Success for councillor in controversial bid to fell conifers despite objection from NELC trees officer

                                           

It looks like curtains for this strip of conifer tree on Taylors Avenue, Cleethorpes

 

A LINE of conifer trees in Cleethorpes  looks likely to be felled.

At a North East Lincolnshire Council planning meeting, members gave the go-ahead for the trees at the junction  of Taylors Avenue and Middlethorpe Road to be removed to make way for . . . a 1.8-metre high fence.

The decision came in the face of the council’s policy which is to safeguard trees as part of its ‘greening’ agenda.

In this particular case, the council’s trees officer, Paul Chaplin further stated that the conifers' replacement with a fence would have "a detrimental impact" on the existing ambience and visual character of Taylors Avenue.

But he was overruled by councillors who agree with the applicant, their long serving and popular planning committee colleague Cllr Bill Parkinson, that a fence will look more pleasing.

Cllr Parkinson took part no part in the decision-making process and was absent from the discussion.

However, the trees' date with a chainsaw may be delayed, at least until autumn, because the 2025 bird nesting season is now in full swing and  disturbance would risk putting the councillor in breach of the law.

A condition of the planning consent is that the fence must be painted green.

The Grimsby News says: What is the point of the council formulating  a safeguarding policy on trees if it then allows it so readily to be disregarded? And can the planning committee really  be totally impartial in its decision-making if the applicant is its longest serving member and, to everyone who knows him, a jolly good egg? Whatever the pros and cons of this proposal, it should have been determined independently, either by members of another planning authority or by an impartial inspector. 

Countdown to collision: Marine Accident Investigation Bureau publishes first findings on what went wrong

                                                     

Schematic of last Monday's accident (photo: Fortuna imperatrix  mundi via Wikimedia Commons)

The Marine Accident Investigation Bureau has today published its preliminary findings on the ship collision near the mouth of the Humber Estuary on March 10.

 As Stena Immaculate approached the Humber Estuary on 9 March 2025, the officer of the watch contacted Associate British Ports (ABP) Vessel Traffic Services Humber and was advised to proceed to anchor at a position 5 miles to the north of the Humber light float and 2 miles clear of any pipeline. 

At about 18302, Stena Immaculate’s master manoeuvred the vessel as directed to a position north of ABP Humber’s area of responsibility where it anchored. 

There were eight other vessels anchored in the same area.

 By 2000 on 9 March 2025, Solong had departed Grangemouth, Scotland, disembarked the pilot and commenced its passage to Rotterdam, the Netherlands. 

Solong’s planned passage followed a route the vessel had used in the past. 

The master remained on watch until shortly before 2300, then handed the watch over to the second officer and retired to bed.

Shortly before midnight, Stena Immaculate’s second officer  took over the anchor watch at the start of a 12-hour duty period.

 At approximately 0130 on 10 March 2025, Solong passed the Longstone Lighthouse off the north-east coast of England and altered course onto a heading of approximately 150°. 

Solong maintained this course except for a slight deviation at 0345.

 At 0700, Solong’s master returned to the bridge and took over the watch as the lone watchkeeper. 

The visibility in the area north of the Humber light float was reported to be patchy and varying between 0.25 nautical miles (nm) and 2.0nm. 

Neither Solong nor Stena Immaculate had a dedicated lookout on the bridge. 

At 0947, Solong collided with the anchored Stena Immaculate’s port side on a heading of 150° and speed over the ground of about 16 knots ). 

Able seaman Mark Pernia, one of Solong’s crew, was reported to be in the forecastle area at the time of the collision.

The collision breached Stena Immaculate’s No.7 port cargo tank, releasing aviation fuel into the sea and on to the bow of Solong. 

The aviation fuel was ignited by the heat generated by the force of the collision, and the resulting fire ignited the contents of containers carried on board Solong. 

The crews of both Solong and Stena Immaculate took immediate action to address the evolving situation. 

