SEAL STRANDED ON CLEETHORPES BEACH THOUGHT TO BE ON MEND AFTER ATTACK BY DOG

 

There are hopes that this seal will recover after being treated for dog-bite injuries having been stranded earlier this week on the beach near the Fuller Street bridge in Cleethorpes. Volunteers from Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue and British Divers Marine Life Rescue came to its aid. Seals are vulnerable to a fatal condition known as canine distemper virus if bitten by dogs. Sadly, wild creatures - especially seals and shorebirds - are  constantly menaced by dogs especially those  allowed to run free by their owners.
.

FAREWELL TO THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE AS MARINERS CRASH TO DEFEAT IN DEVON

 

Back in August, it was all smiles as Grimsby Town FC players went walkabout on Cleethorpes seafront. But hopes for a successful season soon faded. And defeat last night at Exeter City means the 'Mighty' Mariners will be demoted from the Football League. Next season, the club will be competing in the Vanarama National League against the likes of Wealdstone, Boreham Wood and Kings Lynn. 

WHY HAS GRIMSBY MP LIA NICI ACCEPTED £10,000 WINDFALL FROM MYSTERY DONOR?

                                                  

Grimsby MP Lia Nici - should she explain payments?

WHY is Grimsby MP Lia Nici receiving monies from private donors?

The question is legitimate  given the current furore over lobbying and over politicians accepting monies from individuals and/or organisations who may be seeking to influence policy-making.

Based on the latest Register of MPS' Financial Interests, Martin Vickers (Con, Cleethorpes) and Victoria  Atkins (whose Louth constituency embraces villages such as Holton-le-Clay and Tetney) seem to have no questions to answer.

Ms Nici is also  a member of North East Lincolnshire Council, but has  ceased claiming remuneration  from the Town Hall coffers.

But who is Ian McVeigh who gifted her £10,000 in October last year? Is he one of her constituents? And for what purpose did he make the donation? And for what purpose did she accept it?

And who are Stalbury Trustees who chipped in with £5,000 to help local party funds? 

Maybe it is all entirely appropriate and justifiable, but public perception is important.

In the interests of openness and transparency, Grimsby's MP should clarify why she accepted these payments and how the cash will be allocated.

Below are the entries of the three MPs in the Register as updated earlier this month, plus - by way of comparison - that of the Prime Minister. 

Nici, Lia (Great Grimsby)

1. Employment and earnings

Payments from North East Lincolnshire Council, Town Hall Square, Grimsby DN31 1HU, for my role as a Councillor:

28 February 2020, received £1,064.41. Hours: 24 hrs. (Registered 08 April 2020)

31 March 2020, received £1,064.41. Hours: 21 hrs. (Registered 08 April 2020)

30 April 2020, received £646.66. Hours: 13 hrs. (Registered 13 May 2020)

29 May 2020, received £646.26. Hours 17 hrs. (Registered 29 June 2020)

30 June 2020, received £321.64. hours: 12 hrs. (Registered 02 July 2020)

19 March 2020, received £1,000 from CPO Media, Centre4, Wootton Road, Grimsby DN33 1HE, for producing a video. Hours: none since my election. (Registered 08 April 2020)

2. (a) Support linked to an MP but received by a local party organisation or indirectly via a central party organisation

Name of donor: Stalbury Trustees

Address of donor: 31 Hill Street, London W1J 4LS

Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £5,000

Donor status: company, registration 01430799

(Registered 13 May 2020)

2. (b) Any other support not included in Category 2(a)

Name of donor: Ian McVeigh

Address of donor: private

Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £10,000

Date received: 8 October 2020

Date accepted: 30 October 2020

Donor status: individual

(Registered 13 November 2020)

6. Land and property portfolio: (i) value over £100,000 and/or (ii) giving rental income of over £10,000 a year

House in Grimsby, owned jointly with my husband: (i). (Registered 08 January 2020)

8. Miscellaneous

Until 28 February 2021, Councillor, North East Lincolnshire Council. From 1 July 2020 onwards, I received no allowances for this role. (Registered 02 July 2020; updated 15 March 2021)

Vickers, Martin (Cleethorpes)

9. Family members employed and paid from parliamentary expenses

I employ my wife, Ann Vickers, as part-time Junior Secretary.

