SKtoday Winter 2016

WINTER 2016

Looking back at Gravity Fields • Page 5-8

More of our services are just a click away • Page 10

It’s almost panto time!

Oh yes it is!

See pages 18-21

your council working for you 1

Building Control Team finalists in prestigious awards S outh Kesteven District Council’s Building Control Team was shortlisted as finalists of the Association for Public Service Excellence Service Awards 2016.

The awards are unique and are designed to recognise frontline services that are delivered to local communities, by local councils.

This year’s awards spanned 21 categories and covered the vast majority of local government frontline service areas with our team going head to head with four other councils in the Best Service Team: Construction and Building Service category.

The team, which is part of the East Midlands Building Consultancy, a shared service partnership between South Kesteven District Council, Rushcliffe Borough Council and Newark and Sherwood District Council, to deliver the Building

Compiled by the communications team at South Kesteven District Council, this magazine is distributed to homes throughout our district.

It is printed by Warners Midlands Plc of Bourne.

Editorial: Tel: 01476 40 60 80 Offices: Grantham: Council Offices, St Peter’s HIll Grantham NG31 6PZ

How to contact us 01476 40 60 80

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Control service, narrowly missed out on taking home the award.

All of the finalists were required to present best practice case studies in their respective categories, which showed them all to be front-runners in implementing innovative ideas that support continuous improvement and adaptation in local services.

Our Business Manager for Building Control, Heather Jones, said: “It would have been great to

win it as the team have put in a tremendous amount of effort over the last couple of years to move to a shared partnership between three councils, but we are delighted to have been finalists as the competition is very tough!”

This year’s awards attracted over 320 submissions with over 100 organisations taking part from across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Only the best submissions were short listed in each category.

CLOSE CALL: Our team were short listed for a top award

Stamford: 1 Maiden Lane, Stamford PE9 2AZ Bourne: South Kesteven Community Point, Abbey Road, Bourne PE10 9EF Market Deeping: Deepings Community Centre, Douglas Road, Market Deeping PE6 8PA General enquiries (all offices) 01476 40 60 80 E. pr@southkesteven.gov.uk

This magazine is printed on paper produced from well-managed forests.

Printing and distribution costs approximately 14 pence a copy.

Please contact us if you or someone you know would like to receive this magazine in a different format including audio tape, cd, large print or Braille. South Lincolnshire Blind Society distributes SKtoday to all its members in large print or tape.

www.southkesteven.gov.uk/getsocial

Cover shot: The cast of the Grantham and Stamford panto Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. See pages 18-22

Aviation heritage draws coach operators

A

ircraft from a wartime era are drawing the visitors to South Kesteven thanks to a new council-supported group travel programme.

SKDC Leader Cllr Bob Adams met travel operators from all over the UK at Stoke Rochford Hall near Grantham as part of their familiarisation tour of Lincolnshire’s famous aviation sites.

Their two day visit was organised after industry interest in basing tours at the hotel to visit key county sites, with help from Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL) and SKDC’s economic development team.

Speaking to the 20-plus visitors representing travel organisers and media, Cllr Adams said: “I have attended a number of aviation heritage events in the last year or so and I am sold on its importance and potential.

“We want to see people like you coming here. Every area of this county has two or three unique selling points and we look forward to helping you discover what makes South Lincolnshire so special.”

Stoke Rochford general manager Barry Clark is keen to promote the district’s position as the gateway to Lincolnshire, saying: “I am delighted to bring in the council and Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire to work with us and together we can achieve so much.

“There is real and growing interest in aviation heritage and we are delighted to help build a regular programme for coach

operators. They will also visit Stamford, Grantham and local attractions, so it all helps the local economy.”

The group visited Lincoln’s International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC), RAF Scampton, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) at Coningsby and Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre to see the UK’s only taxying Lancaster.

JUST JANE: From left: Stuart Render, Greatdays Travel, Christine and Geoff Walmsley, Goldcrest Travel, Joan and David Ogden, David Ogden Travel, Deirdre Brown, Great Potential, and Martyn Hall, Owens of Oswestry

Richard shares business experience

A

seasoned entrepreneur is now sharing his expertise to support micro and start-up business across the district.

Enquiries for support to SKDC’s economic development team are being handled by Richard Fairclough as part of his work with Nottingham Business Venture.

Richard had blue chip company experience on his CV before building up his own businesses, some multi-million pound operations and trading internationally, and has worked

with the University of Lincoln, the Prince’s Trust and lectured at the University of Cambridge on entrepreneurship.

His advice covers a wide range of issues, from initial start up to legal aspects of business, marketing and accessing funding. More mature businesses are signposted to Business Lincolnshire Growth hub.

Richard is pictured with two Grantham clients, offering advice to Jumile Gama on her recently created and already buzzing Cathect Consulting employment

consultancy and Laura Parker, who has turned her hobby of fish breeding into a Grantham Aquatics business.

Contact Richard via William Tse: w.tse@southkesteven.gov.uk

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Authors unveiled for Deepings Literary Festival

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lans for the Deepings Literary Festival continue to take shape as top national and local authors have pledged their support for the event.

The UK’s top selling female historian Alison Weir and children’s novelist Julia Jarman are among those confirmed to feature at the festival from Thursday 27 April until Monday 1 May next year.

The Thursday and Friday of the festival are set to see children’s book authors, including Julia, speaking to local schools whilst Alison is set to focus on a talk on Mary Queen of Scots at Fotheringhay at St Guthlac’s Church in Market Deeping on Saturday 29 April.

