Tributes pour in for former NELC leader Andrew DeFreitas - a formidable community champion

                                                              

Andrew DeFreitas - forthright and passionate

TRIBUTES have been paid to former North East Lincolnshire Council leader  Andrew DeFreitas who died at the weekend.

The mayor Cllr Steve Beasant described Mr DeFreitas as "a master in the council chamber" and "a community champion".

Born and raised in British Guiana, Andrew moved to England  in 1962, aged 17, leaving behind his family and friends.

He hd already been politically active  in Guiana, but it was a highly-charged and violent time so it was thought best, when some friends of his were killed, that he move to England where it would be safer and he could earn more money. 

For many years he sent all of his spare cash back to help his younger brother to get an education. Brian is now a highly-regarded psychologist.

In London, Andrew worked for Scribbans Kemp (later known as United Biscuits) in the Accounts Department. The business relocated to Stallingborough in 1963 where he met his wife Lynda,  who was working a temporary role in between training to be a teacher.

Now in Grimsby, Andrew was first elected to Great Grimsby Council in 1969 at the age of 24, winning a seat in the then Humber Ward.

Standing on a pledge to improve the sub-standard housing stock in the neighbourhood, he took two weeks’ holiday to knock on every door in the ward. 

He was an Elected Member of Great Grimsby Borough Council until it was replaced by North East Lincolnshire Council in 1996, with only a four-year break while he worked in the Middle East.

On his return to Grimsby in 1981, he was elected to a seat in Central ward, later to become Park ward, which he represented until his retirement.

He became an elected member of North East Lincolnshire Council from its inception in 1996,  and went on to become Leader of the Council in 2004. He was subsequently leader again for a five-year period in 2006.  

Andrew served Grimsby as a local councillor for 50 years, standing down in May 2019, at the age of 74, when he was granted Freedom of the Borough, the highest honour the council can bestow.

Over the years, Andrew also served as a Humberside County Councillor, and served on Humberside Police Authority for six years and Humberside Fire Authority for five years, becoming Deputy Chair. In 2015, he received an MBE for services to the community.

He was also a proud member of the Friends of People’s Park group, helping them to secure nearly £2-million of Heritage Lottery Funding for the restoration of the Victorian park.

He served as Deputy Mayor in 2017/2018 but stepped down due to personal circumstances before he could take up the role of Mayor. He remained a Park Ward councillor until his retirement the following year.

Mayor Cllr Steve Beasant said: "Andrew was truly amazing, I modelled myself on him. 

"When he knocked on my door in 2000 and asked me to become a Liberal Democrat I had no hesitation in saying yes to him.

"He was the most dedicated councillor to his constituents and would spend hours on case work making sure that he got the very best for them. 

"This is a really sad loss for Park Ward as I am sure there are many people still living there who have fond memories of him.

"Andrew was a master in the council chamber, speaking eloquently without notes, and he could recall amazing facts.

"He was respected on every side of the chamber, by members of all parties, and he was a champion not just for his ward, but for the whole of the borough.

"In my opinion, Andrew was one of a group of people who gave everything and worked tirelessly for the benefit of this borough. My heart goes out to his family and close colleagues, and we will all miss him immensely.”

NELC leader Cllr Philip Jackson, said: "I knew Andrew for many years. 

"We both served on Grimsby Borough Council and then on North East Lincolnshire Council. 

"Andrew was a very active councillor and was leader for a while. He was a great advocate for our borough and worked very hard in his ward where he was very well respected. He will be greatly missed."

NELC chief executive, Rob Walsh, said: "Being lucky enough to have worked here for 30 years has meant that I have been privileged to work alongside, learn from and witness people who exemplify what it means to care about what they do and the people they serve. 

"Andrew fitted that bill. In his prime in the council chamber, there was no one more passionate and formidable. 

"As a ward councillor, representing his beloved Park ward, there was no one more driven and tenacious." 

NELC Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Nicola Aisthorpe paid her own tribute: "It is with a heavy heart and deep respect that I will remember Andrew whose unwavering commitment to public service and whose  exceptional ability to inspire those around him, including me, were truly remarkable.

