A totally spontaneous expression of gratitude breaks out for Premier Christy Clark and Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes at the Quesnel rodeo after a rural school fund was announced in June.
Comedian Steve Smith, better known as Red Green, is touring B.C. in September, reprising his popular TV series in which he fixes every conceivable problem with duct tape.
Green’s “I’m Not Old I’m Ripe” tour hits Chilliwack, Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay, Surrey, Vernon, Kelowna and Prince George.
His formula for deploying the handyman’s secret weapon has proven so popular that Premier Christy Clark may have been inspired. She’s had quite a flurry of hasty repairs in the last few months. Here’s a recap.
The B.C. minimum wage was starting to lag behind other provinces, even after the overhaul it received in 2015, where annual increases are tied to inflation.
Like Red’s truck tires, there has been a lack of inflation, and a surge of government spending back east leaving B.C. in the dust. B.C.’s wage rose 20 cents last year and was set to go up by another whole dime this fall.
There was that familiar ripping sound in May as Clark and Jobs Minister Shirley Bond announced the September increase will be patched up to 40 cents, with another 40-cent increase next fall. Two wraps should hold it until after the election.
Remember the episode where Red taped two old Hyundai Ponies side by side to make a handyman’s Hummer? The school system has seen that kind of work in recent months.
The first roll was applied by Education Minister Mike Bernier when he announced in March that the ministry’s “fix-it fund” was going from $35 million to $40 million. Then in mid-May, he announced 80 successful projects. The “fix-it fund” had fattened to $45 million, and Bernier was just getting his sleeves rolled up.
Hey school districts, remember the $25 million in “administrative savings” the ministry demanded for the second year in a row? Now that you’ve squeezed that from your budgets, Bernier’s good news at the end of May was that the government’s giving it back to use for “front line services for students.”
One of those services could be “maintaining schools despite falling enrolment in certain regions,” Bernier announced May 31, foreshadowing the next layer of repairs.
Sure enough, a “rural schools fund” was rolled out on June 15. Clark and Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes made the announcement in Quesnel, where Kersley and Parkland elementary schools were going to close.
Also eligible for a special fund was Okanagan-Similkameen, where Osoyoos high school students were going to be bused a half hour to Oliver. This is hardly unusual in rural schooling around B.C., but these are swing ridings, you see.
Kootenay Lake district declined the opportunity to keep Yahk elementary open, with an anticipated fall enrolment of zero students. This all comes during the annual ritual combat between the ministry and Vancouver school board over keeping half-empty schools open.
Bernier had one more roll in his overalls. School bus service, one of those things jettisoned or saddled with hundreds of dollars in fees per student as districts scraped up those “administrative savings,” was selectively saved with another $15 million fund announced last week.
There have been a few other country fixes. They’re not going to ban weddings on farms any more, for instance.
That old jalopy in the back yard you’ve been trying to soup up and get back on the road? Soon you can get a collector plate for that thing, which is perfect if you can only get it running once or twice a year.
To paraphrase Red, if the voters don’t find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.
Tom Fletcher is B.C. legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press. Email: tfletcher@blackpress.ca Twitter: @tomfletcherbc

BC VIEWS: Premier Red Green’s fast fixes


Premier Christy Clark has pulled out the duct tape to fix up rural schools, school buses and the minimum wage


BC Ferries sailings have been busier this year, thanks in part to strong tourist traffic and no net fare increase.
BC Ferries plans to continue its campaign of price promotions this fall and next spring in an effort to maintain increased passenger and vehicle traffic.
First-quarter results for the Crown corporation show passenger traffic up 2.5 per cent and vehicle loads up 5.1 per cent for the three months ended June 30, compared with the same period in 2015.
Buoyed by a strong tourist year for B.C. and no net fare increase, BC Ferries carried 5.3 million passengers and 2.1 million vehicles in April, May and June. The 1.9 per cent average fare hike was erased by a reduced fuel surcharge due to long-term contracts for cheaper diesel fuel.
Helped by reduced operating costs and higher retail sales from terminals and on-board gift shops, net earnings were $27 million for the quarter, up from $18.8 million in the same period last year. Revenues were up 4.9 per cent to $219 million, while costs for the quarter went up 1.5 per cent to $178.6 million.
BC Ferries CEO Mike Corrigan released the first-quarter results at the corporation's annual meeting in Victoria, where he also announced that unspecified pricing promotions will be offered this fall and next spring. This year BC Ferries has been offering discounts on over-length vehicles pulling boats or travel trailers.
Corrigan also announced he will be stepping down as CEO at the end of the fiscal year next March. He was promoted in 2012 to replace former CEO David Hahn, and presided over a controversial service review that saw sailings reduced on money-losing routes.
Transportation Minister Todd Stone praised Corrigan for reducing operating costs and embracing new technology, including three new medium-sized ferries using liquefied natural gas fuel that have been built in Poland.
LNG retrofits are also scheduled for the Spirit of B.C. and the Spirit of Vancouver Island, the workhorses of the main Tswassen-to-Vancouver Island route.
Corrigan's term also saw the first cable ferry in the BC Ferries fleet, the Baynes Sound Connector to Denman Island. Stone said the cable ferry cut fuel costs by half.

More discounts coming as BC Ferries traffic rises


Vehicle traffic up 5% with no net fare increase and discounts offered for vehicles pulling boats and travel trailers


Two men and a mining company in receivership have been charged with 18 pollution infractions related to their shut-down gold mine on an island near Prince Rupert.
Benjamin Mossman and Dirk Meckert are scheduled to appear in Prince Rupert provincial court Sept. 7. Also charged is Banks Island Gold Ltd., which went into receivership after being shut down last year for provincial permit violations.
The Yellow Giant mine was ordered shut down by the Ministry of Environment in July 2015 after a tailings spill was reported on a tip. There is one charge of failing to report a spill of a polluting substance, and the other 17 charges are for failing to comply with permits.
North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice raised the issue in the legislature this spring, after receiving a letter from the Gitxaala First Nation referring to two separate tailings spills. Rice said the ministry did not inspect the operation for 15 months, until receiving a complaint.
NDP mining critic Norm Macdonald told the legislature a worker at the mine "became fed up, put his job on the line, sent the ministry and me a tip and pictures that documented what was going on there."
Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett said the mine was shut down when the situation was brought to its attention. The mine's 90 employees lost their jobs.
The province has a $420,000 security bond from the mining company, to provide ongoing monitoring. In March the mines ministry and Banks Island Gold removed explosives from the mine site and in May ministry technical staff assessed the hazardous materials on site.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service, which recommended the charges, would not comment on the current condition of the Banks Island site, because it is evidence for the prosecution.

Banks Island miners face 18 pollution charges


Gold mine near Prince Rupert shut down last summer for permit violations, owners charged for failing to report spill


Premier Christy Clark and Environment Minister Mary Polak plug in an electric car at an announcement of the government's latest climate change plan in Richmond Aug. 19.
A B.C. Liberal operative was out with the online spin hours before Premier Christy Clark confirmed the much-leaked news in a Friday afternoon announcement at an obscure location in Richmond.
The, er, freeze is continuing for B.C.’s ground-breaking, world-saving carbon tax, which hasn’t changed since before Clark was elected in 2013.
The spin was Olympic-themed, with a picture labeled to show B.C. as a swimmer far out in the lead in the pool, to symbolize that it’s the other provinces that need to catch up in the race to save the planet.
Clark has been saying that for years, and there is merit to it. Even without a tax on “process emissions” such as from cement kilns, B.C.’s carbon tax encourages imports of non-taxed cement from the U.S. and China.
Alberta business professor Andrew Leach, who advised the Stephen Harper and then Rachel Notley governments on greenhouse gas policies, summed up the problem this way.
“Until the rest of the world has policies that impose similar cost, you’re not actually reducing emissions to the extent you think,” Leach said. “You’re just displacing the emissions and the economic activity to other jurisdictions.”
Alberta is moving to join B.C. with a modest carbon tax, but the NDP government plans to spend the proceeds rather than return them in income tax as B.C. has done. And Washington state and most of the rest of the world have no carbon tax as such, so their businesses benefit from B.C.’s “climate leadership.”
B.C.’s foreign-funded eco-radical community was, needless to say, appalled. The Pembina Institute’s Matt Horne and career protesters Tzeporah Berman and Merran Smith were named to the premier’s advisory committee last year, along with business, academic and aboriginal representatives.
They concluded that increases to B.C.’s broad-based tax on carbon fuels should resume its upward march in 2018.
Other committee members, including the mayors of Surrey, Comox and Burns Lake, were not heard from. Public discussion on this issue is now reduced to a staged conflict between those who demand a holy war on deadly carbon dioxide “pollution,” and those who don’t care if their grandchildren perish in a hell-fire of fossil fuel use.
We’ve just come off another El Nino year, like the hot year of 1998. Regular readers will recall the last time I discussed this topic was this spring, where I questioned the premier’s dire warnings of another horrendous forest fire season.
What followed has been one of the slowest forest fire seasons in the last decade, although dry conditions have finally emerged this month. Climate predictions, like next week’s weather forecast, are less than consistent.
I am regularly sent messages calling me a “climate change denier,” the nonsense term that continues to be used by federal Environment Minister Catharine McKenna among many others. I know of no one who denies that climate is always changing, at times dramatically.
If you wish to believe that paying an extra seven cents a litre for gasoline in B.C. is helping to slow the very gradual increase in temperatures we’re seeing in the northern hemisphere, you are free to do so.
You may even be persuaded to take a government subsidy and buy an expensive, short-range electric car. Me, I’m off to Prince Rupert and Revelstoke pretty soon, so I’ll stick with my little four-cylinder gas sipper for now.
Hydro-powered B.C. represents a small fraction of the less than two per cent Canada contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions. We’re not the problem, and no, the world is not looking to us for guidance.
Tom Fletcher is B.C. legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press. Email: tfletcher@blackpress.ca Twitter: @tomfletcherbc


Premier Christy Clark isn't going into next year's election with a promise to jack up Canada's only significant carbon tax


