NEWLYWEDS KIDNAPPED BY HIS ARMY PALS

Scunthorpe Telegraph - Saturday 30th April 2005
 
When a dashing young soldier and his new bride left the church after their wartime wedding, little did they realise they were about to become the unsuspecting victims of a daring 'kidnap' plot.
 
But Ken Sills and his bride Marion were unceremoniously bundled into the back of a three-ton army truck and whisked away. However, there was nothing sinister about their unorthodox departure from the church, since it was all undertaken in good humour by Ken's army pals, who were intent on wishing the couple well in their own special way.
 
This is just one of the many fond memories Ken and Marion cherish of their big day back in 1945.
 
Now they have celebrated their diamond wedding and have taken time out to reflect on their 60 glorious years together.
 
After meeting up at a dance in Burton-upon-Stather village hall in October 1944, they had a whirlwind romance.
 
At that time Ken, a Londoner, was stationed in the area, and two days after being posted to the water wing of the Assault Training and Development Centre at Winteringham, he met up with the young woman who six months later was to become his wife.
 
Ken served in India and Burma during the war, and when he returned to England his unit was sent to Winteringham.
 
"Marion lived in Winteringham and she would go to the dances held at Burton Village Hall - and that is where we first met," said Ken.
 
This was the beginning of a fine romance, which has lasted now for more than six decades.
 
"I had arranged to meet her again but didn't realise she was celebrating her 18th birthday on that day," said Ken, who added just six weeks later they were engaged. They courted for six months before marrying in Winteringham on April 21, 1945.
 
Still a regular serving soldier, Ken was posted to Germany where he was joined by Marion in 1946.
 
"Our son Richard was born in Germany," said Ken, who at that time was serving with HQ 7th Armoured Division before moving to Hamburg, where he served with a war crimes unit.
 
He was demobbed in 1949, and joined the police force in London.
 
"But because Marion was from Lincolnshire I transferred to the Lincolnshire Police in 1951," explained Ken. He was stationed at Cleethorpes, Scunthorpe, Boston and Gainsborough, where he was promoted to the rank of sergeant.
 
"We came back to Scunthorpe again and moved out to Winteringham, and a year later I retired."
 
Later, Ken went to work for British Steel at Flixborough Wharf for a while, and in 1985 he served on Glanford Council representing north east Glanford, which covered Winteringham, West Halton, Alkborough and Whitton.
 
In 1992 he and Marion served the area as Mayor and Mayoress, and during their term of office were involved in a number of civic engagements including royal visits.
 
On two occasions the couple met Prince Edward when he visited Barton and Normanby Hall, and they were also presented to Princess Anne when she too visited Barton.
 
Later, they met the Queen and Prince Philip when they visited Scunthorpe General Hospital and Normanby Hall.
 
"And we were even invited on board the royal yacht, Britannia, which was docked in Hull."
 
Before she joined Ken in Germany, Marion worked in the saw mill at Lysaght's steelworks.
 
When they returned to England she became a buyer of fabrics for a firm in Boston where she stayed until the couple moved to Gainsborough. There she became the manageress of a fabric shop, but when they eventually moved back to Scunthorpe Marion completely changed the course of her working life and became a store detective for Jackson supermarkets in the area.
 
Ken decided to take life a little easier and, in 1981, took voluntary redundancy from his job at Flixborough Wharf, and Marion decided she too would retire. But today, they are still actively involved within the community.
 
Even though Ken has been virtually blind for the past three years, he still manages to potter around his garden.
 
"I lost the sight of one eye some years ago," he said, "and was told the other one would be all right. But I lost the sight in that one too, and it happened overnight."
 
That has not stopped him following his interests and he is now a member of a garden club for blind people which sends him tapes from time to time, offering gardening tips.
 
Ken is also a member of the Lindsey Blind Society and the Royal National Institute for the Blind, as well as the North Lincolnshire talking newspapers. All this is in addition to being the president of the Winterton branch of the Royal British Legion.
 
