I want to thank every person in Lincolnshire who joined the conversation for Dementia Action Week this year (20-26 May)

The week united workplaces, schools and communities to take action and improve the lives of people living with dementia. We all have a role to play in making Lincolnshire a dementia-friendly place to live and that’s what Dementia Action Week was all about.

Local highlights included music and dancing at Lincoln City FC, the relaunch of the Grantham Dementia Café, Dementia Friends information sessions in Louth and Skegness and Dementia Friendly Cinema in Boston.

Starting a conversation is just the beginning. Help us beat dementia by taking part in Cupcake Day on 13 June. Whether you bake it or fake it, you can sign up at cupcakeday.alzheimers.org.uk

Phil Measures

Alzheimer’s Society Services Manager for Lincolnshire

North Saracen House,

Crusader Rd,

Lincoln,

LN6 7AS

Dave Jones says….

Walk through at new Cinema yesterday, Sunday 26 May 2019 –

Not sure what the pipe out of the ground is for maybe an emergency toilet.

Anon says,

Regarding a dog me and my sister just found, we just spent an hour trying to find the owners, finally found them and when we left discovered we are covered in ticks so would like to warn anyone around the Dysart / London road area to check their clothing and pets just in case they came into contact with it.

Lee Bloodworth asks,

Does anyone know if Chris Shields still has a photography business in Grantham? Need contact details! Thanks

Lisa Watson says,

You remember the big deep clean they were doing on the Meres swimming pool and changing rooms… This is today under the seats in main pool… Clearly they didn’t bother finishing it off. The changing room stink and are grubby too.All the money people are paying for membership is obviously not going towards maintenance and hygiene

No soap in toilets, dispenser broken but no substitute to wash hands….

Funeral Director Robert Holland writes…

We have had a lot of interest shown in our last posts about cemeteries. A number of people have asked us what some of the inscriptions on headstones mean so we thought that we would put together this list of the most common inscriptions that you will see on stones in churchyards and cemeteries.

Alpha & Omega:
The first and last letters of the greek alphabet symbolised the begining and the end.

Angels: 
Symbols on innocence, images of angels on headstones, or sculpted figurines on top, are usually found on the graves of children. Because they are agents of God, angels are often shown pointing towards heaven, or in gestures of compassion.
Adult angels who can be identified are Michael who carries a sword, or Gabriel, who carries a horn.

Anchors:
Early Christians used the anchor as a disguised cross, and as a marker to guide the way to secret meeting places. Anchors are also Christian symbols of hope, often shown set among rocks. An anchor on a grave can also represent a life as a sailor. Saint Nicholas the patron saint of seamen, symbolised hope and steadfastness. An anchor shown with a broken chain stands for a life ended, perhaps prematurely.

Bible or books:
These were often used on gravestones of clergymen or devoted relgious people but they could also represent a persons good deeds and accomplishments being recorded tin the book of life.

Birds:
Symbolised peace and were considered to be messengers of god.

Broken column:
This signifies a life cut short; and a break in existence from earthly to heavenly life.

Clasped Hands:
Farewell to an earthly existence. Also symbolizes unity (perhaps with God, or with the spouse who had gone before). Used also as a symbol for members of the Masonic movement and Independent Order of Oddfellows.

Cornucopia:
A horn-shaped device, overflowing with fruit represents a rich and fruitful life. Also a symbol of the harvest, which in turn indicates the end of a natural cycle.

Covered column:
A cloth draped over a column (or an urn) represents the pall – the covering for a coffin in a funeral procession. This is where the expressions “pallbearers” and “cast a pall over…” come from.

Cross:
The most common and powerful symbol of Christianity, crosses are often carved into headstones, or make up the entire grave marker.

There are different versions of the Christian cross represented on cemetery headstones:

Latin Cross – One of the oldest and simplest symbols of Christianity and the most commonly-used. It has also been called ‘God’s mark.’

Calvary Cross – A Latin cross standing on three steps or blocks, it signifies faith, hope and charity (or love).