Metchosin resident Lucas Christ-Rowling is off to Colombia to learn Spanish and immerse himself in a different culture as part of Rotary International’s Youth Exchange program.
Lucas Christ-Rowling is positively pumped about the opportunity to immerse himself in Colombian culture for the next 11 months. The Metchosin resident will soon head to Cali, the country’s second-largest city, about eight hours from Bogota.
The trip is part of a Rotary International Youth Exchange – in conjunction with the Sidney By The Sea Rotary – which arranges for students to spend a year in a foreign country while facilitating the same experience for students from other countries to come to Canada.
Christ-Rowling, 17, got interested in the program through his mother, who spent a year in Denmark as part of a Rotary International Youth Exchange when she was in high school in Ontario.
“She really encouraged me to try it and said it was a really rewarding experience,” he said. His mother, a former Rotarian, hopes there will be a similar program available for youth on the West Shore soon.
Christ-Rowling, part of the first class to graduate from Royal Bay secondary in June, will be returning to high school in Cali.
‘I want to accelerate learning Spanish,” he explained. “I’m also really looking forward to learning about the culture and history of Colombia.”
Christ-Rowling feels fortunate that the family he will stay with lives across the street from the school he’ll attend. That should expedite the learning curve, because he won’t have to waste time commuting, he explained.
While he plays drums, guitar and piano, Christ-Rowling has never learned to dance, so he is looking forward to that challenge as well. “It’s the salsa capital of the world,” he said.
Another aspect of the trip that intrigues him is the opportunity to play soccer. “I’m very excited about playing in a country where they are so passionate about the sport,” he said with noticeable enthusiasm. “The passion and energy is there every day for soccer and I’m really looking forward to experiencing that.”
Christ-Rowling will also be making presentations to different youth groups and organizations about what life is like in Canada.
“I’m also open to volunteering opportunities that arise,” he added.
Although he admitted being a little nervous about learning a new language and adapting to a different lifestyle and culture, Christ-Rowling said he’s fortunate that there is a well-organized support network in place.
“Living with a second family there will also give me a more personal connection to the country,” he noted.
Once his time in Colombia is complete, Christ-Rowling is leaning towards studying political science and humanities.
“Gaining a global perspective and understanding will help with that,” he said. “Being bilingual will help open doors to many education and career opportunities.”
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com

Eleven months in Colombia awaits young Metchosin Rotarian


Will be living in the city of Cali as part of a youth exchange


It may be sunny and hot outside but the ice is in and hockey is back.
The Victoria Royals held the first day of their main training camp for the 2016-17 season this morning at the Save On Foods Memorial Centre.
Head coach Dave Lowry and his staff were running drills on the ice through the morning. Familiar faces on the ice for the first session included goalie Griffen Outhouse and Jack Walker.
The Royals' first pre-season game will be September 2 in Kamloops against the Blazers with their first home pre-season game September 10 against the Vancouver Giants.
They kick off their season at home Friday, September 23 against the Prince George Cougars.

Victoria Royals back on the ice for training camp


The Victoria Royals held the first day of their main training camp for the 2016-17 Western Hockey League season


Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have reached tentative agreements, averting the prospect of a labour dispute that has loomed over the talks for months.
In a statement, Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk says the agreements were reached "voluntarily," but provides no other details about the deals themselves.
The issue of differences in paycheques for rural mail carriers — most of whom are women — and urban letter carriers had been at the forefront of protracted contract talks between the two sides.
The negotiations were extended twice since the weekend, when a deadline expired on a 72-hour job action notice issued last Thursday by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.
The two sides were in talks nearly around the clock at the request of a special mediator appointed Friday by Mihychuk.
Canada Post described the tentative agreements as short-term. It said they are for two years and that four-year contracts were typically negotiated in the past.
"The agreements will avert a work disruption, bringing much-needed certainty in the postal system for our employees and customers," said Canada Post in a statement. "Canadians can now use the postal system with confidence."
The tentative agreements, however, still must be ratified by the members.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is Canada Post's largest union, representing more than 50,000 postal workers
The Canadian Press

Canada Post, postal union reach tentative deals


Two sides avert job action that has loomed for months


The B.C. government's plan B for income assistance cheques and other time-sensitive documents could be re-activated as the long-running Canada Post labour dispute reaches another deadline.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is in a legal position to strike as of Monday, but postponed threatened rotating strike action after weekend talks with a federal mediator. Its initial action would be an overtime ban rather than a full-scale walkout that would disrupt mail delivery.
Canada Post served lockout notice in July, with the two sides far apart on issues including pension changes for future employees and pay for rural carriers.
Income assistance, rent subsidy and other B.C. government payments are not affected if they are direct deposit. For mailed cheques and information, updates on possible postal strike effects to the Ministry of Social Development will be available as necessary at this website or at 1-866-866-0800.
Phone and online contacts are set up for questions about affected provincial departments:
• Ministry of Advanced Education and StudentAidBC online here.
• Ministry of Children and Family Development 1-877-387-7027
• Medical Services Plan payments online here or 1-877-405-4909
• ICBC inquiries 1-800-663-3051
• Family Maintenance and Enforcement program 604-660-2528
• Public Guardian and Trustee online here or 604-660-4444
• Vital Statistics 1-888-876-1633
• WorkSafe BC online here or 1-888-967-5377

B.C. prepares for possible postal disruption


Province has alternatives if Canada Post employees begin strike action


Courses offer loaner equipment and training in casting and proper fish handling.
Children aged five to 15 can take advantage of fishing instruction sessions being held around the province by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. this summer.
The Learn to Fish program has been running since 2006. It provides loaned fishing gear as well as instruction on how to cast and retrieve, identify different fish species, handle fish properly and fish ethically within the regulations.
Locations and registration information for Learn to Fish courses is available here.
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. is financed by revenue from B.C. fishing licence sales.
A sample of the instruction videos available on the society website:

Free fishing lessons for kids [with video]


Learn to Fish program offers instruction and loaner equipment to help children aged 5 to 15 catch a trout


Guns seized from visitors entering Canada at the Huntington-Abbotsford border crossing, 2014.
Canadian Border Services Agency has seen a 116 per cent increase in the number of firearms seized in the Pacific Region in the first half of 2016.
With a 10 per cent increase also recorded in the Prairie region, the CBSA is working with U.S. officials on a firearms awareness campaign to remind Americans about restrictions on bringing guns into Canada.
"Attempting to smuggle firearms across the border can result in immediate forfeiture, hefty fines and even significant jail time," said Kim Scoville, CBSA's regional director general for the Prairie region.
Visitors entering the border inspection line should declare any firearms at their first opportunity. Border services officers will take possession of the weapon if it is declared, but the visitor has the option of shipping it back under CBSA supervision or surrendering it without prosecution.
The RCMP has procedures for visitors bringing firearms into Canada


Guns intercepted at Pacific region border crossings up 116 per cent compared to this time last year


Wood products exports from Canada to Asia were down 18 per cent in the first six months of 2016, with the biggest decline being softwood lumber from B.C. to China, according to the Seattle-based Wood Resources International.
Lumber sales to China are on pace to drop by 50 per cent this year compared to 2014, as B.C. lumber producers direct their sales to a healthy U.S. lumber market, according to customs data tracked for the Wood Resources Quarterly (www.woodprices.com).
The latest edition notes that by value, 75 per cent of B.C.'s exports to Asia in 2015 and 2016 are in the form of lumber, while 77 per cent of exports from Washington and Oregon are logs.
Asian demand reached a record high in 2013, with China passing Japan as the largest importer of North American wood products in 2011. The B.C. and federal governments promote wood construction in China and Japan, and B.C.'s forest minister is required to conduct an annual trade mission to China, Japan and other Asian countries.
The shift in demand provides extra urgency for talks to renew the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber agreement that expired last year. B.C. sales are booming without the export cap that both Ottawa and Washington have agreed will be required.

Lumber exports shift to U.S. as China sales slump


Asian demand for B.C. wood products peaked in 2013, analyst says China sales on pace for 50 per cent drop


Students return to public school next week, with changes to curriculum and some provincial exams.
Students are returning to class next week in most of B.C.'s public schools, with enrolment expected to be up province-wide for the second year running.
Education Minister Mike Bernier says early forecasts show about 529,000 students, an increase of 2,900 from last year. But that increase is centred on fast-growing school districts, while many rural areas continue to struggle with declining student numbers.
Among changes that parents and students will see this year is a new curriculum in place up to Grade 9, with a test year for changes in the senior grades. Bernier said the new emphasis on collaboration and communication skills does not mean a watering down of the basic skills, and is designed to improve students' ability to work at modern jobs.
Report cards are to continue this school year, but the ministry is reviewing its system with an eye to providing more frequent updates. Parents are being consulted on the changes, Bernier said.
Foundation Skills Assessment tests in grades four and seven are also continuing after years of protests from teacher unions, but that program is also being examined for possible changes. FSA tests will be "enhanced" but not eliminated, Bernier said.
Provincial exams continue for graduates in math and English, but science and social studies will now be assessed at a classroom level rather than school-wide tests, Bernier said.
The ministry provided a series of top-ups to education funding this year, for bus service and to keep selected rural schools from closing. Applications are still being taken for a transportation fund until Sept. 30, requiring districts to drop across-the-board school bus fees to qualify.
Districts may still charge transportation fees for international students or those from outside a school catchment area.
NDP leader John Horgan highlighted the crowding in Surrey school district, where 7,000 students remain in portables despite an expansion program. The NDP says the B.C. government's claim of record per-student funding ignores a reduction of education funding as a share of the provincial economy.
"Since 2001, the B.C. Liberals have dragged public education funding in this province from the second best in Canada to the second worst," Horgan said.

