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| Fisheries minister Mark Spencer chats with Grimsby MP Lia Nici about the opportunities |
The Grimsby area could be in line for a chunk of £1-million funding to invest in new and improved infrastructure for recreational sea fishing.
As of this month, eligible applicants are be able to bid for between £10,000 and £100,000 for projects which include:
* Upgrading recreational fishing facilities
* Reducing carbon emissions
* Supporting the protection and recovery of the marine environment
* Providing training to help recreational sea anglers to operate in a more sustainable way.
There are an estimated two million recreational sea anglers in the UK.
Between them, they contribute more than £800-million to the UK economy annually and boosts local economies through activities such as fishing tournaments, boat rental, bait and tackle supply and tourism.
Projects being suggested include enhancing piers and harbours, creating more accessible paths, floating walkways and pontoon dockings and promoting fishing tournaments.
Says Fisheries Minister Mark Spencer: "Recreational sea fishing is a small but mighty part of our fishing industry.
"It contributes to the economic growth of coastal communities and is a much-loved sport that can improve the health and well-being of those who take part.
"This funding will encourage the development and expansion of the sport in coastal areas, promote and support more sustainable fishing practices and ultimately make recreational fishing bigger and better for anglers across the UK."
Applicants can apply until June 19 this year via:
HOUSING officers have carried out a morning check on a Cleethorpes property suspected of being used for "modern day slavery".
Pending further inquiries, no details have been revealed of the address nor the nationalities, ages, genders or occupations of the "slaves".
This morning, North East Lincolnshire Council put out the following statement:
"Officers from Equans, in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council, accompanied by officers from Humberside Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue visited the property and carried out safety inspections, as well as interviewing the tenants.
"The property was found to have six occupants and was not licensed as a House in Multiple Occupation.
"The property lacks fire safety measures and has, no heating or kitchen."
The electricity installation is also said to be "poor".
The statement continues: "Several of the occupants were referred to the police regarding modern day slavery concerns.
"There is now a prohibition order on the property, preventing it from being used as a HMO, whilst the case is assessed and a decision is made on what further action can or should be taken.
"There are a number of properties in our borough which are illegally used as HMOs.
"When such properties are not licensed, not only do they fall short of legal obligations, but there are welfare concerns for the occupants.
"We know that occupants in overcrowded properties risk being subject to modern slavery, including trafficking, forced labour and child exploitation.
"Modern slavery is on the rise nationally, so these investigations on a local level help to put a stop to this concerning trend."
Great Grimsby's former Labour MP Melanie Onn, pictured here with trusty golden retriever Misty, is hoping to make a return to the 'Commons at the next General Election (which must be held no later than in January 2025). Her constituency party confirmed at the weekend that she had been re-selected. Ms Onn expressed delight at the decision, pledging that, if elected, she would be 'more visible' than current Conservative MP Lia Nici who defeated her at the 2019 General Election. The focus of her campaigning is likely to the high cost of living. However, she may choose to stay tight-lipped about Brexit given that her opposition to it contributed to her lack-lustre poll numbers four years ago.
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| 'Damaging the eco-structure of the sand' - so will buckets and spades be banned from Cleethorpes Beach? |
HOW long before the longstanding leisure tradition of building sandcastles is outlawed on Cleethorpes Beach?
The question is prompted by the revelation (in the Grimsby News) that speculative metal detecting will be banned by North East Lincolnshire Council from the start of next month.
Those in breach of the ban face an on-spot fine of £100.
Why such a draconian measure? According to the council, holes dug in the beach sub-sand "alter its eco-structure and risk damaging the habitat of invertebrates".
Young holidaymakers with buckets and spades digger deeper holes - and many more of them - than metal detectorists, so do they, too, face a ban?
The Grimsby News says: Through its bossy officiousness, the biggest hole is the one that the council has built itself. Holes dug by metal detectorists are seldom more than a few inches deep. Compare that with bucket-and-spade holidaymakers who sometimes dig 'to reach Australia'! Any 'damage' caused, is washed away by the next tide. The council should bite its lip on this issue, admit it has been disproportionate and turn a blind eye to metal detecting which gives its practitioners a great deal of pleasure.
