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SKtoday
The magazine for SouTh KeSTeven reSidenTS
SPring 2012
Olympic torch contest
strikes gold
See page 6
SKtoday
is your magazine
Compiled by the communications team at
South Kesteven district Council, this
magazine is distributed to every home in our
district. it is designed by designCounsell and
printed by Warners midlands Plc of Bourne.
Photography is by gerry Wright.
Editorial
Tel: (01476) 406127
email: sktoday@southkesteven.gov.uk
Offices:
grantham:
Council offices, St Peter’s hill,
grantham, ng32 6Pz
Stamford:
1 maiden Lane, Stamford, Pe9 2az
Bourne:
Town hall, north Street, Bourne, Pe10 9ea
market deeping:
deepings Community Centre, douglas road,
market deeping Pe6 8Pa
General enquiries (all offices)
01476 406080
email: pr@southkesteven.gov.uk
Website: www.southkesteven.gov.uk
This magazine is printed on paper produced
from well-managed forests.
Priniting and distribution costs less than
13 pence a copy.
Please contact us if you or
someone you know would like to
receive this magazine in a
different format including audio
tape, cd, large print or Braille.
South Lincolnshire Blind Society
distributes SKtoday to all its
members in large print or on tape.
CBPPC0002561011110430
2
C
Grantham Market Place
sprouts first trader
rantham is set to get a new
weekday fruit and vegetable stall in
its recently re-developed market Place.
SKdC confirms that its initiative in
encouraging weekday street traders
has borne fruit – with other traders
showing interest and hopefully to
follow.
The fruit and veg trader, new to
grantham shoppers, will have his stall
near the gravity public house from
Tuesday to friday between 7am and
4pm. it will be removed every night.
Consultation with local shops,
highways and the grantham Business
Club has given the stall the green light.
it’s one of five weekday pitches being
made available by the council, each of
which will only be allowed if there is no
g
conflict with existing local traders.
Cllr frances Cartwright, Cabinet
portfolio holder for economic
development and planning, said it was
excellent news. “anything that brings
new life and activity to our town centre
is welcome. We have invested heavily in
creating an attractive feature of our
ancient market Place, and weekday
street traders can only add to that.”
market stalls will be able to trade
between mondays and fridays once
the relevant consents have been
granted.
for further information and details
on how to apply please contact our
licensing team by phone on 01476
406190 or by email at
licensing@southkesteven.gov.uk
Indoor bargains galore
local business is just one
Caroline said that the owners of the
Sdo upporting
of the things that the council try to
building decided to open the market in
throughout South Kesteven and this
July 2011 to give something back to the
is backed by good ideas and
professional business people.
one new venture in grantham is
proving to be popular for business startups and small companies looking to relocate.
The indoor market, based at the old
School rooms on Station road in
grantham, has businesses trading a
diverse range of goods selling everything
from clothes, jewellery and crafts to wool,
cakes, oak furniture and plants.
The manager of the venue, Caroline
darby said: “The indoor is market full of
character and has lots of potential.
“The building has been used for retail
for a number of years, firstly as a string
of furniture shops and since September
has been run as the indoor market. “
local community.
She added: “The market simply
provides an inexpensive indoor facility
for businesses to sell their wares, which
in turn provides the public with two
important things, great choice on the
one hand and affordable prices on the
other.
“The venue is further enhanced by
having even more variety, so if anyone
has an idea or a new product or service
that they wish to promote and sell, then
you’ll find this an exciting and fertile
place to do business.”
The indoor market is open 7 days a
week from 10am to 4pm and has a
number of events planned throughout
the year so why not pop into the indoor
market and see what you can find?
Marketing our markets
ew ideas which hope to encourage
more traders to set up shop on our
markets are being looked at for 2012.
SKdC is looking at a range of ideas
and incentives to help boost our markets
in grantham, Stamford and Bourne.
SKdC’s portfolio holder for economic
development, Cllr frances Cartwright
said: “We are currently looking at a
scheme to offer financial help to new
traders, but we do not have all of the
details yet. We hope to be able to offer
reduced stall rents to encourage growth
and this will be decided by the start of
the next financial year.”
as well as offering cash incentives to
new traders the markets team is also
putting the finishing touches to their
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new start up pack for traders, which
includes details about insurances that
are needed and kit new stall holders
might need.
Cllr Cartwright added: “What we need
to do is to encourage more traders to
each of our markets. in grantham we
need to build on the successes in
Stamford and try to attract a more
diverse range of traders to bolster our
existing range of stalls.”
our market opening times are:
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Bourne – Thursday -8.30-3pm
Stamford – friday and Saturday
8.30pm-3pm
grantham – Saturday 8.30am-3pm
Meet our Markets Supervisor
fter his first nine months in the job SKtoday caught up
with our markets supervisor gary Taylor to get his view
on the markets and what we can expect over the next few
years. gary joined us in June after serving for 22 years in
the armed forces.
a
What do you think of the markets?