Meanwhile a book pageant through the Deepings on Bank Holiday Monday is set to be among the features of the final day, with youngsters parading dressed as their favourite book characters.

There are also plans for a Lincolnshire Letters Aloud performance, where interesting letters are read and performed on stage.

The festival committee is made up of members of the community and district councillors including Cllr Judy Stevens and the event was inspired by the group saving the library last year.

Cllr Stevens said: “The event promises to be a wonderful few days of literary delights for all ages and it’s great to have taken the momentum gained from saving the library locally and translating it into an event such as this.

“I think this is exciting for the whole district and we welcome community involvement from

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across South Kesteven.”

The council has funded the festival with other local private sponsors also set to support the event.

Leader Cllr Bob Adams said: “Our festivals are gaining an ever greater reputation nationally that we now attract people and investors through their increasing profile. We hope the Deepings Literary Festival will be another event to put the district on the map.”

Those wishing to put forward ideas should email judy.stevens1@btinternet.com

STORY TIME: Novelist Julia Jarman who will be at the Deeping Literary Festival. Photo courtesy of I’d Rather Be in Deeping.

Gravity Fields festival draws the crowds A

third Gravity Fields Festival inspired by Sir Isaac attracted tens of thousands of people to events in Grantham and across the district.

International artists, world class speakers, drama, music, science, fun and strong community involvement made the five day festival an outstanding hit.

Explosive science from the Ministry of Science drew more than 1,000 school pupils to Grantham’s Meres Stadium to kick off the festival, closing with music and theatre on Sunday evening.

In between were plague days at Woolsthorpe Manor, speakers of the calibre of Sir Venki Ramakrishnan, President

of The Royal Society, quirky attractions such as an Anti-Grav Box, unforgettable aerial theatre, science days and a show-stopper evening for a Saturday Finale.

Grantham’s town centre played host to an ‘Ingenius Night Out’ with street theatre, gunpowder, acrobats, and a climax on St Peter’s Hill with a Helios flame machine, LED umbrella show, a procession involving over 500 school and community groups and a fireworks sign off.

Many of the festival’s shows were sell-outs, and ticket sales far exceeded the last event in 2014.

Newton’s former church in Colsterworth had exhibitions and a special commemoration service and his birthplace at Woolsthorpe Manor staged its own festival programme.

Stamford Arts Centre staged events, Harlaxton Manor

See coverage and our video of the event on www.gravityfields.co.uk

Saturday’s Ingenious Night Out

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celebrated botanical science, Grantham’s Alive Church housed an IOU sound installation, the George Centre hosted science days and Grantham Museum saw a successful premiere of The Old Dogge at the Mint, tracing Newton’s time in charge of the national currency.

Stand out venue was St Wulfram’s Church, hosting not only Ockham’s Razor aerial artists and baroque band Red Priest but also a Saturday evening re-incarnation in the cemetery of the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, complete with circus artists and magicians.

Delivering an international flavour, Spanish company Ponten Pie captivated audiences with their mysterious Artica shed and Cirque Bijou put their own distinctive stamp on the LED umbrella project for Saturday’s procession.

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Who organises it?

T

he festival, celebrating the 350th anniversary of Sir Isaac Newton’s incredible advances on gravitational forces and light, is organised by South Kesteven District Council with Curator Rosemary Richards (Rosa Productions), Co-Curator (Science) Dr Harry Cliff, Jeremy James (Outdoor Arts), and the Guildhall Arts Centre (Indoor Arts and Family Content).

SKDC’s funding was boosted

by Arts Council England and the Institute of Physics and supported by the National Trust, The Royal Society and local sponsors Viking Signs, Downtown, Listers, JMP Solicitors, Chatterton’s, Hood Parkes & Co and Khaos Control.

What they said...

“Our Gravity Fields Festival is head and shoulders above any other arts and science festival in the UK, particularly because it involves so much of the community. It proves that learning can be fun and has the potential to start fantastic career paths.”

Festival patron Professor Val Gibson, Head of High Energy Physics at the University of Cambridge “ I can’t think of a better way to showcase our district as a great place to live and invest and it is very encouraging that we’re talking to investors who think that way too. We believe Grantham and the whole of South Kesteven

has got a great future and festivals like Gravity Fields will play a big part in achieving that success.”

Leader of the Council, Cllr Bob Adams “I love coming to Gravity Fields Festival. It’s a phenomenal event and I cannot wait for the next one in 2018. I will keep coming to Gravity Fields as long as you keep asking me.”

Festival patron Dallas Campbell, writer, TV presenter

Our patrons were busy ....

Professor Valerie Gibson

co-organised a re-enactment of Cambridge’s famous Cavendish Dinner with Trinity College colleague Dr Harry Cliff. She chose her personal top ten of Newton’s achievements for a special talk, appeared in a chat show with Dallas Campbell and hosted speakers at Woolsthorpe Manor.

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Professor Rob Iliffe

spoke on 1666 as Newton’s Annus Mirabilis’, addressed a special commemoration service in Newton’s former church and was part of a panel discussion on the voyages of Lincolnshire botanist Sir Joseph Banks.

Dallas Campbell

added his own brand of celebrity with a chat show on Friday night, inviting Ugly Animal show host Simon Watt onto the Grantham Guildhall stage, together with Apollo 11 campervan initiator Tom Adams, Professor Gibson, Dr Cliff and Cambridge engineer Dr Hugh Hunt.

