A section of Springfield Road in Grantham will be closed today (Friday) to allow for a structural survey of the railway bridge.

The road will be closed from the junction at London Road and South Parade, known locally as Gainsborough Corner, to the bridge. 

The closure will be in effect from 10:30am until 3pm to allow Network Rail to carry out the survey.

Senior Highways Officer Mic Thornhill said: “As the bridge has previously been struck by tall vehicles attempting to pass underneath, engineers from Network Rail must examine it.

“We realise these works are taking place at short notice, but we also wanted to avoid closing the road when this would conflict with events in the area and other pre-scheduled works.”

Signed diversions will be in place via the A607 Harlaxton Road and the A52.

For more information about these road works, please visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/roadworks 

GRANTHAM Journal owners Johnston Press is piloting new-look newsrooms at a series of titles in the midlands which could be rolled out across the company.

Under the plan, journalists will no longer work for individual newspapers but will be part of a central unit responsible for several different titles.

The idea is being piloted at the company’s centres in Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire.

Titles affected include the Derbyshire Times, Matlock Mercury, Mansfield and Ashfield Chad and Worksop Guardian.

The plan, which was announced to staff last week, will see journalists at around 11 weekly newspapers in the region combined into the three teams or ‘units.’

The Derbyshire unit for example,  will cover the Derbyshire Times, Matlock Mercury, Buxton Advertiser, Ripley and Heanor News, Belper News, Eastwood and Kimberley Advertiser and Ilkeston Advertiser.

A separate central unit will cover entertainments, community news, ad features and sport working across all the titles in the region.

A Johnston Press spokesman said: “We have launched a pilot project in one area of the north Midlands, led by our editorial teams, which aims to transform the way we gather and disseminate news and information across multiple platforms.

“We are looking at ways of allowing our news teams to focus on specific areas of content and improving our reader experience.”

A Grantham firefighter used a bucket of water to extinguish a fence panel on fire, on  Winchester Road, Grantham, at lunchtime today (Wednesday).

THE incident at Reedings Road, Barrowby, was resolved at about 2:45am this morning (18/09/14) with the arrest of the 21-year-old man on suspicion of committing an offence of unlawful imprisonment.

The man remains in custody at Grantham.

The incident  began at about  4:00pm tyesterday and the area was cordoned off.  Armed police were involved.

No-one was injured in incident.

Grantham Police wish to thank the residents in the area affected by the police activity and cordons for their cooperation, understanding and patience.

Plans for the proposed new multiplex cinema in Grantham’s St Catherine’s Road will go on display to the public for an extended period later this month.

Residents and interested parties can view details of the proposed development in the previously advertised event in the Newton Room of the Guildhall Arts Centre in the town from 12pm to 6pm on Friday September 19.

They also have the chance to feedback their views at SKDC’s St Peter’s Hill Customer Service centre from Monday September 22 to Friday September 26, during customer service opening hours.

Alternatively residents can also email their thoughts on the plans at any time to pr@southkesteven.gov.uk. The deadline is Friday September 26 at 5pm.

SKDC’s development control committee could decide on the proposed plans in October.

If given the go ahead, work could begin on the site later this year with a completion date of late 2015.

Professor Brian Cox, the UK’s best known physicist, and former rock star, is to appear at the Gravity Fields Festival via a live video link in a last minute festival coup.

Star of blockbuster shows, TV presenter, author and frequently labelled the rock star scientist, Professor Cox OBE will feature in a special half hour question and answer session in Grantham’s St Wulfram’s Church on Saturday afternoon (27 September).

The man credited with making science engaging and accessible to millions will be asked questions by Dallas Campbell, TV presenter and Patron of Gravity Fields Festival, as part of the two day CERN Live exhibition.

This event is not ticketed but those attending the previous free event in the same venue ‘Smashing Physics’ with Professor Jonathan Butterworth will be given priority to remain in the venue.

Interested members of the audience are invited to arrive at the St Wulfram’s Church from 3.30pm but entry into the building will not begin until 3.45pm.  Adult attendees will be invited to donate £5 per person.

Please enter via the North Door, Church Street entrance of St Wulfram’s Church, where the CERN Live event is taking place.  (Wheelchair access remains via the South Door).

Professor Cox’s  books and TV programmes have been read and watched around the world.  With his down-to-earth and likeable enthusiasm, Brian’s tag of rock star scientist harks back to his days as keyboard player for D:Ream.

