And holding our 'local' council to account

Trying to get home to Deeping in time for a public meeting at the Community Centre where I hope we can hold our 'local' district council to account...

I want to ask South Kesteven District Council why they pulled the rug from under the extremely popular summer playscheme this year, which they have traditionally part funded. And more importantly, persuade them it's worth backing this year.

My own daughters enjoyed the playscheme when they were young so I know personally how valued the scheme is - even though it was almost a quarter of a century ago. Since then the playscheme has gone from strength to strength - despite a blip a few years ago when red tape almost strangled it.

Fortunately, it survived and SKDC continued to see its value by sharing the costs with our very own DSJ Parish Council and Market Deeping Town Council.

But last year SKDC changed their priorities and said they would concentrate on helping teenagers rather than younger kids.

They published a series of glossy leaflets and a programme of activities.

But guess what?

Nothing for the Deepings!

Fortunately, DSJ and MD councils stumped up the missing cash to make sure hundreds of youngsters and their parents were not disappointed and the playscheme had a bumper year at DSJ Primary School.

Now we're hoping those we elect to serve us as the Grantham based SKDC will do the decent thing in the coming summer and give the Deepings a fair deal!

I got stuck on the tube on my way home tonight, but fortunately, my parish council colleague, Judy 'the Rotweiller' Stevens will be at the Community Centre, so I know our voice will be heard loud and clear!

What on earth next...?

My daughter Claire lives across the border in Market Deeping, a lovely stroll along the banks of the River Welland (no passport needed)... Yesterday, she called in for a cuppa with my grandson Jack (aged six weeks, four days and eight hours).

When Claire reached the old stone bridge at Deeping St James, she took this snap on her mobile and emailed it to tell me to get the kettle on...

Talk about the advance of technology eh?

How on earth did we ever survive without mobile phones and the t'internet...?

And what wonders might be invented when young Jack's a Grand-dad...?

Our local world champ Wolfie goes for tops...

Deepings darts star Martin Wolfie Adams is back on stage tonight in the next round of his attempt to win back his World Darts Champion title.

He got off to a shaky start on Monday night in an edge of the seat early rounds battle that literally went right down to the wire when he kept missing the doubles.

Wolfie is the oldest player on the world darts circuit and as world champion a couple of years ago, has been around long enough for our local media at least to know where he lives.

But the Peterborough Evening Telegraph the
Stamford Mercury and even the Bourne Local - all insist he's from Market Deeping!

He's not. And whether they haven't checked their facts, or think it's ok to describe DSJ as part of MD, its sloppy journalism.

The truth is that Martin lives right here in the village of Deeping St James, which as residents will tell you, is not part of the town of Market Deeping. Fortunately, we've moved on from the days of 'territorial' punch-ups on the border between rival teenagers from the two parishes.

But local papers should be well aware that while the town of MD is our friendly neighbour, DSJ is a community proud of its own identity. And we have a bigger population than MD to boot!

Here endeth the whinge (for now).

Tonight's BBC2 coverage starts after Newsnight at 11.20.

Good Luck Wolfie.

If you missed Monday night's thriller, you can see highlights HERE, and the post-match interview where a relieved Wolfie praises his opponent HERE
both courtesy of BBC2.

Local post offices survive modernisation plan...

Pleased to report that both Deeping St James and Market Deeping post offices survive intact in the modernisation plan just published for our area.

more later...

The clue is in the photo...

DEVASTATED brides-to-be broke down in tears after discovering their dream dresses lay blackened in a bridal shop gutted by fire.

Tonight's Peterborough Evening Telegraph carries a front page photo of Tracey Cox who says losing the dress for her wedding in three weeks time was her worst nightmare.

Businesswoman Tracey has launched a 'crisis fund' for other couples affected and has donated £500 to get the ball rolling.

Kind gesture, but isn't that what insurance is for..?

She went on:

I can't get through to the shop or leave a message.

I'm not surprised Tracey can't get through to the shop.

The clue is in the photo...