The markets are interesting, exciting and
full of character and play an integral part
for towns, for the community and
tourists/visitors alike. They have a
fantastic ethos, and are steeped in
history.
Do you think that Grantham Market
Place is better now that work has
been completed?
The market re-structure and new design
was needed to move grantham forward
and the new stone paved area around
the market cross is ideally designed to
hold events and entertainment which
can only develop and make grantham a
more interesting place for people to visit
and enjoy during market days.
What do you think of the markets in
Bourne and Stamford?
The markets at Bourne and Stamford are
completely different. Bourne market
gives people the chance to buy
essentials and offers a good range of
fresh produce and other everyday items.
Stamford market is a very busy attractive
market that is visited by many tourists
throughout the year. it offers the buyer
food, fresh fruit and vegetables,
clothing, footwear, household goods,
and local produce grown and reared by
farmers on the fortnightly farmers
market. There are also craft fairs that run
from march to September every Sunday
in the main high street where traders sell
crafts, decorations, jewellery and
paintings.
What makes the markets great for
customers?
Customers can look for a bargain, talk
and chat with friends, laugh at the
traders daily ‘pitch’ comments, and enjoy
the ethos and culture of shopping in an
open air environment steeped in history
and charm.
What do you think market traders get
from being a part of our markets?
i think the market traders get a feeling of
excitement and passion. many traders
have worked the markets from a young
age, and some have inherited their
business from a previous generation.
They are passionate about what they do,
and how they design and sell their
goods to the customer while offering
goods at an affordable price.
Do you think that markets can go
from strength to strength?
The markets will grow and develop in
strength if they are well supported by
traders, the customer, and revenue
made through entertainment,
extracurricular activities and advertising.
The general public and visitors want to
visit a market that holds a fun and
interesting day out, with a large
selection of attractive goods at a
competitive and affordable price, while
still holding the history, ethos and
charm of an historic open market.
So why not visit one of our markets
and see what you can find?
3
Join Now
your council working for you
4
Changes to
garden waste
The Council charges for emptying your green
bin for garden waste. This is an optional
service but we’re confident that gardeners
will know a good deal when they see it.
If you want your green bin emptied, it will
cost you £25 per year and a further £10 per
year for each additional bin. We do
encourage home composting but if you
have to take your waste to the recycling
centre, our convenient service can save you
time, money and hassle.
We empty green bins every other week
(except for a short period over December
to February, or when other factors stop
us, such as very bad weather).
The scheme runs from April-March each
year and even if you join part way
through the year, the cost
is still £25.
Easter bin
collections
residents whose bins are
normally collected on a monday
will have their waste collected
two days earlier because of the
bank holiday.
The changes are:
Changes in your
garden waste services
n these difficult financial times the
Council is working hard to protect
residents’ services that matter the most
and also to respond to the emerging
priorities that you have told us are
important such as encouraging
economic growth, supporting good
housing for all, promoting leisure and
culture and keeping the district healthy
and clean.
We know that the current green
waste collection service is very
successful with over 26,000 customers
but the collection of garden waste is a
discretionary service and after listening
to feedback the Council has introduced
an annual contribution for the collection
of green waste from april 1 2012 which
will help to cover the collection costs
that are currently borne by all residents
whether they use the service or not.
The decision took into account public
consultation work done in the summer
of 2010.
SKdC’s portfolio holder for healthy
environment, Cllr John Smith said: “We
really hope that our residents have
valued the service that we have
provided and enjoyed the benefits of
having their garden waste collected and
we hope that they will want to continue
with this excellent service in the future.
“if you take into account the
alternatives, such as driving to a
recycling centre, we still believe that this
i
is excellent value.”
The charge for collection will be £25
a year for a single wheeled bin and £10
for each additional bin. The collection
period will be from april 1 2012 to
march 31 2013. and following recent
feedback we will be bringing back
alternate weekly collections all year
round apart from december, January
and february when collections will be
once a month, due to the lack of green
waste at this time of the year.
The things you’ve asked us:
Isn’t this new scheme going to
increase fly tipping?
We do not anticipate this and in other
areas that have introduced similar
schemes there has been no increase.
What do I do with my garden waste if I
don’t want to pay for my green bin?
We hope you feel that £25 per year is
good value compared to the time and
trouble of going to the household waste
recycling centre. however, if you do not
want a green bin you can make your
own arrangements to dispose of garden
waste by either home composting it, or
taking your garden rubbish to one of the
household waste recycling centres
which can be found at
www.southkesteven.gov.uk/recyclingcentres
n
Black bins normally collected
on Monday April 9 (Easter
Monday) will be collected on
Saturday April 7
n
Green bins (yellow week)
normally collected on
Monday April 9 will be
collected on Saturday April 7
all bins put out on good friday,
april 6 2012, will be collected
as normal.
How will you know who has paid?
residents that have paid for their green
wheeled bin will be issued with a special
sticker which they will stick onto the rear
of the bin. The Council will keep records
of who has joined the scheme and will
only be collecting bins from those
homes. once you have joined the
scheme please place the sticker we send
you onto the back of your bin.
