What future Grimsby's main post office - and its staff - if parent company decides to call things quits?

                                                              

It's almost like part of the family but shadow of uncertainty now looms over Grimsby's main post office

AN uncertain future for the  main post office in Grimsby's Top Town.

According to widely circulated reports, it is one of 115 directly-owned branches earmarked either for transfer to a retail partner or closure.

UK-wide, more than 1,000 jobs nationwide are at risk.

The branch on Victoria Street is seldom less than busy, so any reduction - or loss - of services would be a huge blow to  customers.

Unless a retail partner takes on - and rejuvenates  - the business, efforts to regenerate this part of Grimsby would also be undermined.

According to the Communication Workers Union, this is the list of premises at risk of closure:

* Bangor 

* Belfast City

* Edinburgh City 

* Glasgow 

* Haddington

* Inverness

* Kirkwall 

* Londonderry

* Newtownards

* Saltcoats 

* Springburn Way 

* Stornoway 

* Wester Hailes

* Barnes Green 

* Bransholme 

* Bridlington 

* Chester-le-Street 

* Crossgates 

* Eccles

* Furness House 

* Grimsby - 67-71 Victoria Street, DN31 1AA

* Hyde 

* Kendal 

* Manchester 

* Morecambe 

* Morley 

* Poulton le Fylde

* Prestwich 

* Rotherham 

* Salford City 

* Sheffield City 

* South Shields

* St Johns, Newbury

* Sunderland 

* The Markets, Leeds 

* Birmingham 

* Breck Road , Liverpool

* Caernarfon 

* Didsbury 

* Harlesden 

* Kettering 

* Kingsbury 

* Leigh

* Leighton Buzzard 

* Matlock

* Milton Keynes

* Northolt 

* Old Swan 

* Oswestry 

* Oxford 

* Redditch 

* Southall 

* St Alban

* Stamford

* Stockport

* Wealdstone 

* Barnet 

* Cambridge City

* Canning Town 

* Cricklewood 

* Dereham 

* Golders Green 

* Hampstead 

* Romford

* Kilburn

* Kingsland

* Lower Edmonton 

* Bethnal Green

* South Ockendon

* Stamford Hill

* Dunraven Place 

* Gloucester 

* Liskeard 

* Merthyr Tydfil

* Plymouth

* Bristol

* Newquay 

* Paignton 

* Port Talbot 

* Stroud 

* Teignmouth 

* Yate Sodbury 

* Baker Street

* Bexhill on Sea 

* Cosham

* Great Portland Street

* Kensington 

* Knightsbridge 

* Melville Road 

* Paddington Quay 

* Portsmouth 

* Raynes Park 

* Romsey 

* Westbourne 

* Windsor

* Worlds End 

* Aldwych 

* Brixton 

* Broadway

* City of London

* East Dulwich

* Eccleston Street 

* High Holborn 

* Houndsditch

* Islington

* Kennington Park

* London Bridge

* Lupus Street

* Mount Pleasant 

* Vauxhall Bridge Road 

Further information is awaited.

 

Framed painting of 1950s Grimsby trawler failed to set heather alight at today's antiques auction in Louth

                                                          

This framed oil-on-canvas study of  Grimsby trawler GY92 today sold for £20 at the monthly antiques auction held by John Taylors at their saleroom  in Louth. The market for paintings of Grimsby trawlers has not been particularly strong in recent months - hence the fairly modest hammer price. The picture is believed to have been painted in 1954.

Last word to Cyden Homes in row over proposed housing scheme on edge of Cleethorpes-area village

                                                                   

 Members of the planning committee debate the Cyden Homes application at the October 31 meeting 

                                           

THWARTED housebuilding company Cyden Homes has been allowed the last word in the row over its bid to build 249 houses on agricultural land off Louth Road in New Waltham. 

Against the strong advice of their most senior planning officers, councillors turned down the scheme at a meeting of North East Lincolnshire council's planning committee (as previously reported in the Grimsby News).

But in a controversial move, NELC has now decided to post the transcript of  Cyden Homes' presentation to the committee on its website.

However, it has published no balancing transcript from the objectors  to Cyden's application, among them ward councillor Cllr Stan Shreeve who gave a most lucid and eloquent recitation.

It is thought that Cyden Homes will submit an appeal to an independent inspector for the committee's decision to be overturned, but this had not been confirmed as of noon today.

For the record, the refusal notice authorised by the planning committee states:

"The development by reason of the number of dwellings proposed would result in adverse levels of traffic which would cause a severe adverse impact on the road network through the resultant congestion to the detriment of highway amenity and to the detriment of local amenity and health through the resultant air pollution." 

