Saturday, 30 September 2023
Friday, 29 September 2023
Planners will be recommended to approve new chalet proposal for vacant Humberston Fitties plot
Planners will next week be recommended to rubber-stamp proposals for a holiday chalet to be built at Plot 176 Humberston Fitties. The application has been submitted by a Rotherham couple. Notwithstanding an objection from the village council and some other individuals, North East Lincolnshire Council's case officer for the application states: "The proposed holiday chalet accords with the use of the area and would not cause harm to the amenity of the neighbouring chalets nor the wider character of the conservation area." The planning meeting will be held, starting at 9.30am, on Wednesday October 4.
Wednesday, 27 September 2023
Teresa Jackson: "Today's nurses would be horrified at the tasks we had to perform when I was a trainee"
The mayor, himself a nurse, presents Teresa with a civic crown as a token of gratitude from the borough |
"YOU'VE done a fantastic job!"
Thus spoke North East Lincolnshire’s mayor, Cllr Ian Lindley, as he praised the achievements of Teresa Jackson, a nurse who is celebrating 60 years'of service with the NHS . . and with no signs of stopping yet.
Speaking about her 60 years’ service, Teresa said: "It’s been my pleasure.
"I’ve loved it. How many people can say they love their job.
"I am lucky. My brain still works, and physically I can still do the job.
"Over the years, I have worked with some amazing people. They are saving lives constantly and they don’t get the recognition they deserve.
"It’s a team. That’s the bottom line, it’s team work."
Teresa’s first day at the old General Hospital in Grimsby was on 1 September 1963..
"Everything smelled of furniture polish. It was all wooden. That smell evokes such memories," recalls Teresa.
"We were allowed five things on the dressing table. Anymore and the ward sister would swipe them off."
Teresa had wanted to be a nurse from the age of nine.
"Growing up in South Kelsey, we rarely saw an ambulance," she continues.
"When we did, all the kids would run out and say, ‘hold my collar, pinch my nose, I hope I never go in one of those’.
Working life was very regimented and hierarchical when Teresa started as a cadet nurse, with separate tables in the mess room for cadets, Year One students, Year Two students, sisters and more senior staff.
"If a first-year student was passing through a door and a second-year student approached, you had to stand aside and hold the door," remembers Teresa.
"Cadets were a large part of the nursing service back then.
"When I was a cadet, we were taught to carry out so many duties - such as suturing and stomach wash outs - that would horrify the nurses of today.
At 23, Teresa was the youngest sister appointed at the time to a General Surgical Ward.
She continues: "In 1974 I changed roles and worked in the Special Care Baby Unit for nine years on night duty.
"Missing adult nursing I returned to Scartho Road hospital, remaining on night duty as this worked well with family life.
"I later became night sister and went on to become the night site manager.
"As there were no junior doctors as we know them now, I trained to be a clinical nurse practitioner, working under the guiding hand of Mr. Henry Pearson.
"He didn’t know what to call me. He couldn’t call me by my first name as that was unprofessional, so it was TJ, a name which sticks with many even now.
"When he was retiring, he convinced me to try stoma care for two weeks, I did, and I’m still there."
Like Teresa, the Mayor only ever wanted to work in a hospital. He started as a trainee on a Youth Training Scheme aged 16 in Sunderland.
"When my YTS ended, I went into hospital voluntarily," he says. "I didn’t want to do anything else other than work in a hospital."
Despite his civic responsibilities, Cllr Lindley still finds time to work 20 hours a week at the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital.
Agents for Pleasure Island project say proposed holiday lodges would be 'tethered to ground'
The Buck Beck - overtopping, if substantial, could pose flood hazard at the adjacent Pleasure Island site
THE two hotels proposed for the former Pleasure Island theme park would not have sleeping accommodation on the ground floor.
This pledge has come from the agents for the Lidl-backed consortium seeking to redevelop the site.
Lichfields hope this assurance might ease the Environment Agency's concerns over risk to life and limb in the event of a catastrophic flood, perhaps caused by a North sea surge or overtopping by the adjacent Buck Beck.
In addition, it says the proposed holiday lodges - as many as 272 are envisaged - would be "securely tethered to the ground".
No response from the EA to these proposed flood mitigation measures has yet been received by North East Lincolnshire Council's planning department.
At this stage, it seems unlikely that a decision on the redevelopment project will be reached this side of Christmas.
In the meantime, supermarket giant Tesco has weighed into the planning fray.
Fearful of losing trade to the proposed Lidl discount supermarket, it has this week lodged a formal objection to the application.
