Freshney Place dig reveals intriguing artefacts that throw light on Grimsby during reign of King John

A lead stamp with an inscribed tree has been discovered by archaeologists excavating Grimsby's Freshney Place development site. Possibly dating back as far as the early 13th Century when King John granted the town a charter, it would have been used to  stamp impressions into hot wax to authenticate documents. These functioned like a modern signature, allowing both those who could read and write and illiterate individuals across all social classes, from merchants to clergy and farmers, to legalise everything from letters to legal transactions. Other finds have included numerous remnants of leather, suggesting that  there might once have been a shoe-making factory on the site. Enthuses North East Lincolnshire Council's cabinet member for heritage, Cllr Tanya Brasted:"These are exciting finds for our town centre, and, in time, I hope they can be put on display for everyone to see."

Indian restaurant's upbeat message to customers: 'We are still open, still cooking and still serving you"

                                     

IT is business as usual at a popular Indian restaurant and takeaway.

The Spice of Life, on Wellowgate in Grimsby,   had its licence revoked at a North East Lincolnshire Council committee meeting last week following allegations that it had been engaging staff members who were not legally entitled to be working in this country.

But the restaurant's management has since appealed.

It is understood that the  matter is now set to be determined by Grimsby magistrates at a date to be fixed.

In the meantime,  a well-received social media statement, issued earlier this week, reads as follows: 

"Spice of Life is OPEN as usual.  

"You may have seen some stories about us in the media. 

"We are here to let you know that we are still here, still cooking and still serving you.  

"Nothing has changed at Spice of Life. Come in and enjoy your favourites with us.  

"Thank you to everyone who has checked in and supported us - it means a lot.  

"With love,  

"The Spice of Life family"

                                         

Proposal for Grimsby's former Customs House to be converted to flats gets planning green light

                                           

Grand old building that has served many purposes in its 151-year lifetime

 

A NEW chapter could soon open for the Customs House, a Grade II Listed building off Cleethorpe Road in Grimsby.

Opened in December 1875 to help in the oversight and supervision of maritime trade, it has had different uses in more recent times.

It has variously been offices, a bar, a discotheque and even, briefly, a massage parlour.

In late 2023, consent was given for it to become a funeral directors' premises but it is uncertain whether it was ever used as such.

In the latest move, the planning go-ahead was this week given for the currently empty property and adjacent building to be converted to  a shop and seven apartments.  

However, conversion may take some while because of the dilapidated state of the interior.

According to an architectural report, "the current condition  has been adversely affected through vandalism following a break-in in last year. 

"Damage was caused to windows and internal surfaces following the stripping-out of copper wiring and with subsequent water damage."

It is understood the shop will be a conveniences store.

The successful applicant is Mr Mohammad Ashraf of  Leicester-based ASR Property Trading Ltd.

Bright and welcoming - or cheap and tacky? Plastic flowers are now adorning Grimsby's A180 flyover

                                            

Cllr Callison - making us proud?

PLASTIC flowers imported from the Far East have been installed in the planters on the A180 flyover in Grimsby.

NELC leader Cllr Oliver Freeston and his Cleethorpes cabinet colleague Cllr Bob Callison have this week been carrying out the work which may provide the springboard for similar initiatives elsewhere in the borough.

Says the latter: "We really wanted to do something that added a splash of colour to welcome drivers as they were coming into Grimsby and Cleethorpes - and these have done the trick.

"Of course, real displays would have been fantastic, but there was no way we wanted to add to water shortages.

"The cost of keeping more displays alive was simply not an option."

He continues: "Brightening up the flyover is just a very small thing and been done with a very small budget. 

"But what it does show is that we can come up with ways of doing things if we work together.

"Over the next few weeks, I am going to be contacting fellow councillors, and others, to start looking at how we can all unite to smarten areas up, to look at things like alley clearance again - and to make us all proud of where we live and what we do."

The Grimsby News says: The two councillors are to be commended for their initiative - but not for their taste. The artificial plants may look colourful now but they will soon enough be darkened by exhaust fumes. Going for the plastic option also sets a disturbing precedent. Is that what we will soon be getting in Pier Gardens and parks in the borough? Those who cherish real flowers, trees and shrubs will hold their heads in their hands and weep - probably enough tears to fill a whole row of watering cans.  

Does this superb tree have to be felled just because Grimsby's United Reform Church doesn't like it?

                                                     

                                                  

A healthy specimen that supports songbirds and other wildlife - but it faces  fatal date with tree surgeon

ANOTHER of Grimsby's fine native English trees is to be felled.

