AN HISTORIC shop sign could be stuck in a dark basement for the foreseeable future – or even disposed of – if a new home cannot be found.

A C Pailthorp Jewellers, in Victoria Street, Grimsby, closed in 1983 and the building was dismantled to make way for a betting shop and pizza restaurant.

The frontage of the well-known shop was taken down and stored in the basement of the Tennyson House housing complex in Kent Street, Grimsby.

At the time, the building was in the hands of North East Lincolnshire Council, until it was handed over to Shoreline Housing Partnership in 2005.

Terry Larn, a senior caretaker at Shoreline, said: "The shop front is currently in the basement of Tennyson House, where it has been for a number of years.

"It is in good condition and all the original coving and fixings are in tact.

"The last I heard about the progress of where the front was going was that the council was looking into cleaning it up and putting it on a lorry and storing it somewhere.

"The shop front is part of the town's heritage. It is among the last of the old town and it would be nice to keep it and put it to good use."

The shop was originally three cottages joined together. In 1895, Arthur Charles Pailthorp opened a jewellers and opticians in one of the buildings, and in subsequent years the other two were also converted into retail.

It became a successful business, with branches opening in other towns in the region.

Jason Longhurst, head of development at NELC, said: "The council is currently looking for opportunities to see if the shop front can be brought back into use, in conjunction with the Freeman Street Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme.

"We are also making arrangements for a proper assessment to be carried out on the items.

"However, if a use for the shop front cannot be found, at this stage, it is unlikely it will be taken into the council's museum stores, and may have to be disposed of."

Jeremy Mason was the director of the Grimsby shop when it closed and now runs an A C Pailthorp branch in Brigg.

He said: "I wasn't aware that the old shop front was still around.

"It would be brilliant if it could be put to use again and it would be a real shame if it had to be disposed of.

"If I was opening up a shop again, I would snap it up straight away.

"There must be someone out there that could use it."

Shoreline is willing to store the shop front for the time being..

Anyone interested in preserving it can contact Donna Riley on 01472 326391.

A HALLOWEEN fundraiser – who now lives on benefits after being brutally attacked by a neighbour – is stepping up his efforts for charity.

Kevin Theaker, 34, was assaulted and beaten outside his former home in Welholme Road, Grimsby, in front of his three-year-old daughter.

His neighbour, Gary Collins, was punished in court for the incident in January, and received a 12-month community order and was ordered to pay £160 costs and £200 compensation.

However, £200 was not enough to compensate Mr Theaker, who had to shut down his successful painting and decorating business KT Decorating, because of "excruciating" pain in his back. He says he suffers from this pain every day.

Mr Theaker and his wife Krista Gregersen, 39, are well-known for the Halloween fundraisers they used to hold at their home – which is transformed into the spookiest place in town on October 31.

The couple, their young daughter and Krista's daughter from a previous relationship have now moved to a smaller house in Cleethorpes because they "didn't feel safe anymore".

But they are now planning the biggest Halloween bash they have ever organised, this time at the Number One Pub, in Cleethorpes, and in aid of St Andrew's Hospice.

The following week, they have arranged a ghostly tour of the Yarborough Hotel, in Grimsby, starting at 8pm and lasting until about 3am.

They hope that the events will raise thousands of pounds for the hospice, in Peaks Lane, Grimsby.

Mr Theaker said: "We have always gone all-out for Halloween – it's just something we love doing.

"My mother-in-law spent her last week in St Andrew's Hospice and it does a lot of great work locally, so it made sense to use our love of Halloween to support them.

"The attack has turned our life upside down but this helps take my mind off the pain and gives me something worthwhile to do until I can get back to work.

"It is going to be seriously scary and everyone involved is really excited about it."

The pub will be turned into the scariest place you can imagine for four days on Saturday and Sunday, October 27 and 28 then Tuesday and Wednesday, October 30 and 31.

Outside will become a zombie graveyard and inside, actors will scare you in various themed rooms including a vampire room, a dungeon and a spiders room – featuring real spiders and scorpions.

However, Mr Theaker needs sponsorship to make it happen.

While many groups and professionals have made their services available for free, the props require 300 AA batteries and 200 AAA batteries.

Get involved

If you can help, call Mr Theaker on 07594 145374 or search for Halloween Experience on Facebook to find out more.

FOOTBALLING legend Tommy Docherty will entertain an audience of football fans at a Grimsby social club.

The former Chelsea player and Manchester United manager will appear at the Old Clee Club and Institute in October, where he will talk about his life on and off the pitch.

Vice-chairman Dave Morris hopes locals and members will support the evening, which will raise vital funds for the club, which, like many, is struggling financially.

He said: "It should be a fantastic evening. Docherty is a legend and loves to talk – he holds nothing back. He is a charismatic, funny man.

"I am really looking forward to having him here."

Despite reaching the ripe age of 84, Docherty has not lost his wit, and he uses it to entertain audiences of all ages.

He will tell tales of triumph as a player and manager. He has managed 13 clubs, from Manchester United to Derby County and Aston Villa to Wolverhampton Wonderers.

For the majority of his managing career he was at each particular club for just one year. Not afraid of saying what was on his mind, there were frequent fall-outs between himself and the chairmen.

His visit to Old Clee Club will be a highlight for members, who until now, have only rubbed shoulders with the lower league Grimsby Town Football Club players and ex-managers.

