INTRIGUING NEW CHAPTER OPENS IN LIFE OF HISTORIC GRIMSBY BUILDING

 

Paula Denton - 'new creative collaborations' 

THE arts and heritage charity, Our Big Picture, has acquired as its new home a Grade II listed building in Grimsby.

Henceforth, it will be based at 17 to 21 Bethlehem Street, a property built as far back as 1781 and former home to Canters Estate Agents, then The Gentry hairdressers.

According to OBP's chief executive, Paula Denton, the inside of the premises will be adapted to accommodate a studio and other creative spaces.

Says she: "It will very much be a place of exploration involving community-led thematic projects from our local heritage to social issues.

"The aim is to generate new creative collaborations."

Various funders have come forward to back the project.

END OF LIFE BECKONS FOR UNLOVED AND UNWANTED WALTHAM PALM TREE

 

The Waltham palm tree - soon likely to be felled

It looks like curtains for this long-established palm tree in the garden of a house in All Saints Close, Waltham. 

North East Lincolnshire Council planners have this week approved an application for it to be felled.

The Grimsby News says: The tree is not native to the UK. Neither is it an especially attractive feature in a traditional English village. Nor is it believed to produce and annual crop of coconuts. Even so, it seems a shame for it be felled rather than dug up and transferred to somewhere else in the borough that might welcome it. Anyone got any suggestions for a potential location? 

BYGONE CLEETHORPES: OUR OYSTERS TOOK RAP FOR SOUTH YORKSHIRE TYPHOID OUTBREAK

 

Following our report about proposals to re-introduce oysters to the Humber Estuary, a reader has sent us this. It is the text from one of the images on the hoardings recently installed on the vacant plot off Sea Road in the town. 

OYSTERS TO THE RESCUE - WILL MOLLUSCS HELP REDUCE HUMBER ESTUARY POLLUTION?

Seagrass (pictured) and saltmarsh are precious to the welfare of the planet

HALF a million oysters are to be introduced to the Humber Estuary - not as an aphrodisiac  food source or to make pearls but as part of a 'biodiversity' project.

It is hoped the activities of the creatures will filter and improve water quality and create 'biogenic reefs' - accumulations of living creatures.

Some 95 per cent of native oyster reefs have disappeared from the Humber since the early 1900s.

The intiative is a partnership between Danish offshore energy giant Ørsted, which has an important hub in Grimsby, the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

As part of the same £2.5-million scheme, Ørsted will plant three hectares of saltmarsh and four hectares of seagrass.

The proposal has been welcomed by UK Environment Minister Rebecca Pow (pictured) who says:

"We are committed to developing schemes that work alongside the recovery of natural habitats.                                

"Climate change and biodiversity loss are significant challenges, and I welcome the commitment Ørsted is making." 

The Humber Estuary’s conservation status has recently been downgraded due to pollution and loss of habitat.

Although, the Cleethorpes saltmarsh has extended in recent years, it is rapidly declining elsewhere as a result of rising sea levels and land development across the UK encroaching on coastal areas.

It is hoped that 'rewilding' and reintroducing native species will help restore the estuary and play a vital role in addressing climate change.

In a similar way to trees absorbing carbon from the air, seagrass absorbs carbon from water - and does so at a rate 35 times faster than tropical rainforests. 

Saltmarsh is also incredibly efficient at capturing and storing large quantities of carbon and provides feeding and breeding habitat for wading birds such as curlew, redshank and snipe.

                                         

Redshank feeding on Cleethorpes saltmarsh

Nature-based solutions can play an important role in adaptation to climate change and addressing issues such as flood risks.

Paul Learoyd, Chief Executive for Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, comments: "After spending time over recent years working with partners across the Humber to identify priorities for the estuary and its hinterlands, we ares extremely pleased to take forward this work with Ørsted and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. 

"The lessons from this work could see large-scale restoration across our North Sea, and beyond."