Attempts by Stena Immaculate’s crew to fight the fire, and for Solong’s crew to locate the missing able seaman were hampered by the severity of the fire. 

Both the Stena Immaculate and the Solong crew abandoned to lifeboats and were subsequently recovered by the efforts of local boats and emergency responders, coordinated by His Majesty’s Coastguard.

 Able seaman Mark Pernia has not been found and is believed to have died in the accident.

Both Solong and Stena Immaculate are currently undergoing salvage operations and an evaluation of the nature and extent of pollution from both vessels is in progress.

The investigation into the accident is ongoing. 

This will encompass:

* The navigation and watchkeeping practices on board both vessels

*Manning and fatigue management

* The condition and maintenance of the vessels involved

*The use of the offshore area as an anchorage for vessels waiting to enter the Humber Estuary

* The environmental conditions at the time 

A report of the investigation will be drafted and will be distributed to key stakeholders for a 30-day consultation period in due course. 

The race to become first mayor of Greater Lincolnshire - full line-up of candidates

                                            

Grimsby Town Hall where the votes will be counted in to the night with the result likely to be announced at daybreak on Friday May 2 

THE following individuals have thrown their hats into the ring to become first mayor of Greater Lincolnshire:    

* Sally Horscroft - Green Party

* Andrea Jenkyns – Reform UK

* Marianne Overton – Independent

* Jason Stockwood – Labour

* Rob Waltham – Conservative

* Trevor Young - Liberal Democrats

Nominations closed at 4pm today.

Polling will take place in Grimsby Town Hall  on May 1.

The wait goes on - work unlikely to start on Sea Road 'amenities' building before end of April

                                                         

How the proposed Sea Road building might look after dark 

 

THE delay in starting construction of the proposed 'amenities' building in Sea Road, Cleethorpes, looks set to continue at least until after the Easter holiday.

There has been next to no progress on the project since the start of the year, partly after it emerged that telephone cables under the site needed to be-routed.

Says a spokesperson for North East Lincolnshire Council:  "The final set of utility diversions (BT Openreach) will be completed in early April.

"This means that construction  will start soon after the Easter break."

The intention is for the building to incorporate state-of-the-art WCs to replace those that previously existed (along with a pub) on the same site.

Because, these WCS are not ready, NELC faces the unwelcome cost of hiring portable loos which will be in  place at least until; the end of summer.

Meanwhile, the proposed 're-modelling' project for nearby Pier Gardens is also on hold.

NELC has not yet appointed a contractor, nor even applied for planning permission for what is a major scheme, involving the replacement of the long-established lawns with hard surfacing of various types.

It is believed to have consulted with organisations such as Historic England, Anglian Water and drainage and ecology experts, but so far their advice is being kept under wraps.   

Council issues start-of-the month update on long-running repairs to Grimsby's Corporation Road Bridge

                                                          

North East Lincolnshire Council has today issued this update on the Corporation Road Bridge re[pairs project.

Works to Grade II listed structure, Corporation Road Bridge have been progressing, with grit blasting and painting works continuing to Spans 5 and 6.

The northern footway has been waterproofed and is about to be surfaced to allow the switching of works to the opposite side. 

As this work is undertaken, the pedestrian footway will switch from the south side of the bridge to the north side.

A final footway treatment will be added later in the works.

To take advantage of anticipated low tide levels, weekend working will also continue to take place this month.

Footway closures are also required while works are taking place adjacent to public areas to ensure the safety of both the public and the workers on site.

To help complete remaining sections of the works the footway may be closed for  one or two days a week if conditions allow.

Footway closures will take place between 9am and 4pm each weekday as detailed below. 

The footway will remain open during the weekend working dates. Temporary signs will be in place for the footway closures.