Why are you charging for collection?
The collection of green waste is a
discretionary service. many councils
already charge for garden waste
collections and it ensures that only
those residents that use the service pay
for it. We appreciate this is a difficult
time for everyone, but we think the
service still offers good value for money.
How do I pay to keep my green waste
collections?
You will find it easy to join and pay for
your green waste collections online at
www.southkesteven.gov.uk/greenbin or
you can call us on 01476 406279.
5
The Olympic flame will burn
brightly in the memory
of one lucky schoolgirl
he winner of the olympic
competition to design an olympic
style torch is zhoran Yue (13) from
Kesteven grantham girls School.
South Kesteven district Council and
local charity inspire+ teamed up to
help schools celebrate the London
2012 olympics by holding a district
wide design competition and more
than 40 schools from throughout South
Kesteven sent back their best designs
totaling 6,000 entries.
The top five entries, chosen by a
panel of local judges were then put to a
public vote.
vincent Brittain from inspire+ said:
"We were really pleased with the
quality of all of the entries it was not
easy for us to choose the top five
designs as they were all fantastic, but in
the end the public chose zhoran’s
design.”
The design will now be
manufactured by grantham based
company Kid eco who will make the
torch from hard wearing cardboard.
once it has been created the torch will
tour schools throughout the district as
part of an SK wide celebration of the
London 2012 olympics.
zhoran (pictured above) said: “i am
really pleased that i won the
competition and it will be great to see
my torch when it has been made.”
SKdC's olympic Champion, Cllr John
Smith said: "i would like to congratulate
zhoran on her design. This competition
along with other events planned to
T
celebrate the olympics are a once in a
lifetime opportunity to inspire young
people.
“The tour of zhoran’s torch began on
february 20 at Billingborough Primary
School. So far 70 of the 75 schools in
the district have signed up to take part.”
all schools taking part will also be
invited to the mini-olympics on 26
June at South Kesteven district
Council’s sports stadium in grantham.
The genuine and iconic olympic
torch will be paraded through the
streets of Stamford, Bourne, market
deeping, grantham and Thurlby
(pictured), next July during a 70-day tour
of the country leading up to the official
opening of the games in London.
The route through South Kesteven
begins in grantham on Thursday June
28 and is followed by Stamford on July
3 2012 and market deeping, Thurlby
and Bourne on 4 July 2012.
Some of the other designs are also
pictured
GREAT FUN: Brothers Harry (nine) and Dave Crowder (10) give the
thumbs up for the car meets.
6
Let’s celebrate
London 2012
Lots of fantastic ideas have been flooding in from residents and clubs in the
district to make South Kesteven’s Olympic Torch Relay a huge success. Bands,
children lining the streets waving Union flags and dressed in national colours, and
a tableau of sports set out on St Peter’s Hill, Grantham, are a flavour of some of
the suggestions put forward. All ideas will be considered over the coming months
to make sure we have a bumper programme of events to suit all ages.
Here are just some of our exciting
events
n april 15 Cerebral Palsy grand Prix,
incorporating united Kingdom
association aviva Parallel Success –
to be held at South Kesteven Sports
Stadium. This is one of four national
events held annually to be held at
the meres, grantham for the first
time this year. The event is likely to
include top class Paralympics
prospects as it is an olympic qualifier
n
april 21 - Stamford Senior Youth
Theatre present an exciting olympic
related show at Stamford arts Centre
about a nominated torchbearer
followed by workshops and group
performances
n
June 16 and 17 – grantham Carnival
olympic theme for 2012
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June 26 - mini olympics at South
Kesteven Sports Stadium where
schools from the district will
participate in a day of competitive
games
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June 28 - olympic Torch relay run –
grantham Community events as part
of Torch relay day utilising St Peter’s
hill, market Place including sports
demonstration sessions, cooking and
food demonstrations based upon
international cuisine and dance
exhibitions in national dress
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July 3 – olympic Torch relay run –
Stamford Community events as part
of Torch relay day including sports
demonstration sessions, cooking and
food demonstrations based upon
international cuisine and dance
exhibitions in national dress
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July 4 – olympic Torch relay run –
market deeping, Thurlby and Bourne
Community events as part of Torch
relay day including sports
demonstration sessions, cooking and
food demonstrations based upon
international cuisine and dance
exhibitions in national dress
Join the SKDC
Twitterati
s a council we are definitely
becoming more social! in our
last edition of SKtoday we
encouraged residents to
communicate with us through
facebook and Twitter and we
have been delighted with the
response.
We now have nearly 800
“followers” on Twitter who we
keep up to date with the latest
news and views sent directly to
their account.
and more and more people are
finding us on facebook where
our page features a host of
information about council
services, events, and much more.
SKdC’s portfolio holder for
engagement and corporate
services, Paul Carpenter, said: “it’s
great to see more people using
our social network pages. We
want to interact with as many
residents as possible and see
digital media as a new way of
engaging with our community.”
for more information about all
our social networks and for direct
links to our pages on facebook
and Twitter visit
a
More event details will
be announced soon.