B.C. school enrolment up for second year


Some urban districts struggle with overcrowding, special funds for declining rural schools, bus service to take effect


Prospective Pokemon trainers can officially download the mobile gaming sensation Pokemon Go in Canada as of Sunday afternoon.
The augmented-reality game launched in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Japan earlier this month.
But before Sunday, Canadians had to find workarounds to play the game north of the 49th parallel.
The game sends players into the real world to search for the mythical digital pocket monsters known as Pokemon, who appear onscreen when users hold up their smartphones in various locations at various times of the day.
RELATED:
Pokemon Go prompts Vancouver Police warning
Canadian gamers embrace Pokemon Go
On Sunday afternoon, it was announced on the app's Twitter page that the game is available for download in Canada on Android and iOS devices.
But the app's servers overloaded in the hour after the announcement, and wannabe players had to wait a little longer before they could register an account.
The Canadian Press

Pokemon Go officially launches in Canada, virtual reality game crashes app's servers


Game that gets users out in real life with smartphones had required Canadians to find workarounds before Sunday


A routine check-up at the hospital has turned into a nightmare for a Prince Rupert woman.
A month-and-a-half after having an endoscopy to inspect her nose and throat, Joan Dudoward received a letter from Northern Health stating that the endoscope used at the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital was not cleaned properly.
From April until the end of June 2016, the endoscope, which is a flexible tube with a light and a camera used in nonsurgical procedures, was being cleaned with the wrong cleaning solution to disinfect the equipment. There were 104 patients affected and Dudoward was one of them.
“I was majorly stressed out,” she said in an exclusive interview with the Northern View. “I'm a cancer survivor. I try to keep my health up for my mom, I'm a caregiver for a 95-year-old woman.”
Dudoward had gone to the Prince Rupert hospital for an endoscopy on June 29 at 3:30 p.m. after complaining to her physician about reoccurring plugged ears and a sore throat. She received the letter from Northern Health on Aug.24, which stated the error did not impact the diagnostic outcome of the tests and the process error has been corrected.
The letter also states that the BC Centre for Disease Control has been consulted and “the risk of a patient being exposed to a virus as a result of this process error is extremely low.” The contact number for the director of acute care services is offered in case she has any other questions or concerns. Dudoward has many.
She called to find out why the instrument wasn't cleaned, what had happened and how many people had gone through the procedure before and after her. “She said she's not permitted to tell me anything about this,” was the response Dudoward said she received.
The vice-president of medicine for the Northern Health authority, Dr. Ronald Chapman, was quick to respond to media inquiries and stressed the importance of transparency. He said, based on previous experience, once they realized the mistake had occurred they consulted the BC Centre for Disease Control as well as the Northern Health infectious disease specialist in Prince George.
“The risk for the patient is extremely low. We're not concerned that it will at all have any negative impact on their health,” Dr. Chapman said. He added that it's Northern Health's policy to make patients aware even if the risk to them is low. “We believe it's important to be open with those patients and to be fairly transparent so at least they are aware of the mistake. In this case, we don't recommend any particular follow up or tests for the patients.”
This type of process error has happened before, Dr. Chapman confirmed. Not with the same scope, but he said there are many different endoscopes used and each are made by different manufacturers that have various recommendations on how to clean the equipment.
“The health sector is run by human beings and it's fairly complex. If mistakes do happen what we encourage our staff to do is to make management aware so they can learn from that experience,” he said. “I'm happy to say where those mistakes have happened in our environment, a process has been put in place and we haven't had any repetitions after some of those learning experiences.”
For the 104 patients that were affected by this incident, Dr. Chapman said their general practitioners have been notified and if they have any questions they can speak to them and the infectious disease specialist. They can also contact Northern Health's Patient Care Quality Officeto register a complaint.
For Dudoward, who had a bone marrow transplant in 2011 to battle leukemia, she is concerned and has already scheduled a meeting with her physician in early September.
“I'm thinking that my body is not going to be able to fight off infection like I was able to before the cancer because chemo takes a lot out of your body so this is like a bomb exploding in my life,” she said.

VIDEO: Prince Rupert woman treated with unclean medical equipment, Northern Health, B.C. Centre for Disease Control confirms more than a hundred affected


Two months after having an endoscopy Joan Dudoward received a letter telling her that the endoscope used was not cleaned properly.


This photo was posted to the City of Victoria's Twitter feed Thursday night around 8:30 p.m.
A reclusive reptile that has been living in a storm drain below the streets of Victoria now has a new home.
A tweet posted Thursday night by the City of Victoria shows a city worker holding the snake.
Officials haven't said how it was coaxed out of the drain, but the tweet said it would be turned over to animal control officers.
When it was spotted in the drain during routine maintenance last week, experts said it appeared to be a nearly two-metre long harmless corn snake, but a closer look at the photo released Thursday night shows it may be a boa constrictor.
It originally rebuffed all efforts at capture, including a heated tube and offerings of dead mice, because it was shedding its skin.
Officials didn't want to harm it or tear up the street, so the pipe was sealed until the moulting was complete and the snake was more co-operative.
(CFAX)
The Canadian Press

Elusive snake finally coaxed out of drain pipe under Victoria street


Officials don't say how they captured the snake, which will be turned over to animal control.


ICBC wants to increase basic auto insurance rates by 4.9 per cent – the fifth straight annual increase – as it continues to grapple with rising numbers of crashes, claims and dramatically increasing costs.
The typical driver will pay $3.50 a month or $42 a year more for basic insurance if the hike is approved.
But the corporation is also raising optional rates by 2.8 per cent so the average customer who buys both basic and optional insurance with ICBC will see their insurance bill rise $5 a month, or $60 a year.
ICBC CEO Mark Blucher said the basic rate hike would have been much worse – 15.5 per cent translating into a $130 annual premium increase – had the province not approved another major transfer of $472 million from the optional to the basic side of operations.
A compounding factor has been the long decline of interest rates, which result in less investment income revenue to ICBC.
"These external pressures have really created a perfect storm and it's a really significant challenge for the organization," Blucher said in an interview Thursday.
ICBC had raised rates 5.5 per cent a year ago, and the province's rate smoothing policy requires the annual change be within 1.5 per cent of the previous year's increase.
The number of crashes has climbed 15 per cent in two years and damage claims are up 11 per cent.
Vehicles are increasingly reliant on technology and expensive materials that have become more costly in recent years as the loonie sagged against the U.S. dollar.
Despite much safer vehicles, injury claims have soared to $2.4 billion, up 60 per cent from $1.5 billion in 2008.
"We've seen no evidence that these strong trends are abating," Blucher said. "In fact, if anything, they're continuing to escalate going forward."
Blucher also noted there are more cars on the road in B.C. today – 3.1 million up from 2.8 million in 2011 – and people are driving more because of cheaper gas, contributing to more accidents, particularly in densifying urban areas.
And he pointed to personal injury lawyers as an aggravating cause of ICBC's spiralling claims costs.
"B.C. is the only province in Canada where you can sue another motorist for even a minor traffic accident," Blucher said, noting an increase in lawyer-represented claims and advertising by injury law firms.
Internal operating costs have been cut by $186 million a year, and ICBC is counting on more savings ahead, through its modernization program, by more aggressively combatting insurance fraud and from a hoped-for drop in distracted driving as motorists respond to stiffer penalties.
But transfers from the optional side to bolster the basic side will likely be needed for the foreseeable future, Blucher said, because basic premiums can't keep up with rising costs.
In a surprise move, the B.C. government will this year forgo extracting its usual $160-million annual dividend from ICBC's optional side into general revenue.
"Forgoing the dividend this particular year is one strategy amongst a litany of others we're employing to get that basic trate increase down," Transportation Minister Todd Stone said.
Stone said the $514 million the province has transferred out of ICBC in dividends since 2012 is small compared to the $1.4 billion over the same period that has been shifted from the competitive optional side to basic to apply downward pressure on basic rates.
The minister would not say if the government would permanently give up the ICBC dividend.
Adrian DIx, the NDP critic for ICBC, said the dividends to government have exceeded $1.2 billion since 2010 and predicted they'll resume after next year's election because the BC Liberals are "addicted" to using ICBC as a "profit centre."
Dix said the reliance on shifting huge amounts of capital from optional to basic raises troubling questions.
"Next year they've got to find that $472 million," Dix said. "What they've done is create a disaster at ICBC and their only hope is to deceive the voters until after the election."
He said ICBC's new move to hire more claims staff underscores problems with completing the computer modernization that was supposed to make operations more efficient.
"The transformation project has taken longer than World War 2 and is not close to finished."
ICBC's basic rates rose 11.2 per cent in 2012 and at least five per cent every year since.
The new rate hike is subject to B.C. Utilities Commission approval.
ICBC Rate Pressure Charts

ICBC seeks 4.9 per cent basic rate hike as crashes, costs climb


$60 a year increase for most drivers once optional auto insurance increase is included


Doug Kelly, chair of the B.C. First Nations Health Council
With patients in urban areas having difficulty finding a family doctor, the situation in rural B.C. is going from bad to worse, MLAs on the province's health committee were told Monday.
Ed Staples, a member of the B.C. Health Coalition, described his efforts to improve the situation in Princeton, a community of about 5,000 people that four years ago was down to one doctor providing on-call service.
Princeton now has four full-time doctors and two nurse practitioners, but there are still people who can't find a doctor in the region, including Penticton an hour and a half away. A recent search of the College of Physicians and Surgeons website turned up the nearest doctor accepting patients in Courtney on Vancouver Island, Staples said.
Health Match BC, the province's web portal for recruiting doctors, nurses and other health professionals, currently has more than 400 general practitioner vacancies, with 37 communities seeking 85 doctors. The result is "bidding wars" between communities to offer incentives to relocating doctors, and foreign doctors using a rural community as an entry point before relocating to the Lower Mainland, he said.
The B.C. government has announced its latest videoconferencing service for health care, linking psychiatrists with young people in Cranbrook. The service is available twice a month at the local Children and Family Development office, supplementing visits by specialists in communities such as Cranbrook and Princeton. Health Minister Terry Lake says video conferencing and electronic health records are a key part of the solution for reaching patients across B.C.
Doug Kelly, chair of the B.C. First Nations Health Council, told the committee of an Abbotsford doctor who travels to Carrier Sekani territory around Prince George for part of his practice, in a pilot project with Northern Health.
Kelly said video links and nurse practitioners are part of the solution to delivering rural and remote care, but the main obstacle is the business model for doctors that has them cycling through as many as 20 patients an hour to bill enough to cover their office overhead.
Committee members were also reminded that graduating doctors are increasingly reluctant to take on the demands of family practice, especially in smaller communities where they may find themselves on call around the clock.

Video links grow as rural health care shrinks


Small communities have more than 400 doctor vacancies, with 'telehealth' and visiting specialists filling gaps


The Tragically Hip kicked off their 15-date, cross-Canada tour Friday night with a sold-out show in Victoria. Fans Lexi Ratz and Hillary Krupa say there was a feeling of togetherness in the crowd.
Video courtesy of Canadian Press.

VIDEO: Tragically Hip fans on tour's 'touching and heartfelt' first show


Iconic band's cross-Canada final tour kicked off in Victoria


B.C. has 300 seniors' care facilities, and residents and their loved ones are to be surveyed on conditions.
More than 250 volunteers have signed up to compile a survey of seniors in residential care, and B.C.'s Seniors Advocate is looking for more.
The 27,000 seniors living in 300 residential care facilities around the province are being asked about their experience with care home staff, the quality of food, privacy, medications and other conditions.
It's the first comprehensive survey done in B.C., to measure resident satisfaction and provide a "roadmap" for improvements, said Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie.
Interviews will be conducted in person by trained volunteers, and a matching mail-out survey will be sent to each resident's most frequent visitor.
The project is seeking volunteers with a range of professional backgrounds, ages and ethnicities. To apply as a volunteer, visit www.surveybcseniors.org or call the Office of the Seniors Advocate at 1-877-952-3181.