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| Metal detectorists on Cleethorpes Beach earlier today. Are they really harming the habitat of invertebrates? |
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| Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp - hoping to make programme in Grimsby |
THE TV production company that makes the popular property programme, Love It or List It, is looking for a family in the Grimsby area for its next series.
Says Abby Ferguson, a researcher with Glasgow-based Raise The Roof Productions: "Each programme features a family struggling with a common dilemma: their home doesn’t work for them anymore and one side of the family are keen to stay and make their current home better; but the other side of the family want to sell up and move.
"The hosts are Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer.
"Kirstie will try to show the family that they CAN make their current home work by transforming it (Love it).
"Phil will attempt to demonstrate to the family that the best way to move forward is by selling up and buying a new home (List It)."
Continues Abby: "The programme will see the current home transformed, with the help of a design team led by Kirstie (using the homeowners’ own money) as she shows them that Loving It is best.
"The couple will also see three homes that match as much of their criteria as possible with Phil, as he tries to sway them towards team List It.
"At the end of the programme when they’ve seen all three houses with Phil and their own home transformation is complete, we will ask what they are going to do: Love it or List It? "
Abby has been in touch with the Grimsby News inviting a local family to come forward.
For more details, contact: lioli@raisetheroofproductions.com
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| The more dogs, the merrier - council keen to encourage canine tourism |
That's the aspiration of the local council as outlined in its current tourism guide which is available both in print form and online https://www.discovernortheastlincolnshire.co.uk
"Rest your weary paws at one of our many dog-friendly places to stay.
"From quality hotels, which go the extra mile for you and your pooch, to boutique bed-and-breakfast accommodation, coastal cottages, caravans and camp sites, you'll be be sure to find something to suit your budget and needs.
"Whether it is exploring our beautiful beaches in Cleethorpes or walking in our parks and woodlands, you are sure to find the perfect route for walkies that please both you and your pooch.
"If your pooch loves the beach, you will be glad to hear they are most welcome on our beaches throughout the year.
"There are restrictions in place during the key tourism season, but not everywhere.
"Your lovable hound can still feel the sand between his toes on our south end beaches from Cleethorpes Leisure Centre towards Humberston Fitties all year round."
But, as an afterthought, the article concludes: "If you are unsure of your dog's recall abilities, please keep them on a lead, especially near bird-nesting areas."
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| 'Your lovable hound can still feel the sand between his toes' |
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| Taking dog walkies across the RSPB bird reserve adjacent to Humberston Fitties |
WORK should resume soon on the stalled project to build a new lifeboat house in Cleethorpes.
The scheme hit rough water last month when the contractors, Tolent, ran out of money.
However, credit to the administrators for wasting no time in identifying another company, Wynne Construction, to take over where Tolent left off.
Founded in 1934, Wynne is based at Bodelwyddam in Denbighshire, and most of its work is in Wales and North-west England.
However, as well as being prestigious, the Cleethorpes lifeboat house scheme allows it it to spread its wings and venture into fresh territory.
With plenty of other construction projects looming in North East Lincolnshire, further opportunities could beckon for Wynne in the coming months.
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| Natural England is the latest organisation to object to the application by a Lidl-led consortium to redevelop the former Pleasure Island theme park (above) in Cleethorpes. It says it "does not consider that the mitigation measures proposed to safeguard wildlife are sufficient in the absence of detailed assessment of the potential visitor numbers, current levels of recreational disturbance and the particular sensitivities of nearby habitats and bird species." |
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The support from the travelling fans was magnificent
A BATTLING performance was not enough for Grimsby Town as they were outclassed in this afternoon's Fifth Round FA Cup match away to in-form Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Mariners were still in the match at half-time when they trailed by only a single goal, but the South Coast turned the screw in the second half with a further four superbly-taken goals.
To the final whistle - and long after - Town were loudly cheered by 4,000-plus fans who had made the long trip, including at least one, Nathan Smith, who had come from Bamberg in Germany where he now lives with his German wife, Petra.