Conservative Cllr Keith Brookes, who shared joint leadership of the council with Andrew from 2003-2008,  said: "I was Andrew’s deputy and he was my deputy when our groups held joint control.

"He was passionate in his fight for residents that often brought conflict between us, but he was respectful in how he worked."

Cllr Kath Wheatley, leader of the Labour Group, also paid tribute to Andrew. She said: “Andrew was the absolute consummate politician. I always found him extremely helpful.

“I didn’t always agree with him, being on different parties, but he was always very kind and open and happy to give advice freely. He was always supportive of new councillors and I grew up with him. His passing truly is the end of an era.

Andrew is survived by his older sister Cleda and younger brother Brian, living in Ohio and Vancouver respectively, his ex-wife Lynda, and long term personal friend Sarah, and his and Lynda’s children, David, Mark, Ian, Helen, Anna and Kathryn. 

He also leaves  10 grandchildren and one  great grandchild.

Details of Andrew’s funeral arrangements will be confirmed shortly. 

Successful clean-up of Grimsby's traffic-polluted air will 'improve life chances' of residents says councillor

The air in Riby Square in Grimsby has long been polluted by exhaust from motor vehicles

AIR quality seems to be improving in Grimsby.

For many years,  fumes from vehicles and industry have been an issue along Cleethorpe Road and Peaks Parkway.

Back in September 2010, a monitoring exercise revealed the level of nitrogen dioxide at certain points in the town to be as much as 20 per cent above the legal limit .

Because the air was so contaminated at Riby Square, North East Lincolnshire Council  was obliged to make junction alterations  to help improve traffic flow and reduce the level of pollution.

This and other initiatives seems to have done the trick, because air quality is now said by NELC to be within the legal limit.

In a statement, portfolio holder for the environment Cllr Henry Hudson said: "All people in North East Lincolnshire should enjoy good health and wellbeing.

"The steps we have taken will improve the quality of life and life chances of our residents and enhance the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the borough." 

These boots (and shoes and trainers) are made for walking right back to Grimsby's Freshney Place

 

Happy times are here again! From left, James Hancock (Clarks), Amanda Elwis (Clarks manager), Amanda Austin (Freshney Place), Cllr Philip Jackson (NELC), Lesley Dixon (Clarks sales and service manager), Viv Alcock (Clarks) and Leley Hilton (Clarks)

WELCOME back to shoe retailer Clarks which, after many years' absence. is due to re-open in Grimsby's  Freshney Place shopping centre on Thursday of this week - August 1!

Its return will bring the number of occupied shops in the centre to 67.

Enthuses North East Lincolnshire Council leader Cllr Philip Jackson: "I am delighted!

"We are bucking the trend in seeing a major retailer return to Grimsby." 

The centre will continue to grow as both our own projects and those of our partners - which we have supported - come to fruition.

The store is located on Friargate near to Segal’s Jewellers and will stock a full range of shoe trends and footwear styles, catering for children’s, women’s and men’s footwear. 

It will also be offering its traditional shoe-fitting services for children before they head back to school.

Amanda Austin, centre director at Freshney Place comments: "Clarks is a firm favourite so we’re thrilled to see them return.

"They are one of the most established high street brands, and their decision to reinvest in Freshney Place speaks volumes."

* Owned by NELC since August 2022, Freshney Place is the largest undercover shopping centre in Lincolnshire with more than 1,700 full and part time local employees. It attracts a footfall of around 125,000 every week.

50 years of friendship - and long may the relationship between Cleethorpes and Königswinter flourish!

Happy 50th anniversary! the grand cake-cutting ceremony

SIE sind hertzlich willkommen!

North East Lincolnshire mayor Cllr Steve Beasant was happy to polish up his German for this month's visit to Cleethorpes of  his counterpart, Lutz Wagner, and colleagues from twin-town Königswinter.

This year is the 50th anniversary of the twinning.