April 2025 weekend working and footway closure dates:

South footway closures

Tuesday 1 April

Wednesday 2 April (provisional)

Wednesday 9 April

Wednesday 16 April

Wednesday 23 April

Wednesday 30 April

Weekend working

Saturday 5 April and Sunday 6 April

Saturday 19 April and Sunday 20 April

North East Lincolnshire Council, its delivery partner, Equans, and the  contractor, Spencer Group, would like to thank the public for their patience while the work is being undertaken.

Colourfully-plumaged birds could be introduced to Freshney Place as footfall-boosting visitor attraction

 

Freshney Place offers plenty of natural light and the roof is high

FREE-flying exotic birds such as parrots, macaws, tanagers and hummingbirds  could  be introduced to Grimsby's Freshney Place shopping centre as a visitor attraction.

It is believed such an initiative could encourage more footfall to the potential trading benefit of those shops which have a presence within the premises.

The proposal would ‘dovetail' with North East Lincolnshire Council’s aspiration to extend Freshney Place’s traditional role as  a retail centre to one offering leisure, entertainment and a medical facility.

However, it is not the NELC administration which  has come up with the brainchild but an organisation called the Institute of Applied Ornithology which has links not just with international avian organisations but also zoos all over the world.

Says chief executive Robin Finch: “In effect, Freshney Place would become a giant indoor aviary.

"Because, it is so blessed with natural daylight and a high atrium, we think it is ideal for such a venture.

"If successful, we think it could be adopted at Meadowhall, Brent Cross and other UK shopping centres.

"As yet, we have not identified our preferred species, but we would obviously favour those with bright plumage - the whole purpose is to provide shoppers with  a sense of magic and wonder with splashes of fast-moving colour.

"As well as creating a vibrant shopping experience, we think this concept will encourage greater interest in birds and the natural environment."

From where might our feathered friends be sourced? 

There is no question of using British species in this venture because it is against the law  to capture wild birds.

Although there is an extensive global black market in trapped wildlife, the institute deems it unethical as well illegal to import wild caught birds, and insists it would shun any offers from unscrupulous rogue traders.

Instead, it would take advantage of its long-established links with zoos all over the world to buy or borrow birds that derive from long-established aviary-bred bloodlines.

Assuming the project proceeds, Some adjustments would need to be made to the entrance and exit points of Freshney Place to prevent the birds from escaping.

In order to provide perching, roosting and foraging habitat, natural foliage, including some tall trees and shrubs, will also be required.

According to plans seen by the Grimsby News,  these would be located along the whole length of the centre of the walkway.

Up to four jobs would be created. 

The main responsibilities of those engaged would be both to ensure the welfare of the birds and plants and to keep the centre clean.

However, ‘educational engagement’ with the public, including school parties, would also be  part of the job description.

As far as is known, shopkeepers welcome the proposal, though management at clothing retailers have cautioned about birds flying into their premises and potentially soiling stock.

It is understood one birdfood supplier with strong links to the area has been approached to partsponsor the venture.

It would not set a Grimsby  precedent if birds were free-flying within Freshney Place. In October, 2022, there was a Sparrowhawk (above) in the main Asda store in Grimsby. However, it proved such a distraction to shoppers (below) and staff that it was released after just a few days.

                                 

Another win for China as chemicals company Solensis pulls plug on Grimsby factory

                                                                   

The curtain comes down on another South Bank chemicals factory 

PRODUCTION of  chemicals is today reported to have ceased at the Solenis factory on Moody Lane in Grimsby with the loss of 26 jobs. 

Sluggish demand and ever-rising costs has prompted the American company's management, which is based in Wilmington, Delaware, to outsource production to a supplier in China. 

Decommissioning of the factory and grounds, which cover 36 acres, will take place between now and September. 

The nearby Novartis Ings factory closed a few years ago.

