Steve Sutton says…

So should we have a statue in Grantham of Nicholas Parsons: Broadcasting legend?

About time Grantham reeconised him as being born here.

Sammy Greensmith says…

I wanted to make you aware of the flats SKDC have approved on Kinoulton Court.

I am a resident on Hornsby Road and am devastated at the mess overlooking our garden since the new flats have started being built.

Most of us have lived here since the houses were built.

I was 14 when I first moved in, 40 years ago.

We’ve spent many years enjoying summers in our gardens but now our privacy and sun light are gone.

The flat walls literally start a mere few feet from our back fences. The council had promised the flats would not devalue our houses, block our sunlight or affect our privacy in any way but all three have been seriously compromised.

Our houses are not owned by the council; they are all privately owned family homes, yet these new flats have been built far closer to our properties than the existing council flats.

This is most distressing and unfair. I appreciate there is a serious need for housing but this shouldn’t be at the expense of the people already residing here. This was badly planned and appealed against by every resident affected on Hornsby Road, but our pleas were ignored.

We are trying our best to get the build suspended so any help you can provide with sharing this would be most appreciated.

Janet says…

Yesterday I had a lady ring the bell it was early evening.

She was very chatty and said she was doing a survey on road traffic. She had a couple of bits of paper and phone .

She said , “I have to talk to ladies”, and when I said sorry I’m not interested she replied “I’m really cold, can I come in and sit down and talk to you .”

She was very pushy .

Obviously I didn’t let her in . I saw her walk down the road.

It could be genuine but she didn’t show any ID etc. and it seemed odd somehow .

Sue McQuinn says…

ULHT CAR PARKS. UPDATE FROM IAN HAYDEN ON SOME OF THE ISSUES OUTSTANDING FROM OUR JULY MEETING.

HIS ANSWERS FOLLOW MY QUESTONS. (Apologies for delay in doing follow up on this, Bell’s Palsy got in the way)

1) Has there been any progress on the discussion with The Pantry on making PPV (pre payment vouchers) available through their shop?

Ans- Still under discussion

2) What was the outcome of the review of appointment letters? I’ve just received an appointment through the text/print off yourself option. This contains no information on parking at all.

Ans- disappointed this has not been resolved, we have introduced a new mailing system and this was planned to be resolved as part of that scheme-will chase up

3) What’s the position on the emergency remedial work to the car parks? Have you secured funding for the long term maintenance programme?

Ans- a full survey of all car parks/footpaths has been carried out and budget repair costs identified, a briefing paper will go to the next Trust Board,A budget for improvements has been identified for next financial year

4) Has the cycle parking at Pilgrim been addressed?

Ans- will be included in next years financial allocation

5) Are the updated site maps with kiosk locations now available?

Ans- Yes

6) Are the additional signs re PE at the Manthorpe Road entrance now in place?

Ans- yes

7) Any progress on changing the charging bands as discussed?

Ans- a proposal will be presented to the Trust Board

8)There still seems to be a lack of information as to when manual ticketing has been suspended for parking on grass (for example) when the car parks are full. What instructions have staff been given regarding this?

Ans- We manage this on a daily basis,close liaison with the Parking Attendant,but will issue tickets if spaces are available I haven’t mentioned Blue Badge issues as I imagine this will have to undergo a complete review in the light of the Government’s new ‘rules’ on concessions. I haven’t been proactive in picking up complaints about parking problems since my illness but they are still landing in my inbox from time to time, mostly Blue Badge/Disabled issues or no recognised parking spaces available.

Katie Bennington says…

Does anyone have any spare book token from The Sun Newspaper?

Sandon and Ambergate Special Needs school are short of the target?

Can you help please?

If people can drop of at Sandon School or Ambergate Sports College or email me and I’ll arrange collection Katie.bennington@ganf-cit.co.uk

Ian Parker says,

Gonerby hill foot (between Stephenson ave and Vacu-lug). Totally blocking pavement and cycle track. Must have driven up pavement to get that side of bollards? Why not park on grass verge ?

Louise says…

Grantham bus service is a joke.

I waited for the Alma Park bus since 4.40 and still no service as yet.

This has happened three days on the trot now and they’re putting the bus fare up on Monday to £2.

I think it’s a disgusting service If it wasn’t for getting to work I would boycott them.

Sent in today from New Beacon Road

Jen says…

I am just wanting to keep people informed that there are attempted break ins in the courts surrounding Trent Road and Hornsby Road.

We have sadly for the past two nights had people lurking trying to look into our house and tonight physically tried getting into our house.

Police are aware of this as they were called out last night.

Julie Madden says…

Please help me spread the word regarding my effort to get people talking.

I am planning a few projects this year, the first being the Chatty Club, which will be held at the Senior Citizens club, Welham Street, Grantham.

It will start on Sunday the 26th January, between 3pm to 5.30pm and every Sunday thereafter.

There will be just  £3.00 entry fee with light refreshments on sale throughout.

The aim and hope is that people will come along and enjoy good and thought provoking conversation, whilst hopefully making new friends and people to connect with.

On the 26th the question will be, Is the world a better place now than compared to say fifty years ago.

The meetings will be very relaxed and informal and people can tribute as much or as little as they want to.

I am sure you will agree that there is far too much loneliness and isolation in society today, this being my part in bringing people together in a informal and relaxed atmosphere.

The meetings will be open to anyone over the age of 18 years.