Keep watching the local Press!
7
Everything you nee
f the saying “first impressions count” is
anything to go by then businesses at
eventus in market deeping have a
head start on their competitors.
in fact companies trading from the
ultra modern innovation centre believe
the look and location of the building
have had a direct effect on their success
and have helped them buck the trend
in these tough economic times.
vicki Culverhouse runs highly
motivated straightahead telemarketing
services and she has seen her business
and team grow since moving into the
centre.
She said: “my business has
developed massively since i moved
here because the facilities are spot on
and i feel proud to bring new and
major clients here. it doesn’t feel like
serviced offices, it’s far more
professional, and has definitely
changed my attitude to business.”
“There’s a lot of people out there
who have good services and products
but they don’t know how to promote
i
The straightahead team pictured with Vicki Culverhouse
www.straightaheadsales.o.uk
them. We are here to do that for them,
through cold calling, and it doesn’t
matter it they are a small business or a
massive company, they all receive the
same service.”
Just a few doors away is one-man
band Tim Barnacle (Penlan medical)
who is a distributor for an american
family owned company specialising in
n-hope urostomy pouches and hernia
support belts.
Tim said: “i used to work from home
and since moving into eventus my
approach to business has completely
changed. one of the first things i did
was go on a free two-day internet
awareness course organised by SKdC
and as a result was able to design some
of the key elements of my website.
having support back at the ‘office’
Jason Cannon (seated) with Sam Raines and Nina Petrus who make up
Figures UK (www.figuresuk.co.uk)
8
ed under one roof
has also helped Tim who spends a lot
of his time out on the road, calling on
various clients.
he added: “The major benefits for
me are the first rate service i receive
from reception who sign in my
consignments, which is absolutely
essential, and the quality of the phone
system. it’s like having all the trappings
of a multi-national when you are only a
one-man band.”
Paperless accountants figures uK
was the second tenant to move into
eventus back in 2010 because the
facilities were better than anywhere
else, it had a great location, and the
price was value for money.
Jason Cannon, who runs the
company which specialises in tax credit
awards as well as a host of accountancy
services, said it was ideal package. he
summed up feelings, “everyone is
extremely professional and friendly
here. it really does give clients a great
first impression and has certainly got
the WoW factor.”
funded by SKdC, Lincolnshire
County Council, emda and the
european regional development fund,
eventus offers 36 managed workspace
units, a large, open plan office suite, an
on-site café and state of the art
conference and meeting rooms to hire.
23 businesses and
more on the way
it’s just over 18 months since
eventus, a £4.3 million innovation
centre on the northfields industrial
estate, opened its doors for
business. it was supported by South
Kesteven district Council to the tune
of £300,000.
Twenty three enterprises now
operate from the market deeping
site and manager Yvonne Kent is in
talks with more prospective tenants.
Yvonne said: “We have a great
variety of businesses here from online shopping to website designers
and accountants to geologists. They
are able to network with each other
and some even act as a mentor for
young businesses starting out.”
facilities include:
n
n
n
n
n
n
36 managed workspace suites
full reception service
24 hour access
free parking
Conference suites
virtual office services (business
support with premises)
Tim Barnacle of Penlan Medical
(www.penlanmedical.co.uk)
9
Making Grantham even better
incolnshire County Council and
South Kesteven district Council are
working together as part of the growth
Point Partnership to deliver
improvements in the town centre of
grantham.
The second phase of work will take
place in Wide Westgate, and will
continue the design principles and type
of materials as used in market Place.
The works for Wide Westgate are due to
start in June and completion is
expected in September.
The work follows on from the first
phase of works in market Place and
Westgate which were completed last
year. This project involved
improvements to the market Place and
narrow Westgate and works included:
introduction of reduced traffic speed,
new paving, new pedestrian friendly
crossing points, revised parking
arrangements with specific provision
L
for loading and taxis, and public art. in
addition to this work over the next few
months the area will be populated with
planters, trees for shade and seating to
further enhance the look of the area.
SKdC’s portfolio holder for
economic development, Cllr frances
Cartwright said: “The Wide Westgate
project will carry on the fantastic work
which was done to improve the market
Place and narrow Westgate last year.
“i am confident that when the work
is finished it will tie into the work that
has already been done to enhance
grantham’s historic core.”
We’re also running a scheme to help
traders improve their shop fronts – find
out more in our next issue.
Multi-million pound town centre redevelopment
plans will go ahead in Bourne this year
he £2.14 million project will include
the complete refurbishment of
Wherry’s
millmillion
and build
a new
he £2.14
project
willadjoining
include
building
featuring
ground
floor
the complete refurbishment retail
of
and
commercial
units
and
16 first
Wherry’s
mill and
build
a new
and
secondbuilding
floor apartments.
adjoining
featuring
T
T
The scheme fits in with the
surrounding area and will be the first
step in a much wider regeneration
ground floor retail and commercial
scheme which will also include the
units and 16 first and second floor
creation of an area of serviced land
apartments.
suitable for future development
The scheme fits in with the
South Kesteven district Council’s
surrounding area and will be the first
leader, Cllr Linda neal said: “There will be
step in a much wider regeneration
views on this long awaited development
scheme which will also include the
within the town, but we hope that it will
creation
Artist’s impressions of how the
Bourne development will look
10
provide a catalyst for future investment
in Bourne.