Atkins, Victoria (Louth and Horncastle)

6. Land and property portfolio: (i) value over £100,000 and/or (ii) giving rental income of over £10,000 a year

From 13 April 2018, house in London: (i) and (ii). (Registered 19 April 2018)

8. Miscellaneous

Barrister, currently not practising. (Registered 06 June 2015)

From 27 January 2020, member of the Connected Coast Board, a joint board for the Mablethorpe and Skegness Towns Fund. This is an unpaid role. (Registered 28 January 2020)

Johnson, Boris (Uxbridge and South Ruislip)

1. Employment and earnings

Payments from Hodder and Stoughton UK, Carmelite House, 50 Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y 0DZ, via United Agents, 12-26 Lexington St, London W1F 0LE:

8 April 2020, received £7,013.01 for royalties on book already written. Hours: no additional hours. (Registered 29 April 2020)

28 July 2020, received £1,203.28 for royalties on book already written. Hours: no additional hours. (Registered 24 August 2020)

30 September 2020, received £6,000.57 for royalties on book already written. Hours: no additional hours. (Registered 14 October 2020)

20 January 2021, received £1,471.64 for royalties on book already written. Hours: no additional hours. (Registered 05 February 2021)

10 March 2021, received £742.60 for royalties on book already written. Hours: no additional hours. (Registered 25 March 2021)

Payments from HarperCollins UK, 1 London Bridge St, London SE1 9GF, via Rogers, Coleridge and White Ltd, 20 Powis Mews, London W11 1JN:

2 April 2020, received £2,279.86 for royalties on books already written. Hours: no additional hours. (Registered 28 April 2020)

28 October 2020, received £2,406.12 for royalties on books already written. Hours: no additional hours. (Registered 05 November 2020)

3. Gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources

Name of donor: Simon Blagden

Address of donor: private

Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: Gift hamper, value £350

Date received: 30 April 2020

Date accepted: 30 April 2020

Donor status: individual

(Registered 12 May 2020)

Name of donor: Mohammad Chohan

Address of donor: private

Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: Gift hamper, value £750

Date received: 30 April 2020

Date accepted: 30 April 2020

Donor status: individual

(Registered 12 May 2020)

Name of donor: Heathrow Airport Limited

Address of donor: The Compass Centre, Nelson Road, London Heathrow Airport, Hounslow TW6 2GW

Amount of donation, or nature and value if donation in kind: Use of the Windsor Suite at Heathrow Airport for three people; value £3,060

Date received: 16 August 2020

Date accepted: 16 August 2020

Donor status: company, registration 01991017

(Registered 04 September 2020)

Name of donor: Lord Philip Harris of Peckham

Address of donor: private

Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: Gift hamper with a value of £500, which has been donated to a good cause

Date received: 15 December 2020

Date accepted: 15 December 2020

Donor status: individual

(Registered 11 January 2021)

6. Land and property portfolio: (i) value over £100,000 and/or (ii) giving rental income of over £10,000 a year

From 25 January 2018, a 20% share of a residential property in Somerset: (i) and (ii). (Registered 17 January 2019; updated 06 February 2019)

From 19 July 2019, a 50% share of a residential property in London: (i), and from 16 December 2019, (ii). (Registered 07 August 2019; updated 23 December 2019)

WHERE ARE THE EARTHWORMS? FEEDING STRUGGLES OF A CLEETHORPES CURLEW

Seen from afar, the Cleethorpes Academy curlew 

Most of the curlews that spend winter on the Humber Estuary's mud and sand have long flown to northern Scandinavia where they breed. 

But this solitary bird has missed the flight. 

On Friday afternoon, it was spotted on a school playing field off Taylors Avenue in Cleethorpes.

It was desperately trying to probe the ground with its long bill for earthworms, but to no avail.

Lack of rainfall meant the land was too hard to penetrate, and the bird probably went hungry.

The bird's stay at the academy was brief - the following day it had gone.

A long bill is of little value when the ground is hard as concrete

HUMBERSTON FITTIES RESIDENTS WON'T GIVE UP THEIR PHONE KIOSK WITHOUT A STRUGGLE

                                                    

Focus of controversy - the Fitties kiosk

A CAMPAIGN is under way to save the telephone kiosk on Humberston Fitties from removal.

At least five chalet owners have appealed for it to be retained after it emerged this week that BT no longer regard it as commercially viable.

But residents maintain it is an important feature of the holiday site.

One, Sue Scott, has written thus to North East Lincolnshire Council: "Rather than the cost and time to remove it, and of course the environmental impact of potentially ending up in landfill, the residents and owners at Humberston Fitties have some excellent ideas for its use:

* A mini community library where books and magazines can be swopped

* An information point for residents, owners and visitors alike giving details of places of interest, local events, fundraisers etc

* Displays of creative items and crafts

She continues: " Hand sanitiser can also be kept inside the booth and perhaps a guest book to record its use or for submission of ideas for its improvement.