Crunch decisions looms on future of security roller shutters outside Top Town jewellery shop
The shop is located at 22 Victoria Street |
COUNCILLORS will next Wednesday (October 4) decide whether jewellery entrepreneur Daniella Draper can retain security roller shutters outside her shop in Grimsby's Top Town.
The recommendation to North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee is that they should be removed.
States the case officer: "Security concerns must be given weight in the planning balance.
"However, the roller shutters have a detrimental impact on the appearance and character not only on this shopfront but also on the character of the conservation area.
"The scale and design of the shutters, and their housing, create harsh solid features to the building and street scene.
"The cumulative impact of the proposal and the small number of other shutters on Victoria Street only emphasise the harsh alien designs of such features contrary to the character of the area."
The Grimsby News says: Despite having Conservation Area status, this part of the town is scarcely a beauty spot. After the shops close, it is a bleak and somewhat scary place where criminality frequently lurks. To insist that a jewellery shop in such a setting remains unprotected seems like folly. If a brick is put through the window and gems stolen, how would the decision-makers feel? Planning committee members should reject the case officer's recommendation in favour of the shutters' retention.
Monday, 25 September 2023
Black swan seems to have developed mean streak since relocating from Cleethorpes Boating Lake
The unusual black swan that has taken up residence alongside a pond at Humberston's Thorpe Park holiday village is believed to be the same bird that spent most of last summer on the boating lake in Cleethorpes. Since then it has developed an aggressive streak and is quick to chase off any other bird that ventures too close to its personal space including gulls and even much larger mute swans.
Saturday, 23 September 2023
Revealed: why top duo from Natural England abandoned Cleethorpes walk after just five minutes
Just look at that cloud in the background! Jackson Sage of the Humber Nature Partnership seems oblivious to what is behind him as prepares to start the walk. |
TWO Natural England bosses skipped a walk along a Cleethorpes coastal footpath because . . . it started to rain!
Chairman Tony Juniper and chief executive Marian Spain were scheduled to spend an hour exploring the birds (including redshank) and other wildlife of the saltmarsh in Cleethorpes.
But five minutes into the walk, there was a brief rain shower so, along with other bigwigs, our intrepid duo scrapped the walk and scurried back to shelter.
Tony Juniper |
Said a spokesperson for the delegation: "We walked for about five minutes but had to abandon the planned hour-long walk into the reserve due to the wet weather."
Did she not regard that as a bit flaky - not to say, a dereliction of duty?
"To be fair, it was a deluge," she responded.
The purpose of their visit had been to 'launch' the first Coronation Coast national nature reserve on behalf of King Charles III who was unable to be present.
Marian Spain |
Earlier, at the resort's leisure centre, speeches were made, a buffet lunch was laid on and plaques were presented.
Then, following their aborted walk, the delegates all went back to their homes down in the sunny south without so much as having seen a single Cleethorpes redshank.
Unseen by the fair-weather naturalists - this redshank, a species sometimes known as the 'sentinel of the of saltmarsh' |
The Grimsby News says: A bit wimpish, surely! Admittedly Ms Spain and Mr Juniper were unsuitably dressed, but for highly-paid professional naturalists to skip 55 minutes of a 60-minute walk because of a modest rain shower beggars belief. Did Captain Scott retreat from the Antarctic when it started to snow? Even worse is that, through their timorous response to the elements, the VIPs dishonoured the very habitat and wildlife they had come to celebrate. When this information is relayed to the King, he will not be amused.
Thursday, 21 September 2023
Trouble at Fitties! Some chalet owners are unhappy with park owners - and also with the Grimsby News!
Rumblings of discontent - the chalet park as seen from the dunes |
THERE has been a backlash to a report (September 17) in the Grimsby News blog about the level of investment in the Humberston Fitties chalet park by Tingdene Holiday Parks Ltd, its owners since 2016.
There are 320 chalets on the park, and a significant minority - at least 30 - of owners have taken to social media to claim that our account was unduly favourable, not to say sycophantic, towards the Northamptonshire-based company.
They reckon on our perspective was skewed in not acknowledging the financial burden on residents from increased charges - for instance, on ground rent and electricity connection.
Some also challenged the extent of commitment shown by the company in its upkeep of the chalet park and whether it really looks any more cherished than in the days of local authority ownership.
Tingdene's mantra reads as follows: "Maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction is of utmost importance to the business, and the directors understand fully that service and quality levels are key in maintaining customer satisfaction."
But, as the saying goes, fine words butter no parsnips.