As Professor of Particle Physics at Manchester University, he is also a key part of the ATLAS  and the CERN Large Hadron Collider projects.

His TV shows include Wonders of the Universe, Wonders of the Solar System and Wonders of Life, each looking at the fundamental science behind everything from stars and planets to atoms and microbiology.

Click on picture below for full story

POLICE are looking for arsonists who set fire to 600 straw bales at 5.15pm on Monday  at  a farm on Hough Road, Hough on the Hill.

Anyone with information is asked to contact them on 101 quoting incident number 358 15/09/14

Also, at about 06:20am this morning a cement mixer was taken from a garden on Sandy Lane, Marston (incident 64 17/09/14)

ONE of its youngest swimmers, Iona Colbert delivered the most solid performance for Grantham Swimming Club in Sunday’s Lincolnshire League final.

Iona came first in her individual race, improving her 25 fly almost by a second and bettering the old club record.

Surprisingly some of our last year Midlands swimmers struggled to finish their races in top place. This is a good lesson to start to work even harder during sessions.

Chloe Hopkinson swam strongly to finish in 2nd place in 25 free. Jack Barnes demonstrated huge improvement. First he dropped 6 seconds in his freestyle race, and then 5 seconds in the breaststroke.

Ella Coleman although swimming with injury was one to count on. Ella came first in 50 breastroke clocking a respectful nearly 2 seconds personal best. James Dobney showed some good, solid strokes with personal best in 50 breastroke and 50 free where he came first.

Beth Gibson supported her relay teams well and also nicely progressed in 50 backstroke. Annabel Roberts had no competition in 50 backstroke, coming comfortably first with a solid personal best.

Freya Colbert managed a small improvement in 50 fly as well as Matthew Smith, but for Matthew it was enough to claim victory in his race.

Matthew also won 50 free and 50 backstroke improving in the last one nearly a second. Freya Colbert added a valuable victory in 50m freestyle.

Allen Jacob seemed a bit off the pace, but it was enough to come first in 50 fly.

Mia Ellis had quite an impressive performance. In 25 backstroke Mia swam like a little rocket dropping over a seconds from her previous time and leaving the competition well behind. Billy Reed also won a race in 25 backstroke with a pb and clocked a descent personal best in 25 fly.

Sophie Sutton and Jarrod Tylor swam 50 fly and both swam impressive personal bests, but Sophie controlled the race finishing first. Lara Hawkes fought well in 50 breastroke improving by almost a second and Imogen Raistrick who came first in the last individual race with solid personal best.

Well done to our cannon relay who came first by a tiny margin. Iona Colbert, Billy Reed, Colbert Freya, James Dobney, Lara Hawkes, Matthew Smith, Abigail Farkas and Jacob Allen who in his last leg managed to bring a victory back to Grantham!

SKDC has pledged its support for Gas Safety Week (15-21 September), and will be raising awareness of gas safety issues at its markets.

This fourth annual Gas Safety Week will see the whole industry coming together to bring gas safety to the forefront of people’s minds.

SKDC will have representatives explaining to residents about the campaign  at Bourne market on September 18, Stamford Market on September 19 and Grantham Market on September 20.

Dangerous gas work can kill, so it is vital that gas appliances are safety checked at least once a year. If left unchecked, poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. In the last year alone, 343 people were injured and 10 people died as a result of gas related incidents.

Residents can sign up to a free reminder service at www.StayGasSafe.co.uk and use the interactive gas map to see how many unsafe gas appliances are lurking in an area.

SKDC’s portfolio holder for good housing Cllr Terl Bryant said “It’s vital residents make the relevant checks to avoid dangerous incidents in their homes.

“Check the website or ask one of our staff at an event in your part of the district on how you can stay gas safe.”

Russell Krämer, chief executive for Gas Safe Register, said: “Every year, far too many people suffer from preventable gas related accidents, such as gas leaks, explosions, fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s great therefore, that [insert name of organisation] has pledged its support and is raising awareness of gas safety issues, helping to let the 23 million gas consumers in the UK know about the simple checks they can make to stay safe.”