"As we are a conservation area and committed to preservation and enhancing our environment, I feel this is the better option than removal.

"The community spirit of the Fitties people is very much alive, and, I think, quite a rarity these days.

"Such a focal point would certainly only serve to enhance this further and ensure inclusivity for all people who enjoy this beautiful place." 

                                            

This notice of intent  has been posted on the kiosk

BIG GRIMSBY ROAD RACE SET TO GO AHEAD IN JULY - BUT WITH STAGGERED START

                                                           

Keep on running! That's the message ahead of the Grimsby 10K race

ON your marks, get set . . .

The countdown has begun on the sixth Ørsted Great Grimsby 10K road race.

The event is set for Sunday July 18 - but the organisers say  it  will be "very different" from its predecessor races.

For Covid-security reasons, the following measures are to be adopted: 

* Staggered start between 9am and 11am every two minutes 

* Reduced entry capacity by 50 per cent, with 2,000 participants

* Sanitiser stations at toilet facilities and the start and finish line

* Race results will be based on chip times, not first past the finish line due to the staggered start. 

* Winners will be recognised and awarded at a later date

There will be one water station at the route’s halfway point, but people are strongly encouraged to bring their own water.

Entries open at 10am on Tuesday 11 May. Fee is £22 or £20  for affiliated running club members. www.greatgrimsby10k.com.

The organisers are Tape2Tape, and sponsors include Ørsted, North East Lincolnshire Council, Engie, Navigo and Young’s, with more yet to be confirmed.

The race brings the community together to support local good causes, raising thousands of pounds for charities.

A £1 donation is made from every race entry into a fund shared between the event’s charity partners - Harbour Place, Marie Curie, St Andrews Hospice, The Health Tree Foundation, RNLI, Blue Lights Brigade and A Platform To Talk.

All the charities have 10 free places each. Runners can contact the charities direct if they would like to run for them.

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

POLICE APPEAL FOR WITNESSES FOLLOWING ARMED ROBBERY AT CLEETHORPES STORE

                                                                         

CCTV image of the three individual being sought by police

AN investigation has been launched following a robbery at a convenience store on Brereton Avenue, Cleethorpes between 8.30 and 8.50pm on Wednesday night.

Police are appealing for any information that could help them to identify the three men shown in  CCTV images.

Two of the men were reported to have threatened the shop worker with weapons and stolen various items from the shop.

Det-Insp Kerry Bull said: “We are conducting extensive enquiries to establish the identity of the men.

"This incident has left the shop worker understandably shaken, but thankfully she was not physically injured.

“The local policing team are in the area to provide reassurance and conduct further enquiries, and we would appeal for anyone who may be able to assist our investigation to get in touch or speak to these officers."

The non-emergency number is 101 and the crime reference number 16/42933/21.

Alternatively, information can be supplied to the police anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

OFFICE BLOCK IN GRIMSBY'S DUDLEY STREET TO BE CONVERTED TO SIX APARTMENTS

AN office block in Grimsby is to be converted to six residential apartments.

North East Lincolnshire Council planners have approved an application for change of use at 23 Dudley Street by  ProHabitat Homes, a family-run development company based in New Addington, Croydon, in Surrey.

The proposal did not go before NELC's planning committee but was determined under delegated powers by Engie case officer Lauren Birkwood.

Says Ms Birkwood in her report: "Currently the two-storey semi-detached building is vacant and was used as offices for some time.

"Its intended use for residential purposes would not be out of keeping in this location where a range of residential uses are apparent. 

"The proposal would bring the building back into use and re-instate and repair the building that contributes towards the character and appearance of the Wellow Conservation Area. 

"The removal of the garage doors, is also considered to be a significant enhancement to the conservation area and to the property." 

Agent for the project is architect Daniel Hyde, of Albert Road, Cleethorpes.

EMMA'S HAIR SALON PLAN FOR SUMMER HOUSE GIVEN PLANNING THUMBS-UP BY COUNCIL

A SUMMER house in a Grimsby residential street is to be converted to a hair salon.

North East Lincolnshire Council has granted planning permission  for the change of use at 14 Springwood Crescent.

However, the consent is for a temporary trial period of 18 months to establish that there is no inconvenience to neighbours.

The hours of operation will be between 9:30 hours and 15:00 hours Tuesday to Wednesday; between 09:30 hours and 19:00 hours on Thursdays; and 09:00 hours to 15:00 hours on Saturdays.

The salon will be closed on Mondays, Sundays and Public and Bank Holidays.

The successful applicant is Mrs Emma Daniel who says the salon where she used to work has now ceased trading - hence her decision to go solo.

