Is this single snow bunting seen on Cleethorpes outer beach on Saturday a harbinger
of a cold winter ahead? The species breeds in the Arctic and migrates to the UK
- but usually not until November and December. Perhaps this October sighting is
a warning of snowy days ahead.
 |
| Preparing for parenthood - one of the Donna Nook seals |
THE first grey seal pups of this year's breeding have been born at Dona Nook.
The first birth was on Thursday October 28 - six days later than last year.
A further two were born over the next couple of days, and the numbers are expected to explode during the course of November.
The first three pups were tracked by wardens for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust which manages the site.
However, the Trust says none of the trio has been visible from the viewing path.
Grey seals are understanding to be flourishing off the Lincolnshire Coast.
It was thought they might be adversely affected by the installation - especially the sound of pile-driving - of scores of wind turbines.
However, this seems not to have been the case, and there are reports that they are supplementing their main fish diet with dead or injured birds that, alas, collide all-too-frequently with the turbines.
 |
| Cute and cuddly - a seal pup enjoys a doze |
 |
| This will soon be the scene at Donna Nook - seal city! |
But judging by the correspondence columns of The Daily Telegraph, some of its readers (see below) are not so impressed - especially when it comes to pumpkins.
 |
| The former bank building lacks architectural merit |
LOCAL enterpreneur Ross Milson is hoping for a decision soon on his proposal to breathe new life into the former Co-op bank at the junction of Osbourne Street and South St Mary's Gate in Grimsby.
His intention is to install a sports bar and sports shop on the ground floor and a pool hall on the first floor.
It is understood that he is part of a consortium keen to create a dash of vibrancy in this part of town.
The building is within a conservation area but has a negative impact because it is regarded as "utilitarian".
Mr Milson's planning application currently sits with North East Lincolnshire Council.
THERE has been a snub for North East Lincolnshire Council in its controversial plans to build a new road to the west of Grimsby and to generate 3,500 new houses.
The authority submitted a bid for £50-million from the Government's so-called Levelling Up Fund.
But the scheme lacked imagination and was opposed by more people than supported it, so it was swiftly binned by civil servants in Whitehall.
Instead the monies - totalling some £1.4-billion - has gone to councils which came up with more inspired projects that would be welcomed by all within their communities.
These include, for instance, improvements to Twycross Zoo in Bosworth, Leicestershire and to the public swimming pool in Halifax, West Yorkshire, plus the creation of a department of medical science at Bolton College in Lancashire.
The snub has prompted dismay among NELC bigwigs - senior councillors and officers alike.
Says council leader Cllr Philip Jackson: "We are extremely disappointed.
"Our bid and the reasons why this investment was so badly needed, were well set out and properly identified.
“For us to grow as a borough, and meet our identified housing delivery targets, we need to see schemes which will provide new development
"We remain confident that the Grimsby West scheme would achieve this ambition and the expected growth we need to achieve as a borough.
"We will therefore continue to look at alternative funding options for the future."
The leader and colleagues will now spend time reviewing feedback about its bid from Whitehall.
Below is the list of authorities who had approved one or more (in some cases, three) bids:
Aberdeen City
Antrim and Newtownabbey
Ards and North Down
Arun
Ashford
Barrow-in-Furness
Belfast
Birmingham
Bolton
Bradford
Brent
Brighton and Hove
Bromsgrove
Burnley
Bury
Bury
Calderdale
Cannock Chase
Carmarthenshire
Causeway Coast and Glens
Central Bedfordshire
Ceredigion
Chesterfield
City of Edinburgh
County Durham
Derbyshire
Derry City and Strabane
Doncaster
Ealing
East Sussex
Eastbourne
Falkirk
Fermanagh and Omagh
Forest of Dean
Glasgow City
Gloucester
Gloucestershire
Highland
Hinckley and Bosworth
Isle of Wight
Isles of Scilly
Kingston upon Hull, City of
Leeds
Leicester
Lewes
Lincolnshire
Lisburn and Castlereagh
Liverpool
Liverpool City Region
Luton
Manchester
Medway
Newark and Sherwood
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newham
Newham
North Ayrshire
Nottingham
Nuneaton and Bedworth
Pembrokeshire
Pendle
Peterborough
Plymouth
Portsmouth
Powys
Powys
Renfrewshire
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Rotherham
Salford
Sheffield
Somerset
Southend-on-Sea
Stockton-on-Tees
Stoke-on-Trent
Sunderland
Tameside
Thanet
Tower Hamlets
Wakefield
Wandsworth
West Dunbartonshire
West Lindsey
Wirral
Wolverhampton
Wrexham
Wyre Forest
 |
| Rather you than me! The proposed high ropes attraction |
PLANS have been unveiled for a new adventure village at the Thorpe Park holiday centre in Humberston.
