Lia Nici (Conservative) v Melanie Onn (Labour): the General Election sequel coming soon

In the red corner - Labour challenger Melanie Onn

THE two women who contested the Great Grimsby constituency at the last General Election in December 2019 are renewing their acquaintance - and their political rivalry.

Lia Nici (Conservative) and Melanie Onn (Labour) will be seeing a lot more of one another in the coming months as they debate the great issues of the day in the run-up to the next General Election which is expected to be held in autumn or winter.

Yesterday evening,  the duo sparred in a live debate, before a guest audience, on Sky TV.

The exchanges were amicable and courteous, but they could become  more feisty in the weeks to come.

Ms Onn was the Great Grimsby MP until she lost the seat to Ms Nici in 2019.

Next time round,  following parliamentary boundary changes, the Grimsby constituency will also include Cleethorpes.

It could be a very close contest. 

In the blue corner - Conservative incumbent Lia Nici

For Wilko read Barnardo's - brisk opening day's trading for new charity shop on St Peter's Avenue

 

Trading was off to a brisk start at the Barnardo's shop which opened today in St Peter's Avenue, Cleethorpes. With a bright exterior and relatively spacious premises, the store has brought retail life back to the shop that formerly accommodated the homeware specialist Wilko before it fell into administration last year.  Proceeds will be for a good cause - children who have not been off to the best start in life.

Proposed Cleethorpes amenity building balcony will provide enhanced views of Pier Gardens

 

Proposed design of the new amenity building 

WORD is still awaited on a start date for the proposed new amenity  building earmarked for the site of the former Waves public house in Cleethorpes.

In the meantime, the design has been tweaked to incorporate a second-floor balcony extension.

According to a report, the extension will allow the space below to become a semi-protected, sunny space for outside eating and entertainment.

It states: "Not only will it will face away from any stiff breezes blowing up the Humber, it will benefit from the afternoon sun.

"This will enable more people to enjoy the aspect and vistas from the highest level of the building by creating an opportunity to look over and across Pier Gardens - a view which has not previously existed and would not exist without this extension."

The proposal is subject to planning consent but this is expected to be a formality.

It is not yet known which contractor will be putting up the building on the council's behalf, but it is believed that one has now been commissioned.

Who will occupy the premises once completed? 

A report to councillors states: "Renewed publicity  has generated further interest in the site and the council's officers and its marketing agents have been in dialogue with interested parties for some while. 

"This has now culminated in what is viewed as an acceptable offer for a material element of the building.

"Proposed Heads of Terms have been agreed with a leading national hospitality company for most of the ground floor and all of the first floor of the building. 

"The council’s agents will continue to market the remainder of the building."

The document continues: "It is expected that this lease agreement will attract similar operators to the building, but the council will carry out appropriate due diligence into all prospective tenants.

"The successful confirmation of the lease agreement will provide market confidence regarding this project and the opportunity to attract other tenants into the remainder of the building. 

"In addition, the proposed tenant and its investment in Cleethorpes will also provide wider market confidence in the town, supporting both existing and prospective new traders and attracting additional footfall, expenditure, investment and pride in the area."

Who might be the "leading national hospitality company"? 

NELC is keeping this under wraps, but it says speculation that it might be McDonalds "could not be more wrong". 

                                      

Light at the end of the tunnel for derelict site of former public house? 

An animal that became 'deer' to our hearts - Cleethorpes charity thanks all who aided rescue

 

Pastures news for this roe deer which endured a torrid few days 

IT looks like all's well that ends well for the deer that spent the early park of this week being chased by off-the-lead dogs in Sidney Park, Cleethorpes.

Via social media, Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue has issued this eagerly-awaited update and the photo above. 

"This morning, the lost male roe deer left Sidney Park and travelled along various streets before getting stuck down an alleyway in Grimsby. 

"This gave volunteers the opportunity  to act and safely contain the deer. 

"We called upon Clee Vets for assistance, and this rescue would not have been possible without them. 

"Deer suffer terribly from a condition called post-capture myopathy. It can cause them to go into cardiac arrest if they become too stressed. 

"Without the medical professionals being on scene and quick to respond in practice, this could  have ended badly. 

"After full assessments by veterinary professionals, the deer was transported by our volunteers and a Royal Veterinary Nurse. 

"The animal was then taken to a much more suitable location to be released."

CWR has expressed gratitude for their support to Clee Vets,  Humberside Police, North East Lincolnshire Council and others, not least its volunteers, who supported the mercy mission

The rescue was expensive, and the charity would welcome any donations at: CleethorpesWildlifeRescue.com/donate

Best foot forward for year-old giraffe as it completes long journey from Grimsby to Skegness

 

Zarafa the giraffe has completed his charity trek from Grimsby to Gibraltar Point bird observatory near Skegness with a little help from puppeteer Seb Mayer . Monies raised are to benefit the activities of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Zarafa was created life-size last year, with help from Daisy Beattie. She is made from carbon fibre with a cardboard skin.