Dave continued: "No one of his stature has ever come to the club before.

"We are excited about him coming, now we are just hoping the public will come and support us. We want people to buy their tickets and come and have a good night."

Docherty will speak for an hour followed by half-an-hour worth of questions from the audience.

Then, comedian Gary Skyner will take to the stage for a further hour of laughter while punters take advantage of the late-opening bar.

Dave added: "Most clubs are struggling financially, we are just trying to keep our heads above water. If we can do that and give members and other locals something a bit different at the same time, it will be a fantastic night."

To buy tickets, contact the club on 01472 291443.

A SCHOOL for disabled children is set to become a centre of excellence – as plans for top-of-the-range facilities come to fruition.

Humberston Park Special School, which secured academy status a year ago, is building a physiotherapy hub to complement the existing state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool.

It has also applied to North East Lincolnshire Council for planning permission to build a new nursery and sixth form blocks to accommodate the growing number of children coming to the school.

Head teacher Andy Zielinski is "excited" about the development.

"It is a fulfillment of decades of work for me and the staff, and certainly for our own physiotherapist, parents and governors," he said.

"The fact we have this quality provision for disabled children is a one off for this area.

"What matters to us most is the benefit it is going to have on the children. The fact we are grade one outstanding by Ofsted doesn't jump off the page for me or do anything for the children, these developments are much more tangible and they will be here for years to come."

Construction work on the £250,000 physiotherapy hub – which will adjoin the hydrotherapy pool – is under way and will be completed by December.

The £670,000 nursery and sixth-form blocks, if permission is granted, would be finished by 2013.

The development will also reaffirm the school's specialist status for physical and sensory development, with further ambitions of becoming a centre of excellence for the entire region.

As well as having its own in-house physiotherapist, it also has a speech and language therapist, helping to support the children in every aspect of their physical disability.

Since the school was built in 1995 the number of pupils has risen from 75 children to 108 yet the building – minus the hydrotherapy centre – has remained the same.

The three new facilities – which are being paid for out of the school's £670,000 Department for Education grant – will mean there will be more space for the children so they can learn and play in a more relaxing environment.

The physiotherapy hub will include special trampoline for rebound therapy and a sound and vibration board.

Mr Zielinski continued: "If people think we have good facilities now then if we make circumstances more favourable for children and staff it can only get better.

"The trick is never to stand still. It is no good to say we were number one last year, there is, certainly with these children, always more we can do to make things better."

Parent Sue Merriman believes the new developments will benefit her daughter, Eve, 13, even more.

She said: "Eve loves going to Humberston Park which offers much more than just schooling, it also gives her speech therapy and physiotherapy.

"It has been there such a long time and so many more children come there yet they haven't had more space and the children need that."

THIS plucky 100-year-old is remaining tight-lipped about the key to her longevity.

When family members ask Edith Wright what is her secret to a long and happy life, she replies that it is just that – a secret!

Edith, who lives in Brooklands Care Home, Scartho, was joined by about 30 relatives and friends for a meal at The Coach House, in Humberston, to celebrate her becoming a centenarian.

She said: "I've had a lovely party.

"I don't really know what the secret to living to 100 is, just good living I suppose."

Edith was born in Grimsby and grew up in Chapman Street, in the West Marsh, attending South Parade School.

She worked as a shop assistant and nanny throughout her life, apart from a spell living in Southampton during the Second World War when her husband Alan was in the Navy.

She and Alan lived in various properties across Grimsby and she has been very involved in both St Paul's and St Augustine's churches in the past.

Alan passed away seven years ago, aged 92, and Edith continued to live in their home until May when ill health forced her to move into the care home.

Her niece Pauline Parkinson, 69, from Scartho, said: "Edith has always looked on the bright side of life and I think that's what's kept her going for so long.

"She just has a wonderful attitude that rubs off on everybody she meets.

"She never had any children of her own but she loved being a nanny.

"She's always been a very caring lady and has helped look after many people when they have been unwell or under-the-weather.

"I think working hard and helping others must be the secret to her longevity. Although she always tells me it's a secret when I ask her!"

In the past Edith's hobbies have included knitting, sewing, gardening, reading and crosswords.

She celebrated her 100th birthday last Wednesday but the party to mark the occasion took place on Saturday.

As well as being treated to a cake and balloons, Edith received lots of gifts, including flowers and money.

Your celebrations

Share your family events by e-mailing family announcements@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

"IF THEY try to sell you something on your doorstep, tell them to go to Hell."

These are words of advice from 84-year-old Eric Weighell, who was bullied into parting with £16,400 by a "pushy" gang of rogue builders.

Mr Weighell, who is waiting for an operation to correct a bowel problem, has lived alone in his home on Hilary Road, Grimsby, since his mother – whom he brought home to care for – died in the 1990s.

Usually, his only visitors are the healthcare workers who monitors his colostomy bag and diabetes, and his neighbours.

The pensioner had just returned from a trip to Australia to see his sister, nieces and nephews when a "builder" turned up on his doorstep.

He was jet-lagged, exhausted and suffering with severe pain from what he thought was severe indigestion – but turned out to be his bowel problem – at the time.

Exhausted Mr Weighell, who admits his "memory isn't what it used to be", was pressured into letting the cowboys re-pave his drive for £2,000.

