Four new CCTV cameras installed at Grimsby Riverhead Exchange bus stops to deter aggro

                                                     

Getting to grips with the bad guys - officials pose at Riverhead

FOUR new CCTV cameras have been installed at bus stops at Grimsby's Riverhead Exchange.

This brings the total number at this location to 11.

Says North East Lincolnshire Council: "These cameras should not only prevent anti-social behaviour at bus stops but also reduce security costs, prevent crime and vandalism, and make passengers and bus drivers feel safer."

The initiative was sparked by surveys revealing that people have not always felt safe at bus stops, particularly those across the town centre.

Welcoming the initiative, Matthew Cranwell, managing director at Stagecoach, commented: "This is a big matter for our customers and staff, given the antisocial behaviour in the area. 

"Security is always listed as one of the key drivers for customer satisfaction, and, as a key interchange point, this is critical to help with getting passenger numbers up."

Cleethorpes MP calls for more wind turbines on brownfield sites - fewer in beautiful countryside

                                          

Wind turbines and sunflowers in a field near Cleethorpes 

CLEETHORPES MP Martin Vickers has called for  more onshore wind turbines to be built on brownfield sites rather than in the countryside.

He told a Commons debate: "The problem with onshore wind is that too many of the applications are for areas of outstanding natural beauty or beautiful rural areas, rather than, say, docks or industrial estates." 

                                        

Martin Vickers - favours industrial areas for wind turbines

However, Wera Hobhouse, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bath took a different perspective.

She responded: "A long time ago, when I was a councillor, a big wind farm was built in my ward, and  I remember well the local objections to it.

"People said, 'Oh, the beautiful, natural environment of our hills!' 

"The natural environment of the hills had been destroyed decades or centuries ago. There were no trees any more. 

"Local people come forward and talk about our beautiful natural environment, but the natural environment had become like that, and wind farms are now becoming part of the landscape that we are creating for people. 

"Once wind farms are there, people stop objecting to the. Surveys are very clear on that."

She continued: "Of course, it is clear that people are always worried about change. 

"We are building something new and taking away something that was there, but if we are doing so for something that is so important, why can we not make the case that a wind turbine might be a much nicer thing to look at than, for example, a coal-fired power station, which we also need to put somewhere if we need energy? 

                                           

Wera Hobhouse: We cannot wait any longer

"What we do as humans creates some disruption to our local environment, and it has done so forever, so what do we want? 

"We need to get to net zero, build this infrastructure and build wind turbines, including in places where we can see them. 

"As responsible politicians, it is up to us to make the case for that. We have no time to waste: it is a race to net zero, and it is difficult. 

"Yes, some people do not like to look at wind farms, but But this is something of which we can persuade people, and I believe in persuading local people. 

"Yes, that sometimes takes time, but it is for us to do, because we have that persuading power and are in the position of influencing people. 

"That is where we should be, rather than always being on the side of the nay-sayers. 

"That is my honest position. I know that it is not easy; I have been there, too, in my time.

"We cannot wait any longer. 

"The UK needs to move further faster towards renewables. 

"Improving the planning system to quicken the building process is an important place to start."

                                          

Allotments site in Cleethorpes earmarked for CCTV scheme to safeguard crops - and record wildlife

                                                          

Plotholders keen to deter pilfering - and monitor wildlife

FIVE CCTV cameras could be installed on an allotments site in Cleethorpes if planners give the go-ahead.

It is hoped the presence of cameras might deter and/or detect pilfering of fruit and veg by out-of-hours intruders at the Beacon Hill allotments site off Montgomery Road.

The footage could also identify antisocial behaviour.

But there is another more positive motive for the project.

Plotholders are keen to record the activities of the extensive wildlife - including unusual birds, deer and butterflies - that frequently come calling, especially after dark. 

There are 120 individual plots on the 7.4-acre site.

However, there has been at least one objection - from a Montgomery Road resident fearful of loss of privacy within her own adjacent garden.

The application, which has been submitted by Fiona Milner, of  Beacon Hill Allotment and Leisure Gardeners' Society, is currently under consideration by North East Lincolnshire Council.