"The maximum number of clients per day will be seven," she adds.

ABUSIVE GRIMSBY WOMAN SPITS IN FACE OF KEY WORKER - THEN SHOUTS AT HIM: "COVID!"

AN incident in which  a woman spat in the face of one of North East Lincolnshire Council's waste disposal crew is being investigated by police.

The incident happened at 8.25am today in Eleanor Street, Grimsby. 

A woman chased the crew and hurled abuse at them. 

She then spat in the face of one of the workers and shouted at him the word: "Covid!"

NELC has reported the incident to Humberside Police and is checking CCTV of the incident.

The authority has also appealed for information about the offence.

If anyone can help inquiries, please contact the police by dialling 101 and quoting the incident number 80 of April 16, 2021.

According to NELC, there have been other incidents in which where crews - key workers during the pandemic - have been subjected to abuse. 

Said a  spokesperson for the authority: "Our waste and recycling crews are here to help and have the right to work in a safe environment. 

"It is not acceptable that people who are working hard to keep vital services going are being threatened and abused.

"We will not tolerate violence, physical aggression or verbal abuse of our staff.

"Behaviour like this is disgraceful, especially given the difficult circumstances the crews are working through."

It is not known why the woman was in an agitated state.

COUNCIL UNVEILS PLAN TO EXTEND CLEETHORPES CEMETERY ON TO ADJACENT PLAYING FIELD

 

A superb display of primroses is always a feature of the cemetery during April

A PROPOSED extension of Cleethorpes Cemetery is expected to provide space for hundreds more graves.

With the town's population expanding, North East Lincolnshire Council is looking to the future.

It has earmarked part of  the Trinity Road playing fields for the project.

This site  is located adjacent to the existing cemetery's southern  boundary and to the rear of residential properties located on Penshurst Road and Sandringham Road. 

A report states: "It is the responsibility of NELC to create capacity at locations where this is physically possible in advance of absolute need so that delays to funerals and burials are minimised."

Assuming the scheme goes ahead, the existing cemetery area will expand from 9.4 hectares to 10.9 hectares.

The extension would be served by newly installed infrastructure by means of a connecting service road. 

Extension in prospect to match growing population

LORNA UNVEILS PLAN TO CONVERT DOMESTIC GARAGE IN GRIMSBY TO DOG-GROOMING SALON

A DOMESTIC garage on a Grimsby residential street could be converted to a dog-grooming parlour if North East Lincolnshire Council gives the planning go-ahead.

An application for change of use has been submitted for 25 Brookfield Road by  Lorna Farrington.

The name of her business? The Furry Kind Grooming Salon.

CONTROVERSIAL STEEL CANOPY PROPOSAL FOR CLEETHORPES PUB APPROVED BY PLANNERS

                                    

Welcoming back customers this week - The Scratching Post 

THE Scratching Post on High Street in Cleethorpes has been among the licensed premises to have re-opened its doors this week. 

Judging by the sounds of merriment, everyone seemed to be having a good time out - even those caught out by the heavy showers. 

Perhaps sooner rather than later, rain will cease to be a concern. 

Earlier this month, licensee David Fryer secured consent from North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee to install a steel canopy at the front.

Forlorn: The Scratching Post during lockdown

The steel canopy plan has not best pleased the council's heritage officer, Louise Jennings, whose comment is as follows: "The Scratching Post lies just outside the Central Cleethorpes Conservation Area and changes to this building will have the potential to impact on the conservation area. 

"The proposals are for a metal canopy to the front of the building which will obscure the mostly intact frontage of this Victorian building.

"It will introduce new unsympathetic materials which will detract both from the building and the conservation area. 

"I would recommend that this application is refused on heritage issues."

However, not for the first time, Ms Jennings' observations were to no avail.

The committee sided with the Engie case officer, Owen Toop, whose lengthy recommendation reads as follows:

"The proposal is to create a covered area on the front terrace to enable seating all year round. 

"This proposal has been considered by the applicant for some time, but the recent coronavirus situation has brought the matter to the fore as seating capacities have to now be considered to meet social distancing requirements. 

"The creation of a covered all weather seating area would allow the applicant to seat another 20 customers outside, which, in the current climate, will be crucial to the viability of the business. 

"This proposed structure would primarily be used during the winter months, and, during the summer, the sheet covering would be removed leaving the frame to act similar to a pergola. 

"The building was historically a single dwelling and retains some elements of this early domestic character with an original bay window still in situ, albeit with later alterations. 

"The building has been a bar and previously a restaurant at first floor since at least the late twentieth century, possibly earlier. 

"The property is in a terraced row with an accountants' office to the east and a vacant former bank to the west. 