Volunteers to ask seniors about staff, food, privacy, medications and other conditions in residential care


B.C. Day, on Monday, Aug. 1, is an opportunity to celebrate this spectacular province. See how well you know British Columbia.

B.C. DAY TRIVIA QUIZ: How much do you know about British Columbia?


Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!


Early indications of GCSE results across Lincolnshire show continued improvements this year.
With 10 schools still to return data, provisional figures released today (Thursday) by Lincolnshire schools, including academies, indicate that the percentage of students attaining good grades in core subjects continues to rise.
The percentage of students attaining 5+ A*-C including English and maths is no longer a headline measure of school performance.
The new headline is the percentage of students attaining an A*-C grade in English and maths, which has increased by five per cent, from 58.3 per cent in 2015 to 63.2 per cent this year. An impressive 23 schools so far have achieved more than 60 per cent.
The percentage of students attaining A*-C in English is currently 73.5 per cent for 2016 and compares to 67.6 per cent last year, an increase of 5.9 per cent. Four of the 45 schools achieved 100 per cent in this measure.
The percentage of A*-C in maths is currently showing as 69.8 per cent for 2016, 1.8 per cent up on last year. Six of the 45 schools achieved 100 per cent in this measure
The government has been keen to emphasise the importance of the English Baccalaureate as this measure supports as many students as possible to achieve A*-C grades in a broad range of academic subjects. The percentage achieving the English Baccalaureate is 29.4 per cent for 2016 compared to 27.2 per cent in 2015 - an increase of 2.2 per cent on last year.
So far 24 schools have shown improvement on last year in this measure, with 12 of those schools improving by over five per cent points on last year.
Coun Patricia Bradwell, executive councillor for children’s services, said: “It’s looking like another impressive set of results this year. In particular, the percentage of students achieving the English Baccalaureate at 29.4 per cent is a significant improvement.
“Students deserve every credit for their commitment to reach their potential. Remember, if you haven’t got the results you need, don’t panic, there is plenty of advice and help out there – go to www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/teeninfolincs.”
Debbie Barnes, director of children’s services, added: “We have yet to see how the final figures will pan out, but the picture is showing that our students have done incredibly well to maintain improvements and standards. Schools continue to excel in providing the platform for students to perform to their best.
“Teachers, parents and carers deserve praise for their support and encouragement. My congratulations to all students and best wishes for your future plans.”

Continued improvements in GCSE results across Lincolnshire


Early indications of GCSE results across Lincolnshire show continued improvements this year.


Bradley Wells’ derby-day double earned three points for Spalding United despite a dream start by Stamford.
The Daniels went ahead after just 80 seconds at the Sir Halley Stewart Field on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon.
Peter Denton’s goal-kick was flicked on for Ryan Robbins to slot the ball beyond Michael Duggan into the bottom corner of the net.
The Tulips were level on eight minutes as Wells headed home Paul Walker’s assist.
Spalding took control with Wells’ eighth goal in just five appearances, slotting home from close range following Matt Varley’s long throw-in.
Delroy Gordon should have levelled in first-half stoppage-time but Stamford struggled to create chances after the break.
Mixed emotions on the final whistle
Tom Batchelor was fortunate to escape a red card for an apparent stamp on Wells who went close to completing his hat-trick, only to be denied by Denton at the end.
EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE
First Division South: AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2 Bedworth 0, Basford 1 Chasetown 2, Belper 1 Gresley 2, Leek 2 Kidsgrove 2, Loughborough Dynamo 1 Lincoln 0, Romulus 2 Newcastle 1, Rugby 0 Carlton 1, Shaw Lane 2 Northwich 2, Spalding 2 Stamford 1, Stocksbridge Park Steels 2 Sheffield 1, Witton 3 Market Drayton 1.

DERBY DAY: Bank holiday round-up and results


Bradley Wells’ derby-day double earned three points for Spalding United despite a dream start by Stamford.


The focus switches back to picking up league points before Deeping Rangers aim for a cup upset.
They booked a home tie against Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division South side Gresley who beat Loughborough University 4-1 on Saturday.
There will be £3,000 prize money at stake in the Emirates FA Cup first qualifying round on September 3.
But Deeping boss Michael Goode insists they must take confidence from Saturday’s win over Wroxham into the ChromaSport & Trophies United Counties League Premier Division game away to Kirby Muxloe.
Goode said: “We’ve talked about having good periods of play which we will always get as a team because we are a good footballing side.
“We need to be better when we are not in possession or under the cosh and I thought we did that.
We had five clear-cut chances and took two of them. I don’t think they had one. Michael Goode
“In the second half it looked like we had weathered an early storm but we had two or three chances to clear the ball before they scored.
“In the past three games when we have conceded we have shrunk a little bit.
“But we know we have still got good players who will create chances. We had five clear-cut chances and took two of them. I don’t think they had one.
“We are a good side at home and if we keep it tight at the back then we will continue to create those chances.
“We won’t think about the next round against Gresley yet but we can go to Kirby Muxloe on Saturday feeling confident.”

FOOTBALL: Deeping Rangers take FA Cup confidence into league trip


The focus switches back to picking up league points before Deeping Rangers aim for a cup upset.


This weekend, Saturday August 20 and Sunday August 21, head to the Museum of Lincolnshire Life in Lincoln for a two day free event called ‘The Great War’.
The event is based on the life of children in 1916 and how the war had it’s affect.
Activities on offer include the Time Will Tell theatre which is based around Girl Guides and Boy Scouts who helped out in the war.
There is also other shows including the ‘Mr Alexander’s Travelling show’ and ‘Pavilion Pierrots’.
Jon Hogan, public engagement manager, said: “Children were part of the war effort in the First World War, particularly the Scouts and Guides who did all kinds of things, from delivering messages for MI5 to knitting socks to keep soldiers warm in the trenches.
“This weekend you can find out more about what children did and how life was for them.
“There will be live theatre telling the story of Guides and Scouts, and showcasing of some of the popular family entertainment common in the 1910s.
“With performances across the weekend, just turn up and join in the fun - and it’s all free!”
The Museum of Lincolnshire Life is open daily, 10am - 4:30pm.
All the details about this weekends events are avilable at https://lincolncastle.com/content/childs-war

FREE ‘The Great War’ Event at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life


This weekend, Saturday August 20 and Sunday August 21, head to the Museum of Lincolnshire Life in Lincoln for a two day free event called ‘The Great War’.


Nodding off in the middle of the day may be down to pollution generated by traffic, suggests new research.
The study shows exposure to traffic pollution is a trigger for daytime sleepiness - and may also trigger SNORING.
More than 12,000 adults were included in the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE) study.
The findings show that people exposed to high levels of pollution had a 65 per cent greater chance of suffering from daytime sleepiness, compared to those who had no exposure.
Traffic noise in the bedroom was also a trigger - with people 46 per cent more likely to feel sleepy in the day if exposed.
And the research also suggests that people are also 29 per cent more likely to be a habitual snorer if they are exposed to traffic noise while they sleep.
Daytime sleepiness affected one in five people involved in the study, while one in four reported habitual snoring.
Ane Johannessen, an epidemiologist at Bergen University in Norway, wrote the study together with Professor Thorarinn Gislason and other Northern European researchers.
She said: “Exposure to traffic should be taken into account when planning treatment for patients with sleep disturbances, because reducing noise and pollution exposure in the bedroom may have a beneficial effect.
“Reducing exposure through relocating the bedroom away from pollution sources or making the bedroom more soundproof to protect against traffic noise, as well as mapping alternative and less polluted outdoor everyday routes may help patients with their sleep disorders.”
The study also showed that men, older subjects, smokers and those with lower education were more likely to report habitual snoring.
They were usually less physically active, with a higher BMI, and more likely to have a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
Women, older people, smokers, and those with lower education were more likely to report daytime sleepiness.
The new research is due to be presented at the European Respiratory Society’s International Congress in London next month.
Professor Jorgen Vestbo, President of ERS and Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Manchester, said: “The question of who snores may be a running joke in some households but for many snoring is a serious issue, with direct links to physical and mental well being and the same is true for daytime sleepiness.
“We want people to think more about the environment around them and the impact it can have - from the way they sleep to the air they breathe.”
To coincide with Congress, the ERS will be holding some free public lung function testing, starting in Trafalgar Square on September 2 and 3.

Sleepiness linked to traffic noise and pollution


Visit now for the offbeat news - from the Rutland & Stamford Mercury


Any interest Bourne Town had in this season’s UCL KO Cup effectively ended inside the first half at The Abbey Lawn.
The Wakes went behind warly when a Matt Sparrow free kick was spilled by Alex Brown for Tom Carroll to slot home.
Sparrow’s pace was posing problems for the Bourne defence and the Yaxley wide man made it 2-0 when the Wakes lost possession in their half for Charley Sanders to pick his team-mate out with a first-time pass to score.
Bourne striker Zak Munton shot wide from 18 yards and George Couzens went close from a corner before half time.
But shortly after it, Sparrow hit the post after rounding Brown and Sanders was given a straight red card for a bad foul on JonJo Roberts.
Dan Cotton finished the game off, poking home a Michael Mackrell cross.

MATCH VERDICT: Bourne Town in cup exit after clinical Yaxley take chances


Any interest Bourne Town had in this season’s UCL KO Cup effectively ended inside the first half at The Abbey Lawn.