"He was persuasive, pushy and just wouldn't take no for an answer," said Mr Weighell.

While repaving the drive, the men cajoled and pressured Mr Weighwell into having his back yard repaved and the interior of his bungalow repainted. They forced the frail pensioner with poor memory to withdraw a total of £16,400 from post office and bank accounts around the town – before the work was even complete.

"I didn't even want it done but they just kept on and on at me, wanting money for this and that before they had even finished," said Mr Weighell.

A building expert later reported that the outside work was "poorly executed" and would need to be redone, while the internal decorating was so poor that the original paintwork was still visible throughout the house.

The cowboy builders also paved over a manhole cover – which services seven houses on the street – and Mr Weighell has since had to pay hundreds of pounds to make it accessible again.

Mr Weighell said: "Not only were they pushy and dishonest but they made a muck of it, too.

"If someone tries to sell you something on your doorstep, tell them to go to hell. Look for respectable workmen through other channels."

Callous culprit Patrick Connors was ordered to pay back £16,400 after he was convicted after admitting aggressive commercial practices at Grimsby Crown Court in November 2010.

Last week, Connors, 21, of no fixed abode, launched a legal challenge to reduce the compensation he must pay his victim – money Mr Weighell has "not seen a penny" of, as yet.

However, at the Court of Appeal in London, Mr Justice Mitting, sitting with Lady Justice Rafferty and Mrs Justice Sharp, was not sympathetic after such "despicable conduct" and said his behaviour was "bullying".

Confirming the amount, he said: "I see nothing wrong with the order, although it may have under-estimated the true loss to Mr Weighell."

Proud uncle Mr Weighell hopes he will now see some of the money, so he can visit his family in Australia once more – health permitting.

"They call me up to see how I am and I would like nothing more than to go and see them again – I've been four times. One of my nephews has a winery, another is a police officer and my niece is a teacher."

A GOOD display from Cleethorpes Town earned them a point in a 1-1 draw against Hemsworth Miners Welfare.

Jason Flint was first to go close for Clee in the Northern Counties East League Division One clash, but he shot wide.

Hemsworth were not going to sit back and they saw an effort from Will Kemp saved well by Scott Drury.

Chances came at both ends and Marc Cooper was put through – but he could not connect properly and saw his effort go wide.

It was then Hemsworth's turn to spurn an opportunity, this time a poor header back from Coleman was intercepted by Neil Towler, but he could not test Drury.

Flint then went close again, but he fired over from the angle.

Hemsworth took the lead when the ball came into the box from a long throw-in, and Towler looped a header over Drury.

Cleethorpes' Daniel Freeman forced the first save out of Neal May in the Hemsworth goal following some neat work from Darren Hanslip and Flint.

Drury was back in action again, however, as he denied Towler as he spun in the box.

Just after half-time, Hanslip was brought down in the area by keeper May. Full-back Barrett took the responsibility and sent the ball into the corner from the penalty spot to level.

Cleethorpes were lifted and pressed forward more, but were nearly made to pay when a Hemsworth free-kick saw Drury have to make a double-save.

At the other end, Freeman saw an effort go wide after Cooper had teed him up in the area.

A ball into the Hemsworth box from a corner landed to Hanslip, but he could only blast over from close range.

McFarland, on as substitute, added a bit of energy to the forward line, as did fellow sub Cawley.

Late efforts from Cawley and McFarland failed to test May in the Hemsworth goal.

In the closing stages, McFarland surged into the box but his effort narrowly went wide.

Next up for the Owls is a midweek trip to Albion Sports, before a home match against Shirebrook on Saturday at Bradley.

AN impressive Grimsby Borough closed the gap on the leading pack with a 1-0 win at the Bradley Community Stadium.

Borough's form has been solid, but inconsistent of late, and they went into the against Hallam game in need of three points to avoid being cut adrift by the early Baris Northern Counties Division One front-runners.

James Harness returned to the Borough side, replacing the injured Leigh Cook in goal, while James Petronzio, Bobby Lewsam, Ex-Grimsby Town midfielder Josh Fuller and Gary Deakins were also included in the team.

Borough started well with Andy Taylor passing to Lewis Buckthorp on the edge of the area, and a good shot produced an outstanding save from the keeper.

A Taylor shot was then saved by the keeper, but the rebound found Lewsam. On his full Borough debut, everyone in the ground thought he had headed into the top corner, but the ball went just wide and the sides went in deadlocked at 0-0 at the break.

Early in the second half, the Wilderness Boys broke the stalemate when the league's top scorer, Taylor, got his eighth goal of the campaign when he slotted home after some good play by Fuller.

Borough thought they should have had a penalty when Taylor was brought down, but the referee deemed that the defender had won the ball.

Borough substitutes Gaughan, Newby and Unsworth replaced Baker, Thompson and Lewsam in the latter stages.

There was some late Hallam pressure, but Borough held firm to bag the three points.

ALFORD were pipped at the post for the Lincolnshire County Cricket League Premier Division championship during the final weekend of the season.

Scunthorpe Town took the title by winning their game in hand on Saturday, which was away to lowly Broughton.

Already faced with the threat of relegation, South Kelsey lost by three wickets to Alkborough.

In Division One, Cleethorpes 3rds were relegated as the bottom team after defeat at Bracebridge Heath, who secured the title at the expense of runners-up Market Rasen.

