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BOSSES at Bluestar Fibres in Grimsby are working with experts to cut costs at the troubled factory. During a Great Coates Parish Council, Councillor Kevin Redgrift described staff morale as "low" because of the site's "uncertain future". Mr Redgrift attended a Liaison Panel Meeting with the businesses surrounding Great Coates where he was told Bluestar morale was low because they were "facing an uncertain future". Chief executive David Service said the factory had a difficult time following the takeover by Chinese company Chem China last year, but stressed there were no plans to close the Moody Lane, Great Coates, site or cut jobs there. They are working with Elkem, a multi-billion pound Norwegian company owned by Chem China, to drive the business forward. He said: "We are constantly looking at our business and how we can improve it with the assistance of Elkem. "They have experience in developing the business and seeing how we can reduce costs and improve quality. "There are no plans to shut the doors or cutting jobs, it is more about improving the business." Keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph for updates.

As always, 2012 has been an eventful year in Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire with plenty of ups and downs. This list is the first half of a run-down of the most viewed articles on This is Grimsby in 2012. Whilst much of it deals with tragedy and misfortune that has affected the area, brighter stories have also gathered a lot of interest from visitors. The second half with the top ten will be published tomorrow.

20) TV show to expose crime and fear on Grimsby's Nunsthorpe estate

Published: October 16, 2012

It was revealed that ITV show Exposure was to screen an episode investigating the extent of crime and drug dealing on Grimsby's Nunsthorpe estate. The programme provoked a huge amount of debate and an online debate about the show was attended by numerous community leaders along with several hundred This is Grimsby users joining in the discussion.

19) X Factor judges stunned by 16-year-old Ella Henderson from Tetney

Published: August 18, 2012

Singing sensation Ella Henderson's X Factor journey began when she wowed Gary Barlow, Tulisa, Louis Walsh and guest judge Mel B at her audition in Manchester. Ella soon made it through to the Bootcamp stage, before being picked to compete in the live finals.

Following a string of impressive performances which saw her tipped by bookmakers to win the contest, Ella was eliminated in week seven having received the fewest votes from viewers, a result which shocked her fans and the show's judges.

18) Docks worker dies after fall into ship's hull

Published: January 28, 2012

A man died whilst working on a ship in Immingham Docks after a heap of coal collapsed on top of him in the hull. Tim Elton, 28, was working on board the MV Excalibur when the tragic incident took place.

17) Neighbours from hell given Asbos after terrifying attack on family

Published: May 28, 2012

Neighbours from hell Sarah Furnell, 42, and Tracy Ardito, 48, were branded as "feral animals" after carrying out a terrifying attack on a home in Perkins Close, on Grimsby's Willows Estate. The pair were made subject to Asbos, including curfews, after the drunken pair terrorised the home in what was described as a "horrifying attack on completely innocent people".

16) 4-year-old girl found wandering the streets of Cleethorpes at 4.30am

Published: September 27, 2012

Factory worker Paul Collier was shocked to see a four-year-old child doing wandering the streets of Cleethorpes alone at 4.30am. Wearing only pink pyjamas and clutching her pink elephant soft toy, the girl was found by Mr Collier outside the Tesco Express, on the corner of Daubney Street. The police returned the four-year-old to her mother shortly after getting Mr Collier's call and an investigation into the incident was launched.

15) Trapped and under siege as mob of 50 youths riot on Nunsthorpe estate

Published: March 28, 2012

A mob of youths were involved it what was described as one of the worst riots on Grimsby's Nunsthorpe estate in nearly 20 years. The trouble flared when teenage girls were fighting near to the Nunsthorpe Community Centre on Sutcliffe Avenue at 9pm on Monday, March 26. Within minutes, a group of about 50 young people, including a small number of adults, gathered outside the venue. The fear forced a group of people at a charity function at the community centre to remain in hiding. One woman suffered a head injury and a teenage girl was arrested during the incident.

14) Body of recluse found by chance after two years

Published: January 6, 2012

The decaying body of recluse Jacqueline Harrison was discovered by chance after lying undiscovered in her Grimsby flat for more than two years. James Cartwright, who was visiting a friend in the flat above, stumbled across the "skeletonised" corpse on August 15 2011 after leaning on a loose window pane while having a cigarette. The inquest into Mrs Harrison's death heard that a post mortem examination was unable to identify a cause of death because the body had deteriorated.

