RARE BLACK-THROATED THRUSH TURNS UP ON CAMPUS AT GRIMSBY INSTITUTE

Waiting for the bus to Cleethorpes? No, waiting for the rare thrush to reappear

A BUS stop outside Grimsby Institute was today providing an impromptu bird hide for twitchers on the look-out for a rare bird.

For the past couple of mornings, the campus has been providing feeding habitat for a black-throated thrush - the first ever to be recorded in Lincolnshire.

Somehow, it has ended up in this location when, at this time of year, it should be in Eastern Europe, the Middle East or Mongolia.

One theory is that it might have made the last part of its journey on a cargo vessel arriving in Grimsby or Immingham.

There are hopes that it might linger for a while in the same way as another black-throated thrush that has been in Bedfordshire since December 11.

The Grimsby bird was first detected on Thursday morning by expert birder Josh Forrester, a staff member at the institute, who managed to take a photograph before putting out an alert via Twitter.

He was only able to watch it for a short while before it flew off in the direction of the nearby Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital off Scartho Road.

However, it was back on campus this morning up until soon after 11am, providing excellent views both on the grass and on the branches of tall trees, before flying off.

It is thought it has been probably spending the past two afternoons in gardens, feeding on cotoneaster and other berries.

However, its afternoon absence was a big disappointment for a score or so enthusiasts, some of whom had driven from as far way as South Yorkshire hoping to see such a rare bird.

Its throat is not as dark as its counterpart in Bedfordshire, suggesting that it may be a female or a juvenile.

If a return is reported tomorrow or over the rest of the weekend, many more birders are likely to be heading for Grimsby.

It is not the first rare member of the thrush family to have been reported in Grimsby.

Some 20 years ago, a longstaying American robin attracted hundreds of birdwatchers, some from as far away as Norway, to an industrial estate in the town.

Alas, this bird came to an unhappy end when it fell victim to a passing sparrowhawk.

How Josh Forrester broke the news, via Twitter, of his superb discovery

Black-throated thrush - the target of the Grimsby quest though this bird was photographed in the Himalayas by Soumyajit Nandy (Wikimedia Commons) 

Let's hope it shows up soon!

Eyes upwards for this quartet of birders 

Somehow, I don't think it's going to be our lucky day!

* Available, new on ebay (price £2 inc postage), A Birdwatching Guide to The Lincolnshire Coast, featuring on the front cover Grimsby's famous American robin

GRIMSBY 10K RUN - CO-SPONSORED BY WIND ENERGY GIANT - SET TO BOOST LOCAL CHARITIES

All set for this year's Great Grimsby 10k run - the fifth  in the series

THE countdown has begun for this year's Great Grimsby 10k run.

Sponsored by Danish energy giant  Ørsted and North East Lincolnshire Council, the event is scheduled for Sunday 19 July, starting  at 10am outside Grimsby Town Hall.

Last year saw more than 4,000 people sign up to the  race which brings the community together for local good causes.

This year’s event is set to be the greenest ever, as organisers Tape2Tape announce the race route will be completely plastic free, only using recyclable paper cups along the route.

Steps are again being taken to reduce the race’s environmental impact, including ditching plastic goodie bags for race finishers and paper free race information.

The Ørsted Great Grimsby 10k is much more than a road race - it raises thousands of pounds for charity and creates a wealth of volunteering opportunities.

Entries for 2020 will open on Friday 31 January at 6pm. People can sign up at www.greatgrimsby10k.com for just £17 or £15 for affiliated running club members.

Emma Toulson, lead stakeholder advisor at Ørsted, said: “Each year, we have seen the Ørsted Great Grimsby 10k grow into an event that really showcases the community spirit of the region.

“It’s a fantastic day for the whole family and we’d encourage everyone to come along, whether you’re taking part in the race or just going along to cheer on the runners.

“Grimsby is getting global attention now as a  hub for renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, so it’s great to see the efforts to make the Ørsted Great Grimsby 10k greener every year, reducing waste and the use of plastics. 

