A BRAVE and spirited display from a much-changed Grimsby RUFC side was not enough to overcome Melbourne.

The Derbyshire side won 39-8 on their own patch against the Blues.

But Grimsby gave no quarter in a fast and brutal encounter.

They will look to build on this performance for the visit of Mellish to Springfield Road tomorrow for the final game of the season.

The early exchanges showed the sides were well-matched, but Melbourne used their possession slightly better than Grimsby.

This was more than matched with ferocious defence from the men in blue, with excellent defensive performances from flanker Allan Oliver, Hooker Rory Rendall-Tyrrell and playing in a changed role, flanker and Captain Ben Pharaoh.

The scrummage was a fascinating contest with new props Jake Vickers and Matt Pettiford having impressive performances and the reliable yard-making number eight Sam Vickers also contributing well.

Two scores from the home side were countered from a penalty from Nathan Watson and a well taken try from Lewis Newsum. Scrum half Ben Nutting spotted a gap from a penalty won by Pharaoh and tapped and went. He saw the space and chipped ahead for Newsum to outsprint all the defenders to gather the ball and score in the corner.

Constant spells of possession from the home side were repelled again and again with big hitting from lock partners Luke Chaplin and Jim Livermore and equally good defence from centres Doug Clough and Jonno Norman.

But for a couple of outrageously lucky bounces of the ball the score line would have been a fairer reflection of the game but at the end Grimsby's spirit and bravery was not enough to overcome a quality Derbyshire side that are looking for promotion.

OVER 360 players will be taking part in the 2013 Telegraph Golf Challenge.

Ben Mills and Chris Blow, of Waltham Windmill, will begin the defence of their title at home to the Forest Pines pairing of Jeff Greenwood and Ash White.

The men will have to battle their way through three rounds, before 16 pairs go through to the finals day at Forest Pines on Thursday, September 26.

Round one will be played by Sunday, June 9, round two by Sunday, July 28 and round three by Sunday, August 8.

MEN'S DRAW ROUND ONE: Mark Williams 15 and Andrew Williamson 14 (Grimsby) v Jason Hull 9 and Andy Marriott 24 (Laceby Manor); Mark Hornby 10 (Waltham Windmill) and Andrew Allard 11 (Kenwick Park) v Stephen Spavin 10 and Trevor Johnson 5 (Holme Hall); Mick Bunyan 9.4 and Andy Swaby 12.2 (Forest Pines) v Ian Harper 12 and Richard Speirs 7 (Ashby Decoy); Steve McLoughlin 28 and Ian Turner 9 (Laceby Manor) v Gordon Jones 24 and Danny Edmondson 17 (Louth); Darren Birley 24 and Richard Freudenberg 17 (Forest Pines) v Roy Cressey 20 and Antony Chapman 21 (Grange Park); D J Ames 9 and G J Dewe 7 (Holme Hall) v Nick Wadge 17 and Mark Roberts 17 (Grange Park); Richard Scales 15 and Colin Deas 16 (Waltham Windmill) v Kerry Ling 14 and Mark Adderley 24 (Holme Hall); Graham Bontoft 23 and Michael Plaskitt 18 (Laceby Manor) v Matt Bloomer 11 and Lee Stephens 17 (Cleethorpes); Paul Fenty 19 and Mark Warner 20 (Grimsby) v David Keightley 6 and Jim Martin 17 (Holme Hall).

Ben Mills 24 and Chris Blow 14 (Waltham Windmill) v Ashley White 16 and Jeff Greenwood 12 (Forest Pines); John Fleming 12 and John Macarthur 7 (Holme Hall) v Peter Thomson 16 and Daniel Thompson 24 (Laceby Manor); Steve De Boer 13 (Holme Hall) and Sean Garner 22 (Ashby Decoy) v Steve High 13 and Rob Taylor 13 (Elsham); Marcus Charlton 22 and Rob Baty 17.6 (Laceby Manor) v Graham Hodge 10 and Colin Brand 15 (Tetney); John Frary 18.9 and Trevor Wallwork 28 (Grimsby) v Howard Goodwin 14.5 and Colin Davis 2.6 (Immingham); Mark Bresnahan 25 and Terry Willey 25 (Laceby Manor) v Paul Stocks 15 (Louth) and Philip Bevan 12.8 (Waltham Windmill); Jim Waite 12 and Neil Woods 6 (Waltham Windmill) v Steve Fenty 12 and Neal Pearce 10 (Grimsby); David Heard 14 and Craig Heard 8 (Grimsby) v John Carolan 14 and John Meagher 8 (Forest Pines).

