up and running, how it will operate, where it will operate from and how people access it we will communicate this to the community.”

Testing sites will be easily accessed and a quick process for people using lateral flow tests through the usual nose swabbing. If there is a positive response then people will be given a further PCR test with results known within 24 hours.

CLICK ON PICTURE ABOVE FOR DETAILS

Marcus Andrew is currently fundraising in memory of his nephew who passed away three years ago.

He’s planning to shave his head and donate his hair as a way to raise money.

Former St Hugh’s pupil Marcus, who works at TX Maxx in Grantham, said: “On17th February 2018 the world stopped as we lost Samuel Peter Andrews at the tragically young age of only two.  He lost his life due to Sepsis and by the time he was taken to the hospital it was too late.

“This day brings great sadness to me and my family, but we have always tried to make the most of it.

“For the past two years, my brother has hosted Sensational Sounds for Samuel at his pub. The Grove, New Balderton. This was a live music night to raise money for The Children’s Bereavement Centre, a charity that helped my surviving nephew deal with the loss of his brother.

“Unfortunately due to Covid-19 we won’t be able to hold Sensational Sounds for Samuel, so I am doing a Shave for Samuel instead!

“I’d like to take this time to ask people to donate or share my story to help raise money for a great cause.”

 For more information go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marcus-andrews5

Fire crews from Grantham, Donnington and Corby Glen attended a chimney fire in a thatched property on Village Street, Pickworth, at 7.30pm yesterday evening.

There was severe damage by fire to a small quantity of soot in chimney.

Crews used chimney gear, stirrup pump, 13.5 metre ladder and two thermal imaging cameras.

Lincolnshire Police have been made aware of fake NHS text messages circulating, informing the public that they’re eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine.

The scam message reads “We have identified that you are eligible to apply for your vaccine” which prompts you to click on a link to find out more and to “apply” for the vaccine.

The link directs you to a convincing fake NHS website, where fraudsters can coerce you to divulge personal or financial details.

Any texts or emails containing URLs should always be treated with caution and we’d urge for members of the public to avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts or emails.

Texts or emails that ask you to provide information such as your name, date of birth or financial details are scams and if you’re ever unsure about these types of messages, ignore or delete them.

Cold calls that ask you to provide personal or financial details or ask you to pay over the phone to access the vaccine have also been reported. If you receive one of these calls, hang up immediately.

How to protect yourself from scams

Scams are becoming more and more sophisticated and they also come in many forms, making it difficult to distinguish real messages from fake ones. Below are some useful tips to avoid falling victim to any scam:

• If you receive a text or email containing attachments or links from unknown senders, do not open them. Move emails to your Spam inbox, delete the text messages and block the number if you can.
• If possible, use 2-factor authentication to provide extra protection to your online accounts. Visit the National Cyber Security Centre for more information. 
• Never give out your personal information or financial details in response to emails, texts or phone calls. Always verify who you are speaking with.
• Look out for fake websites and if you’re unsure, check the domain name.
• Check for errors in spelling. Messages or emails riddled with spelling mistakes are normally linked to phishing attacks.

To find out more about types of scams and how to protect yourself from them, visit our Frauds and Scams page on our website. 

If you’ve been a victim of a scam

If you think you have been a victim or know of someone who has fallen victim to an online fraud:

• Contact your bank immediately to tell them what’s happened.
• Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online.

Please share this warning with friends, families, neighbours and colleagues so we can prevent anyone from falling victim to scams.