Opinion: Let's hope £20k reward helps catch Una Crown's evil killer

A frail woman in her 80s was stabbed to death and her body set on fire in her own home.

No this is not some murder mystery television show, this horrific crime actually happened right here in Fenland.

Yet 10 years on and despite numerous appeals the police are no further forward in catching the killer of Una Crown.

Now they are once again appealing for help and are dangling a £20,000 reward to anyone who provides the key information that sees this vicious murderer behind bars.

This is the second time Crimestoppers have stepped in to help police with the offer of a cash reward - not long after the killing in Magazine Lane, Wisbech, there was £10,000 on offer - but despite the incentive no one has come up with anything that will identify the perpetrator.

The police may have botched the investigation in the early days when they initially failed to recognise Una had been murdered and as a result a couple of valuable days passed before the murder investigation was launched.

However, they have always firmly believed the answer to this gruesome murder lies firmly in the hands of the community where Una lived and had previously worked.

If that is true, and I believe it is, then someone out there has been protecting a killer all these years. Why, would anyone do that? Family maybe family, but there are no excuses for shielding someone capable of such evil - especially as it has long been thought Una trusted her killer enough to let them into her home.

A reward should not be necessary to persuade you to do the right thing, but if that's what it takes, then come on, point the finger and let's get Una some justice and her family some peace knowing her killer has finally been punished for what they did...What are you waiting for?

News that eligible families are set to get extra help with childcare from next year must be a huge weight off for many.

Having access to 30 hours of free childcare a week for under fives offered by the Chancellor in this week's budget, has been described as life-changing by some mums.

I can well imagine that's true. I know when my own children were young my child minder had more of my income than I did, so I know what it would have meant to my family, it's just a shame families have to wait until next year to benefit, especially with the current economic crisis we are all facing...

Apparently we are likely to have a spring and summer of hosepipe bans and water shortages.

Seems February was one of the driest in records dating back to the 1830s.

As a result farmers are sounding the alarm and warning certain crops might suffer. This is not good news for shoppers.

Prices are already rising dramatically, a lack of staples like carrots because farmers are unable to water their crops is quite frankly alarming.

Our area (East Anglia) has been in drought status since last year's long hot summer and whilst we might be in 'recovery', chances are we will be right back there come spring time...Food for thought, if not for the plate, for those who are sceptical about Global warming and the impact it has on our environment.

Probably time for us all to get out there and do a rain dance or two - although I must admit I do enjoy a bit of hot, sunshine...

I know I have already spoken about smoking, but this week there was a startling statistic which definitely is worth contemplating.

Wisbech is the number one place in the country for smokers - nearly a third (27%) of adults smoke - that's not an accolade or a spot in a league table to be proud of.

More shocking is the fact that children of smokers are four times more likely to take up the habit than those whose parents don't.

Smoking has been found to cause 16 types of cancer and is linked to at least six further types of disease.

I know we all think it won't happen to us, that's only human, but it might happen to your child if they feel inspired to copy your smoking ways.

That's why the Wisbech Primary Care Network's latest campaign to try to halt the growth in the numbers of young smokers is so important.

And why as a parent it is important, if you can't quit, to emphasise the dangers of cigarettes and point out just what a horrible habit it really is, who knows your words might save your child's life further down the line...