Friday, 14 August 2026

13-year-old needed facial burns treatment after flares were thrown during England-Argentina screening

                                         

Publicity for the event where 10 under-18s are said to have received burns

IT is touch and go whether the organisation, Lincolnshire Competitions, will be granted a temporary events licence for a firework display proposed at Grimsby West Marsh Community Centre field on November 5.

Police have lodged an objection following trouble at an event organised by the same business in a field  next door to the Morrisons supermarket  on  the evening of July 15  - a public screening of the England v Argentina World Cup semi-final.

In a report, they say: "At approximately 8.30 pm, shortly after the game had started, reports were made  that a number of young people had been injured as a result of  bottles and flare being thrown.

"A total of 10 people, all aged under 18, were reported to have received burns. 

One of these victims, a 13-year-old, had to receive specialist burns care facial treatment out of the area."

There were a number of concerns raised either directly to the police or via North East Lincolnshire Council.

"These included claims  that alcohol was being sold by vendors with no authorisation in place along with under resourced medical provision."  

The police say they are objecting to the granting of a licence to Lincolnshire Competitions for the proposed Guy Fawkes Night on the grounds that, if granted, would undermine:

* The prevention of crime and disorder 

* Public safety

* The prevention of public nuisance 

* The protection of children from harm 

The Chief Constable says he reserves the right to serve further evidence in support of this representation, but a representative  of Lincolnshire Competitions will be given the opportunity to explain why the licence should be granted.

The application is due to be determined at a hearing later this afternoon, Friday August 14.

Thursday, 13 August 2026

Farewell to the countryside? Plans revealed for up to 1,500 new homes on farm fields around Cleethorpes

                                      

Hundreds of houses proposed on what is now farmland

PLANS today emerged for up to 1,500 homes to be built on countryside on the edge of Cleethorpes.

The site  earmarked is farmland opposite Beacon Academy and between Pennells Garden Centre and Weelsby Woods.

Agents for Brocklesby Estates, the landowners, say the proposed development, off Humberston Road, would also include:

* A commercial/ shopping/ community centre 

* Public open space 

* Play area

* Landscaping 

* Allotments 

* Sports fields

* Nature reserve

* Roads

* Lighting

No formal planning application has yet been submitted, and there is no clarity over what public consultation, if any, is proposed.

The project would create hundreds of jobs in construction and related employment, but it would change the character of this part of Cleethorpes.

As such it is likely to generate more opposition than support.

More details are likely to be released later.

                                         

Many of the proposed houses will be built on land adjacent to Pennells garden centre

Part of the planned development will be on the outer edges of Weelsby Woods

Thursday, 6 August 2026

New flurry of councillor squabbling over contentious Cleethorpes Market Place revamp project

 

While councillors wrangle, the work goes on

ANGER has again bubbled up over the controversial revamp of Cleethorpes Market Place.

Works are proceeding this summer even before the final lay-out has been determined.

Since taking control of North East Lincolnshire Council, Reform UK has modified the previous Conservative administration's original pedestrianisation proposal in such a way as to allow some seasonal parking (12 spaces) on site and to provide free one-hour parking on the St Peter's Avenue car park for a two-year trial period.

But now Labour Group leader Emma Clough and Immingham Conservative Trevor Crofts have successfully called for a special meeting in order to challenge the Reform UK decision.

The duo say it was made with insufficient evidence and scrutiny with "no explanation given as to how conflicting views were considered".

They also express concern  that the revised arrangements will reduce parking income by £145,000 over two years at a time when the council's reserves are already at an all-time low.

Say Cllr Clough and Cllr Crofts: "This is a material financial consequence that has not been fully explained or supported by a clear and sustainable funding plan."       

The meeting is due to be held in Grimsby Town Hall on Monday afternoon (August 10)                                                           

Headache for the public and businesses - and also for councillors


Wednesday, 5 August 2026

What will happen to the Skylarks? Plan unveiled for big new housing development on Waltham farmland

The proposed development would be accessed via Coral Drive

                                

A BIG new housing development could be on the cards for the outskirts of Waltham.

A plan has been unveiled  for as many as 150 new homes on agricultural land off  Coral Drive east of Bradley Road.

The proposal has been submitted by the Dieter Nelson planning consultancy on behalf of Mr R. Douglas.

Because it is an outline application, there are no details yet about the kind of dwellings that might be built but it is understood it would be a mixed development.

When an ecological survey was carried out in February this year, the bird species identified included Long-tailed Tit, Redwing, Starling,  House Sparrow,  Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Blackbird,  Dunnock,  Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Robin and Skylark.

This variety would be greatly extended if a survey were to be carried out between May and July when there would be summer migrants such as Swallows, plus Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and other warbler species.

                                          

Skylark - bird that favours farmland

According to the surveyor, "the arable, woodland, hedgerow and ditch habitats provide opportunities for foraging, cover and nesting".

If the bid is to be approved, she has suggested a condition that Swiftbricks and nestboxes should be installed on some of the properties.

Tuesday, 4 August 2026

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  



Monday, 3 August 2026

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