BORIS WAS 'HOUNDED BY THE PRESS' - GRIMSBY MP'S DOUBLE TRIBUTE TO DEPARTING PM

Lia Nici - 'incredibly saddened' 

GREAT Grimsby MP Lia Nici has this month twice paid tribute to departing Prime Minister Boris Johnson on her Facebook account.

July 9

This week has been a very sad week for UK politics - the  end of one of the most visionary and historic premierships.

Over the past few months, I have had the privilege to be able to work with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and it will be an honour to serve him to the completion of his tenure.

He is a good man, driven by wanting to help make the whole country more equal; to ensure there are opportunities for better jobs across the whole of the UK and to stimulate new, high-quality industries in places such as Great Grimsby.

His hard work and commitment to his job has been eye-opening to witness. He worked tirelessly to try to navigate us through the most challenging of times. 

The reaction of shock and dismay in Ukraine to his resignation tells us a lot.

He has not got everything right, but I believe that when it mattered, he did.

He will be forever known as the man who successfully led the leave campaign, secured a majority in Parliament and ensured that Brexit was delivered as the people voted for. 

His place in the history of this country is secured.

But sadly, much of the operation in No 10 Downing Street did not rise to the occasion in the early months and much of the damage had been done before he made the changes that were needed. 

Despite the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, he was able to start to make significant changes for places like Grimsby. 

We have millions of pounds of government investment that is just starting to bear fruit and his economic support for the Humber area is attracting more investment in the area than ever before.

In the next few days, there will be a list of candidates who wish to become the next Prime Minister. 

I will be looking for the person who can best complete the delivery of our 2019 manifesto, who has the vision to handle the post-Covid economic situation and crucially, will continue to support Grimsby. 

July 23

As you will no doubt have seen, much of this week’s news has been dominated by the Conservative leadership contest. 

Although I have voted in all of them, I am incredibly saddened by the whole affair. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been hounded by the press for the whole of his time in No10, with many around him clearly working against him. 

Despite constant remarks that he 'partied through lockdown' (which is untrue), the PM worked tirelessly to steer the country as safely as possible through a, then, unknown disease. 

While I am sure he would admit to making some mistakes whilst leader, he has worked hard to do his best to help improve the country - especially in places like Grimsby. 

In the next month, we will see who will become the next Conservative Party leader. 

MARINERS COME A CROPPER IN OPENING MATCH OF FOOTBALL LEAGUE CAMPAIGN

                                                               

THERE has been a disappointing start to life back in the Football League for Grimsby Town FC.

Despite having more of the play, the Mariners lost 0-2 at Leyton Orient in this afternoon's League Two fixture.

The home side's goals both came early in the second half through Moncur (penalty) and James.

The match was watched by a crowd of  8,557.

Match report on the club's website at:

Match Report - Leyton Orient 2 - 0 Grimsby Town - Grimsby Town Football Club (gtfc.co.uk)

LORD ROSS OF GRIMSBY? TYCOON BELIEVED TO BE ON PM'S RESIGNATION HONOURS LIST

                                                   

David Ross - pal of Boris Johnson

GRIMSBY-born entrepreneur and philanthropist David Ross could be in line for a peerage.

Mr Ross (57), former chairman of the now defunct Grimsby company Cosalt plc and co-founder of Carphone Warehouse, is a friend of Prime Minister Boris Johnson who has been a guest at his holiday home on the Caribbean island of Mustique.

In addition, he has long been been a major donor to the coffers of the Conservtive Party.

It is understood that his name is one of those included in the draft copy of the Prime Minister's resignation honours list.

Mr Ross, who was educated at Uppingham School in Rutland, then at the University of Nottingham where his degree subject was Law.

He went on to qualify as a chartered accountant and is a wizz with numbers. 

He has never had a particularly conspicuous role in public life of the Grimsby area, though the 34 academies in the portfolio of the David Ross Education Trust are understood to include the Edward Heneage Primary Academy and Havelock Academy, both in Grimsby.    