Since 1974, the two towns have worked closely together, notably through foreign exchanges involving  schools, choirs and sports clubs.

Happily the  friendship has survived the dents caused by Brexit.

There was an official reception  for Herr Wagner, who is Königswinter’s bürgermeister, and his party  at Cleethorpes Town Hall

Other events included a visit to  Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway where a locomotive was renamed in honour of the German town.

Additionally, a service was held at Corpus Christi Church on Grimsby Road.

After the visitors had returned to  Königswinter, a delightful tourist town on the banks of the Rhine near Bonn, the mayor said:  "Having celebrated the 50th anniversary, we now need to think about how we celebrate the next 50 and keep this friendship flourishing.

“Meeting the Bürgermeister and his colleagues was great, and I can’t wait to meet him again when we travel to Konigswinter to continue this bond between the two towns."

A train named after a town - the mayor and bürgermeister with two of the Cleethorpes Light Railway team

                                             

Hottest place in town - but might grass have been preferable to paving in grand revamp of Riverhead?

                                             

All that hard paving has made Riverhead oppressively hot in this week's  sunshine. Would grass have been preferable?

THE work  has proceeded at snail's pace, but is good to see that planting has this month been introduced at Grimsby's Riverhead and that the scheme is now almost complete.

But there are  questions that need to be answered.

What was the point of the scheme? Why was it allowed to fall 10 months behind schedule? Has it enhanced Riverhead and encouraged greater footfall? Does it represent value for money to the taxpayer?

The downside of installing so much paving is that, during a period of hot weather, it has made this part of Grimsby like an oven - a place to avoid.

Not only does concrete capture and store heat from the sunshine, but it reflects it back into the air - very uncomfortable for shoppers.

And, alas, the newly-planted trees and plants are mostly low-growing - there will be little or no leaf  canopy to cool the air.

As one Grimsby resident  told our reporter: "What's been put in place is not that much different from what existed before.

"The redesign is like Trafalgar Square but without the fountains and lions.

"So much time and money spent on something so unremarkable - a wasted opportunity."

Might grass and reduced amounts of  paved footways have provided a preferable alternative (as outside Grimsby Institute)?

                                    

  The trees will not be large as in this artist's impression, but otherwise the redesign has gone according to script

Unbeatable balance - grass and flowers outside Grimsby Institute. Might this have been a more pleasing for Riverhead?


In its recent extension  Haven holiday village in Humberston has favoured grass, shrubs and trees - so much more refreshing and pleasing than paving. 

The Grimsby News says:  Albeit extremely expensive, the rejig of the Riverhead represents an improvement on what existed before - but one that is only modest. We think grass - as seen in many town centre squares and gardens - would have created a far more pleasing setting, one also  less vulnerable to graffiti and vandalism. What is more, it would have provided a habitat for robins and blackbirds to peck about for worms. A refreshing fountain, too, would have been a boon. Maybe that will come later? In the meantime, credit to North East Lincolnshire Council for at least being aspirational. Here's hoping the trees and shrubs will be kept watered and nourished and that the square will be cleared regularly, possibly more than once a day, of litter such as empty drinks cans and discarded fast food cartons. Our  council needs to be on top of its game.

Planners' thumbs-up for long-established lighting shop in Humberston to become a bungalow

 

Low-height fencing and concrete roof to be replaced with clay pantiles

THE lights could soon be going out at Humberston Lighting - at least at its present location.

Planning consent has been granted by North East Lincolnshire Council  for this enchanting shop at 9 Church Avenue, Humberston, to be converted to a bungalow.

The application  did not go before NELC's planning committee, but was determined by a case officer under delegated powers.

A report on the proposal states: "The property is an existing single storey building which is set back from the street. 

"The majority of the building would remain in situ, though  an element of demolition might be undertaken.

"The rear of the property will lose a large mass in the form of the flat roof workshop.

"This area will be converted into a garden, accessible from the kitchen and lounge of the proposed conversion.

"There would be changes at the front, including gravel and hardsurfacing, and the installation of low height fencing. 