A recruitment firm has been named the best company in the UK for work-life balance.
Financial recruiter Goodman Masson took first place in the list by jobs site Glassdoor, based on reviews submitted to its website by current and former staff.
The company, which is based in London and also has offices in Dusseldorf, was praised by staff for its “huge investment” in staff benefits and “great” parties twice a year.
“The attention paid to the wellbeing of staff is at a level rarely matched elsewhere,” said an anonymous employee working in the London office.
In second place was technology firm Cisco Systems, and in third place was insurer HomeServe.
West Midlands-based HomeServe, which employs 1,200 people at its headquarters in Walsall and has 2.1 million customers in the UK, was commended for its attitude towards the treatment of its staff.
“The salary is very competitive and you are rewarded very generously for your hard work and just for carrying out your role. The company has a great framework for career progression and is always looking to promote people internally for job roles,” said a water supply engineer working at the firm.
Greg Reed, chief marketing officer at HomeServe, said: “We believe if you take care of your people, they will take care of your customers. This means creating a culture where people genuinely enjoy coming to work every day because they feel what they do really makes a difference in our customers’ lives.”
Temping firm LOLA and Screwfix completed the top five. Other companies in the top 20 included Apple, American Express Lloyds Banking Group, Unilever and John Lewis.
Google is known for its plush offices, but doesn’t make the top 20 companies for work-life balance. Its new London office has sleep pods so workers can take a nap, although perhaps this is an indication of long hours.
For a company to have been considered, at least 50 work-life balance ratings must have been submitted by UK-based employees in the past year.
The top 20 companies for work-life balance:
1. Goodman Masson
2. Cisco Systems
3. HomeServe UK
4. LOLA Staffing
5. Screwfix
6. American Express
7. BP
8. Peninsula Business Services
9. ARM Holdings
10. Unilever
11.Thomson Reuters
12. Kantar Worldpanel
13. Atkins
14. Téléfonica
15. Credit Suisse
16. Rolls-Royce
17. John Lewis
18. Waitrose
19. Lloyds Banking Group
20. Apple

Revealed: The top UK companies for work-life balance


The boss of a landscape gardening company is celebrating after winning a gold medal at the Sandringham Flower Show.
The one-day event, which attracts around 25,000 visitors each year, features show gardens built to a standard to rival any of the major horticultural shows.
Jonny Baker, who runs Whissendine-based Farm and Garden Ltd, entered a show garden for the 13th time and was delighted to finally win a gold medal.
He said: “We’ve plenty of silvers and silver-gilts over the years, but this is our first gold so I’m really happy.”
The 8m x 8m garden was designed in association with the Norfolk branch of the Guide Dogs For the Blind Association to mark the charity’s 85th year.
It featured lots of planting and a mixture of textures underfoot – for the benefit of partially-sighted visitors – including bark, gravel and turf.
Jonny, far left, and his team built it from scratch in less than four days.
Judging was carried out by well-known gardeners and broadcasters Alan Mason and Chris Beardshaw.
Jonny’s team raised around £1,000 for Guide Dogs through collection buckets and by selling food and drinks during the garden construction process.

Gold medal glory as Sandringham Flower Show for landscape firm’s stunning garden


The boss of a landscape gardening company is celebrating after winning a gold medal at the Sandringham Flower Show.


Ann Boulton rounds up this week’s Lincs ECB Premier action...
On a good day for batting that brought three centuries, Obus Pienaar hit an unbeaten 122 to break the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League runs record, set by his predecessor at Sleaford, Tim McIntosh.
With three matches to go, the South African now has 1,394 runs for the season, with nine centuries.
Bracebridge Heath have a 22 point lead at the top, while below them Grantham head a chasing pack of four separated by just 15 points.
The top two played the bottom two and both took a gamble by declaring, only to see their opponents put up spirited performances to hang on to their wickets and earn a draw.
Bracebridge hosted Grimsby, declaring after 47 overs on 282 for five, Kit Spence unbeaten on 78 and Carl Stubbs hitting 51.
Brett Houston dismissed both Grimsby openers for 37 runs but Steve Crossley and Jack Wilson added 82.
When Crossley was out, Grimsby lost their next four wickets for 17 runs to make it 138 for seven but Hayden Tice and brother Harrison steadied the ship with a partnership of 41 and Hayden was unbeaten on 34 as the innings closed on 187 for eight, earning the visitors a valuable six points.
Nettleham fared even better at Grantham who declared after 42 overs on 253 for three.
Ross Carnelley scored his maiden century for the club in the ECB Premier League, carrying his bat with 115 while Dan Freeman made a welcome return to the batting line-up after injury to hit 55, this partnership putting on 127 for the third wicket.
Nettleham’s first wicket fell on 15 and the second on 60 but the visiting batsmen took advantage of a good batting track to score at a steady rate, Rhett Bridgens hitting 60.
From 170 for five, Jack Curtis and Connor Hawkins joined forces to bat out their 58 overs and take their side to 225 for five at the close.
This gave Nettleham nine points, closing the gap on Grimsby and both sides now have 10th placed Skegness in their sights after the seasiders suffered a heavy defeat at Bourne.
Jack Berry was once again the pick of the bowling, taking six for 45 as Skegness collapsed from 63 for one to 95 all out. Bourne lost two early wickets but an unbeaten 40 from Carl Wilson saw the home side to a six wicket win.
The closest game of the day was at Boston where Woodhall Spa’s innings closed on 223 for nine, Jack Timby making 60 and Jack Luffman 52.
Boston’s first wicket fell on eight but this brought Jonny Cheer to the crease and the chase was on as Cheer shared a third wicket stand of 81 with Liam Sparke.
Ross Dixon’s two dismissals made it 149 for five but this was to be Woodhall’s last success as Cheer and Tom Baxter pushed the total ever closer.
Going into the penultimate over, 22 were needed for victory but the batsman could make only six and eight more runs off the final over left the home side just eight short, Cheer with an unbeaten 113.
Pienaar’s century helped Sleaford to 247 for six at the close and Lindum suffered an early blow, losing two wickets for just 23 runs.
From here, Dwight Thomas brought some stability to the innings and when the West Indian was out for 89, the total had reached 170 for six.
Three more wickets fell but Lindum’s final pair dug in to take the final score to 208 for nine.
Keaton Critchell almost joined the century makers with 94 at Louth whose innings closed on 226 for nine at home to Market Deeping.
Tom Corden, who had earlier hit an unbeaten 31, then took five Deeping wickets as the visitors finished on 191 for nine, Patrick Harrington hitting 49.
Results: Skegness 95 (Berry 6-45), Bourne 99-4; Woodhall Spa 223-9 (J. Timby 60, Luffman 52), Boston 216-5 (Cheer 113no); Grantham 253-3 dec (42 overs) (Freeman 55, Carnelley 115no), Nettleham 225-5 (Bridgens 60); Sleaford 247-6 (Pienaar 122no), Lindum 208-9 (Thomas 89); Louth 226-9 (Critchell 94), Market Deeping 191-9 (Corden 5-76); Bracebridge Heath 282-5 dec (47 overs) (Spence 78no, Stubbs 51), Grimsby Town 187-8 (Crossley 68).


Ann Boulton rounds up this week’s Lincs ECB Premier action...


The types of cookies we, our ad network and technology partners use are listed below:
Revenue Science ► A tool used by some of our advertisers to target adverts to you based on pages you have visited in the past. To opt out of this type of targeting you can visit the 'Your Online Choices' website by clicking here.
Google Ads ► Our sites contain advertising from Google; these use cookies to ensure you get adverts relevant to you. You can tailor the type of ads you receive by visiting here or to opt out of this type of targeting you can visit the 'Your Online Choices' website by clicking here.
Digital Analytics ► This is used to help us identify unique visitors to our websites. This data is anonymous and we cannot use this to uniquely identify individuals and their usage of the sites.
Dart for Publishers ► This comes from our ad serving technology and is used to track how many times you have seen a particular ad on our sites, so that you don't just see one advert but an even spread. This information is not used by us for any other type of audience recording or monitoring.
ComScore ► ComScore monitor and externally verify our site traffic data for use within the advertising industry. Any data collected is anonymous statistical data and cannot be traced back to an individual.
Local Targeting ► Our Classified websites (Photos, Motors, Jobs and Property Today) use cookies to ensure you get the correct local newspaper branding and content when you visit them. These cookies store no personally identifiable information.
Grapeshot ► We use Grapeshot as a contextual targeting technology, allowing us to create custom groups of stories outside out of our usual site navigation. Grapeshot stores the categories of story you have been exposed to. Their privacy policy and opt out option can be accessed here.
Subscriptions Online ► Our partner for Newspaper subscriptions online stores data from the forms you complete in these to increase the usability of the site and enhance user experience.
Add This ► Add This provides the social networking widget found in many of our pages. This widget gives you the tools to bookmark our websites, blog, share, tweet and email our content to a friend.


Gretton Music Festival is taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, from Friday, August 26 to Monday, August 29.


Two bystanders tried to save the life of a man after his car went into a river in Crowland last night, it has emerged today.
Firefighters were helped by two men who went to the accident scene off Deeping High Bank, Crowland, at about 8pm on Wednesday.
Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian reader Alison Rolfe
Two people were rescued from a Volkswagen Golf that ended up in the River Welland, near the A16, and then taken to Peterborough City Hospital where one of the occupants, a man, later died.
A message posted on our Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian Facebook page by reader Alison Rolfe said: “I think a mention should go out to the two brave men, one of which was my dad, who dived in to try to save the man before the emergency services arrived.
“My dad, who is 67, did it with no thought for himself and our thoughts go out to the family of the person (who died)”.
However, another patient is still being treated there and a spokesman for East Midlands Ambulance Service said: “We received a call yesterday at 8.09pm to Deeping High Bank, Crowland, where the caller reported a car in a river.
“We sent ambulances to the scene, backed up by three responders from LIVES, and two patients were taken to Peterborough City Hospital.”
Despite the efforts of firefighters from Crowland and a specialist water rescue team from Spalding, the man is the 39th person to die on Lincolnshire’s roads this year.
A spokesman for South Lincolnshire Coroner’s Office said: “We are still waiting for information from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Coroner’s Offices about the person who has passed away.
“Our expectation is that the coroner’s office in Peterborough will pass the case to us and as soon as we get the details, we will move the case forward.”
THURSDAY 9.10AM: Man dies in Crowland river crash
A man has died after a car entered the river near Crowland.
The incident happened around 8pm last night on (Wednesday) in the B1166 Deeping High Bank.
The man was rescued from VW Golf and taken to Peterborough hospital but he sadly died.
A Lincolnshire police spokesman said: “Identification procedures are ongoing so we are unable to confirm any further details about the victim at this time. A recovery operation is underway to remove the vehicle from the water.”
Any witnesses who have not already spoken to officers at the scene are asked to call the Collision Witness Hotline on 01522 558855.
This death brings to 39 the number killed on Lincolnshire’s roads in 2016.
I think a mention should go out to the 2 brave men, one of which was my dad, who dived in to try to save the man before the emergency services arrived.
At 67 and no thought for himself, that’s our dad AAlison RolfeMMolly Louise BaileyTThomas Baileythoughts go out to the family of the person

UPDATE THURSDAY 2.25PM: Frantic efforts to save man who died in Crowland river crash


Two bystanders tried to save the life of a man after his car went into a river in Crowland last night, it has emerged today.