  

A MUCH GREENER LOOK COULD BE IN PROSPECT FOR GRIMSBY'S RIVERHEAD SQUARE

These images (above and below) of how a revamped Riverhead Square might look have today been released by North East Lincolnshire Council to coincide with the launch of a new consultation with the public. With the other end of Grimsby's Top Town earmarked for shopping and leisure, including a cinema, it looks like the intended  emphasis at Riverhead will be less on concrete structures and more on open space, greenery (both deciduous and evergreen trees) and events such as stall markets, events and exhibitions. The consultation runs until August 29 and can be accessed at  https://tell-us.questionpro.eu/Riverhead-Square

- external site

  

 

£12,000 WINDFALL FOR ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETY THANKS TO GRIMSBY CREMATORIUM TEAM

                                                                     

That money will come in very handy - all smiles from the bereavement services team and Cllr Swinburn (centre)

North East Lincolnshire Council’s Bereavement Services team has donated £12,000 to the local branch of Alzheimer’s Society.

The charity is the latest to benefit from a fundraising scheme started by Grimsby Crematorium in 2014.

Proceeds for the donations come from the sale of recyclable metals such as parts of the coffin and replacement implants or joints that can be salvaged following a cremation.

Relatives of the deceased are asked to give their consent before the cremation so the collection of the metals can go ahead.

The metals are then sold for recycling and the income from these sales is put towards the charity fund.

Donations made from this scheme have been given to charity since 2014, with a cheque handover occurring twice a year.

Since the scheme started, more than £87,000 has gone towards supporting local and national worthy causes.

There are an estimated 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK, including around 13,000 in Lincolnshire and more than 76,000 across Yorkshire and Humber.

Says Melanie Fullbrook, Dementia Connect Local Services Manager for Alzheimer’s Society:"We are very grateful for this generous donation. 

"The money we receive from fundraisers enable us to support people affected by dementia through the  services we provide."

Cllr Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for environment and transport at North East Lincolnshire Council, is delighted.

"It is fantastic that we can do this,"he enthuses. "We are very happy to support the local branch of the Alzheimer’s Society with this tremendous donation."

Alzheimer’s Society’s local team can be contacted on 01472 359247.

LIFE OF FORMER CLEETHORPES COUNCILLOR TERRY THUROGOOD TO BE CELEBRATED

Terry Thurogood - represented Croft Baker ward 

A SERVICE to celebrate the life of former North East Lincolnshire councillor Terry Thurogood will be held next month.

Mr Thurgood, who represented the Croft Baker ward in Cleethorpes, died while in the care of Homefield House on Wednesday of last week.  

He was a member of the Labour group but never partisan in his politics, always putting the needs of the community at the top of his agenda.

Mr Thurogood was also a leading light in the old Cleethorpes Renaissance group.

On the personal side, he was husband to Margaret, father to Neil and Helen, father-in-law to Simon.

He was a supporter of Premier League Leeds Utd FC.

The service will be held at Grimsby Crematorium at 2.15pm on Wednesday August 10. 

More information from Mashford Funeral Home, Cleethorpes (01472 200004). 

IT'S A SELL-OUT! ABP SAY ALL PLACES BOOKED FOR SECOND IMMINGHAM PORT OPEN DAY

 

Welcome to the Port of Immingham - second open day planned for next month

LAST Saturday's open day coach tours of the Port of Immingham were such a success, attracting almost 100 visitors, that operators ABP have decided to repeat the venture on Friday August 19. 

And word is that this additional open day, too, has already sold out. 

The company is on  a charm initiative having taken flak earlier in the year from its controversial practice of importing fish and other cargoes from Russia - in effect, acting as one of Putin's UK 'enablers' in his attempt to crush Ukraine. 

The company is also out of favour from environmentalists after increasing imports of fossil fuels, such as coal - destined for the Ratcliffe Power Station in Nottinghamshire - in response to the energy emergency. 