“This is an exciting opportunity for
the town and i am confident that all of
the processes that we have gone
through to get to this point will ensure
that the development is right for Bourne
and for local people.”
Consultation work was done on the
project in June 2010 including plans for
a re-development that would enhance
the area whilst still being in keeping
with the history of the town.
The symbol of Gravity
Fields has been launched
henever you see this logo there
will be information about an
amazing week-long arts and science
festival in September based around
grantham’s most famous son, Sir isaac
newton.
rosemary richards, who is
organising the event on behalf of major
sponsors South Kesteven district
Council, said: “The event will be centred
on grantham but will include the whole
district as we celebrate the life of
newton through science, arts and
heritage.”
economic development portfolio
holder, Cllr frances Cartwright, said
that part of the aim of the festival was
to put grantham well and truly on the
map.
“if grantham is going to develop as
we hope it needs to be seen as an
attractive place for employers and the
festival is about enhancing our local
environment. Word is spreading about
what we have in South Kesteven and
W
this festival will encourage people to
come from near and far to look for
themselves.”
as well as professional shows and
displays there will be strong
community involvement including
processions, a transformation of
grantham and a heritage trail which
will also take local schools on a journey
of learning.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Linda
neal, said: “We got a tremendous
response to a public information
evening about the event when scores
of people signed up to getting
involved.
“This is going to be a great event
and even more interest will be
generated when we are able to
announce the full programme which i
hope will be in June.”
The festival is centred in grantham
this time, but in future years events will
take place across the district.
The Boilerhouse in Grantham
– venue for the public launch
of Gravity Fields
Leading up
to the Festival
a community and education
participation programme
Outdoor event
n Lights projections and a
‘transformation of the town’ finale
Indoor events
n happenings around the district at
venues including harlaxton manor,
Belton house, Woolsthorpe manor,
grantham guildhall arts Centre,
Stamford arts Centre and other
locations in grantham
Programmed theatre and arts events
n Science events and talks
n Creative science commissions
n newton’s life promenade and audio
tour
n an apothecary pop-up shop
n family science shows from the
Science museum, London and the
nation Space Centre, Leicester
n Light tents, cabaret, digital art
James Burling (9) tests the bubble light
table at the public information launch
Hugh Hunt from Cambridge
University demonstrates the
theory of gravity with the
help of a bicycle wheel
Book early – it’s going to be great!
Thousands of people are expected to
descend on grantham for the weeklong event. accommodation providers
will be the first to see the benefit and
local shops are being encouraged to
stay open later so that they can cash in
too.
11
Fun for everyone at
Grantham Festival
isitors and residents alike are
expected to pack the town centre
for the second grantham festival on
Saturday march 31.
organisers SKdC have a bumper
programme of activities planned for
the major event which is staged to
coincide with the weekend of the
popular Belton horse Trials.
Last year over 70,000 people poured
into grantham for the showcase event
making it the busiest Saturday in town
for five years.
Cllr frances Cartwright, SKdC’s
economic development portfolio
holder, said: “We want to encourage
people who are visiting the Belton
horse Trials along with local residents
into grantham to enjoy a host of family
based activities and explore our shops,
restaurants and businesses.
“The grantham festival is a fantastic
opportunity for us to showcase what
the town has to offer as well as giving
people the chance to take time out to
enjoy a whole host of activities.”
events will be happening across the
town including St Peter’s hill, market
v
Place, Wide Westgate, The george
Centre and The isaac newton Centre,
and will feature a mini grantham Cup
which will recreate the famous horse
event in the centre of grantham.
other activities include climbing
wall, treeless rope course, skateboard
ramps and demo, zorbing, themed arts
and crafts, street theatre and artists and
a community band.
Festival for Heroes
will have the X-Factor
rganisers of a two-day event called
festival for heroes at The Prince
William of gloucester Barracks in
grantham want to encourage local
people and businesses to get involved.
The extravaganza, which runs over
Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th July, is
expected to attract 20,000 visitors and
raise the profile of the Territorial army
as well as money for help for heroes
and aBf, The Soldiers’ Charity.
Sheila davenport, who is coordinating the weekend, said: “We really
want to work with local businesses
including hotels and B & B’s to offer
accommodation to visitors because we
want to attract people from out of the
area to the event and also encourage
them to find out all the good things
that grantham has to offer.