"All of these changes are visually acceptable. Indeed planning permission is not generally required for such works.

"The shopfront will  be replaced with a domestic design.

"Initially, the shop window was shown to be removed and replaced with a new gable end frontage clad in timber with the introduction of three smaller windows. 

"The frontage of the existing adjoined garage was shown to be brought forward, in line with the front elevation, also clad in timber. 

"However this would not be in keeping with the character of the area and so, through negotiations, an amended design has been received. 

"This introduces a new bay window to add an architectural feature to the frontage as to be sympathetic to the existing streetscene. 

"Render has also been introduced as well as timber cladding. 

"One of the windows has been made obscurely glazed at the front with a secondary window at the side introduced for the bathroom. 

"The concrete pantile roof will be replaced with clay pantiles."

The report continues: "The above external works would not cause any adverse harm to the character of the area. 

"There could  be the addition of solar panels to the roof plane at the side/rear of the property."

Dog-bathing area at Cleethorpes country park lake has become no-go area for tiny bird from Africa

 

Dogs love splashing about in the country park lake but their presence severely spooks the housemartins 

SOME Cleethorpes dog owners are - unwittingly - hastening the local decline of a tiny migrant  bird from Africa.

Up until the past 20 years or so, housemartins used to gather mud from the fringes of the lake in Cleethorpes country park to build their nests under the eaves and guttering of houses in the town.

But since the lake's muddiest stretch was designated a bathing area for dogs, mud-gathering has been a challenge for these cute black-and-white relatives of the swallow and members of the hirundine family.

The presence of the dogs make them too frightened to land except for a few seconds at a time.

As has been conspicuous this month, the sunnier the weather equals the greater the presence of dogs equals the less  chance of gathering any mud.

After a few moments on ground, the birds are soon forced to fly away by the presence of dogs.

Over the past decade, sadly, housemartins have disappeared as nesters from many parts of  North East Lincolnshire, though there are still thought to be  a few pairs on houses on one of the Persimmon housing estates off Humberston Avenue, Humberston, and a couple of colonies in Healing.

Time was when the birds nested on buildings on Cleethorpes seafront - for instance, the Kingsway Hotel.

Here,  the noisy disturbance of flypasts by the Red Arrows and other jets may have caused them to desert their nests. 

Above and below - the housemartins gathering mud at the country park lake while the sun shines

But with so many dogs on site, their opportunities are all too brief

And then they are forced to flee

The changing landscape of Cleethorpes! Could this hardcore hillock expand to become Mount Sherburn?

 

Funny old world? You can accidentally drop a paper tissue and cop a £100 fine for littering, but if you dump rubble across part of a street and footpath, no one in authority seems to bat an eyelid. To the exasperation of residents, this 'mini-mountain' has appeared on Sherburn Street in Cleethorpes. After dark, it risks becoming a hazard as well as an obstruction because it is unilluminated by any lantern on a very poorly-lit part of the road.

NELC leader 'excited' about Grimsby Top Town's 'far better than expected' Riverhead Square revamp

Upbeat - Cllr Jackson (right) and cabinet colleague Cllr Stewart Swinburn at Riverhead Square which is now almost fence-free

THE leader of North East Leader Council has sounded a jubilant note about Grimsby's Riverhead Square overhaul which is now nearing completion.

Beams Cllr Philip Jackson : "It is great to see this scheme nearing completion. 

"Since the work started early last year, it has been exciting to see it come to life and the finished product is far better than I could have imagined."

Most of the area is comprised of paving, but following pressure from the public, the original design was changed to incorporate more greenery.

It may not seem that many trees, shrubs and flowers have been planted, but, according to the council, the figure - which probably includes hidden bulbs - totals 11,000.

Says a spokesperson: "The tree species have been selected for their contrasting characteristics, including leaf shape, colour and canopy spread.

"Evergreens are being combined with deciduous specimens for year round seasonal interest, providing blossom in spring, colour in autumn and berries in winter."

There also used to be lime trees at Riverhead, but these have been removed and will be replaced in due course with semi-mature field maple trees which have a reputation for thriving in urban settings.