Town now need to bounce back for their next Division Two match, a visit to Mansfield Town on Tuesday.
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| Player's mum missed out on 'massive' Grimsby fish |
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| A reader submitted this photograph of Cleethorpes beach this morning. Such is the bank of cloud that it almost looks as if a mountain range lies on the horizon. |
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| Haverstoe Park in Cleethorpes - one of those earmarked for a makeover |
It was confirmed today that £800,000 has been set aside for refurbishment over the next 18 months of a total of 27 within the borough. Says a council spokesperson: "The most pressing works are repairs to existing equipment, followed by a fresh supply of spare parts and finally new and replacement equipment and surfaces." The list is as follows: * Ainslie Street * Albion Street * Alden Close * Bradley Woods * Butt Lane * Capes Recreation Ground * Carver Road * Duke of York Gardens * Grant Thorold Park * Haverstoe Park * Kingston Gardens * Mount Pleasant * Musical Garden, King’s Road * Neville Turner Way * Nunsthorpe Recreation Ground * People’s Park * Pilgrims Mount * Quantock Park * Rose & Crown * School Walk * Sidney Park * Sixhills Street * St Christopher’s Playing Field * Sussex Recreation Ground * Sutherland Park * Weelsby Woods * Wingate Parade Comments Cllr Stewart Swinburn, NELC's portfolio holder for environment and transport: "People love their local parks and play areas and we are working hard to improve them so more children can enjoy playing outdoors. "It is more than 10 years since we’ve seen this level of investment in our play parks and I’m looking forward to seeing the works get underway soon." |
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| The works on Riverhead are being managed by Equans, on behalf of the council, and should be complete by the end of the year |
WORK is due to start next Monday on the revamp (as envisaged by Arup Landscape Design) of Grimsby's Riverhead.
On the downside, it is understood some felling of attractive mature trees has been taking place behind the hoardings that were installed earlier in the year.
However, North East Lincolnshire Council insists there will be "a lot more green space and planting" as well as new seating, lighting and a flexible event space.
Says NELC leader Cllr Philip Jackson: "This scheme will create a much more pleasant area for our residents and businesses and encourage more people to use the town centre."
The works on Riverhead are being managed by Equans on behalf of the council and will hopefully be complete by the end of the year.
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| King of the castle? But dock tower may lose its crown if onshore turbines invade its kingdom |
GRIMSBY'S most famous landmark could be dwarfed if a proposal to install four wind turbines on adjacent dockland goes ahead.
The Grade I tower is 94 metres high, while the proposed turbines could be as tall as 150 metres.
ABP is keen to proceed with the project both to control electricity costs and as part of ongoing decarbonisation initiatives.
Its agents, Green Cat Renewables says: "The company will continue to invest in additional solar generation at the ports, but onshore wind will make a much more significant contribution to decarbonisation and cost control given its ability to generate 24 hours per day and typically more power in winter than summer.
"ABP expects this will help secure the viability of the ports for the long term and provide an attractive place for business for existing and new customers, thereby helping to safeguard existing, and hopefully lead to more, local employment at the ports."
It is likely to be many months before any formal planning application is submitted to North East Lincolnshire, but, in the meantime, opinion is being sought from a range of consultees.
As as well being visually sensitive because of the dock tower, the site is environmentally important because of its proximity to mudflats which provide a feeding and roosting habitat for thousands of shorebirds, including curlews, knot and other declining species.
However, Green Cat Renewables say mitigation measures will be adopted "to avoid or minimise adverse impacts upon ornithological features".
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| Curlews are wary birds and risk being displaced by the wind turbines |
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Confirmation has come today that Whitehall will grant £20-million towards the redesign of Freshney Place, Grimsby, as envisaged in the illustration above. The project aims to provide a new market hall, a cinema and other retail/ leisure opportunities. Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council Philip Jackson, describes the Levelling-up scheme as potentially "a step change" for Grimsby’s urban centre which will help shape the future of the town. "I'm delighted,"he says.