"The frontage of the premises faces south onto the High Street with an existing raised terrace with steps down to street level. 

"To the north is a rear alleyway and a terrace of properties served off College Street, but these will be unaffected by the proposal. 

"The effect of the coronavirus pandemic has presented challenges to the hospitality sector, in particular limits to the number of seats in a premises to meet social distancing requirements. 

"The ability to have some all-weather covered seating would give the applicant more scope to operate safely and to keep the business viable."

On the planning committee is Cllr Bill Parkinson who sought to comment on the proposal, but was advised not to participate in the discussion because of his prejudicial interest as proprietor of a competitor business in Cleethorpes.

WHY NO FLAGS FLYING AT HALF-MAST ON THE KNOLL IN TRIBUTE TO PRINCE PHILIP?

 

The Knoll this afternoon - why no flag at half-mast?

UNION flags everywhere have been flying at half-mast in mourning for Prince Philip - but not on Cleethorpes seafront.

Indeed no flags at all were flying either aloft The Knoll, which is run by ex-Services personnel, nor over the road at the Memorial Gate.  

How strange! 

These are surely  two of the places where  the Duke of Edinburgh, who had a distinguished naval career, most ought to be remembered.

Perhaps there will be some appropriate initiative before the funeral on Saturday. 

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Cleethorpes, one of the Liberal-Democratic candidates  in the forthcoming local elections was canvassing on the doorstep - despite calls for campaigning to be put on hold until tomorrow.

SUNNY START TO THE DAY FOR CLEETHORPES' MUCH-LOVED DONKEYS - THEN CAME THE RAINS

                                                           

Even Cleethorpes donkeys seemed to enjoying the easing of lockdown - until the heavens opened. Then it was time to leave the beach and head for home.

CLEETHORPES BEACH SKULL MYSTERY: IT'S PROBABLY NOT REAL - BUT ON THE OTHER HAND

Spooky sight - but who put it there?

There has been a macabre 'welcome' these past few days for visitors to Cleethorpes' outer beach.

Is it a real human skull that grins down from aloft the structure variously known as 'the shipwreck', 'the alamo', the 'plank-camp', 'the observatory' or the 'stately home'?

Probably not, but no one dares get too close - just in case.

Maybe best to keep your social distance, especially after dark when the skull is said to shudder on its pole and its eyes flash green!

Come and say hello - I'm ever so friendly

                                  

It's cold here, but I like the slower pace of life

Dusk falls at The Alamo

NEW ANTI-LOCKDOWN POLITICAL PARTY IN THE FRAME FOR NEXT MONTH'S LOCAL ELECTIONS

THE pandemic and lockdown have provided the unlikely spark for a new political movement in North East Lincolnshire.

A party called Freedom Alliance - No Lockdowns, No Curfews will be fielding seven candidates in the local elections due to be held on May 6.

The full across-the-spectrum list of candidates in the 12 wards where polls will be held is as follows:

CROFT BAKER

Best, Julian Darren (Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition)

Horobin, Roy (Lib-Dem)

Parkinson, Jill Andrea (Freedom Alliance - No Lockdowns, No Curfews)

Reynolds, Graham Donald (Con)

Wheatley, Kathryn Helen (Lab)

EAST MARSH

Aisthorpe, Nicola Dawn (Lib-Dem)

Coulbeck, Lee (Ind)

Dasein, Billy M (Ind)

Hogan, Catherine Mary (Con)

Quibell, Karl Andrew (Lab)

Rudd, Kay (Lib-Dem)

FRESHNEY

Barber, Cliff (Lab)

Brasted, Tanya (Con)

Clifford, Daryl Marc (Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition)

Shaw, Timothy John (Freedom Alliance - No Lockdowns, No Curfews)

HAVERSTOE

Parkinson, Bill (Con)

Rodwell, Ian Stuart (Lab)

Teakle, Katie (Lib-Dem)

Tuplin, Phil (Trade Union & Socialist Coalition)

HENEAGE

Bolton, David (Trade Union & Socialist Coalition)

Clough, Emma Louise (Lab)

Driver, Adam (Lib-Dem)

Francis, Trevor Anthony( Freedom Alliance - No Lockdowns, No Curfews)

Smith, Mark (Con)

HUMBERSTON & NEW WALTHAM 

Dawkins, Hayden Alexander (Con)

Jolly, Warren Peter (Freedom Alliance - No Lockdowns, No Curfews)

Mitchell, Dave (Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition)

Townsend, Ian Keith (Lab)

IMMINGHAM 

Astbury, Georgia Erin (Con)

Barton, Dave (Ind)