In Division Two, Keelby's promotion hopes disappeared when they lost at home to Messingham 2nds by 20 runs.

But Grimsby Town 2nds avoided relegation by taking five bonus points from a seven-wicket defeat against Nettleham 2nds, which means Caistor 2nds go down instead.

In Division Three, relegated Cleethorpes 4ths enjoyed a five-wicket win over high-flying Hibaldstow. South Kelsey 2nds were relegated.

In Division Four, Immingham Blossom Way ended the season in the re-election zone after losing by six wickets to Morton.

They are joined by Scothern 2nds, who lost at home to Caistor 3rds.

Keelby 2nds' final game saw them concede a huge 314 runs during their defeat at Hykeham.

RESULTS

Premier Division: South Kelsey 189, Alkborough 190 for seven; Scunthorpe Town 248 for three, Broughton 192 for eight.

Division One: Appleby-Frodingham 2nds 236 for six, Louth 2nds 188 for six; Bracebridge Heath 2nds 219 for six, Cleethorpes 3rds 149; Horncastle 119, Holton-le-Clay 120 for four.

Division Two: Messingham 2nds 160 for seven, Keelby 140; Grimsby Town 2nds 188 for eight, Nettleham 2nds 192 for three; Scunthorpe Town 2nds 167, Owmby 166 for nine.

Division Three: Alford 2nds 208 for six, South Kelsey 2nds 108; Cherry Willingham 2nds 158 for nine, Haxey 2nds 160 for six; Hibaldstow 65, Cleethorpes 4ths 66 for five.

Division Four: Hykeham 314 for six, Keelby 2nds 88; Scothern 2nds 157, Caistor 3rds 158 for eight; Immingham Blossom Way 102, Morton 104 for four.

SATURDAY showed perfectly that you cannot judge any football match on raw statistics alone.

While Kidderminster Harriers hit the target four times at Aggborough, the Mariners failed to make home keeper Nathan Vaughan work all afternoon.

However, that says far more about the visitors' wastefulness in front of goal than the quality of their overall display.

In fact, Town were the better side for much of the Blue Square Bet Premier clash, dominating possession and forcing their hosts on to the back foot for large spells – particularly in the first period.

It was only in the final third of the pitch where the Mariners were lacking as their defence again proved how tough they are to break down.

After referee Kevin Johnson waved away noisy appeals for an early spot-kick when Aswad Thomas was pulled to the turf, Frankie Artus, Nathan Pond and Anthony Elding were all guilty of wasting gilt-edged first-half opportunities.

And it was a similar story after the break – Joe Colbeck hit the crossbar twice and Andy Cook blasted wide from six yards as the 375 Mariners fans in attendance gradually began to realise it wasn't to be their day.

It was 'as you were' for the Mariners at kick-off, with Messrs Scott and Hurst opting for the same XI which began the victory over Forest Green Rovers.

The only changes came on the bench where Greg Pearson made a welcome return from injury, and Ian Miller came in for fellow centre-half Simon Ford.

According to BBC and Sky, Town striker Liam Hearn was making a shock, early return from his Achilles injury, but there was no sign of last season's top scorer – who still has a leg in plaster – on the bench.

The hosts' Chey Dunkley headed a free-kick well wide in the fourth minute as the match began to settle.

But it was at the other end that we had the game's first big talking point – Thomas, at full pelt, tumbling in the box when under pressure from Danny Pilkington. The Town full-back looked bemused as Mr Johnson ignored his appeals.

It was 15 minutes before Town showed their first real glimpse of quality. Full-back Bradley Wood overlapped well down the right and clipped in a lovely cross for Artus to nod over from 15 yards out.

Moments later, home keeper Vaughan was on hand to push away a low Colbeck cross after the visiting winger had eased past Dunkley on the right flank.

Next it was Anthony Elding's turn to put the ball into the box, from the left, and the onrushing Pond powered a header over at the far post.

But it remained 0-0 as the clash passed the half hour mark, and Town keeper James McKeown had to be on his toes to deal with a low cross from Lee Vaughan. The Harriers full-back then eased past Artus and sliced a shot wide of McKeown's near post as the hosts came into the game.

Their first shot on target followed in the 35th minute as former Norwich City man Keith Briggs tried his luck from 25 yards, but McKeown gathered at the second attempt.

The Mariners hit back and had the game's best opportunity eight minutes before the break.

Cook forced the ball into the area and Elding found himself unmarked ten yards out with only Vaughan to beat. But the striker could only swing and miss with the goal at his mercy.

Back came Kidderminster and when Briggs met a cross from the right, the Town fans behind that goal held their breath, as his attempt drop inches wide of the post with McKeown beaten.

Full-back Vaughan popped up in the Town box to plant another header over the bar as the chances kept arriving in the run-up to half-time.

The second-half was only three minutes old when the Mariners could, and should, have been in front.

Excellent work down the left between Artus and Thomas presented the ball to Colbeck in the box and the winger somehow hammered his shot against the bar from six yards out. The rebound dropped back in the box and Cook sliced his attempt wide from similar range.

Mickey Demetrious then tested McKeown with a free-kick before James Vincent glanced a header wide in the box.

Sam Hatton joined the action when Wood limped off the field, but the match had become dis-jointed and Thomas became the first man into the referee's notebook thanks to a challenge from behind.