Its owners, Bourne Leisure, say "improving the on-site facilities is a necessity" in order to meet the expectations of its ever-increasing guests.
The proposed installations include:
* Jump Tower & Jump Bag
* Low Ropes
* Climbing Wall
* High Ropes
* Cycle Hire
* Tots Play Area
* Sand Pit
* Refurbishment of existing Multi-use Games Area
* Crazy Golf
* Bar and Seating Area
* Big Play Area
* Stage & Giant Screen
* Ranger Station
* Activities Hub
* Terraced Area
* Bungee Trampolines
Established in 1964, Bourne Leisure - which also owns Butlins - operates more than 50 holiday sites, making it a significant contributor to the UK tourist economy.
Nationwide, it has full-time team of 4,700 and a seasonal/part time team of 7,400.
It says: "The company seeks to ensure that the facilities at all of its sites are good quality and well maintained.
"The need to improve their facilities has gradually increased over time due the increased desire for stay-at-home holidays - the Covid 19 pandemic has accelerated the desire for these types of holidays."
The company's planning application for Thorpe Park is currently under consideration by North East Lincolnshire Council.
 |
| Thorpe Park - the adventure village is set well away from the more tranquil areas |
 |
| The domestic grey lag geese are a popular attraction at Cleethorpes Boating Lake |
A VAN driver who deliberately drove his van at geese - killing one bird and injuring others - is unlikely to face court action.
The incident caused outrage on social media when it was reported earlier this week.
But it seems that police have declined to pursue the matter.
An update from Humberside Police has been posted on the Facebook page of Cleethorpes Wildlife Volunteer Rescue.
It states: "Re the reported incident where a goose was killed at the boating lake in Cleethorpes on Sunday 24 October.
"The driver of the van contacted us following the social media surrounding the incident.
"Officers have now spoken to the driver concerned who is extremely remorseful about his actions, for causing the death of the goose and for the distress caused to the public.
"It was decided that criminal action will not be taken against the driver on this occasion."
What happened there? One of the geese tries to make sense of what it has just witnessed
 |
| How the Grimsby Telegraph newspaper reported the incident |
The Grimsby News says: If the police have possession of both eye-witness
statements and a confession, why the inaction? It sends out a message that they
do not treat wildlife crime - nor reckless driving - seriously. The chief
constable should review the decision without delay. The file should also be
referred both to the RSPCA and to the RSPB (it has a Grimsby area group) who
will doubtless also take their own views on what action needs to be taken.
Likewise, North East Lincolnshire Council needs to be informed because it was
on their land that the incident is said to have occurred.
A WOMAN in her 20s has died following an accident on the A16 road at Utterby, north of Louth.
Lincolnshire police have issued this statement: "Shortly after 9.45pm, two cars crashed on Main Road in the village near the junction with Ings Lane.
"Involved were a black Vauxhall Corsa and a grey Citroen Vibe.
"Sadly, the passenger of the Citroen, a woman, in her 20s, died at the scene of the collision.
"The driver, a man in his late teens, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
"The driver of the Corsa, a woman in her 70s, was also taken to hospital with serious injuries."
The statement continues: "As part of our investigation, we are making inquiries into the journeys of both vehicles prior to the collision.
"We should like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed what happened or any of the following cars, who are reported as having been travelling in convoy, on the A16, prior to the collision:
* White Ford Fiesta van
* Dark-coloured Mercedes A class
* Silver Ford Fiesta
* Dark-coloured Vauxhall Astra
"We should also like to speak to anyone who may have dashcam and travelled between Utterby and Louth on the A16 between the hours of 9 pm and 10 pm on Tuesday 26 October, regardless of what it may show."