Kirkstone House School, Baston, kept true to its motto of “Where the individual counts” after two of its star pupils produced “superb” GCSE results.
Head boy Matthew Hunt and head girl Charlotte Thurston led by example, gaining 22 GCSEs between them with grades of mostly A* and A.
Matthew and Charlotte automatically become members of the school’s Old Students’ Association and headteacher Corinne Jones said “We are absolutely thrilled at the superb results the school has achieved this year.”
Writing on the school’s website, Mrs Jones added: “As Headmistress, I am extremely proud of the school’s achievements, both academically and in terms of the many varied activities in which pupils are engaged.
“We are an entirely inclusive school, accepting pupils of all abilities, and our success lies in the fact that we enable all to achieve both their personal and academic potential.
“We never lose sight of the individual at the heart of all we do and our mission statement is that ‘The Individual Counts’.
We are absolutely thrilled at the superb results the school has achieved this year Corinne Jones, Headmistress, Kirkstone House School, Baston
“As a school, we understand that happy, well-motivated pupils who have excellent self-esteem, who care for themselves and for each other, are what makes a school a success.”

Head students lead the way at Kirkstone House School, Baston


Kirkstone House School, Baston, kept true to its motto of “Where the individual counts” after two of its star pupils produced “superb” GCSE results.


A lucky ticket holder from Bourne scooped a £200 prize in the weekly Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance draw.


Penalty box predator Scott Mooney earned another ‘giant-killing act’ for Deeping Rangers.
Last season’s 25-goal haul included a double to knock out higher-level side Leek Town in a replay on an unforgettable night at the Haydon Whitham Stadium.
A couple of clinical finishes on Saturday sent them into the first qualifying round again, this time at the expense of Ryman League North Division club Wroxham.
A dominant first-half display was rewarded five minutes before the break as Dan Schiavi released Mooney who held off a defender then fired low past keeper Elliott Pride.
After the Yachtsmen had levelled, Mooney made it 2-1 midway through the second half.
Left-back Tom Smith’s long clearance put Scott Coupland into space and he unselfishly squared for Mooney who took a touch to steady himself for a shot into the bottom corner of the net.
The winning goal by Scott Mooney
A hat-trick opportunity just moments later flashed wide and Deeping really should have gone on to win by a bigger margin.
Schiavi’s role at the top of a midfield diamond saw him at the centre of the first-half action – forcing a couple of saves and setting up a chance for Mooney.
In the early exchanges Schiavi and Mooney both went past Pride but Deeping couldn’t quite find the killer instinct at that stage.
Dan Flack’s effort at the end of a fantastic move was disallowed for offside and in stoppage-time Coupland couldn’t find a way past Pride.
Captain David Burton-Jones wins an aerial duel
Richard Stainsby’s only save – tipping over a 20-yard drive from Kyle Baker – came just before the leveller.
Wroxham captain Payton Swatman delivered a corner to the near post where Jordan Rocastle squeezed it home.
But Deeping know they will always create chances and it’s usually a question of how many can they convert into goals?
Mooney duly restored the advantage with his fifth goal in five games so far this term.
Deeping v Wroxham
Coupland’s far-post shot was cleared off the line while Pride denied Mooney and substitute Will Bird.
At the other end, there was nothing being given away from a defence marshalled by assistant-manager Jack Marsden against one of his former clubs.
Deeping stuck to their style of playing ‘the right way’ and got their rewards thanks to the natural finishing skills of Mooney who doesn’t panic inside the 18-yard area.
Victory was fully deserved so Gresley must be wary of what could happen to them in the next round.
DEEPING RANGERS
4-1-2-1-2: Stainsby 6; Flack 7, Hunnings 7, Marsden 7, Smith 7; Burton-Jones 7; Coulson 7 (sub Kilbride 84 mins), Avis 7; Schiavi 7 (sub Dunn 55 mins, 7); Mooney 8, Coupland 7 (sub Bird 78 mins). Subs not used: Madigan, Lewis, Bircham.
WROXHAM
4-2-3-1: Pride; S Taylor, Lewis, Ebbage, Ramm; Swatman, Guyton (sub Harty 63 mins); Garrod, Sweeney (sub A Taylor 72 mins), Baker; Rocastle (sub Fowkes 69 mins).
REFEREE
Ashley List.
GOALS
Mooney (40 mins, 1-0); Rocastle (54 mins, 1-1); Mooney (67 mins, 2-1).
BOOKINGS
Schiavi (dive); Flack (foul).
ATTENDANCE
85
STAR MAN
Scott Mooney – deadly double.
ENTERTAINMENT
★★★★
WHO’S NEXT
Kirby Muxloe (A) – UCL Premier Division, Saturday.

MATCH VERDICT: Deeping Rangers on cup run again


Penalty box predator Scott Mooney earned another ‘giant-killing act’ for Deeping Rangers.


A drummer from Bourne is busy preparing for the biggest gigs of his life at the hugely popular Reading and Leeds Festivals.
Chemistry graduate Finn Mclean, 23, a member of the up and coming four-piece band Mowbeck, today spoke of his excitement ahead of the performances which will take place over the bank holiday weekend.
Finn, who is currently living with his parents Brian and Nicola in Beech Avenue, Bourne, after finishing his degree at the University of Nottingham, joined the band in February last year.
Mowbeck’s members were ecstatic when they received an e-mail three weeks ago telling them they were one of 30 bands selected from 300 nominated by BBC DJs to perform on the BBC Introducing stage.
More than 160,000 are expected to attend the Reading and Leeds Festivals, with Mowbeck set to appear at Bramham Park, Leeds, on Friday August 26 and at Richfield Avenue, Reading, two days later.
Finn said: “I’m really excited about playing at such a big festival – it’s an honour and we are determined to make the most of it.
“The band has been going for a couple of years but we hit the ground running and have been doing a lot of gigs and getting a lot of positive feedback.”
The group describe their music as ‘grit pop’, popular music with a grittier edge.
They got their first break after catching the attention of Dean Jackson, a DJ who discovers new artists in the East Midlands, and earned them regular airplay on BBC local radio stations all over the country.
Two sold-out support shows with Canadian rock band Arkells, in Manchester and London, led to them being played for the first time on BBC Radio 1 by top DJ Huw Stephens.
Mowbeck is made up of Finn on the drums, singer Andy Thomas from Grantham, bassist Phil Clark and Lee Hamilton-Cooper on guitar.
Since leaving university, former Bourne Grammar School pupil Finn has been working as a session drummer and music teacher.
He was invited to join Mowbeck after Andy and Phil saw drumming videos he had uploaded to YouTube.
Finn added: “The BBC Introducing stage has helped launch the careers of big acts including Florence and the Machine, Bastille and Catfish and the Bottlemen so we’re excited to be following in their footsteps.
“As far as I’m concerned, there’s no great secret to having a successful music career – for me it’s all about putting the hours in, and that’s what we are doing.”
The lads are hoping to meet some of their heroes back stage at the Reading and Leeds Festivals - headline acts on the main stage include Biffy Clyro, Fall Out Boy, The Vaccines and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Drummer is ready to rock at Reading and Leeds Festivals


A drummer from Bourne is busy preparing for the biggest gigs of his life at the hugely popular Reading and Leeds Festivals.


Bourne Town boss Jimmy McDonnell was happy to share the celebrations and credit after their first home win of the season.
The Wakes came from behind thanks to second-half goals from captain Dan Smith and top scorer Zak Munton.
Having collected a single point from three previous games at Abbey Lawn, they got a maximum haul against Irchester United on Saturday afternoon in the ChromaSport & Trophies United Counties League Division One.
McDonnell said: “It feels very good, to be honest.
“But I’ve had my go and enjoyed it so I want to give credit to all the lads.
“They deserved it because we got 100 per cent from every single one of them and I really couldn’t have asked for any more.
First-half action at Abbey Lawn on Saturday
“It wasn’t just a battle – we played our way and scored good goals against a decent side who wouldn’t surprise me if they finished around the top end of the table.
“Our lads have quality and hopefully they will believe in themselves.
“I can’t fault anyone and it’s a squad game now where everyone will be involved.
“We’ve got local lads and it means a lot to me as well.
We’re a proper little family club without any big finances but credit to those who put all the effort in. Jimmy McDonnell
“On Saturday we could go all home happy but we’ve got that togetherness as a club.
“Those lads can go on to play at a higher level but they will only leave if it’s the right move.
“It’s a good day all round for everyone – and it’s not just about the players. We’ve got committee members who are working hard around the ground at 8am.
“We won’t get carried away by one result and we’ve got a tough cup game at home to Yaxley on Tuesday night.
“I didn’t want to be one of those managers who kept saying after 10, 12 or 14 games that we would turn the corner and get another win.
“At some point you have got to do it and there are fine margins which all add up.
“We all like to win but I’d give credit to everyone in the UCL because we don’t do it for the money. We could play for a village side for nothing and just give it 70 per cent.
“I wanted to come back on board because certain things have not been right for a long time but now everyone here is working together.
“We’re a proper little family club without any big finances but credit to those who put all the effort in.”

FOOTBALL: Feelgood factor for Bourne Town


Bourne Town boss Jimmy McDonnell was happy to share the celebrations and credit after their first home win of the season.


