COULD GRIMSBY-AREA FIRM SOON BE HELPING ZOO GIRAFFES TO SLEEP EASIER AT NIGHT?

A GRIMSBY-area firm has secured a bumper  grant to help it explore to a new profit-growth opportunity.

Stallingborough-based Mistral Energy is at the forefront of renewable energy, including consultancy and installation services on  solar and wind energy projects.

But, through its distribution arrangement with a Swedish company,  it also supplies wood pellets and logs for use in boilers, both commercial and domestic.

Now Mistral Energy's founder and boss, Paul Gibbon, has twigged that there may be other uses for the pellets.

He has obtained a £25,000 funding from the Humber LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) to install a machine that will shred the pellets for conversion to  luxury bedding for such animals as farm animals and racehorses  . . .and perhaps even for camels and giraffes!

Wood pellets have advantages over straw - not least that they are unlikely to be eaten by the animals!

Once soiled, pellet bedding is also easier to clear than straw.

Another plus, is that the addition of water can enhance the comfort factor for fussy creatures!

The grant was announced before the coronavirus emergency set in.

If Mistral can take advantage of the market opportunities, up to six jobs could be safeguarded/ created by its animal-bedding project.

Set up in 2014, Mistral's heritage to date is as an ambitious, light-on-its-feet firm keen to encourage public sector and private sector organisations to review their workplace energy operations.

To demonstrate its commitment to the environment, the firm says it has acquired land  in the Scottish Highlands where, as its business grows, it plans to plant thousands of spruce and ferns.
                                      

Could shredded pellets  be a bedding option for zoo giraffes? (photo via Wikimedia Commons)?

FIRST BATCH OF GRANTS RELEASED TO SMALL BUSINESSES IN NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE

Cllr Fenty - council pulling out all the stops

MORE than £3-million in emergency grants will reach small businesses in North East Lincolnshire within the next few days.

So says the council which has further revealed that, so far, more than 1000 small businesses in the area sought support in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

And in the next few days, the first 287 businesses who submitted their information will receive the grant money in their bank accounts.

According to NELC,its first payment run is worth a total of £3.27-million.

Says Cllr John Fenty, cabinet member for business support: “We know how important this money is to many businesses, needed in some cases just to stay afloat.

"We need businesses to  contact us and give us some details so we can get that money to you."

This money does not have to be paid back - it’s from the Government to help businesses survive. 

A simple online form needs to be submitted in the first instance – available on www.nelincs.gov.uk/coronavirus 

For those needing help to fill in the form, contact the council’s economy team on 01472 324615 or 01472 324367.

Cllr Fenty praised staff for pulling out the stops and getting the money processed quickly. 

He continues: “We’re doing what we can to process applications quickly. 

"We  ask that you try and avoid contacting us for updates so we can focus on getting the money to eligible businesses.”

COUNCIL ALERT: THIS IS NOT A TIME TO BE LIGHTING BONFIRES

PLEASE don't light bonfires during the coronavirus emergency!

That is the plea from North East Lincolnshire following concerns in some parts of the country that the practice is causing significant anguish to those with breathing difficulties.

Bonfire smoke can have a harmful effect on people suffering with health problems such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, bronchitis. . . or coronavirus symptoms.

Cllr Ron Shepherd, NELC's portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, today said:

“If you’re thinking of having a bonfire, please don’t!

"Spare a thought for those with respiratory problems or coronavirus symptoms.

“We need people to think about their neighbours and how they might suffer if you light a bonfire in your garden or allotment - even barbecue smoke could create problems for those nearby.

“We can take enforcement action against those who light bonfires regularly and cause a nuisance to their neighbours.”

A further alert was sounded by  was Chris Blacksell, Chief Fire Officer at Humberside Fire and Rescue.

“Bonfires can quickly burn out of control, especially in high wind, and can set light to sheds, fences, trees or even the home itself,"he warned.

“During these unprecedented times, please consider your neighbours and refrain from  bonfires

“Call-outs to bonfires, whether attended or otherwise, are an unnecessary strain on our service. 

"I am sure the public would want our crews ready and able to respond to a life threatening emergency call rather than be tied up at a nuisance bonfire.”

* Legal note: In normal circumstances, it is not an offence to light a garden bonfire. It is however an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to cause a statutory smoke nuisance.

ACE UK DRESSAGE RIDER LARA EDWARDS GIVEN PLANNING THUMBS-UP FOR NEW VENTURE

Lara Edwards - top dressage rider in international competitions

ONE of Britain's top dressage riders has been given the planning green light to develop new equestrian facilities at her home near Grimsby.