Marion also keeps very busy as the secretary of the Winteringham Over 60s Club, and she is an avid reader. They have also maintained a keen interest in the Deaf Children's Society, since that was one of the recipients of their Mayor's Appeal Fund.
 
"Afterwards we were made vice-presidents of the local branch of the society, and are still in touch with them," said Ken.
 
Reminiscing about their wedding day 60 years ago, Ken, now aged 83, said: "When we left the church my army pals had a three-ton truck waiting outside. They couldn't decorate it with ribbons so used white bandages instead, and in the back of the truck were two easy chairs. They 'kidnapped' us and drove us round the village singing the words from the song 'It's a Crying Shame'!"
 
Marion, who was just 18 when they married, said her mother had arranged their reception in the village's Temperance Hall.
 
"And, as far as I can remember," she said, "we had a cold salad buffet which cost 7s 6d a head, and we had to use seven or more points for my long, white silk wedding dress, which cost £5. I have still got the dress.
 
"Everywhere we went, the dress went with us, but I wouldn't like to try and get into it now," she said.
 
After the ceremony and reception, Ken and Marion - now 78-years-old - honeymooned in Scarborough.
 
She recalled: "It snowed like the clappers while we were there.
 
"When it was our 50th wedding anniversary we went back and stayed in a hotel there, but we found the house where we stayed on our honeymoon."
 
Reflecting over their life together, Marion said: "He's a generous man, and even though he can't really see, he still tries to do things around the house for me. We've had a lot of laughs, and we've had a good life together."
 
The couple, who also proudly boast two grandchildren, Helen and Edward, marked their special diamond day with a party at the Bay Horse public house in Winteringham, where they were hosts to 65 guests including Marion's sister Freda and friend Eva, both of whom were bridesmaids.

CELEBRATION TO MARK VE DAY

Scunthorpe Telegraph - Thursday 28th April 2005

A special celebration is being held in Winteringham to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
 
A typical 1940s village fair will be held on Monday to mark VE Day, including a display of memorabilia in the village hall. Veterans will be on hand to share stories and memories and there will be an opportunity to enjoy wartime songs and music.
 
There will be various stalls on the playing field including children's sports, skittles and hoopla, as well as refreshments.
 
There will be a fly-past of a Second World War vintage aircraft between 2.30pm and 3.30pm and an evening bingo session will round off the event. Everyone is welcome to attend.

INSPECTORS' PRAISE FOR 'OUTSTANDING' PLAYGROUP

Scunthorpe Telegraph - Tuesday 26th April 2005
 
A playgroup in North Lincolnshire has been described as 'outstanding' by Government inspectors.
 
Winteringham Under Fives was visited by Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) inspectors in October. In the report, inspectors said: "Children are encouraged to think, use skills and judgement to develop their own self-awareness and self esteem in everyday practical activities.
 
"Resources and planning enable children to use their skills in order to achieve expected development within the Stepping stones early learning goals necessary for their personal development."
 
The group is based at the village hall and can cater for 26 children aged between two and five-years-old.
 
Inspectors said the provision was 'acceptable and of a high quality' and children were making 'very good progress towards the early learning goals'.
 
Since the last inspection, children were now encouraged to explore sounds, recognise patterns, repetition and changes and enjoy more energetic play sessions, both indoor and outdoor.
 
Inspectors gave a 'very good' grade to all assessed areas including communication, language, literacy and mathematical development.
 
The inspectors' report added: "Children can talk confidently, develop language skills and contribute with interest. They respond to questions and discuss with each other and staff about everyday occurrences."
 
Staff were described as 'excellent role models' for the children by the inspectors.
 
The report stated: "The quality of teaching is very good. Staff are enthusiastic, work well in a team and provide a stimulating and innovative programme of activities to engage the children and develop their learning."
 
There were no significant weaknesses to report but the group was advised to improve the outdoor play area.
 
Manager of the group, Sandra Wilkinson, was delighted with the report. She praised the staff for their work, adding: "I am delighted the inspectors recognised elements of outstanding work.
 