David Robinson 6 and Paul Gray 10 (Ashby Decoy) v Malcolm Yates 18 and Brian Mills 18 (Forest Pines); Jordan Campbell 8 and Robert Campbell 14 (Holme Hall) v Tim Howard 21.8 and Terry Steels 14.7 (Immingham); Trevor Scott 15 and Craig Lacey 10.9 (Grange Park) v Martin Blades 13.1 and Darren Gough 11.6 (Cleethorpes); Ben Bembrick 13 and Roy Ling 19 (Laceby Manor) v Andy Barker 14 and Tony Freeman 19 (Holme Hall); Phil Taylor 21 and Spencer Wressle 12 (Grimsby) v Ian Bonner 8 and Steve Fitzpatrick 11 (Ashby Decoy); Keith Moody 12 and John James 17 (Ashby Decoy) v Roger Lingard 13 and Barry Portess 8 (Elsham); Graham Green 23 and Mike Watson 8 (Grimsby) v Andrew Clennett 22 and Robert Sprechley 18 (Immingham); P Holland 10.3 and J Lewis 17 (Grange Park) v Boyd Mawer 11 (Cleethorpes) and Garry Simpson 8 (Grimsby).

Mark Genney 21.2 and Daniel Webber 17.8 (Laceby Manor) v B Nejrup 19 and Chris Nejrup 17 (Waltham Windmill); Eric Finch 12 and Steve Hornsby 22 (Marker Rasen) v Richard Hall 18 and Craig Bowles 12 (Laceby Manor); Graham Smalley 15 (Holme Hall) and Russ Bunyan 16 (Forest Pines v A Waddingham 16 and S Woolnough 12 (Laceby Manor); Jeffrey Buttery 19 and Paul Lockwood 15 (Laceby Manor) v Roger Davies 13 and Nick Larkman 10 (Forest Pines); Steve Bolan 15 and Andrew Johns 14 (Grange Park) v David Hanley 5 (Forest Pines) and James Marklew 10 (Normanby); Garry Snow 13 and Johnny Stevens 16 (Forest Pines) v S Thornton 10 and S Stead 6 (Elsham); Andy Beale 11 and Andy Crellin 15 (Ashby Decoy) v Mick Lewis 15 and Mick Carlile 17 (Immingham).

John Fox 18 and Keith Barker 24 (Grange Park) v Damien Gillen 17 and Gareth Fox 25 (Ashby Decoy); Lee Cockerill 9 (Cleethorpes) and Adam Wainwright 0.3 (Gainsborough) v Ian Strong 11 and Cliff Byrne 13 (Grange Park); Alan Boucher 22 and Glyn Riley 15 (Ashby Decoy) v Tony Wood 11 (Immingham) and Ian Stephenson 10 (Cleethorpes); Nigel Leach 17 and Chris Pearson 13 (Cleethorpes) v Rob Burton 7 and Ian Bonner Snr 9 (Ashby Decoy); Pep Del Duca 22.5 and Jon-Paul Blamley 11.8 (Grange Park) v Gary Kerr 14 and Dean Martin 14 (Immingham); Leigh Churchill 15 and Andrew Heath 23 (Forest Pines) v Andy Dixon 9 and Neil Bembrick 26 (Laceby Manor); Mike Beckett 20 and Billy MacCormack 20 (Grimsby) v Eddie Arrand 11 and Ian Phillips 12 (Elsham).

Mike Galvin 24 and Nick Marsh 23 (Holme Hall) v John Staples 20 and Robert Duncan 24 (Cleethorpes); Steve Kelly 8 (Grange Park) and Peter Stamp 16 (Ashby Decoy) v Nick Barker 28 and Karl Finch 18 (Laceby Manor); David Childs 9.4 and Keith Jensen 19.7 (Waltham Windmill) v Eric Wilkinson 15 and Jamie Mitcheson 20 (Grange Park); John Cox 8.9 and Mark Appleyard 11 (Cleethorpes) v Tim Barnby 11 and Mick McHale 21 (Ashby Decoy); James Richardson 14 and Jamie Green 16 (Cleethorpes) v Chris Watson 11 and Mike Taylor 14 (Grange Park); Lee Bartlett 5 (Waltham Windmill) and Connor Brogan 18 (Immingham) v Roy Nicholls 17 (Tetney) and Rob Hoggarth 20 (Grimsby); Jim Bell 9.9 and Keith Holness 18 (Cleethorpes) v Andy Ecelson 21 (Forest Pines) and Alan Robinson 4 (Grange Park); Jimmy McNeil 15.3 and Mark Ingham 16.6 (Normanby) v Pete Tingle 12 and Tony Miller 15 (Cleethorpes).

Paul Gorman 17.2 and Steve Irving 15.8 (Cleethorpes) v M A Graham 9 and S Hague 13 (Ashby Decoy); Steve Unwin 19 and Ian Penniston 21 (Market Rasen) v Craig Brocklebank 6 and Jon Tyson 16 (Grimsby); Marc Johnson 25 and Richard Eklund 12 (Laceby Manor) v Stuart Sharp 19 and Paolo Panaro 19 (Immingham); Rob Mackay plus 1 and George Mackay 15 (Laceby Manor) v Mark Drewery 11 and Tony Clarke 6 (Ashby Decoy); Neil Avison 10 and Ian Ritchie 11 (Grimsby) v Graeme Godson 11 (Holme Hall) and Bohdan Kyrnyckyj 11 (Normanby); Darren Grainger 15.1 and Pete Bright 12.9 (Grange Park) v Phil Medley 16 and Pete Wilson 19 (Normanby); Luke Anderson 7 and James Martin 22 (Holme Hall) v Gordon Lamming 14 and John Mager 6 (Elsham); Mike Thirde 10 and John Holden 18 (Elsham) v Matthew JA Smith 15 (Cleethorpes) and Steve Williams 6 (Grimsby); Mike Stringer 16 and Martin Mumby 14 (Grimsby) v Ross McFarlane 19 and Graham Hunt 12 (Elsham).