For a company with such splendid aspirations, it does seem to have developed an unfortunate record of exasperating at least some of its customers - not just on the Fitties but also, based on local newspaper reports, at other of its sites elsewhere in the country.
Having paid North East Lincolnshire Council £2.15-million for a 125-year lease on the park, Tingdene obviously seeks both to recoup its investment and to make its purchase profitable.
Other than through rental income, its opportunities for revenue generation are relatively limited.
Ideally, it would like to sell off the 11 vacant plots, preferably with the benefit planning consent from the council for them to be redeveloped.
That would provide a significant boost to company coffers and perhaps encourage the directors to pause the rental increases that are proving such a bugbear to existing chalet owners.
In the meantime, the company has work to do if it genuinely seeks to restore that most precious and underrated of commodities - goodwill.
Despite its cheerful-sounding name, Tingdene Holiday Parks Ltd seems - at least to some - to present a cold and unresponsive face.
Does it want to be known as a business whose motivation is so twisted by the money-making imperative that it has lost its soul?
Its top team - that is to says its directors - might consider going walkabout on Anthony's Bank, chatting to the chalet owners and, dare it be said, listening their ideas and suggestions.
There is still plenty of time until Christmas. Perhaps it could organise a seasonal party for children (with the managing director as Father Christmas) or, failing that, some other festive jollity.
At the very least, a tub of Quality Street toffees for each chalet might not come amiss.
Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Say farewell to the greenery! Council poised to 'clear and remove' shrubs from Cleethorpes seafront
Date with the chainsaw! Barring a change-of-heart by the council, 'excess shrubbery' is set for removal |
JUST days after Cleethorpes was designated part of Britain's first Coronation Coast national nature reserve, North East Lincolnshire Council is poised to destroy a green and leafy part of the seafront.
Work is due to begin next Monday (September 25) on ripping out hedges and shrubs that provide precious feeding, roosting and nesting habitat for small birds including rare migrants.
NELC has ruled they have to go to make way for proposed repairs to the walls and steps leading down to the Central Prom behind the Memorial Gate in Cleethorpes.
It states: "Excess shrubbery around the area will be cleared and removed.
"Then scaffolding will be put up so that the walls can be repaired and re-rendered.
"The steps will be repaired or replaced where necessary as part of the project.
"The three businesses at the steps will remain open as normal, though there may be localised restrictions at times.
"The work is due to be completed in early November ahead of Remembrance Day activities in the resort."
The Grimsby News says: This initiative reflects the council's careless attitude to safeguarding Nature and wildlife. The shrubs provide habitat not just for birds such as finches, wrens, robins and warblers, but also for butterflies, bees and other pollinating insects. What is more, far from being "excess", the shrubbery not only provides valuable protection from the elements for the walls but it is also significantly more attractive. Instead of removing the plants, the council should plant more of them out of due regard for what it likes to describe as its 'green' agenda.
Why look at green and leafy, when you can look at a painted wall? |
The hedges provide a recovery habitat for migrant birds. They were planted for a reason, so why remove them? |
Tuesday, 19 September 2023
Funeral hold-ups in prospect while contractors work on Grimsby crematorium roof repairs
Repairs could take as long as 16 weeks |
CONTRACTORS start work this week on repairs to the roof at Grimsby Crematorium.
They erected scaffolding at the weekend ahead of repairs starting on Friday to the areas with a flat roof.
It means the crematorium is not now conducting services either on a Monday or Friday while the works are in progress
There will also be some restricted access to the crematorium building at weekends.
The works are expected to take 16 weeks to complete.
Regrettably this will lead to funeral delays, but North East Lincolnshire says it will seek "to keep disruption to a minimum".
The Grimsby News says: If the crematorium is leaking or unstable ,it clearly needs to be repaired. But should the project really take as long as 16 weeks? That will cause significant inconvenience to many grieving families. Urgency is required. The council and its contractors need to step up their game
Requests to turn down the volume fell on deaf ears with 58-year-old loud music enthusiast
A GRIMSBY man who bothered his neighbours by repeatedly playing loud music was left court with a bill for almost £500.
Officers from North East Lincolnshire Council investigated after neighbours complained about ongoing loud music and singing coming from a flat in Grampian Way, Scartho.
After first writing to the tenant in September 2021, officers installed a monitoring device three weeks later and recorded noise that was happening often enough and loud enough to be causing a nuisance.
They subsequently served the culprit with an abatement notice, a legal direction instructing him to stop playing loud music to an extent that it would cause a nuisance.
Officers visited the property in May 2022 after it emerged that he was again breaching the notice.