Botonee Cross- So named because of its modified trefoil (three-lobed) ends, represents the trinity.
Celtic Cross- The circle around the crosspiece symbolizes eternity. Its origin can be traced to the Celtic cultures of the British Isles. 
Eastern Cross- Used in Orthodox (Russian/ Greek) Christian Religions, this cross’ upper horizontal shoulder represents the inscription over the head of Jesus on the actual cross of the crucifixion. The lower slanting shoulder represents the footrest of the crucified Jesus.
Flueree Cross/Gothic Cross – This flowered cross symbolizes the adult Christian by its more opened flared out ends. 
Ionic Cross – Similar to the Celtic Cross, with outward-flaring ends. The ionic cross signifies everlasting salvation,

Crown:
A symbol of triumph over death.

Daisy:
Symbolising innocence, and usually found on the graves of young children.

Doves:
Traditional Christian symbols of love and peace. Doves also have a place in the Biblical account (Genesis 8:11) – Noah released a bird from the Ark when he thought the flood may be subsiding. The dove returned carrying an olive branch, showing it had found land. So the dove can also be seen as a symbol of hope. A dove with a cross in its beak symbolizes the Holy Ghost.

Fern fronds:
These refer to a person’s humility and sincerity. Since the First World War, the war graves of New Zealand soldiers have also carried a fern motif.

Grapes:
Symbolise the blood of Christ.

Hand pointing up/down:
A hand pointing up refers to the ascent to heaven. A hand pointing down is the hand of God descending from Heaven.

Hands reaching:
The hand of God reaching down to take the hand of the dead person to guide him/her to heaven.

Handshake:
A welcome to the heavenly world.

Hands clasped:
Clasped hands symbolised that the connection between the living and the dead would be renewed in heaven so meant “’till we meet again”.

Here lies:
Hebrew lettering for ‘peh nun’, and abbreviation of ‘poh nitman’ which means ‘here lies’.

IHS:
The first three letters of Jesus’ name in the Greek alphabet. It can also be interpreted to stand for ‘In hoc signo’ which is Latin for ‘by this sign we conquer’ – referring to the cross of Christianity.

IHS intertwined: 
Interpretted as an abbreviation of the Latin words for: “Jesus, Saviour of Men”

Ivy:
A symbol of friendship

Knot:
Marriage and unity.

Lamb:
A lamb with a cross and sometimes a banner was a popular motif represnenting Christ. It is known as the “Angus Dei” which is Latin for Lamb of God. It commonly appreared on a childs grave as a symbol iof innocence.

Laurel leaves:
An evergreen plant. The laurel leaves represent the evergreen memory those left behind may have of the deceased.

Lily:

Lilies represented chastity , innocenceand purity as symbols of the Virgin Mary. A favourite Victorian flower, lilies symbolised the restored innocence of the soul at death. It was believed that the first lily sprang forth from the repentant tears of Eve as she went forth from paradise

Lotus:
Symbolising cremation and rebirth, the lotus flower was generally found on monuments in the Eygptian style.

Palm tree or frond:
Symbolises victory over death. Also a reference to the Biblical story of Palm Sunday where Jesus made a triumphal entry to Jerusalem.

Passion flower:
Symbolising the passion of Christ.

Pelican:
The Pelican was a symbol of sacrifice, as it was believed to feed its young on its own blood.

Poppy:
The poppy symbolised eternal sleep.

Seal of Solomon:
The five-pointed star is known as the Seal of Solomon, and is a symbol of the Jewish faith.

Skull or Skull and cross bones:
Quite simply to signify death.

Snake:
It was popularly thought that sdakes gained new vigour and fresh strength when they shed their skins, so they were used to symbolise eternity. A snake in a circle biting its tail (an “ouroboros”) was common: it was often wrapped around another symbol such as an hourglass, which linked the themes of time and eternity.

Star of David:
The six pointed star made of two triangles is also a symbol of the Jewish faith, but more associated with Zionism and the creation of the state of Israel.

Sunflower:
Devotion to God.