BYES: Neil Dunderdale 8 and Phil Dunderdale 8 (Forest Pines), G Fairbank 13 and V Kerins 17 (Elsham), Gary Cawkwell 18 and John Jenkins 19 (Grange Park), Mark Greenwood 25 and Tom Whiteley 28 (Normanby), John Shone 11 and Clive Jenkins 7 (Grimsby), Kevin Turner 21 and Mark Hotham 18 (Elsham), Andrew Winship 9 and Cliff Winship 27 (Immingham).

View all the entries in our Baby and Toddler of the Year Picture Special (PDF format)

HELP someone in need by donating a few pence to buy a warm beverage at local cafes.

Suspended Coffee is a national scheme set up on social networking website Facebook – and now Yes Chef Cafe, in Hainton Avenue, Grimsby, and Reuben's sandwich bar, Town Hall Street, Grimsby, are offering the service.

People can buy a cup of coffee or other beverage and pay for a second one, which is put aside for someone in need.

Dawn Kemp, co-ordinator of the scheme in Grimsby, said: "It sounded such an amazingly simple and kind gesture. All it would take is one or two coffee shops to be seen to get the ball rolling... and it could become a phenomenon.

"In an area as deprived as ours and in the current economic climate, the scheme is suitable for homeless, unemployed or people struggling to make ends meet.

"A nice cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate or even better a Suspended Supper could help someone in need and it maybe out of reach.

"It could make a real difference."

Sean Atkinson, from Grimsby, kick-started the scheme by buying the first Suspended Coffee for someone less fortunate.

He believes ideas like this are of great importance to society today.

"For me, it gives a great sense of community togetherness," he said.

"Times are hard for a lot of people and a little pick-me-up like a cup of coffee being bought for you by someone you don't even know is a really nice thought.

"People need to pull together and this scheme is a very small step towards them doing that."

The idea of Suspended Coffee is already a hit on a national and international level, having started in Naples, Italy, and spread to coffee shops and cafes worldwide, after the idea was posted on social networking sites this Easter.

It is down to each participating venue who can claim the drinks.

If you own or run a cafe and would like to know more about the scheme or participate, click here.

MANAGER Andy Liddle says the Northern Counties East League (NCEL) promotion race is not over, despite trailing the Division One front-runners by six points.

Cleethorpes Town are currently third in the table, and can cement that position with victory over fourth-placed Knaresborough Town tomorrow (3pm).

And while the Bradley Community Stadium clash is realistically a shoot-out for third, Liddle is refusing to give up hope of landing a Premier Division place.

He told the Telegraph: "We are like every other team we want to finish on a high.

"We have to win these last three games. Finishing in the top three would be a good achievement for us.

"It is slightly disheartening, because we have been in the title race all season. We have just not been able to take that opportunity.

"But mathematically, there is still a chance we could go up. We are not giving up, we will see what happens."

Fresh from a hard-fought draw against Hallam on Tuesday – when goals from Johnathan Oglesby and Luke Mascall earned a point for the Owls – Clee head into the Knaresborough clash with a full-strength squad.

Unbeaten in three games, Town will also be able to rely on good form – though boss Liddle understands the challenge ahead.

He added: "It is going to be a tricky fixture for us. They are a good team and are very hard to beat. They have been up there with us all season.

"The spirit is there for us. Although we haven't been showing top quality, we are digging in there and we have a fighting chance tomorrow.

"We know we are one of the best sides in the league. I'm confident, and we will be going into the game at full pelt.

"It's a game we have to win, and will be going out to do exactly that."

Unlikely as it may be, Clee can still even lift the NCEL Division One title – they are currently seven points behinds leaders Albion Sports, who have a game in hand.

Meanwhile, against Hallam, the Owls started and finished the match brightly to claim a 2-2 draw in South Yorkshire.

From the kick-off, Cleethorpes put their hosts under immediate pressure as they attacked downhill in the first period.

And after eight minutes, Liddle's visitors took the lead when Oglesby beat the last defender and slotted the ball under Frank Bant in the Hallam goal.

It was the perfect tonic for Town, who continued to dominate throughout the first half – until the home side began to force their way back into the contest.

After the break, as Clee kicked uphill, the visitors piled on the pressure – indeed, Marc Cooper could have twice extended their lead.

Hallam then equalised from the penalty spot, before going one up with four minutes to play when Craig Getliff finished well.