13) Woman jailed for sex sessions in Jeep with 15-year-old boy

Published: March 27, 2012

47-year-old Susan Millman, of Carr Lane, Grimsby, was jailed at Grimsby Crown Court after admitting having sex with a 15-year-old boy in her Jeep. She had also used a webcam to entice other teenage boys by exposing her chest on the internet and pledging to have sex with one of them. Millman was sentenced to 18 months in prison on both counts. She was also banned from working with children for life and ordered to sign on the sex offenders' register for ten years.

12) Cruel woman left pet dog to starve to death

Published: September 8, 2012

Katrina Plumridge, 31, of Hainton Avenue, Grimsby, was banned from owning, keeping or being involved with the care of animals after two dogs were found after two weeks of starvation. One of the dogs had died a "horrendous" death whilst the other had been forced to eat part of its mother's dead body in order to survive.

11) Crash horror as biker dies outside New Waltham's Tollbar Academy

Published: December 1, 2012

27-year-old motorcyclist Daniel Eastwood was killed after his Kawasaki 750 motorbike was in collision with a Vauxhall Corsa on Station Road, New Waltham outside Tollbar Academy. Parents were later urged to be extra vigilant when driving outside the school.

The most visited news stories on This is Grimsby in 2012 (Part one)

AS late Christmas presents go, it was a perfect one for Mariners fans.

Those who were lucky enough to get their hands on a ticket for the Boxing Day derby with Lincoln City saw their side put in a professional performance and run out convincing winners thanks to Andy Cook, an own goal, Craig Disley and Joe Colbeck.

Town bosses Paul Hurst and Rob Scott opted to stick with the same back four from the win against Wrexham, with Ian Miller keeping his place at centre-half at the expense of Shaun Pearson, who was named on the bench.

Colbeck returned from suspension to take the place of the departed Scott Neilson, while Greg Pearson came in for Ross Hannah, who has returned to parent club Bradford after his successful loan spell with the Mariners.

The derby sparked into life with little over four minutes on the clock when Marcus Marshall felt the full force of a robust challenge from Andrew Boyce before seconds later, with the ball running out of play, Vadaine Oliver scythed through Aswad Thomas near to the corner flag, leaving both players flat out on the turf.

Oliver became the first to go into the referee's book with less than seven minutes on the clock. Had it been later in the game, he could have easily have been sent off.

Amid the early furore little football had actually been played, with neither side settling into the occasion.

Marshall threatened to make a burst on the left but that was brought down by Dan Gray. But when the resulting free-kick was cleared, Alan Power struck a sweet cross-field ball to find Jamie Taylor. He looked to find strike-partner Oliver with the far post, but the rangy forward couldn't capitalise.

The Imps had looked the more likely to break the deadlock but, after a long ball forward from Colbeck, Cook got up well and nodded just wide of Paul Farman's goal.

Good work from Niven allowed the Scot to slide in Colbeck on the right of the box, and the wingers' low effort was put behind for a corner. Marshall drilled the corner low and wide of the crowd in the six-yard box before Colbeck struck a half volley wide.

At the other end, James McKeown had to rush out to deny a chance for Nicolau on the half-hour mark.

Minutes later, Cook was forced to hack off the line as the Imps

responded and began to take the game to Town.

But with just under ten minutes to go before the break, the visitors got the breakthrough.

A break down the right allowed Colbeck to whip in a cross and when Farman fumbled, the ball fell to Cook. He took a touch to steady himself and then volleyed into the top corner before sprinting over to celebrate with the travelling Mariners fans.

The table-toppers hadn't been at their best, but they doubled their advantaged four minutes before the break.

Tireless work from Disley saw the skipper steal the ball from Power on the edge of the box and find Colbeck, who looked to find Cook at the far post – but Boyce hung out a leg and the ball deflected of him into the bottom corner.

Lincoln almost halved the deficit just before the break when a mix-up between Miller and Hatton allowed Taylor to sneak in at the back post.

Taylor clipped a ball to the back post and Gary Mills lifted an effort that struck McKeown's bar.