Torch inverted:
An upside down torch or flame represented a life extinguished, the flame representing the continuation of the soul

Urn:
A symbol of the soul. When draped or leant upon by a mourning figure, they formed the classical image of grief or mourning. The drape signified the last partition between life and death: some urns were half draped to ensure that the soul could escape heavenwards and so also represented eternal life.

Weeping willow:
The drooping branches of the tree are a visual representation of sorrow, or mourning. There were willows planted in the Symonds Street cemetery.

XP overlapped:
The first two letters of the Greek word for Christ.

Vermiculation:
A stylized representation of worm tracks, used in diverse ways at Symonds Street cemetery, usually on the bottom plinths of monuments. Vermiculation is a reference to earthly decay.

Rose:
The Rose symbolises love, which is linked to its fragrance and beauty. Roses are found on many children’s graves as a rose bud that has not opened, and with a broken stem. The fuller the rose bloom is depicted, the longer the person has lived.

GDS Grantham Dramatic Society say,

For your chance to WIN this pretty hat cake get yourself along to our latest comedy production, Ladies Day at Grantham Guildhall.

The show opens tonight and you can have the chance to WIN this cake in our Prize Draw raffle.

Tickets will be on sale every night at just £1.00 per strip and the winner will be announced on Saturday night!

Emma Jane says,

Just found a wadge of cash in Aldi carpark. Handed it in to Mr Alderson the manager if you realise you’ve lost it!

Sarah Russell says,

On behalf of a friend…..I’m looking to brush up on my German conversation, anyone fancy meeting for a coffee in Grantham?

Sue McQuinn says…

Petition statistics to date!

I’d really like to thank everyone who has signed & shared. The support I’ve had from various groups, the media & individuals has been brilliant.

Today alone, I’ve received feedback from three people who have received PCNs recently where they have probably done nothing wrong, so the issues are far from resolved.

Another meeting with ULHT should be scheduled soon, I hope. So, please keep signing and sharing. And letting me know any problems you’re experiencing.

http://chng.it/g2bH27vmSign the PetitionULHT – SORT OUT THE PARKING SYSTEM OR STOP USING PARKING EYE!change.org

Lyndsey Loveridge says…

Something needs to be done by the council to either to make a new travellers site or at least a little stopping place for all of us around this area . As nowhere to go especially with young children

I have four young children all in local schools and nurseries and am getting fed up of the way we are being treated and constantly being moved all the time on.

I’m on the housing register in band one, they say, but have heard nothing of them about a property yet.

I’m also due a baby in July. If I have to keep moving my children won’t be kept in local education and I don’t want that as they have been in and out of at least 4/5 different schools in the past year and half .

I’m hoping the council will see this and sort this issue out

Funeral Director Robert Holland says…

Grantham Crematorium & Cemetery is a place that many of us have to visit during the sad times of our lives.

However, not many people realise how much history there is within the grounds and how many stories that the headstones for the people who have been laid to rest could tell us.

We thought that you may find this post interesting as we give you a tour and a little bit of the history of the Cemetery.

The Cemetery originally open in 1857 after the Old Burial Ground on Manthorpe Road closed due to lack of space.

Currently there have been about 45,000 interments in the grounds just off Harrowby Road. 

Out of these graves there are 114 Commonwealth War Graves (CWG). During the First World War there were machine gun camps and depots at Belton Park, on the Lincoln Road, and at Grantham a 620 bed military hospital. Most of the First World War burials are scattered throughout the cemetery but a number of Australian and New Zealand machine gunners are buried together in Section 15.

During the Second World War there was a Royal Air Force station at Grantham and there is a small group of RAF graves is Section 17. Other Second World War graves are in a small war graves plot in Section 19, opposite the town’s memorial to the civilian war dead, and the remainder are in various other parts of the cemetery.

The Cross of Sacrifice is near the eastern side of the cemetery, between sections 2 and 3 and serves as a central memorial to the service men of both wars buried here. Grantham Cemetery contains 55 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 58 from the Second. There is also one Dutch war grave.