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Glass apple goes on display

A

glass mini-masterpiece sculpted specially for Gravity Fields Festival has gone on temporary display in the civic suite at the council’s Grantham offices. Stephen Ramsey, a skilled glassblower from Imperial College in London, crafted the tiny model depicting Newton’s hand holding an apple.

His demonstrations proved particularly popular with schools and during the Saturday night events in St Wulfram’s Church.

Council Leader Bob Adams said: “Stephen Ramsey’s skills typified the expertise we were able to present at the festival.

We were delighted to get this unexpected, unique and very beautiful festival momento from him and we will be finding the very best place to display it where his artistry can be seen by everyone.”

ON SHOW: Cllr Bob Adams with the glass mini masterpiece

Botany funding announced at festival

Festival contributor the Joseph Banks Society used the event to announce major funding of almost £500,000 to promote its work.

Society secretary Paul Scott represented the society at a series of botanical events at Harlaxton Manor on the festival’s final day, and contributed to a panel discussion on the eighteenth century Lincolnshire naturalist who famously voyaged around the world with Captain Cook.

The society’s new Heritage Lottery Fund supported project

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- ‘Lincolnshire Plants – Past and Future’ - wants to inspire young people to become the botanists of the future, safeguard and improve understanding of plants and the environment plus fund creation of a contemporary collection of Lincolnshire plant specimens.

With Richard Barley, a director at the world famous Kew Gardens also speaking, audiences learned that the Manor’s spectacular conservatory was supplied with plants by Kew when it was renovated.

www.joseph-banks.org.uk

Bourne Corn Exchange Tuesday 13 December 2.00pm £11.00/ £10.00 concessions

3 Abbey Road, Bourne, PE10 9EF Tickets available from the customer service desk within the Bourne Library, or via the Guildhall Arts Centre box office (Grantham) on 01476 406158

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O N L I NE 2 4 HRS A DAY 365 DAYS A YEAR

You can go online to request: • •

•

assisted bin collection collection of used prescription needles and sharps or order an additional recycling bin for just £26

ASSISTED BIN COLLECTION

Visit www.southkesteven.gov.uk and type your search words (for example assisted bin collection) into the search box to find out more.

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ORDER AN EXTRA BIN

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WE COLLECT SHARPS

£26 10

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Recycling over the festive period –

Pull out special

all bin collections one day later

A

ll bin collections will take place one day later than normal across the district over the festive period.

This means there will be no bin collections on Boxing Day, Monday 26 December or Monday 2 January.

The changes include silver bin and clear bag collections due on Friday 30 December now taking place on Saturday 31 December.

Black bin and pink bag collections scheduled for Friday 6 January will be collected on Saturday 7 January.

Unlimited silver bin or clear bag waste will be taken – but not extra black bin or pink bag waste.

We understand that lots of extra side waste is generated over the festive period. That’s why we’ll take away an unlimited amount of recyclable items in any clear bags or cardboard boxes, items that are visible to our Streetcare Team that can be recycled - as long as they are not placed in black bags.

Please flatten and crush cardboard for ease of transport to recycling facilities or to

fit more into your kerbside collection.

However, in keeping with the council’s policy all year round, no additional waste will be taken with black bin or pink bag collections.

We appreciate the amount of waste at these times can be high so for those who fill their bins or bags, please take extra recycling or waste to Household Waste and Recycling Centres in Mowbeck Way in Grantham or at Bourne Industrial Estate.

Visit www.southkesteven.gov.uk for a full list of items you can recycle and what to place in each bin or bag. Type in what can go in my bin.

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what can go in my bin

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If you would like to purchase additional clear bags please call 01476 40 60 80 or email customerservices@southkesteven.gov.uk

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Search

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Ð Car batteries

Ð Pillows and duvets

Ð Tapes

Ð Household batteries

Ð Engine oil

Ð Garden waste

Ð Wood

Ð Building materials

Ð CDs

Ð Videos

Ð Metals

Ð Recyclables

✓ Crockery/glassware

✓ Fruit and vegetables

✓ Plastic children’s toys

✓ Glass sheets & panes

✓ Polystyrene

✓ Food waste

✓ Nappies

✓ Paint tins (empty)

✓ Crisp packets

✓ Cling film

✓ Ashes

✓ Coat hangers

Please remember no additional waste will be taken with black bin or pink bag collections.

Extra bags of recycling waste will also be taken in addition to the silver bin. The extra waste must be in a clear bag. Please do not use black bags.

Ð NO THANK YOU

✓ YES PLEASE

BLACK BIN / PINK BAG waste bin for landfill

my bin collection dates

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and type the words my bin collection dates into the search box and follow the instructions.

www.southkesteven.gov.uk

You can find out more about your collection dates online at

Ð Videos Ð Washing up bowls Ð Ring binders Ð Food Waste

✓ Microwave meal trays ✓ Pet food tins ✓ Yoghurt pots ✓ Pizza boxes

Ð Ashes Ð Wood

✓ Plastic bottles

✓ Egg boxes

✓ Food tins

✓ Drink cans

Pink bags are collected on black bin days Clear bags are collected on silver bin days

Ð CDs

✓ Magazines ✓ Jars

Ð Engine oil

✓ Butter tubs

Ð Car batteries

Ð Footballs

Ð Crisp packets

Ð Paint tins

Ð Coat hangers

Ð Polystyrene

Ð Basketballs

Ð Tapes

Ð Cling film

✓ Glass bottles

✓ Books

✓ Foil trays

✓ Envelopes

✓ Newspapers

✓ Plastic bags

✓ Ice cream pots

✓ Paper

✓ Foil

✓ Food trays

Ð Nappies

Ð Pillows and duvets

✓ Wallpaper (unused)

✓ Aerosol cans

Ð Raw fruit and vegetables

Ð Crockery/glassware

✓ Cardboard boxes ✓ Waxed drink containers

Ð NO THANK YOU

✓ YES PLEASE

SILVER BIN / CLEAR BAG for recycling

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handles facing the road.