It was the closest the hosts had come to getting on the scoresheet and it turned out to be the last meaningful action of a profitable, if not dominant, first half for the Mariners.

Lincoln came out the quickest after the break and they thought they had got back into the game with little more than five minutes gone.

Above: Joe Colbeck gives his reaction after the game

Gray's throw near to the corner flag flew all the way into Town's net but McKeown had been impeded in claiming the ball, and the referee blew for a foul.

But the home side continued to press, through Sheridan and Power, as the Imps enjoyed their best spell of the game.

They were given the chance to profit from it when another Gray throw looked to hit Cook's arm in the box and Bankes pointed to the spot.

Power stepped up and sent McKeown the wrong way to bring the Imps back into the game as the home crowd found their voice.

But Town soon regained their two-goal advantage when good link-up play between Pearson, Cook and Thomas saw Niven find Disley in the box with a perfectly weighted cross. The skipper hooked the ball back from the by-line and Colbeck nodded back to Cook.

The young frontman got up well but saw his header crash off the bar and it looked as though the chance had gone.

But the ball eventually fell to Disley, whose scissor-kick crashed in off the bar to give the Mariners a goal that, in truth, came against the run of play.

Town nearly had another on 64 minutes when Disley fed Pearson in the box and the frontman fired a shot that Farman could only parry onto a team-mate, with the ball deflecting out for a corner.

That set piece, however, did lead to Town grabbing their fourth of the game.

Above: Mariners fans applaud the team off the field

Inexplicably, Farman ran forward to claim Colbeck's corner but allowed it to loop over his head and into his net at the unguarded far post, leaving him red-faced and the travelling fans delighted.

Two minutes later, Town showed just why you put a man on the post from a corner when, at the other end, Thomas hacked off the line from a Boyce header.

At the other end, Town could have made it five when Colbeck burst down the right and found Pearson at the back-post – his near-post header bounced back off the face of the post.

Lincoln could have doubled their tally for the afternoon when a downward header run across the face of the goal found Taylor, but the Imps' top-scorer could only find the woodwork.

Substitute Michael Rankine headed over at one end before, at the other, McKeown pulled off a superb save down at his near post to keep out an Oliver header.

Another substitute, Dayle Southwell, could have rounded it off – but Marshall's centre to him six yards out was too strong.

Those flurries of action brought an end an afternoon that saw the Mariners make it six points from six so far from their festive programme – they'll be looking to make it nine from nine when they travel to Mansfield on Saturday.

Replay our live and interactive coverage below:

Lincoln City 1 Grimsby Town 4: Festive joy for the Mariners

ROB Scott hopes Grimsby Town's derby day demolition of Lincoln City gave Mariners supporters a Boxing Day to remember. Yesterday's 4-1 crushing of their local rivals at Sincil Bank ensured Scott and Paul Hurst's men remain top of the Conference pile – despite victories for most of their title rivals. Strikes from Andy Cook, Craig Disley and Joe Colbeck – along with an own goal – saw a rampant Town claim another memorable victory over the Imps. And the Mariners were cheered on every step of the way by more than 1,700 travelling fans, who out-sang, out-danced and out-partied the increasingly miserable home support. "The supporters were brilliant from start to finish," said a delighted Scott. "There were near on 2,000 Town fans there and they were all you could hear. "They went to Lincoln with high hopes that we would get a victory over our local rivals because we're sat where we are and they're sat where they are. "It doesn't always work like that in a derby match, but the players have given them something to cheer about, which is great.

Above: Joe Colbeck gives his reaction after the game "I'm sure the fans went home last night and had a nice Boxing Day drink and finished off the turkey with a smile on their face! "It's great when you can take that sort of away support, and to do that for a Conference game is just fantastic. "Thanks to them because they've had to spend a lot of money over the last few days. "Hopefully we've justified them putting their hands in their pockets and paying to watch us. "The players appreciate that and we hope that continues at Mansfield on Saturday and at home again on New Year's Day." Scott was also full of praise for Town's players, who first had to win the physical battle against a robust and direct Lincoln outfit intent on toppling their high-flying neighbours.