It is expected to be determined early in the New Year.

                                            

Robins are regular visitors to allotments as are many less common birds 

'It is with sadness' - minutes after defeat at Doncaster, Grimsby Town sack manager Paul Hurst

                                             

Mariners on lookout for new manager after sacking Paul Hurst

GRIMSBY Town FC have this evening sacked manager Paul Hurst. 

After a string of poor results, including today’s 1-0 defeat at Doncaster Rovers, chairman Jason Stockwood lost patience.

In a statement, he said: "It is with sadness and disappointment that we have reached this point, but it is  time to embark on the next phase of the club’s development."

The chairman also expressed gratitude for what Hurst and his management team had achieved at the club.

The dismissal was not a surprise.

Fans, well as the board, could sense that the 49-year-old manager was not getting the best out of his players.

Football is a fickle business, and it is little more than six months since Hurst was being lauded for steering the club to the Sixth Round of the FA Cup.

He knows only too well the ups and downs of his profession having enjoyed previous success both with The Mariners and with Shrewsbury Town, but having been sacked at Ipswich Town and Scunthorpe Utd - his last job in management before replacing the hapless Ian Holloway at Blundell Park.

Assistant manager  Chris Doig has also been shown the door.

It is not know if the chairman already has a replacement in mind or if he will invite applications for the job.

Starbucks eye up site on outskirts of Grimsby's Europarc for new coffee shop and drive-thru

 

Dovetail Architects have supplied this artist's impression of the proposed building 

A NEW coffee shop, with drive-thru facility, is on the cards for the outskirts of Grimsby.

North East Lincolnshire Council has granted planning consent for the development to the rear of the existing restaurant and pub known as Beechwood Farm on the edge of Europarc.

It is understood that Starbucks is the company behind the scheme.

The  building will be constructed of timber and composite cladding panels, and there will be 22 parking spaces which would also provide the option of electric  vehicle charging as.

The proposal did not go before the council's planning committee but was determined under delegated powers  by case officer Bethany Loring.

Grimsby's Corporation Bridge to close to pedestrians and cyclists for two days next week

 

Grimsby's historic Corporation Bridge, which is already closed to motorists, during repairs will also be closed to pedestrians and cyclists between 9am and 4pm on Monday and Tuesday of next week. This is to allow for installation of more scaffolding to allow the contractor, Spencer Group, additional access to complete 'clean blasting' works. There is still no word  from either Spencer Group or North East Lincolnshire Council on when the long-running repair project will be completed and when the bridge will be open to all  traffic. 

Parking charges soon at Cleethorpes seafront site where motorists like to sit and gaze across saltmarsh

Charges will be introduced from next Wednesday for motorists seeking to park their cars for longer than two hours at the end of Marine Walk on Cleethorpes seafront. A £1.50 charge (payable electronically by phone) will be levied on anyone staying longer. It is likely that fines will also be imposed on motorhome users who breach existing by staying overnight on the site.   

 

                          

Tragedy in North Sea as cargo ship bound for Immingham capsizes following collision

Verity - the Dutch-built ship was carrying a cargo of steel

A SEARCH-and-rescue is underway following a collision between two cargo vessels - one of them en route to Immingham - in the North Sea.

One crew member of Verity has lost his life, two have been rescued and four are others are missing.

The 22-year-old Dutch-built and British-registered Verity, which was carrying steel, has now capsized, and the four missing men are thought to be in the water.

Sailing at a speed of 7.4 knots, the ship, which is 299ft long and 46ft wide,  had been due to arrive at Immingham at noon tomorrow (Wednesday).

Germany’s Central Command for Maritime Emergencies is co-ordinating the search which involves German navy helicopters and a police boat.

Also assisting is a P&O Cruises ship, Iona, which has delayed its its passage from Southampton to Amsterdam.

In a message posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, German Transport Minister Volker Wissing said all efforts was being made to trace and rescue the missing men.

The conditions are hazardous, with 30mph winds, rain and 10ft waves. 