Collections are a day later by 7.30am on the morning of collection with bin

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your council working for you November 2016 Tue

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Black/Silver bin collections 2016/17

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Ð Animal waste

Ð Soil and compost

Ð Stones or rubble

Ð Paper or cardboard

✓ Grass cuttings

✓ Leaves and bark

✓ Twigs & small branches

If you are a green bin customer you can put your real Christmas tree out for recycling with your green bin on the day this service operates on your street.

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Ð Sawdust

Please put your bins out on the edge of your property by 7.30am on the morning of collection.

Do not overfill your bin!

We cannot accept side waste. Please help our waste and recycling team by putting the bin handles facing the road.

Ð Any carrier bags

Ð Paper or cardboard plant pots

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✓ Hedge trimming cuttings

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your council working for you November 2016 Tue

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✓ YES PLEASE

GREEN BIN

my green bin collection dates

A-Z of services

and type the words my green bin collection dates into the search box and follow the instructions.

www.southkesteven.gov.uk

You can find out more about your collection dates online at

Green bin recycling 2016/17

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Pull out special

Festive recycling – our top 12 tips!

Here’s some tips to make the most of your festivities – and ensure your household recycles as much as possible.

Also, keep small items of packaging and plastic bags away from children at all times. Separate any plastic windows from the cardboard boxes before recycling.

Wire ties should be kept aside from the rest of the

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USE YOUR OLD CHRISTMAS CARDS AS PRESENT LABELS

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packaging. These are not recyclable but could be reused for example for tying up plants in your garden. Remember for any questions on recycling this festive period, contact us at www.southkesteven.gov.uk or on Facebook or Twitter.

BUY SOFT DRINKS IN LARGE BOTTLES RATHER THAN LOTS OF SMALLER ONES

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BUY YOUR CHRISTMAS FRUIT AND VEGETABLES LOOSE NOT PRE-PACKED

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SAVE YOUR SHOPPING BAGS AND REUSE THE ONES YOU ALREADY HAVE

SEND AN ELECTRONIC CHRISTMAS CARD INSTEAD OF POSTING ONE

MILLIONS OF UNWANTED CHRISTMAS GIFTS ARE SENT TO LANDFILL EACH YEAR. WHY NOT TAKE THEM TO YOUR LOCAL CHARITY SHOP?

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BUY RECYCLED WRAPPING PAPER AND CHRISTMAS CARDS

BUY GIFTS THAT DON’T HAVE MUCH PACKAGING LIKE VOUCHERS OR GIFT EXPERIENCES

MAKE SURE YOU LOVE YOUR LEFTOVERS! IT’S AMAZING HOW MANY MEALS YOU CAN GET

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SET YOURSELF A CHALLENGE THIS CHRISTMAS - HOW LITTLE WASTE CAN YOU MAKE?

IF YOU BUY A REAL TREE MAKE SURE YOU REPLANT IT OR HAVE IT SHREDDED

IF YOU GET NEW GADGETS FOR CHRISTMAS REMEMBER TO RECYCLE YOUR OLD ONES

£5,000 available to help bring your empty property back into use

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he council is encouraging property owners to bring their empty homes back into use by providing an incentive grant of up to £5,000 to help them re-let their properties.

Despite the numbers of empty homes reducing in recent years, hundreds of addresses in the district remain unoccupied for longer than six months.

The grant supports the government’s initiative to tackle the shortfall and the council is aware of the considerable work some properties need to return them into a habitable condition.

Eligible applicants must be the owners of the empty home or people representing the owner’s interest, such as an executor of a will.

Landlord Philip Lee from Grantham has used the grant for properties across the district.

He said: “It’s a very straight forward process to apply for and a generous sum that’s on offer that

LANDLORD BACKING: Philip Lee

can really help owners bring empty properties back into use.

“It’s pleasing to see the council is assisting further good quality, affordable housing to get back into the market and I’d encourage any home owner to consider the grant to get a property into a habitable condition.”

Costs the fund could pay for include a new heating system, where there is no existing provision,

or it is broken, inefficient, or inappropriate for the property.

Equally electrical work where a full rewire or extensive remedial work is required is possible with the funding.

Roof repairs or re-roofing are also considered for the grant, as are replacement windows and doors, material costs or a contractor’s labour costs.

To qualify for the scheme, the property must have been empty for a minimum of six months and owners must agree to charge rent that does not exceed Local Housing Allowance rates for a minimum of three years.

The property must be brought back into use within 12 months of work starting and the grant does not cover fees, drainage, works already completed or repairs to outbuildings.

For further information about the grant visit www.southkesteven.gov.uk/ emptyhomesassistance

Out for a bite to eat? Always check the Food Hygiene Rating symbol

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e are continuing to encourage residents to check the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) when planning a meal out at one of the hundreds of restaurants, takeaways and food outlets in the district.

The distinctive green and black stickers in food outlet windows is a quick and easy way to check if the eatery you’ve chosen has the sought after top rating of 5 for food hygiene.