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| Terry Walker - described as a "tour de force" |
THE Union Flag was today being flown at half mast on civic buildings in North East Lincolnshire as a mark of respect for a former mayor of the borough, Terry Walker.
Mr Walker, who died earlier this week , was twice mayor - in 1997-98, then during 2019-21.
He was elected to Great Grimsby Borough Council in 1988 as a Labour councillor for the old Carnforth ward, and, on the formation on North East Lincolnshire Council, he was elected as a Labour member for the Scartho ward until 1999.
He returned to the council as a Labour member, representing the East Marsh ward in 2011.
He continued as an East Marsh ward councillor until 2021, latterly as a Liberal Democrat member.
Mr Walker also served as a member of the council’s Cabinet in 2015-16, serving as the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Citizens and Public Protection.
Prior to that, he chaired the Tourism, Leisure and Culture Scrutiny Panel from 2012 to 2015. He was chairman of the Standards Committee from 2016 to 2018.
Says Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council: "Terry was a real tour de force, representing the borough at the highest levels for many years.
"He was a great advocate and champion for the people of North East Lincolnshire and news of his passing is terribly sad.
"I knew Terry well, as a friend and a colleague, and my sincere condolences go to his family and friends on behalf of everyone at the council."
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| The George Harrison memorabilia that went under the hammer this afternoon |
Subsequently demolished to make way for a larger property, the house is said to have been where the group put together the demo recordings for their White Album.
The letter was included in Lot 356 - along with the stamped envelope in which it is thought to have been sent, plus a photograph of him with a young female fan - at the saleroom of John Taylors in Louth.
Such was the pre-sale interest that it was thought the lot could reach as much as £3,500, but even that was well below what was achieved.
With bids coming in both over two phone lines and over the internet, the price soon escalated.
Finally, it reached £6,100 before auctioneer James Laverack brought down the hammer.
It was an internet buyer who was ultimately successful but the identity has not been divulged.
The action was filmed by a camera crew from YTV and is likely to feature on the regional new programme, Calendar, this evening or tomorrow.
Spanner in the works? Aldi seeks to stall Lidl's foodstore plans for former theme park
THERE has been a surprise move in the bid by a Lidl-led consortium to redevelop the former Pleasure Island theme park in Cleethorpes.
Lidl's discount supermarket competitor, Aldi - also a German company - is urging North East Lincolnshire Council planners to delay a decision on the project.
Through the Leeds office of its agents, Avison Young, Aldi says Lidl has provided retail impact information which is both incomplete and out-of-date.
In a letter to planning case officer Cheryl Jarvis, Aldi says: "The application should not be determined until an updated retail impact assessment, has been undertaken and submitted to the Local Planning Authority."
The later intervention will come as an inconvenience to Lidl.
There is no certainty that Ms Jarvis will agree with Aldi,but, if she does, it will drag out the planning process for many months while an assessment is undertaken.
There is also a chance that other nearby supermarket companies such as the Co-op, Spar and Tesco might also enter the fray.
One suprise is that, as yet, neither the council's highways department, nor its ecology department, have yet commented on the Pleasure Island project.
However, their submissions, which could be of critical importance, are expected within the next few days.
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| This dramatic study of the trawler, Ross Tiger, is featured in a free exhibition, Stories from The Sea, which opens on Friday March 14 at the Grimsby Heritage Centre. Unusually, the exhibition is accompanied by dramatic audio performances relating to momentous events in the life and times of this and other Grimsby vessels of yesteryear. The performances can be viewed and heard online at |
Luxury housing could be built adjacent to Grimsby’s Alexandra Dock in the not-too-distant future. North East Lincolnshire Council sees a waterside residential development as a way of regenerating the town as has happened in other parts of the UK. However, it will need to attract a developer to implement such a project which would be accessible via Fisherman’s Wharf. According to NELC leader Cllr Philip Jackson, the objective would be to “create a place that would link town and community to waterside”, but he cautions that such schemes “do not happen overnight”.
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| Flashback to May last year as returning officer Rob announces success for the Conservative candidate, Margaret Cracknell, in the Haverstoe ward |
IN preparation for the polls on Thursday, May 4, North East Lincolnshire Council is holding briefing sessions for prospective candidates.