Returning striker Greg Pearson replaced Cook and within seconds the former Burton striker had blazed a decent effort wide from a tight angle.

But the Mariners were indebted to McKeown in the 68th minute when Briggs' diving header from close range was parried away superbly by the stopper.

The game had become stretched and Colbeck's goal-bound drive from the edge of the box was charged down before Kidderminster sub Ryan Rowe's tame shot from distance needed McKeown's close attention.

Hatton blasted a free-kick over the home crossbar and Artus earned an unjust yellow card for an excellent challenge in the final minute.

And there was still time for Greg Pearson to limp back off the field and Colbeck to leather another pile-driver against the upright before Mr Johnson ended a tough afternoon – not least for him himself.

Once again, the Mariners were solid, organised and largely in control.

But their lack of bite in an attacking sense will be a concern as the draws mount up.

"THOSE are the sort of teams we need to be knocking two or three goals past."

That's the view of Mariners winger Joe Colbeck following his side's frustrating blank at Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday.

Grimsby Town missed a string of opportunities to break the deadlock against the Blue Square Bet Premier strugglers.

And Colbeck was quick to take some of the responsibility for Town's wastefulness after hitting the crossbar twice.

He said: "We went there for three points and although we got a clean sheet there were opportunities where we should have scored a couple of goals – especially myself.

"I hit the bar twice and the first time I should have definitely scored. I was only eight yards out, there were a lot of bodies in the way and I just tried to guide it into the roof of the net.

"I would always back myself to score that one, but I had a couple of other shots.

"I caught the other one really well but it was always fading and hit the bar again – I was a bit unlucky with that one.

"And I had another go which was flying in but it looked like it hit the defender's head, I hit that one really well."

Colbeck admits Town need to be more decisive in front of goal. We deserved to win but it's still a valuable point away from home," he added.

"We've only lost one game in nine, so we're on a good little run. Hopefully we can start scoring a lot more goals, though.

"We made a lot of chances, but that's no good if you are not going to put the ball in the back of the net. It's mixed emotions really."

He went on: "We're happy with a point away from home but we know Kidderminster aren't doing too well at the moment - those are the sort of teams we need to be knocking two or three goals past.

"It would be a problem if we weren't creating chances. But we've took a point and a clean sheet home with us, so that's not too bad.

"There was a spell in the first-half when we totally dominated for about 20 minutes.

"We completely controlled the pace of the game and if we'd scored then it would have been a totally different story - they would have gone.

"We could see when we were controlling the pace and keeping the ball that we were the better side.

"But whoever we come up against we're confident – we're a team that believe we're going to win and just Saturday we were unfortunate that we didn't get the goal."

IT'S time to follow Fleetwood Town's lead and play with a swagger – that's the view of Grimsby Town's joint bosses.

The Mariners endured a frustrating afternoon on Saturday as they were held to a 0-0 draw by the Blue Square Bet Premier's bottom-side Kidderminster Harriers.

Despite hitting the bar twice and having appeals for a "stonewall" penalty waved away, Rob Scott and Paul Hurst's visitors were forced to settle for their fifth draw of the campaign.

It's still just one defeat for the Mariners this season, but Scott admitted his side lacked the killer instinct at Aggborough – and must learn from last season's Conference champions, Fleetwood.

"Our players need to start believing," he said.

"We asked the players in the dressing room 'do you believe you're going to go into games and win them?'

"We do. We believe we will and we believe we've got good enough players to do that.

"Now we want to see that little bit of arrogance – that swagger – from our squad.

"Fleetwood had that last year. We commented on it, how they bounced around the place and looked as though they believed they were going to win.

"Nathan Pond (on loan from Fleetwood) has said the same in the dressing room – we want that swagger and that belief running through the squad.

"We'll keep building on these results and I'm sure that will come."

The Mariners travelled to Worcestershire aiming to make it four wins in five matches.

But Steve Burr's improving Harriers were never going to just roll over – and gave their visitors one or two scares during a lively, goalless encounter.

"Everyone is going to be saying we should win those games and beat teams down the bottom of the league," admitted Scott.

"But we've kept another clean sheet and it keeps us ticking along – I just want to see a bit more belief from our players.

"We lacked that cutting edge – we missed that killer instinct.

"Joe Colbeck should have scored the first time he hit the bar, Pondy's had a great chance at the other end, and Frankie Artus had one first-half.

"And there was the stonewall penalty we weren't given when Aswad Thomas was hauled down.

"We missed someone that's going to stick it in the back of the net".

DOZENS of runners from the Grimsby area joined the thousands who took part in yesterday's Great North Run.

Athletes from Cleethorpes Athletic Club, Wolds Veteran Runners Club, Louth AC and Barton and District AC lined up to test themselves over the popular half-marathon.

Pick of the crop locally was Wolds Vet Andy Pegg, who clocked one hour 20 minutes and 30 seconds.

First Clee AC athlete over the line was Jason Clark in 1:30.27, while Colin Creasey was first Louth AC member back in 1:45.10. First for Barton AC runner was David Manifold in 1:35.30. A little further afield, top Lincoln Wellington duo Ian Kimpton and Tom Doe finished 19th and 21st respectively in super times of 1:05.13 and 1:05.34.

In the elite race, Wilson Kipsang snatched victory from fellow Kenyan Micah Kogo thanks to a dramatic sprint finish.