The other ship involved in the collision was the larger Bahamas-registed vessel, Polesie, which was on its way  from Hamburg to La Coruña in Spain.

It remains afloat with its crew of 22 all thought to be uninjured.

It is not clear yet why  the two ships collided  yesterday at 3am GMT  off the island of Heligoland.

The nationalities of the Verity crew members are not known but the vessel is owned by 29-year-old Isle of Wight-based company Faversham Ships Ltd whose fleet also includes Beaumont, Neptune, Shetland Trader, Trinity, Ventura, Victress and Vitality.

'All hands will be on deck' in response to flooding says Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

 

The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, which has many members in the Grimsby area, is this week counting the cost of Storm Babet. Along with some other properties in Horncastle, Banovallum House, its head office in the town, was flooded. The Trust posted the photograph above on social media along with the following statement: "Unfortunately, on Friday night, our HQ at Banovallum House in Horncastle was flooded, meaning over the next few days all hands will be on deck sorting through the damage. Our phone lines will not be managed and Banovallum House will be closed during this time."

We will not be building a 'monstrosity' insist Humberston Fitties couple

                                                     

The Rotherham couple - keen to enhance charm of the Fitties

A COUPLE have spoken out after being granted planning permission to develop a vacant plot at the Humberston Fitties chalet park.

Some other chalet owners have been critical of the proposed design at Plot 176, but Mr and Mrs D. Stoker, of Rotherham, have sought to reassure them.

In a message posted on social media, they wrote:  "Although we are happy at  the consent decision made at the North East Lincolnshire Council, planning committee, we know there a lot who are not. 

"We do understand some of the opposing comments, but we want to reassure you that we are not proposing to build a monstrosity.

"We have worked alongside our architect, Matt Deakins, to ensure we have done everything correctly in respect of scale and materials.

"We are proud of the finished plans which most of you will have seen."

The couple say they will also be be researching plants and shrubs to establish which are most likely to be most beneficial to songbirds, butterflies and other wildlife. 

"Our intention is  to enhance the beauty of the Fitties and build something which will be there for future generations to come and enjoy. 

"Although we cannot speak for the other plot owners,  they surely want precisely the same thing."

"We are normal, hardworking good people who will do everything by the book to make sure the chalet will be right." 

The couple say that work is unlikely to start on constructing the chalet until the New Year.

Plot 176 - work on new chalet unlikely start until  New Year

Back where it belongs - after a bit of tender loving care, juvenile mute swan is returned to the wild

No words necessary. Another successful rescue and return for Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue. In this case, a juvenile mute swan which seemed none the worse for whatever ordeal it had suffered as it was returned to Buck Beck on Saturday morning.  

 

A little insensitive, surely? New licensed bar could be established next to Baptist church

A drinking establishment next door to a church? Whatever next?

                                   

IS nowhere sacred?

Plans are afoot for a new licensed bar to open on  Cleethorpes seafront - right next door to a place of worship.

To be known as Side by Side, the bar would be located in recently refurbished premises at 22 Alexandra Road directly adjacent to the long-established Kings Baptist Church .

There could be live and/or recorded music on Sundays while services are in progress.

* Supply of Alcohol (on and off sales)

Monday to Wednesday 12:00 until 00:00

Thursday to Sunday 12:00 until 02:00

* Live Music

Monday to Sunday 12:00 until 23:00

* Recorded Music

Monday to Wednesday 12:00 until 00:00

Thursday to Sunday 12:00 until 02:00

The proposal is currently under consideration by the licensing authorities at North East Lincolnshire Council.

Operators of Thorpe Park holiday village unveil new 'monolith' proposed to mark change of name

The operators of Thorpe Park holiday village in Humberston have unveiled the monolith-style sign they hope to install at the entrance to the site to coincide with a proposed change of name to Haven Cleethorpes Beach. Pictured are the front and rear. An application submitted earlier this month is currently awaiting a decision from North East Lincolnshire Council planners. The bottom picture shows the familiar sign, soon to be redundant, which is due to be replaced.

