From Venice to Humberston Fitties - world-famous film actress fell in love with Humberston chalet park

It was while making Don't Look Now that Julie Christie became friendly with a Fitties chalet owner

AT the age of 83 , it is inevitable that the career of actress Julie Christie is now winding down and, these days,  she is seldom in the news.

But time was, particularly in the '60s and '70s,  when she was a leading light in showbiz, starring in such films as Dr Zhivago, Far From The Madding Crowd, Shampoo and The Go-Between.

She had also been in the running to play the female lead in the first James Bond movie, Dr No, starring Sean Connery, but reportedly missed out to Ursula Andress because the producer did not deem her figure to be sufficiently voluptuous.

It was in Venice during the making of another film, Don't Look Now, that Ms Christie became friendly with one of the movie's editing team, Alfreda 'Freddie' Ellidge.

After filming was complete, the friendship continued, resulting in the actress staying as a guest at a chalet owned by Ms Ellidge, who is also an illustrator and pop lyricist, on the  Fitties.  

Evidently Ms Christie was enchanted by the place as a cutting from the Grimsby Evening Telegraph (January 8, 1996) confirms.

She found it "full of originality and ingenuity" and wrote a letter to say as much.

The two inevitable questions are: On what dates  did Julie

make her visit and in which chalet did she stay?

And, to be fanciful, here is another.

Has Julie changed her name, returned to the Fitties and bought a chalet where she is now living as a recluse? 

* Don't Look Now is being screened on BBC-2 TV at 11.5pm tomorrow, Monday October 9.

A Tourist Information Centre brings 'kudos' to a town - so why does Cleethorpes not have one?

                                      

A proud seaside resort - but one without a Tourist Information Centre

COUNCILLORS have called for the restoration of a Tourist Information Centre to Cleethorpes.

At a meeting of NELC's tourism and visitor economy scrutiny panel, Cllr Bill Parkinson said: "A TIC is an important facility - it brings kudos to a town."

Similar pleas came from Cllr Hayden Dawkins and Cllr Tim Mickleburgh.

Declared the latter: "It's something that's sadly lacking - we need a proper facility.

"When people visit a town, a TIC is often the first point of call - a place where they can get their bearings and find out what's going on."

It was originally intended that the proposed new building on Sea Road would accommodate a TIC, but this  now looks unlikely.

Said NELC inward investment and growth manager, Damien Jaines-White: "We'll keep the option open, but we would prefer a commercial operator."  

The Grimsby News says: Many towns much smaller than Cleethorpes have a Tourist Information Centre, so it is regrettable that the one that used to occupy premises on Alexandra Road has not been replaced. The council's attempts to promote its own events, including those at the Meridian showground,  are hobbled by the absence of a place where they can be publicised. A TIC is never likely to be as cash-generative as a cafe or pub, but, if managed on commercial lines, there is no reason why it should not at least pay its way.

Mystery fire rips through heart - and soul - of historic Cleethorpes church

                                                    

PLANS to convert a redundant Cleethorpes church to residential use have gone up in smoke.

Most of Beaconthorpe Methodist Church - including the roof and priceless stained windows - was destroyed last night in a mysterious blaze.

Happily, the church spire seems to have escaped the worst of the ravage and remains a much-valued landmark on Grimsby Road.

The historic main doors to the property also seem to have survived.

It was only two months ago that David Beard secured planning consent to convert the 1914-built property to six apartments.

                                   

The church as it was two months ago

Now that aspiration has probably been reduced to ashes.

Since the fire brigade put out the flames, police have been at the scene, making the site secure pending invitations into who or what caused the fire.

Anyone with information is asked to come forward.                                              

Police were keeping a watching brief this morning

The roof and windows have gone

The spire survives - but is it stable?

Grimsby Central Library set for further closure period after new asbestos worries emerge

                                                           

Grimsby Central Library - 'iconic building' but expensive to maintain

Grimsby's Central Library is set to close . .  . again!

Two years ago, it shut its doors to the public for six months to allow asbestos remediation work to take place.

Now it has emerged that another period of temporary closure looms after  checks revealed further issues - once again with asbestos but also with outdated electrical wiring.

At this week's meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council's tourism and visitor economy panel, Cllr Tim Mickleburgh, one of the library's most loyal users, expressed exasperation.

"Don't close off its services completely," he urged. "I use the computers regularly, and it is somewhere I can get my colour photographs printed off.  

"The library is invaluable for people searching for jobs online and seeking to print off their applications.

"They might not be able to afford the £4 round trip on a bus to go to Cleethorpes Library instead.

"People are struggling financially. Could we not find a local community centre which might be able to help?"

North East Lincolnshire Council's investment and growth manager, Damien Jaines-White,  acknowledged the concerns but insisted: "The electricity and asbestos challenges need to be dealt with.

