Revamped Pier Gardens will make Cleethorpes 'number one spot' in Britain, insists senior councillor

                                          

Anyone for pampas grass? Some of the plants that have been installed in the gardens

AN upbeat note has been sounded by North East Lincolnshire Council on the re-modelling of Pier Gardens on Cleethorpes seafront ahead of the 2027 summer season.

The works being carried out by contractors Maylim  are understood to be on schedule.

Many of the previous lawns, trees and shrubs are being replaced with ornamental planting and  with play feature such as a skatepark, wooden play area, splash pad and slides.

Following a walkabout with workers, NELC's portfolio holder for tourism Cllr Bob Callison enthused:  "Every day something new is being put in or built and the whole thing is really starting to take shape - it really is amazing.

“For years, people have loved this space in the very heart of our great seaside resort. 

"This new design is  fantastic, and a great addition to our ever-growing Cleethorpes.

"This will be the number one spot in Britain, mark my words."

                                                       

The traditional lawns have been replaced with climbing frames 

The slide will provide superb views across the estuary

How Pier Gardens used to look before work began 

Minister reminds NELC leader: Protecting children is one of the most important jobs a council undertakes

     

Unhappy with North East Lincolnshire Council's leadership - Josh McAlister

A GOVERNMENT minister has warned that careless or irresponsible words and actions are putting vulnerable North East Lincolnshire children - those in care homes - "at risk of harm".

And the minister for children and families, Josh McAlister OBE, points the finger of blame at certain (as yet unnamed)  councillors for triggering the risk with their social media comments.

As a result of what he has learned, the minister  has decided that, five years after  NELC's children's services was put in special measures for "systemic failure and inadequacy", it must remain so.

That means the department will continue to have civil servants breathing down its neck for the foreseeable future.  

In a letter to council leader Cllr Oliver Freeston (Reform UK, Croft Baker), the minister acknowledges that, thanks to  the Director of Children's Services and her team, there have been "hard fought" improvements over the past five years.

But he says that he lacks confidence - "both corporately and politically" - in the oversight of these services.

In the letter, which is likely to embarrass both Cllr Freeston and some of his council colleagues, the minister, who is a former teacher, continues: "I have been disappointed to hear reports about behaviour and actions from councillors that have not been in line with the core responsibilities of corporate parenting.

"This includes social media posts prompting comments from the community which have put vulnerable children and young people at risk of harm.

"Councils have a responsibility for safeguarding all children and play a crucial role in corporate parenting - this is a legal and ethical duty.

"Looking after and protecting children is one of the most important jobs a council undertakes - it is a responsibility shared by every councillor and officer."

The minister concludes by expressing disquiet that "as a consequence of the behaviour of some councillors" relationships between officers and elected members have become "strained".

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Thumping win for Reform UK's Melissa Grice in Croft Baker ward by-election

REFORM UK knocked Labour into second place to secure a stunning by-election win in Cleethorpes' Croft Baker ward.

Melissa Grice's triumph represents a seat gain on North East Lincolnshire Council and will help to consolidate Reform's leadership of the authority though it has no overall  control.

Only 22.79 per cent of  the 116,484 people eligible to vote  did so.  

There was also a strong showing by Matthew Branson, representing the Restore Britain party which is believed to have been  making its local elections debut in Cleethorpes.    

                                    

According to NELC, 164 would-be voters were initially refused a ballot paper for failing to show acceptable identification, 

Of these, fewer than half - 81 - later returned with acceptable ID, enabling them to be given ballot papers.

 

After the maze, the pampas grass - council decides to dig up attractive ornamental plant on seafront

 

It's the end of the road for the attractive pampas grass that used to sway in the wind near Cleethorpes leisure centre. It has been an attractive feature  for many years, but North East Lincolnshire Council wants rid, so this morning it was unceremoniously uprooted and dispatched, presumably for composting.                                       

       

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn: Remembrance Sunday in Cleethorpes, 2026

                                               

On an overcast morning, several hundred people of all generations attended the annual Remembrance Day service and wreath-laying outside St Peter's Church in Cleethorpes. Pictured are scenes from a solemn occasion where those who gave the lives in conflict were remembered with solemnity but also with great pride and respect.