“There will be a combination of
military and civilian displays and a huge
draw will be an open air evening
concert called rock the Barracks which
will include well known singers from
the X-factor including finalist amelia
Lily. on the Sunday afternoon there will
be a concert featuring local big band
music machine.”
o
Events will include
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graffiti art
Skateboard ramps and demo
felcro Wall
mini grantham Cup – horse
around steeple chase
Bungee trampoline
Treeless rope course
Climbing wall
Paintless paintball shooting
Community Band
urban Jungle spring market
Street entertainers
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Club-house dealt a diamond hand
hanks to a long lease granted by
SKdC, Stamford Bridge Club is
enjoying superb facilities in a brand
new clubhouse.
Stamford Bridge Club, formed in
1967 and started with just 40
members it now has over 300. over
the years the club has operated from
a number of locations which proved
too small, and had to move from its
most recent clubhouse, in a
temporary hut adjoining Stamford
hospital, because of impending
development. The new building is
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believed to be Britain’s first purposebuilt bridge clubhouse.
Club chairman Paul double said:
“We are eternally grateful to the
Bowls Club for surrendering their
tenancy of this land to us, and to the
district council for granting us a long
lease so that we no longer have to
worry about the future.“
The building is called “mcKenzie
house” in honour of the club
president Bruce mcKenzie (88) who
is a founder member and former
chairman for 27 years.
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Meet the Chairma
esponsible for chairing full council
meetings, performing civic duties
throughout the district and raising
money for charity, SKdC’s Chairman has
an important and varied role for his 12
months in charge.
Councillors hold the position of
Chairman for a year and the most
recent is Cllr mike Cook (pictured) who
stands down at a meeting of full council
in may.
mike has lived in grantham for the
past 10 years and has been a councillor
for the St anne’s Ward for the past five
years. Before his retirement mike had a
varied career which included 28 years’
service in the royal air force and a
number of years working for a private
company specialising in operating
crematoria.
mike told SKtoday that he has loved
his year in charge and wants to wish the
next Chairman, who will be
inaugurated when he steps down in
may, the very best for their time with
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...and find out how to apply for a share of his charity cash
the Chairman’s chain.
he said: “i have had a fantastic year
and i am thrilled with how it has gone. i
have had some wonderful experiences
and have met some lovely people. it is a
shame that you are only the chairman
for a year as by the time you get into
your stride it is time to hand the chain
over.
“i would like to wish the new
Chairman the very best for their year
and hope that he or she has as good a
time as i have had during the past 12
months.”
The highlights of the mike’s year
included a trip to a garden party at
Buckingham Palace, meeting hrh
Prince Charles at Burton-Le-Coggles
where he was visiting to celebrate the
10 year anniversary of charity ‘The Pub
is The hub’ and officially opening
grantham’s new look market Place.
mike said: “i was honoured to be
asked to officially open grantham’s
market Place which will be there for
Give a dog a
home!
f you are looking for a dog as a pet,
then SKdC’s new re-homing service
might just have the perfect four-legged
friend for you.
Working in partnership with a local
kennels, the council has just launched a
section on its website
www.southkesteven.gov.uk where
potential owners can view canines
needing a home.
Pete rogers, environmental
protection officer, said strays are picked
up by the dog warden service and
taken to our contracted kennels where
they are kept for seven days and
advertised on SKdC’s lost dog pages on
our website.
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he said: “if they are not claimed after
this time they will go for re-homing and
can be waiting for some time. We want
them to help them find a new owner
and to have a chance of a second life in
a caring, responsible and loving home.
“That’s why, with the support of the
kennels, we want to make people
aware of this service and why we have
dedicated a section of our website to
advertising details and pictures of dogs
looking for a new home.”
for more information about our dog
re-homing look at our website
(environment and health) or contact
07712198998
generations to come.”
This year the Chairman’s charities
have raised more than £1,000 and mike
would like residents to email
elaine.charity@southkesteven.gov.uk
with the details of any local charity who
you think is worthy of a donation.
Give a dog a name……
Why not have a go at naming our
canine mascot and stand the chance of
winning £20 in vouchers?
To help launch our new dog rehoming service we want local people to
think of a suitable name for our fourlegged friend, pictured left.
Simply fill in the coupon below and
send it to: Pete rogers, environmental
health Services, South Kesteven district
Council, Council offices, St Peter’s hill,
grantham, ng31 6Pz or email your
suggestion to
p.rogers@southkesteven.gov.uk giving
us your name and contact details.
Give a dog a name
Suggested name:
Contact details:
13
What’s On in Grantham
Meres
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A
Stars of Strictly Come Dancing: Katya
& Pasha
Friday 13 April
7.30pm
get up close and personal with Strictly
Come dancing’s Katya virshilas and
Pasha Kovalev in an evening of
exhibition dance routines featuring the
rumba, Waltz, foxtrot, Tango, Jive and
more. The show, which also features
two exceptional guest dancers, includes
a question and answer session with the
Strictly Stars and the chance for young
dancers to get involved.