In addition to the CWG there is the towns memorials for both the first World War and Second World War. A number of local citizens were killed by bombing attacks during the 2nd World War and they are commemorated on the monument halfway up the cemetery drive way.

There are also a number of other graves that are of interesting, including the Hornsby Family graves (From Ruston & Hornsby factory fame), the grave of one of the ladies who was killed in the 1906 Grantham Rail disaster and also the grave of a renowned local R/C Bishop. Sometimes, especially at the bottom part of the cemetery it is easy to think that there are plenty of spaces left.

Unfortunately this isn’t the case as the cemetery also includes a number of paupers graves where more than one unrelated person would be buried in due to lack of money or family.

All of these graves remain unmarked.
If you are looking for somewhere a little different to visit, why not have a walk around the cemetery, you will be surprised at how peaceful, large and also intriguing it is.

Especially some of the inscriptions that are on the stones! There is also a lot of different animals and birds that live within the trees and grassy areas.

This is a link to a map of the old part of the cemetery:

http://www.mbaird.mlfhs.org.uk/cemplans/grantham.html

Ed Leeford says…

Don’t tell me SKDC have all gone ecology mad and are hoping to save the planet by saving petrol on their lawmowers by letting the grass grow out of control.

Why am I paying more council tax for ever and yet get get the verges cut? Is so than can afford to spend £7.5m on land in Stamford?

Once again our councillors are letting us down and we vote them back slavishly.

Steve Cunnington says….

I think we missed an opportunity with the Trent Road/Harlaxton Road development!

As a society I mean!

I know the NHS is no way linked to this private investment!…..but!! As a society …..Mmm our health service is already under pressure so what can we do?

I know!!! Let’s allow more junk food outlets to be built and encourage more unhealthy diets heaping more pressure on our already creaking NHS!! Yes!!! That’s what we will do !

That land ???….what about a bloody park ? Just bloody turf it and stick in a few benches !!!! I mean if you live in the area or on the Earlesfield estate where do you go to get FREE!!! Exercise if you’re a kid ? Where can young lads have a kick about these days ? Outside McDonald’s maybe? The Meres playing fields have long gone.

We missed an opportunity to have a green area with maybe a small young toddlers park and a few benches in my opinion …somewhere green to go for free and within walking distance ! …

Well I suppose I can always drive past and look at the petrol station on my way to Asda or Sainsbury’s for cheaper fuel

Benjamin Hobster says….

This possibly could be Grantham’s poorest road repair yet. Can’t think of any worse.

Junction of Barrowby Gate and Dysart road.

It took seven blokes to create that masterpiece

The wind blew leaves on pavements cold
They swirled in doorways dim
In desolation now she walked 
Her thoughts were all of him

Though cold and wet she still walked on
To where? She did not know
She fought so hard to understand
Just why he had to go

A love like theirs was meant to last
Their future looked so bright
How could it all be cast away
That crazy autumn night?

Arm in arm they’d crossed the street
He pushed her to the side
The speeding car swept him along
She knew that he had died

The driver had been on his phone
Distracted by a text
He could not stop his speeding car
Or what had happened next

So now she walks on sleepless nights
Down streets so cold and bare
Reflecting on what might have been
Now that he is not there

Oh how she longed to hear his voice
To say it was a dream
The speeding car, his searing pain,
Her devastated scream

The awful truth was hard to bear
Her anger real and stark
She raised the collar of her coat
And walked into the dark

© Don Holmes

Julia B says…

How much longer do we have to endure that hideous temporary barrier at the Sangt Augustin Way – -Harlaxton Road junction.

It’s over 18 months now, and apart from being unsightly it is dangerous.

Okay, no problem for truckers, white van man and even the elevated boys in their Chelsea tractors, but for people in small family cars it blocks vision of vehicles coming from the right. You already need a neck like an owl, that rotates 360 degrees.

You just cannot see any traffic coming from Station Road and you have to nose-out before you can see what’s coming from Wharf Road.

For heaven’s sake, let’s get it fixed properly.