"We have good a good team of staff here and we all work together and I think this is why we came out well in this report. Our next goal is to improve the outdoor area for the children. We need to keep raising the standards all the time."
 
The group is open from 9.30am until noon, weekdays during school term time.

Mud, sweat and fears on the Humber

Yorkshire Post - Tuesday 19th April 2005

by Alexandra Wood

IT was like being an explorer on a strange shore - except it was in the middle of the Humber.
Graham Boanas, 42, who is training to make a crossing of the river on foot in August, found himself on Whitton Sands during a dummy run.

"There were a couple of shocks in it - it was all a bit of nightmare," he said.

The island - which hit the headlines three years ago when it became home to a herd of cows who had escaped from a farmer's field on the mainland - is covered in huge reeds, some two-and-a-half metres tall, and is alive with rats.

Mr Boanas, who owns West Dock Street electrical firm Power Plus, could hear the animals rustling in the reeds but had to plough on.

Leaping across a dyke in the middle of the island, he ended up to his waist in soft mud out of sight of his back-up team, the inland Humber Rescue boat. "I knew if the tide came in I was in big trouble", he said. "I was sweating good and proper."

Eventually he was able to extricate himself, only to fall at the next hurdle, crossing the large expanse of water close to Whitton on the south bank. He made three attempts, but each time, the current was too strong.

Eventually he drifted to land unscathed, but with a much better idea of the challenge he faces.
He is sure he can still make the crossing unassisted in his record attempt on August 21, one of the lowest tides of the year.

He says it is a matter of more preparation, working out the exact route and knowing how to deal with soft mud (spread your body out on it as much as possible - if you go feet-first you will sink in).

"I'd say my chances are very good. I'd say I'm definitely fit enough. I have Humber Rescue doing the monitoring and they have the dedication, time and focus to tell me where to go and what to do.

"I have conquered my phobia with rats and I just think it can be done. If it can't I will be absolutely gutted."

For the last two months he has been wearing 2.5kg ankle weights, and he gets some strange looks from people using his local pool as he marches up and down its length with the weights on either leg.

Mr Boanas hopes to make it into the Guinness Book of Records.

And he is now more than halfway towards his fundraising goal of £20,000 for DebRA UK, a charity that helps people with a genetic skin blistering condition.

Humber Rescue coxswain Dave Roberts believes Mr Boanas, who the crew has nicknamed The Mudman, can succeed. "I think the first time he was a bit put off when we put him in the mud at South Ferriby. All he could do was roll over.

"But he has another dress rehearsal in May when the tide is a bit lower.

"I think he is very brave - when he came down to us with the idea I thought it was a bit pie in the sky, but he got into it and it seems feasible."

Anyone wishing to sponsor Mr Boanas can call Francesca Wagstaff on 01482 221522.
The Romans are reputed to have forded the river close to where Mr Boanas is attempting his crossing. In the nineteenth century several people reported that they had seen a Roman jetty in the river when it was extremely low. In 1953 Lord Noel Buxton walked across between Winteringham and Whitton - but used a boat on the Yorkshire side for a very short distance. Mr Boanas believes his crossing will be the first unassisted ever.
19 April 2005

TAXING MATTERS ON THEIR PLATE

Scunthorpe Telegraph - Friday 15th April 2005

Top restaurateurs Germain and Annie Schwab are about to do battle again with the taxman, over the business rates bill for their high-flying restaurant Winteringham Fields.
 
The couple have been presented with an annual bill for £48,500 - just four months after an appeal tribunal agreed they should be paying around a third of that amount. For the second time in a year the Schwabs have warned the 35 staff at the 18-year-old restaurant they will consider closing down if they have to pay up.
 
Originally the couple saw their bill rise after a valuation officer reclassified their restaurant, which entertains top showbiz stars, as a hotel.
 
Winteringham Fields, which was on sale in 2003 for a reported £1.3-million, has earned North Lincolnshire worldwide attention, attracting such diners as Robbie Williams and Sir Elton John.
 
However, a valuation tribunal which sat at Lincoln last December upheld the appeal from the couple.
 