Nicola Pattison, race director of Tape2Tape, said: “We are delighted to be organising the fifth event which has vast become one of the biggest sporting events in the region.

“I’m Grimsby born and bred and very proud of what has been achieved and made possible by all of the fantastic support from local businesses, charities, community groups and the general public.

“We want to encourage as many people as we can this year to challenge themselves to enter either the 10k or the Fun Run.

“Let’s ‘Get Grimsby Going’ and achieve a level of fitness for people of all abilities. 

"Exercise has a positive impact on your mental health and wellbeing, it increases confidence and often leads to new friends and a more varied social life, so if you have just been thinking about it, do it!

“There will be lots of support and advice in the coming months and we will also be putting a 10-week training plan out on social media and the race website starting around the beginning of May.

“But you don’t have to wait until then. Get your trainers on now and get moving.”

The race, now in its fifth year, welcomes experienced runners right through to those who have only dipped their toes in the water.

Everyone is encouraged to lace up their trainers, even if it’s just for the fun run.

As well as  support from spectators, runners can enjoy bands and entertainment along the route, as well as a finish-line festival, with a variety of food and entertainment.

There are 5,000 places up for grabs, making it one of the biggest town centre races in the region.

A £1 donation is made from every race entry into a fund shared between the event’s charity partners - Harbour Place, RNLI, Marie Curie, St Andrew’s Hospice, The Health Tree Foundation, North East Lincolnshire Mind and Team Verrico.

Last year’s Ørsted Great Grimsby 10K helped raise £18,500 directly for seven charities from race entries, fundraiser places and other initiatives.

St Hugh’s Hospital will once again be supporting the Family Fun Run that starts and finishes under the same arches as the main race.

Hundreds of volunteering opportunities are also created for local people making the Ørsted Great Grimsby 10K much more than a race. Volunteers are critical for this event, so if you want to join the race crew, email volunteers@tape2tape.co.uk or sign up at www.tape2tape.co.uk/volunteer.

All finishers will be  awarded a medal and  t-shirt.

Any local business who would like to support the event in some way to get in touch with nicola@tape2tape.co.uk.

You can follow the Ørsted Great Grimsby 10K using #GY10K on social media for news and race photos.

ONE OF THE LAST OF A VANISHING BREED: RARE SIGHTING OF A GRIMSBY FISHERMAN

The glory days of the Grimsby fishing industry may have long gone, but there are still a sturdy few who brace all conditions, including wintry days, to keep the traditions alive. Pictured off Cleethorpes are the Hannah-Charlotte and her skipper as he simultaneously sorts his catch (and feeds the waste to a grateful throng of herring and great black-backed gulls).

NEW CLEETHORPES TANNING AND BEAUTY SALON SET TO CREATE SIX FULL- AND PART-TIME JOBS

All-year sunshine - the building earmarked for the new venture

A NEW tanning an beauty salon is on the cards for Cleethorpes.

Planning consent has been granted by North East Lincolnshire Council for change of use a vacant restaurant on the Meridian leisure and retail park off Kings Road.

The application site  is on the ground floor within a building part occupied by the Burn Fitness Health and Fitness Club, the Magical Castle children’s entertainment centre and a Starbucks café.

The venture will bring an empty unit back into use and create employment for four full-time staff and two part-timers.

It is not yet known who will operate the new business.

The appearance of the existing building will remain unchanged.

CONCERNS OVER FATE OF ROOSTING BIRDS PROMPT RETHINK ON LOCATION OF FAKE PALM

An artist's illustration of the 'tree' as submitted by Hodson architects who are masterminding the project on behalf of the council

CONCERNS that a fake palm tree sculpture could adversely affect declining wetland birds has prompted a rethink about its location.

The original proposal was for the illuminated artwork  to be installed at the north end of Cleethorpes Promenade adjacent to the whale's tail rock groyne.