The Solenis factory sits adjacent to a recently created mitigation habitat for wetland birds 

Where are all the springtime flowers? Colourless state of Riverhead revamp such a poor advert for Grimsby

                                                 

Where are all the spring flowers?  The only 'pop of colour' on a bright  morning is provided by a discarded drink can

BACK in January last year, North East Lincolnshire Council pledged to  plant 11,000 flowers, trees and shrubs in Riverhead Gardens.

Yes, 11,000! 

There would be trees and shrubs with blossom and berries, swathes of grasses pluswildflowers with "pops of colour and scent".

At least, that's what the  spokesperson said.

Some 15 months later - with £2.3-million spent - and what do we have? Barely a couple of hundred feeble-looking specimens, some seemingly with barely enough strength to die.

Other town centres are now rich in colour. So, notably, are the gardens in front of Grimsby Institute.

But at Riverhead Square - designated the beating heart of Grimsby's regeneration - there is scarcely a bloom to be be seen.   

What a disappointment!

Come on NELC - judging by the great displays that are an all-year feature of Cleethorpes seafront, you can do better than this.

Surely?

                           

Compare and contrast! The  grass,  flowers and shrubs outside Grimsby Institute put Riverhead Square to shame

Cleethorpes' best-known unofficial tourist attraction set to tumble following high tides and gusting winds

 

What does  the Buck Beck Bench on Cleethorpes beach have in common with that famous tower in Pisa? They are both leaning - and the former looks set to take a tumble. Weekend high tides have eroded the sand bank into which its 'spire' has been installed, and north-westerly winds have scattered much of its framework to spots further south on the beach. Will it survive to the end of this week? Only time will tell. 

Team from Immingham's Oasis Academy triumphs in bumper Grimsby football tournament

                                                         

A great time was had by all! Some 80 lads took part in a bumper football tournament in Grimsby. There were 12 teams from  the YMCA, Grimsby Town Foundation, The Trin, Fusion, West Marsh Community Centre and  Centre 4, but it was Immingham Oasis Academy 3 who emerged as champions. Picture: NELC

Who will be the first arrivals? New Cleethorpes motorhomes site set to open next week

The site earmarked for motorhomes parking. On the other side of the road is the Premier Inn

A DEDICATED  motorhomes site will open in  Cleethorpes  on Monday.

The initiative on the main foreshore car park is the brainchild of North East Lincolnshire.

It is going ahead despite  protests that the chunkily-proportioned vehicles will blight the land adjacent to the attractively-maintained station of  Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway and the designated dunes nature reserve.    

There are 10 spaces which are  being offered for one- or two-night parking, costing £12 per 24 hours, with a maximum stay of 48 hours. 

Currently, overnight parking of motorhomes is prohibited in all North East Lincolnshire Council car parks, though there is also a site at the north end of the promenade opposite the rock armour whale's tail.

Fees can only be paid on arrival by downloading a paybyphone app. 

The ticket machines on the rest of the car park  are not available to pay for motorhome parking.

The site also has an Elsan disposal point for access to water and emptying chemical WCs

Penalty charge notices will be issued to occupants of any vehicle caught parking overnight on grassland outside a designated  bay.

Says NELC's portfolio holder for the visitor economy, Cllr Hayden Dawkins: "These sorts sites are popular all over Europe and in tourist towns across the UK.

"We hope this one will attract more visitors to Cleethorpes."

The Grimsby News says: Plaudits to NELC for this attempt, albeit modest, to generate revenue for its coffers from seaside visitors. But this project has its risks. As word spreads, more and more motorhomes will turn up. If the site is full, their occupants' inclination will be to take the risk of a fine and park either on the grass verge or in other parts of the car park. What is more, the development will increase traffic, potentially putting the unwary - children as well as adults - at risk. It surely would have been far preferable if the council could have established a properly-serviced standalone site elsewhere rather than a cramped corner of an existing car park.

Only £12 per night - is the council undercharging?