This year, there are elections in each council ward. Additionally, positions at town and parish councils across the borough are all up for re-election.
There will be two briefing sessions ahead of these elections, one to cover the Local Authority elections and one to cover the Town and Parish Council elections.
* Town and Parish Council: candidates and agents: 14 March 2023 at 6pm, Grimsby Town Hall.
* Local authority elections: candidates and agents: 15 March 2023 at 6pm, Grimsby Town Hall.
The briefings will cover the following:
* Election timetable - including changes to dates
* Qualifications
* Disqualifications
* Nominations – including changes to the process and timelines
* Appointment of election, polling and counting agents
* Postal votes
* Voter ID - new for this year
* Polling day - explanation of how it will work
* Counting of votes – key dates and times
* Candidates’ expenses.
Anyone thinking of standing as a candidate, particularly those new to the nomination and elections process, is urged to attend the briefing session which will last for approximately one hour.
There will be the opportunity to ask questions at the end of each session.
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| Didn't The Mariners do well! Lia Nici makes her point |
PRIME Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to support The Mariners during the rest of their remarkable 2023 FA Cup run.
Prompted by Great Grimsby MP Lia Nici, the PM said it 'pained' him to congratulate her team because it came, in the last round, at the expense of Southampton, the team he has supported since he was a pupil at Winchester College.
However, he pledged allegiance to the Mariners in Sunday week's match away to another Premier League side, Brighton and Hove Albion - not difficult for him since Soton and Brighton are South Coast rivals.
The light-hearted exchange came during today's Prime Minister's Questions.
Ms Nici pointed out that the last time Town had reached the Sixth Round was in 1939 - which was also the last period during which Grimsby had a Conservative MP.
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| Laughter from Dominic Raab and a rueful smile from the Prime Minister |
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| From Me To You - George Harrison, who died in 2001, will be remembered next week at Louth saleroom |
A HANDWRITTEN letter by Beatle George Harrison is due to go under the hammer in Louth next week.
The letter is dated November 25, 1964, when Harrison, lead guitarist with the Fab Four, lived with girlfriend Patti Boyd in a luxury bungalow, Kinfauns, in Esher, Surrey.
Subsequently demolished to make way for a larger property, the house is said to have been where the group put together the demo recordings for their White Album.
The letter is included in Lot 356, along with the stamped envelope in which it is thought to have been sent, and a photograph of him with a young fan.
Online bidding has already reached four figures, but the pre-sale estimate is that, such is the demand for Beatles memorabilia, it could fetch as much as £3,500.
The sale is being conducted by John Taylors from 10am next Tuesday March 14.
More details and photographs - plus viewing times - are at:
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| A licensing sub-committee of North East Lincolnshire Council will meet on Thursday of this week to determine Haven Leisure's application for a drinks licence at its temporary bar at the Thorpe Park holiday village in Humberston. The application is being opposed by some residents of neighbouring Humberston Fittes who maintain that any noise from the adjacent stage, such as they experienced last summer, will spoil the peace and quiet to which they feel they are entitled. |
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| Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Cllr Stephen Beasant, (centre) with sponors Sam Delaney (Creative Start), Jordan Brompton (myenergi) Ashley Brown and Gary Allington ( St Hugh’s Hospital) and Lindsey Blades (myenergi). |
CONGRATULATIONS to those shortlisted out of 230 nominations for North East Lincolnshire Council's Civic Awards (2023).
Now in their second year, the awards celebrate community spirit in the borough.
They are organised by the council's Civic Office in partnership with St Hugh’s Hospital.
The shortlist is as follows:
Sporting and Wellness Award
* YMCA Humber Youth Club: For providing a hub for hundreds of youngsters with a welcoming atmosphere, kindness and activities inclusive for all
* Grimsby Freestyle Boxing Club: For developing sports competitors who compete at a national and international level, even a world champion, whilst delivering leadership, health and lifestyle skills
* Daniel Barrett: For forming a team of local talent on a budget and achieving two successful promotions whilst inspiring young players to achieve their potential
Mayor’s Community Impact Award
* Nurture Nature Forest School CIC: For inspiring everyone to connect with the outdoors, teaching skills from a very young age and improving the wellbeing to people of all ages.