First images unveiled for proposed 154-homes development within landscaped setting in Waltham

Residential property developers M.F. Strawson and Carr & Carr have unveiled images for a spacious and  attractive village-style housing scheme they propose for land to the south-west of Cheapside in Waltham. The intention is to provide 154 houses and bungalows (20 per cent affordable) within a green and leafy setting of a sort likely to attract plenty of garden songbirds. The application is now under consideration by North East Lincolnshire Council planners with  a decision not expected before the New Year. 

Dancetime! Planners approve conversion of former bookies’ shop to dance studio

The former betting shop will soon vibrate to the patter of dancing feet

CONSENT has been granted for a betting shop in Humberston to be converted to a dance studio. 

Mrs A. Hepton, of Artiez Dance School, has successfully applied for planning permission to change the use of the Don Noble Betting premises on North Sea Lane.  

Artiez provides dance classes (ballet, tap and more) for children, both girls and boys, aged between 18 months and 15.

It also welcomes young dancers with a range of physical disabilities, special education needs and looked after children. 

It is proposed to have 15 classes per week,  of approximately 10 and never more than 15 pupils, which will be held during normal working hours up to 7.30.

Elusive 'white' starling may now have departed Cleethorpes area - or, alas, it may have perished

Surveying the scenery - the rare 'white' starling

                                                                 

A RARE 'white' starling may now have flown the Cleethorpes area or, alternatively, it may have perished - perhaps at the claws of a predator such as cat, fox or sparrowhawk.

For much of last month, the bird - thought to have arrived here from Russia in the company of normal-plumaged starlings - proved something of a tourist attraction.

It was first seen on ploughed farmland at Tetney Lock but, more recently, it was spotted on sea buckthorn berries on the fringes of Cleethorpes saltmarsh.

It is not known if it ventured in into any gardens but it has been spied on rooftops on the seafront.

There are various theories for its pale plumage including one that it might have been caught in a shower of acid rain!

However, the most likely explanation is that it simply came out of the egg that way. 

Meerkats, monkeys and more! Planners' go-ahead for 'animal management centre' at Grimsby Institute

                                                        

                                              

The design of the proposed animal management centre (Image: Farrell & Clark)

ANIMALS - including meerkats - are  coming to Grimsby Institute's Nuns Corner campus.

North East Lincolnshire Council planners have given the green light for construction of  an 'animal management centre' to provide a 12-dog kennels, a Blue Cross cattery, an independent veterinary practice and lecture  rooms.

According to agents for the institute Farrell and Clark, there will also be an aviary and separate enclosures for rabbits, ferrets, skunks - and possibly for reptiles and monkeys.

At least one Laceby Road residents has protested about potential noise from dogs barking and howling and another about potential rodent nuisance - but to no avail.

The site is currently being used as a temporary car park.

                                

The new animal management centre will expand the range of courses at Grimsby Institute

The Grimsby News says: It is good to see the choice of courses being widened at Grimsby Institute, but we have misgivings about this particular venture. It seems that an  awful lot of species - some mutually hostile - will be enclosed within a relatively small area to the potential detriment of their wellbeing. There could also be a noise nuisance not just to residents but also to students at work elsewhere on the campus. And what if one or more of the creatures escape? Worst of all, might the centre become a target for animal rights activists with who knows what consequences? 

Memories of legendary Town striker Matt Tees shine bright as new complex is named in his honour

Magic memories - Matt fires home another goal for the Mariners

A NEW dementia care complex has been named after former Grimsby Town footballer Matt Tees.

Located at  Peaks Lane, Grimsby,Tees House is a three-storey complex that includes 31 ensuite residential rooms, a communal lounge and overnight facilities for family members. 

It also accommodates a state-of-the-art sensory room, cinema, podiatry, beautician, indoor gym, hairdresser and activity rooms. 

It also provides support to individuals moving on from older peoples’ acute and long-term inpatient units. It is surrounded by landscaped gardens and green space.

The project has been initiated by the organisation, NAViGO, whose chief operating officer Janine Smith says: "The Tees House site enables us to offer support tailored to a person’s individual needs at what is often the most vulnerable stage of their lives. 