                                                        

A downside of the project is that it will obstruct the view to the attractively maintained light  railway station

Early bird! Even before Monday's official opening, one motorhome had pitched up on site  

Learn all about it! Grimsby employment exhibition cast spotlight on career opportunities for females

                                                         

Some 43 companies took space at the recent Women in Manufacturing and Engineering exhibition at Grimsby's Humber Royal  Hotel. It was an opportunity for females of primary school age up to university students to discover what career openings beckon  across manufacturing, engineering, digital, construction and renewables in North East Lincolnshire.  At present, women make up only nine per cent of the workforce in these sectors, but events such as these seek to increase this proportion in the years to come. Pictured above and below are some of those who attended. 

All they need is ‘nurturing’ - Grimsby conference explores how to bring out best in youngsters

 

The spotlight fell on the mental health of 5-16-year-olds at a day-long conference in Grimsby. It was held earlier this week in the town hall and was attended by individuals across the spectrum of education and children’s welfare. In her keynote address, Jennifer Steel, Service Director for Education, Inclusion, and Integration at North East Lincolnshire Council, declared: "We have the opportunity to create  nurturing environments. Each child is unique, with their own experiences, challenges, and strengths. Our role is to listen, understand, and provide any support they need."

* Photo: Courtesy of NELC

Blame it on the weather! Council says overnight rain caused leak leading to closure of Grimsby Library

                                                    

 Overnight rainfall has been blamed for the leak at Grimsby Library

                                            

THE future looks increasingly uncertain for Grimsby Central Library.

After it closed at 5.30pm today, little assurance has been given about when it will reopen - if at all.

The building is owned by North East Lincolnshire Council and the service is run by Lincs Inspire.

The two organisations claim that there has been "a water leak following a period of overnight rainfall".

In a joint statement, they say: "A leak was identified, and there is a requirement for urgent works.

"The service is  set to be relocated as soon as possible.

"We are working to inform library users and those customers with local tax and benefit support appointments of alternative service provision. 

"Lincs Inspire is also working with the Credit Union to ensure its continued service."

In the meantime, library users are asked to use the following services:

* Cleethorpes Library on Alexandra Road, open 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday, and 9am to 1pm Saturday;

* Immingham Library at the Civic Centre on Pelham Road, open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm Saturday;

* Waltham Library on the High Street, open 8.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5.30pm Tuesday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm Saturday.

There is also the online service available via www.lincsinspire.com

Those with books to return are being asked to return them to an alternative branch until a suitable drop off arrangement in Grimsby is confirmed.

The extent of the leak has not been revealed, nor if any of the books or other stock have been damaged.

The Grimsby News says: It is no secret that North East Lincolnshire Council wants to get shot of its library in Grimsby - and probably the one in Cleethorpes, too. Has this leak provided itself with an excuse for permanent closure? Here's hoping this is not the case, but the press release gives scant assurance that that repairs will be carried out as a matter of urgency. Instead, it says the service will be "relocated" as soon as possible.  Out of courtesy to users and staff, NELC needs to be less vague both about its current plan of action (if any) and its medium-term intentions.  

Planners' green light for creation of new 450-plot cemetery on grass field near Toll Bar Academy

 

The grass field earmarked for a new cemetery

A NEW 450-plot cemetery is in prospect for a grass field near Toll Bar Academy,

North East Lincolnshire Council has this week given the thumbs-up 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 

*  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.

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

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

Her report states:  "There will be increased activity at the site and  the level of noise to neighbours could potentially increase during this stage. 

"However, works  would be relatively minor and subject to a working hours condition and this should not be  adverse. 

"When the use has been implemented it would not produce significant disturbance due  to its sensitivity. 

"The immediate residential neighbours are positioned at a significant distance  away from the area of development."

It continues: "The site benefits from an existing access point, which will serve the site as well as the  existing allotments to the west. 

"This would be retained but would be widened to 5.5 metres.

 A total of 24 parking spaces, two for disabled, will be provided to the front. This  will be bound by footpaths for pedestrian access to include gates. 