Our latest figures in October recorded 97.3 per cent of the

1,938 food businesses in South Kesteven are rated three or higher so there are plenty of places with good food hygiene standards you can choose from.

This means you can easily avoid making your meal one to forget at those outlets not meeting the grade on the conditions in which food is prepared and served.

It’s really simple to check. Just go online to the Food Standard Agency’s (FSA) website www.food. gov.uk/ratings or if you’re out and about look for the green and black

sticker. If you can’t see one just ask staff at the outlet.

The ratings are determined by the council’s food safety officers and range from 0 to 5, with a 5 rating meaning very good food hygiene standards.

And now businesses have an extra seven days to appeal decisions over their rating. The council welcomes the move from the FSA so food businesses can strive to reach the highest standards of cleanliness possible in their premises.

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Safety and disabled access awards across Stamford and Grantham car parks

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he council’s car parks in Stamford and Grantham have won awards recently recognising their safety, security and accessibility standards for disabled users.

The 12 pay and display car parks in the two towns have achieved the Disabled Parking Accreditation (DPA) for the first time and secured a Park Mark Safer Parking Scheme award following their annual inspection.

The accreditation means the car parks are among only a small number in Lincolnshire to have received the DPA including criteria on suitability for disabled drivers such as the size of parking bays, ease of access and safe zones for wheelchair users to enter and exit their vehicle.

A Park Mark recognition means the facilities reach the high standards required that drivers would expect.

SKDC’s Executive Member Cllr Nick Craft said: “We’re pleased to announce awards for our car parks that show we are maintaining good standards year on year.

“We pride ourselves on having accessible car parks close to our

town centres in Stamford and Grantham that give peace of mind to drivers that our facilities are among the safest places to park in South Kesteven.

“It’s very important that all disabled drivers can have confidence when using our car parks and that they are as safe and accessible as possible.

“The DMUK accreditation confirms the parking provision on offer is to standards drivers would expect and is compliant with the Equality Act 2010. We will aim to continue to earn these awards as we maintain our car parks going forward.”

Peter Gravells of the British Parking Association said: “The awards demonstrate the commitment of everyone involved in the management and operation of the parking facilities to achieve high standards.

“They have managed to maintain these standards for a number of years and they should be proud of their achievements.”

The DPA award will be listed on a specially designated website www.dpaccreditation.org.uk so that disabled motorists can find out in advance where they can use facilities comfortably.

SKDC have been awarded a DMUK award from the British Parking Association

Broader roles, better value service from Neighbourhoods team

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ur Neighbourhoods Team is continuing to broaden its role to provide a more responsive service in the district’s communities.

The team, formed earlier this year after the merging of our Community Safety and Environmental Protection departments, now responds to important issues you

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raise across the district on litter, noisy neighbours, fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour, dog fouling, abandoned vehicles and other environmental crime.

Reports can be logged at www.southkesteven.gov.uk Executive Member for Environment Cllr Nick Craft said: “The team’s roles are deliberately

focused on being proactive and responding to issues communities raise.

“Web and phone reports from residents are now directed quicker than ever to the relevant officer, enabling a faster response to incidents that occur ultimately resulting in a cleaner and greener South Kesteven.”

Specialist trails devised for visitors

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wo new visitor trails have been compiled after SKDC worked with organisers of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials to tempt visitors to stay longer and to come back.

One guide, sent to all 600 caravanners staying at the trials, gathered details of all district caravan parks convenient to the Stamford event and the other mapped sites of equestrian interest.

The Linc Up caravan guide collated stand-out sites and hidden gems for those who

appreciate the freedom to go where they please, and park up where the whim takes them.

Listings covered large and small sites with facilities from fishing lakes to a round of golf, five star luxury lodges, a farm heritage and activity centre and even red kites soaring on the thermals above Forestry Commission woodland near Stamford.

For those with equestrian interest, Burghley’s Saddle Up guide was designed to show the wealth of things to do,

from carriage driving to polo, international show jumping, riding schools and the allimportant aspect of the horse world - horse rescue.

It featured DK Carriage Horses, a newly created business near Belvoir Castle offering a bespoke service from pleasure carriage rides to special occasion hire, Allington’s Arena UK with its world class show jumping, Leadenham Polo Club and the district’s great selection of inspected riding schools.

AT YOUR SERVICE: Danny Kendle of DK Carriage Horses and a view of Wagtail Country Park at Marston

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What’s on

in South Kesteven

STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE

01780 763203 www.stamfordartscentre.com

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LUKE WRIGHT “WHAT I LEARNED FROM JOHNNY BEVAN” POETRY/SPOKEN WORD THEATRE THU 1 DECEMBER 8PM SUITABLE FOR AGES 14+ Written and performed

by Luke Wright.

A story of shattered friendship, class ceilings, and the hollow reality of the New Labour dream.

At university the whip-smart, mercurial Johnny Bevan saves Nick, smashing his comfortable, middle class bubble and firing him up about politics, music and literature. Twenty years later, as their youthful dreams disintegrate with the social justice they hoped for, can Nick save Johnny from himself? Luke Wright delivers a multi award-winning hurricane of a performance. With humour and humanity he tackles British politics head on, challenging the rise of New Labour, David Cameron and the abandonment of those left behind. Co-commissioned by Norwich Arts Centre and Writers’ Centre Norwich.

Running Time: 60 mins WINNER: Fringe First Award for new writing WINNER: The Stage Award for acting excellence ‘Pulsating, neatly handled piece of poetic storytelling.’

