TRACTORS IN RUN FOR CHARITY

Scunthorpe Telegraph Friday 28th April 2006

Members of a North Lincolnshire tractor club will be taking to the road next month, in a bid to raise funds for a medical charity.

The North Lincolnshire Friends of Ferguson Heritage have organised a special road run for its members on Sunday, May 14, in aid of the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance. It is hoped about 40 members will meet, by kind permission of Robert Knapton, in the yard of Manor Farm, at Coleby, where they will line up their tractors for a 10am start.

From there, they will move off and travel by road and various other tracks to cover a 25-mile run, driving via Winteringham, Winterton, Flixborough, Burton-Upon-Stather, Alkborough and Whitton, before arriving on the village green at West Halton, between 1.30pm and 2pm.

As well as the line-up of tractors, the finish point will also feature a number of charity stalls and light refreshments.

Club member Alan Holmes said it would be the third tractor road run they had undertaken for the charity, and members were hoping this year would be a record breaker in terms of donations.

Anyone who would like to join the tractor run is invited to contact club official John White on (01724) 721321.

EGG-CELLENT PRIZES FOR WINNING CONTEST

Scunthorpe Telegraph Thursday 20th April 2006

The winners of the Scunthorpe Telegraph's Easter Egg competition are: D Battersby of Frost Close, Winteringham, Thomas Hills of Southfield Road, Scunthorpe, Declan Foley of St Margaret's Walk, Ashby, Dominik Slowikowski of Cliff Gardens, Scunthorpe and Carol Moody of Baysdale Road, Ashby.

The winners all receive an Easter egg and £15 of WHSmith vouchers.

NOMINEES SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED FOR CARING AWARDS

Scunthorpe Telegraph Wednesday 19th April 2006

The shortlist for prestigious childcare awards has been announced.

The Geest Childcare Awards celebrate work by registered childcare providers, and highlight the difference they make to the lives of children and their families. There are seven categories, awarding the rich diversity of childcare in the region.

The shortlisted nominees and overall winners in each category will be selected by an independent panel of judges, appointed by North Lincolnshire Council's Childcare Development Service.

A large number of nominations were received, and the organisers are pleased so many parents and providers took the time to nominate.

The awards are sponsored by Geest, but other organisations - such as the Scunthorpe Telegraph - are sponsoring individual awards.

In the Childminder of the Year category, the nominees are Carolyn Allison, Nicola Hill, Sharon and Anthony Pugh and Dawn Towers.

Nominees for Pre-school of the Year are First Steps, Little Owls, Parkview Pre-school and Winteringham Under-Fives.

Shortlisted for Nursery of the Year are Apple Tree Day Nursery, Hibaldstow, Happy Days, Happy Stars and the Kingsway Children's Centre.

The nominees for the Out of School Club award are Kids at Coneygarth, Parkview OSC, Scawby OSC and Ulceby Kids' Club.

Shortlisted as Students of the Year are Patricia Catchpole and Khyrun Alam Nesa.

In the running for Volunteer of the Year are Cynthy Harris, Samantha Toobey and Julia Wilks.

Those nominees shortlisted for the Lifetime Achievement award are Mandy Barsley, Chris Brownless, Jean Harford and Kathleen Kay.

The awards ceremony takes place on Friday, May 12.

'CARE HOME CASH BOOST NOT ENOUGH'

Scunthorpe Telegraph Tuesday 18th April 2006

Care homes are to benefit from a council cash boost - but the rise has been slammed by care home workers who say it is not enough.

North Lincolnshire Council is to raise the basic rate it pays each home to look after an elderly person from £300 to £306 a week. The cash is given to homes which care for residents who are entitled to state aid, to fund their care.

Kathy Bennett, manager of Spring House residential home in Winteringham, said the boost was welcome, but needed to be higher.

"It's just not that much when it comes down to it - what goes out isn't matching what's coming in," she explained.

"It's not that it isn't appreciated, it really is, but things like rising utility bills just haven't been taken into account.

"I wish the council had looked at the whole picture and given us enough to be able to offer the little bit extra the people we look after deserve."

Another care home worker, based in Scunthorpe, who did not want to be named, said more money needed to be devoted to homes.

"Yes the rise is good news. But it's not going to make an awful lot of difference," she said.

"I mean, how far does £6-a-week go? The increase is just not significant enough to make a difference for our residents. I know I sound ungrateful, but it feels like the elderly just aren't a priority for the council.

"They pour money into schools - which they should, of course - but older people get ignored in my eyes," she added.

But Coun Liz Redfern, deputy leader of North Lincolnshire Council, pointed out additional funds were to be devoted to elderly people resident in care homes.

"On top of the rise in basic rates we are going to provide £400,000 to homes which meet quality standards for facilities and staff training," she said.

"This will ensure the extra money we are investing over and above inflation goes to homes which are investing themselves."

Coun Redfern said the council was well aware of financial requirements faced by homes and did its best to ease problems.

"The council does recognise homes can face rising costs. So despite the council's difficult financial situation, we have agreed to increase the amount we pay these homes to cover inflation," she said.

The council is working in partnership with care homes to develop a new quality scheme.

The extra £400,000 will be invested in the new project and will be used to provide extra payments for high quality facilities and staff training levels.