Follow these simple checks to stay gas safe:

• Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer when having gas work carried out in your home. You can find a registered engineer in your area by calling Gas Safe Register on 0800 408 5500 or visit www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk
• Get your gas appliances safety checked at least once a year and serviced in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. This includes your gas boiler, gas cooker and gas fire. Sign up at www.staygassafe.co.uk for a free reminder service.
• Check the front and back of your engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card, making sure they are qualified to do the specific type of gas work you require.
• Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm which will alert you if dangerous levels are present in your home.
• Check for warning signs your appliances aren’t working correctly, such as lazy yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.

For more information or to find Gas Safe registered engineer visit www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.

For the first time South Kesteven District Council is introducing a cashless parking system within its car parks to provide motorists with a more convenient way to pay for parking.

The “Phone and Pay” system, provided by Bemrose Mobile, has been rolled out across all 12 of the district’s car parks in Grantham and Stamford.

Motorists will benefit from features such as optional text confirmation that parking has been booked and a reminder text when a parking session is due to expire.

They also have the facility to extend parking sessions via phone, SMS or Smartphone application, allowing shoppers and visitors to stay longer in the district’s town centres without having to rush back.

To encourage motorists to register and use the new service, there will be no transaction or SMS charges for the first three months that the service is in operation until October 1.

SKDC’s portfolio holder for well run council Cllr Mike Taylor said: “Cashless parking is a much more flexible system, which will provide a quick, easy and safe way for motorists to pay for parking sessions via their mobile phone, in addition to the existing pay and display machines which will remain in place.  We also hope it will encourage motorists to stay for longer in our town centres.

“We are also using this system to prevent motorists from falling foul of penalty notices for being over an allotted parking time.”

A spokesperson for Bemrose Mobile said “We are thrilled to be rolling out our service within the council-run car parks of South Kesteven.

“Phone and Pay” is a quick and secure way to pay for parking and once a motorist has used the system the first time, their details will be retained for future use to make parking even more convenient.”

To use the new service, motorists can pre-register their vehicles online at www.phoneandpay.co.uk, download the app by searching for “Phone and Pay parking”, call 01476 856836 or text their vehicle registration number to 07786 207708.

GRANTHAM Town have been drawn away to neighbours Stamford in the next round of the FA Cup.

Their reward for a 4-1 win on Saturday is a short trip against their Evo-Stik League Northern Premier Division rivals on September 27 in the second qualifying round.

Winning clubs in the next round receive £4,500 from The FA Prize Fund.

A RAPE  crisis centre is to open in Grantham.

The facility will offer victims of sexual crime expert advice, support and counselling and help them negotiate the criminal justice system.

It will have a £300,000 annual budget.

Fay Maxted, of The Survivors’ Trust, operating the Grantham centre, said: “We are delighted that funding has been awarded to establish a new rape support centre in Grantham.

“At the moment Grantham and the surrounding area does not have a specialist rape support centre, meaning that traumatised and vulnerable individuals who desperately need access to support can face long journeys, long waiting lists or may not be able to find support at all.”

Minister for Women and Equalities Nicky Morgan said: “I want women to know that if they ever suffer the horrific ordeal of rape or sexual assault that they will be offered all of the expert advice and support they need to rebuild their lives and put the perpetrator behind bars.

“This Government committed to open 15 new support centres across the country and I am proud to say that this announcement today means we have delivered on our promise.”

Received 8-12 September 2014

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

www.southkesteven.gov.uk/planningsearch/

Londonthorpe & Harrowby Without S14/1787/HSH – Single storey front extension (to include an extended front porch); Applicant:Mr J Mitchell 43, Turnor Road, Harrowby, Grantham, NG31 9ET; Agent: Riverside Design 88, Belton Grove, Grantham, NG31 9HH

Caythorpe S14/2056/HSH – Retention of unauthorised 2.1m fence – Applicant:Gary Darby Southwold, 5, Nettlecroft Lane, Frieston, NG32 3BE

Edenham S14/2277/DC – Discharge condition 19 (roof structure) of S13/3004 at Mill Leys Farm, School Lane, Edenham Applicant: Grimsthorpe & Drummond Castle Trust The Estate Office, Grimsthorpe, PE10 0NB; Agent: Brian Gilliam, Status Design 2, Edinburgh Walk, Holbeach, PE12 7AP

Billingborough S14/2429/FULL – Grain store The Piggery, Marsedyke Bridge, Pointon Road, Billingborough; Applicant: P Richardson, D G Richardson & Son Ltd Pointon House Farm, Pointon, NG34 0LX; Agent: R Masterton, POD Designs The West Wing, The Lodge, Stow Lane, Horbling, NG340EU