Blackstones Bowls Club duo Darren Middleton and Stephen Harris are celebrating winning the Under 25 Open Pairs competition at the prestigious English Bowls Federation finals at Skegness.
The pair were clear underdogs going into the final, at the Suncastle greens, against Nottinghamshire’s Will Marshall (Teversall) and Jack Emmerson (Bottesford), who had earlier eclipsed tournament favourites Jonathan West and Ashley Caress (Lincs) 23-3 in the semi-finals.
But with 24-year-old lead Middleton finding his length on the trickier swinging hand and Harris (19) showing composure under pressure at skip, belying his tender years, they took control by midway with a 12-5 lead.Open
The Nottinghamshire pair struck back in a purple patch to trail only 13-11 after 16 ends but the Blackstones young guns picked up five shots in the next three ends and they were able to concede only one on the 20th end to still win 18-12.
An emotional Darren cried tears of joy but Stephen showed little emotion, despite having the previous day reached the final of the Under 25 singles, only to lose 18-21 to West, who is the boyfriend of his sister Louise.
The victory completed a good tournament for Northants county bowlers with Peterborough-based Mick Duell triumphing in the veteran singles, following Ketton bowler Bob Warters’ success in it the previous year.
Another Blackstones pair - Nick Wilkie and Paul Buckley - failed to advance past the first round of the senior pairs, losing out by 19-12 to a strong Derbyshire duo who eventually lost in the final.
Langtoft’s Peter Cox produced some high quality bowls in the first round of the two-bowl singles to beat Notts’ Russell Pearce 21-8 but admitted he was out-bowled in his next match against Christian Lowings (Northumberland) - a 19- year-old who wasn’t even born the last time Cox had qualified for the Skegness finals.
It was not such a memorable a week for the Northants women but Ketton’s qualifiers in the three-bowl women’s triples featured in one of the most thrilling matches of the week.
Carol Warters, Shirley Suffling and Christine Ford looked to be heading for an early exit when they trailed Suffolk 15-3 at halfway but they staged an amazing comeback to level the scores with the last of the 21 ends to play.
With Northants holding two shots, Suffolk took the jack into the ditch to reduce the deficit but Carol, who had earlier switched to skip, as the rules allow, drew to within four feet of the jack to regain the advantage and when Suffolk’s skip came up short with her last bowl, cheers rang out from the contingent of Ketton supporters flanking the green.
Sadly the trio’s joy only lasted overnight. In the morning they were beaten by Northumberland in the two-bowl rinks in which they had also qualified and then went out to a formidable Derbyshire outfit in the three-bowl discipline.
l Stephen Harris will be in action again this weekend when he represents Lincolnshire in the Bowls England Under 25 doubles rink semi-finals. at Leamington.
He will be lead in Jordan Philpott’s rink against Oxfordshire, while West will play number three to Ashley Caress. Winners will play either Devon or Essex.


Visit now for the more sport news - direct from the Rutland & Stamford Mercury


Video game escapism in its purest form.
No Man’s Sky in undeniably a work of art, but have you got time to look around the whole gallery?
No Man’s Sky launched last week after much hype and billed as quite literally the biggest video game ever made.
The self-perpetuating game, which promises to be potentially endless, was four years in the making by a tiny team in game production terms. And you can tell as it will instantly take your breath away.
Make no mistake there has never been anything like this before. As you fly ever deeper into the universe, new planets and solar systems roll silently into view – some will have been seen before, others discovered for the very first time. And you have 18 quintillion of them to choose from...
Each has its own set of flora, fauna and inhabitants. By exploring, players gain information about the planets that they can submit to The Atlas, a universal database that can be shared with other players of the game and for which they are rewarded in currency each time.
Each planet is a work of art you could spend hours studying, analysing and dissecting. These works of art are housed in an endless gallery and for art connoisseurs it will be Manna from heaven.
However, most people’s playing time will be finite.... unless you’re at university and can afford to miss the odd class here and there to squeeze in just one more exploration of a peculiar alien planet.
And that is where one of the game’s key sticking points comes in. As much as No Man’s Sky takes us to Infinity and leaves us wondering what waits beyond, there is also an almost irresistible itch which you can’t scratch because you can never truly “complete” this game in the traditional sense.
But that is very much a personal take on NMS, many people might enjoy jumping on for a couple of hours here and there, discovering lots of different things and logging it to the Atlas, if anything it could be cathartic but many people like a beginning, a middle and an end to their games.
No Mans Sky is undeniably a work of art
The care, thought, time and brilliance that has gone into this utterly original video game is mindblowing and deserves to be experienced by PlayStation gamers.
It is the purest form of video game escapism we have ever seen and should be celebrated as such.
But it will more likely go down as a cult classic than the blockbuster success it’s craft deserves.


Visit now for gadgets & tech news and features from the Rutland & Stamford Mercury


Residents are being given the opportunity to comment on Langham Parish Council’s draft neighbourhood plan after proposals were submitted to Rutland County Council for independent examination.
The neighbourhood plan sets out the Parish Council’s views on how Langham should be developed over the next 20 years and has been prepared following consultation with the local community. It includes policies for housing, cultural heritage, the natural environment, community and the economy.
The draft plan is being published for six weeks, with residents invited to share their views before September 23.
All comments should be submitted to Rutland County Council during this period, after which they will be considered by an independent examiner.
Langham’s draft neighbourhood plan can be viewed at www.rutland.gov.uk/neighbourhoodplans
Copies of the plan are also available at Langham Village Hall, the County Council’s Offices in Oakham and at local libraries.
Following the consultation, an independent examiner will consider any comments made and decide whether the proposed neighbourhood plan meets basic legal conditions. If these are met, the plan can proceed to a village referendum where a vote of more than 50 per cent will be required to bring it into force.
Further information can be found online at www.rutland.gov.uk/neighbourhoodplans

Have your say on neighbourhood plan for Langham


Residents are being given the opportunity to comment on Langham Parish Council’s draft neighbourhood plan after proposals were submitted to Rutland County Council for independent examination.


Deus Ex has you spoilt for choice.
Mankind Divided and so am I when it comes to reviewing the latest Deus Ex game after its launch last week.
There is so much to rave about in DEMD and I’m still enjoying it now over a week into the game.
But there are a number of elements which do not quite sit right with me.
Let’s start with the positives, though, and there are plenty of them.
There is layer upon layer in this game all expertly crafted together and beautifully designed.
The gameplay stands up to the high standards set by previous Deus Ex games and goes beyond them in many respects.
This is a game that will suit all types of gamers too.
Looking for a quick blast for an hour, you can jump on and get enough done to enjoy the experience, looking for longer, more involved sessions on your console then the gameplay rewards your patience, curiosity and creativity.
You play augmented human Jensen who is essentially the most deadly Power Ranger on the planet. I mean this guy has everything and would even give Superman a run for his money.
There are so many options to negotiate each scenario
And this is where my first problem lies with DEMD.
Sometimes, dare I say it, there are so many options available to you, so many ways to deal with scenarios and enemies and so much in your arsenal, it actually feels a bit ... easy.
‘Ramp up the difficulty setting!’ I hear you cry.
Well yes there’s that but my point is no matter what level you are playing at, Jensen just has too much at his disposal for his enemies to trouble him.
Sometimes, dare I say it, there are so many options available to you, so many ways to deal with scenarios and enemies and so much in your arsenal, it actually feels a bit ... easy. Damien Lucas, gaming columnist
But don’t get me wrong it’s still great fun entering a room littered with foes and walking out past a pile of them without breaking a sweat.
Another thing that doesn’t quite land for me is the Apartheid type references between the humans (naturals) and the augmented race. It is a poor attempt to give the storyline resonance with real life - for example there are posters dotted around saying things like ‘Augmented Lives Matter’ and it just feels a little frivolous.
I’m being hyper critical, though, and Deus Ex will go down as one of the games of the year of that there is no doubt.
Rating: 8.5/10

Console Corner: Deus Ex Mankind Divided review


‘The disc’s diversity feels less like a contrivance and more like a genuine sharing out of talents (David Kidman, Fatea)
Tales from the Tulgey Wood by Pennyless, Pennyless Music
Fairport Convention’s Liege and Leif, Songs of Leonard Cohen, The Times They Are A-Changin’ by Bob Dylan and Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel.
All these albums are considered not just classics, but a commentary on a generation and the ondition of our times.
When Pennyless band released their third album, Tales from the Tulgey Wood in 2012, it prompted one reviewer to call it as “far removed from big beards and knitting your own cider as possible”.
Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, including the name Tulgey Wood itself and the opening track Jabberwocky, Pennyless weave a magic spell that the same reviewer fittingly called “one of the few times that an album can be described as ‘a mixed bag’ in a nice way”.
There are instrumentals with Napoleon Crossing the Alps/Matterhornpipe, Catharsis/Repression and Romanian Circle Dance, while guitarist Les Woods becomes Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits) and Ralph McTell with Way Over Yonder and The Caretaker.
Despite the jigs and reels, occasional tweeness and a plethora of instruments, the Neil Young-esque Way Over Yonder, Winter Is Gone and The Caretaker make this an album far removed from big beards and knitting your own cider as possible Simon Stabler, Urban R(eal)ail Pink
Winter is Gone, Tell it to the Bees and Will o’ the Wisp, Pennyless’s landmark number, make this album an absolute treasure chest.
Review by Winston Brown

ALBUM REVIEW: Ten tracks that define a band and a revolution in the folk genre


Tales from the Tulgey Wood by Pennyless, Pennyless Music


UK motorists have been hit by a near-20 per cent rise in insurance costs in the last year, new figures show.
The average driver now pays £715 a year for fully comprehensive cover, up 19 per cent on the same time last year.
The figures were revealed by the Confused.com car insurance price index, which tracks quarterly and annual trends.
After dropping for several years from a high of £843 in 2011, insurance costs have been rising since the start of 2015. The latest figures, for the period from April to June 2016 show that costs have risen by 6 per cent since the start of the year and drivers are paying an average of £115 more for their insurance than they were in the same period last year.
Northern Irish drivers have been worst hit by the latest rises, seeing their premiums climb 25 per cent year-on-year. They now face an average premium of £863.
Also feeling the impact badly are motorists in parts of Scotland - the Highlands and Islands saw rises of 24 per cent and drivers in the Hebrides were hit with a staggering 42 per cent annual increase.
Conversely, Orkney’s capital - Kirkwall - was one of only two places to see a drop in costs, with a quarterly fall of four per cent. Hereford, in the West Midlands, was the only other place to see a fall in quarterly premiums - down two per cent on the first three months of the year.
While younger drivers might face the highest premiums overall, they have actually escaped the worst of the rises. Drivers aged 17 saw an annual rise of just eight per cent - the lowest of any age bracket - but still face average premiums of £2,013. A the opposite end, 61-year-old drivers saw a 24 per cent rise - the highest of any age group - but still only pay £418 a year.
And the gender gap persists, with male drivers facing annual rises of 21 per cent in comparison with the 18 per cent faced by women. This continued difference means the gap between the sexes is growing as men pay an average of £92 a year more - up from £27 in 2013.
Confused’s motoring editor, Amanda Stretton, said: “We’ve not seen price rises of this magnitude for five years - a 19 per cent annual increase is substantial to say the least. And these price rises are being felt across the board, for drivers of all ages and genders, across all UK regions.
“If prices continues to rise at the rate we’ve been seeing, we could be facing the possibility of average comprehensive premiums reaching a high not seen since 2011. This, combined with rising fuel prices and increased motoring costs across the board, could result in a sizeable dent in drivers’ pockets.”

Car insurance costs soar nearly 20 per cent in 12 months


UK motorists have been hit by a near-20 per cent rise in insurance costs in the last year, new figures show.


Rain sweeping across the county made the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League a programme of one-innings matches, with three teams making it back on to the field but soon returning to the pavilion.
However those innings added two points to Bracebridge Heath’s cushion at the top and took Nettleham to within one point of Grimsby at the bottom.
The day also produced a number of highlights as Obus Pienaar took his runs total to 1452 with 58 at Skegness for whom Tom Cuthbert took five wickets - including bowling Pienaar.
Prasanna Jayawardene hit a century in Woodhall Spa’s 279 for nine against Bourne while Will Wright was unbeaten on 94 when Lindum declared on 225 for two against Grimsby who were 15 without loss when the weather intervened.
Only 36 overs were possible at Grantham who batted first against Market Deeping and were 128 for five, Ben Powell not out on 67.
Boston made 199 for seven off their 50 overs at Nettleham with Liam Sparke hitting 69.
The longest game was at Louth who were restricted to 166 for eight by Bracebridge Heath.
The leaders then lost three wickets and had 48 on the board when rain stopped play in the 14th over.
With two games to go, Bracebridge lead Grantham by 24 runs with Sleaford and Market Deeping not far behind.
At the bottom, Grimsby entertain Skegness on Saturday knowing that a win could push them above their opponents who have a 12 point advantage - but defeat could let in Nettleham if the Lincoln side pick up points at Bourne.
Results: Lindum 225-2 dec (Wright 94no), Grimsby Town 15-0; Grantham 128-5 (Powell 67no) v Market Deeping; Boston 199-7 (Sparke 69). Nettleham 15-0; Woodhall Spa 279-9 (Jayawardene 124) v Bourne; Louth 166-8, Bracebridge Heath 48-3; Sleaford 177 (Pienaar 58, Cuthbert 5-28)) v Skegness.
All abandoned.


Visit now for the latest sports news - from the Rutland & Stamford Mercury, updated daily


Brave youngster Jack Rickard is on the road to recovery after undergoing major surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.
The seven-year-old from Barnack, who suffers from cerebral palsy, underwent a four-hour operation on Friday, August 12.
The procedure, Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR), was carried out by Consultant Paediatric Neurosurgeon Mr Kristian Aquilina.
The intention was to remove most of the spasticity – or stiffness – in Jack’s legs, giving him the best possible chance of living an active life and staying out of a wheelchair.
Speaking to the Mercury from London, Jack’s dad Steve said: “The first two or three days were pretty tough for all of us, but the surgery went well. In fact, the surgeon said it was a textbook operation.
“We think they’ve reduced about 60 per cent of the spasticity in his legs. A lot of the tight muscles have been disabled, his legs are now a lot more wobbly and the physiotherapy to get them stronger and to get Jack walking again has already begun.
“This week has been beautiful. He’s making great progress. Jack can’t currently stand, but he is crawling and we’re looking to come out of this with a really positive result.”
As previously reported, the SDR operation is not currently available on the NHS, so Jack’s parents Steve and Shona launched a big fundraising drive to pay for it themselves.
They have already raised more than £50,000 and are closing in on their £60,000 target.
Steve added: “Immediately after the operation, Jack had to have three days of bed rest which he found difficult but as soon as he was allowed up and helped into a wheelchair his life opened up.
“Jack has now been moved off the ward and all of us – Jack, Shona, Jack’s twin Ava and I – are currently living in a family centre on site and taking him back inside the hospital every day for three hours of physio.
“Mr Aquilina is one of the best in the country at this type of surgery and we are very thankful for his efforts.”
Jack is due to stay in hospital until September 2 and by then he is expected to be up and walking again.
After returning home, he’ll have around six hours of physio a week for two years.
You can follow Jack’s progress at www.facebook.com/JacksJourney6/

Barnack youngster Jack Rickard’s operation at Great Ormong Street Hospital hailed a success


Brave youngster Jack Rickard is on the road to recovery after undergoing major surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.


‘Game abandoned’ was the story of the South Lincolnshire & Border League weekend, with only match getting beyond the tea interval.
The day’s big game between leaders Spalding and second placed Sleaford 2nd ended with Spalding having scored 197 for seven, Hafiz Maheed hitting 80 and Dan Milgate 57.
This gave the top team four points to Sleaford’s three and Spalding now have a 39 point advantage - but with two games in hand, Sleaford are still in with a good chance of the title.
Elsewhere, Dan Reynolds made 62 and Matthew Law 69 in Belton Park’s 215 for seven.
Belton declared in the 36th over in the hope of completing the game but after six overs of the second innings, the weather intervened.
Freiston caught up three points on Spalding 2nd at the top of Division One, their game against Baston lasting 39 overs, sufficient time for both Richard Paul and Abdul Moeed to hit 63 as the players came off with Frieston 166 for two.
Mark Elsom and Dan Nuttall made 70 and 59 respectively in Skegness 2nd’s 205 for four before the rain came in the 42nd over, but only 15 overs were played at Spalding where the leaders were taking on Timberland.
Boston 3rd and Graves Park remain locked in battle for second place in Division Two after their match was rained off with Boston on 49 for six.
Pinchbeck had made 107 for four when the game against Long Sutton 2nd was brought to a close.
Premier Division: Belton Park 215-7 dec (Reynolds 62, M Law 69), Long Sutton 6-0; Woodhall Spa 2nd 93-6 v Bourne 2nd; Boston 2nd 124-3 v Billingborough Grantham 2nd 114-8 v Market Deeping 2nd; Spalding 197-7 (Majeed 80, Milgate 57) v Sleaford 2nd.
Division One: Freiston 166-2 (Paul 63, Moeed 63no), v Baston; Skegness 2nd 205-4 (Elsom 70, Nuttall 59) v Grantham 3rd; Timberland 53-0 v Spalding 2nd; Moulton Harrox conceded to Heckington.
Divison Two: Boston 3rd 49-6 v Graves Park; Pinchbeck 107-4 v Long Sutton 2nd.
All abandoned.


‘Game abandoned’ was the story of the South Lincolnshire & Border League weekend, with only match getting beyond the tea interval.


George Robinson has become the inspiration for a duathlon in Uffington, in order to raise funds and awareness of the teenager’s serious injury.
It’s just over a year since the 18-year-old suffered the life-changing injury while playing rugby with his schoolmates in South Africa.
But since then people have come together as a community to help the family in many ways.
The duathlon which will take place on Saturday, 10 September is a 5k run followed by a 25k bike ride and ends with a final 2.5k run, or alternatively a 50k bike ride.
Aiming for 250 entrants, organisers of the events are urging people to come along to support even if they are not taking part. There is plenty of parking available for the community to support friends and family.
The money invested will go towards a new off road electric chair called the Boma, for George.
Previously money has been invested for physiotherapy which has improved George’s condition tremendously.
Despite George’s condition, he is not letting this dampen his future and wants to live life to the full.
Lots of local businesses are helping with the running of the duathlon in order to help in whichever way they can.
The project is not only helping improve the quality of life for George but also bringing the community together.
It is also raising awareness of George’s condition so other people with the same or a similar condition can be enlightened by George’s determination to make a better life for himself and encourage others who have suffered with spinal cord injuries.
If you would like to be a supporter of #teamgeorge and participate in this duathalon then register online at www.regonline.co.uk/teamgeorgeduathlon.
Goodie bags, which include a #teamgeorge t-shirt are available for participants.
Also don’t forget your smiles and enthusiasm!
For more about #teamgeorge and ways you can donate or raise money, visit teamgeorge.org.uk and follow @teamgeorge37 on Twitter.
Related: Paralysed teen George Robinson is looking to future after rugby accident


Get the latest breaking news from the Rutland & Stamford Mercury - politics, transport, education, health, environment and more, updated daily.


All trains between Peterborough and Grantham are delayed by up to two hours this afternoon, Tuesday August 30.
It is believed the issue is an overhead line failure.
Engineers are investigating but trains are severely delayed in all directions.
A spokesman for Virgin Trains said: “Trains between these stations may be delayed by up to 2 hours or cancelled. Disruption is expected to continue until the end of the day.
“If passengers wish to abandon their journey due to today’s disruption, all tickets will be valid for travel tomorrow.”
Services affected include:
* East Midlands Trains between Norwich and Liverpool Lime Street
* Grand Central between London Kings Cross and Sunderland / Bradford Interchange
* Hull Trains between London Kings Cross and Hull
* Virgin Trains East Coast between London Kings Cross and Leeds / Edinburgh
Virgin Train customers delayed by 30 minutes or more can claim a refund here
More here as we have it...

UPDATE: 2-hour delays on all trains between Peterborough and Grantham to last until end of day


All trains between Peterborough and Grantham are delayed by up to two hours this afternoon, Tuesday August 30.


Bradley Wells’ derby-day double earned three points for Spalding United despite a dream start by Stamford.
The Daniels went ahead after just 80 seconds at the Sir Halley Stewart Field on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon.
Peter Denton’s goal-kick was flicked on for Ryan Robbins to slot the ball beyond Michael Duggan into the bottom corner of the net.
The Tulips were level on eight minutes as Wells headed home Paul Walker’s assist.
Spalding took control with Wells’ eighth goal in just five appearances, slotting home from close range following Matt Varley’s long throw-in.
Delroy Gordon should have levelled in first-half stoppage-time but Stamford struggled to create chances after the break.
Mixed emotions on the final whistle
Tom Batchelor was fortunate to escape a red card for an apparent stamp on Wells who went close to completing his hat-trick, only to be denied by Denton at the end.
EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE
First Division South: AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2 Bedworth 0, Basford 1 Chasetown 2, Belper 1 Gresley 2, Leek 2 Kidsgrove 2, Loughborough Dynamo 1 Lincoln 0, Romulus 2 Newcastle 1, Rugby 0 Carlton 1, Shaw Lane 2 Northwich 2, Spalding 2 Stamford 1, Stocksbridge Park Steels 2 Sheffield 1, Witton 3 Market Drayton 1.

DERBY DAY: Bank holiday round-up and results


Visit now for the latest non league football news - direct from the Rutland & Stamford Mercury