Kipsang, who won the London Marathon earlier this year and claimed bronze over the same distance at the Olympic Games, pipped Kogo to the victory in a time of 59 minutes and six seconds.

Ethiopia's Imana Merga finished third and Chris Thompson was the highest place Briton in sixth with a time of 61 minutes exactly.

In the women's race, Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba powered to victory on her half marathon debut.

The three-time Olympic champion and four-time world champion, who became the first athlete to retain in the Olympic 10,000 metres title this summer, saw off the challenge of 2011 world marathon champion Edna Kiplagat and 2012 Olympic marathon champion Tiki Gelana to claim the victory.

Dibaba finished with a time of 67 minutes 32 seconds, just outside of the symbolic 67-minute mark for the women's race.

Britain's Jo Pavey finished in fifth place, just outside of her personal best.

Bupa Great North Run 2012 – local results

Cleethorpes Athletic Club: Jason Clark 01:30:27; Nik Forman 01:30:32; Darren Rowe 01:33:09; Dave Smith 01:37:46; Elliot Bareham 01:55:59; Simon Pollard 01:57:03; Louise Yorston 02:02:30; David Peck 02:06:47; Malcolm Simons 02:08:23; Natalie Williams 02:09:46; Debbie George 02:17:28; Jason Neilson 02:17:50; Rob Allenby 02:18:06; Kate Ellis 02:26:42; Susan Jarvis 02:26:43.

Wolds Vets: Andy Pegg 01:20:30; Diane Pegg 01:47:23; Steven Burke 01:47:44; Neil Pattison 01:51:23; Nicola Clifford 01:52:57; Jayne Smith 01:53:25; Richard Smith 01:54:13; John Kendall 01:54:41; Mark Hodson 01:57:32; Nicola Wright 02:01:31; Peter Tarn 02:05:02; Steve Critten 02:13:43; Kathleen Young 02:42:06.

Louth AC: Colin Creasey 01:45:10; Amanda Young 01:55:18; Jane Cope 02:05:50.

Barton & District AC: David Manifold 01:35:30; Simon Holmes 01:46:01; Scott Smith 01:46:49; Daisy Bell 02:08:57; Melanie Walker 02:19:36.

GRIMSBY Town CC fell 47 runs short of their target as hosts Boston claimed a winning draw at Augusta Street on the final weekend of the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League season.

Boston may be propping up the league but the Mayflower team went out on a high note.

Grimsby bowled their opponents out for 241 but fell 47 runs short of their target for the loss of eight wickets.

Despite Boston's lowly position, opening bat Jonathan Cheer ended the season two runs short of 800.

Louth's campaign ended with a defeat at Lindum.

The Lincoln side set a target of 227 for eight and went on to dismiss Louth for 103.

Elsewhere, Haxey, already crowned champions, lost to Bracebridge Heath who sealed the runners-up slot with a 67 run win. And Market Deeping gained the points they needed at Skegness to stay above Boston and avoid finishing at the bottom of the table.

Lindum moved up into fifth place above Woodhall Spa.

Bracebridge were restricted to 185 for nine at Haxey but six wickets from Jason Trembath saw the home side bowled out for 118, of which Paul Bell hit 62.

In a higher scoring match at Richmond Drive, Skegness reached 242 for nine, Adrian Gordon making 53. Gordon then took four wickets but Market Deeping hung on to finish 191 for nine.

Conrad Louth hit the day's only century as Bourne beat Sleaford who nevertheless hung on to fourth place, finishing six above Lindum. Jack Berry put in a man of the match performance for Bourne with 55 runs and bowling figures of 5-28.

Hartsholme sent Woodhall down to sixth place with a winning draw at Ashby Avenue. Kit Spence was the unluckiest batsman of the day when he was out on 99.

Results: Lindum 227-8 (Hornsby 63, De Silva 75), Louth 103 (G West 63no); Bracebridge Heath 185-9, Haxey 118 (Bell 62, Trembath 6-50); Skegness 242-9 (Gordon 53), Market Deeping 191-9; Boston 241 (Azim 65), Grimsby 194-8 (Morgan 58); Bourne 246-7 (Louth 100, Berry 55), Sleaford 176 (Berry 5-28); Hartsholme 227-9 (Spence 99), Woodhall Spa 194-9.

CLEETHORPES is on a crest of a wave – which could soon see all of Europe's eyes on the resort.

In the wake of the golden celebrations at the East Midlands In Bloom awards, the Royal Horticultural Society has invited Cleethorpes to be the nation's entry in the European In Bloom competition, Entente Florale.

That could bring a team of 17 judges from all over Europe to Cleethorpes next summer.

Cleethorpes In Bloom committee members are hoping to make it a double celebration by hosting next year's national In Bloom.

It could mean more than 500 delegates from throughout the UK visiting the resort.

As Cleethorpes' In Bloomers keep their hopes high of winning the Champion of Champions award in the national competition presentation in Guernsey next month, they also hope they can persuade all other delegates to have a venue for the 2013 awards which is more central for the UK.

Chairman Bob Callison said he was excited at the chance of hosting the national competition which would coincide with the 150th anniversary of the arrival of trains in the resort.

He is also looking forward to hosting Entente Florale judges from Austria, Italy, Belgium and the Czech Republic.

"They will come from all over and spend about eight hours in Cleethorpes," he said.

