Stamford, Grantham and Spalding letter writers share their views on news stories with LincsOnline
Readers have shared their thoughts on what’s in the news.
Here we share some of the letters, emails and comments that have come in over the week, including this cartoon from John Elson.
Send your letters to: news@lincsonline.co.uk
Poppy Appeal raised a great amount
Once again I must thank the very generous people who live, shop and work in Stamford and surrounding villages. The Poppy Appeal has once again raised a fabulous figure of £53,032.05 up to May 21, 2025.
My very grateful thanks to all of my volunteers who man the Supermarkets during the two weeks of Remembrance. Also to personnel from 3 Mobile Catering Squadron RAF, 20 Works Group and 12 Engineer Group both Royal Engineers all stationed at RAF Wittering.
I must also thank my deputy Peter Wharam who is a great help to me during the Poppy Appeal and the rest of the year.
The three supermarkets we have a stall in raised the following including cash and card donations: Waitrose £15,570.39, Morrisons £14,309.90 and Sainsbury's. £11,878.41.
I thank the management from all three supermarkets who allow us to be there.
Schools this year did exceptionally well with Malcolm Sargent raising £639.27. The total raised by the schools including Ryhall, Great Casterton and Uffington was £1892.21.
Shops and businesses in the town raised £2,239.03
Easton on the Hill also support the appeal with a collection on Remembrance Sunday raising £186.84.
My very grateful thanks to the public houses who also have all year round boxes as well total £1,543.90.
Thanks to Pat Macaig, Karina Thorne, Frankie Rae and Linda Mills for making clip-on and knitted poppies all year round for us to put on the stall £4,700 approx.
There are other donations not listed, Wreaths etc.
We held an awards night at Blackstone's Sports and Social Cub on May 19, attended by 33 members, the following awards were presented to volunteers 15 years - John and Beryl Ingham, Tony Purkis. 10 year awards - Michael Atkins, Paul and Sue Beard, Linda Mills, Elaine Wharam, Terri Cusack. Five year award - Trevor Battle, Chris and lan Pybus, Elaine Guy and Jeff Land.
I have been looking back on previous years going back to November 2009. During those 16 years Stamford has donated an amazing total of £710,718.19 to the Poppy Appeal. This is truly amazing and goodness knows how much has been raised since it started in the 1920's.
Thanking you once again.
Jim Jackson
Stamford Poppy Appeal organiser
Will it take 14 years?
Thank you for Amanda Wheeler for her response to my question of Discover Stamford in the Stamford Library in wishing to see a museum once again.
I think she is missing the point I was making and seemed to speak in the usual “corporate town council” manner which has been said for the last 14 years!
Incidentally Lincolnshire County Council website says: “Discover Stamford - the Discover Stamford display is temporarily unavailable due to building maintenance.”
All I was asking for is the Discover Stamford items be installed once again (the roof was finally finished repair in 2022) so visitors can at least see something of our history while waiting for a proper museum. Will it take another 14 years?
Tourists and visitors would amble through our town and stumble across “Discover Stamford” and see some of our history, they do not always have the time or inclination to plan ahead on a guided walk however interesting it would be. So, come on, what is the delay!
Trevor Wissen
Stamford
What lady would have wanted
Upon reading of SKDC's decision to celebrate the centenary of Margaret Thatcher's birth I would like to ask if they intend to make 50 per cent of themselves redundant?
It's what the lady would have wanted.
Lyn Hogan
Grantham
Blindsided by plans
I am writing on behalf of the residents of the Sunningdale estate to raise awareness about the potential loss of our beloved green space—a vital part of our community that has served as more than just an open field. Since its completion in the late 2000s, this green has been a hub of activity: a place where friendships have been forged, where children have learned to ride their bikes, and where neighbours have gathered for social events, casual Friday night meet-ups, and sports. It is, in essence, our unofficial front garden.
On Tuesday, May 20, we were shocked to learn—through Rightmove and social media—that Jelson had put all green spaces across the estate up for auction. This decision came without any consultation, leaving residents and even the district council blindsided. The fear now is that these spaces will be purchased by property developers, taking advantage of relaxed rules governing green spaces, fundamentally changing the character of our estate and diminishing the quality of life for all who call it home.
Property deeds confirm that these green spaces were meant to remain as open land after construction was completed. However, Jelson has twice unsuccessfully applied for planning permission on our green at Portmarnock Way/Tom Childs Close, demonstrating a long-standing interest in developing these crucial spaces. In response, our community has united—backed by both the parish council and the district council—to fight this sale.