The road remained closed until around 10 o'clock this morning when it was re-opened.
The police can be contacted by callingl 101, quoting Incident 399 of 26 October.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
Grimsby Town Hall - where the glum tidings are due to be discussed next week
RED lights are flashing on North East Lincolnshire Council's finances.
At the mid-point of the current 2021-22 financial year, the authority is on course for a £4.3-million overspend against its budget.
Says a report to be discussed at next week's meeting of NELC's cabinet: "The forecast reflects the on-going impact of CV19 and the subsequent risks and demands being experienced."
The particular pressure - as in most years - are the ballooning costs of caring for children from troubled backgrounds.
But collecting council tax is another pinch-point, with some £6-million said to be unpaid.
The document continues: "We are continuing to work with services to manage and mitigate demand and workforce pressures, but the financial position is becoming increasingly acute."
Despite the jangling alarm bells, no one is poised to press the panic button.
If housing growth continues, more council tax receipts will cascade into the authority's coffers.
Major regeneration projects within the town centre and the South Humber Bank should also prove beneficial.
"The pace of delivery is critical," says the report.
Fortunately, NELC has substantial reserves - so called "rainy-day money" - but dipping into them would probably be regarded as a last resort.
 |
| Cleethorpes Academy - six exclusions |
A TOTAL of 19 pupils (six girls and 13 boys) were permanently excluded from their secondary schools during the 20-21 academic year - and none from primary schools.
This is the lowest figure for the past five years, but this may have been because most pupils did not attend classes during the height of lockdown.
According to a report, the exclusions were as follows:
Cleethorpes Academy: 6
Havelock Academy: 1
Healing School: 1
Humberston Academy: 1
John Whitgift Academy: 4
Ormiston Maritime Academy: 3
Tollbar Academy: 3
It is not known for what reasons the pupils were excluded but this may emerge at a meeting next week.
Tollbar Academy - one exclusion
The kick-boxing studio at 24 Freeman Street in Grimsby could be converted to three bedsitters with a roof garden. North East Lincolnshire Council planners are considering an application by Londoner Mr Z. Pihlis to change the use of the premises. His agents, Ross Davy Associates, say: "Regeneration in the area is extremely important and the additional homes will contribute to housing supply."
 |
| Ron Shepherd - penalty warning to litter louts |
A CRACKDOWN on litter-droppers resulted in fines for almost 600 offenders in the first nine months of this year.
According to North East Lincolnshire Council, enforcement officers are also investigating another 194 motorists for littering from their vehicles.
According to research by Keep Britain Tidy, cigarette butts and other smoking-related items are littered the most.
These are followed by sweet wrappers, drink bottles and cans and fast-food packaging.
Says NELC cabinet member Cllr Ron Shepherd: "Litter makes the place look a mess, it’s harmful to wildlife and the environment, and it costs a fortune to clean up.
"If you drop litter, we will fine you £100.
“With 979 litter bins in convenient locations around the borough, you are never far from a bin - if it is full, find another or take your rubbish home with you!
Six reasons why NELC says litter is bad
Cost
North East Lincolnshire Council spends about £1.5 million on street cleansing each year.
Harms children, dogs and birds
Sadly, children, dogs and wild birds are the main victims when it comes to litter. The RSPCA receive around 5,000 calls a year about animals injured by litter. Children can also cut themselves on broken glass or the sharp edges of a drinks can.
Attracts vermin
Rats and other pests love litter, especially food waste. If you drop your leftover chips and other food scraps on the ground, you are inviting rats to feast on them.
Pollutes our sea
Litter dropped on the street, on the beach or in a park doesn’t stay there. Rainwater and wind carries plastic, cigarette ends and other litter into streams and rivers, and through drains. Drains lead to the sea. For us, that’s the Humber Estuary and the North Sea. Cigarette filters are made of thousands of toxic ingredients, including arsenic, lead and nicotine, all of which can pollute seas and rivers.
Unsightly
Litter makes the place look a mess.
It’s killing the planet
The natural environment isn’t equipped to deal with litter. A lot of resources and energy go into making things like plastic water bottles and aluminium drinks cans. If they’re disposed of properly, they can be recycled.
 |
| Sea buckthorn - eradication project will start in winter |
A purge is in prospect for the main shrub on Cleethorpes sand dunes - sea buckthorn.