But Natural England and birdwatchers expressed misgivings that this site might be detrimental to redshanks, turnstones, knot, gulls and other waterbirds - some of which sometimes roost on the groyne at high tide when their feeding habitat is submerged.

The applicants, North East Lincolnshire Council, have therefore proposed that it be relocated 110 metres south - still on the promenade but opposite the Wonderland building.

The artificial tree is due to stand 22-metres tall  and be part-constructed from an assortments of plastics gathered from the beach.

Before any decision, the revised application has been put out to consultation from interested parties.

The whale's tail rock groyne - part of the sea defence in this part of Cleethorpes

Redshank, a declining species, roosting on one of the rocks at high tide

PLANS UNVEILED FOR MAJOR RESIDENTIAL SCHEME ON LAND SOUTH OF TOWN HOSPITAL

Attractive - artist's impression of the sort of homes that could be built on the site (image: Hodson Architects)

PLANS have been unveiled for a major residential scheme on rough grassland south of Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital.

If approved, it could lead to the construction of almost 500 houses and apartments  - many of them for disabled persons, retirees or  students.

The application has been submitted this week by Hodson Architects of Cleethorpes on behalf of developer Kevin Stevens of E5 Living (Grimsby) Ltd.

No decision will be made pending full consultation with nearby residents - for example those living in Forsythia Drive, Matthew Telford Way and Juniper Way - plus other interested parties.

END OF THE ROAD FOR SCARTHO PUB TREES

Chunky - the trunk of one of the soon-to-be-felled trees

AMID all the global clamour for trees to be planted to combat climate change, more of them are probably being felled than planted in North East Lincolnshire.

The latest set for the chop are a pair of mature Monterey Cypress trees  to the rear of the Rose and Crown pub on Louth Road in Scartho.

Planning consent has this week been granted for their removal following a request from the pub's owner, Mitchell & Butlers.

It is understood they overshadow the amenity area used by the pub manager.

In a report recommending approval of the application, NELC trees officer Paul Chaplin states: "The request to fell the two Monterey cypress trees is not unreasonable in the circumstances. 

"Whilst they can be seen above the roof line and can reasonably be described as a feature in the street scene, there is a reasonable alternative argument that they dominate the small private amenity area associated with the Rose and Crown as well as being a major influence on the amenity space to the rear of No.57 Louth Road."

Mr Chaplin further acknowledges that the threes  have outgrown their location."

It is understood that the Montereys are likely be replaced with two young trees - a mountain ash and a silver birch.

MEET THE MAN AIMING TO BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO GRIMSBY'S CULTURAL SCENE

James Trowsdale - glad to be back

COULD Hull's City of Culture be replicated in Grimsby - albeit on a smaller scale.

Following a successful bid by North East Lincolnshire Council, our area is one of five locations in the UK set to receive # funding for culture-related activities.

The monies will be directed towards building a programme of international events which should attract new visitors and investment.

The investment, which will be matched by  funding from the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership and private-sector partners, will also go towards creating new public art and cultural spaces to help regenerate historic parts of the town.

Support will be on offer to local businesses in the cultural sector and for individuals with a business idea wanting to start their own venture, with the aim of ensuring that no creative industry initiative is left out.

In charge of the project will be new NELC appointee James Trowsdale, a local man who has both form with regeneration projects and a notebook bulging with contacts.

He was part of the Hull City of Culture team prior to which he worked locally on a project - one that, in fairness, was not entirely successful - that sought to bring Cleethorpes its fair share of regeneration funds from Yorkshire Forward.

Says he: “Creativity, arts and heritage make places unique. 

"The three strands  will help us attract more people to our area, increase audience and community involvement in cultural activities.

“There’s  much great work happening in North East Lincolnshire at the moment, and the delivery of the Cultural Development Programme  will further what is already being achieved."

“I’m really looking forward to coming back to this area - it’s one that I love and can’t wait to get back here."

