VILLAGE CEMETERY TO BE RE-OPENED FOLLOWING NEW ADVICE

WALTHAM  Parish Council will re-open its cemetery following the latest advice from the ICCM (Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management).

The parish council followed initial government guidance to close the cemetery, but The Ministry of Justice has now confirmed that cemeteries in England can remain open unless a crematorium is situated within a cemetery.

However, it states: "Please observe social distancing rules and stay at home as much as possible in order to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19)."

AMAZING LONG-DISTANCE JOURNEY OF WHITE-TAILED EAGLE SEEN IN SKY OVER GRIMSBY

What an incredible surprise - Owen Beaumont not only spotted the eagle but managed to get a shot of the bird 

ONE of four juvenile white-tailed eagles that were released on the Isle of Wight last summer has been spotted over Grimsby.

The eagles are part of a re-introduction project overseen by the Roy Dennis Foundation and Forestry England.

All have been transmitter-tagged so that their movements can be tracked, via satellite.

As expected, they have begun wandering far and wide.

The eagle -  likened to a "flying barn door" -  seen over Grimsby was earlier spotted over Louth where birder Owen Beaumont managed to snap a photo which he posted on Twitter.

Below is a fascinating update from Roy Dennis  on the project - specifically on the Grimsby-seen bird (known as G393). 

"After a winter when all four birds were extremely sedentary, often living in very small areas and proving highly elusive, the recent longer days and warmer weather has prompted a clear shift in behaviour. 

"All four of the birds have started wandering away from the places on the Isle of Wight, and Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire that they favoured in the winter.

"Their satellite transmitters have proved invaluable in monitoring these movements and understanding how young White-tailed Eagles learn the landscape.

"Perhaps unsurprisingly G393, the male eagle who spent the winter in Oxfordshire and Buckingham, was the first to make a significant move. 

"On 20 March, six months after arriving in Oxfordshire, he flew 71 km west, aided by a stiff easterly breeze, into Wiltshire and roosted in an area of woodland between Swindon and Malmesbury. 

"Next day he was on the move again and headed north-west, flying at altitudes of up to around 500 metres towards the Severn Estuary. 

"He paused for over two hours at Slimbrdge WWT reserve and then headed across the estuary to the Forest of Dean where he was seen by a number of observers, including Ed Drewitt who photographed the bird passing over his garden. 

"That night G393 roosted in a wood beside the River Wye in Herefordshire having flown another 80 km during the course of the day.

"The young flew from Oxfordshire through Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire between 20-22 March.

"He meandered 26 km north along the Wye and the Lugg valleys in Herefordshire on 22 March, but then made a much more concerted move the next day, flying 97 km north-east to Staffordshire, flying at relatively low altitudes for much of the day, but apparently going unseen. 

"He remained in Staffordshire until the morning of 2 April, favouring an area of woodland near Keele and making only short local movements during the day, likely feeding on carrion and rabbits - behaviour much more reminiscent of how he had spent the winter.

"After a week in Staffordshire, G393 headed east on 2nd April, skirting around the north side of Derby and then the south-west of Nottingham, again flying at altitudes of less than 200 metres. 

"At 15:50 he was at an altitude of 400 metres directly over Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire and half an hour later he arrived in the North Arm at Rutland Water.

"Rutland Water is a place certainly capable of supporting breeding white-tailed eagles in the future, and G393 spent all day there on 3 April, favouring a small area in the North Arm near Barnsdale, where he was seen chasing Egyptian geese. 

"In the Netherlands the goslings of feral geese are a favoured food item, and the birds are also capable of catching sick or injured adults.

"After a day at Rutland Water, a stiff southerly wind encouraged G393 to head north again at 10:30 on the morning of Saturday 4 April. 

"He headed north-east through south Lincolnshire, and at 13:40 was just west of Mablethorpe. 

"He then followed the coast north and was photographed by super-alert birder Owen Beaumont from his garden near Louth at around 14:25. 

"Eventually G393 stopped 10 km south of Grimsby in an area of scattered trees and woods, having flown 80 km since leaving Rutland Water.

"After some short local movements, where it was seen over Grimsby, G393 resumed his flight north at 09:30 on Sunday April 5, crossing the Humber from Barton-on-Humber at 10:20. 

"An hour later he was perched in a wood north of Beverley. 

"From here it seems certain that he caught sight of another of the Isle of Wight birds, a female (G318), who was passing to the west, because the two birds then flew north together for at least the next 17 kilometres. 

