COUNCIL MEETING

Scunthorpe Telegraph Friday 30th March 2007

The next Winteringham Parish Council meeting will be held on Tuesday at 7.30pm.

Peter Hirschfeld of Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council will be attending this meeting to talk to the councillors about the benefits of parish plans. The meeting will be held in the council room at the village hall.

All Parish Council meetings are open to the public and time is allowed at the end of the meeting for members of the public to speak.

FAMILY PRIDE AS MEDAL IS COLLECTED IN HERO'S NAME

Scunthorpe Telegraph Thursday 7th March 2007

Scunthorpe war hero Cpl Bryan Budd posthumously received the Victoria Cross yesterday.

And his stepfather has spoken of his pride after meeting the Queen at Buckingham Palace.As Cpl Budd's wife Lorena received the Victoria Cross from Her Majesty, Trevor Girdham told the Scunthorpe Telegraph the event had been 'breathtaking'.

Cpl Budd - who was killed in Afghanistan - became the first soldier since the Falklands to receive the coveted award for bravery.

The private ceremony, held in the state dining room at Buckingham Palace, was attended by Cpl Budd's widow Lorena, brother Stephen, twin sister Tracy and Mr Girdham.

He said: "It was a fantastic day for us all, to meet the Queen was unbelievable and really nerve-wracking."

The posthumous Victoria Cross award to the former Thomas Sumpter pupil, was the first given in 25 years.

It was awarded for 'two acts of valour in the face of the enemy'.

As previously reported, Cpl Budd (29) was serving in Sangin in the Helmans Province and was the 20th British soldier to die in action in the country.

On August 20 last year, he was leading his section near Sangin district centre when he identified a number of enemy fighters and in an attempt to surprise and destroy them, he initiated a flanking manoeuvre. But the enemy spotted a Land Rover on the left flank and the element of surprise was lost for the whole platoon.

In order to regain the initiative, Cpl Budd decided to assault the enemy and ordered his men to follow him. As they moved forward, the section came under fire incapacitating three of his men.

The continued enemy fire and these losses forced the section to take cover.

A Ministry of Defence statement issued when it was announced Cpl Budd was to posthumously receive the VC said: "Cpl Budd continued the assault on his own, knowing full well the likely consequences of doing so without the close support of his remaining men.

"He was wounded, but continued to move forward, attacking and killing the enemy as he rushed to their position.

"Inspired by Cpl Budd's example, the rest of the platoon reorganised and pushed forward their attack, eliminating more of the enemy and eventually forcing their withdrawal.

"Cpl Budd subsequently died of his wounds, and when his body was later recovered it was found surrounded by three dead Taliban."

Mr Girdham, of Burringham Road, Scunthorpe, added: "Bryan died saving the lives of the people. Soldiers are still alive today because of Bryan's heroism.

"Although Bryan can never come back, this award of the Victoria Cross is quite special and we will be able to remember him through this day.

"Through all the tragedy this comes as somewhat of a silver lining. We will never forget him, he will always be remembered.

"Myself and the rest of the family will never forget the day."

He added: "I never thought I would meet the Queen and I probably never will again.

"We all will treasure this day. The ceremony was fantastic and the whole family really enjoyed it."

Mr Girdham and the rest of the family were treated to a private tour of the palace by the Queen's lady in waiting before being taken to meet the monarch privately. "It was a great honour and a privilege meeting the Queen. I was shaking when I shook her hand."

The former Thomas Sumpter pupil had served in the Army for 10 years after passing his basic training in 2005.

Cpl Budd's brother Stephen, who is a serving soldier with the artillery regiment, said: "It was very pleasant to meet the Queen. She was very nice to us. I thoroughly enjoyed the day."

He said the Queen was interested in Cpl Budd's career before he served as a soldier and raised a smile when she was told how he used to work as a wine waiter at Winteringham Fields.