Above: Mariners fans applaud the team off the field "It was a local derby and we expected nothing less – they wanted to knock us off our perch," he added. "We knew the first 20-25 minutes was going to be hare'um scare'um, and we looked at the pitch and their line-up before the game and guessed which way they would go. "They tried to test us out physically and they played route-one football. Everything was lumped forward – set plays and long throws went into the box but we defended that very, very well. "We told the lads to expect that and credit to them because it's tough over Christmas for footballers to keep their discipline, look after their bodies and be conscientious about their jobs and their work. "I thought they looked magnificently fit and energetic, even in the last minute." It was the Mariners' first match following the end of Scott Neilson and Ross Hannah's loan spells with the club. And Scott felt his side showed they have more than enough quality to succeed without the influential duo. He said: "It was an excellent performance in light of the time of year and the two loan players we've lost. "The lads were fantastic. Barring five or six minutes at the start of the second half, we were pretty much on top for the whole game. "After the first 15-20 minutes we started to get into the match. Obviously, we scored then and the game changes. "We were disappointed with our start to the second half but we rectified that by going down the other end and scoring soon after their penalty. "That shows the quality we've got now. When we are under pressure we can exploit teams either on the break or whilst in possession. "They had a couple of chances from long throws, but when the ball is slung in there like that there is always going to be a chance with it bobbling around. "But the game was done and dusted and we could have had a couple more." Replay our live and interactive coverage below:

Rob Scott hails 'excellent' Grimsby Town after 4-1 win over Lincoln City

SUPPORT for hunting is growing all of the time, according Lord Yarborough.

In true Boxing Day tradition, riders in the Brocklesby Hunt stormed across the Yarborough Estate in view of thrilled locals, farmers and former riders.

As more people are becoming concerned about the apparent increase in foxes since the 2005 hunting ban, estate owner Lord Charles Yarborough believes people want to see the sport return and that parliament will soon pass a repeal of the hunting with hounds legislation.

He said: "It feels like we have got more supporters than ever, which is fantastic.

"I am not sure why it is, but people seem to back the underdog, which is what we are now.

"It is wonderful to see so many people here; it is a great day, steeped in tradition. It feels great to see the hunt return for another year."

It is the first time the 400-year-old hunt has rode without huntsman John Goode, who retired last season. This year there were 50 riders, accompanied by about 23-and-a-half couples of hounds.

Youngest rider was Chloe Simpson, 13, on Sydney, who has been part of the Grove and Burton Hunt for two years.

She said: "I have met lots of different people and although I feel a bit nervous to start with, all of that goes when I am part of it and we all get going."

Richard Oliver, a production chief at the Daily Telegraph and originally from Horncastle, sees the hunt as a chance to unwind.

Riding Tifi, he said: "It is an opportunity to get out in the countryside, watch the hounds work and catch up with some old faces.

"It is very much a part of the countryside traditions and it is great to see it still going strong."

Mark Ollard, 30, from Wold Newton rode his mother's horse, Billy.

He said: "It is as much a day out as it is taking part in something very traditional."

Roger Finney, 59, said: "People are feeling strongly about the ban and want to repeal it as it is unworkable."

South Wold Hunt supporters also turned out in droves to the meet at Louth Cattle Market.

Hunt master Nick Ashcroft announced that his ninth Boxing Day event would be his last in charge, as he is moving to Hampshire next year.

Both meets came as Government ministers said they would not be making time next year for a vote on hunting.

That disappointed Mr Ashcroft, who said: "With the state of the county and the world economy, MPs have better things to be getting on with. There are people losing their jobs all over. We would cause ill-feeling if we were to demand they make a decision now."

He urged supporters to continue writing to their MP to get a repeal of the legislation in future.

He mounted Guiness and headed off on a tour of the cattle market before setting off to lay scent lines for the hounds and horses to follow.

Among the followers was Charlotte Riches, five, on pony Merlin.

Ann Laverack, who lives in Louth, said: "If you don't keep foxes down, they face worse deaths and many of them get shot anyway. It is a great shame there is not going to be a vote."

Boxing Day hunts: 'Fantastic' support for events, says Lord Yarborough

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Councillor John Colebrook who died yesterday, December 26, aged 75.