Officially opened on 22 July 1912 by HM King George V and Queen Mary, the 1,230-acre site was originally built for the export of coal from the Derbyshire and Yorkshire coalfields and was designed by Sir John Wolfe Barry, who built Tower Bridge, London.

Today it is home to the Humber International Terminal (HIT) and the biomass railroad facility which is part of the Immingham Renewable Fuels Terminal (IRFT), Immingham Container Terminal (ICT), and Immingham Bulk Terminal (IBT).

Says Simon Bird, Regional Director in the Humber: "It has been great opportunity for us to showcase the Port of Immingham, and we are delighted to put on a second date to meet demand. 

"To see the UK’s largest port in action and find out about the vital part it plays in the world economy can be an eye opener."

TIME TO GET TOUGH - MEET THE TEAM TASKED WITH ROOTING OUT TOWN CENTRE TROUBLES!

     

Meet the men and women (above) charged with tackling  Grimsby town centre 'issues'  such as shop theft, public order offences, unlawful cycling and antisocial behaviour. The photocall came this week to coincide with the launch  of a new crackdown that is being spearheaded by the police. Among partner organisations is North East Lincolnshire Council whose responsible cabinet member, Cllr Ron Shepherd says: "Make no mistake, we will not stand for any form of criminal activity or anti-social behaviour in our communities."

SHOREBIRD MIGRANTS TO CLEETHORPES SANDFLATS COULD BE HIT BY DEADLY PLAGUE

Common tern - there have been many casualties this summer 

CLEETHORPES is likely to see fewer visiting shorebirds this autumn in the wake of bird flu.

Common terns - also known as sea swallows because of their forked tails - often stop off on the beach near  Cleethorpes Leisure Centre on their migration from breeding grounds in the Farne Islands to West Africa.

August is the month when their local presence is greatest. 

But this is one of the species so hard hit by avian influenza that the Farne Islands, a tourism hotspot, is one of the places that has had temporarily to be closed to visitors. 

It remains to be seen whether there has been any impact on wading birds such as knot, dunlin, curlew and bar-tailed godwit which nest in Scandinavia and the Arctic.

Naturalists are on alert for signs of casualties not just on Lincolnshire beaches but also on Cleethorpes boating lake which is home to hundreds of waterfowl, particularly grey lag geese, and at nature reserves. 

Report in today's edition of The Daily Telegraph 

WHY BOTHER WITH MASTERPLAN IF BLIND EYE IS TURNED TO GRAFFITI THAT SHAMES RESORT?

What sort of impression does this create with visitors to Cleethorpes?

 

IN the same month, that Cleethorpes is being promoted as an important UK hotspot for eco-tourism, an interpretive panel highlighting some of its shorebirds has been further trashed. 

The foreshore panel has now been so disfigured that almost all the individual images have been completely obliterated.

The artwork was created by bird artist Ian Shepherd, of  Lindsey Road, Cleethorpes, who shrugged ruefully when asked about the vandalism.

The work was originally commissioned by the old Cleethorpes Borough Council who agreed to return the pictures to Mr Shepherd - but this never happened.

Are they still tucked away in some council office cabinet? Or are they decorating the wall of  a former CBC officer or member?

See also: NEW PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN IDENTIFIES CLEETHORPES AS BIRDWATCHING HOTSPOT   https://bit.ly/3cD02Nn

Most of the images have now been obliterated

                                                     

The Grimsby News says: North East Lincolnshire Council spends a barrowload of money on commissioning a consultant to come up with a 'masterplan' to enhance Cleethorpes. Why bother if it cannot take the trouble to maintain the signage on its foreshore? Why no action by officers, wards councillors or tourism panel members? Are they not aware of the blight? Or do they just not care?  Why not do the simple thing and just remove the panel? 