"While G318 paused in an area of woodland, G393 continued north into the North Yorkshire Moors and eventually settled to roost in an area of woodland in the east of the National Park having flown 123 km."

The data shows that G318 had also headed north on a similar track through Lincolnshire and then settled to roost just 10 km north-west of G393, in a wood between Grimsby and Caistor, having flown a remarkable 263 km during the course of the day.

* More on the project at:
http://www.roydennis.org/animals/raptors/sea-eagle/

DEAD SIX-FOOT SNAKE - IN PUTREFIED STATE - FOUND IN BOX ON GRIMSBY FOOTPATH

The dead reptile - its species is not known

A large, dead snake has been found dumped in a Grimsby street.

The reptile, which is  around six feet long, was found in a cardboard box on the public footpath in Newmarket Street, Grimsby, on Friday.

It was in a state of decomposition and giving off a toxic smell.

The box in which it was found had originally been used for sale of a small microwave oven.

North East Lincolnshire Council’s street cleansing team were tasked with removing the grim discovery that had been reported by a member of the public.

It is not known how long the snake had been there, but it is understood it was most likely a household pet that had died and been dumped by its owner.

Councillor Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, comments: “A rotting snake is not something anyone would want to come across. 

"It was a disgusting, foul-smelling mess, and it was left for our street cleansing team to clean up.

“My thanks go out to the hard-working street cleansing team and refuse workers who are out in this pandemic and continue to carry out their normal tasks.

“Fly-tipping (including dead snakes) is a crime and we ask the community to help by taking care of the places that are important to them so everyone can benefit from a clean, well-cared-for environment.”

NEW NATURE RESERVE FOR THE LINCOLNSHIRE COAST

The former golf course (which closed in 2018) could become a magnet for a range of unusual birds (photo: National Trust)

A NEW nature reserve is on the cards not far from Cleethorpes and Grimsby.

The National Trust has acquired the former golf course at Sandilands between Sutton-on- Sea and Chapel St Leonards.

This will become part of the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park (consisting of 3,500 hectares).

Details are a bit scant as yet, but the trust says: "We want the future reserve to provide a space where everyone can enjoy the benefits of nature - be captivated by the colourful blooms of yellow flag iris and purple loosestrife, and hear the calling squadrons of avocet.

"In winter, the reserve will offer the spectacle of  whooper swans as they arrive from their summer breeding grounds in the sub-Arctic."

Continues the statement: "We will be creating new habitats for a variety of wildlife including breeding birds such as snipe, lapwings and oystercatchers, plus less common migratory birds such as black-tailed godwits, spotted redshanks and spoonbills."

The project has been made possible thanks to a generous donation from a trust supporter who especially asked for the money to be invested in Lincolnshire.

Funds will also be forthcoming from the trust’s Neptune Coastline Campaign - its longest running appeal to support coastline projects.

Partners in the project will include the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire County Council, East Lindsey District Council and the Environment Agency.

Work is due to start on site as soon as possible after  current coronavirus restriction have been lifted.

CLEETHORPES MP MARTIN VICKERS RELEASES MESSAGE FROM GRATEFUL CONSTITUENT

Martin Vickers - the Government is doing all it can

CLEETHORPES and Immingham MP Martin Vickers has made public a message he has received during the current coronavirus situation from a grateful constituent.

Hi Martin,

I hope you and your loved ones are safe. 

I am in your constituency, and have lived here for the last 38 years.

Last week I received a letter from the NHS telling me I was vulnerable due to my ongoing cancer treatment.

Today, out of the blue,  two young men delivered a food parcel courtesy of HM Government. 

My wife and I where very pleased and surprised to receive this.

I cannot tell you how grateful we are for this gesture.

What other country in the world could have done this in under a week and shown such a caring attitude to its vulnerable?

There is too much Government bashing in the media. 

They are, in my opinion,  performing very well in difficult circumstances.

Positives like this should be reported more. 

I applaud and thank the efforts of all in government the NHS and all workers from doctors to checkout and shelf-stackers operators in supermarkets for their efforts.

I am not sure who to send my thanks to Martin, I am sure you will know.

As the Brian Ferry song goes, "Let’s Stick Together".

Meanwhile, the MP has put out his own statement on the situation.

"The coronavirus pandemic has changed our way of life dramatically. 