* Paint the Town Proud Project: For murals painted around the Grimsby area.
* Helping Hands: For providing days out for over 2000 people and afternoon teas at many group dwellings and treats for seriously ill youngsters.
Inspirational Young Person Award
* Max Clarke: For volunteering and collecting donations for a wide variety of local charities including dog food and bedding for The Ark Animal Rescue to sleeping bags for the Grimsby Food Kitchen.
* Elysia Nicolaou: For raising thousands of pounds by fundraising and bringing the local community together after substantial damage was caused to her local park.
* Jax Batty: For his relentless fundraising efforts for children and young people who have a stoma whilst he faces his own challenges and medical condition.
Good Neighbour Award
* Jackie Cheffins: For looking out for her elderly customers in her delivery driver role by making sure prescriptions and even biscuits are picked up and appointments attended.
* Sandra & Graham Ellis: For running the Neighbourhood Watch Group and 5am starts watering community hanging baskets, to arranging Easter, Halloween and Christmas events for youngsters and families in Cleethorpes.
* Louise Whyte: For helping out at the local youth centre and a variety of community-based activities.
Environmental Impact Award
* James Elliott: For transforming the Freshney and working tirelessly to keep our environment clean and tidy.
* Great Coates in Bloom: For undertaking litter picks throughout the village and community all year round and encouraging wildlife with bug hotels.
* Frank Sparkes: For selfless work looking after the North Wall in Cleethorpes for over 20 years, keeping the area clean and fly tipping free
Charity / Volunteer of the Year Award
* Amber Cardwell / Oasis Hub South Grimsby: For supporting and empowering families in the area with the food pantry, toddler group sessions and ongoing financial guidance
* Friendship at Home: For reducing loneliness and isolation through befriending in peoples homes, over the telephone along with well-being checks and specialist advice across North East Lincolnshire
* Nurtrio: For bringing together a range of essential social care services to hundreds of vulnerable people living across the borough
Business in the Community Award
* Ayolt Kloosterboer: For supporting the local economy through using local supply chains, creating job opportunities, promoting equality and diversity.
* St Andrew’s Hospice, Grimsby: For the volunteer team who support the day to day running of the charity from admin to retail and helping across the entire Hospice clinical units.
* The Children’s Nursery, Stallingborough: For developing and continuing to invest in a neighbourhood nursery to the highest standards in early years education.
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| Life is set to get a lot more challenging for North East Lincolnshire's rough sleepers, especially those who depend for their accommodation on a tent - such as this one amidst Cleethorpes buckthorn. At a meeting on Wednesday of this week, the council's cabinet is being recommended to rubber-stamp proposals for a ban on unauthorised camping or caravanning on land owned or managed by the authority. Those in breach of a proposed prohibition order could face a penalty fine of £100 as from May of this year. Whether any rough-sleeping 'offender' could afford to pay it is another matter. |
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| Residents of neighbouring Humberston Fitties have not taken kindly to the development |
BOSSES at Haven Leisure will this week be mulling whether to appeal against last Wednesday's decision by North East Council to refuse retrospective planning consent for the outdoor activities area at their Thorpe Village holiday village in Humberston.
Because it takes many months before appeals are considered, it would enable them to operate the activities during the 2023 holiday season.
Indeed, the zone was open for activities last weekend.
Members of NELC's planning committee turned down the application against the recommendation of the case officer.
The precise words of the refusal notice are as follows:
"The development by reason of noise and disturbance is detrimental to local amenity and in particular to users of the Humberston Fitties site.
"This resultant noise and disturbance is also detrimental to the Humberston Fitties Conservation Area."
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| One of the rope walks at Thorpe Park |
A PROPOSAL to build five homes in Healing has been refused.
Village resident John Phillips sought consent for the development on a site off Carr Lane.
However, it has been turned down by North East Lincolnshire Council planners.