Closer to home, Ørsted is also working alongside World Wildlife Fund Denmark to improve the conditions for cod and other marine organisms in the Kattegat strait between Denmark and Sweden.

It is also attempting to growing corals on offshore wind turbine foundations in Taiwan.

PLANNERS APPROVE FRONT CANOPY, RAMP AND NEW ROOF FOR CLEETHORPES CHURCH

                                                               

Pictured is the bijou-style One Church on Hey Street, off Taylors Avenue in Cleethorpes, which is soon to undergo a makeover. There will be a canopy and accessible ramp at the front, a new roof and alterations to the doors and windows. Planning consent for the changes  has been granted by North East Lincolnshire Council following an application submitted by the Church Growth Trust of Oakham in Rutland.

PLANNERS APPROVE COFFEE SHOP AND HAIR SALON NEXT TO NEW WALTHAM CO-OP

                                          

The Co-op in New Waltham - beauty salon and coffe shop will be built next door  

UP to 16 staff could be employed at a proposed new coffee shop and salon in New Waltham.

That is the figure projected when purpose-designed detached premises are built adjacent to the Co-op on Station Road.  

It is not known who is behind the venture, but the application has been rubber-stamped by North East Lincolnshire Council planners.

Says agent Dieter Nelson: "The proposal seeks to relocate an existing hair and beauty salon which has outgrown its existing premises. 

"There is also the clear demand for a good quality cafe / coffee shop within the village. 

"The premises are proposed to be used both by clients while they are visiting and enjoying their health and beauty experience and by general members of the public."

RED ARROWS ARE STAR ATTRACTION ON SIZZLING SATURDAY AFTERNOON IN CLEETHORPES

All eyes were on the sky as  the Red Arrows staged a breathtaking display over Cleethorpes. They have visited the resort many times before, but they always seem as fresh as ever. Their 20-minute show was a brilliant highlight to today's sparkling afternoon of events and entertainments. 

 

                                               

                                          

 

PLUCKY CLEETHORPES PIGEON WANTED TO BE PART OF RED ARROWS TEAM

 

Please could I join in? Most birds scatter for their lives when the famous Red Arrows hit the skies. But not this fearless pigeon. Far from flying away, he gave chase over the sea in Cleethorpes. But he soon ran out of puff and flew back to join his mates under the pier. 

LIVELY START TO ARMED FORCES WEEKEND AS CLEETHORPES CARNIVAL RETURNS

 

Armed Forces weekend was off to a bustling start this evening when Cleethorpes hosted its first seafront carnival in years. The streets were lined with happy-looking revellers of all ages. The event was a prelude to more action over the two next years with much of it due to take place in the sky, featuring a range of flypasts and aeronautical acrobatics including a visit tomorrow afternoon from the world-famous Red Arrows. In the meantime, our snappers were out and about this

COUNCIL CABINET APPROVES TAKEOVER BID FOR GRIMSBY TOP TOWN SHOPPING CENTRE

                                                 

The prospect of Freshney Place shopping centre being acquired by North East Lincolnshire Council has moved a step closer. At a meeting this week, the authority's cabinet retrospectively authorised submission of a bid to the receivers after the centre's owners ran into financial difficulties. The size of the bid is not known, nor whether it will be high enough to secure the deal. Assuming it is successful, it would still need to be rubber-stamped by the full council when it meets next month. Whether the council would be any more successful in running the shopping centre than the private sector is another question.

SPLASH OF WILDFLOWER COLOUR IS BRIGHTENING UP OUR ROADSIDE VERGES

       

Wildflowers may be a trifle untidy but they are colourful and beneficial to butterflies, bees and other important pollinating insects 

ROADSIDE verges are bursting with colour and buzzing with wildlife as wildflowers come into bloom along many  of the area's main roads.

North East Lincolnshire Council is transforming some of its roadsides into wildflower meadows as part of long-term nature project to create rich habitat for plants and wildlife.

In 2016, staff from the ecology and grounds maintenance teams started sowing wildflower seeds in areas including Peaks Parkway, the A46 Laceby Road and Mathew Ford Way.