But this week the Schwabs were presented with a rateable value bill for £48,500 - £9,000 more than last year's disputed bill.
 
"The valuation office appears to have totally disregarded the directions of the tribunal," Mrs Schwab said.
 
"So it has been a total waste of time and money. Now we will have to do it all again."
 
She added: "We are becoming very disillusioned and are considering retirement."
 
At one time the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) was considering an appeal against the decision to the Lands Tribunal in London, but then ruled out such a move.
 
The three panellists, who sat behind closed doors in Lincoln, were told Winteringham Fields was listed in 2000 as a restaurant and premises with an annual rateable value of £11,000.
 
That figure was increased to £11,500 in August 2001, following structural alterations.
 
But last September the business was reclassified as a hotel and premises with a rateable value of £39,500.
 
That figure was later amended to £29,500, but the Schwabs claimed they were told the figure would rise to £62,500 a year from April 2005.
 
The tribunal was told the Schwabs operated predominantly as a restaurant with 11 trained chefs on the staff.
 
There were seven letting bedrooms, all of which were only available to diners.
 
The tribunal concluded it was not possible to separately book rooms as it was with a hotel, and the occupiers were specialist chefs - as confirmed by the numerous accolades - and not hoteliers.
 
The rateable value was amended to £14,250 with effect from September last year, and the business again listed as restaurant and premises.
 
A VOA spokesman said: "Legislation requires the agency to review the rateable value of all non-domestic properties in England and Wales every five years.
 
"Regular revaluations are important to ensure rateable values are up-to-date and take into account changes in the property market. The new rating lists came into effect on April 1 and reflects values as at April 1, 2003.
 
"The VOA is currently in contact with the ratepayer's professional representatives with regard to the new rateable value of Winteringham Fields in the 2005 rating list, and has invited the ratepayer's agents to discuss the new valuation with us.
 
"We are committed to working with ratepayers to try and resolve their enquiries and concerns without the need for a formal appeal wherever possible.
 
"However, ratepayers are entitled to make an appeal, and have any unresolved dispute considered by an independent tribunal.
 
"The rating assessment of Winteringham Fields contained in the previous rating list is not in dispute.
 
"We will be able to comment further once the present discussions have been concluded."

NEW TEAM TO HELP BEAT BAD BEHAVIOUR

Scunthorpe Telegraph - Tuesday 12th April 2005

Barton's police inspector, Brett Rutty, has called on police, parents and teenagers to work together to stamp out anti-social behaviour in the area covered by the Barton Local Policing Team (LPT).
 
His call came as the LPT was restructured with the introduction of incident resolution officers and neighbourhood beat officers (NBOs). From yesterday, incident resolution officers will concentrate on priority crime areas while seven NBOs will take responsibility for lower levels of crime and community issues.
 
Insp Rutty said many people in the community felt threatened by anti-social behaviour, often involving teenagers who congregated in large numbers, using bad language or acting in a rowdy or aggressive manner.
 
The seven NBOs operating throughout Barton and the surrounding area would only work as a joint effort.
 
"We will challenge this behaviour but this is not a problem for the police alone and I am seeking the support of parents and teenagers alike," said Insp Rutty (pictured).
 
"I would ask parents to make sure they are aware of where their teenagers are, who they are with, and what they are getting up to."
 
And he added teenagers needed to be made aware of the impact their behaviour could have on other members of the community and particularly the elderly and find more appropriate places to meet friends.
 
The NBOs will be responsible for investigating lower level crimes and community issues and have been tasked to forge links with and work with communities to tackle issues of concern such as anti-social behaviour.
 
"The officers aim to spend time in the community getting to know local people, providing a reassuring presence and identifying problems," said Insp Rutty.
 
While the NBOs will be making themselves known within their communities, the incident response officers will respond to emergency calls to reports of on-going incidents across both Barton and Brigg LPTs and, wherever possible, make early arrests.
 
Additionally, the LPTs will be supported by detectives based at Scunthorpe who investigate serious crimes across the Scunthorpe Division and by a team of interviewing officers who deal with people arrested by LPT officers.
 