Up to 50 per cent will be uprooted and destroyed in a three-week blitz starting at the end of November.
It sounds harsh but organisations such as Natural England and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust believe radical action is needed to provide enhanced space and growing conditions for rarer plants and flowers that are currently being crowded out by the buckthorn.
This, in turn, could attract unusual butterflies and insects.
However, there is likely to be a hit for some songbird species such as yellowhammers and linnets for which buckthorn provides an important habitat in winter.
 |
| Yellowhammers likely to be displaced from important winter habitat |
 |
| Green and leafy (and watery) - artist's impression of the proposed development |
CONGRATULATIONS to North East Lincolnshire Council and its regeneration partner, Equans, for the really attractive redevelopment scheme they are proposing for the playing fields of the former Matthew Humberstone school off Davenport Drive in Cleethorpes.
The intention is for the 58 homes - all energy-superefficient - to be set in a countryside-style landscape with plenty of native trees, shrubs and open space.
If the recommendations of the Louth-based consultant ecologist Celia Commowick prevail, there will also be special provision to encourage hedgehogs and birds to flourish.
The proposal is currently being considered by planners with a decision expected later this year.
 |
| The former school playing fields as they are at present |
A COLLISION on the A16 road between Holton-le-Clay and Waithe was this afternoon causing long delays for traffic.
Police closed a section of highway between Station Road and the B1201 at North Thoresby.
A section of the A18 between Ludborough and Ashby Hill roundabout has been temporarily reopened to allow diversions.
Motorists are being advised to avoid the area until further notice.
The accident, which occurred shortly after midday, is said to have been "serious" and involved a motorcycle and an HGV.
It is understood the rider of the motorcycle - a woman - was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary by air ambulance.
 |
| The cast iron fountain is of late Victorian heritage |
THIEVES have stolen an ornate cast iron fountain from Grimsby cemetery.
The 19th century Coalbrookdale fountain, which features a lion's head on each side atop a decorative column, has been used by mourners for decades to fill the flower containers on their loved ones' graves.
Little is known about its history of the piece, but it is thought to have been commissioned as a memorial after construction of the chapels in 1888.
The fountain was due to be restored during the next phase of conservation works within the cemetery.
Anyone with information should contact the police
 |
| It's no-go for the roof-garden at the Havana Cabana bar-restaurant |
IT looks like a Mexican-style rum and tequila bar in Cleethorpes will have to shut down its roof garden and outdoor seating area.
Havana Cabana, on Sea View Street, went ahead with the project without the benefit of planning permission.
Following investigations - plus protests from neighbours about loud music - Taniya Hussain submitted a formal planning application to North East Lincolnshire Council, but this retrospective proposal has now been refused.
As well as the noise complaints, there were questions over both the loadbearing structural integrity of the roof garden and over adequate escape arrangements in the event of a fire.
The refusal notice states: "The alterations to form roof garden and seating area attached to Havana Cabana have been in place for nearly one year and have provided an additional facility for the business, supporting it during the pandemic.
"In addition, the area provides a facility for patrons to use adding the vitality of this part of Cleethorpes town centre.
"However its construction, operation and position relative to sensitive domestic receptors in what was previously a quiet area at the back of buildings is such that it has generated unacceptable noise nuisance to the detriment of neighbours residential amenity."
.
Such is the collapse in the local population of the song thrush
that every sighting (such as this one on Cleethorpes foreshore nature reserve) needs to be cherished. Time was when this garden-loving species was widespread
throughout North East Lincolnshire, but it has now been lost to most parts of Cleethorpes and Grimsby where the total local population may be as few as 20 pairs. Causes
of the decline are well-known - increased residential and other development, loss of
hedgerow and other nesting habitat and intensive use of insecticides in gardens.
Earthworms are a favourite food of thrushes, so neither is the increasing replacement of
garden lawns with plastic grass doing them any favours.
THE route of a proposed cycle lane on Weelsby Road between the junctions of Bargate and Peaks Parkway in Grimsby has been drawn up by highway watchdogs.