Substitute Nathan Emson came close to levelling soon after, but the Owls eventually netted an equaliser through Mascall in the 88th minute.

The striker was first to react to an initial striker – which hit the crossbar – and duly headed into an empty net.

After the match, manager Liddle said: "If you give yourself a chance going into half time, then you can always get something out of the game.

"We changed things up and took the game to them. It was all us, and we looked comfortable for the first time in a while.

"The referee gave them a strange penalty, and that gave them a way back into the game. But, we came back and threw everything at them.

"We kept pushing, and after a quality strike from them, we got a deserved goal at the end – we needed three points, but our performance was good and we showed good spirit.

"It was a game that could have gone our way, but it didn't – like all season we didn't seem to get that rub of the green."

ANDY Cook could return for the Mariners against Newport County – but fellow striker Lenell John-Lewis has been ruled out.

Cook, inset, was amongst a plethora of Town players who sat out Tuesday night's win at Woking, to rest his shin splints.

But John-Lewis' exit with a pulled muscle in his thigh looks likely to signal Cook's recall tomorrow – and rule the former Bury man out of next week's play-off semi-finals.

"Andy Cook is there if we want to use him," explained joint boss Paul Hurst. "It's an injury that causes him discomfort in his shins, and it's a difficult one to treat other than to not train.

"That's another decision that we've got to make. But having lost Lenny, that leaves us a bit lighter up there – certainly in terms of a 'bigger' striker.

"Lenny will certainly be out and I would imagine that the play-off first leg will come to soon for him as well.

"We'd like him back fit and our aim is obviously to get to the play-off final. If that was the case he might have a chance of being fit for that."

Centre-half Simon Ford (hamstring) is another likely to miss tomorrow's encounter and the semi-finals.

However, skipper Craig Disley, centre-back Shaun Pearson, striker Liam Hearn and keeper James McKeown are all back in contention.

"Whether they're 100 per cent fit, whether they're just short of that or whether they have to get bandaged up or take painkillers to get them out there, is another matter," added Hurst.

"We also gave Ian Miller a day off yesterday because the plan was to rest him on Tuesday night, but Simon's injury meant he had to come on.

"Ross Hannah became a dad on Wednesday, so along with the knocks that we have got we were a bit light on numbers at training yesterday.

"Let's get through tomorrow and at the end of the game we'll all know a whole lot more.

"The result is not the be-all and end-all – it will be in the following two games."

THIS is what the inside of Welholme Galleries looks like now it is being used as a council store.

The iconic landmark, in central Grimsby, has been shut to the public since its life as a museum ended in 2004.

Since then, piles of furniture and surplus equipment have been resting in the shadow of the Grade II-listed building's magnificent stained glass windows.

As reported, a £1.25 million plan was launched last year to transform the site into a professionally-equipped 250-seater theatre for small to medium amateur dramatic societies and touring groups.

Class Act Theatre Arts and Community Trust would also run it as a hub for all of the community to use.

Members have since been working hard to secure support and funding, and is in ongoing talks with North East Lincolnshire Council.

The Telegraph's most recent article about the charitable trust's plans prompted a reader, who wished to remain anonymous, to send in these photographs of the interior of the church itself and the rooms attached to it.

The large site was, in fact, two buildings in its original form. The 1907 Welholme Congregational Church, designed in a free Gothic Revival style by Bell, Withers and Meredith, and built by Hewins and Goodhand, incorporated the 1894 Congregational Mission Church and Sunday School, designed by HC Scaping, of Grimsby, and built by H Thompson.

This rich architectural history alone has made it a prominent site in North East Lincolnshire.

Once, it was a showcase museum, and many a local has whiled away an afternoon among its exhibitions.

Now, it is a store for office items and furniture. Keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph for updates on the trust's plan.

A HEAD teacher will keep his pupils back a year if they don't make the grade in core subjects – after Ofsted said pupils need to make more progress.

Oasis Academy Immingham has been judged as "requires improvement" by Ofsted inspectors – short of "good" but above "inadequate" – after its full inspection in February.

Despite the fact that the number of students getting five A*-C GCSEs including English and maths has risen by 20 per cent over three years, principal Kevin Rowlands thinks levels of progress have let the school down.

That is why he is writing to parents this week to tell them that intervention schemes will be introduced for pupils not making enough progress in English and maths – which could lead to them being held back a year.

Mr Rowlands said: "We will be providing pupils who need it with extra support, but if they aren't where they need to be in core subjects, we have to ask if progressing them to the next year is the right decision."

The report said the school was not good because:

Progress has improved but not enough.

Able pupils have under-performed.

Quality of teaching is variable.

However, it praised:

Leadership and governance.

Support for children with complex needs.

Progress being made in teaching.

Although Mr Rowlands admitted to being "disappointed" by the rating, he said he would not "make excuses" and has recently spoken out in support of Ofsted after high-profile criticism.

Mr Rowlands had a letter printed in The Times, in which he wrote after the National Union Of Teachers had a vote of no confidence in chief Ofsted Inspector Michael Wilshaw at the end of March.