Cllr Colebrook was a serving ward member for Humberston/New Waltham, the very last mayor of Great Grimsby Borough Council in 1995-96 and was mayor of North East Lincolnshire in 2009-10.

Councillor Keith Brookes, leader of the Conservative Group, said Cllr Colebrook's passing marked the end of an era in North East Lincolnshire, adding: "Cllr Colebrook was a long serving member of both this authority and Great Grimsby Borough Council and during that time he worked hard for whichever ward he served. He was well respected for being outspoken and he did not fear standing up and speaking out for the people he represented."

Councillor Chris Shaw, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said he was saddened by the news. He said: "Cllr Colebrook had immeasurable civic pride and was a huge credit to this authority and previously to Great Grimsby Borough Council. When he was mayor of North East Lincolnshire you couldn't have had a better person for the role. He was apolitical and very fair in his job. We always had great pleasure working with him. He took great interest and pride in everything he did."

Councillor Andrew de Freitas, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said: "Cllr Colebrook is one of the longest serving members of the council and has made a major contribution to the area. He had been ill for some months and it's very sad to hear he has died. My thoughts are with his family and his wife."

Councillor Mike Burton, mayor of North East Lincolnshire, said: "It's a sad loss to the council and a sad loss to the family. All our sympathy goes to his family and friends."

Details of the funeral service to follow.

Sad death of Councillor John Colebrook

A LINCOLNSHIRE sailing club is riding on the crest of a wave after scooping a top regional award.

The North Lincs and Humberside Sailing Club – based at Barton on Humber – has been awarded the 2012 Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Humber OnBoard Club of the Year Award.

The honour recognises the club's growth over the past year, which has been North Lincs' first as a recognised OnBoard club.

RYA Humber OnBoard Development Officer, Liz Wrigglesworth, said: "This is the first year the award has been presented in the Humber area.

"I chose North Lincs & Humberside Sailing Club (NLHSC) to receive this award in recognition of all their great work in their first year as an OnBoard club."

"Over the past year, the club has run over 400 first experience dinghy sailing and windsurfing sessions and recruited 17 new, regular young sailors.

"Their regular youth training evenings have proven to be a big hit with local youngsters, as they learn to develop their sailing skills in a boat or on a board."

She added: "North Lincs & Humberside Sailing Club are very worthy winners of this award and they should be proud of all they have achieved during 2012."

In accepting the award, Vice Commodore Angelique Lansley, paid tribute to the club's volunteer instructors and helpers.

"We are absolutely thrilled with the award and never expected to receive it in our first year as an RYA OnBoard club." she said.

"We couldn't have done it without all the hard work from our very dedicated volunteer instructors and helpers.

"We ran weekly windsurfing and dinghy sailing sessions for youngsters in the area, which were well attended as well as our 'Sportivate' project, which encouraged even more youngsters to give sailing a try.

"Our sail week in the summer was also a tremendous success and having good coverage of the sailing events during the Olympics definitely inspired some to have a go!

She added: "Next year is all about looking at what we learned this year, making some improvements, where we feel we can, and making sailing and windsurfing accessible to even more youngsters."

Run by the RYA, OnBoard is a grass-roots programme which introduces sailing and windsurfing to young people aged eight to 18, through schools, youth groups and training centres.

Over a ten year period, OnBoard aims to introduce a minimum of 500,000 children to sailing and windsurfing nationwide, converting around ten per cent of them into regular participants.

For more information and advice on how to get involved in sailing, visit the Royal Yachting Assoction website at www.rya.org.uk or log on to the NLHSC's site at www.nlsail.co.uk.

Lincolnshire sailing club making waves after scooping award

CLEE Cons B finished off the first half of the Roy Ling Mutual Grimsby Snooker Doubles League season with another resounding victory in the Premier Section.

The win saw them open up a 12-point lead over nearest rivals Linden Homes B.

Entertaining Healing Legion B, Jon Steel and Steve Donner put them 2-0 up before Mark Goss and Craig Waddingham, pictured, shared their frames with visitors Matty Cheeseman and Gary Wright.

Brian Bridge and Jamie Barrett then rounded off the night when they added the final two frames for a 5-1 victory.