They sowed a mixture of annual, biennial, and perennial seeds, which add diversity to the roadside verges and mean each season has a different appearance. Grass cutting was scaled back on the seeded verges to allow the new plants to flourish.

As well as seeding, some areas were left to grow and develop naturally to see what plants were already there. This way, the plants that grow are the plants native to the area and well adapted to the local conditions.

On patches of land opposite the Municipal Offices in Grimsby, bee orchids can be found.

Says Cllr Stewart Swinburn, NELC'd portfolio holder for Environment: "Careful stewardship of the wildflower sites over the past six years is now reaping results and treating people travelling around the area to gorgeous natural displays of native plants.

"More importantly, the verges are a haven for wildlife. They provide food and habitat for bees, beetles, flies, moths and butterflies – all prolific pollinators – and the birds and bats that feed on them.

"Spending time in nature is known to have many benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing, so now is a perfect time to explore and find out more about the unique environment on our doorstep."

At the forefront of the initiative is NELC's ecology manager, Rachel Graham, who comments: "With this long-term project, we are creating a network of wildflower corridors that link green spaces in different parts of the borough to increase biodiversity and give back to nature.

"We are taking a sustainable approach with a mix of seeding and natural regeneration, which means it may take longer for the plants to become established but should give them longevity."

She continues: "This is something people can replicate in their gardens at home. 

"One option is to let part of lawns grow naturally for a month in May or June, restraining from mowing until later in the year - this can make a big difference to wildlife."

The following have been identified as good places to see wildflowers in North East Lincolnshire:

* A16 Peaks Parkway

* Cleethorpes Boating Lake railway banks

* Cleethorpes Boating Lake 

* RNLI bank Central Prom

* Scartho Road cemetery

* Hewitt’s Belvoir woodland copse

* Kings Road, opposite Meridian Showground

* Patrick Street walk-through to People’s Park

* Martin Wragg Way

* Weelsby Avenue

* Matthew Ford Way

* A16 Louth Road Roundabout

* A46 Laceby Road

* A180 Westgate

* Ainslie Street Park

* Cleethorpes Country Park

* Cleethorpes Sand Dunes

* Haverstoe Park Wildlife Area

* Laceby Beck

* West Marsh Country Park

* Grant Thorold Park

The Grimsby News says: Well done to Rachel Graham and her small team for their imagination and hard work on this excellent initiative. In the recent past, the council, for the sake of 'tidiness', has been far too ready to reach for chemical herbicides in order to poison plantlife on the area's roadside verges. This refreshing change of approach is encouraging and greatly to be commended.  

SO MUCH TO LIKE ABOUT CLEETHORPES BEACH BUT BEWARE - DANGERS LURK!

 

Watch out for fast incoming tides - Amy Parry and Jenny Parsons spell out the dangers

MEMBERS of North East Lincolnshire Council’s resort management team have been talking to schools about the delights - and dangers - of  Cleethorpes coastline.

The educational safety presentations have often been given on the beach with a short walking tour, but they can also be given in the classroom.

The talks include information about such hazards as fast tidal flows, sandbanks and sinking mud.

The team have also been sharing their knowledge about the internationally important role the resort plays for wildlife.

With its sand dunes, salt marsh and tidal mud flats, Cleethorpes is a protected site of special scientific interest and, in autumn and winter, provides vital habitat for hundreds of thousands of wading birds, rare plants and sea life.

Says resort safety officer Amy Parry: "We are pushing the importance of the environment and what we can do to help protect it and support the wildlife that share our open spaces.

"This includes taking litter away, not disturbing feeding birds or approaching wildlife that may use the foreshore to rest."

The presentations have also been covering climate change and tidal erosion and the direct impact it can has in our area from increased flooding risk if tidal defences are breached.