"Within the site, there will be  internal roads and turning heads, specifically for manoeuvring of hearses. 

"In order to soften the impact, existing hedging will be retained  to the boundaries with new hedging and trees also proposed which would ensure better  assimilation with the open area. 

"This will also be akin to the existing allotments positioned to  the west."

At one point, there was a suggestion that, for the benefit of pedestrians, a zebra crossing or something similar would be provided, but highways officers have deemed this inappropriate. 

It is not yet known when work will start on the project.

The proposed lay out of the cemetery - the blue circles indicate where trees will 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

Developer Cyden Homes submits appeal after council blocks its bid to build 249 new homes in New Waltham

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

DEVELOPER Cyden Homes has, as expected, lodged an appeal against North East Lincolnshire Council's refusal to allow 249 homes to be built on land off the A16 Louth Road in New Waltham.

It was back in October last that the authority's planning committee voted 6-5 against the  project going ahead (as reported in this blog on October 30 and November 12).

Unusually, councillors made their decision against the recommendation of officers who had recommended approval.

It subsequently announced the decision thus: "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."

The appeal will now be determined by an independent inspector from the Planning Inspectorate.

He or she will probably host an 'informal'  round-table discussion where the issues will be thrashed out by representatives of Cyden Homes and objectors with senior planning officer Richard Limmer  looking on.

Thereafter, there will probably be a site visit - the timing of which could be critical to the outcome of the hearing.

If it is rush hour the  traffic could indeed be slow moving. If it is at another time of day, traffic will be flowing freely.

All parties will be aware that all local authorities are under immense pressure from the Government to increase the rate of housebuilding.  

One of life's little mysteries - why does council soak Pier Gardens with wildflower-killing chemical?

 

Cleethorpes Country Park - a place where wildlife can flourish 

CLEETHORPES Country Park is currently vibrant with spring flowers and bird song. 

By contrast, Pier Gardens is so soaked in glyphosate spray that, at ground level, it is ecologically almost useless. 

Why cannot  North East Lincolnshire Council give nature a chance at the latter just as at the former? 

Does anyone know? 

Pier Gardens - an almost sterile habitat with no place for primroses to flower and no fallen leaves where songbirds can forage for food 

Top of the class! Work gathering momentum on major expansion of primary school in New Waltham

 

All smiles at New Waltham Academy where work is well underway on a £2.3-million expansion scheme which will see construction of additional  classrooms and a new nursery. Pictured on site are: Back  row, from left, Jason Clark, Director, Topcon; Steve Jackson, Building Surveyor, Equans; Simon Dixon, Contract Administrator, Equans; Cllr Philip Jackson, Leader of NELC and Richard Griffin, Site Manager, Topcon. Front  row, from left, Louise Clarke, Co-headteacher, New Waltham Academy; Jayne Perry, Co-headteacher, new Waltham Academy and Cllr Margaret Cracknell, Portfolio Holder for Children and Education, NELC.

They're coming back! Red Arrows display team all set to return to Cleethorpes for June 28 extravaganza

                                      

ONE thing is sure - visitors will flock to Cleethorpes on June 28 this year.

This has been confirmed as the date when the Red Arrows will be returning to provide one of their exhilarating displays over  town and beach.

Their calendar, released earlier this month, for summer 2025 is as follows:

May

5th – VE Day 80, London (Flypast)

24th – Battle of Crete 84th anniversary, Souda Bay, Crete, Greece

26th – Thessaloniki, Greece

30th-31st – Midlands Air Festival, Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, UK

30th-31st – English Riviera Airshow, Paignton, Devon, UK

June

1st – Midlands Air Festival, Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, UK

1st – English Riviera Airshow, Paignton, Devon, UK

5th – Isle of Man TT Races, Douglas, Isle of Man

8th – RAF Cosford Air Show, Shropshire, UK

14th – HM King’s Birthday, London (Flypast)