"It is a very big challenge, but what more do you have to do to get Cleethorpes on the map after growing from an entry in small local competition to winning a regional competition and winning a national award and hopefully becoming Champion of Champions in Great Britain – and now we are in Europe.

"This means not just Great Britain looking at us but the whole of Europe looking at us.

"Cleethorpes has come on leaps and bounds. I am extremely proud to be a Cleethorpes boy."

He said the anniversary of the historic advent of railway links between Cleethorpes and Yorkshire and Midlands cities would be capped perfectly if the national In Bloom awards were presented in Cleethorpes.

Mr Callison said: "We have been up to Scotland, down to the south coast, been to Coventry and Wales and we are in Guernsey next month.

"It would make sense to have it in Cleethorpes. It would be a central hub and less distance for everyone to travel."

He remained tight-lipped on the venue for the presentations but said there would be no problems accommodating 500 delegates.

Caistor is celebrating In Bloom success – see page 24.

ALL the elements came together for a grand annual talent show for local youngsters – but it could be the last, organisers warn.

Nunsthorpe Together hosted the superb Local Children Matter show, featuring 150 young people – many of whom had not been born when the annual show first began nine years ago.

Dance group Urban Elements were among the many highlights in the performance, which entertained more than 1,000 people at Grimsby Auditorium and was organised thanks to hard-working volunteers.

Young singers, dancers and comedians from around North East Lincolnshire had rehearsed throughout the summer holidays at the Nunsthorpe Together community group, in Sutcliffe Avenue, Grimsby, to make it happen.

And on Saturday they raised the roof of the auditorium in a huge display of talent.

But one of the founders, Steve Hill, warned it could be the last event of its kind because of a lack of funding.

He said there was a question mark over the future of the Nunsthorpe Together venue, in Sutcliffe Avenue.

"This is all down to the volunteers," he said, "but it could be goodbye as we don't have the funds to pay for the venue. It could be the last."

His wife Debbie was thrilled to see many of the performers who took part in the first show, Abba Mania, nine years ago return to help the young debut performers.

She said: "It is all sold out and it is great to see the older ones coming back in support."

Nunsthorpe Together volunteer Michael White said: "It is amazing seeing all their faces and hearing the kids talking about it for ages afterwards.

"The kids would be on the streets mucking about if they were not here and that would have been more stress for the police. We are keeping them off the streets and helping them gain respect and not in trouble.

"We have got to keep it going. There are more than 1,000 people watching and taking part. It could go on for ever.

"We have had a lot of fun over the months preparing for the show. In the summer I took a few of them to play football on the playing field at St Martin's. The kids enjoy it. It is all good for the community."

The show featured representatives of youth groups from Nunsthorpe, West Marsh, Grange and Cleethorpes.

Demi Lorraine Robertson received one of the biggest rounds of applause for a rendition of Sinead O'Connor's classic song Nothing Compares 2 U.

Hours of practice at the Respect Funhouse with fellow singer and guitarist Grace May Foley paid off with a show-stopping set of songs and music.

Urban Elements, comprising of Anton Jamieson, Matthew Kowal, Connor Kowal and Ashley Roach had the audience in rapture with their dance moves.

The show hailed the welcome return to his roots for Leeds-based Studio La Point student Jamie Dunn, who used to visit St Martin's Church Hall, on Nunsthorpe, when he was younger. He said: "I used to sit in the hall and people would say get up and dance, but I never moved. Now I want to dance all the time."

He performed alongside his fellow Studio student Carla Banks.

There were great performances also from Fresh Voices, the Kiddettes and the Skillettes.

Video footage

Did you go to the concert and capture it on film? E-mail your footage to mark.page@northcliffemedia.co.uk and it could be published on www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk

THE In Bloom celebrations are continuing in Caistor.

Only three years after the town's Britain In Bloom group got together, it is celebrating winning the accolade of the Best Large Village in the East Midlands.

And alongside it, as reported, came a coveted gold award in the Britain In Bloom Awards 2012.

The results were announced at Springfields Festival Park, in Spalding, a town that knows a thing or two about floral celebrations.

And the Caistor In Bloom team were there to collect their gongs, led by president Ernie Brown and chairman Deborah Barker.

Caistor also received a Judge's Award for impressive levels of community engagement, recognising the part played by schools, business and community groups.

"We just held our breath as the awards were being announced," said Ms Barker.

"I knew we had got a gold when another village got a gold with fewer marks than we were awarded.

"When it came to Best Kept Village, Market Bosworth was announced before us and Ernie turned to me and said we must have won. It was a fantastic moment."

It meant champagne celebrations down in Spalding ... and more when the group got back to Caistor.

Judge John Simpson, recalling his visit for a second year, said: "It was great to meet members of the community and shake people's hands – some I recognised from the previous year – I must have seen 100 people in total."

The competition was fierce, with some seasoned campaigners of more than 25 years experience, and some that have previously represented the area nationally.

Caistor gained a fantastic score of 182 points out of 200 – an increase from 172 last year, to achieve the highest score overall for the 2012 competition. As 55 community groups were represented from across six counties, this was an incredible boost rewarding the supreme efforts of the community and businesses in the town.

The progress of the town has increased in momentum over the years, having gained a silver award in 2010, followed by a Gold award last year, now the town has done even better this year as another gold award sits alongside the Category Winner accolade. Caistor first got among the awards in 2010, winning a silver gilt, followed by a gold award last year. The town has gone one better this time, as a Category Winner.