SAY GOODBYE TO THE POPPIES - A NEW LIFE BECKONS FOR FORMER TERTIA TRUST SITE

 

The fomer Tertia Trust site as it is today

Work is now nearing completion on the extension of the Thorpe Park holiday site at Humberston. The land was occupied for many years by the Tertia Trust which provided getaways for children from impoverished backgrounds. Later, under an unhappy spell of control by three North East Lincolnshire councillors - Chris Shaw, Alex Baxter and the late Mick Burnett - it became a magnet for vandals. Thereafter, it reverted to life, for several years as an unofficial nature reserve - home to swallows, songbirds, grey partridges, bats, trees, shrubs and wildflowers. However, this spring and summer, landowners Bourne Leisure have been cracking on apace with redevelopment of the site for its new purpose as a recreation venue.

The site as it was last year

110 YEARS OLD AND PORT OF IMMINGHAM IS STILL GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Super-passionate - Tom Jeynes enthralled visitors who heard his presentation at the open day held at the port of Immingham 

WHAT is the secret of success for the port of Immingham?

"It has always responded in an agile way to the country's ever-changing trading needs."

So said sustainable development manager Tom Jeynes during one of today’s coach tours of the port estate to mark 110 years since it first began life as a deeper-water sister to the  much older port of Grimsby.

It was originally established to export the coal that arrived by rail from the pits in the East Midlands.

But since then it has developed to facilitate the export and import of a huge range of different cargoes, including cars.

Mr Jeynes, who has been with the company since leaving college some 23 years ago, said that the port's nimbleness had enabled it to adapt to the ever-fluctuating peaks and troughs of demand for different cargoes.

Despite a recent increase in imports to meet the short-term energy crisis, coal is declining in importance while there has been huge increase in volumes of wood pellets, imported from the United States to meet the biomass needs of the power station at Drax near Selby.

Because pellets deteriorate in rain (unlike coal), it has to be stored in huge dockside silos.

Measured by tonnage - 55 million tonnes per year - it is the largest port in the UK,  accounting for a phenomenal 10 per cent of the country's trade.

In his fascinating presentation, delivered on the coach, Mr Jeynes understandably beamed with pride and passion as he reeled off the port's record of achivements and its aspiration for the future.

Increasingly in the coming years will the rooves on its warehouses be fitted with solar panels (as at the port of Hull on the other side of the River Humber).

In addition, plans are advanced for construction by 2025 of three new  ro-ro terminals in partnership with Swedish company Stena Line, one of its long-standing customers and partners.

ABP also takes its environmental responsibilities extremely seriously, determined to safeguard habitat for wading birds, some in global decline, such as bar-tailed godwit, curlew and oystercatcher.

In recent years, the roof of one of its silos has provided a nesting site for a pair of peregrines which have an abundance of food in the form of feral pigeons and starlings.

                                                               

Peregrine's eye view of the port where work could start next year on three additional terminals 

FOR GRASS, READ PLASTIC! SCHOOL GIVEN GO-AHEAD FOR SYNTHETIC PITCH REPLACEMENT

                                                                          

Young footballers will no longer get their knees muddy 

A FULL-size grass football pitch is to be replaced with a synthetic alternative.

Humberston Academy on Humberston Avenue is the latest local school to favour plastic over grass.

Planning consent has this week been approved by North East Lincolnshire Council which also improved the intallation of floodlighting and CCTV.

Ironically the name of the school's agents for the scheme is . . . Grass Roots Planning.

The intention is for the pitch to be used not just by pupils but also by other clubs such as Grimsby Borough FC.

Downsides are that firstly the project will urbanise this part of the village and secondly that Nature and the environment will take a hit.

For instance, bats, which are known to forage along Humberston Avenue,  may be disturbed by the floodlighting. 

                                     

Curlew - a species that loves to feed on school playing fields (but only if they are made of grass)

In addition, feeding habitat will be lost to curlews which, after arriving from Finland in winter, regularly feed on the grass pitch, probing the turf for earthworms with their long decurved bills.