North East Lincolnshire Council has approved an application by the United Reformed Church to "remove to ground level" a healthy field maple growing on land off Weelsby Road in Grimsby.

On what grounds should such a splendid tree  be lost to the Grimsby streetscape?

Church leaders say it is "interfering with BT lines and causing issues for neighbouring properties", but it has provided no evidence of such.

The work is due to be carried out by a locally-based firm, ironically named Grimsby Tree Care. 

The Grimsby News says: It is not surprising that North East Lincolnshire is officially rated one of the most tree-depleted parts of England when it keeps approving their removal. There is no reason why this one should be lost in its entirety when some judicious trimming would suffice. Before it is too late, the decision should be called in for review by the ward councillors.

New wetland nature reserve proposed for Cleethorpes - but would it sit well with new houses all around it?

                                                       

Part of the arable farmland site which has been earmarked for wetland birds - and a huge new housing estate

MORE details have emerged of a new wetland nature reserve proposed for a vast area of farmland  behind Pennells garden centre in  Cleethorpes.

According to agents for landowners Brocklesby Estates, it would  include a 32-hectare permanent wet grassland  to be created by converting existing arable habitat which is currently believed to be unfarmed.

The aim would be to establish a mitigation site for birds. As such, it would be not dissimilar to those created in recent years at Novartis Ings and Cress Marsh, near Healing, but on a smaller scale.

To maintain the sward at a short height (up to 10cm) for the benefit of scarce wading birds and other species,  there would be a late-summer cut of the grass followed  by cattle grazing.

There would also  be 'wader  scrapes' and 'seasonally wet pools' -   with water height to be adjusted to optimum levels by water control measures.

The agents say there would also be perimeter screening (as at Novartis Ings) to reduce visual disturbance, but viewing points would be established to allow birders to watch the activity.

Among bird species the agents reckon could benefit are: Redshank,  Curlew, Snipe, Golden Plover, Lapwing  Green and Common Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Teal, Mallard, Yellow Wagtail, Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit and Skylark.

However, there is no clarity yet on  how the proposed reserve would be managed and maintained - nor whether provision would be made for the birdlife to be actively monitored and recorded .

And there is another  big question mark.

The project is entirely dependent on Brocklesby Estates being granted planning consent to build up to 1,500 houses on adjoining  land with all the disruption that would cause to existing wildlife including locally rare Little Owls, Green Woodpeckers, songbirds, butterflies and several species of bat.

The matter is likely to be determined - but probably not for many months - by North East Lincolnshire Council's planning authority. 

* Humberston parish councillors are due to provide their input on the proposed housing development (see our August 13 report)  at a meeting tomorrow evening (Tuesday August 18).

The vast area of  Cleethorpes earmarked for housing and a nature reserve (image: Gillespies)

                            

Green Sandpipers often benefit from wader scrapes - such as this individual  spotted alongside a pond at the Wigmore Park housing estate in New Waltham

North East Lincolnshire's roads need beauty treatment to restore 'essential oils' and delay ageing

                                                            

Fieldhouse Road in Humberston is one of those that will be closed temporarily 

SURFACE  treatments on some roads in North East Lincolnshire on Sunday 23 August and Monday 24 August.

The work forms part of the council’s e approach to road maintenance- helping to protect road surfaces, extend their lifespan and reduce the likelihood of potholes and cracks developing.

The works are scheduled as follows:

* A16 Peaks Parkway, between Low Farm Roundabout and Weelsby Road - Sunday 23 August, 7am to 11am

* A16 Louth Road, between Low Farm Roundabout and Becklands Roundabout - Sunday 23 August, 11am to 3pm

* A1098 Hewitts Avenue, between Low Farm Roundabout and Peaks Lane - Sunday 23 August, 3pm to 7pm

* Fieldhouse Road, Humberston - Monday 24 August, 9.30am to 3.30pm

The work involves a specialist 'rejuvenation treatment' which aims to restore 'essential oils' within the asphalt.

The treatment is sprayed onto the road surface where it penetrates the aged asphalt and helps maintain its condition for longer. 

A fine grit is then applied to improve skid resistance and absorb any excess material.

The process is quick and efficient, allowing roads to reopen shortly after treatment has been completed.

Temporary road closures will be in place while the work is carried out. Pavements will remain open and access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times.

The programme is weather-dependent, and dates or times may change at short notice if conditions are unsuitable.

NELC has not revealed the chemical make-up of the 'essential oils'.