The truck used by safety officers to patrol the beach

Is that a robin? No, I think it's a cormorant. A pupil scans birdlife of the shoreline through binoculars

PLANNING GREEN LIGHT FOR FORMER BETTING SHOP TO BECOME NAIL SALON

 

The planning green light has this week been given for the former William Hill betting shop in Market Place, Cleethorpes, to become a nail salon, with some ancillary retail use. Case officer Bethany Loring says the proposal by the 'Hudson Family' will bring a "new offering" to this part of the town. An earlier scheme for  conversion of the premises to an adult gaming centre was withdrawn.

PARKED CARS DELAY RESURFACING FROM BEING CARRIED OUT ON CLEETHORPES STREETS

                                                       

CONTRACTORS were today returning to various streets in Cleethorpes after their resurfacing attempts on Monday were thwarted by parked cars. 

According to North East Lincolnshire Council, the roads in question are the following:

* William Street – Mill Rd to house no. 11

* George Street – St Peter’s Avenue to Chapman Grove

* Reynolds Street – Brereton Avenue to Grimsby Road

* Blundell Avenue – Brereton Avenue to Grimsby Road

* Hart Street – full length

West Street in Cleethorpes was also attempted on Monday, but only a partial resurface was possible. 

If there are still cars parked down the above streets today, the contractor will return tomorrow to attempt the resurfacing.

If the problem still persists, then the contractor will again attempt the road surfacing on Friday.

If, on Friday, the contractor is still unable to carry out the works, then road surfacing will not be completed for that street in this year’s programme of works.

TREE OF THE WEEK: WEEPING WILLOW REALLY BRIGHTENS UP GRIMSBY STREET SCENE

 

In all its June glory, this magnificent weeping willow  tree certainly makes an imposing feature on the approach road to the King George V stadium in Grimsby.

MOTORIST HURT IN MIDDAY ACCIDENT ON NEW WALTHAM RESIDENTIAL STREET

This was the scene on Pemberton Drive in New Waltham at noon today following a serious accident which is believed to have involved at least two cars and a garden wall. One of the cars, a hatchback, ended up on its roof, and the occupant required treatment at the scene.   

GRIMSBY'S IMPRESSIVE NEW WETLAND 'NATURE RESERVE' IS PULLING IN THE BIRDS

 

Plaudits to North East Lincolnshire Council for establishing a mini wetland nature reserve on the Ainslie Street recreation area just a short walk from Grimsby town centre. It is already attracting little egrets, lesser black-backed gulls, mallards, moorhens and housemartins and could soon become a magnet for other species. According to naturalists, it is also a site to look out for dragonflies, damselflies, frogs and, at dusk, pipistrelle bats. 

CLEETHORPES SHOPPING STREET PARTIALLY CLOSED FOLLOWING FOUR-CAR COLLISION

Police are investigating what caused a serious accident that led to the closure of the busiest part of St Peter's Avenue in Cleethorpes shortly after 9am today. It is not known yet if anyone was injured but four cars were damaged - an Audi A3 convertible, a Renault Kadjar, a Ford Mondeo and a Suzuki Celerio. 

READ ALL ABOUT IT! MARINERS' PROMOTION INSPIRES STAFF AT GRIMSBY LIBRARY

 

Grimsby Town's promotion to the Football League has inspired staff at Lincs Inspire to post this Up The Mariners poster in the window of the central library in Top Town.  

COUNCIL PLEDGES TO CONTINUE CAMPAIGN AGAINST SELFISH LITTER LOUTS

                                                   

A blight  on the streetscape - litter dumped from a car

MORE than 250 people have been fined since the start of April for "messing up the borough".

So says North East Lincolnshire Council which has issued 164 fixed penalty notices for littering and 95 for littering from vehicles.

In addition, 18 fines were dished out  for fly-tipping, eight for waste carrier offences and one for an abandoned vehicle.

There have also been 29 fines for dog control offences.

The fines were issued between 1 April and 27 May this year.

Fixed penalty notices are an alternative to prosecution and offenders are given 14 days to pay.