The synthetic grass is thought to be imported from China.

The Grimsby News says: The trend for schools to replace grass with plastic is regrettable. Ask any child and he/she will invariably express a preference for playing on the former. But did the school even think to ask an opinion from its pupils? True, they won't get muddy on wet plastic, but since when did a bit of mud do any harm?  

CHILDREN'S PLAY AREAS TO BE MADE SMOKE-FREE ACROSS NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE

                                                                 

Stub it out! Cllr Swinburn (left) and Cllr Shreeve 

PLAY areas across North East Lincolnshire are going smoke-free as part of efforts to create a world free from tobacco in order to foster a healthier environment for children.

At the behest of North East Lincolnshire Council, signage to this effect is now being installed.

The authority reckons that smoke-related harm, such as illness, costs approaching £3.9-million a year.

The initiaative is being encouraged by the Government which has an ambition of making smoking obsolete by 2030.

Says Cllr Stan Shreeve, NELC's portfolio holder for health: "I think this is an overwhelmingly positive move. 

"We consulted members of the public on this issue, and there was strong support - 98 per cent of people who responded to our consultation agreed with the idea.

"This included smokers as well as non-smokers across different age groups.

"Children and young people should be able to play with their friends in an environment free from smoke, and I am optimistic that this move will help ensure that happens."

Agrees Cllr Stewart Swinburn, NELC's portfolio holder for environment: "Our public spaces should be places where everyone can enjoy, without the risk of breathing in harmful second-hand smoke.

"Seeing somebody else smoking can be a very powerful visual cue, and this can trigger cravings in former smokers and those trying to quit. 

"It also normalises the practice. 

"By removing this from our play areas, we are hoping to make smoking less of a common practice in front of young children."

NELC has not said whether there will be sanctions for those who disregard the ban, nor whether the restriction applies to vaping. 

COMING SOON TO GRIMSBY'S TOP TOWN MARKET - EXOTIC CREATURES FROM THE TROPICS

                                     

Amphibian or reptile? One of Ashley's tropical creatures

A SELECTION of reptiles and invertebrates will be on display in Grimsby's Top Town market on Thursday afternoons throughout the school summer holidays.

Reptile specialists Exotics of the World will be showcasing a range of creatures not native to the UK.

Says curator Ashley Norman of Exotics of the World said: "We are thrilled to be invited along to teach people about our amazing animals. 

"It is an  opportunity for everyone to get hands on with animals that they don’t see every day - if ever." 

The initiative is being welcomed by North East Lincolnshire Council, with cabinet member Cllr Stephen Harness saying: "It is an opportunity for folk to get their exotic animal fix."

The Exotic Animal encounters will take place every Thursday from 28 July to 25 August, between 12pm and 2pm at Market Garden in Grimsby Top Town Market.

                                 

Stay away if you don't like snakes!

WHAT NEXT FOR HISTORIC FORT? SURELY IT HASN'T BEEN BOUGHT BY AGENTS FOR MR PUTIN?

Bird's eye view of the estuary-located fort

 AN historic wartime fort strategically located in the mouth of Humber Estuary - and visible from Cleethorpes - has today sold at auction for a stratospheric price.

Pre-sale guide price for the Bull Sand Fort was a modest £50,000, reflecting its difficult-to-access location and its refurbishment requirements.

In the event, the hammer did not come down until bidding had reached a staggering £490,000.

Auctioneers Savills have revealed the identities of neither the vendor nor the purchaser of the Grade II Listed fort.

But the rumour mill has already gone into overdrive with a series of speculative guesses - for instance, that a wealthy twitcher has bought it to see the many rare migratory birds that the structure is thought to attract as they take a breather on their long journeys.

Other idle talk is that a tycoon may have bought it for conversion to a private residence, that an hotel chain may have set its sights on a high-end project and even that a religious order, one with a vow of silence,  may be considering establishing a monastery or retreat.   