 The shape of the flower beds and seating and the curved flow of the area leading to Frederick Ward Way have been designed to represent Cleethorpes'  coastal sand dunes.

The council is keen that  the area should be utilised for  events and festivals, with details to be released once bookings have been finalised.

The last of the security fencing is likely to be removed by the end of summer.

Returning to NELC's leader, he expressed confidence that the revamped square will be a "valuable asset to the community".

He continues: "This is just the start of the council's plans to transform Grimsby's town centre in order to attract families, visitors and businesses to our borough. 

"We are determined to make this a place people enjoy coming to and feel safe doing so."   

The council has not revealed whether there will be an 'official' re-opening of the square, perhaps with a celebrity such as Tony Blackburn, invited to cut the ribbon.

According to the council, the beds accommodate 11,000 plants, though some of these are probably hidden bulbs which will not shoot until spring  

Slick operation by council leads to retrieval of car stranded in mud for almost a week

                                            

Dawn was just breaking today as the 'rescue' was undertaken 

A 4x4 car stuck in mud off Cleethorpes for almost a week was retrieved in the early hours of this morning after North East Lincolnshire Council decided the time had come for urgent action.

The authority had hoped the vehicle's owner - who has not been named - would take responsibility for its retrieval.

But after inaction for almost a week, the council did the job for him.

However, it will have been an extremely operation, and the owner will be told to foot the bill.

A spokesperson for NELC said: "We brought in  specialists contractors to carry out recovery of the vehicle.

"It was then taken away by a salvage company. 

The team also ensured they had equipment at hand to deal with any potential spills of polluting oil which could have affected shorebirds and other marine creatures.

However, so spills were reported.

Council environmental supremo Chris Dunn said: "We planned the operation to ensure there was a low tide and at a time of the day - very early morning - when there were no visitors on the beach.

"All the necessary health and safety measures were followed, and we are pleased the operation was successful."

NELC’s portfolio holder for tourism, Cllr Hayden Dawkins praised all those involved.

He added: "Our hope earlier this week had been  that the vehicle owner would have taken responsibility  and arranged for the vehicle to be removed -  that is what we all wanted. 

"When this did not happen, we took the decision to remove the vehicle. 

"The last thing any of us wanted was for visitors, many of them families, to come to the beach and look out to see an abandoned vehicle stuck on the shore."                                   

It doesn't look in bad nick considering its ordeal - the retrieved car

The sorrowful scene earlier in the week

Is this Cleethorpes - or is it the Norfolk Broads? Wet look for footpath as super-high tide washes in

High tides this morning brought sea swirling over the saltmarsh and flooded the foreshore footpath. Another high tide is expected at about 10 o'clock tonight.

 

Alone and forgotten. Mighty sperm whale washed up in March still lingers on sands off Humberston

Four months after being washed up dead in the mouth of the Humber, the corpse of a sperm whale remains prone on the sands off Humberston. It continues to provide a feeding and roosting habitat for gulls and cormorants. Above is the animal as photographed today. Below is how it was back in March.  

Please respect others and enjoy your visit! NELC may install Tannoy in Cleethorpes following Top Town trial

 

Can you hear me over the Tannoy, officer? Cllr Shepherd goes walkabout in Top Town yesterday with Chief Supt Paul French of Humberside police  

SO pleased are North East Lincolnshire Council with their Tannoy messaging system in Grimsby town centre that they  could deploy it in other parts of the borough.

Yesterday in Top Town, it was like being on a busy railway station platform as messaging was pumped out at 15-minute intervals.  

The voice, thought to be that of NELC staff member, said: "For everyone’s safety, cycling is not allowed in Grimsby town centre.

"There is a £100 fine for those caught. 

"Please respect others and enjoy your visit here today."

Some cyclists seemed to heed the message, but others - plus a few on electric scooters - brazenly flouted it.

The council has not revealed if anyone was apprehended or fined, but cabinet member Cllr Ron Shepherd seemed pleased with the Tannoy experiment.