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LITERATURE AT LUNCHTIME THE HAUNTED MAN BY CHARLES DICKENS TUESDAY 6 DECEMBER ALL TALKS 12.30PM £6.50 (£6) One of Dickens’ best Christmas stories and one which explores the connection between memory and our humanity. If we reject our memories because they make us too unhappy, do we then forget our ability to love and empathise with others? – followed by mulled wine and mince pies in the Gallery Bar/ Ante Room

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ROOTS SHOESTRING THEATRE

BY ARNOLD WESKER TUESDAY 6 – SATURDAY 10 DECEMBER A true classic, Roots is a touching portrait of a young woman struggling to find her voice.

“Roots, a beautiful rich piece, that has a strong claim to being Wesker’s greatest dramatic achievement”, Daily Telegraph

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DON CHISWELL’S HISTORY TALKS LAWRENCE OF ARABIA WEDNESDAY 7 DECEMBER British archaeologist, military officer, and diplomat T.E. Lawrence was renowned for his liaison role during the Arab Revolt against the ruling Ottoman Empire during the First World War. What was his role in the British victory and how did he gain an almost mythical status amongst the Arabs and the title ‘Al Auruns’?

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ANNA HUNTLEY AND JAMES BAILLIEU CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERT SATURDAY 10 DECEMBER £16 (£15) £10 UNDER 26S Rossini La Regata Veneziana Dvorak Ciganske Melodie, Op. 55 Braga Cinco Cancoes do Folclore Nordestinas Brasiliero followed by a selection of lighthearted and seasonal songs by Howells, Ireland, Quilter, Adam, Weil, Flanders and Swann and Sterndale-Bennett, amongst others.

Mezzo-soprano Anna Huntley is well known as a lieder singer, and also performs regularly with English National Opera where she has recently played Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte and Pauline in Queen of Spades.

She and pianist James Baillieu begin this concert with Rossini’s La Regata Veneziana, a set of three songs in which the singer, Anzoleta, encourages her lover to row faster during a gondola regatta. The last song is a flirtatious waltz in which Anzoleta celebrates his victory with him.

Dvorak’s Ciganske Melodie is a set of gypsy songs including the ever popular, Songs my mother taught me. Braga’s Cinco Cancoes celebrate the folk music and rhythms of north eastern Brazil. After the interval, Anna and James will perform a selection of light-hearted and seasonal songs, appropriate for our last classical concert before Christmas.

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“JUST YOU, JUST ME” - JACQUI DANKWORTH AND CHARLIE WOOD JAZZ CONCERT FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER 16 8PM £18 (£16) The award-winning vocalist Jacqui Dankworth is joined onstage by her husband, acclaimed American pianistvocalist, Charlie Wood, for a unique concert of duet arrangements celebrating a century of song. Inspired by some of the great musical partnerships, such as Ray Charles and Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, this concert features numbers including Alone Together, Autumn in New York, It Don’t Mean A Thing, A Foggy Day and other favourites.

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THE NUTCRACKER BOLSHOI BALLET ENCORE SCREENING SUNDAY18 DECEMBER 3PM £14 (£12) £48 FOR FAMILY OF FOUR On Christmas Eve, Marie’s wooden nutcracker doll transforms into a beautiful prince who takes her on a magical journey. Before they leave, they must confront the Mouse King whose army is threatening Marie…Christmas would not be complete without the enchanting tale of young Marie and her Nutcracker prince! Danced by the Bolshoi’s principals, Hoffmann’s fairy tale staged by Russian ballet master Yuri Grigorovich will transport children and adults alike to a world of magic and wonder for the holiday season.

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RAPUNZEL THEATRE OF WIDDERSHINS SATURDAY 17 DECEMBER 2PM 4 YEARS + £8 (£7) £28 FAMILY OF FOUR Family fun for the festive break!

Tangles? Split Ends? Frizzy?

Flyaway? It’s bad enough having a bad hair day but pity poor Rapunzel spending her life in a tower with some strange woman using her captive’s locks as a step ladder! What sort of damage is that going to do to your hair?

Theatre of Widdershins have taken this traditional tale right back to its roots, teased out the tangles and styled it into a beautifully coiffured hair piece!

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CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP MONDAY 19 DECEMBER 10AM – 12PM OR 1PM TO 3PM £6 FOR 6-11 YEAR OLDS Join Liz Paige for a wonderful session of Christmas Carol singing and crafts to celebrate the festive season! Whether it’s Jingle Bells or Hark the Herald Angels Sing we will be singing and creating some wonderful items.

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THE ALBION CHRISTMAS BAND

WEDNESDAY 21

DECEMBER 7.30PM

£18 (£16) An Albion Christmas is widely regarded as the premier seasonal show, which has been touring for nearly 20 years, and attracts sell-out audiences across the UK. Indeed many people say that their Christmas doesn’t start until they have seen The Albion Christmas Show. Featuring the combined talents of Simon Nicol (Fairport Convention), Kellie While (Albion Band) Simon Care (Edward II) and the Guvnor himself, Ashley Hutchings.