He said: "People have criticised Ofsted for raising the bar, but I think it is absolutely right that we should be trying to improve standards – Ofsted and teachers have the same job in that sense.

"I'm confident we would have been a 'good' school under the old framework, but I have no complaints that I now have something higher to aspire to.

"No one can argue that our school is not better than when it was last inspected and our results have improved hugely but do we still need to improve? Yes."

Mr Rowlands also spoke out against teacher strikes, saying: "Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I understand teachers' concerns about performance-related pay, pensions and working hours.

"However, we are in a great profession serving young people which is rewarding and enjoyable, which the majority of people love – but a negative minority have dominated the headlines.

"We teach them about democracy and negotiation and I don't think striking is the answer to every complaint we might have."

View the Ofsted report here

THREE more wind turbines between Tetney and North Thoresby would destroy the beauty of the view of the Lincolnshire coast, planners agreed.

Planners overwhelmingly rejected plans by Partnership for Renewables (Louth Canal) Limited for three turbines, measuring more than 110 metres high, at Fen Lane, North Thoresby, to protect the rural landscape.

Members of East Lindsey District Council's Planning Committee said they would create a "wind turbine alley" and spoil an area of special scientific interest.

Paul Newman, of Tetney, a campaigner against turbines, addressing the Planning Committee meeting at Tedder Hall, Manby, said: "We are proud of what we have and wish to preserve it.

"These wind turbines don't have to go into areas of outstanding natural beauty, in conservation areas or rural and coastal landscapes."

He said turbines in other parts of the UK had caused a 25 per cent reduction in the value of nearby properties.

Committee members laughed when they were told the load for construction would be so long it could not turn left from the A16 at North Thoresby for fear of colliding with the Halfway House pub restaurant.

The route proposed was south to Fotherby and to loop back, using the old route of the A16, rejoining the A16 northbound and turning right at the crossroads into North Thoresby.

A report from English Heritage said the turbines would harm the significance of nearby churches, including St Peter and St Paul, in Tetney, and St Nicholas, in North Cotes.

Fulstow resident Nicola Pike said the turbines would be higher than St James' Church spire in Louth.

Submitting an objection, she said: "There are already plans for another 13 turbines at Bishopthorpe and Tetney, five at Grimoldby and others in the south of the county.

"With a massive offshore wind turbine field being developed just off our coast, are these land-based turbines necessary so close to our communities?"

Councillor Edward Mossop (Ind, Marshchapel) said: "It is the cumulative impact of the turbines which I cannot accept. We are beginning to get them in every vector of vision."

Councillor Hazel Newcombe (Ind, Chapel St Leonards) quoted the Joni Mitchell song from 1970, Big Yellow Taxi, saying: "You don't know what you have got 'til it's gone."

Councillors were greeted at Tedder Hall by campaigners with banners supporting the application. There were 600 letters of support. There were also about 20 objectors there.

After the meeting, campaigner for Marsh Windfarm Action Group (MWAG), Melvin Grosvenor, said: "We are very pleased with the decision. It is the right decision and we continue to work with the local community to protect what we value. This was the wrong technology in the wrong place."

A spokesperson for Partnership For Renewables, Colm Ryan, said he was disappointed in the decision and an appeal against it would now be considered.

NEWPORT County boss Justin Edinburgh is confident top scorer Aaron O'Connor will be available for the play-offs – if not tomorrow's clash at Blundell Park.

The striker has netted 18 times this campaign, despite missing seven weeks of action earlier this season with a torn thigh muscle.

And when the 29-year-old limped off at half-time during Tuesday night's draw at Luton, there were fears he may have suffered a recurrence of the problem.

"Aaron felt a bit of a spasm in his thigh which was the injury he was out with for a while, but we don't think it's too bad and we hope he will be fine for the play-offs," Edinburgh said.

"He couldn't have played on for 45 minutes if he'd re-injured himself properly and I'm confident he will be available for the play-offs.

"It was also great to get Danny (Crow) back. I think anyone who has seen us play knows how important Danny is to us – nine times out of ten when he plays, we seem to win.

"It's also massive to have Michael Flynn back and I'm delighted for Danny, if we can get him more minutes tomorrow that would be vital.

"We won't risk too many tomorrow, but Danny needs the game time."

With third-place secure thanks to the point at Kenilworth Road, Newport will travel to either Blundell Park or Wrexham's Racecourse Ground next Wednesday for the play-offs semi-final first leg – before the return leg at Rodney Parade on Sunday, April 28 (4.30pm).

And Edinburgh admits he will use tomorrow's encounter as an opportunity to rest some of his squad.

"I think finishing third is a fantastic achievement but we move on," he said.

"Even before the Luton game we hadn't given up on the title, not until it was officially gone completely, and now we concentrate on the play-offs and can rest a few tomorrow.

"Only time will tell if it's an advantage to play at home second, but it's what you want.

"However, we'll only make it count by playing well in the first leg.