Newton, Nathan Roy (Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition)

Turner, Dan (Ind)

Watson, David Aaron (Lab)

 PARK 

Blake, Anthony Alan  (UKIP)

De Freitas, David Michael (Lib-Dem)

Greenfield, Angela Heather (Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition)

Lobley, Neil Andrew (Freedom Alliance - No Lockdowns, No Curfews)

Shutt, Kevin Gregory (Lab)

Westcott, Daniel (Con)

SCARTHO 

Augusta, Robson (Lab)

Croft, Charlotte Lesley (Con) 

Pow, Val (Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition)

Shepherd, Ron (Con)

Slattery, Jim (Ind)

Stockton, John Matthew (Ukip)

Woods, Natalie Louise (Freedom Alliance - No Lockdowns, No Curfews)

SOUTH 

Batson, Paul David (Con)

Bramley, Jane Elizabeth (Ukip)

Emmerson, Loyd Layton (Ind)

Mill, Sheldon James (Lab)

O'Flynn, Val (Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition)

SIDNEY SUSSEX 

Bonner, Les (Lib-Dem)

Gee, Mark Patrick (Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition)

Robinson, Brian Malcolm (Con)

Rogers, Gaynor (Lab)

Smith, Angela (Freedom Alliance - No Lockdowns, No Curfews)

YARBOROUGH 

Barlow, Kieran Ian (Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition)

Kaczmarek, Edward Thomas Peter (Lab)

Mellors, Tim (Social Democratic Party)

Sandford, Martyn Lewis (Con)

Stephen, Liam (Lib-Dem)

NEW WALTHAM BUILDER IN COURT AFTER FAKE GRASS LAWN DEEMED NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE

                                                                          

Court heard that nails were protruding from some sections of the 'grass'

A NEW Waltham builder escaped a fine but was ordered to pay £400 prosecution costs after artificial grass he installed in the garden of an Immingham bungalow was deemed not fit for purpose.

North East Lincolnshire Council prosecuted the 58-year-old after it emerged that large sections of the 'grass' were not fastened down and that long nails were left protruding along its edges

This made it unsafe as a play area, especially  for children in the family. 

The defendant admitted the offence when he appeared before Grimsby magistrates.

His mitigation was that money and health problems that had prevented him from completing the work.

He was given a conditional discharge for two years, but, in addition to costs, was ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge.

Following the hearing, NELC's enforcement supremo, Neil Clark, said: "This garden makeover was meant to provide a safe place for young children to play, but the poor work made it anything but.

"When tradespeople finish jobs below acceptable standards, it reflects badly on others in the same line of work.

"This was a lengthy investigation, but our Trading Standards officers eventually secured a conviction."

COUNCIL LEADERS EXPRESS SORROW AT DEATH OF HRH PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH

                                                                     

His Royal Highness - he will be greatly missed

TRIBUTES to His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, were this afternoon being expressed by senior figures at North East Lincolnshire Council.

They follow  the announcement from Buckingham Palace that His Royal Highness  has passed away.

The Deputy Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Councillor David Hasthorpe, said: "I am very sad to hear of the passing of His Royal Highness.

"On behalf of North East Lincolnshire, I shall be writing to Her Majesty the Queen to offer our thoughts and condolences.

"During his long career, Prince Philip was involved with hundreds of charities and organisations across the UK. 

"Among other things, The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is something known to many young people in our borough, and is a fitting reminder to many of his life’s work.

“Our thoughts are with the whole of the Royal Family at this sad time.”

Leader of the Council, Cllr Philip Jackson, said: We are deeply saddened to hear the announcement from Buckingham Palace.

"I am sure the people of North East Lincolnshire will join me in paying their respects and remembering him and the work he has been involved in for his country over many decades."

POPULAR FORMER MAYOR CALLS TIME ON CAREER ON NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

                                           

Jane Hyldon-King - star quality

A TOTAL of 71 candidates have put their names forward for next month's poll in North East Lincolnshire.

But popular former mayor Jane Hyldon-King is not one of them - she is not seeking re-election in Grimsby's Yarborough ward.

After serving the borough for most of the past 20 years and more, she has decided to call time on her active career in local government, though she will remain involved with community issues where she feels she can make a positive difference.

Cllr Hyldon-King, who now often relies on a wheelchair to get out and about, revealed that she was not seeking re-election when she 'attended' this week's online meeting of NELC's tourism scrutiny panel.

The Grimsby News says: Jane Hyldon-King has been a fantastic servant to North East Lincolnshire - always enthusiastic, upbeat and friendly to everyone. Although committed to the Labour cause, she has always been popular across the party spectrum. Here's hoping that, in whatever capacity, she will remain at the forefront of community life. 