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PANTOMIME TIME! SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES POLKA DOT PANTOMIME FRIDAY 6 JANUARY 6.30PM SATURDAY 7 JANUARY 11AM, 2PM, 6.30PM SUNDAY 8 JANUARY 11AM, 2PM, 6.30PM SCHOOLS – MONDAY 9 JANUARY 10.15AM AND 1.15PM £13 (£12) £42 FAMILY OF FOUR £7.50 SCHOOLS £10 GROUPS

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NEW YEAR TRA DANCE A LA FRANCE

FRIDAY 6 JANUARY

FROM 7.30PM

WORKSHOP: 7.30PM

BAL: 8.30PM-11.30PM

£9 (£7) MUSIC/DANCE The New Year traditional dance returns with our regular French musicians. Expire, Mousakka and Big Jeans will teach and play for a range of traditional French dances. Beginners helped all the way.

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CHIAROSCURO QUARTET

SATURDAY 7

JANUARY 7.30PM

£16 (£15) £10 UNDER

26’S CLASSICAL This quartet is established as the foremost quartet playing on gut-string instruments in Europe.

Their programme will include Haydn’s Quartet in G major, Op 76, No1 and Beethoven’s String Quartet in C sharp minor Op 131 as well as a romantic piece by Franz Berwald.

MET OPERA LIVE IN HD CONTINUES IN 2017 NABUCCO (VERDI) SUNDAY 15 JANUARY 2017 2PM ENCORE ROMEO ET JULIETTE (GOUNOD)

SATURDAY 21 JANUARY 2017 5.55PM LIVE RUSALKA (DVORAK) SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017 5.55PM LIVE LA TRAVIATA (VERDI) SATURDAY 18 MARCH 2017 7PM ENCORE IDOMENEO (MOZART) SATURDAY 25 MARCH 2017 4.55PM LIVE EUGENE ONEGIN (TCHAIKOVSKY) SATURDAY 22 APRIL 2017 5.55PM LIVE DER ROSENKAVALIER (R. STRAUSS) SATURDAY 13 MAY 2017 5.30PM LIVE

GRANTHAM GUILDHALL ARTS CENTRE

01476 406158 www.guildhallartscentre.com

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ELF THE MUSICAL JUNIOR NEW

YOUTH THEATRE

WEDNESDAY 30

NOVEMBER AND

THURSDAY 1 DECEMBER

6.30PM AND 8PM

£8.50 / £7.50

CONCESSIONS Buddy, a young orphan mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would be elf is raised unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list, and his stepbrother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York

remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Join the children from New Youth Theatre as they bring this modern day holiday classic to the stage. The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear!

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SOLID GOLD 70’S SHOW

SATURDAY 3

DECEMBER 8PM

MERES LEISURE

CENTRE

£20/ £18/ £15

GROUPS OF 6+ A fantastic Christmas party night out! Glamrock greats, disco hits, power ballads and party anthems revive the golden age of pop. A fantastic night of hits from Sweet, T Rex, Queen, Elton John, 10CC, David Essex, Suzi Quatro, David Cassidy, ELO, The Carpenters, Osmonds, Bay City Rollers and more. Sparkling vocals, starring supercool musicians who have performed with Mike Oldfield, Asia and Ultravox. Step back to a time of Pans People and Eurovision; Luke Skywalker and Saturday Night Fever; Danny and Sandy. . . Dastardly and Muttley.

The top of the pops time of your life guaranteed! www.easytheatres.com

10.15AM (SCHOOLS) , 1.15PM (SCHOOLS) FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER 10.15AM (SCHOOLS), 1.15PM (SCHOOLS), 6.30PM SATURDAY 17 DECEMBER 2PM, 6.30PM SUNDAY 18 DECEMBER 1PM, 5PM MONDAY 19 DECEMBER 10.15AM (SCHOOLS), 1.15PM (SCHOOLS) TUESDAY 20 DECEMBER 10.15AM (SCHOOLS) , 1.15PM (SCHOOLS) WEDNESDAY 21 DECEMBER 2PM, 6.30PM THURSDAY 22 DECEMBER 2PM, 6.30PM FRIDAY 23 DECEMBER 10.30AM, 2PM, 6.30PM SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER 10.30AM, 2.00PM SUNDAY 25 DECEMBER CLOSED MONDAY 26 DECEMBER CLOSED TUESDAY 27 DECEMBER 10.30AM, 2PM, 6.30PM WEDNESDAY 28 DECEMBER 2PM, 6.30PM THURSDAY 29 DECEMBER 10.30AM, 2PM, 6.30PM FRIDAY 30 DECEMBER 2PM,

6.30PM SATURDAY 31 DECEMBER 10.30AM, 2PM SUNDAY 1 JANUARY CLOSED MONDAY 2 JANUARY 1PM, 5PM TUESDAY 3 JANUARY 2PM RELAXED PERFORMANCE!* £14 / £12.50 CONCESSIONS / £46 FAMILY OF FOUR / £11 WHEN YOU BUY 10 OR MORE TICKETS/ £8 SCHOOL GROUP BOOKINGS Polka Dot Pantomimes and the Guildhall Arts Centre are excited to announce this year’s pantomime will be the Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs!

This classic is suitable for all the family, so get ready for a wonderful pantomime season! *Relaxed Performances are specifically designed to welcome people who will benefit from a more relaxed performance environment, including people with an Autism Spectrum Condition, sensory and communication disorders, or a learning disability.

There is a relaxed attitude to noise and movement and some small changes made to the light and sound effects.