Said he: "In  future, we could look at how else we might use it - for example to convey safety information around Cleethorpes beach

"Or we could use it during events to tell people what's going on.

"Playing music is another option.

"Tannoys are not just about enforcement but could prove really useful in other areas with other applications."

* Does anyone know the identity of the individual - described by one shopper as a 'nicely spoken young man' - who recorded yesterday's message?

In just three months, NELC fines more than 230 parents for parking illegally outside schools

 

What part of this message do some parents not understand?

A TOTAL  236 fines were issued across seven schools in North East Lincolnshire to motorists who have stopped their cars illegally on yellow zigzag lines outside schools between April and June this year.

The numbers breakdown is as follows:

* Old Clee Primary Academy – 29

* Stanford Junior and Infant School – 8

* Scartho Junior Academy – 39

* Signhills Academy – 18

* Waltham Leas Primary Academy – 26

* Queen Mary Avenue Infant and Nursery School – 52

* Welholme Academy – 70

Says Cllr Ron Shepherd, NELC's portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities at North East Lincolnshire Council: "It is disappointing that some parents are continuing to stop illegally outside schools, thereby endangering children and other pedestrians."

The council's punitive measures date back to September, 2022, when cameras were installed outside Signhills Academy in Cleethorpes before being expanded to Old Clee Primary Academy the following December.

Schools have a three step process from the launch of the scheme. 

Two weeks prior to the cameras going live, parents are given notice. 

Those found illegally parking for the next two weeks are issued with a warning letter, but are not fined. 

After this period, penalty notices are issued.

NELC cabinet determined to crack on with 'modern and fresh' revamp of 'tired and dated' Pier Gardens

 Pier Gardens - why have shrubs and lawns when you can have a  'performance zone'? Perhaps the zone might incorporate a beer-drinking area where fans can watch football and other sporting events.

"I CAN'T wait for it to be developed . . . "

These were the words of North East Lincolnshire Council member Cllr Ron Shepherd as he enthused over the proposed part-paving  of Pier Gardens in  Cleethorpes to incorporate a 'performance' zone and other recreational activities.

At this  month’s cabinet meeting, he insisted: "This is a tired and dated area that needs rejuvenating.

"The proposals are modern and fresh - they will be welcomed by young and elderly alike."

A similarly upbeat note was sounded by Cllr Stewart Swinburn who declared: "These are exciting times for Cleethorpes."

Equally encouraged was by Cllr Hayden Dawkins: "This will be fantastic compared with what we have at the moment."

Summing up, leader of the council Cllr Philip Jackson said the proposed rejig of Pier Gardens - to be funded by a Levelling-Up Grant - had proved less controversial than the forthcoming re-shaping of Cleethorpes Market Place.

"The huge public consultation revealed a public appetite for activity areas," he maintained.

"This will be an exciting opportunity for Cleethorpes - it will completely transform that part of the resort and be attractive for visitors and residents alike.”

The leader claimed the plans had enjoyed "unanimous approval" when they were discussed at tourism scrutiny panel meeting earlier in the month.

It is understood some sycamore trees may be felled and replaced with pines. Low-maintenance grasses are also likely to be incorporated into the replacement planting scheme.

Many of the songbirds that populate Pier Gardens will inevitably be lost, but cabinet members believe this is a small price to pay for the new recreational and commercial opportunities that beckon.

However, the redesign proposals will be subject to formal planning procedures - as with the recently approved Fan Zone at Blundell Park.

                                               

There is precedent for commercial activity in Pier Gardens - revealed in this snap of the trading area that was created earlier this month after the hedge maze was removed 

The Grimsby News says: Is London's Hyde Park 'tired and dated'? What about Central Park in New York? Or even People's Park in Grimsby? There would be a public outcry if contractors moved into these green spaces with chainsaws and cement mixers. Yet that is exactly what is proposed for  Pier Gardens. It is true that some of the artist's impressions are attractive. If translated into reality, they would look great on North Promenade or in other areas of Cleethorpes which have long been crying out for investment. But if NELC despoils Pier Gardens on the grounds that it is 'tired and dated' - ie that it has heritage - it will be a clumsy and insensitive blunder for which it might never be forgiven. 