Equally fanciful, but more menacing, is the notion that agents for the Russian president have swooped to secure a strategic base for activities that might be hostile to the UK and the extensive shipping that enters and leaves Immingham, Grimsby, Hull and  the many ports served by the Humber.

The fort lacks a garden, but there are plentiful opportunities for fishing.

Any schemes proposed by the purchaser - whoever she or he might be - are subject to consent from various authorities, including Historic England.

The Grimsby News says: Any suggestion that the Russians might be interested in possession of the fort is obviously far-fetched. Or is it? At a time when we are in conflict with a major power, it seems curious that a structure of such strategic significance to shipping should have been put up for grabs to allcomers on the open market. This is no time to adopt a relaxed or casual attitude. If it has not already done so, perhaps the Ministry of Defence should be making a call to Savills to ascertain the identities of he bidding parties, particularly the one that was successful. Unless, of course, that it was the MoD, itself, that bought it. 

CHOP SUEY SHOCKER - THE GRIMSBY TAKEAWAY WHERE HUNGRY RATS HAD A NOSH-UP

                                                         

Unappetising - soiled tea towels were use to cover food

THE owner of a Chinese takeaway has pleaded guilty to food hygiene offences after an inspection found the premises to be in an unacceptable condition.

Environmental health officers from North East Lincolnshire Council carried out a routine food hygiene inspection at China House in Pasture Street, Grimsby, on 17 November 2021.

Officers discovered rat droppings throughout the premises, along with gnawed boxes, urine pools and pest entry points.

They also found dirty cooking utensils, soiled tea towels used to cover food, mouldy food storage containers, poorly located defrosting raw meat, and a chopping board used to prepare raw and ready-to-eat food items.

Cleaning throughout the premises was poor, with build-ups of grease, grime, filth, debris and mould.

High-risk food was being left outside temperature control due to a lack of space in the refrigerators.

 Attending the town's magistrates' court last Friday, Wen Yi Cao (50), of Pasture Street, Grimsby, pleaded guilty to 13 offences including failing to have adequate procedures in place and breaching cleanliness and hygiene regulations.

He was fined £358, ordered to pay £850 in court costs and a victim surcharge of £36.

Following the inspection, a temporary closure was imposed on the premises, but this has now been lifted following improvements.

Says a NELC spokesperson:  "China House was  re-inspected by council officers in January this year.

"Conditions had improved substantially, and it achieved a food hygiene rating of three, indicating broad compliance with food law."

EARLY FINISH FOR WASTE DISPOSAL CREWS TO SPARE THEM FROM SIZZLING IN THE SUN

 

Wow, it's hot - bin crews have been sweltering in the heat!

WASTE and recycling crews will finish their shifts early tomorrow, Tuesday, July 19 to spare them from melting in the freak weather.

They will finish at noon to avoid the highest temperatures forecast for the afternoon.

Says a spokesperson for North East Linconshire Council: "Crews will work hard later in the week to catch up on any bins they miss.

"If your bin is not emptied on Tuesday, please leave it for collection before 7am the next day.

"This is a temporary measure North East Lincolnshire Council is putting in place to help its waste and recycling crews during the hot weather."

In the meantime, crews have been advised to take more breaks in the shade and to drink plenty of water as they complete their rounds.

NELC has apologised in advance for any inconvenience caused to householders.

NEW PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN IDENTIFIES CLEETHORPES AS BIRDWATCHING HOTSPOT

CLEETHORPES is being promoted as the latest destination for eco-tourism - particularly birdwatching.

It is featured in The Coastal Bird Trail - a new leaflet and online publication that was launched on Friday at the three-day Global Birdfair being held at the county showground near Oakham in Rutland.

Although the Lincolnshire Coast does not boast breeding populations of iconic species, such as puffins, ospreys or choughs, its beaches are a magnet for huge numbers of wading birds, such as redshank, curlew and sanderling, in autumn and winter.  