Linden Homes B crept into second spot after they beat Hainton B by the same score. Gaz Horsfall, Daz Evans, Chris Madsen and Jon Leggett were their 2-0 winners while Mick Dobson and Sean Bartlett saved the slam with a single against Anthony Jagger and Scott Templeman.

Clee Cons A won 4-2 at Healing Legion A after Damon Gresham and Rob Willerton both won 2-0 and Wayne Tucker, Mick Goodwin, Craig Thomas and Paul Beasley shared with Gerry Howes, Dave Hallberg, Bernie Mooney and Roger Cropp.

Two-nil wins from George Bartlett, Aaron McHugh, Dave Bartlett and Dave Cox and a single from Dan Frosdick and Luke Majors against Chris Brown and Vic Adams gave Hainton A a 5-1 victory against Linden Homes A.

Dads & Lads and Nats are dead level at the top of Section A after the Dads won all six frames at Standard A.

Pete and Alfie East, Jase and Mathew Lawton, and Ivan Harvey and Brad Burrell were just too strong for the home team.

The Nats were at Cromwell B where Mick Goodwin, Terry Blanchard, Ryan Johnstone and Dave Elshaw all won 2-0 for them and Danny Hargrave and Steve Drinkell shared with David Telfer and Phil Revell who saved the whitewash for Cromwell.

Dave Page, Peter Needham, Paul Stiff, Mike Needham, Walt Simpson and Michael Boulton all won and lost a frame against Janett Newell, Ralph Dale, Dave Cox, Mike Barrett, Doug Stolworthy and Mick Parker as West End B shared the spoils with Clee Bowls B.

A fun challenge in aid of the league's Snooker Centenary Fund will take place at the Ray Edmonds Snooker Centre tomorrow night.

The competitions will cost £1 per go and you can enter as many times as you like.

Results

Premier Section: Clee Cons B 5 Healing Legion B 1; Hainton A 5 Linden Homes A 1; Healing Legion A 2 Clee Cons A 4; Linden Homes B 5 Hainton B 1; Linden Homes B 5 Hainton B 1; Clee Cons B 5 Healing Legion B 1.

Section A: West End B 3 Clee Bowls B 3; Cromwell B 1 Nats 5; Standard A 0 Dads & Lads 6.

THE Mariners are ready for another tough, physical test when they visit Mansfield Town tomorrow (3pm).

Following the Boxing Day derby drubbing of Lincoln, Grimsby Town head to Field Mill aiming to cling on to top spot.

And joint manager Rob Scott believes the Stags, like the Imps, will be big, strong and direct.

"We've got a very tough trip to Mansfield and we know the type of game they'll play," he said.

"It's very similar to what we came up against on Wednesday and we'll have to be on our mettle once again.

"Then we go into the reverse fixture against Lincoln and they'll be fired up on the back of Boxing Day's result to put that one right.

"So we've got some tough games, but every game is going to be tough when you're top of the league because everybody wants to beat you."

Scott believes that August's 4-1 defeat of the Stags at Blundell Park – Town's first victory of the season – will provide tomorrow's hosts will extra motivation to topple the league leaders.

"They've got the best home record in the league and they'll look to put the reverse fixture to bed by turning us over," he added. "They're on a decent run and have got Liverpool in the FA Cup, so they've got things on their minds but are also looking at their league form.

"We know we're going to be in a game, as the boys were on Wednesday. They knew they were going to be in a really tough battle and that proved to be the case.

"We know what to expect, the players know what to expect and that will be reinforced before we go there tomorrow. It will be a very hard game mentally and physically."

Full-back Sam Hatton is a doubt for the encounter after picking up a knee injury at Lincoln.

And Scott admits that other changes may have to be made due to the hectic nature of the festive and New Year fixture programme.

"Sam's carrying something," he said. "Very early on against Lincoln he made a good tackle and said he felt something on the side of his knee.

"He thinks it's more of a nerve thing because it's running up to the side of his hip, so hopefully that will ease off.

"We have to be mindful of the amount of games, so there may be changes and that won't be due to performances – it will be due to the amount of games that we have.

"It's difficult when players find themselves out of the team and it's not always about performance. We have got a hell of a lot of games and, with the weather we've had, the pitches are getting heavier, which doesn't help."