"We can focus on that now – we draw a line under the season and really look to the play-offs."

A PAINTING of scantily-clad young women once owned by Grimsby trawler owner Sir Alec Black could fetch up to $1 million dollars at auction in New York – and set a new world record.

The 5ft by 3ft picture, entitled The Painted Bridge, was created in oil by Edinburgh artist Sir William Russell Flint in or around 1923, just a few years before Sir Alec divorced his wife.

The trawling magnate worked his way up from the back streets of the town to become one of Grimsby's most famous, successful and dynamic characters.

When he died, aged 69 on June 28, 1942, he left £250,000 and his money is still helping poor people in Grimsby today, more than 70 years after his death.

It is not known how or when Sir Alec obtained the painting, or when he sold it, but it was painted four years before he divorced his wife, Florence, in 1927.

Now, it is going under the hammer at world-famous auction house Christie's, in the Big Apple, on April 29, with an estimate of between $700,000 and $1 million – £450,000 and £650,000 in sterling.

If the picture does sell as expected, it will set a new world auction record for a Russell Flint picture.

James Hastie, senior director and senior specialist of the 19th Century European Art department at Christie's in New York, said: "The Painted Bridge is arguably one of the most beautiful and most effective paintings by Sir William Russell Flint. One of the largest works in Flint's oeuvre, The Painted Bridge shows three timeless beauties and is the artist's interpretation of The Three Graces.

"Knighted by King George VI in 1947, Sir William Russell Flint is regarded as one of the greats of British 20th century art."

It is probable that the painting was one of many valuable items owned by Sir Alec.

Sir Alec Black's Charity, administered by law firm Wilson Sharpe and Co, of Osborne Street, Grimsby, was set up after he died.

It continues to help sick and poor people employed or formerly employed as fishermen or dock workers in or from Grimsby and it also supplies free bed linen to the sick and infirm.

It also supported former employees of Sir Alec; the sole surviving ex-member of his staff died last year, aged 90.

Stewart Wilson, from the accountancy firm, said: "One of the primary purposes of the charity is the purchase of bed linen and down pillows of the finest quality for charitable hospitals and institutions caring for the sick and infirm.

"The inclusion of this clause by Sir Alec was a legacy of a miserable night he had spent in a hospital near Stevenage, where the sheets were coarse and the pillows hard."

Keep checking your Telegraph for the result of the auction.

GRIMSBY Town's joint bosses remain on course for a rare play-off treble – here Paul Hurst recalls his vivid memories of the end of the season 'lottery'...

"THERE are pictures of Rob picking me up and all the fans were right next to us celebrating instantly."

Twice, Paul Hurst and Rob Scott have achieved promotion as managers – and twice, they have done it through the play-offs.

In 2009, the duo were given their managerial break at Ilkeston Town. Just five months after taking the reigns, they guided the Robins to play-off glory after a semi-final win over Kendal Town and final triumph against Nantwich Town.

In the following campaign – their first season at Boston United – a 2-1 victory over North Ferriby took them to another final and paved the way for a promotion-clinching victory, at Bradford Park Avenue.

Now, just over two years after their arrival at Blundell Park, the co-managers are on the verge of making it a hat-trick of sorts.

And Hurst admits that 'doing it the hard way' through the play-offs makes for wonderful memories – provided you win, of course.

He told the Telegraph: "It's great getting promoted in the regular season and I was lucky enough to do that as a player – the fans are on the pitch celebrating and often the season carries on.

"With this, that's it. In this scenario, if you get to that final, there's nothing else to worry about.

"With the promotion at Ilkeston I was still playing as well. I wasn't overly ecstatic when we went into extra-time in the final and then had a player sent off – I wasn't at my youngest and freshest at the time so that wasn't great!

"But afterwards, it was almost a relief, and emotions take over.

"My wife and kids, and my brother and his wife, were there, and I can remember picking up my little boy and celebrating.

"It's a fantastic day and we had a great night out after that.

"At Boston, a lot of what I remember was what happened at the final whistle.

"There are pictures of Rob picking me up and all the fans – because of how it was set-up at Bradford Park Avenue – were right next to us celebrating instantly.

"That wouldn't happen at Wembley, but those memories stick with you, there's no doubt about that.

"For people who have only been involved in the Football League, they might say 'they got promoted but it's only the Northern League or whatever,' but that meant a hell of a lot to us."

Replicating that success with the Mariners and achieving promotion to the Football League would top that success, according to Hurst.

"While it was fantastic at Ilkeston, at Boston we had assembled that squad 100 per cent and it was our making," he added.

"We had spent all year with them, and they were a fantastic group of players who turned up after a day's work.

"Knowing how we are, it wasn't a social by any means – it was very much a job still. That's a big part of why we were successful.

"It was really satisfying and, taking Bradley (Wood) out of it, this is again our squad here.

"So much hard work has gone in, right from pre-season through the campaign, and particularly recently when we lost a few games and had to bounce back from that.

"That has made us more resilient and helped us draw the group closer together. To cap that off with promotion would be an absolutely fantastic achievement."