The decision notice states: "The site sits outside the development boundary as defined in the Local Plan, and the proposal would extend into the open countryside and intrude into the strategic green infrastructure corridor resulting in a detrimental impact on the visual character and appearance of the area."
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| The central beach in Cleethorpes - popular habitat for detectorists when the holidaymakers have left |
METAL detectorists could soon be banned from prospecting on Cleethorpes Beach, in parks and at other sites owned or managed by North East Lincolnshire Council.
At a meeting next Wednesday, the authority's cabinet is being recommended to approve a ban - with those who breach it facing the prospect of a £100 fine.
A report to councillors states: "While the act of metal detecting does not itself create a public safety risk, the resultant hole created does cause environmental damage.
"It disturbs the local habitat and species in their own environment which may be protected, rare or locally important.
"Local archaeology and scheduled monuments also need to be protected.
"In addition, all parks and open spaces are operational and require considerations of public safety.
"Unfilled holes are liable to cause injury or harm."
When NELC conducted a survey, 59 per cent of those who responded said they would not support such a ban.
But the council officer who drew up the recommendation remains insistent that a ban should be imposed.
His report continues: "Public safety is at risk regarding unfilled holes, unexploded ammunition and shallow-capped landfill sites.
"There is also a financial and reputational risk of insurance claims from unfilled holes and recovered detritus or damage to grounds maintenance machinery."
The Grimsby News says: Does NELC want to earn itself a reputation as a killjoy council? Armed with a bucket and spade, a three-year old on a sandy beach digs a bigger hole than a detectorist. By the time, she or he reaches the age of five, digging to reach Australia is the norm. So should buckets and spades also be banned? There is a case for outlawing detectoring in parks and on nature reserves, but on a sandy tide-washed beach? Never in a million years.
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| Detectorists such as TV's Lance (Toby Jones), left, and Andy (Mackenzie Crook) are unlikely to be welcome if they come treasure hunting to North East Lincolnshire |
The Grimsby News says: Does NELC want to earn itself a reputation as a killjoy council? Armed with a bucket and spade, a three-year old on a sandy beach digs a bigger hole than a detectorist. By the time, she or he reaches the age of five, digging to reach Australia is the norm. So should buckets and spades also be banned? There is a case for outlawing detectoring in parks and on nature reserves, but on a sandy tide-washed beach? Never in a million years
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| Paragliders are often seen over the RSPB's Tetney Marshes reserve before coming in to land on Humberston beach |
A CRACKDOWN is on the cards for big sky enthusiasts who use beaches in Cleethorpes and Humberston as a take-off or landing site for their paragliders, paramotors and hang gliders.
At a meeting on Wednesday, councillors are being recommended to approve a ban on landings/take-offs at all North East Lincolnshire-managed sites with a £100 fine for anyone caught breaching it.
Says a report: "This prohibition is needed to ensure public safety by preventing take off/landing in parks/open spaces which can present a danger to those using the space for other leisure activities.
"This follows several safety reports and complaints from residents of paramotorists flying too close to housing and people."
It continues: "In addition, preventing this will safeguard the area's wildlife, parks, protected habitats and croplands."
However, there is likely to be an exemption if the landing is deemed to be an 'emergency'.
Paramotorist's view of Cleethorpes beach (photo: NELC)
Dear Haith's Bird Food
I am writing this open letter in the hope that it might encourage you to extend your product range.
While at Cleethorpes Boating Lake earlier this week, I saw a sign saying Bird Feeding Station on the central island and decided to investigate.
I waited three hours to be fed, but in vain. Food was there none.
Disappointed, I flew off to seek sustenance elsewhere.
I know you are very supportive of smaller birds such as robins and finches, but what about us fish-eating species? Not just cormorants like me, but grebes, puffins, terns, gannets and many more? Do we not count?
I do hope you will consider my request as a matter of urgency. Fish-containing products need to be incorporated into your range of products if you are deemed to be an all-inclusive bird-loving company with diversity at the heart of its strategy.
Yours in hope
Cormack the Cormorant
Cleethorpes
North East Lincolnshire