Mansfield trip will be another physical test for Grimsby Town - Rob Scott

CLEETHORPES Town and Grimsby Borough served up a festive treat at Bradley Community Stadium last night. The local rivals, who share the ground, went head-to-head again in a match billed the 'Battle of Bradley – Part III.' And it was Clee who won 5-2 in a superb advert for the area's amateur football scene. Tim Lowe, Marc Cooper, Jack Debnam, Jack Richardson and Lee McFarland were on target for the Owls, with Josh Fuller and Steve Davis netting for Boro. Town vice-chairman Dave Mann said: "It was a great display from us and a well-deserved win. "We went two-up and they came back at us well either side of half-time. "But then both teams were reduced to ten men and we pushed on and scored three quick goals."

Cleethorpes Town come out on top in ‘Battle of Bradley III’

FIFTEEN retailers in North East Lincolnshire are being dealt with for serving alcohol and cigarettes to children. The premises, which North East Lincolnshire Council will not name, all failed test purchases for age-restricted products between April and September. Further action is now being taken, including alcohol licence reviews, two-week closure notices, formal cautions and prosecutions. Although the 17.5 per cent failure rate is higher than the same period last year, it is lower than the test purchase failure rate of 2007, which was more than 22 per cent. The latest raft of tests revealed purchasing of products such as fireworks and knives found a 100 per cent compliance rate. Councillor Dave Bolton, portfolio holder for community safety and neighbourhoods, said: "These results show that there is still a need to check businesses that sell age-restricted products such as alcohol and tobacco to ensure that they are complying with the law. "If they do fail a test purchase it is important that they are provided with advice on how not to sell to young people. "Reducing the availability of alcohol and tobacco to young people is a high priority for this council to reduce the risk of harm to children." Head of improved health, Beverley Compton, added: "These results for alcohol and tobacco are disappointing, but the public can rest assured that action is being or has been taken against these businesses to ensure that they are punished for breaking the law and aware of their responsibilities and how to get this right." North East Lincolnshire's public protection department, which includes Trading Standards, licensing and environmental health, conducts test purchasing in conjunction with Humberside Police using volunteers under the legal age for the product concerned. If you have concerns about traders in your area selling age-restricted products to young people or would like to be a test purchase volunteer, call Trading Standards on 01472 324770 or trading.standards@nelincs.gov.uk

Continuing on from yesterday's first half of 2012's most viewed articles on This is Grimsby, here is the top ten.

10) Cruel parents kept two boys 'prisoners' for weeks on end without proper food in their Grimsby home

Published: May 17, 2012

A shocking report revealed how "callous and controlling parents" Corin Holmes, 39, and his wife Linsley, 41, had kept two young brothers "like prisoners" in their bedrooms for up to 23 hours a day. Grimsby Crown Court heard how the boys were also denied adequate food and prevented from maintaining a level of basic hygiene from when they were as young as just 10 and 11 years old.A later review concluded that the pair had deliberately lied to the authorities.

9) Grimsby boy Connar Kiedyk dies in tragic accident

Published: June 30, 2012

Tributes flooded in as it was reported that nine-year-old Welholme Community Primary School pupil Connar Kiedyk had died following a tragic accident at home. He was found unconscious at his home at around 5.30pm on Wednesday, June 27 and taken to Grimsby's Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital where he died a short time later.

8) Baby tragedy: Ethan and accused named for first time

Published: January 11, 2012

Following a successful court appeal by the Grimsby Telegraph, the name of six-month-old Ethan George Hopson and, Jason Redgrave - the man accused of harming him - were revealed for the first time. Ethan died in the early hours of December 22, 2011 and Redgrave was charged with his murder in March. Following a trial at Hull Crown Court, Redgrave was cleared of the main murder charge but convicted of baby Ethan's manslaughter in June. He was sentenced to eight years in prison. After a four-day trial in December, Redgrave was cleared of two unrelated offences of sexual activity with a woman who had a mental disorder. The alleged sexual matters could not be reported earlier as not to prejudice the trial involving the death of Ethan.