They reminded him about the terms of the notice and gave him another copy but further breaches occurred over the next few months.
This led to prosecution at Grimsby Magistrates' Court where the 58-year-old defendant was given a 12-month conditional discharge but ordered to pay £466.23 costs and a £26 victim surcharge.
Commenting afterwards, North East Lincolnshire Council's portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, Cllr Ron Shepherd, said: "Most noise complaints can be resolved without the need for legal action, it’s rare that cases end up in court.
"Often, people are not aware of the issue they may be causing and a discussion with them usually works."
The information above was supplied by NELC, but has not said whether the defendant admitted the offence and, if so, what mitigation was offered.
Nor have any details been released about the type of music being played.
Monday, 18 September 2023
Announcement soon on proposed salmon-breeding unit near Blundell Park?
The proposed development is near the Blundell Park ground of Grimsby Town FC
AN announcement could be made as soon as this week on the controversial proposal to build an indoor salmon-breeding unit on the outskirts of Cleethorpes.
The original deadline for North East Lincolnshire Council to determine the application is today.
However, deadlines are not always met, least of all in the world of planning, and the authority may be awaiting more information and perspective from interested commentators.
One organisation that will not be contributing to the debate is the RSPB.
The organisation shuns involvement in local planning matters unless the welfare of rare bird species is at stake.
Although the site, which is on the Humber side of Grimsby Town’s Blundell Park football ground, is rich in wildflowers, some of them rare, it is not thought to be breeding habitat of any scarce birds.
The bird charity acknowledges that there have been some unusual migration-time sightings - for instance, red-backed shrike and bluethroat - but the parcel of land, off Salvesen Road, does not meet the ‘threshold’ for it to become involved.
The application has been submitted by ASL New Clee Ltd which believes the venture will create jobs and provide a nutritious food source.
Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve declared open in Cleethorpes ceremony
The King could not make it to Cleethorpes but he is seen here chatting with nature enthusiasts on a visit to Lincolnshire back in July |
The orchid-rich Cleethorpes local nature reserve is included in the designation |
The chief executive of Natural England, Marian Spain unveils the designation plaque in Cleethorpes Town Hall |
This image indicates the length and breadth of the reserve |
Sunday, 17 September 2023
Since buying 125-year lease on Humberston Fitties chalet park, Tingdene have splashed out the cash
Tingdene paid £2.15-million for Fitties chalet park |
Saturday, 16 September 2023
Coming soon to a bird table near you - the unusual 'white' starling from Russia
Friday, 15 September 2023
Council announces latest initiative to spruce up pavement on Cleethorpes seafront
Concrete paving slab will be replaced with natural York stone |
WORK is due to start next week on a nine-week project to replace paving along the landward side of Alexandra Road in Cleethorpes.
The project will bring the paving outside properties from The Empire building to Figs restaurant in line with the rest of the improvement works in the resort that were completed pre-pandemic and earlier this year.
It will also complement the work being done to restore the balconies and shop fronts along the same stretch.
The existing paving, in most cases, will be replaced with new natural York paving stone to match the rest of the paving in the main areas of the resort.
The kerbing that was put in during the earlier works will remain in place. Additionally, surface water drainage for the properties will be improved.
The works will start at the Empire building end and work towards Figs.
While the scheme is in progress., the parking bays adjacent will be suspended from use.
Additionally, the pavement width may be restricted for pedestrians.
Both of these measures are to ensure there is a safe working area for the contractors.
Access to properties and businesses may be affected for short periods of time.
The initiative is funded by North East Council supported by grant funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Townscape Heritage Project for Cleethorpes.
Nine-week project starting on Monday |
Thursday, 14 September 2023
New Fishing Heritage Centre exhibition will celebrate arrival of railway in Grimsby, then Cleethorpes
Rarely-seen memorabilia features in the exhibition |
Wednesday, 13 September 2023
Council releases revised images of proposed 'landmark' building for Cleethorpes seafront
How the building might look after dark |
The building will enjoy fine views over the estuary |
Sunday, 10 September 2023
A welcoming habitat for butterflies and bees, but, to be honest, things were getting a bit overgrown
It has to be said - not the most enchanting of aspects |
Saturday, 9 September 2023
A helping hand for Cleethorpes' precious shorebirds thanks to gentle coaxing of civil enforcement officers
Tact seems to be the watchword - and these dog-walkers respond positively to the advice of civil enforcement officers |
CREDIT to the civil enforcement officers who are helping to safeguard shorebirds on Cleethorpes beach.