15th – AIRE 2025, San Javier, Murcia, Spain

21st – Northern Ireland Armed Forces Day, Newtownards airfield, Northern Ireland

22nd – Duxford Summer Air Show, Cambridgeshire, UK

28th – North East Lincolnshire Armed Forces Day, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, UK

28th – Shuttleworth Collection Festival of Flight, Old Warden, Bedfordshire, UK

29th – Battle of Britain Airshow, Headcorn, Kent, UK

July

5th-6th – Wales Airshow, Swansea, South Wales, UK

6th – British Grand Prix, Silverstone, Northamptonshire, UK

10th-13th – Goodwood Festival of Speed, West Sussex, UK

18th-20th – Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, UK

26th – Swanage Carnival, Dorset, UK

26th-27th – Old Buckenham Airshow, Norfolk, UK

August

9th-10th – Blackpool Airshow, Lancashire, UK

9th – Royal Military Tattoo, Edinburgh (Flypast)

14th-17th – Airbourne, Eastbourne International Airshow, East Sussex, UK

September

5th-6th – International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight, Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland

7th – Great North Run, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, UK

10th – Guernsey Battle of Britain Air Display, Channel Islands

11th – Jersey International Air Display, Channel Islands

13th-14th – Sanicole International Airshow, Hechtel-Eksel, Belgium

20th-21st – NATO & Czech Air Force Days, Ostrava Leoš Janáček Airport, Czechia

October

4th – Duxford Flying Finale

                                                                      

From the House of Lords to Cleethorpes - Green Party baroness joins salmon factory demonstration

 

It has all gone quiet on the Cleethorpes salmon-rearing factory project - or has it? Protesters are still more than ready to make their voices heard

RESIDENTS opposed to an intensive salmon-rearing factory being built near their homes in Cleethorpes have been reminded that they are not forgotten.

Last Wednesday morning, they were joined by executives of two animal welfare pressure groups - Animal Equality and Feedback Global - for an impromptu demonstration outside the site earmarked for the controversial £75-million project.

Also present to back the protest was the former leader of the Green Party, Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, who was on a fact-finding visit to this part of Lincolnshire.  

It was back in November 2023 that North East Lincolnshire Council  granted planning permission for the venture proposed by start-up company Aquacultured Seafoods Ltd.

Although force-breeding wild fish in artificial conditions is widely reckoned to be unnatural - not to say downright barbaric - the council believes the job-creating potential of the scheme trumps  animal welfare considerations.

However, no work has started on the development, and it is uncertain whether Aquacultured Seafoods has secured sufficient funds to proceed.

In the meantime, the planning consent awarded by NELC has been put on hold by the courts pending the outcome of a judicial review that was held in Leeds on February 12.

All parties are still awaiting a decision from Deputy High Court Judge Karen Ridge on whether it was appropriate for the authority's planning officers to advise planning committee members to disregard ethical considerations in reaching their decision.

                                                          

Cleethorpes bird and butterfly expert John Nelson - here chatting with Animal Equality director Abigail Penny - is vexed about the prospect of development occurring on a site of high wildlife interest  

For pity's sake! Natasha Hurley, of Feedback Global, is appalled at the prospect of what she believes will involve extreme cruelty

                                                                       

Green Party politician Baroness Natalie Bennett  outlines her deep concerns about the scheme

 

  

Pay rises in prospect for Melanie Onn and Martin Vickers - but it's less than three per cent

                                           

Melanie Onn

MPs Melanie Onn (Lab, Great Grimsby & Cleethorpes) and Martin Vickers (Con, Brigg & Immingham)  are in line for a 2.8 per cent pay rise as from next month.

Along with all their parliamentary colleagues,  their salaries will rise from  £91,346 to £93,904.

Unlike many other MPS, Ms Onn and Mr Vickers are full-time MPs and do not have earnings from additional jobs outside the 'Commons.

                                                   

Martin Vickers