"Having services co-located within enhanced space for activities and relaxation creates more opportunities for meaningful engagement for the residents, their families and the local community."

Since Matt Tees' death in November 2021, his wife, May, has been actively involved in supporting other families affected by dementia, and regularly volunteers within NAViGO’s services. 

At the official opening on Wednesday of this week - October 10 was World Mental Health Day -  she said: "Matt was a footballer - that’s what he did but this was not who he was. 

"He was kind and until the end a true gentleman with a dry sense of humour. A complete family man. He adored his sons, daughter-in-laws and of course his four grandchildren. 

"The Tees family is delighted and honoured to have Matt’s name on such a wonderful building.

"Tees House looks to the future - the facilities are unbelievable. 

"What NAViGO is doing is fantastic - helping both the younger and older generation with their mental health.” 

Grimsby Town FC has also been very supportive.

"The club's  home game tomorrow against Accrington Stanley will be the next Mental Health Awareness Matchday, encouraging positive conversations about mental health among supporters and improving knowledge around the subject.

"Players will warm-up in NAViGO t-shirts, the big screen will be utilised to showcase key messages and wallet-sized cards with signposting information will be distributed by NAViGO staff on the turnstiles before the game."

                                                        

I declare Tees House open! May cuts the ribbon watched by (from left) Freedom Nokwedi (assistant director for older people's services), Kristine Green (fan-elected director, Grimsby Town FC), Janine Smith (chief operating officer) and Simon Beeton (chief executive) 

In memory of Matt - the new complex

Matt with sons Neil (left) and Andrew

                                                                    

Another magnificent display - May and Matt

Sell-off of Cleethorpes hostelry eases pressure on North East Lincolnshire Council's fragile finances

                                         

The council has got shot of a pub which it probably regretted buying

CASH-strapped North East Lincolnshire Council has sold the former O'Neill's pub which has stood empty in recent times.

The buyers are Blackpool-based Amber Taverns who are understood to have paid £430,000 for a 99-year lease on the Cleethorpes property.

The firm, whose other ventures include the Lumley Hotel in Skegness, will also pay  an annual ground rent of £2,500.

Under the terms of the deal, the car park will be retained by the council, therefore allowing the opportunity to relieve car parking pressures around Cleethorpes.

The authority expects to see an additional income of between £30k and £40k for car parking.

The council is believed to have bought the property, which has heritage pedigree, in order to demolish it and open up view of the estuary.

But it has had a change of heart - hence the sale.

It is unlikely the re-opened pub, which to be renamed The Old Vic, will be family-friendly.

There are no plans to sell food, and the intention is to show televised sports from Sky Sports, TNT Sports, Racing Tv and Dazn.

Gary Roberts, operations director at Amber Taverns, says: "We believe that the great British pub should always offer great value for money and be an affordable treat for everyone.”

"We want to  create a modern pub that is attractive and welcoming to all customers, driving day and evening footfall and helping to regenerate the area.

"We plan to name the pub The Old Vic in acknowledgement to a former name of the premises.

"Our design will be modern but commemorate the history of the town with various old pictures and internal detailing. 

"We have successfully achieved this in many other towns and cities."

Prior to opening, a comprehensive refurbishment will see internal and external repairs and redecoration, a new bar and back bar, new toilets, new flooring, new electric and heating systems throughout, and the creation of a three-bed operator’s flat on the first floor.

An external area at the rear, next to the car park, will be home to a beer 'garden'.

Cllr Stephen Harness, NELC's portfolio holder for finance, resources and assets, has struck an upbeat note.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to bring another business into the centre of Cleethorpes and boost the local economy," he insists. 

"I wish Amber Taverns all the best."

The Grimsby News says: Amber Taverns will doubtless make a good fist of its acquisition, but the enthusiasm of Cllr Harness is surely misplaced. Did Cleethorpes really need another pub? And will it really 'boost' the economy? Time will tell. 

Firm trading reported by national chain pubs group - but there’s no longer room on menu for seafood pasta

                                            

Smugglers - located on the seafront 

AN upbeat note on trading has been posted by Marstons whose portfolio of pubs includes Cleethorpes located Smugglers, Trawlerman and The Pear Tree.