Bright first couple of days for Yorkshire Trading Co as it opens its latest outlet in Cleethorpes

 

Green is the colour - at least it is for Yorkshire Trading Co

ITS first couple of days in Cleethorpes seem to have been  encouraging for Yorkshire Trading Co which opened its doors yesterday.

The foreshore premises formerly occupied by The Original Factory Shop have not been packed, but there have been enough customers to keep the tills jingling.

Its  range is not dissimilar to that of its predecessor, but there seems to be more of an emphasis on  household goods and less on  clothing and footwear.

Inevitably at this time of year, decorations and other products associated with Christmas also occupy much of the shelf space.

These hyacinths catch the eye at the entrance to the store

Clothing is limited in range but there are plenty of hats and gloves

Jigsaws and other puzzles abound

                                                    

Rat-spread virus was 'elephant in room' but former Grimsby man still made most of Atlantic expedition

                                         

Chris Gomersall - an RSPB staffer for many years

 A FORMER Grimsby man has spoken of his experience as one of those on board the MV Hondius  - the small cruise ship that was stricken in spring this year by the rare Andean hantavirus.

Three of the 149 on board tragically lost their lives on what should have been the holiday of a lifetime in the South Atlantic ocean but Chris Gomersall escaped being infected. 

Chris grew up in Gloucester Avenue and attended Wintringham School.

Subsequently, most of his career was spent with the RSPB in various posts connected with research and particularly photography

Aged 30, he  became a staff member of the bird charity having impressed  as a volunteer warden at the Tetney Marshes reserve where he oversaw the welfare of a colony, now sadly lost, of Little Terns.

Since leaving the RSPB, he  has mostly worked variously as an author, a holiday tour guide and as a freelance wildlife photographer which is why he booked for the trip in the South Atlantic, knowing there would be opportunities galore to see some of the world's most beautiful seabirds.  

"I couldn’t really afford the holiday," Chris told the monthly meeting of the Grimsby RSPB Group, held at Holy Trinity parish hall in Cleethorpes. "But I thought I’d best take the opportunity while still fit enough to make the most of it."

Chris did indeed capture some stunning shots of oceanic birds, which are notoriously difficult to photograph when they are in flight, but the trip was inevitably overshadowed by the on board occurrence of hantavirus thought have been picked up from a rat while the party were birdwatching during a shore stop-off.

On the Hondius' return, its berthing point was Tenerife from where, following disembarkation, Chris and some 21 others were flown to Manchester airport.

He was allowed to take with him his photographic equipment and just one spare pair of underpants, but the rest of his clothes had to be left on board to undergo intensive decontamination.

After arrival in Manchester, he and 19 fellow Brits were whisked to Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral, for medical surveillance and quarantine.

In total, he was in quarantine - either in hospital or at home - for 42 days in line with World Health Organisation regulations.

The whole episode made made headlines around the world - sensationally so in some of the red-top tabloid newspapers.

As the passengers left the Hondius at Tenerife, media drones flew overhead and there was pressure from the Press and broadcasters for interviews but Chris steered clear of all that hullabaloo out of respect for those who had died.

The Sun newspaper described the holiday as an "ordeal", a description not supported by the former Grimsby man who now lives in Bedfordshire.

"I can't talk about the trip without referring to the hantavirus," he says. "It was the elephant in the room.

"But I am full of praise for the crew and my fellow-passengers who were excellent throughout."  

* See also: The Wryneck

After decontamination, the MV Hondius is now back in service (photo: Oceanwide Expeditions)

Tristan albatross - one of Chris' enchanting photographs 

Those on board MV Hondius were of many nationalities