Oyez, oyez! You must obey the rules if you want to come into Grimsby town centre

                                               

Cllr Shepherd - "We must educate the wider audience"

NORTH East Lincolnshire Council is to trial an electronic 'town crier' system aimed at "reducing antisocial behaviour and informing the public of the rules in place across Grimsby town centre.

Tmorrow Wednesday,  July 24, the Tannoy system will be trialled for the first time.

A voice from beyond and on high will warn people that biking along Victoria Street South is prohibited under a  Public Space Protection Order.

Announcements will be played as frequently as every 15 minutes - yes, every 15 minutes! - informing the public of the rules.

Anyone deemed to be doing wrong will be at risk of  a £100 fine.

Announcing the brainchild, NELC cabinet member Cllr Ron Shepherd said: "The council has a zero tolerance policy on crime and antisocial behaviour.

"Grimsby town centre is a key area for our borough, and those causing nuisance  in the area need to be made aware of what they are doing and reprimanded accordingly.

"Additionally, this new Tannoy system will be a way of educating a wider audience as visitors and residents go about their daily business.

"Should the trial be a success, we look forward to expanding it in the future."

It has not been revealed if The Voice on the Tannoy will be that of a man or woman.

The Grimsby News says: On the face of it,  this does not seem like the brightest of ideas. It smacks of Orwell's Big Brother. What has become of society? What has become of community? What has become of friendly interaction and trust? Far from deterring nuisance behaviour or making shoppers feel safer, this oppressive imposition is more likely to create a sense of alarm  and to put everyone on edge.  How will that encourage footfall and increased business for traders? Time will tell. 

Still stuck in wet sand. Where is Cleethorpes tug-of-war team when you need it most?

 

As of lunchtime today, there was still no word of how and when  this 4x4 vehicle might be retrieved from Cleethorpes beach. It will certainly be a challenging task. In the meantime, it must  share this patch of the sands with the feeding gulls, redshank and other birds of the shoreline.

An honest day's work on Cleethorpes beach for an honest day's carrots! Who can argue with that?

Bring on the donkeys! Here they are arriving at 11 o'clock this morning for their daily stint on the sands on Cleethorpes seafront. The creatures - and the rides they provide - are as much a part of the seaside as ice creams, gulls, buckets and spades and a pier. Long may they flourish!                                                   

Humberston woman's plea to NELC: Stop drenching our green spaces with poisonous chemicals!

 

Wildflowers such as these have now been lost to many parts of North East Lincolnshire as a result of the council's widespread application of 'weed'-killing chemicals 

A HUMBERSTON woman has launched a campaign for the spraying of toxic chemicals to cease forthwith on land owned by North East Lincolnshire Council.

Katie Teakle has become increasingly dismayed by the extent of poisoning that is deployed on roadside verges and in parks, on play areas and playing fields.

The purpose is to kill wildflowers - sometimes described as 'weeds'.

But butterflies, bees and other pollinating insects also perish because these are places where they feed, mate and lay their eggs. 

They are (were) once also a favoured feeding place for foraging thrushes, blackbirds, finches and other songbirds.  

Says Katie: "Glyphosate is the herbicide most commonly sprayed by the council.

"It is the active ingredient in products such as RoundUp."

"This poison has many environmental impacts beyond its intended use: 

"It eliminates precious habitat and resources.

"It is absorbed into the soil and is harmful to worms.

"It also leaches into our waterways, entering drinking water aquifers  where it is  toxic to a whole spectrum of aquatic species."

Katie says that Glyphosate has been identified as a ‘probable carcinogen’ by the World Health Organization, particularly affecting workers who use it regularly. 

She continues: "Exposure to small amounts is also hazardous to children playing in treated playgrounds, pregnant women and the elderly.

"The chemical has been shown to worsen chronic conditions such as asthma.

"But it doesn’t have to be this way.