Cleethorpes, especially on the fringes of the saltmarsh and on its buckthorn-rich foreshore nature reserve, also attracts many migrating and breeding songbirds.

Also on the coastal trail are:

* Alkborough Flats

* Donna Nook

* Coastal Country Park

* Gibraltar Point

* Freiston Shore

* Frampton Marsh

The new tourism initiative is a joint venture by VisitLincolnshire.com and the Lincolnshire Bird Club, with support from conservation organisations such as Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and Natural England.

                                               

Phil Espin - putting Lincolnshire on the birdwatching map 

An illustrated  half-hour talk highlighting the county coast's rich birdlife was given on Saturday by Phil Espin, Louth-based chairman of Lincolnshire Bird Club.     

The trail can be explored online at:

www.visitlincolnshire.com/birdwatching 

                                                                 

Birders check the Humberston Fitties pools following the sighting of a rare white-rumped sandpiper  

 

NEW CAMPAIGN AIMS TO END ABUSE - PHYSICAL AS WELL AS VERBAL - OF COUNCIL EMPLOYEES

        

Spelling out the message - Cllr Jackson, Mr Walsh and Det-Insp Archer

A CAMPAIGN has this week been launched today to highlight  violent and abusive behaviour towards North East Lincolnshire Council employees.

In a bid to shine a spotlight on the issue, the council has joined forces with Humberside Police to release a six-point pledge, meaning that all reported incidents will be fully investigated and acted upon.

In the period from April 2021 to the end of March this year, 41 incidents of abusive or threatening behaviour were officially reported by North East Lincolnshire Council staff. 

They included verbal abuse, being spat at, threats out and about in the borough, and in offices. 

With these continuing into this year, officers believe there are more that go unreported, especially when it comes to verbal abuse.

Says NELC chief executive Paul Walsh: "No kind of abuse is or should be accepted - whether it is verbal or physical, it must be reported. 

"Only by doing so can we follow-up on our pledge with the police to investigate and act."

Agrees Det-Insp Simon Archer: "Assaults on people at work are unacceptable, and this behaviour will not be tolerated. 

"Everyone has the right to go about their lawful work without the fear of abuse just for doing their job. 

"This especially applies to those who are working hard to support our communities and ensuring North East Lincolnshire can be a better and safer place to live and work in.  

"It is important for anyone who has been targeted by violence or abuse at work to report it both to us and to the council.

"We will support our partner agencies in robustly pursuing and dealing with any offenders of this kind."

One council employee, who works with some of the borough’s most vulnerable residents, has explained how the verbal threats and abuse she has encountered have often felt more threatening than any physical attack she has suffered.

She recalled one occasion when she was hit back against a wall by a man who was later prosecuted for the incident. which also involved assaults on two police officers. 

On another occasion a second individual targeted her with a run of verbal threats. It was the latter, she says, which caused her more concern, but which was more difficult to act upon.

She reveals: "The individual would take pictures of my car and the number plate and threatened to write off my car and me as well. 

"He would turn up at the offices too and I would park my vehicle in a different place just in case.

"We all have lives outside work, but this individual did not care about that. 

"It would sometimes be on my mind if I was, for instance, out at night. There is a fine line between anyone’s work and personal life, and this is an occasion when it was crossed."

Says NELC leader Cllr Philip Jackson: "Our vision is to work towards a North East Lincolnshire that has strong and supportive communities, and where people feel safe. 

"I speak for all my colleagues when I say how we all strongly support this initiative and would encourage all our council staff to report incidents and, in doing so, help stamp out violence and abuse in our workplace and within our communities."

The poster which supports the new campaign

WHAT ROLE FOR LEVELLING-UP MINISTER LIA NICI AS RED LIGHTS FLASH ON AIRPORT'S FUTURE?

                                             

Lia Nici - future of airport likely to be high up in her in-tray 

JUST days after she was appointed a minister in the Government's Levelling-up department, Grimsby MP Lia Nici faces a challenge.