Lara Edwards, who has numerous national an international awards, plans to make the investment at Ash Holt, a country house set in 8.7 acres of land off Waithe Lane on the ouskirts of Brigsley.

Mother-of-two Lara not only rides at the highest competitive level all over the world, she also breeds horses. 

Currently she trains her horses in a yard shared with other riders, but she has reached a stage in her career where she needs dedicated facilities.

Her plan, which was this week approved by North East Lincolnshire Council, is to demolish an  existing stable and garage block in favour of a new purpose-built equestrian centre which will accommodate an American Barn for stabling and storage, a horse walker and a 20m x 60m menage.

The yard will be for her own  use and that of family - not a commercial operation.

It will stable Lara’s four top dressage horses and provide a base for her breeding programme to deliver (by artificial insemination) up to four foals each year so she can breed her own future rides. 

When not in use by Lara, the facility will also be used by Lara’s two daughters to partake in recreational riding.

As part of the planning process, an ecological survey in August revealed no presence of breeding bats or birds in the barn earmarked for demolition.

Curiously, the two ecologists only recorded five bird species - blackbird, goldfinch, buzzard, carrion crow and woodpigeon.

To enhance biodiversity, it is intended it to install artificial nesting sites for house sparrows and swallows.

The parish council and neighbours are understood to be supportive of Lara's venture.

MEMO TO JOGGERS: CONSIDER OTHER PEOPLE'S HEALTH AND FITNESS - NOT JUST YOUR OWN

Letter in yesterday's edition of The Daily Telegraph - fair point.

ARSON FEAR AS OVERNIGHT BLAZE SWEEPS THROUGH FORMER ADULT EDUCATION CENTRE

Police (left) were this morning carrying out inquiries at the former education centre

JUST days after a parked car was set alight in Cleethorpes, arsonists have struck again.

Shortly after 3am today, the former Thrunscoe adult education centre on Highgate was torched.

The culprits lit fires in two separate parts of the building.

Luckily, a resident saw the flames and alerted the fire brigade which attended with an aerial ladder platform, in use as a water tower, plus two main jets, two hose reels, four breathing apparatus and a thermal image camera and ceiling hooks.

Had it not been for the promptness, skill and bravery of the firefighters, the blaze could have spread to other properties on Highgate and perhaps to those on Lindsey Road and Parker Street.

The former school has been subject to persistent vandalism since it closed five years ago.

It is earmarked for demolition this spring to make way for a new housing development, but the project has been held up, probably because of the coronavirus situation.

It is not known if those responsible for the fire are the same as those who last week set alight a car parked overnight on nearby Sherburn Street.

Anyone with information is urged the contact the police.

MORTUARY CAPACITY UNDER REVIEW IN RESPONSE TO CONTINUING CORONAVIRUS THREAT

Chris Blacksell: "We always hoped the day would never arrive."

WATCHDOGS are assessing the  capacity of Humberside-area mortuaries to cope with any surge in deaths. 

So says Humberside's chief fire officer, Chris Blacksell, who is also
chairman of the Humber Local Resilience Forum which
brings together agencies likely to be at the forefront of responding to emergencies - including pandemics.

“The number of confirmed cases  in this region (Yorkshire and Humber combined) is now over 1,000," says Mr Blacksell. 

"Thankfully the number of deaths is still relatively low compared to other areas of the country and across Europe. 

"We are doing everything we can to slow the spread of the virus in our region by working together, but sadly, we must accept that this figure will rise significantly in the coming weeks and months.

“We plan for every eventuality.

"Like other areas of the country, we are looking closely at the number of hospital beds likely to be required and even the capacity of local mortuaries. 

"We always hoped that the day would never arrive to even have to consider such measures as mortuary increases.

"However, we are sure that the public would prefer us to be prepared for such an eventuality and to be able to treat their lost loved ones with dignity regardless of how this situation develops."

Mr Blacksell continues:“All agencies have implemented strict procedures to minimise contamination risk to our staff so that we can continue to provide the best possible service to the public. 

"On behalf of those staff, and those other key workers in the private sector such as shop workers, delivery drivers and many more, I would like to thank the public for their co-operation and appeal for everyone to continue to demonstrate patience and support for those who are providing vital services

“Only by working closely together in these unprecedented times will we be able to save as many lives as we possibly can.”