Treat for young Mariners fans as Grimsby Town players hold open training session at Blundell Park

Plenty of holidaying schoolchildren headed for Blundell Park yesterday morning when their Grimsby Town heroes held an open-to-the-public training session followed by photo opportunities. Manager Dave Artell presided. The Mariners kick off their 2026-27 campaign on Saturday with a home fixture against Blackpool in the EFL Cup (kick-off: 3pm)

                                                                                   

That's the way to do it - gaffer Dave Artell shows the way

                              

How to unlock the opposition defence - players try out an attacking drill

A well-earned breather on a very hot morning 

                                                          

Time to get started again . . 

Bob rubbed shoulders with showbiz celebrities but himself always remained modest and unassuming

                                           

Bob Suich pictured with Australian songbird Dannii Minogue at the Embassy Theatre in Skegness in October 1998

        

THERE will be widespread sadness at news of the death, aged 74, of Bob Suich - inspiration for Bob's Brainwaves which is one of the chosen charities of  the Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Cllr Marian Boyd.

Kent-born Bob was a former manager (1977-83) of Cleethorpes Pier who had earlier worked for Chrysalis Records and later as foreshore manager in Mablethorpe and head of tourism for East Lindsey District Council.

As a student at Sheffield University, he also found time to be entertainments manager and booked many frontline acts of the 1970s - among them Roxy Music, Suzi Quatro and Paul McCartney's Wings.

For a long time, he also booked topline acts for the Embassy Theatre in Skegness and for the illuminations switch-ons in the same town, one of them being his favourite showbiz personality, Norman Wisdom.

His favourite TV comedy was Fawlty Towers, while the films he most enjoyed were Hollywood movies, especially those starring Fred Astaire.

Once asked what his ideal job would be, he replied: "Hosting ITV's holiday show, Wish You Were Here." 

Although he spent much in the company of celebrities from the world of  entertainment, he was himself very modest and unassuming. He was quite proud of having started his working life as a milkman in North London.

Bob was a lifelong supporter of Arsenal FC.

In retirement, he succumbed to  dementia which prompted wife Chris to set up Bob's Brainwaves to help those whose lives have been affected by the disease .

In a tribute, Chris said:  "My lovely Bob passed away on 18th July with me at his side. 

"Myself and our sons, Joseph and Edward  would  just like to say a huge thank you to everyone for all your cards, messages of support and taking the time to share lovely memories of Bob before this disease hit. 

"He was truly a one-off and for our time together I am eternally grateful."  

A celebration of Bob's life will take place at 3pm on August 19 at St James' Church in Louth.

                                  

Bob Suich - inspiration for much-valued charity  

Local housebuilder hopes it will be third time lucky with development project near Toll Bar academy

                                                                   

The entrance to Grove Farm off Station Road

LOCAL housebuilding company  Snape Properties hopes it will be third time lucky with its aim to redevelop land between New Waltham and Waltham.

In November last year, its proposal to build up to 120 homes at Grove Farm on Station  Road  was refused by North East Lincolnshire Council planners.

Snape submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, but was unsuccessful again -  the case inspector dismissed the appeal.

Now the company has submitted a new application, but this time for a development of smaller scale  - no more than 40 homes.

The 3.76-hectare site is between Newgrove Care Home and Toll Bar Academy on the other side of the road from Robinson's farm shop.

If approved, the project would involve the demolition of barns and stables - prime nesting and roosting habitats for Swallows and Barn Owls as well as Bats.

An ecological survey, commissioned by the developers, surprisingly found no evidence of occupation by either of the above two bird species.

However, the consultants have come up with a modest scheme of mitigation including the installation of two Swift nestbricks on one of the proposed cottages. 

The application is likely to be determined by planners later this year.

Cottage-style- the designs being considered for the proposed development  

At current slick rate of progress, new Cleethorpes padel courts could open sooner rather than later

 

Works are proceeding at a cracking pace on installation  of new padel courts on the site of the former Jungle Zoo in Cleethorpes. No official word yet on the proposed opening date but it seems likely that it will be sooner rather than later. On the downside, the development has resulted in the loss of hedgerow nesting habitat for some songbirds, but it is understood the developers have purchased biodiversity credits to provide wildlife habitat elsewhere though this might not be  in North East Lincolnshire.

Councillors go walkabout at Pleasure Island - and, happily, none was eaten by a dog

He's probably very friendly (to his owners) - a guard dog patrols the grounds 

ANY free-roaming guard dogs at Pleasure Island were kept under restraint to safeguard members of North East Lincolnshire during a site visit to the former theme park.