Following his arrival later this month, Mr Trowsdale will be working in tandem with Cllr Callum Procter, NELC's portfolio holder for culture.

PLANNING GO-AHEAD FOR REPLACEMENT FLOODLIGHTING AT VILLAGE CHURCH

St Margaret's - parts of the church, including the nave, and north arcade, date back to the 12th Century

THE planning go-ahead has been given for replacement floodlights to be installed outside one of North East Lincolnshire's finest churches - St Margaret in Laceby.

The church has been unlit for some while after checks by an electrician revealed that existing lighting was "no longer fit for purpose".

He advised that there was a risk of fire at the circuit board which is inside the church which is Grade I Listed.

The five new lights will be LED which is less costly to run  than the previous sodium.

It is thought that LED will also be less harmful to the environment and safer for the church.

There were no objections from householders living near the church or other villagers. 

It is not known if any prior survey was conducted about the potentially adverse impact on bats or roosting songbirds.

The application submitted by Laceby Parish Council was approved by a North East Lincolnshire Council case officer under delegated powers without the need for deliberation by the planning committee.

* Photo: Mgrest / English Wikipedia via Wikimedia Commons. 

The Grimsby News says: In these eco-friendly times, why the compulsion by the parish council to floodlight St Margaret's? The exercise will drink energy, cost the village ratepayer and probably have a negative impact on bats and any songbirds seeking to roost in nearby trees. What is more, a church - particularly as splendid as this one - surely has far greater grandeur in the dark than when  Disneyfied by  artificial lighting?

INAPPROPRIATE TO 'CAGE IN' CLEETHORPES LIBRARY WITH FENCING WARNS COUNCIL'S HERITAGE OFFICER

Cleethorpes Library - important building in seafront conservation area

PLANS by North East Lincolnshire  Council to enclose the surroundings of Cleethorpes Library have triggered an objection from the authority's own heritage officer, Louise Jennings.

NELC wants to fence the front and side of the property to exclude rough-sleepers when the library is closed.

However, Ms Jennings has pointed out that the building, which was constructed in 1984, has Victorian seaside detailing of which  the colonnade forms part.

She says: "The proposals to enclose the colonnade will have a significant negative affect on both the library and the conservation area. 

"The materials proposed are at best utilitarian in nature and at worst will create an industrial feel in a tourist area. 

"The area along Alexandra Road is an important focus for tourism.

"There are many listed and historic buildings on the route along this road, many with this colonnade detailing.

"The caging in of the area around the library will be incongruous and cause significant harm to the conservation area.

" I recommend that this application is refused."

The proposal will be determined in due course by NELC's planning department.

See also:
https://bit.ly/2tLDiEp

ALL HANDS TO THE CHAINSAW AS COUNCIL STEPS UP WINTER TREE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME

Important for tree surgery to be undertaken outside bird-nesting season

A MAJOR programme of tree maintenance is underway in North East Lincolnshire.

The council is responsible for more than 100,000 trees along roadsides and in parks, cemeteries and  open spaces.

But they have to be managed both to keep them healthy and safe.

Work is prioritised depending on the risk the tree presents to public safety.

Says a NELC spokesperson: "Winter is a critical time as the weather worsens and storms and high winds can damage even healthy trees.

"Trees under the council’s control are routinely checked to see if any work is needed.

"Even well managed trees can fall or lose branches, particularly during spells of bad weather. It is not always possible to replace fallen or felled trees."

Routine and non-emergency work is usually carried out throughout winter to save disturbance to birds during the nesting season.

Areas may be cordoned off if many trees or branches come down because the team can only deal with one tree at a time.

The council stresses that it is not responsible for  pruning or removing trees due to shading, leaf litter, insect infestation, interference with television reception, overhanging or bird droppings.

Not all trees in public places are under the control of the council. Some are privately owned and some fall under the control of other organisations. 

The council requests that householders do not sweep fallen leaves into kerbside gutters as this blocks water from draining and can cause localised flooding.