Fewer dog attacks, but continuing 'acts of cruelty' means fate of hapless stray deer hangs in balance

 

After-dark shot of the deer using a night vision camera 

CLEETHORPES Wildlife Rescue have today posted this update, including a photo, of the deer that seems to have become 'trapped' for the past few days in Sidney Park, Cleethorpes.

On the plus side, attacks by out-of-control dogs seem to have reduced, but the creature is still under stress and probably hungry.

Says the CWR statement: "While incidents of cruel acts do continue, they have lessened over the last 24/48 hours. 

"Volunteers continue to patrol the park and report any suspicious or cruel acts, including at night. 

"The deer did have a short stint on the road  before quickly returning to the park. 

"North East Lincolnshire Council and Humberside Police have both stepped up their patrols of the park, and we are in regular communication with both.

"The site has also been visited by Humberside Police's Rural Task Force for Wildlife Crimes." 

The statement continues: "We continue to discuss all possible options for the deer with the relevant services, and together we are working on short-term and long-term plans regarding his safety. 

"It is not a simple decision to make, and there are a lot of factors that have to be weighed up before implementing any plans. 

"If you see anyone acting suspiciously, or behaving in a cruel manner, please report it via 101. 

"In the meantime, our advice remains unchanged: 

• If you need to walk your dog, consider another park, or if you really can't avoid bringing them to the park, please do not let them off leads. This is for both the safety of the deer, and your dog.

•Do not chase or attempt to capture the deer, it is not safe! There are high risks involved even for our volunteers. A roe deer can easily weigh over 20kg, run and speeds almost 40mph, and with 8-inch antlers, this is NOT something you want to come in contact with.

• If you do visit the park, be considerate to the deer, he just wants somewhere safer than main roads, parks are, of course, their home.

"Thank you!" 

Banished from the bridge! There will be no home for pigeons once Grade II structure has been repaired

Shrouded in plastic - pigeon's eye view of Corporation Road Bridge

THERE will be no place for pigeons to rest their weary heads once Grimsby's Corporation Road Bridge has been repaired and reopened (assuming that day ever comes).

Extensive measures are being employed to prevent the birds from roosting or nesting  on the 100-year-old Grade II listed structure.

This is because a century's worth  droppings are thought to have contributed to the corrosion.

Planning consent has been granted for installation of netting, steel mesh and other pigeon-deterrent measures despite a protest from a member of the public that no mitigation to provide alternative habitat had been proposed for  the threatened birds.  

Not a friend in the world - this bridge pigeon will have to find a new home 

A North East Lincolnshire Council planning officer states: "The comments from the member of the public are noted. 

"An advice note is therefore recommended re responsible actions with respect to nesting birds on the bridge, and this will be placed on the decision notice to remind operatives of their responsibilities. 

"It should be noted, however, that the bridge is currently cocooned in a plastic shroud which seeks to prevent escape of dust and particles but which also limits access by birds so that nests are less likely to be built here. 

"No alternative roosts are proposed as it is considered that the urban environment provides sufficient alternate locations for any pigeons and/or gulls which would be prevented from using the limited areas of the bridge to be covered by the netting."

Meanwhile, there is still no target date for the bridge repairs to be completed. 

NELC's latest update, issued earlier today, reads as follows: "The steel work repairs are ongoing to both sides of the bridge deck.

"Primer and coatings of paint are also being applied to sections of the bridge along with the required preparation works and inspections.

"Control room works are in progress and all rotten timbers are now being replaced and corroded steels are being removed.

"Taking advantage of anticipated low tide levels in May, workers will continue the mechanical preparation works to the underdeck of the bridge. 

"This will involve weekend working.

"Footpath closures are also required while works are undertaken adjacent to public areas to ensure the safety of both the public and the contractor.

"Footpath closures will take place between 9am and 4pm each weekday. The footway will remain open during the weekend working dates. Temporary signs will be in place for the footway closures.2

The key footpath dates for May are:

* Wednesday 1 May – footpath closure

* Saturday 4 May – weekend working

* Wednesday 8 May – footpath closure

* Wednesday 15 May – footpath closure

* Saturday 18 May – weekend working

* Sunday 19 May – weekend working

* Wednesday 22 May – footpath closure

* Wednesday 29 May – footpath closure

North East Lincolnshire Council, its delivery partner, Equans and contractor, Spencer Group, have expressed gratitude to the public for their patience while the work is being undertaken.