Hurst continued: "Leading the team out at Wembley last month was such a proud moment and it would be again.

"I was lucky enough to win there as a player and you never forget that – as a one-off, it's a fantastic moment, but over a season to win promotion is a far bigger achievement.

"That's what we're trying to do and would love to do as Grimsby Town's managers.

"We've said many times that when we arrived here there was a black cloud over the club and some people still won't be happy until the club gets back to the Championship.

"But ultimately, to get back into the Football League is a major aim for everyone involved and we've got a chance.

"There will be four teams in there and our first goal is to get to that final. Secondly, it's about winning it."

PAUL Hurst and Rob Scott's perfect play-off record could give Grimsby Town the edge when their battle for promotion resumes next week.

The Mariners complete their regular season programme when Newport County visit Blundell Park tomorrow (5.15pm).

With Justin Edinburgh's men assured of third-place and Town seemingly unconcerned by whether they finish fourth or fifth, the match appears to be a 'dead rubber.'

The co-managers are, therefore, turning their attentions to next week's play-off semi-finals, where their opponents could yet be Mansfield Town, Kidderminster Harriers or County themselves.

Whoever they face, few will be able to better the Town joint bosses' enviable play-off record, which has already seen them promoted twice in their short managerial careers.

Having taken Ilkeston Town and Boston United up from the Northern Premier League, and into the Conference North, Hurst believes those triumphs could stand the duo in good stead.

"It doesn't hurt to have that experience if you're going to be successful in the play-off semi-finals, and then get to the final," he told the Telegraph.

"It was a different set-up, with just one game in the semi-finals, but then we went through the two legs with the FA Trophy semi-final this season.

"We're still relatively young managers but that experience of playing those games could help.

"We've been to Wembley not so long ago as well, so some of that excitement about seeing the place for the first time has gone.

"That could be an advantage, but Wrexham have obviously been through that as well and Newport were there last year.

"In all the squads there are people who have won promotion and gone through the play-offs, which also comes into play – we've got Sam Hatton and Craig Disley.

"It's all good experience and I'm sure we can draw on it, but it's an even bigger prize that's at stake this time around."

CAMPAIGNERS have launched a petition to force the Government to inspect the A18.

The petition, which already has more than 800 signatures, has been set up by a friend of the Cockburn family, five members of which died on Barton Street in a head-on collision with a lorry.

The campaigners are calling for the Department For Transport to review the safety of the road and consult with local people on what they feel could be done to reduce the risk of future tragedies.

Yesterday it was revealed a second examination of the body of Angela Cockburn, 49, who was driving the family's car, has been ordered.

It is an unusual step, and normally conducted when further legal proceedings are pending. It was requested by a third party, who has not been revealed.

And Humberside Police confirmed that the condition of the A18 and its verges was one of the lines of inquiry being taken by collision investigators.

The petition comes after the emotional outpouring of grief from around the UK at the deaths of Angela, her husband Dave, their daughters Carley Ann, 21, and Bethany, 18, and one-year-old granddaughter Lacie Jade Stephenson, Bethany's daughter.

They were on their way from County Durham to a dance festival at Butlins, in Skegness, when the incident occurred last Friday.

The petition, which has been lodged online with the Government, will be checked by an official to ensure it meets the terms and conditions and is not a duplicate.

It can remain open for up to a year and if the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it could be debated in the House Of Commons – but an MP must take the case to make this happen.

As reported, the stretch of road was labelled one of the deadliest in the country in 2011 by BBC television programme Britain's Most Dangerous Roads.

The programme claimed it was 25 times more dangerous than the average British motorway, with 20 crashes in the three years previous to the broadcast.

A nationwide survey by the Road Safety Foundation in 2010 also claimed the road to be one of the highest risk stretches of road in the country.

North East Lincolnshire Council reiterated that it cannot comment while an investigation is ongoing but, as reported, Barton Street has already been identified for a proposed speed reduction.

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A RELATIVE of a Grimsby man who died in police custody in Turkey has called for greater awareness of epilepsy.

An inquest heard William Tyas, 67, of Field Close, Laceby, was mistaken as a mental health patient or a drunk by Turkish police because he was found wandering in a bazaar, while on holiday.

But the inquest at Cleethorpes Town Hall heard Mr Tyas had suffered from epilepsy from a young age.

A verdict of death from natural causes was recorded after the inquest heard how he was later found collapsed in the police station in Antalya, Turkey, in October 2011.

His niece, Jeanette Burgess, of Holton-le-Clay, said today there needed to be more awareness among members of the public how to spot the tell-tale signs of someone having a seizure and what to do in an emergency.

She said she believes her uncle would still be alive today if the officers had been more aware of what to do.

A post mortem examination carried out at the University Hospital in Aqaba concluded his death was from natural causes and there was a negative alcohol reading.

Mr Tyas was due to return to his Laceby home the day after he was taken into police custody.

Police officers described how he was incoherent and wandered along the police station corridor, where he was seen urinating.