£23 / £22
£1 booking fee per ticket
Thirsty
The Paper Birds Theatre Company
Wednesday 14 March - 7.30pm
£11 / £10 £7 students
Craobh Rua
Wednesday 21 March - 7.30pm
£14 /£12
West Side Story
Down To Earth Youth Theatre (D2E)
Tuesday 27 March - 7.30pm
£6 / £5
Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Ugly
Duckling’
Derek Grant Organisation
Tuesday 3 April - 1pm & 4pm
£9.50 / £7.50 £30 family of four
Family Mosaics
Saturday 14 April - 10am to 12noon
1pm to 3pm - 8yrs to adult
£15 per plaque created
Stacey Kent & Her Musicians
Saturday 5 May
7.30pm
£17 / £16
Equus
London Classic Theatre
Wednesday 30 May - 7.30pm
£12 / £10 £8.50 students
Verse: Stamford Poetry Festival
What’s On in Stamford
Bette and Joan: The Final Curtain
Foursight Theatre
Tues 27 Mar. 8pm
£12 (£10, £8.50 students and groups)
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Image Musical Theatre
Wed 4 Apr. 2pm
£6.50 (£6) £24 family of 4
Suitable for ages 5 to 12
Benyounes Quartet
Part of our Classical music Season
Friday 6 April. 1.30pm
Tickets: £10 (£8)
Under 26s - £7
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732 – 1801)
Haydn's Seven Last Words
Martin Harley Band
Sat 14 Apr. 8pm
Tickets: £12 (£10)
The Games
Spike Theatre Company
Wed 27 June. 8pm
£10 (£9, £8 students and groups)
Wed 28 Mar to Mon 2 Apr 2012
Ian McMillan – Talking Myself
Home:
Wed mar 28, 7.30pm
Dead Poets plus Poet Laureate
Final:
fri mar 30, 8pm
Poetry Open Surgery with
Lincolnshire Poet Laureate, Joel
Stickley:
Sat mar 31, 10am
Poetry Open Surgery with Mark
Grist of the Dead Poets:
Sat mar 31, 2pm
The Tale of Candy Kate the Psycho
Baker for ages 7+:
Sat mar 31, 11am
Shetland Boy:
Sat mar 31, 7pm
Creative Writing with Joel Stickley:
Sun apr 1, 10am
John Hegley - The Adventures of
Monsieur Robinet:
mon apr 2, 2pm
for more details of all that’s happening at Grantham Guildhall Arts Centre or to make a booking call the box office on
01476 40 61 58 or go online at www.guildhallartscentre.com.
for details of Stamford events call the box office on 01780 76 32 03 or visit www.stamfordartscentre.com
14
hold on tight - the grantham and
Stamford mid-lent fairs are on their way
STAMFORD
& GRANTHAM
STAMFORD
& GRANTHAM
STAMFORD
& GRANTHAM
STAMFORD
& GRANTHAM
MID LENT FAIRS 2012
MID LENT FAIRS 2012
MID LENT FAIRS 2012
MID LENT FAIRS 2012
march 19-28 2012
march 19-28 2012
march 19-28 2012
march 19-28 2012
25p OFF 25p OFF 50p OFF 50p OFF
CHILDRENS RIDES CHILDRENS RIDES ADULT RIDES ADULT RIDES
asten your seat belt and hold on
tight as two of the country’s biggest
street fairs roll back into town in march.
The fairs have been coming to both
of our market towns for hundreds of
years with the first one held in
Stamford in 942 ad and grantham’s
first recorded fair in 1484.
and while the flashing lights and
breathtaking twists and turns of rides
are everything you’d expect from a
modern fair, visitors will also find more
traditional attractions that reflect the
fair’s rich heritage, including the
carousel and funhouse.
in total there will be in excess of 100
rides, sideshows and refreshment units.
in keeping with tradition, the fairs
will be declared open by the town’s
mayors both in Stamford on monday
march 19 at 7pm and in grantham on
Sunday march 25 at 2pm.
Stamford’s fair runs until Saturday
march 24 with rides running from 4pm11pm.
grantham’s runs until Wednesday
march 28 with rides running from from
2pm-11pm.
To find out more contact miki
gregory, Leisure & amenities, South
Kesteven district Council by phone on
01476 406153 or email
events@southkesteven.gov.uk
Why not cut out the tokens here and
take them with you?
f
STAMFORD
& GRANTHAM
STAMFORD
& GRANTHAM
STAMFORD
& GRANTHAM
STAMFORD
& GRANTHAM
MID LENT FAIRS 2012
MID LENT FAIRS 2012
MID LENT FAIRS 2012
MID LENT FAIRS 2012
march 19-28 2012
march 19-28 2012
march 19-28 2012
march 19-28 2012
25p OFF 25p OFF 50p OFF 50p OFF
CHILDRENS RIDES CHILDRENS RIDES ADULT RIDES ADULT RIDES
STAMFORD
& GRANTHAM
STAMFORD
& GRANTHAM
STAMFORD
& GRANTHAM
STAMFORD
& GRANTHAM
MID LENT FAIRS 2012
MID LENT FAIRS 2012
MID LENT FAIRS 2012
MID LENT FAIRS 2012
march 19-28 2012
march 19-28 2012
march 19-28 2012
march 19-28 2012
25p OFF 25p OFF 50p OFF 50p OFF
CHILDRENS RIDES CHILDRENS RIDES ADULT RIDES ADULT RIDES
Next stop… information superhighway
lans to bring superfast broadband
to all homes and businesses in
Lincolnshire within the next five years
have been given the green light.