Anyone who chooses not to pay a fine can be taken to court and prosecuted for the original offence.

Says Cllr Ron Shepherd, NELC's cabinet member for Safer and Stronger Communities: "Most people want their streets, parks and beaches to be clean, safe and attractive places to visit and enjoy.

"Fines face those who choose to mess up the borough by dropping litter, not picking up after their dogs or illegally dumping waste.

"Enforcement officers are here to protect the environment and act as a deterrent to the minority of people who think it’s fine to leave their rubbish for someone else to clear up."

According to NELC, a further four fines were issued, during the same period, for cycling in the town centre and three for smoking in a commercial vehicle.

The authority works with other enforcement agencies to tackle offences such as fly-tipping.

Back in November 2018, it started working with Doncaster Council to introduce private patrols for litter and dog fouling.

                                          

Enforcement officers challenge a couple for taking their dog on to a restricted part of Cleethorpes Beach 

                                     

WHAT AN UNUSUAL PLACE FOR A 'NATURE RESERVE' - OUTSIDE GRIMSBY FIRE STATION!

Plaudits to the team at Humberside Fire and Rescue Service's HQ off Peaks Lane in Grimsby.  On one of the walls they have installed bird nestboxes, while, outside, they have created a wildflower meadow, complete with its own bee hive.  The question is: When will they be selling their own honey?

      

                                                 

 

PLANNING GREEN LIGHT FOR NEW GRIMSBY CHIPPIE AND HOT FOOD TAKEAWAY

A NEW chippie and hot food takeaway is on the cards for Grimsby.

Hessle entrepreneur Mr F. Afzali intends to convert  the vacant property, formerly a GP surgery, at 128 Chelmsford Avenue.  

His proposal has today been granted planning consent by North East Lincolnshire Council.

The unit is located within an arcade of shops and other takeaways.

According to planning case officer Emily Davidson, no objections have been received from neighbours, and a flue will be installed to minimise cooking odours.

Mr Azali's agent for the project is Graham Charles, of Legsby Avenue, Grimsby.

REPLACEMENT SEATING SHOULD REDUCE LITTER ACCUMULATION AT RIVERHEAD BUS STATION

Council is determined to keep Riverhead looking spick and span

REPLACEMENT seating is to be installed  at Grimsby's Riverhead bus station.

North East Lincolnshire Council says new stainless-steel seat covers will be installed to benches on stands C, D, E and F.

The authority maintains that these will act as a barrier to prevent rubbish and other debris from collecting in the slats in and around the bus shelters. 

Says an NELC spokesperson: "This will improve the area for passengers and improve the facilities for everyone who uses them. 

"While the works are underway, safety barriers will be in place to prevent injury to the public and staff."

Contractors Bacons Engineering will be on site from Thursday 16 June, and the works will take three days.

Meanwhile, members of the public are encouraged to do their bit by putting litter in bins.

Any unsafe waste should be reported to the council by calling (01472) 313131 and asking to speak to the Environmental Health team.

EXERCISE AND FRESH AIR - IT'S SO MUCH HEALTHIER THAN TRAVELLING TO SCHOOL BY CAR

Pupils at Pilgrim Academy, above, are being encouraged to travel to and from  school sustainably - that is to say, by walking, cycling or scooting. They are taking part in a scheme, supported by North East Lincolnshire Council, Equans and Living Streets, which aims to increase physical activity by children, at the same time reducing traffic and air pollution. Also taking part in the project - known as WOW - are youngsters at Yarborough Academy, pictured below with supervisors Alex Pickerden and Elizabeth Cox.

NOSTALGIA COMES TO CLEETHORPES SEAFRONT - THEY DON'T MAKE CARS LIKE THESE ANY MORE!

                                                                                  

CARS from a bygone era were today on display on the central promenade in Cleethorpes. They certainly provided a talking point for older visitors, many of whom could recall the time between 1950 and 1999 when some of the vehicles would be common on the roads. Oh those innocent times!