The Neighbourhood Beat Officers who will be operating throughout the Barton LPT area are Pcs Tom Doherty-Montague and Rob Grunner.
 
Pcs Tracey Teal and Jeff Sewell will be responsible for Winterton, Winteringham and the villages from South Ferriby to Worlaby.
 
Pc Amanda Barnett will be responsible for the Trent villages from Flixborough through to Whitton.
 
East of Barton, Pc Carl Osler will cover North and South Killingholme and Pc Sandra Brack will be responsible for the villages from Barton to Ulceby.

CHEF MISSES OUT ON AWARD

Scunthorpe Telegraph - Tuesday 5th April 2005

A talented young chef battled it out for a prestigious scholarship in London yesterday - but was pipped by another chef.
 
Robert Thompson, who is head chef at the award-winning Winteringham Fields restaurant, took part in the competition to find the 2005 Roux Scholar. But Robert lost the coveted award to Matt Tomkinson from Ockenden Manor - who had previously taken part in the national final.
 
The Roux Scholarship has been running for 22 years and the winner scoops an array of impressive prizes as well as work experience in New York.
 
If he had scooped the top title yesterday, Robert would have been the first Roux Scholar to follow in the footsteps of his brother, Patrick, who won the scholarship in 1998.
 
Robert, who moved to Winteringham Fields in October 2001, made it through the grand final of the elite cooking competition in March.

APPEAL FOR MORE ENTRANTS

Scunthorpe Telegraph - Saturday 2nd April 2005

The annual meeting of Winteringham Women's Institute was held in the village hall.
 
President Jackie Bateman welcomed 23 members and apologies received were recorded. The minutes of the 2004 annual meeting were read through and members agreed these were a true record. There were no matters arising which needed to be dealt with.
 
An appeal had been received from the Federation for more exhibits to be entered in the craft exhibition at Normanby Hall. Several members agreed to put forward craft items for display.
 
The coffee morning on March 12 at the Bay Horse Inn had raised £220 for the Meningitis Trust.
 
Members were reminded Winteringham would be entering a float in the Winterton Show parade, and helpers were needed to construct the float and to ride on the trailer on the day.
 
On May 3, an event will be held in the village hall to celebrate the 60th anniversary of VE Day, and members agreed to run a raffle.
 
The secretary read a letter which had been received from the federation chairman, urging members to support the events it organised. The annual federation reports were available for members to peruse.
 
The president then introduced speaker Patricia Ridger, who told members of her life as the wife of an oil tanker captain.
 
Mrs Ridger had been fortunate enough to travel all around the world with her husband.
 
She entertained everyone with her memories of countries she had visited and parties which had been held aboard the ships.
 
Mrs Bateman thanked her on behalf of the members for sharing her experiences.
 
The annual meeting business began with the reading of the by-laws. It was agreed no amendments were necessary.
 
Stan Wood was appointed as auditor. The financial report was read through and members agreed to the adoption of the financial statement.
 
The secretary read the report on behalf of the committee and the president gave her address. Mrs Bateman thanked committee members for all their hard work, and urged everyone to continue attending meetings and supporting the WI at all the events.
 
Ten nominations had been received for the committee, so there was no need for a vote. This year's committee would be the same as last year, but with the welcome return of Valerie Lancaster.
 
Mrs Bateman was unanimously re-elected as president for the forthcoming year.
 
Her first duty of the year was to present Valerie Hayton with a prize for gaining the most points in the competitions during the past year.
 
Hostesses for the evening were Marianne and Yvonne Ogg. Mystery parcels were won by Josie Ogg and Mary Nuttell.
 
The competition for 'Something Nautical' was judged by Mrs Ridger, and won by Janet Campbell, with Christine Hammond second and Sandra Wilkinson third.
 
Members were reminded at the meeting on April 21, June Drury would demonstrate card-making.
 
The competition will be for 'A Posy of Spring Flowers'.
 
All women living locally are invited to go along to this meeting, and everyone will be made most welcome.