Grantham S14/2461/ADV New Co-op and Post Office signs to replace existing signs at 161, Dysart Road, Grantham, NG31 7DX; Applicant: David Bowels, Co-Operative Group Building 4th Floor Dantzic Building, Dantzic Street, Manchester, Great Manchester, M60 0AF ; Agent: Sandy Logan, Hawes Signs Ltd Moulton Park, Northampton, NN3 6EU

Corby Glen S14/2507/ADV – Installation of 1 non-illuminated fascia sign and 1 non-illuminated projecting sign at  Co-operative Retail Services Ltd, High Street, Corby Glen, NG33 4LX; Applicant: David Bowles, The Co-Operative Group 4th Floor Dantzic Building, Dantzic Street, Manchester, Great Manchester, M60 0AF; Agent: Sandy Logan, Hawes Signs Ltd Sandfield Close, Moulton Park, Northampton, NN3 6EU

Harlaxton S14/2519/LB – Ground floor extension to dwelling & detached summer house; Applicant: Bill Burn 9, Church Street, Harlaxton, NG32 1HB; Agent: Martin Kelby, Riverside Design 88, Belton Grove, Grantham, NG31 9HH

Grantham S14/2520/HSH – Two storey side extension to dwelling and formation of access at 8, Harrowby Lane, Grantham, NG31 9HX; Applicant: Richard Lett 3, Thistle Court, Barkston, NG32 2PX; Agent: Mr Martin Kelby, Riverside Design 88, Belton Grove, Grantham, NG31 9HH

Billingborough S14/2530/TCA – Removal of 1 x Rowan tree, 1 x Holly tree and 1 x Leyland Cypress tree Applicant: Mrs Janet Chan 13A, High Street, Billingborough, NG34 0QA; Agent:Mark Anderton, Hedgehog Tree Care 15, Church Street, Billingborough, NG34 0QG

Grantham S14/2531/FULL – Convert existing rear store into retail area at 7, Wharf Road, Grantham, NG31 6BA;  Applicant: Arako Amed 54, The Waterfront, Welham Street, Grantham,  NG31 6QQ; Agent:Mr D S Oliver 7, Low Road, South Kyme, Lincoln, LN4 4AG

Bitchfield & Bassingthorpe S14/2533/LB – Alteration of Listed Building (Internal); Applicant: Mrs Victoria Pyke Manor House, Main Street, Bitchfield,  NG33 4DY

Bitchfield & Bassingthorpe S14/2540/DC – Approval of details reserved by Condition 2 (Archaeology) of S14/1618; Applicant:Mr M Pyke The Manor House, Bitchfield, NG334DY

Long Bennington S14/2546/HSH – Proposed rear extension to dwelling; Applicant: Mr & Mrs Iain Haddock 16, Acklands Lane, Long Bennington, NG23 5EW; Agent: Mr K Robinson, Kevin Robinson Architectural Services 32, Blackbrook Road, Newark, NG242ST

South Witham S14/2553/DC – Discharge of conditions 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10 of planning permission S14/1719 at 33, Water Lane, South Witham, NG33 5PH; Applicant: Mr Chris White C/O Agent Plan-It Design Ltd Richmond House, Main Street, Long Bennington, NG23 5DJ

Grantham S14/2558/LB – Erection of commemorative plaque at The Guildhall, Edith Smith Way, Grantham, NG31 6PZ; Applicant: Mr C Finn, Grantham Civic Society Brownacres, Green Lane, Grantham, NG31 9PP

Castle Bytham S14/2564/TCA – Reduction of 1 cherry tree by 1.5m; Applicant:Mr & Mrs Donaldson 34, Cumberland Gardens, Castle Bytham, NG33 4SQ;Agent:Mr T Plummer, Tommy Plummer Tree Care Mulberry Barn, Church Street, Empingham, , LE15 8PN

Claypole S14/2586/FULL – Two pig husbandry units, and feed silos; Applicant: King’s Farmers Fen Farm, Oster Fen Lane, Claypole, NG23 5AS; Agent: Mr K Taylor, Kier Architectural Ltd 10A, Abbet Road, Ulceby, DN39 6TJ

South Witham S14/2603/CWC – Confirmation that condition 6 (boundary treatment) of S06/0781 has been complied with t Bullimores Coal Yard, Thistleton Lane, South Witham, NG33 5QE; Applicant: Andrew Perkins, Moody & Woolley 40, St Mary’s Gate, Derby, DE1 3JZ