In the 52 weeks to the end of last month, sales nationwide were up 11.3 per cent on those for the previous year.

Says the company: "Both drink sales and food sales have been strong, demonstrating the resilience and appeal of our predominantly suburban pub estate.   

"Our strategy continues to be centred upon delivering affordable pub experiences for our guests in a quality environment, both inside and out. 

"The level of customer demand remains encouraging, and we have continued to make positive progress on guest satisfaction measures over the year."

Over the past 12 months, Marstons has taken 15 'peripheral' and low-selling dishes, such a seafood pasta, off the menu to focus on ever-popular  traditional staples such as burgers and fish and chips.

Trawlerman - popular with residents and holidaymakers

The Pear Tree - attractive building within a tree-bordered setting

Grimsby business entrepreneur's message to 'negative' competitors: 'You ain't seen nothing yet!'

 

Fire in her belly - Jordan Brompton

THE co-founder of Grimsby-based energy storage firm myenergi has rapped "negative" competitors for claiming that the business is "going under".

In a social media message posted this morning, Jordan Brompton  did not name the competitors but said it was "wishful thinking" on their part.

She added defiantly: "You ain't see nothing yet!

 "You have no idea how much fire you add to my belly by acting that way." 

There had been recent concerns about the future of the company after it shed jobs in summer.

There was also a setback last month when the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, announced  a five-year delay to the proposed 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel car and van sales - a decision which undermines the case for electric cars for which myenergi supplies charge points.

However, the finances of the seven-year-old company seem to be on a sound footing after securing £30-million debt finance from HSBC

Further excellent news has come today with the announcement that it has secured £30-million investment to "support significant future growth and internationalisation" from the New York based finance company, Energy Impact Partners.

That must be a first! Donkey metamorphoses into unicorn on Cleethorpes seafront

 

How sad! Both ears have now been wrenched from the statue of a donkey in the gardens on Cleethorpes seafront, and the creature now looks more like a unicorn. As a plaque nearby states, the statue, which was installed in 2011,  is a memorial to Gladys Nuttall "in honour of her services to Cleethorpes, bringing happy memories and joy to many hearts with the traditional donkey rides". Here's hoping the donkey can be repaired before too long - or at least have its head spike removed.

Revamped layout of Sea Road in Cleethorpes is 'recipe for disaster' warns councillor

Danger for road-crossing pedestrians - the revamped route to the pier

THERE are fears that a road leading to Cleethorpes seafront has become one of the most perilous in the town following its redesign.

Since the removal of a florally-enhanced pedestrian island, the widened Sea Road has become hazardous for pedestrians to cross - made so more by parked buses and, not infrequently, joyriders.

At a meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council's tourism and visitor economy panel, Cllr Malcolm Morland predicted the situation would get worse when the new amenity building was opened for trade, thereby creating more footfall.

"The road is effectively four lanes," he declared. "It is a recipe for disaster." 

His concerns were shared by panel colleagues who expressed fears for the safety of danger for young children, the elderly, young mums and dads with pushchairs and those with suitcases.

Cllr Morland said he would be taking up his concerns with the authority's highway's department at the earliest opportunity.

If his remonstrations pay off, it could lead to the installation of a pedestrian island or a pelican crossing. 

The Grimsby News says: Considering the number of complaints on social media, it seems strange that North East Lincolnshire Council has not already addressed so glaring a highways problem. Although the team from Hemingway Design were too diplomatic to pass critical comment on the proposed building, they, too,  were quick to identify in their 2021-published Cleethorpes Masterplan the potential for substantial vehicle-pedestrian conflict. However well-designed the proposed building proves to be, this location  is completely inappropriate. Even with some form of  pedestrian crossing, it will be the most horrendous choke-point, particularly during the construction phase and, following completion, in summer and on bank holiday weekends. Not only that, it will be an unwelcome obstruction between Alexandra Road and the seafront. Far better, surely, to find an alternative location for the building  and landscape this site in such a way as to create  an attractive extension to Pier Gardens.