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SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES

POLKA DOT PANTOMIME SATURDAY 10 DECEMBER 2PM, 6.30PM SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER 1PM, 5PM MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 10.15AM (SCHOOLS), 1.15PM (SCHOOLS) TUESDAY 13 DECEMBER 10.15AM (SCHOOLS), 1.15PM (SCHOOLS) WEDNESDAY 14 DECEMBER 10.15AM (SCHOOLS), 1.15PM (SCHOOLS) THURSDAY 15 DECEMBER

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PAUL JONES AND DAVE KELLY

SATURDAY 21

JANUARY 7.30PM

£21 / £20 CONCESSIONS Britain’s best blues harmonica player and bottleneck guitarist together in concert. Great vocals, harmonica and guitar, delivered with wit, panache and a deep respect for the roots of the music.

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FUNHOUSE COMEDY CLUB

THURSDAY 26

JANUARY AND

THURSDAY 23

FEBRUARY

DOORS OPEN: 7.30PM

SHOW STARTS: 8.15PM

£10 Award-winning stand-up comedy club established for seven years is now in the Guildhall Ballroom, where shows previously featured the likes of Sarah Millican, Rhod Gilbert and Kevin Bridges before they were famous. www. funhousecomedy.co.uk

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GRANNY’S GAME RHUBARB THEATRE

COMPANY GUILDHALL

PROMOTED/FAMILY

SATURDAY 11

FEBRUARY 2PM

£6/ £5 CONCESSIONS/

£20 FAMILY OF FOUR Be bold, roll the dice and take a chance! Join Julia and John as they play ‘Granny’s Game’, where a trip around the board becomes a globetrotting adventure!

Wrestling snakes and climbing the ladders, our brave players risk everything in a high-stakes quest they’ll never forget.

Based on the inspiring real-life heroism of journalist and explorer Nellie Bly, Rhubarb Theatre present an exciting, new theatre show for intrepid adventurers of all ages!

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GRANTHAM GANG SHOW THURSDAY 16 FEBRUARY– SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY THURSDAY – FRIDAY: 7.30PM £10/ £8 SATURDAY: 2.30PM £10/£8 AND 7.30PM £10

Come along and join us for an evening of entertainment provided

by Grantham and District Scouts and Guides. The Gang Show cast ranges in age from 7 to 60 and as such this show has songs, sketches and jokes for the whole family to enjoy. The junior cast will take you back in time to the ‘Wild West’ while the seniors are ‘Living for the Moment’ and the entire cast ‘Rule the World’.

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HAGIT YAKIRA DANCE FREE FALLING – A

DOUBLE BILL OF

DANCE

MONDAY 27 – TUESDAY

28 FEBRUARY 7.30PM

THURSDAY – FRIDAY:

7.30PM £10/ £8

SATURDAY: 2.30PM

£10/£8 AND 7.30PM £10 Award-winning Hagit Yakira dance presents Free Falling, an open-hearted evening of downto-earth dance that’s sensual, striking and a beautiful respite from the hustle and bustle.

Based on a collection of stories gathered through years of working as a therapist, Hagit Yakira has created a powerful and atmospheric mixed bill that eloquently uncovers real life experiences about the common uncertainties we share.

The evening opens with Air Hunger, an emotive and breathtaking duet, faultlessly composed with unashamedly demanding choreography that leaves the dancers gasping for air.

BOURNE CORN EXCHANGE

01476 406158 www.guildhallartscentre.com

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DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS WONDERFUL CAT – TONY PEERS PRODUCTIONS THURSDAY 8 DECEMBER, 10.30AM, 1.30PM AND 6.30PM FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER, 10.30AM, 1.30PM AND 6.30PM SATURDAY 10 DECEMBER 2016 – 11AM, 2PM AND 6.30PM ADULT: £11, CONCESSIONS £10, CHILDREN UNDER 16 £6, LAP TICKET: £1 (CHILD UNDER 2 WILL NOT RECEIVE ITS OWN SEAT, WILL SIT ON PARENT’S LAP), GROUPS (10+): £10, SCHOOLS (20+): £5, 10+: THE 11TH TICKET FREE

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CHRISTMAS MEMORIES – NEIL SANDS PRODUCTIONS

TUESDAY 13 DECEMBER, 2PM

£11/£10 10+ : ONE TICKET FREE Neil Sands and his brilliant West End cast are back with their 2016 Christmas production which is a truly spectacular mix of over 60 of your favourite Christmas songs and carols, 40 stunning costume changes, lots of good old fashioned festive fun, and a unique atmosphere that will warm your heart on the coldest winter’s day, taking you back to a time when Christmas really was the most wonderful time of the year.

Festival draws local walkers Council-guided walks across some of the district’s most scenic areas contributed to the South Lincolnshire Walking Festival – and a popular BBC Radio Lincolnshire Sunday morning show.

BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Pirate Gold crew arrived at the start of a walk from Swinstead searching for the next clue on its regular treasure hunt, with walkers helping to solve the riddle.

SKDC joined with other walk organisers to collectively stage

more than 80 excursions across North and South Kesteven, Boston and South Holland areas of South Lincolnshire.

Swinstead was the second six-mile walk in a council series that started with a Breaking the Boundaries from Stamford route up through Easton on the Hill into Northamptonshire. The route back into Lincolnshire passed the amazing ruin of Wothorpe Towers, built by Lord Cecil to live in during the construction of

Burghley House.

A route based on the canal near Denton and Harlaxton provided the third council-run walk and WW2 nostalgia reigned with a return to Twyford Wood, classified as RAF North Witham in 1944 for the final outing.

American paratroopers took off from there late on 5 June 1944, effectively launching D-Day with their mission to drop radar beacons behind enemy lines in advance of the following day’s offensive.

PIRATE GOLD: Presenter Amanda White gets help with the next treasure hunt clue

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