"Every penny spent on a temporary facility is a penny less to refurbish the building."

During the same discussion, Cllr Malcolm Morland expressed concern at plans for the top two storeys of the library building - empty  for 10 years - to be allocated to a 'green skills' training organisation.

He strongly urged retention of the upper storeys for community use but, failing that, insisted that the authority should  charge a rent to any commercial user.

Cllr Paul Henderson expressed concern that precious local history archives - and their back-up - could be destroyed in the event of flooding of the basement where they are stored.

He went on to described the library as an "iconic building and an  important civic amenity".

He stated: "It is a great civic utility, but we need to formulate a proper strategy.

"We should see it not as a cost but as a lever for economic growth."

The future of the central library is likely to come up for discussion at further meetings in the New Year.

Planners give jeweller Daniella Draper green light to retain 'alien' security shutters at her shop in Top Town

                                                    

Jeweller Daniella Draper has been given the go-ahead to retain after-hours roller security shutters on her shop in Grimsby's Top Town. Members of North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee this week  approved her retrospective application contrary to the recommendation of the authority's heritage officer who described the shutters as "alien" and "a very undesirable solution to security in a conservation area".  

Continuing frustration for motorists as contractors find yet more problems with Corporation Bridge

 

'Corrosion Bridge' - will its road ever re-open?

IT looks like traffic snarl-ups will continue in Grimsby after it emerged that Corporation Bridge will not be re-opening in December as scheduled.

That means a vital road in the town will remain closed until who knows when.

Why the hold-up?

Specialist repairers Spencer Group say the deterioration of the bridge has been much worse than at first thought.

Today, North East Lincolnshire Council put out a statement which reads: "As works have progressed, further damage and deterioration has been unveiled by the contractor, with the beams underneath found to be in a much worse, corroded condition than initially projected.

"Spencer Group, Equans and North East Lincolnshire Council  understand the frustration this news may have on people but urge the public to remember the significance of these major works to safeguard this vital structure in the town for many years to come."

It continues: Only when the results of further  detailed assessments have been returned and the condition established will Spencer Group, Equans and NELC be able to determine the extension in the programme required for the works, including a revised reopening date of the bridge to traffic."

It is not known how much the further works will cost, nor how much of the final bill - thought to be in excess of £5-million - will have to be paid by council tax payers.

The Grimsby News says: This delay reflects poorly on the parties involved - especially Spencer Group. The failure to complete the project by the target date will cause huge aggravation for many residents, tradespeople and visitors. And the patronising statement from the council will not ease their anger. What is the cost overrun? Will the work ever be completed? Will the road ever re-open? If so, when? Urgent questions need to be asked by MPs Lia Nici and Martin Vickers - and the replies made public.   

We don't want to see the 'McDonaldisation' of seafront, says Cleethorpes councillor

                                                 

Could it become fast food restaurant or pub? Artist's impression of the proposed building

AMBER lights are flashing on who might occupy the proposed replacement building for the former Waves pub opposite Cleethorpes pier.

The original intention was for the ground floor to accommodate an expansive tourist information centre and state-of-the-art conveniences including WCs, shower rooms and changing facilities.

But, there has been a re-think by cash-strapped North East Lincolnshire Council which now wants the building to generate as much rent as possible from a commercial operator, possibly a deep-pocketed food or drinks chain.

This has sparked worries about small traders in this part of Cleethorpes that it could lead to McDonalds taking control of the greater part of the building and 'hoovering' up custom.

At today's meeting of the council's tourism and visitor scrutiny panel meeting, a letter of concern - thought to be from Darracotte's coffee shop and ice cream parlour - sparked sympathetic comment from councillors.

"We certainly don't want to see the McDonaldisation of Cleethorpes seafront," declared ward councillor Cllr Malcolm Morland who went on to note that some West Country seaside resorts had sought to safeguard local independent cafes and restaurants by barring a well-known coffee chain from opening up premises.

Similar misgivings were sounded by Cllr Bill Parkinson who warned that, if the council were to invite in a large-scale operator, it would be seen as a form of "aggressive competition" that would be "to the detriment of existing traders" and reflect unfavourably on the authority's reputation.

"It could end up morphing into a large pub," he predicted.

Cllr Henry Hudson welcomed any input from local businesses, especially those in touch daily with the challenges of the market place.

But he was less concerned than his two colleagues, noting that the arrival of Papa's on Cleethorpes pier had not led to the closure of other fish and chip shops - it may even have brought in additional trade.  

NELC's inward investment and growth manager Damien Jaines-White confirmed that there had been expressions of interest from various parties, but, for reasons of commercial confidentiality, he was not able to reveal their identities.

Of the concerns, he said: "These sorts of developments invariably prompt different views." 

The council has not yet secured a contractor for the building but hopes it can be fully occupied and up and running by summer 2025.