Gianni Malagoli (b 1947) Gianni Malagoli was brought up on his family’s farm in Modena, Italy. He was just 10-years-old when he first picked up a pair of scissors to style hair working at the local salon to earn pocket money, becoming a barber three years later. Wanting to take his job seriously he decided […]
Cashless parking comes to town
For the first time South Kesteven District Council is introducing a cashless parking system within its car parks to provide motorists with a more convenient way to pay for parking. The “Phone and Pay” system, provided by Bemrose Mobile, has been rolled out across all 12 of the district’s car parks in Grantham and Stamford. […]
Baxter, Jim – Milkman in the morning, swept chimneys in the afternoon
James Oliver Baxter (1925 – 2012) JAMES Oliver Baxter was a pupil at Spitalgate Boys’ School, and although he passed his 11-plus had to stay on as his parents could not afford his move. During the Second World War, Jim Baxter began work as a bricklayer improver helping to build the air raid shelters around […]
Grantham draw county rivals in FA Cup
GRANTHAM Town have been drawn away to neighbours Stamford in the next round of the FA Cup. Their reward for a 4-1 win on Saturday is a short trip against their Evo-Stik League Northern Premier Division rivals on September 27 in the second qualifying round. Winning clubs in the next round receive £4,500 from The […]
Rape crisis centre to open in Grantham
A RAPE crisis centre is to open in Grantham. The facility will offer victims of sexual crime expert advice, support and counselling and help them negotiate the criminal justice system. It will have a £300,000 annual budget. Fay Maxted, of The Survivors’ Trust, operating the Grantham centre, said: “We are delighted that funding has been awarded to establish a […]
Domestic violence: One strike and you’re out (but it’s actually 32)
The Lincolnshire Community Foundation (1092328; grants of £1 million pa) with the Evan Cornish Fund, is tackling domestic violence. Nearly 13 million domestic assaults a year in the UK On average, it takes 32 assaults before a victim “breaks free” 2 women a week are killed by a violent partner Government funding has been cut […]
Shutting the stable door – responding to flood risk
On the 6th June 2012, the anniversary of D Day, Operation Neptune came to Lincolnshire. A freak surge of the Black Sluice Dyke swept away the bridge and swamped property in rural Aswarby, near Osbournby. Then, last December, 700 houses in Boston were flooded. Based on historic costs, the bill for restoration for the 80% […]
Lead theft from village church
There was a theft of lead from the vestry roof at St Helen’s Church, Brant Broughton, overnight 13th-14th September. Did you see or hear anything suspicious? Any information Tel: 101 and quote incident 128 14/9/14. Police say: “Please be vigilant for any suspicious activity around your local church. “Look out for cars or vans parked outside at […]
Lamont, Rory – Bottesford youth played for Scotland
Rory Lamont (b1982) Rory Lamont, like his brother Sean, grew up in Bottesford and went to the primary school and Belvoir High. He took up rugby as a pupil at King Edward VII School and played for Melton RFC before going on to achieve big things in Scottish colours. Born in Perth, he played fullback […]
Woodward, Tony – Tony was a hit at sports
Anthony George Woodward (1932-2015) Tony Wooodward was a keen sportsman but will be best remembered as an amateur boxer. Born in Bilsthorpe, Nottingham, he came to Grantham as a youngster with his parents Dick and Elsie. He was a pupil at the Boys’ Central School, where he excelled at cross-country running. He worked at Ruston […]
Ridgway, William – Put Harlaxton on a world educational map
William L Ridgway, (1920-2013) Dr William L Ridgway was born in Evansville, Indiana. A Central High School graduate, he enjoyed a distinguished, 40-year career as an ophthalmologist in San Francisco, including active duty service with the US Navy, before retiring and returning to his native town in 1989. Despite earning his degrees from Indiana […]
Lamont, Sean – Bottesford youth became his country’s second most capped player
Sean Fergus Lamont, (b1981) LIKE his fellow rugby-playing brother Rory, Sean was born in Perth, Scotland and grew up in Bottesford, attending the village primary school. He played football as a pupil at Belvoir High School, before his move to King Edward VII School, Melton Mowbray. He took up rugby as a pupil at Melton […]
Tebb, Hazel – Volunteer became the county’s Citizen of the Year
Tebb, Hazel(1931-2014) Hazel Tebb, was one of the area’s most dedicated community volunteers. Her work for Grantham Stroke Club, which she helped to form, earned her the Lincolnshire Citizen of the Year award in 2009. That in turn led to an invitation to a royal tea party at Buckingham Palace in the presence of The […]
Raynor, Brian – Grantham biker won Isle of Man GP
Brian Raynor 1961 – 2021 Grantham-born Brian went to Huntingtower primary school then on to St Hugh’s Secondary School. After leaving school in 1977, he began his apprenticeship with BMARCo. Back then they took on about 15 apprentices every year along with the likes of Barfords and Coles Cranes to mention a few. The first […]
Willett, Lou – Brave student who fought the odds is now on the attack
Lou Willett (b1994) By the time Diana-Louise Willett was 18, she had been on one of life’s most traumatic journeys. Then the catering student at Grantham College became determined fewer people would suffer as she did. Born at Long Bennington, where she attended the village school, she passed to go to KGGS. Everything was […]
Woollas, Steve – Scooter fan formed Grantham Daytrippers Club
Stephen Woollas (1964-2014) GRANTHAM-born Steve was educated at St Anne’s School, St Hugh’s and Grantham College. His first job was at Chandlers of Westgate, becoming manager of the Calor gas department. This was followed by a variety of jobs at roofing firms, Brake Bros, Genie and G W Padley. His final employment was at Vacu-Lug, he died […]
Smith, Thomas James – Founder of pharmacutical giant trained in Grantham
Thomas James Smith (1827-1896) Thomas James Smith was the founder of Smith & Nephew, one of the United Kingdom’s largest medical devices businesses. After training as a pharmacist at a dispensing chemist in Grantham and then at University College, London, Thomas Smith opened his own chemist’s shop in Hull in 1856. In 1858 he began […]
Donger, Richard – War hero was a founder of Kesteven Rugby
Richard Hugh Donger (1923-2014) BORN at Peacock Farm, Muston, Richard attended primary school in Muston, followed by The King’s School, Grantham. On the outbreak of the Second World War, he was a 16-year-old training to be an accountant in Nottingham. On his 17th birthday he joined the Local Defence Volunteers, later known as The Home […]
Bishop, Elaine – The lady loves opera and all that jazz
Elaine Bishop (b1982) MEZZO-soprano Elaine Duggan was born in Grantham, on Manthorpe estate, and was educated at St Mary’s and KGGS. She won a place at Hull University, gaining a double joint honours degree in English and Music. Yet she was 16 before she started to take singing seriously. She had played the flute from […]
Norris, Bob – Half of the Gingerbreads’ Deadly Duo
Bob Norris (b1949) Born at Nottingham, and an England Youth International, like his father and grandfather Bob spent time at Nottingham Forest, before moving to Mansfield Town Reserves and Ilkeston Town. He made his Grantham debut in the opening fixture of the 1970/71 season at Belper Town and along with Ernie Nixon immediately forged one […]