Kathryn M Salt MBE  says:

A unique, snap December General Election, ensured that we had to hit the ground running. 

I worked closely with an inspirational, awesome team and an amazing Election Agent in Ed Clarke, who worked tirelessly with me every day until the early hours of every morning.

The people of Grantham, Bourne and Stamford, were warm, kind and honest in their opinions. Their main national concerns were regarding our leadership and closure on the referendum. Our Labour Party policies were well received at every hustings.

Locally I met many people with heart-warming stories and made many new friends.  There were also many heart-breaking moments, regarding the ongoing plight of the people at the Riverside flats who had lived without hot water and correct heating for three years. 

I am now assured that this issue has been rectified and compensation will be discussed.

The campaigners who weekly attend vigils at the Grantham District Hospital, are inspirational and I’ve pledged to continue to fight to ensure that the A and E level 1 care is restored.  I recently met with the CEO at the Hospital.

The plight of many struggling to remain dignified whilst enduring in- work poverty moved me to tears on many occasions and reminded me of the days during the miners’ strike when I helped at the foodbanks if I was not on the picket lines.

The work of the foodbanks in the area is truly amazing and also that of the Churches, whom support the homeless.  However, we should not be relying on foodbanks and there is so much work to be done to ensure that this is rectified.

One of the most poignant moments of my campaign was when I spoke about Orgreave, an ex-Policeman came to talk to me afterwards and cried. He had hurt too, and was deeply sorry for the pain we had endured. 

We shared a very special moment of warmth, tears and hugs.  I always believe it is better to have forgiveness in your heart than bitterness.

The outcome of the campaign was clearly not what we wished for and there is so much work to be done.  I would like to thank the other candidates, for throughout the campaign we worked in harmony, even though we always will have differing views on many issues, there was a true spirit of friendship. 

That’s how politics should be, differing opinions, being authentic, but without toxicity or hate. 

My journey in politics will continue, for there is so much to do.  I have made promises which I shall always keep and honour.

I wish you all a belated Happy and Peaceful New Year from my heart.    

Coun Charmaine Morgan, Chair of SOS Grantham Hospital, says…

The news from our Health Minister, under this newly elected Government, that there are proposals to stop measuring the 4 hour A+E target wait times is hugely concerning. Not only will we lose the ability to monitor the performance of the A+E units upon which we rely, we will also be less informed over which A+E to use. 

Since the night closure of Grantham A+E, as campaigners warned, there has been more pressure on neighbouring units at Lincoln, Nottingham, Peterborough and Boston. Fewer patients overall however have been able to access services at night as walk-in patients with low incomes, unable afford taxi fares, particularly affected. Despite promises to look into it the CCG have not provided a much needed out of hours bus service, even though its in their gift to do so. 

Whilst trust managers welcome a reduction in A+E use from Grantham patients, easing some pressure on the units open at night, we are left at risk. None of us are medical experts and self assessing whether a temperature, blotchy skin and general weakness is a cold or sepsis is not something most of us are qualified to do. 

The loss of the A+E performance measure is a blow to anyone campaigning to save their A+E too. With closures continuing nationally, such as the unit in Poole, it is vital we have as much information as possible to defend our services. This is also true of any self respecting NHS management team or Health Minister wishing to improve services. How can they state services have improved with no benchmark? We lost our key death-in-transit measures as ambulance cuts were implemented.

This means our concerns regarding potential deaths due to delays in ambulances arriving, or, increased journey times, are summarily dismissed by trust managers. 

These measurement changes look increasingly like those of a government and NHS wishing to hide failure rather than deliver the improvement to resources so badly needed. 

What has triggered this change? As Brexit is rolled out do they fear the impact of the loss of European NHS staff on their targets and our health services? I am picking up reports of delayed cancer treatment as consultants leave our country.

Do they know a storm is coming and rather hope we won’t notice? If we do, we won’t be able to prove it. 

Hannah May says…

If anyone gets offered an iPad Pro 10inch in the next few days can you please let me know!!

My sister’s car was broken into last night in Great Gonerby!

Any news or anyone hears anything get in contact!

Reward for information that leads to the iPad being returned.

Messages to GM and it will be forwarded.

Olly Larkin, Community Fundraiser for Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire says…

We understand that at this time of year, many businesses may be looking to choose their charity partnerships for the year.

Businesses may also be approaching year end accounts and may have spare money to donate to charity.

We would welcome any support that can be given in Lincolnshire, no matter how small the action is.

Alzheimer’s Society is here to support everyone affected by dementia in Lincolnshire. No-one should face dementia alone and with Alzheimer’s Society’s support services, no-one will have to.

Alzheimer’s Society also funds vital research into the cause, cure, care and prevention of dementia.

For more information and to organise a donation or partnership, please contact Community Fundraiser for Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire, Olly Larkin, email Oliver.Larkin@Alzheimers.org.uk or call 07718423062.

COLSTERWORTH POLICE OFFICE,
BACK LANE, COLSTERWORTH
WILL BE OPEN ON :
Thursday 16th January 4pm – 6pm
Above is the opening time for this week.
INVITE
If you have any news, views or concerns
regarding your neighbourhood, please
feel free to call in for a chat.
We’re here, to lend a listening ear!

 Helen & Steve Bill – Police Support

Kays of Grantham say..

Yet another fall on the pavement outside the shop in Wide Westgate.

When are the councils going to sort out the uneven slabs and tree stumps?!