This was to ensure that none of the part should feel nervous about being attacked and savaged.

The visit, which was held on July 7, provided a rare opportunity for councillors and officers to marvel at the many songbirds and butterflies that have made Pleasure Island their home since it closed as a commercial attraction more than 10 years.

According to a bird survey conducted in summer four years ago, the trees and shrubs are home to more than 50 bird species.

No survey has been undertaken of the butterflies, but it is thought there could be at least 20 varieties - maybe more.

The site is effectively a small unofficial nature reserve, with an incredible range of wildlife including several bat species and various types of dragonflies and damselflies which, at this time of year, dart about over the waters of the two lakes.

Some would like to see this extraordinary habitat maintained and enhanced, but supermarket chain Lidl wants to clear the land of almost all the trees and shrubs to make way for one of its stores, plus a coffee shop, two hotels 272 holiday cabins and other amenities.

The NELC delegation's visit was hosted by Lidl's property acquisition chief, Gary Rafferty, who is unlikely to have extolled the delights of the wildlife, probably preferring to highlight the commercial advantages from his company's proposals for land clearance and redevelopment.

Those who also took part in the 75-minute visit on July 7 were:

* Cheryl Jarvis - NELC Planning Manager (case officer)         

* Richard Limmer - NELC Principal Planner

* Gary Raferty - Lidl (applicant and site owner)

* Cllr Matthew Patrick - (Lab, Heneage) NELC planning committee chairman

* Cllr Goodwin - NELC planning committee vice-chairman

* Cllr Bob Callison - (Reform, Sidney Sussex)

* Cllr Paul Batson - (Reform, South)

* Cllr Haydn Dawkins - (Con, Humberston & New Waltham)

* Cllr Paul Bright - (Ind, Freshney)

* Cllr Henry Hudson - (Con, Wolds) 

* Cllr Loyd Emmerson - (Lib-Dem, East Marsh)

* Cllr Ian Lindley - (Con, Scartho)

*Cllr Edward Kaczmarek - (Lab, Sidney Sussex)

It had been intended for Lidl's application to be determined at the following morning's planning meeting in Grimsby Town Hall.

However, debate and a decision were deferred after it emerged that there had been legal objections.

Unable to be present either for the site visit or the planning meeting, for reasons unknown, was planning committee member Cllr Bill Parkinson whose Haverstoe ward accommodates Pleasure Island.

As with other consultees, representatives of the RSPB and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, both of which oppose the application, were not invited to attend - a shame because they would have been able to identify the wildlife for the benefit of those attending.   

When will the application be determined? 

Councillors expressed a wish that, having been deferred, the Lidl proposal might be considered at their next planning meeting.

But their wish will not be granted. Because of the complexity of the legalities, the application is not included on the agenda for the August meeting.  

                                     

Making use of the sunshine - Grimsby supermarket given planning all-clear to install solar panels on roof

                                                      

SAINSBURY'S has been given the green light to install solar panels on the roof of its Grimsby branch.

North East Lincolnshire Council planners have looked kindly on the proposed installation which will generate renewable energy for the store on Corporation Road.

A note from its agents, Ineco Energy, states: "So far as is practicable, the panels will be sited so as to minimise any effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area. 

"The proposal would not unacceptably harm the characteristics of the existing building or the character of its surroundings because the area is commercial in its appearance, set within a built-up area. 

"The proposal would not be prominently visible from the street scene as it is a tall building and, with the solar panels set clear from the external edges, it will not harmfully impact the design of the building and the area. 

"The  panels would be visible from certain heights, but they would not be prominently visible from the public realm or street level." 

It is not yet known when the works will be carried out

Alert sounded after duo stung by poisonous sand-dwelling fish on Cleethorpes Beach

                                                     

Beware of this menacing-looking fish - those spines are poisonous

AN alert has been sounded on the presence of poisonous Weever fish on Cleethorpes beach.

It follows instances in which two individuals were stung by the spines of the hard-to-spot creature  as it lurked just under the surface of the sand.

The Resort Safety Team, which has itself detected one of the fish in a creek near Wonderland, warns paddlers: "Take extra care!

"Weever fish bury themselves in sand, making them very difficult to spot.

"Stepping on one can result in a painful sting."

What should you do if stung?

The advice is to immerse the affected area in hot (not scalding water) for 30-90 minutes and seek First Aid.

In the event of collapse, breathing difficulties or allergic reaction, 999 should be dialled.

The Resort Safety Team, opposite the pier, can provide First Aid.