Gainsborough MP tells Prime Minister latest lockdown will be “less effective”

Two ancient human skeletons and other items also believed to be from the Iron Age were found on sites near Lincoln.

Both sets of bones were found in separate archaeological sites near Navenby, which were being prepared by Anglian Water for new large-scale water pipelines.

The skeletons have been sent for further analysis by Trent and Peak Archaeology and Oxford Archaeology East, who carried out the excavations.

Other items including parts of small buildings and fragments of pottery, also believed to be from the Iron Age, were found.

Both sets of bones were found in separate archaeological sites near Navenby. | Photo: Anglian Water

Other items including parts of small buildings and fragments of pottery were found. | Photo: Anglian Water

Jo Everitt, Environment and Heritage Assessor for Anglian Water, said: “We know that Iron Age communities existed in the area around Navenby, and that there is well-defined Roman history there too.

“The main Roman road running from London to Lincoln and on to York, Ermine Street, now known as High Dyke, runs parallel to the proposed Lincoln to Grantham pipeline.

“Such discoveries tell us a lot about our ancient history and how Iron Age communities experienced day to day life. They can also help enhance our understanding of the development of our regional and national heritage.”

Excavations were carried out at the sites. | Photo: Anglian Water

Construction on the first section, which runs from Lincoln to Grantham, is due to begin this spring. Up to 500 kilometres of new, interconnecting pipelines are being planned.

The work at the site is part of a 25-year drive to secure water supplies across the Anglian Water region.

James Crompton, Direction of the Strategic Pipeline project for Anglian Water, said: “We recognise the immense value of finds like this and will always work with experts to handle the discoveries in an appropriate manner.

“We care about the areas in which we are working and will always be respectful of anything we find.”

Two sisters have made it their mission to help kids in need at their local school in Skegness throughout lockdown, donating and delivering everything from meals to learning packs and tablets.

Megan Cox, 26, and her sister Grace, 21, were furloughed from their jobs at Butlins when the country went into the first lockdown, which left them wanting to use their free time to help others.

In March 2020, the sisters helped organise and deliver free school meals to children who go to the Richmond School in Skegness every single week, using their own transport to do so.

This continued throughout lockdown, and it is estimated that Megan and Grace delivered over 350 food parcels to pupils from the Richmond School in just over three months.

The hard work didn’t stop there, though, as the girls have carried on their charitable offerings right up to the current day.

Numerous school reports were hand delivered by the girls in July, as well as over 200 maths packs to help with remote learning at the start of 2021.

They didn’t take any time off at Christmas either, delivering festive hampers to the children during December, before reverting back to school meal delivery for the new term.

Perhaps most amazing of them all, Megan and Grace then responded to the school’s appeal for electronic devices, to enable access to online learning for all children.

They looked to their own unused devices, but when they realised they were too old to update, they bought brand new ones and gave them to the school.

Both girls have said that the best part of doing it isn’t the praise, but seeing the children waving at them from their windows and hearing the excitement in their voices.

Megan said: “I was happy to help by giving up a little lockdown time, knowing it would make such a difference to families in need.”

Her sister Grace added: “I was eager to donate a tablet to support home learning as I was shocked to hear that so many children did not have access to something that could make such a difference.”

Headteacher of the Richmond School, Caroline Wellsted, said: “They are real Community Champions, giving up their time to support team Richmond. A huge thank you from us all for giving so much of their time.”

A Grimsby businessman cleared his name after his son employed illegal workers at an Indian restaurant.

The solicitor for Spice of Life’s premises licence holder Mohammed Abdul Salique argued that the business was owned and run day-to-day by his son Mohammed Hussain Shahir.

Mr Shahir was fined £30,000 for employing two staff (£15,000 each) found to be working at the premises who don’t have a right to work in the UK.

Evidence from the Home Office said the money currently remains unpaid, despite no objections or appeals submitted since the date of the breach on August 23, 2019.

Sarah Clover, on behalf of Mr Salique, argued it was the employer, not the premises licence holder, who was responsible for vetting staff.

She said Mr Salique appeared before North East Lincolnshire’s licensing committee on Tuesday to clear his name.

“Mr Salique has been in Grimsby since 1979, he’s got a reputation — and that is what he is before you with an interest in preserving today, that’s his motivation for challenging this review,” she said.

“He’s operated a number of restaurants and takeaways in this space of time and he hasn’t been subjected to reviews or enforcement action or criticism, or anything indeed to suggest that his reputation is anything other than good he he’s acted as a pillar of the community.”

She said neither of the premises licence holders, including a Mr Abdul Somir, who was not at the committee hearing, were present for the Home Office visits.

She also disputed a number of facts arguing a lack of detail being presented.

It had also taken 15 months for the incident to reach the committee for review, she pointed out.

The premises were raided on five previous occasions by Home Office Immigration Enforcement. During visits in 2012 and 2015, workers were found to be employed illegally and were subsequently arrested.

During the 2019 raid, one of the officers reported a man on the roof of the building who had climbed out of a window. He agreed to come back into the building and was said to have been “visibly shaken and cried for some time before calming down”, said the evidence.

One man, believed to be Mr Shahir, was reported to be “verbally aggressive” during the 2015 visit and “disruptive” to police officers during the 2019 raid.

Emily Price on behalf of Humberside Police said: “The view of the the Chief Constable is, given that there has been a clear breach of the legislation in regards to employees, not one but two illegal workers, not for the first time, but for the third —  that the council should consider revoking the premise’s licence.”

Committee members, however, agreed with Ms Clover, with chairman Councillor David Hasthorpe, saying: “The committee are happy that there should be no slur on the character of Mohammed Salique regarding the legal working found to be occurring on the premises known as the Spice of Life.”

However, they noted their concern that regular checks should have been made to ensure laws were being complied with.

They added a series of conditions to the licence including an onus on Premises Licence Holders to verify identification documents.

A transfer of the premises license was also made to new owners Tail and Spirit who took over the business in December 2020.