Long Bennington S14/2604/DC – Submission of details in relation to Condition 2 (materials) of S14/069445, Main Road, Long Bennington, NG235DJ; Applicant: M Potts Builder 19, Winters Lane, Long Bennington, NG23 5DW

Long Bennington S14/2605/DCLB – Submission of details in relation to Conditions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of S14/0693/LB at 45, Main Road, Long Bennington, NG235DJ; Applicant: M Potts Builder 19, Winters Lane, Long Bennington, NG23 5DW

Lenton, Keisby & Osgodby S14/2607/FULL – Barn (hay store); Applicant: R W Scarborough Osgodby Grange, Irnham, NG33 4JH; Agent: Mrs Lucy Kay, Escritt Barrell Golding 24, St Peters Hill, Grantham, NG31 6QF

Lenton, Keisby & Osgodby S14/2608/FULL – Crop store building; Applicant: R W Scarborough Osgodby Grange, Irnham, NG33 4JH; Agent:Mrs Lucy Kay, Escritt Barrell Golding 24, St Peters Hill, Grantham, , NG31 6QF

The Lincolnshire Community Foundation (1092328; grants of £1 million pa) with the Evan Cornish Fund, is tackling domestic violence.

• Nearly 13 million domestic assaults a year in the UK
• On average, it takes 32 assaults before a victim “breaks free”
• 2 women a week are killed by a violent partner
• Government funding has been cut by 50% since 2009
• Kesteven and South Holland should host 33 refuge places for victims (according to Women’s Aid guidelines) but have none
• Violent attacks are 60% under-reported (police sources)

Given a growing problem (assaults are on the increase) and diminishing resources, LCF agreed to support a pragmatic, new approach.

Foundation Director Gordon Hunter said: “We have part-funded “Move on Together”, a scheme run by the West Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Service.  They train and deploy volunteers to act as mentors to victims of domestic violence.

“Recruits get eight weeks of training and “shadow” work, before pairing with “survivors”.  Seven months into the programme, volunteer enthusiasm and feedback is very positive.

“It’s not only a realistic, cost-effective approach, it’s also, because of its structured, hands-on nature, very effective.  30 pairs are on a six month journey towards achievable goals like building confidence or getting more involved in their local community.”

Reported outcomes include

• Improved overall well-being
• Increased confidence and self esteem
• A more positive attitude
• Increased understanding of Domestic Abuse
• Feeling safer, less dependent but more connected to the community

On the 6^th June 2012, the anniversary of D Day, Operation Neptune came to Lincolnshire.

A freak surge of the Black Sluice Dyke swept away the bridge and swamped property in rural Aswarby, near Osbournby.

Then, last December, 700 houses in Boston were flooded.

Based on historic costs, the bill for restoration for the 80% who were insured was over £18 million.

Some people are still in rented or hotel accommodation.  These traumatic and expensive episodes are (with global warming) becoming a common occurrence.  Have we recognised the risks and planned accordingly?

16% of UK households (according to the Environment Agency) are in flood risk areas; the figure for Lincolnshire is 29% and for the most deprived (our database of fuel poverty beneficiaries) 45%!

But throwing money at flood victims after the event is not enough.  We need to promote “resistance and resilience” in order to mitigate flood effects and reduce their scale and expense.

The Lincolnshire Community Foundation report on Flood Risk, Impact & Response (T Latham-Green, August 2014) proposes:

• distribution of flood packs including intelligent air bricks, non-return valves and flood-proof doors;
• rapid response to flash floods, delivering pumps within 12 hours;
• better planning and building regulations (taking account of food risk);
• a “resistance and resilience” approach, sponsored and rewarded by the insurers.

Flood Report available from Tracey Latham-Green:  lcf.flood@gmail.com

There was a theft of lead from the vestry roof at St Helen’s Church, Brant Broughton,  overnight 13th-14th September.

Did you see or hear anything suspicious?  Any information Tel: 101 and quote incident 128 14/9/14.

Police say: “Please be vigilant for any suspicious activity around your local church.

“Look out for cars or vans parked outside at unusual times.

“Look at the vehicle – Think lead is very heavy, does the car or van look heavily laden?

“Any suspicious activity Tel: 101 or in an emergency if you can see a theft in progress dial 999.”