"More than 100 councils across Britain have either gone fully pesticide-free or made significant reductions. So why not NELC?"

If not chemical spraying, what alternative does Katie propose?

"There are plenty of options," she responds.

"To name a few: preventative mulching, letting some unused areas grow wild, hand-weeding, hoeing,  mechanical brushes and hot foam machines

"There are many  alternatives."

According to Katie,  a 2021 survey undertaken by NELC revealed that  87 per cent of respondents said they wanted the authority to place environmental welfare at the heart of everything they do

She says: "More than 80 per cent of respondents said  biodiversity was either important or very important."

" We are calling on NELC to act and work with local residents to make positive change for biodiversity."

Katie's petition is at:

Petition · ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP - United Kingdom · Change.org

Above and below - it sometimes seems like the base of almost every tree and shrub in the borough has been subject to the council's poisoning regime

And the cat (called Sebastian) came, too! Today's pictures from food-and-drink Cleethorpes GrubFest

 

A cute little blue-eyed 'ragdoll' cat (called Sebastian) was attracting admirers at GrubFest on Cleethorpes Central Promenade this afternoon. Other snaps below from the food-and-drink extravaganza  which has been enjoying  bumper crowds all weekend. 

Planning green light given for new Cleethorpes day chalet to be built on Marine Embankment

The site of the proposed chalet which has been fenced off on all four sides, presumably so nothing can valuable can be stolen 

A NEW brick chalet could soon be built alongside the other 50-plus that stand near to the Brew Stop cafe on Marine Embankment in Cleethorpes.

North East Lincolnshire Council has given the green light for what is believed to be the first such in many years.

It will be at Plot 57 where it is believed that a previous chalet stood in times gone by. All that remains of that structure is the concrete hardstanding plinth.

Says the applicant, a mother-of-two who lives on Chichester Road, Cleethorpes: "I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to the upkeep of our historic day chalets. 

"To be able to enjoy this part of the seafront with my family would be an ongoing commitment to supporting our local area.

"It is not my intention to sub-let the property but wish for it  to remain as a day-time retreat for my two children and me plus our older relatives."

The proposal is for the new chalet to be constructed with brick walls, plastic slate-effect tiled roof and timber windows and doors.

The application did not go before NELC's planning committee but was determined under delated by a case officer whose report states: "The chalet would be located in a row of existing chalets. 

"It is clear from the site that the proposal would be located on the base of a previous chalet. 

"Generally, the reuse of this base would be positive and would complete the row once more. 

"The design would replicate that of the existing form and materials which is satisfactory. 

"As a security measure, the chalet would have timber shutters, examples of which can be seen nearby."

The report continues: "The delivery of the materials is an important consideration for the proposal.

"Deliveries would be made via the existing Meridian Road to the rear of the site which is well frequented by vehicles of all sizes. 

"The construction materials would be carried by hand to the construction site which is located close to steps leading from the road to the chalets."

The case officer concludes: "The small scale of the works would also ensure there would be no negative impacts to the protected ecology of the area." 

Young swallows perch aloft the security fencing

This bird is either yawning or, more likely, waiting to be fed by a parent

Successful grant application secures £250,000 to fund projects that safeguard and celebrate heritage

                                                                 

Cllr Dawkins: "It's fantastic!"

 HATS off to North East Lincolnshire Council for pulling in a grant of £250,000.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is coughing up "to support a programme that will drive community-led heritage projects across Grimsby, Immingham, Cleethorpes and the Wolds".

The money will be divvied up among groups seeking to "celebrate the past and help shape the future".

A Community Engagement and Development Co-ordinator will now be recruited to lead the new programme. 

Beams NELC's portfolio holder for culture and heritage, Cllr Hayden Dawkins: "It is fantastic that the National Lottery Heritage Fund believes in the work we’re doing in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and beyond to preserve and showcase our past for future generations."

Other organisations to receive heritage funding are: 

* Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

* Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street

* Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council 

* Medway Council 

* Stoke-on-Trent City Council

* Torbay Council

* English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark.