Destination Blundell Park as Mariners land plum cup tie at home to Manchester United

 

A warm welcome awaits! Grimsby Town look forward to hosting Manchester United at Blundell Park

A DREAM match beckons for Grimsby Town FC in  the second round of the Carabao Cup.

Having beaten Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night, The Mariners have earned a second round tie at home to mighty Manchester United - six times winner of the competition.

It would have been more financially lucrative for Town to have been drawn away because United's Old Trafford ground has almost seven times the attendance capacity of Blundell Park.

But playing the home match on Cleethorpes turf in front of a crowd consisting mostly of their own fans will boost the chances of a giant-killing  win for Dave Artell's side.

There are already many Man U fans living in and around Grimsby, but there will doubtless be an influx of supporters from Manchester for what is a relatively straightforward journey by rail or road.

Town say ticket sales arrangements will be announced shortly.

A few issues probably need ironing out before NELC planners can determine Garth Lane homes scheme

The intention is for the houses and apartments to be set within green  and leafy grounds

MORE artist's impressions have been released of the proposed 120-home development on Garth Lane in Grimsby. 

They have been prepared by the Newcastle-based IDPartnership on behalf of Keepmoat Homes which is keen to crack on with the scheme.

However, ahead of a planning decision being made by North East Lincolnshire  Council, a range of consultees have been chipping in with comments.

For instance, Humberside Fire and Rescue are seeking reassurances that there will be sufficient water hydrants and good access to the site.

While not objecting to the project, the council's heritage officer has sounded a note of caution about  how well a residential estate will sit alongside a site of historic maritime and industrial importance. 

Meanwhile, bosses at the fishing heritage centre are concerned that its premises  might be lost to view, obscured by housing, and there are also worries from other sources about pressure on access and parking.

NELC's ecology unit and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust seem relaxed about the development, and the developer will be relieved that a survey has revealed no presence of water voles, a highly-protected species, on the River Freshney which runs along the site.

The proposed redevelopment is part of wider Grimsby regeneration aspirations,  and NELC's leadership has made no secret of its wish for planning permission to be granted as soon as possible so that works can proceed. 

Note the abundance of trees, shrubs and grass

Some of the  apartments will have grand views of the River Freshney and Freshney Place

Plenty of space to cycle or jog - that's the plan 

There is said to be 'interest' in Welholme Galleries building - but is a deal in the offing?

Welholme Galleries - has a buyer at last been found?

 

A FURTHER update is  awaited on the future of  the Welholme Galleries building in Grimsby.

During a cabinet Q&A session on Facebook, a member of the public sought clarification.

Portfolio holder for assets Cllr Stephen Harness was unable to provide much in the way of detail, but he sounded an upbeat note. 

"There is interest in the property," he said. "It's looking hopeful."

Even if it is soon to be sold, it seems unlikely that the building will again be an art gallery or a museum as many would like.

It is more likely either to become apartments or to be put to commercial use.

In recent years, the asking price has been reduced from £200,000 to £125,000. 

Council planners grant consent for new chalet on vacant Fitties plot despite objections from neighbours

The front of the vacant plot

SHEFFIELD man Robert Ashley has been given the green light to build a chalet on the vacant plot at 105 Humberston Fitties. 

Although there were objections from neighbouring chalet tenants, North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee granted consent at its recent meeting. 

Agents for the proposal are Grimsby-based Ross Davy Associates which submitted these images as part of Mr Ashley's application.

The rear of the site - it is understood the trees and shrubs are to be retained 

Proposed design of the chalet

Is that it, then? Buried Riverhead Centre time capsule contained nothing to set pulses racing

                         

Fancy that! The mayor with the copper capsule and contents 

A TIME capsule dating back to the 1970s  has been found during demolition works at Freshney Place (which was formerly known as the Riverhead Centre).

Unfortunately, the contents of the plastic sealed tube, contained within a copper tube, were somewhat underwhelming.

They consist of :

* A copy of the Grimsby Evening Telegraph from  October 18, 1969

* A copy of the Grimsby News from October 17, 1973

* Two plans, showing ground and first floor, along with tenants

* A metal plate bearing the name Matthew Hall Mechanical Services Ltd 

After contractors GMI located, the capsule, the mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Cllr Janet Goodwin, did the honours by opening it . 

"What an honour it is to have opened the capsule," she enthused.

"I used to work in Freshney Place for 26 years, and to see the things in the time capsule and read what was happening all those years ago has been amazing."

The date when the capsule was buried is not known.

                                       

Those were the days! The Grimsby Evening Telegraph of October 18, 1969 

All is revealed! VIPs  gather for the opening of the capsule - from left, Cllr Philip Jackson, Janine Tanner, Cllr Janet Goodwin, mayor’s consort Mr Barry Goodwin, Pete Milsom, Roger Beard, Alan Nicholson

To pray or not to pray? Cabinet members' regret that prayer no longer said at start of full council meetings

                                                        

North East Lincolnshire's mayor - Cllr Janet Goodwin

SHOULD a prayer be said at the start of full meetings of North East Lincolnshire Council?

The question recently came up in a discussion among the authority's cabinet members.

In the past, there used to be a prayer - sometimes said by the mayor's chaplain - but it seems the current mayor, Cllr Janet Goodwin, has dispensed with the tradition, at least during her term of office.

Council leader Cllr Philip Jackson said it was up to whoever was current mayor to determine whether to start proceedings with this longstanding Christian tradition.  

But he expressed regret that it had been dropped.

Agreement same from Cllr Stewart Swinburn who maintained that for a prayer to be said showed "support for the community".

The chop beckons for five trees in the grounds of Humberston's grand old Wesleyan chapel

Five trees in the grounds of the Wesleyan chapel, which was built in 1907, are due to be felled.

FIVE trees are likely to be felled ahead of works to convert Humberston's 118-year-old Wesleyan chapel to private accommodation.

Two of them - an ash and elm - are thought to be dying or already dead, but some villagers will lament the felling of three attractive holly trees, especially two at the front of the property.

So long as they are not causing a danger to the public, it is generally North East Lincolnshire Council's policy to protect mature, healthy trees.

However, the policy appears to have been disregarded in respect of the hollies, even though they are within a conservation area.

NELC's trees officer, Paul Chaplin, says there is "no reason to object" to their removal, noting that either they will be "in conflict with proposed vehicle access" or that they are of "insufficient amenity value" to Humberston Avenue.

Mature, healthy . . and doomed. One of the holly trees (front)

Also to be felled is this fine variegated specimen