This, by contrast, is the Cyden Homes transcript in support of its application:

"Good Morning Chair, and member of the committee.

"Thank for allowing me to speak in support of the application today.

The proposed development is on an allocated site in the North East Lincs Local Plan.

"This application accords with all the policies of the Local Plan.

"We have worked closely with the highways department to provide a satisfactory and safe working junction arrangement, accessed from the newly formed traffic lights at the David Wilson Homes development.

"The junction has been modelled via the latest traffic flow data and has been proven that it does not does not have a severe impact on the road network. 

"We have provided a secondary emergency access at Maple Grove in case it is ever required.

The highways officer is satisfied that the roads and junctions works, and the roads have been tracked to accommodate large vehicles including emergency and refuse vehicles.

"The proposed attenuation ponds will provide an all-year-round wetland habitat and a refuge for water voles via an island. 

"Along with reed and marginal planting, it will increase the biodiversity of the site in relation to pond invertebrates.

"As part of the development, we propose to provide over 1000 sqm of wildflower meadow for bees and pollinatinginsects, with green corridors running through the site.

"Also proposed is planting of woodland, native species hedgerows and avenue trees.

"Bat boxes, sparrow terraces and swiftbricks will be incorporated to help provide habitat early in the development to supplement the woodland planting scheme

"Gaps in fences will allow hedgehogs to navigate private gardens as  hedgehog highways. 

"All of our ecological enhancement have the backing of the council ecologist and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

"We do understand there have been local objections to the scheme.

"We have tried to address the concerns by providing bungalow dwellings where existing bungalows are situated with larger than required separation distances of 26 metres on average. 

"This would extends to 36 metres where two-storey properties back to new two-storey dwellings. 

"The existing houses on Maple Grove, which front on to the proposed development, enjoy a landscape buffer and green wedge between them creating a further feeling of open separation.

"We are a local developer providing local jobs and with a proven track record of delivering quality housing in North East Lincolnshire.

"We have presented a well-designed scheme, which is deliverable and will support the council's five-year housing supply requirement whilst contributing to affordable housing and education in New Waltham.

"We therefore request that the committee approve this application." the plan

The Grimsby News says:  It is unusual, if not unprecedented, for transcripts of presentations made to planning committee meetings  to be published in retrospect by the council. On balance, this seems a welcome move - but with a huge  proviso. Opportunity should always be afforded for presentation of both sides of the argument -not just the one favoured by the planning officers. NELC needs to address this oversight without delay.

Bird versus fish - dramatic wildlife encounter on the banks of Cleethorpes Boating Lake

Gotcha! The Cleethorpes heron pounces

 

IT was like a scene from a David Attenborough TV documentary when this heron at Cleethorpes Boating Lake  snatched a carp from the water.

A struggle ensued in which the fish appeared to have perished.

If it had been an eel or a slimmer fish, it would quickly have been swallowed in one gulp.

But the dimensions of the carp were too great, and the bird was unable to figure out how to convert its prey into a meal. 

After a futile and frustrating five minutes, the heron had to admit it defeat and released the fish back into the water.

Had the carp been mortally wounded? Apparently not.

It swam off doubtless heavily bruised and severely shocked - but otherwise not conspicuously in any worse condition for its ordeal. 

                                                          

Above and below: Just too big! No way could the heron swallow its oversized prey

                                                                              

                                                                            

A thousand and one poppies as North East Lincolnshire prepares to pay tribute to those who fell

Poppies galore. How The Knoll on Cleethorpes seafront has been adorned to mark Remembrance Day commemorations   

 

Plans unveiled for new 450-plot cemetery on grassy outskirts of Grimsby-area village

                                      

The grass field earmarked for a new cemetery

A NEW 450-plot cemetery could be created on a grass field near Toll Bar Academy if North East Lincolnshire planners give the go-ahead.

Waltham Parish Council has submitted an application for the development on a field adjacent to allotments off Station Road.

As well as creating burial plots, the project also includes:

* Widening of the existing access 

* Introduction of a zebra crossing on Station Road, plus a pedestrian access path, 

*  Creation of a car park with 22 standard parking spaces and two disabled parking spaces

* Vehicular gates and pedestrian gates for visitors

* Formation of an access road, turning circle and turning head for a hearse 

* Installation of external benches and memorial areas 

* Hedge and tree planting (denoted on the landscaping plan)

In advance of submitting its planning application, the parish council commissioned a geophysical survey to establish if the field might be of archaeological interest.