The government has approved
plans to bring next generation
broadband to the county which will
see 90% of properties receiving
superfast speeds of at least 24
mb/second by 2015, with the rest
guaranteed to get at least 2
mb/second. This has been further
helped by SKdC’s contribution of just
over half a million pounds for
broadband in the district.
it is hoped that by 2017, everyone
will be able to enjoy superfast
broadband wherever they are in the
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county.
South Kesteven district Council’s
portfolio holder for economic
development, Cllr frances Cartwright
said: “improved broadband is vital for
business growth, for all residents
accessing services, including the
growing number of silver surfers, and
for young people looking to
download learning materials.”
residents are also being
encouraged to build up a picture of
the current situation by registering at
www.onlincolnshire.org. This will help
prove to commercial suppliers that
there is a demand in Lincolnshire for
the next generation of broadband
infrastructure.
15
Celebrating a right royal weekend
The Last Word
o mark 60 years of the Queen's reign
the diamond Jubilee will take place
in the summer.
The celebrations will centre around
an extended weekend from June 2-5
and events will be held throughout the
district including the lighting of
beacons in villages and towns through
South Kesteven.
SKdC will be lighting a beacon in
Wyndham Park in grantham on
monday 4 June at 10pm this follows
other events held in the park
throughout the weekend including a
live music event organised by The
Wyndham Park forum on June 3 where
bands and artists will be located in
areas throughout the park between
12pm and 3pm.
There will also be an activity day
organised by the Pavilion Tea rooms
within Wyndham Park on June 2
between 2-4pm. The skate park will be
holding a competition from 12pm-4pm
on June 2 and there will be a bouncy
castle, local church choir, bands, tom
bola/raffle and side stalls.
Throughout the district beacons will
be lit and celebrations held in towns
and villages including;
By Leader of the Council
Cllr Linda Neal
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Caythorpe
harlaxton
hough-on-The-hill
rippingale
Toft, Lound and manthorpe
uffington
Corby glen
grantham
Thurlby
allington
Bourne
great Ponton
honington
If you are planning on celebrating why not take part in
The Big Jubilee Lunch on Sunday June 3 2012?
The Big Lunch is a simple idea from the
eden Project. The aim is to encourage
as many people in the uK as possible
to have lunch with their neighbours
once a year, for a few hours of
community, friendship and fun.
in 2012 the event will be called The
Big Jubilee Lunch and will proudly
support The Queen’s diamond Jubilee
celebrations on Sunday June 3. a
record number of people across the uK
are expected to take part.
a Big Lunch, or a Big Jubilee Lunch,
can be anything from a few
neighbours getting together in the
garden or on the street, to a full blown
party with food, music and decoration
that quite literally stops the traffic.
The Big Lunch is excited to partner
with Love food hate Waste because it’s
really important that people try to
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minimise food waste when planning
weekly meals right up to bigger food
occasions like The Big Lunch. The Big
Lunch and Love food hate Waste will
be working together to help everyone
do this.
it’s not too early to start planning!
Simply request your free Big Lunch or
Big Jubilee Lunch Pack online at
www.thebiglunch.com or call 0845
850 8181 to speak to one of the team.
The pack contains a step-by-step
guide to help you get your event off
the ground, plus invitations, posters,
'crowd cooking' recipe ideas, stickers
and much more.
every time i turn the
television on these days
there seems to be more
bad news as the effects
of the economic
downturn continue to
take their toll.
Like all councils, we
have suffered cuts in our grant from
central government – more than £2
million so far – but i am pleased to be
able to report that because we are a
well run council we have been able to
rise to the challenge and find new
ways to work.
The result is that we have been
able to freeze council tax, maintain
services and avoid large scale
redundancies.
it’s been a difficult task but i am
proud to be able to say that with the
help of our officers and my fellow
councillors we have been able to
balance our budget whilst at the
same time having resources available
for our priorities.
as part of this process we took the
difficult decision to introduce a small
charge for the collection of green bin
(garden refuse). one in four councils
already charge for this discretional
service and in the current climate we
felt we could not continue to provide
it free.
We settled on a charge of £25 a
year (less than 50 pence a week on
average over a year) which compares
favourably with other councils whose
charges are generally much more
than this – in one case i have heard of
a council which asks for £65 a year.
We really didn’t want to make any
charge at all but i hope you will agree
that this is a small price to pay for us
to balance our budget when other
councils have had to take drastic
action including large-scale job losses
and cuts in front-line services.
during the summer we’ve all got
plenty to look forward to with the
olympic Torch and gravity fields
celebrations – more about these
next time.