An airport often used by many of her constituents is under threat of closure.

Peel Group, the owner of Doncaster Sheffield Airport (formerly known as Robin Hood Airport), has put out this statement: "We have reluctantly concluded that aviation activity on the site may no longer be commercially viable."

It continues: "Since the Peel Group acquired the Airport site in 1999 and converted it into an international commercial airport, which opened in 2005, significant amounts have been invested in the terminal, the airfield and its operations.

"However, despite growth in passenger numbers, DSA has never achieved the critical mass required to become profitable.

"This fundamental issue of a shortfall in passenger numbers is exacerbated by the announcement on 10 June this year of the unilateral withdrawal of the Wizz Air based aircraft.

"This has left the airport with only one base carrier, namely Tui."

Expanding regional airports in the north is a key part of the Government's Levelling-up strategy, and closure of DSA would have a devasting impact, not just for its 800-strong workforce but also for its  customers.

It would also undermine Government policy.

Talks involving various  are already underway to see if the airport can be saved.

Ms Nici has not yet commented, but, in her new parliamentary position, it is likely she will have input as the situation evolves.

Peel Group also operates the John Lennon Airport in Liverpool. 

ESTUARY FORT “COULD BE CONVERTED TO HIGH-END HOTEL OR RESTAURANT” SAY AGENTS

The derelict fort - imagination required

 AN historic property in the Humber Estuary  is up for grabs.

The Bull Sand Fort  goes under the hammer as Lot 107 at on online auction being conducted by Savills next Tuesday July 19.

Says the company: “The fort can only be accessed by private boat and helicopter. 

“With an imaginative buyer and the right planning consent, it could be refurbished and transformed for a number of uses such as a high-end hotel, restaurant, Airbnb, grand design-style personal dwelling, retreat or a tourist attraction.”

The property was constructed between 1915-1919 following the outbreak of World War 1, though  the works were not fully completed until after the war had ended.

It is reinforced by concrete and its seaward side is fitted out with 12-inches of armour designed to withstand gunfire from heavy naval units. 

During World War 2 it was armed, besides the usual small and rapid-fire weapons, by two 6 inch guns and two 6-pounder guns. It had sufficient accommodation for a garrison of 200 men.

Bull Sand Fort, with its smaller companion fort on Haile Sand, 3.75 kilometres to the south-west, guarded the approaches to the Humber with gun batteries and an anti-submarine net of steel mesh stretched between them across the mouth of the estuary.

The fort includes three floors with basement and magazine below sea level, and central two- storey observation tower. 

Fresh water supply is available at the fort via an artesian well. Externally, there are a balcony and a jetty.

The fort was decommissioned in 1956 and is in need of refurbishment throughout.

The guide price is a modest £50,000.

WEEDKILLER SOLUTION MULLED AS INVASIVE BRAMBLE RUNS RIOT ON CLEETHORPES DUNES

Bramble - on the rampage

CHEMICAL poison may be used to kill an unwelcome invasion of bramble on Cleethorpes dunes. 

The thorny plant has taken a grip after a 'dynamic dunes' plant-management scheme seems to have gone awry.

Over winter, contractors working for North East Lincolnshire Council and Natural England cleared huge swathes of a specialist native shrub, sea buckthorn.

Although it is an attractive plant with beautiful orange-red berries that provide a winter food source for birds, buckthorn crowds out many  dunes-specialising flowers.

It was hoped the clearance project would free up land for more orchids and others species.

Instead, the  bramble - and copious thistle plants - have moved in with a vengeance, ironically creating a more hostile environment for the orchids than the buckthorn they have replaced.

In a wide-ranging talk - full of fascinating insights - on the wildflowers of the dunes, expert Mick Binnion conceded the proliferation of the bramble and thistle has been "a negative".

He told a weekend conference in Cleethorpes Library that authorities were considering  the selective application of chemical weedkiller as a solution.

Sea buckthorn - much of it was hacked down over winter