Open gardens days, clean-ups by volunteers, extra mowing of grass borders, litter-free parks and community areas, Caistor's turnaround since the Caistor Townscape Initiative investment is now almost complete.

Moving forward, Caistor In Bloom has lived up to the hopes of Mr Brown, when he spoke of aiming higher and maintaining standards, a target which was so clearly achieved.

The bad weather this year hampered gardeners and flower tub volunteers, so the win makes Caistor's efforts even more impressive. And to think it all started with a hosepipe ban.

Jeff Bates, chairman of East Midlands In Bloom, said: "This year the grey skies and prolonged periods of heavy rain caused a number of problems to In Bloom groups.

"Regardless of the weather, high standards were still maintained and there were lots of excellent examples showing communities working together to bring long lasting improvements to their area."

WE read again today about another elderly victim of conmen.

Today's story comes just two days after we carried the story of the former Tetney man who admitted his part in a major scam against a number of elderly people across the country.

This is just dreadful and there is no-one as mean and cruel as those criminals who target the elderly in this despicable way.

One thing is for sure, these people would not want it done to their parents – or indeed themselves, when they grow old.

They are selfish, simple as that and have absolutely no conscience or thought for anything but hard cash.

Some people live in a greedy, greedy world, which revolves around their ability to earn money illegally and heartlessly.

But there seems to be no way to stop them.

Whatever you say to elderly people, they simply let these people into their trust and allow them to take money off them.

Please, if you have an elderly relative living alone, tell them over and over again to say NO to anyone who calls or rings them. You never know, if you say it often enough then the message might hit home.

It is only then that these people will stop and move onto other targets to try to get their cash.

When they realise their trough is drying up they will stop and find other victims – it may just be more difficult if those victims are not elderly!

GREEN-FINGERED pupils have donated baskets full of produce to the residents of a nearby sheltered housing scheme for the elderly.

Members of the gardening club, at Great Coates Primary School, handed fruit and vegetables – including leeks, beetroots and blackberries – to residents at Chatteris House.

Councillor Cliff Barber is the chairman of Friends of Great Coates Primary and helps run the gardening club.

"Although the weather has been quite bad for gardeners this year, the pupils have managed to grow an impressive crop," he said.

"We harvest different fruit and vegetables throughout the year, but this is the biggest haul so we decided to donate some to Chatteris House."

Joe Edmunds, 10, of Grimsby, has been a member of the gardening club for three years.

"I like being outdoors and growing things," he said.

"The smell of fresh fruit and vegetables is great and we get to take things home to eat.

"It teaches you more about healthy eating, too."

Ben MacDougall, 10, of Grimsby, joined the club last year.

"Being in the gardening club has taught me lots about growing fruit and veg," he said.

"I'd like to start growing my own at home one day.

"I think it's good that we've grown enough to give to some of the older people who live near the school."

Nick Mussell, 68, has been a resident of Chatteris House, in Cromwell Road, for 12 years.

He said: "We're extremely grateful to the pupils for coming in and bringing us this produce.

"We're going to make a big stew for everyone to share and we'll make sure that none of it goes to waste.

"All of the residents enjoy seeing the pupils. They've been in before to help us with our garden and to do some litter picking. They also came to our last Halloween party."

CLEETHORPES is on a crest of a wave – which could soon see all of Europe's eyes on the resort.

In the wake of the golden celebrations at the East Midlands In Bloom awards, the Royal Horticultural Society has invited Cleethorpes to be the nation's entry in the European In Bloom competition, Entente Florale.

That could bring a team of 17 judges from all over Europe to Cleethorpes next summer.

Cleethorpes In Bloom committee members are hoping to make it a double celebration by hosting next year's national In Bloom.

It could mean more than 500 delegates from throughout the UK visiting the resort.

As Cleethorpes' In Bloomers keep their hopes high of winning the Champion of Champions award in the national competition presentation in Guernsey next month, they also hope they can persuade all other delegates to have a venue for the 2013 awards which is more central for the UK.

Chairman Bob Callison said he was excited at the chance of hosting the national competition which would coincide with the 150th anniversary of the arrival of trains in the resort.

He is also looking forward to hosting Entente Florale judges from Austria, Italy, Belgium and the Czech Republic.

"They will come from all over and spend about eight hours in Cleethorpes," he said.

"It is a very big challenge, but what more do you have to do to get Cleethorpes on the map after growing from an entry in small local competition to winning a regional competition and winning a national award and hopefully becoming Champion of Champions in Great Britain – and now we are in Europe.

"This means not just Great Britain looking at us but the whole of Europe looking at us.

"Cleethorpes has come on leaps and bounds. I am extremely proud to be a Cleethorpes boy."

He said the anniversary of the historic advent of railway links between Cleethorpes and Yorkshire and Midlands cities would be capped perfectly if the national In Bloom awards were presented in Cleethorpes.

Mr Callison said: "We have been up to Scotland, down to the south coast, been to Coventry and Wales and we are in Guernsey next month. It would make sense to have it in Cleethorpes. It would be a central hub and less distance for everyone to travel."

He remained tight-lipped on the venue for the presentations but said there would be no problems accommodating 500 delegates.

Caistor is celebrating In Bloom success – see page 24.