He was then left in an interview room from 10.30am to 4pm, when he was found unconscious.

A report from Turkish authorities said officers described how Mr Tyas was trying to speak to them but they could not make out what he was saying.

Paramedics were called to the police station when the Grimsby man was found collapsed but they could not revive him, the inquest heard.

A report to the coroner said police officers discovered his medication in his hotel bedroom.

Mrs Burgess told the inquest: "My uncle lived a semi-independent life in Laceby. He had a few friends with similar health issues and went to his social club each week. The Laceby community knew him and accepted him for who he was.

"He suffered from epilepsy from a young age and quite severely."

She added: "He would become agitated if he did not understand something and he needed help.

"He was aware of his condition but was not very good at explaining it to other people."

She told how during one seizure at home he hauled a radiator off the wall and flooded his bungalow.

Mrs Burgess said: "After a seizure he would be confused and dazed.

"In the police station he would be frightened because he would not be able to make himself understood."

She said her uncle enjoyed visiting a village pub occasionally to watch football on TV but was "not a drinker".

He regularly went on holiday with friends and they sometimes went abroad.

He also felt confident to go abroad on his own which is what he did on the trip to Turkey.

Recording a verdict of natural causes, Grimsby and North Lincolnshire coroner Paul Kelly said the report from the Turkish authorities had been comprehensive.

He said: "They started from the premise that he was intoxicated.

"He was presenting himself in a confused way and it was as a result of epilepsy. Unfortunately, they (police officers) were not able to identify that and not able to deal with what, in effect, was a medical emergency."

Mr Tyas was a former construction worker – who helped to build Scartho Baths – was renowned for his adventurous spirit and loved travelling. He also supported both Lincoln and Grimsby Town football clubs and was a regular at Laceby Royal British Legion.

After the inquest, the niece said: "The verdict is closure. It is what his family felt had happened, that he had been misjudged."

HAVE you got what it takes to be part of Cleethorpes' crew?

Lifesavers at Cleethorpes RNLI are inviting would-be crew members to find out more about what it takes to be part of their team.

The 18-strong team rescued 51 people from the often treacherous waters of the estuary last year and are hoping to recruit three more hardy members to join them.

It is one of the busiest stations in the north of England.

Lifeboat operations manager Jack Barlow said: "Due to changes in people's work and home lives we have seen a need for some more crew who would be available to respond during the daytime in the working week.

"All we ask from the new recruits is they have the time to give to us – as well as the interest and desire to learn new skills.

"Previous seagoing experience is not essential."

They will meet at the station on opposite Brighton Slipway on Saturday, April 27 between 11am and 2pm, where crew members and management will talk about what it means to be a lifesaver.

Volunteers respond to 999 calls whenever someone needs their help at sea. They also train twice a week.

No seafaring experience is needed – just ten per cent of the crew have any previous experience – and both men and women are welcome.

The daughter of a helmsman, Stacey Sonley, 19, is among the most recent recruits. She is one of three female volunteers and the youngest. She works her RNLI role around her regular job at Asda.

"I knew from a fairly young age I wanted to join the lifeboat crew," she said. "I have been surrounded by the RNLI all my life – my dad is a helmsman on the Cleethorpes lifeboat. Before that he was full-time crew at Humber lifeboat and as a family we all lived at Spurn Point.

"The RNLI provides fantastic training to turn ordinary people into lifesavers and by volunteering, people will gain some great experience, knowledge and skills."

To qualify, volunteers need to be aged 17 to 45, living and/or working in Cleethorpes within one-and-a-half miles of the station, physically fit and not colour blind.

For more information, contact Cleethorpes RNLI press officer Kelly Blackburn on 07850 448699, or e-mail lifeboat618@hotmail.co.uk

ANGRY son Connor Barker smashed up his mother's home and "behaved like The Hulk" after the "red mist descended", Grimsby magistrates heard.

Barker, 18, of Hildyard Street, Grimsby, admitted damaging two doors, a wall and a lamp, belonging to Lyndsey Barker, on March 16.

Nick Wyman, prosecuting, said Barker was at his mother's home in Hamilton Street, Grimsby, when there was an argument and he "lost his temper completely".

She thought he was "behaving like The Hulk" and he was ripping off doors, throwing things around and damaging doors and walls.

His mother was left very frightened of him.

Gary Bulbeck, mitigating, said Barker had woken up in a "particularly grumpy mood" after drinking too much alcohol.

He believed she had taken £20 from his belongings and the "red mist descended".

He damaged items in his bedroom and around the house.

Things had since calmed down and his mother was happy to have him at her home again, said Mr Bulbeck.

Barker also admitted stealing a cheese bun from a Spar shop at Thorpe Park on April 8.

He had not eaten for two days at the time and had no money, said Mr Bulbeck.

Unemployed Barker was given a three-month suspended prison sentence, a six-month supervision order and was told pay £85 costs and a Government-imposed £80 victims' surcharge.

ON THE WEB: Visit www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk for more news from the courts.