The report states: "A number of potentially significant heritage assets are listed within 1km of the site. 

"These include: 

* A complex of cropmark enclosures and trackways, the northern and western components of which lie within approximately 500m to the south-east of the site. These conceivably signify occupation from at least the late prehistoric/Romano-British Periods and/or potentially from the Early Neolithic era. 

• A further cropmark array of potential enclosures and trackways on land to the north of Station Road, the southern edge within 300m to the north, similarly believed to date from at least the Roman period.

However, it concludes that excavations would be unlikely to find much, if anything, of historical interest.

The application is expected to be determined early in the New Year.

The proposed lay out of the cemetery - the blue circles indicate where trees would be planted 

An example of the sort of bench that is being considered

The cemetery could have a 'stairway to Heaven' postbox

A children's memorial is also proposed

Very sad news - former Grimsby Town goal-scoring hero Trevor Whymark dies aged 74

                                              

Trevor Whymark in action for The Mariners

ONE of Grimsby Town FC's star players of the early 1980s has died aged 74.

Between 1980 and 1984, Trevor Whymark played 93 matches and scored 16 goals for the Mariners.

He had arrived at Blundell Park not long after two season in the North American Soccer League with Vancouver Whitecaps, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win against Tampa Rowdies in a cup final.

However, it was while at Ipswich Town in the 1970s that Suffolk-born  Whymark made his name scoring a hatful of goals in the old First Division. His manager for much of that time was Bobby Robson.

Despite being only 5ft 11in, relatively short for a striker, he scored many of his goals with his head.

He played once for England, in 1977, coming on as substitute for Terry McDermott in a 2-0 win against Luxembourg in a World Cup qualifier.

It was when George Kerr was manager that The Mariners signed Whymark for what was then a club record transfer fee of £80,000.

His experience proved invaluable because the side had been struggling in the Second Division having enjoyed successive promotions in the previous two seasons. 

Early on, he was also Kerr's assistant manager but stepped down from this role to concentrate on playing. 

Whymark also had spells with Southend, Derby County, Peterborough and Colchester, before retiring from league football and taking up the post of player-manager at Diss Town where his career started.

Married to wife Rita for many years, the couple have a son who reportedly performs as a drag queen entertainer under the name Fanny Galore.

A little-known fact is that Whymark was godfather to Alexandra Drinkell, eldest of the three daughters of his former Town strike partner, Kevin Drinkell. 

Last year his family revealed that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.

Trevor Whymark was born on May 4, 1950, and died on October 31, 2024

Immingham team comes out tops in tournament funded by Police and Crime Commissioner

 

Pictured are the 80 or so footballers aged 11 to 19 who took part in a tournament held last Friday at Clee Fields on Ladysmith Road, Grimsby. The event was funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner on behalf of Humber Violence Prevention Partnership. There was also support from North East Lincolnshire Council. The tournament was won by one of the Immingham teams. Photo: NELC

Will it be a free-for-all? Taxi drivers' dismay over council proposal to scrap limit on vehicle numbers

                                                                 

TAXI drivers have responded with dismay to a North East Lincolnshire  proposal to allow an unlimited number of  Hackney Carriages to operate in the borough.

At a meeting today, councillors will be recommended to remove the existing limit - currently 220 - on Hackney Carriage numbers.

In a representation to the authority, Wayne Crouch and John Broadbent of the NEL Hackney Carriage Association state: "There are too many taxis already - the existing  limit should be kept in place.

"The borough is already overprovided -  there is no need to allow the numbers to increase in an uncontrolled way."

The statement continues "The job of being a Hackney Carriage driver in North East Lincolnshire is not the bonanza that many think. 

"The sector is under increasing pressure from rising costs.

"Knowing that the proportion of work (income) available to each driver will reduce as numbers rise will militate against  investment in higher  quality vehicles. 

"Mobile phones, ride-hailing apps and Private Hire customer apps have all impacted the fares available to the Hackney Fleet. 

"The practice of hailing a taxi in the street  - an important revenue source - has completely disappeared.

"Then there is the spectre of Uber operating in our area, adding uncertainty and further pressure on incomes."

The statement goes on: "Knowing that the proportion of work (income) available to each driver will reduce as numbers rise will militate against  investment in higher  quality vehicles. 

"It can be very difficult to find a place to wait on the allocated rank spaces as things stand. 