HOPES FADING ON ENHANCEMENT SCHEME FOR LONG-NEGLECTED CLEETHORPES FLOWERBEDS

 

Not a flower or shrub in sight - and the brickwork is decaying

HOPES that long-neglected flower beds in Cleethorpes might be restored in time for this spring and summer have faded.

Located at the point where Trinity Road meets Highgate and Sandringham Road, the four walled beds have been neglected for the best part of 20 years.

At this week's meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council's tourism scrutiny panel, members heard that their maintenance was the responsibility not of NELC but of the Lincolnshire Housing Partnership.  

The ornamental beds are within the Croft Baker ward, one of whose ward representatives is Cllr Bob Callison.

He intimated that, subject to the consent of the LHP, he might initiate a makeover - but not until the "back end" of summer.

Forlorn and unloved when they should be vibrant with flowers

The Grimsby News says: It is disappointing that the housing partnership has allowed flower beds in such an important to location to remain in a state of such dire neglect. So much could be done to brighten them up. Or they could provide community orchards or herb allotments or impromptu wildflower meadows, preciously beneficial to passing butterflies and bees. The greatest disappointment is that, over 20 years, the Croft Baker ward's various council representatives have allowed the dereliction to prevail.

PLANNERS APPROVE UPGRADE OF COUNCIL CABINET MEMBER'S GRIMSBY SMALLHOLDING

                                               

Ron Shepherd - upgrade to smallholding approved

PLANNERS have rubber-stamped an application by North East Lincolnshire Council cabinet member Cllr Ron Shepherd to create an apex roof on the shop at his smallholding off Bradley Road, Grimsby.

Also given the green light is his plan to erect a farm storage barn.

Because of Covid restrictions and family illness, it has been a tough year personally for  Cllr Shepherd who holds the cabinet portfolio for community safety and related matters, but he is confident of better times ahead.

His family-run smallholding is known as The Shepherd's  Purse.

                                             

The good life - contented sheep grazing at The Shepherd's Purse

ASSAULT ON OFFICER WAS WRONG - BUT COUNCIL'S SHOREBIRD STRATEGY IS FLAWED

                                                                   

Curlew iconic Cleethorpes shorebird in winter  - but almost all have now flown to Finland or Sweden to nest

POLICE are investigating a Bank Holiday incident in which a dog-walker assaulted an environment protection officer on Cleethorpes Beach.

According to North East Council, he  responded aggressively after being reminded that it is a breach of by-laws to take dogs on to central beach between Good Friday and August 30.

Said an NELC spokesperson: "One of our  officers was assaulted  on Easter Sunday while issuing a fine.

"This is unacceptable - we will not tolerate violence, physical aggression or verbal abuse of officers working on our behalf."

The authority today revealed that a total of 67 fines were issued over the Bank Holiday weekend  to people for allowing their dogs on the beach between Cleethorpes Leisure Centre and Wonderland groyne.

The breakdown of the £100  fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to dog owners is as followers:

Friday: 12

Saturday: 9

Sunday: 26

Monday: 20

Cleethorpes Beach is a Site of Special Scientific Interest  and is, for eight months of the year, home to a number of declining bird species such as curlew, knot, bar-tailed godwit, sanderling, dunlin, ringed plover and redshank.

Wildlife along the stretch of coast can be disturbed by dogs which can cause distress to and damage the health of the birds living on the beach.

Migratory shorebirds, such as curlews, need to conserve energy and build up their strength in preparation for long journeys.

Members of the enforcement team also spoke to more than 200 dog owners prior to the dog ban coming into place from Good Friday to remind them about picking up dog mess and keeping dogs off the main beach.

NELC says enforcement officers will continue to patrol the resort and issue FPNs for littering, dog fouling and dogs on the main beach.

FPNs are issued as part of North East Lincolnshire Council’s contract with Doncaster Council.

                                                 

Sanderling - another Cleethorpes beach species but most are absent between April and July

The Grimsby News says: The assault was indeed appalling, but the sad fact is that NELC completely misunderstands the bird protection situation. Apart from a few oystercatchers and turnstones, the shorebirds it seeks to protect have almost flown north to Scandinavia and the Arctic  by the end of March. Its environment protection officers were effectively seeking to safeguard shorebirds that had long gone and will not return until summer is nearing its end. There is indeed a need to restrict bird-chasing dogs, but this should be between August 1 and March 31 - not between Good Friday and September 30. In the meantime, NELC is itself responsible for an even more troubling environmental abuse with its all-year-round programme of raking the beach - a practice which causes untold damage to precious seaweed habitat and, as a consequence, the birds  and insects which feed on it.   