The proposed cycle lane - to be part-funded by the Department for Transport - will help to address safety and other concerns.
A website has ben designed to allow interested parties to comment on the draft design: https://a46cycleway.questionpro.eu
The survey will run until November 3.
FOOTWAY testing works will be taking place next week at the Bargate and Dudley Street junction and on Hainton Avenue, between Sixhills Street and Catherine Street, in Grimsby.
The works will start on Monday 25 October and are expected to take no longer than five days to complete in both locations.
No traffic management will be required during the works, but pedestrians will be diverted onto the verge or adjacent footpath between 7.30am and 6pm each day. Cones and barriers will be in place for their safety.
Says a North East Lincolnshire Council spokesperson: "The testing works are essential to ensure the footpaths are designed correctly.
"Any underground hazardous materials can be identified and removed safely." and to allow utility infrastructure to be identified prior to works starting.
NELC's regeneration partner, Equans, will be managing and overseeing the works with contractor Southam Services carrying out the testing.
 |
| Currently empty but soon to become a hub of creativity - the site awaits its revamp |
GRIMSBY could boast its own 'culture village' for hip, trendy types.
Plans have been approved for a workspace on Grimsby Docks to accommodate a mixture of artists and creative entrepreneurs.
The first phase of the project - starting midway through next year - will be to bring back into use three buildings as a setting for creative individuals and businesses.
This will incorporate both studio space and communal space for collaboration, networking and art installations.
North East Lincolnshire Council says it will seek an organisation to take on the day-to-day operation of the workspace once it has been completed.
The buildings have plenty of heritage having been used variously as a bank, carpenters' workshop, sail printers, basket makers, engineers, boiler makers and fish processors.
Time was when the complex had to be re-built after having suffering bomb damage during the Second World War.
It is not thought any wildlife will be displaced by the revamp.
According to a specialist survey, the buildings have "very low to negligible potential as bat-roosting habitat".
It continues: "There are a low number of crevices available, and no evidence of bats was identified within any of the building.
"The site is very damp, reducing the value for roosting, and there is no suitable bat foraging habitat within the immediate locality, due to the site being within Grimsby Docks."
However, as a planning condition, swift and house sparrow nesting terraces - a minimum of four units - will need to be incorporated.
The project aims to provide a culture-led regeneration project in the historic Kasbah area of the Port of Grimsby as part of the wider Great Grimsby Heritage Action Zone.
 |
| One tree at a time - council chiefs and parkgoers gather for a planting ceremony. |
Says the council: "The trees in People’s Park include a sweet chestnut, copper beech, pin oak and a red-twigged lime.
"More will be planted later in the year, including cherry trees to replace those that had to be removed.
"The trees in Weelsby Woods include a dawn redwood, common walnut, black walnut and swamp cypress.
"All were chosen by arboriculturists from the council’s regeneration services partner, Equans, to complement those already there.
"Over their lifetimes, the eight trees are expected to absorb more than 45 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere.
Says council leader Cllr Philip Jackson: "We want to set an ambitious target for the council to be Carbon NetZero by 2040 and for the borough to be Carbon NetZero by 2050."
The Grimsby News says: Just eight trees! How laughably feeble! Back in the year 2000, NELC announced ambitious plans for a Freshney Forest stretching out from Grimsby for miles beyond. Nothing came of it, and every day, locally, more trees are being felled than planted. As result, the borough is one of the most tree-deprived areas in England (slightly behind Boston). NELC should learn lessons from other local authorities, both here and in continental Europe, which have come up with imaginative schemes whereby trees are being planted at pace, not just in parks (which is an easy option) but also within town and city centres.
New Grimsby apartment block Cordage View - built on the corner of Eleanor Street and Convamore Road - has been shortlisted for a Chartered Institute of Housing award. Local construction firm J. C. Pomfret Construction Ltd used local labour to work on the project which opened in February for the purpose of providing adult social care independent living. The firm worked with a national recruitment agency to offer apprenticeship opportunities for young people. The award winners will be announced in November.
 |
| Surinder pauses to click a snap of a bird sunning its feathers at Cleethorpes Boating Lake |
THE sight of long-distance runner Surinder Fowler pounding the pavements of North East Lincolnshire used to be a familiar one.
 |
| Is it a robin or a thrush? No, neither - it's definitely a cormorant |
 |
| Oddly, the council's list of tips does not mention the importance of light-coloured jackets |
WITH colder, darker days beckoning, North East Lincolnshire Council has offered its list of Top Tips for Winter Cycling.
They are as follows:
Don’t lose control: Snow and ice can provide hazardous cycling conditions. When riding in these conditions and not on ice, remember to brake often to clear rims. If you encounter ice, steer straight, don’t pedal and try not to brake as this could cause you to skid and fall.
Wear a helmet!
Keep out of the gutters: Puddles which will freeze are more likely to form in the gutter and create a greater risk of falls. Also, remember to keep clear of leaves and manhole covers as they can also be slippery when wet.
Pedal with care: Pedals can become slippery when wet so take extra care.
Check your tyres: A good set of tyres will reduce the risk of unnecessary skidding and lessen the chance of picking up punctures. Inflating tyres a little less than you would during the summer can also improve traction in slippery conditions.
Keep your bike in good shape: After riding in bad weather, it is a good idea to rinse and wipe down your bike to remove dirt, salt and grit – particularly focusing on the chain, gears, brakes and wheel rims.
Wear adequate clothing: Waterproof hats, gloves, jackets and trousers will help keep you dry and warm whatever the weather. Showerproof jackets won’t keep you as protected. Consider multiple thin layers to keep warm instead of large items of clothing so you can better regulate your temperature.
* There is more about cycling at: www.nelincs.gov.uk/cycling
LIVES are being put in peril by repeated interference with safety buoys in Grimsby town centre.
So says North East Lincolnshire councillor Stewart Swinburn who is dismayed at the frequency - almost daily - with which the orange buoys are being stolen, vandalised and displaced.
The lifebuoys are located alongside the River Freshney at Riverhead Square and on the newly-unveiled Garth Lane development.
But ne'er-do-wells pull them out of their casings, steal some, vandalise others and throw others into the water.
Fumes Cllr Swinburn: "What these mindless idiots don’t understand is that this all costs money, takes up valuable time and can put lives at risk.
“Those buoys are in place in case someone falls into the water and needs assistance.
"If the buoys are damaged or missing when they are needed most, lives could be lost."
* Earlier this year, the equipment at Cleethorpes Boating Lake was also subject to vandalism.
Lia Nici - no interest in scaling 'greasy pole'
HAS Great Grimsby MP Lia Nici lost patience with her local newspaper?
That is certainly the impression given by her latest statement on Facebook.
She writes: "I always work positively to get Grimsby on the map both politically and industrially, yet I do not think our local newspaper reflects the huge amount of positive things happening in the area.
"In my role, I see so much hard work and so many great things happening, but reading our local Press you’d sometimes think we lived in a war zone.
"Perhaps good news doesn’t sell…
Ms Nici continues: "I attended the Conservative Party conference in Manchester.
Although most just see speeches being made on television, the main events are a multitude of meetings, debates and panels.
"I spoke at debates about housing and the ‘red wall’ (those seats that became Conservative at the last General Election) debates.
"I also met with businesses such as Velocys (who
recycle plastic into aviation fuel) and Sunbelt Rentals (who hire out
construction machinery and work on large construction projects) to discuss
their plans to develop their businesses in Grimsby and the surrounding area.
"Within the constituency, I have been out and about talking with local residents in East and West Marsh.
"It’s great to hear
people’s thoughts and views so I can feed back to the council and lobby in
Parliament for what we need here.
"I’ve also had meetings with the Care Commissioning Group about some constituents not being able to see their GP.
"There are two
surgeries which seem to be the main problem, and I am talking with them to make
sure people can get to see their doctor face-to-face when they need to."
On the end of the £20 uplift in Universal Credit, the MP says: "The Government is keeping a careful watch on costs this winter and there is assistance available if people need it.
"The honest truth is that we need as many people as possible working full time and to start thinking about studying to get higher skills.
"Every employer I meet - without exception - is telling me they are desperate for workers.
"They
all want to employ British people, and if we don’t all rise to that challenge we
will end up with more economic migrants coming to the UK.
"Last year we, the tax payer, paid out over £100bn (yes, billion) in UC and 60 per cent of that was paying benefits to jobseekers (people who have no job at all).
"Just think how much more money the country could have to spend on other public services if we could get more people into good jobs.
"That
is a challenge set to all of us.
"On the supply-chain snarl-up, Ms Nici says the lorry driver shortage situation is not being helped by officers workers at the DVLA being on strike, causing a huge backlog in HGV licences being issued."
"However, she points out that Grimsby Institute provides lorry driver training at the Modal centre in Immingham."
The MP ends by insisting that she is not motivated by ambition to become a minister but by working hard for the constituency.
She concludes: "I didn’t stand for election to sit quietly, to play the system or to climb the greasy pole - I stood forward to do this job to help change Grimsby for the better."
 |
| The stricken helicopter awaits recovery |
A HELICOPTER today made an emergency landing just yards from the high tide shorebird roost on Cleethorpes Beach.
The machine came down with a thud shortly before 3pm.
Luckily, no one is thought to have been injured in the incident which was triggered when the engine conked out.
Said one onlooker: "It was helluva impact - it snapped the tail boom of the 'copter."
Later, the machine was towed away on a trailer pulled by a Range Rover.
The noise startled the shorebirds - mostly oystercatchers - which flew off in panic.
An investigation has begun into what caused the engine to fail and whether collision with a bird might have been a factor.
 |
| Sudden impact with the beach caused the tail to snap - look carefully and you can see the head of a passing seal as it takes a recce! |
 |
| A team from Cleethorpes Coastguard was quickly on the scene |
 |
| The startled oystercatchers take to the sky |
A CRACKDOWN looms for verge parking in Bradley village.
From November 1, new restrictions will include the prohibition of stopping and waiting of vehicles on adopted verges and footpaths on Bradley Road, Church Lane and Manor Farm Mews.
Additionally, a 24-hour rural clearway is being introduced on Bradley Road from the start of the 40mph stretch in Bradley village to Marion Way, Waltham.
This is to prohibit the stopping of vehicles in the carriageway to ensure the unobstructed free flow of traffic can be maintained.
The measures follow numerous from residents about frequent disruption and inconvenience to pedestrians along the route.
Highway officials have also raised concerns that vehicles may also be causing damage to key infrastructure underground from the weight of vehicles on the softer ground.
Civil enforcement officers will be monitoring the area and will take enforcement action as required against vehicles in contravention of the order.
The chocolate-loving Cleethorpes crow
Says the company's UK customer services spokesperson Eileen Lidgett: "All Lindt products are crafted with passion by our master chocolatiers.
"We are delighted to be able to enchant the world with delicious chocolate for everyone to enjoy - including the Cleethorpes crow."
Actually, Eileen was mistaken. To the frustration of the bird, the Lindor bar had already been scoffed, with the wrapper thoughtlessly thrown to the ground.
After toying with it for a few minutes, the crow realised it was wasting its time and flew to a nearby litter bin where, to its credit, it did the right thing.
 |
| Wot, nothing inside! |
A GRIMSBY retailer has pleaded guilty after Trading Standards officer discovered counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco at his shop in Freeman Street.
Ali Saleh Ibrahim (38) of Freeman Street, appeared at Grimsby Magistrates’ Court on Friday 8 October in relation to three charges brought under the Trade Marks Act 1994.
These related to 300 counterfeit Richmond cigarettes, 1,000 counterfeit Lambert & Butler cigarettes and 15 pouches of counterfeit Golden Virginia hand rolling tobacco
This followed a Trading Standards inspection at Harrison’s News Store earlier this year.
During the routine inspection and upon seeing the officers, Ibrahim ran to the back of the store and attempted to dispose of three bags, later found to contain illegal tobacco products, by throwing them over a fence at the rear of the store.
Having been given credit for his early guilty pleas and his current circumstances, Ibrahim was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay council costs of £565 and a victim surcharge of £22.
Councillor Ron Shepherd, North East Lincolnshire Council's portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, said: “I hope this sends a clear message to anyone thinking of possessing and selling counterfeit tobacco that our officers will find you and pursue the matter, so don’t be tempted.
“We will act on information received and enforce where necessary, so please get in touch with the council’s Trading Standards team if you are concerned.”