"More taxis will only exacerbate the problem and lead to road congestion, increased air pollution, possible conflict with other road users and unpleasant interaction with traffic wardens, police and council officials; none of which is in anybody’s interest.

"The borough is overprovided with taxis and there is no need to allow the numbers to increase in an uncontrolled way. "

Members of NELC's public protection committee are due to discuss Hackney Carriage provision at a meeting this evening in Grimsby Town Hall.

* Photo: Petar Milosevic via Wikimedia Commons

Council urges Cleethorpes beachgoers - especially dog-walkers - to give any resting seals a wide 'berth'

                                                        

November is main pupping month for grey seals

CLEETHORPES-area beachgoers  are being urged not to disturb any seals they may see on or near the shoreline during the current pupping seasons.

Not all seals are stranded - many are simply resting, and disturbing them can be dangerous and sometimes even fatal to them.

Says a NELC spokesperson: "Seal sightings are common at this time of year as the winter pups begin to move further from their breeding ground at Donna Nook and come to rest locally. 

"Newly-independent seals can happily swim up to 60 miles a day, which can take them as far as the Netherlands. 

"If resting seals are disturbed, they can become distressed which can damage their health and use up vital energy they need to get home. 

"Seals are also wild animals and they can carry diseases and cause injury to people if they feel under threat. They do have a nasty bite.

"Repeated disturbance can seriously affect a seal’s energy, and a seal on the beach may have many encounters with several people over one day. 

"When seals are flushed into the sea, they may be injured from stampeding, gashing their bellies on rocks, tearing skin on sand or ripping out claws.

Cllr Henry Hudson, NELC's portfolio holder for the environment, says; "While the young seals are still finding their way around, we are more likely to encounter them on our beach which is their natural habitat.

"“They need to be left alone to rest after a hard day’s swimming and fishing until they’re ready to return home by themselves. 

"They can be dangerous if they feel threatened and members of the public should keep away and please keep their dogs on leads."

Anyone who sees  a seal in distress should contact  the Resort Safety Team at 01472 323356. 

Keep a watch from a safe distance and try to keep other people and dogs away until assistance arrives.

What a cutie - but seals can bite strongly if they feel threatened by dogs (photo: NELC)

                                          

                                                 

Anyone for a four-night Scottish Highlands holiday with coach pick-ups in Cleethorpes and Grimsby?

                                                                 

The holiday is being put on by Yorkshire-based company Cairngorm Travel

 

THERE  are still places available on a four-night mid-January 2025 holiday to Kingussie, near Aviemore, in the Scottish Highlands - with coach pick-ups in Cleethorpes, Grimsby and probably Immingham.

Most of those who have so  far booked on the holiday are going for the fresh Highland air, magnificent mountain scenery, convivial company - and the chance to watch red squirrels and scan the skies for golden eagles.

                                              

Red squirrel - often seen around the hotel

For those not particularly keen on walking, there is a railway station a couple of minutes' walk away from the hotel with services to Pitlochry, Perth and Inverness for shopping, sightseeing and/ or monster-hunting. 

There is also a bus stop outside the hotel with regular services to ski-town Aviemore.

The dates are: January 14 to January 18, 2025.

The holiday includes:

* Coach trip to and from Kingussie with pick-ups in Cleethorpes, Grimsby and probably Immingham  

* Four nights at the Duke of Gordon Hotel, with five-course candlelit evening meals and full Scottish breakfasts

* Live evening entertainment

* Optional nature-watching walks  within a five-mile radius of the hotel

The price: £259 each for the holiday for couples/ two persons sharing a room.     

There is a single person supplement - but this is being waived for the first 10 singles to make a booking.

As with similar trips in April 2023 and May this year, the holiday is being put on for birders by the long-established Yorkshire-based company Cairngorm Travel (01405 761334) in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Bird Club.

The  holiday is not in the company’s brochure, but more details about the Duke of Gordon hotel can be found at the Cairngorm Travel website. cairngorm-travel.co.uk

The booking number for the holiday is 01405 761334. 

The name of holiday is SB25-1/ Scottish Bird Safari January.

The previous two holidays - in April 2023 and May this year - to the same destination were really friendly, enjoyable events, and January's event should be similar.

More information from LBC secretary James Wright at Secretary@Lincsbirdclub.co.uk 

                                                  

A crackling log fire awaits . . .

The Duke of Gordon Hotel

The small town of Kingussie near Aviemore

                                                                

The River Spey runs a short way from the hotel

Always a warm welcome in Kingussie

                                                                                                             

* Photo of red squirrel by Peter Trimming via Wikimedia Commons