Despite multiple attempts, residents have been unable to reach Jelson for clarification, though Coun Elvis Stooke has now secured a meeting with the developer to discuss potential resolutions. It is suspected that Jelson is looking to offload responsibility for maintaining the spaces—a service they currently provide by mowing the grass monthly during the summer. While upkeep costs exist, they pale in comparison to the profits the company has enjoyed since building the estate. Residents have also long requested fencing repairs, only to be met with resistance from Jelson for over five years.
We strongly oppose the auction, as its outcome would be beyond our control and could prove detrimental to all property owners if developers secure the land. We propose three potential solutions:
- Jelson retains ownership and continues maintenance.
- South Kesteven District Council adopts the green space and preserves its purpose.
- Residents purchase the green space themselves.
While some communities in Leicestershire have successfully bought their green spaces, doing so is an expensive endeavour. One example saw residents pay £750 for the land but incur more than £6,000 in legal fees and related expenses. Nevertheless, this green space is the heart of our community, offering much-needed tranquillity in our busy lives, and it must not be lost simply because a developer no longer wishes to maintain land they once promised would remain green.
We urge Jelson and local authorities to recognise the significance of this issue and work with us to find a sustainable solution that secures our green spaces for generations to come.
Kirsty Bundy
Grantham
Lessons on hygiene forgotten
It would appear that the lessons on hygiene and other personal behaviours which were allegedly learnt during the recent pandemic now go unheeded, pretty much altogether. People cough (including clearing their throats) or sneeze directly into the air - and often straight at some unsuspecting stranger, who then acquires an infection.
Each of those droplets in a cough or sneeze can contain as many as A MILLION bacteria or viruses!
Along similar lines, a few days ago I was in a Grantham pharmacy, when I happened to notice that one of the ladies behind the counter was about to pack someone's medication into a paper bag. In order to open the bag, she licked her fingers: a nice load of oral microorganisms.
I approached the woman, and told her that what she just did was extremely unhygienic, and that some poor customer was going to get her germs from handling the bag. She said that she knew - which rather stumped me - and just stared at me. I wish that I'd had the presence of mind to say that it's thoughtlessness like hers which start and perpetuate epidemics and other outbreaks, but I'd walked away before I thought of it.
This is all especially galling, bearing in mind the department in which she works, where what they do is supposed to make people BETTER!
David Feld
Grantham
Thank you
A big thank you to the ladies who came to my aid when I fell in the Sheep Market, Spalding, on May 16.
Their first aid knowledge and reassurance was really helpful during the wait for the ambulance.
Thanks also to the two police men who attended and local businesses who gave first aid equipment and blankets.
Jan Patterson
Pinchbeck
Swift action
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to William H Brown, Spalding Branch for their exceptional support during a very challenging period with our rental property.
Teresa and Callum guided us professionally and compassionately through the eviction process. We are especially grateful for your swift action in securing responsible new tenants, which has brought us great relief and peace of mind.
We would also like to sincerely thank the neighbours of Lucetta Gardens for their patience and understanding. We know it has not been easy and we truly appreciate your tolerance during this time.
I believe it is important for landlords to be aware of the risks associated with poor property management. A letting agent’s responsibility does not end once tenants are placed, ongoing oversight is critical.
I would urge fellow landlords to thoroughly vet letting agencies before trusting them with such valuable investments.
William H Brown has show us support, we are now moving forward on a much more positive path.
Dennis Chilvers
Welcome news
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement that he is rethinking the cuts to the winter fuel payments is welcome news, but the National Pensioners Convention [NPC] still wants the allowance reinstated to all older people.
Mr Starmer told Prime Ministers Questions in the House of Commons on May 21 that he ‘wants more pensioners to be eligible for the winter fuel payment [WFP].’
He said, ‘the government is looking at making changes to the policy, including the threshold for payments.’ But the actual detail will not be revealed until the autumn financial statement.
Jan Shortt, General Secretary of the NPC, commented: “NPC has been campaigning tirelessly for the full reinstatement of the universal Winter Fuel Payment, and it looks like this may be a first step towards success.
“But, as always the devil is in the detail, and the government wants to wait until the autumn before they let us all know what they are actually planning.
"While this announcement is a welcome step, it takes no account of individual everyday living costs and the damage that has already been done over the coldest months of the year.
"Nine million older people lost the universal payment when the government scrapped it in favour of means testing. Many have now endured a long winter without this vital assistance, with ever increasing energy bills not to mention the rising costs of food and other essentials.
"The government assumes that because some pensioners appear to have a good occupational pension, they are not in need. But for many millions the £200 to £300 help was the difference between heating and eating.“
"The NPC wants to see the reinstatement of the winter fuel payment for all pensioners, and we will continue to campaign for this to happen.”
Rodney Sadd
Crowland