A funeral service for Cpl Budd was held at Woodlands Crematorium in Scunthorpe.

BREAKING NEWS: VC AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY TO SCUNTHORPE HERO

Scunthorpe Telegraph Wednesday 7th March 2007

SCUNTHORPE war hero Cpl Bryan Budd posthumously received the Victoria Cross today at Buckingham Palace.

After Cpl Budd’s wife Lorena received the medal from Her Majesty The Queen, his step-father Trevor Girdham told the Scunthorpe Telegraph the event had been “breathtaking”.

Bryan died saving the lives of the people. Soldiers are still alive today because of Bryan’s heroics, he said.

Cpl Budd twice led assaults into the heart of enemy gunfire in the Sangin district of southern Afghanistan last year.

On July 27, he spearheaded an attack on two gunmen on the roof of a building to allow a wounded colleague to be evacuated for life-saving treatment.

And during an engagement on August 20, with enemy fire forcing his comrades to take cover, Cpl Budd continued the assault alone, continuing to rush the Taliban position despite his own wounds.

His body was later found surrounded by those of three Taliban fighters.

His funeral service was held at Woodlands Crematorium, Scunthorpe.

For the full story, see tomorrow’s Scunthorpe Telegraph.

PLANNING APPEAL

Scunthorpe Telegraph Tuesday 6th March 2007

A Planning appeal has been launched after North Lincolnshire Council refused permission to retain a change of use of land from agricultural to domestic garden land.

John and Ann Smith have appealed the decision which would affect a property on Ermine Street, Winteringham.The Planning Inspectorate will now consider the appeal.

Anyone who wishes to make representations on the appeal should write direct (sending three copies) to Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber, PO Box 213, City House, New Station Street, Leeds, LS1 4US not later than the end of March.

 

PUPILS' POSH NOSH CHEAP AS CHIPS

Scunthorpe Telegraph Tuesday 6th March 2007

A Top chef treated school pupils to a lunchtime feast worth £80 - for the price of a bag of chips.

Winteringham Fields' chef, Rob Thompson, made the mini gourmet lunch in true Jamie Oliver fashion for pupils of Broughton Junior School yesterday.The food usually costs £80 per course, but for just £1 youngsters got to sample oriental salmon and noodles and French favourite chicken cassoulet.

Rob agreed to take a break from serving celebrities at the gourmet restaurant, and gave up his time for free after headteacher Peter Hargrave came up with the idea to give the youngsters a tasty and healthy treat.

"Pete rang me up one day and asked if I'd help come up with some new ideas for their menu - I get calls every day from people asking for help or recipes, but it's usually just about money," said Rob.

"It's not about me teaching people how to cook, I'm just bringing some new ideas and everyone has been very open to that.

"The biggest difference between my job and working here was the budget, I'm used to cooking one course, which costs £10 in ingredients - here I'm making a whole meal for about 60p," he added.

The work Rob has done, adding new items to the menu, has helped expand the school's current healthy eating programme.

Broughton has a five-a-day club, has banned chips completely, offers a choice of six different vegetables daily and, following a suggestion from Rob, has recently acquired an allotment where fresh herbs will be grown.

"Rob feels as passionately about food as we do about education, and this was a wonderful way to bring those passions together," said Mr Hargrave.

"I decided to give Rob a call after I visited the Fields as a treat and I never really thought he would say 'yes'.

"I always eat in the canteen myself and it is healthy food we provide with a lot of fruit and a choice of vegetables - but Rob coming in was about trying something new."

Julia Storey of North Lincolnshire Council's service provision department, said Rob's menu changes were not about making the menu healthier.

"We did already serve chicken and salmon, all our schools serve a variety of healthy dishes," she explained.

"Rob has put some new ideas to work, but we do have recipe development within the service itself - coming up with new ideas is part of the process.

"We always do very well with the budget we have and we've been lucky to keep a hot meal service in all North Lincolnshire schools.