LOCAL ELECTIONS 2021: DEADLINE LOOMS FOR POLL HOPEFULS TO THROW HATS INTO THE RING

                                             

Grimsby Auditorium - likely venue for counting of votes

A DEADLINE of  4pm tomorrow - Thursday April 8 - has been set for those seeking election (or re-election) to North East Lincolnshire Council at the polls on May 6.

Nomination papers must be submitted to NELC by that date.

On May 6, voting will be between 7am and 10pm.

In previous years, the count at Grimsby Auditorium has been on the same night.

Pending confirmation, word is that this year, it will be delayed until 9am on Friday May 7. 

There had been speculation that counting might not even begin until Saturday May 8 to allow voting papers to be quarantined

This would be lest  the ballot slips have been Covid-contaminated, perhaps by a cough or sneeze.

However, this speculation now seems to have been discounted.

There will be elections for one councillor in North East Lincolnshire Council for each of the following wards:

• Croft Baker
• Freshney
• Haverstoe
• Heneage
• Humberston and New Waltham
• Immingham
• Park 
• Sidney Sussex
• South
• Yarborough                       

Because casual vacancies have arisen, there is an election for two councillors in each of the following wards:

• East Marsh
• Scartho

There will be no NELC elections in the Waltham, West Marsh and Wolds Wards.

So far, only two serving councillors have revealed that they will not be standing for re-election.

These are: John Fenty (Con, Humberston & New Waltham) and  Ian Barfield (Lib-Dem, Park). 

If they decide to see re-election, the following serving councillors will have to contest their seats:

* Kathryn Wheatley (Lab, Croft Baker)

* Kay Rudd (Lib-Dem, East Marsh)

* Cliff Barber (Lab, Freshney)

* Bill Parkinson (Con, Haverstoe)

* Rosalind James (Lab, Heneage)

* David Watson (Lab, Immingham)

* Ron Shepherd (Con, Scartho)

* Gaynor Rogers (Lab, Sidney Sussex)

* Jane Bramley (Ukip, South)

* Jane Hyldon-King (Lab, Yarborough)

There will also be by-elections for the casual vacancies that have arisen from the departure of two councillors - Terry Walker (Lab, East Marsh) who was ejected from the council for failing to attend meetings, and Lia Nici (Con, Scartho) who stepped down in order to concentrate on her duties as MP for Great Grimsby. 

These elections will be combined with the Police and Crime Commissioner election, which is being held in all 15 wards on the same day.

There are 42 councillors  on North East Lincolnshire Council.

The  political composition of the council as of the last election in 2019 was:

• Conservative: 23
• Labour: 14
• Liberal Democrat: 4
• UKIP: 1 

However, since then, both the Conservatives and Labour are down one through the departures of Lia Nici and Terry Walker. 

WELCOME BACK! RETURN OF TRADERS WILL LIFT SPIRITS AT GRIMSBY'S TOP TOWN MARKET

FULL-scale trading will resume at Grimsby's Top Town market as from next Tuesday.

Throughout the course of the pandemic, the market has remained open - but only for the sale of 'essential' items.

However, with the easing of lockdown restrictions, it will be great to see the return of these much-missed stallholders:

* Top Town Mobile Repairs

* Graham Thompson Jewellers

* Black Cat Bookshop

* Woodtique

* Keys Mobile Ltd (Cobblers and Keys)

* The Shoe Box

* Bonita Fashion

* Pose Babies & Teens Fashion Wear

* That Card Stall

* Riff’s and Reads

* Lambs Militaria and Army Surplus

* PJ Electrics

* K & P Collectables

* Vintage & Retro Collectabilia

* Our Big Picture

* News Kiosk

* Icing Cabin

To allow for additional shoppers, the market will be reverting to its normal opening hours of Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, between 9am and 4pm.

The market is managed by North East Lincolnshire Council’s regeneration partner, Engie.

For more information, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/markets.

HOPES THAT TODDLERS COULD SOON HAVE A SPLASHING GOOD TIME IN PADDLING POOL

Workmen have been cleaning and repainting the pool over the past three weeks

THERE are hopes that the paddling pool on Cleethorpes front could re-open this summer. 

Last year, it was closed throughout the season and presented an increasingly shabby sight to passers-by.

It was also disappointing, especially to parents with toddlers, that a traditional feature of the seaside scene was out of bounds. 

However, the past few weeks have seen a major spruce-up. Now all it needs is water. 

An announcement on the paddling pool - and who will manage it - is expected later this week.