"People are being asked to make sacrifices and alter their lives in ways that they have never before experienced and perhaps never anticipated.

"Whilst this is not an easy time for anyone, the Government is doing all it can to provide help for individuals, families and businesses across the country. 

"Of particular concern are the many vulnerable people who are being advised to self-isolate for 12 weeks.

"It has been reassuring to see communities come together to look after those who need it most. 

"The Government has contacted the most vulnerable households and is mapping out those who need assistance with essentials such as getting food and medicine.

"Thankfully, the system is, for the most part, working." 

COUNCIL LEADER: PROJECTS MUST PROCEED ONLY IF 'PRACTICABLE AND SAFE'

Enhancement at Alexandra Road  - works have been proceeding

WORK on construction and major highways projects across North East Lincolnshire has now come to an almost complete halt.

In response to the coronavirus situation, most - but not all -projects have been put on hold.

The emergency has also caused a shortage of materials, with suppliers closing and sub-contractors downing tools. 

However, some essential finishing-off and safety work has been taking place.

NELC has issued an update on those project being managed by Engie, its  regeneration partner.

Grimsby: Garth Lane

The main construction phase of this £1.5m project to recreate the central town area was due to start on Monday, March 30. This project has been delayed until further notice to investigate the most appropriate way forward.

Grimsby: St James’ Square

Work scheduled to start in mid-April is on hold. The area is due  to be remodelled with new planting schemes, signage and furniture to create a family-friendly public space that can accommodate outdoor events

Cleethorpes: Sea Road Project/Waves site

The demolition of the former entertainment venue and adjacent boat house was due to start last week but has been postponed until further notice. In the meantime, the planning application for the replacement multi-purpose building has been submitted and is due to be determined at the next planning committee meeting.

Cleethorpes: Sea Road north side

The work to replace the paving and associated improvements on the north side of Sea Road (opposite the Waves building) is progressing in a limited way only.

Cleethorpes: Alexandra Road 

Repaving work on the Pier Gardens side is being completed ahead of schedule. However, the works to the opposite side of the road have been postponed.

South Humber Industrial Investment road projects on the

 A1173, A180 interchange and South Humber Link Road

Work has been suspended  future phased work will be delayed

A18/Barton Street road safety improvements

Works are  continuing on the first phase of the A18 project, between the Oaklands Hotel and Laceby Golf Club. This phase of work is currently anticipated to be finished in May

A180 South Humber Bank Highway Improvements Scheme

Resurfacing work between the former Huntsman Tioxide site and Gilbey Road roundabout is delayed. The road closure will remain to ensure the safety of road users. 

Grimsby: Approach to Westgate Roundabout 

Additional lane installation.

Delayed.

Grimsby: B1444 junction improvements (Little Coates Road/ Cambridge Road)

The scheme has been temporarily stood down due to the contractors being unable to source materials and a low staffing resource. 

Where necessary, Engie has been carrying out daily inspections  to ensure that safe working practices are being carried out on site, including the additional measures introduced as a result of the  pandemic.

NELC's leader, Cllr Philip Jackson,  wants work on projects to continue where practicable and safe so to do.

Says he: “We are all determined to complete these projects which are vital to the future of North East Lincolnshire. 

"I want work to progress as quickly as possible where this is practicable and safe. 

"Government guidance is clear - there is no requirement to halt construction projects.

"However, where on-site work may have to be suspended, there is much our teams can be doing behind the scenes to ensure we are fully prepared once we are able to resume." 

UP FOR RAFFLE - GRIMSBY TOWN BOSS IAN HOLLOWAY’S PORTRAIT OF STEVIE WONDER

 Just £1-a-ticket for chance of winning Ollie's study of the  singer

GRIMSBY Town boss  Ian Holloway has donated a self-painted portrait of Stevie Wonder to be sold by raffle for charity.

Ollie, an enthusiastic amateur painter and music fan, has been working on the study during coronavirus lockdown at his home in Bath.

The signed artwork is being sold by £1-a-ticket raffle own via The Mariners' website:

www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk

All proceeds raised from the raffle will be donated to the North Lincolnshire & Goole NHS Foundation Trust in support of their heroic work during the current coronavirus emergency. 
                                     

Inspiration for  Ollie's portrait? The singer's 1980 album, Hotter Than July

Note: Apologies to Ian Holloway and Stevie Wonder - prior to being corrected, this blogpost inadvertently stated that the portrait by the Mariners' boss depicted Michael Jackson.