7) 'Spineless thugs' turning Grimsby town centre into no-go area says businesswoman

Published: April 12, 2012

A Top Town businesswoman sparked plenty of online debate after she said gangs of youths were turning Grimsby's town centre into a no-go zone. She described how the youths, claimed to be linked to a group known as the People's Park Crew, had been hanging about the pedestrianised area in the evenings, verbally abusing passers-by, for about three months. In response, police said that a zero-tolerance stance towards anti-social behaviour was in force in the area.

6) Man plunges to his death in 50ft fall from council office block in Grimsby

Published: July 11, 2012

A man leapt 50 feet to his death from a council office block window in Freeman Street, narrowly missing passers-by. Steven Holgeth, 32, of Waltham, was pronounced dead at the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby.Floral tributes were left at the scene where the former North East Lincolnshire Council employee fell to his death.

5) Pedestrian dies in crash on busy Grimsby junction

Published: February 18, 2012

A woman was killed after being hit by a car at the junction of Convamore Road and Eleanor Street in Grimsby.41-year-old Belinda Atha was hit by a blue BMW at about 11am on February 17. In July, Michael Coope, 31, of Heneage Road, Grimsby, admitted causing the death of Ms Atha by careless driving. Coope was given a two-year prison sentence in October.

4) Sudden death of man, 33

Published: July 2, 2012

Police issued an appeal for witnesses following the sudden death of a 33-year-old man in Cleethorpes. The man, who was from Healing, was taken ill on the High Street in the early hours of July 1. He later died in hospital.

3) Man climbs onto roof of Asda supermarket in Grimsby

Published: January 18, 2012

21-year-old Samuel Ford from Grimsby was involved in a standoff with the police after threatening a member of staff at the Holles Street Asda store before making his way onto the roof. A 16-year-old youth, also climbed onto the roof. After two hours, during which police vehicles, an ambulance and a helicopter were called in, the pair were arrested.Following a hearing later in the year, it was reported Ford was set to be transferred to Rampton high security hospital because of serious concerns about his mental health.

2) Guide to the Olympic torch relay in Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire

Published: June 22, 2012

Anticipation for the Olympic torch's arrival in North East Lincolnshire grew significantly in the week leading up to the big day.

Just over 4 weeks before the start of London 2012, the flame finally made its way to the area taking in Immingham, Grimsby, Cleethorpes and a memorable abseil down the Dock Tower before heading south towards Louth.

1) Was aircraft behind boom that shook houses in Grimsby?

Published: January 18, 2012

North East Lincolnshire residents logged on to This is Grimsby in record numbers after a mysterious 'boom' shook the area at around 6.45pm on January 18. Initial fears of an explosion were soon allayed and those who felt the 'big bang' went into overdrive discussing what could have caused it with suggestions ranging from an aircraft sonic boom to UFOs. Later reports only added to the mystery with the RAF saying it was not caused by any of their aircraft and the British Geological Survey later adding that there was "no evidence" of a "sonic or seismic disturbance".

The most visited news stories on This is Grimsby in 2012 (Part two)

MORE than 60 young swimmers have celebrated their achievements over the past year.

An awards ceremony was hosted at Immingham Civic Centre by the town's Pilgrim Swimming Club, which has enjoyed an eventful and successful 2012.

Chairman and swimming coach Mary Clark was named teacher of the year at the ASA Swimtastic national awards, and got the chance to swim with Paralympic gold medallist Ellie Simmonds and other Olympic stars.

The club's annual sponsored swim raised £1,970 for three charities and the group also came third in the Immingham In Bloom community award category.

At the club's annual awards ceremony, trophies and certificates were presented by Wendy Lord from NatWest Bank, and Amy Charlton and Sally Smith from Navigo.

Alex Tamas picked up the Elizabeth McDonald Charity Shield; Henry Cullen was awarded the MaryLynne Shield for Achievement; The Laura Suddaby Memorial Shield for the most improved swimmer was awarded to Alex Bond and Taylor Douglass; and the winners of the Endeavour Shield were Georgiana Bacon, Eloise Smith and Niamh Skipworth.

The One Voice Shield was presented to the poolside helpers Charley Lambert and Harry Jackson for their commitment to the club.

In addition every child received a certificate for the Rookie Lifeguard Awards, and achievement medals were given to children who have worked hard during the year.

For more picures, see page 35

Talented young swimmers' achievements celebrated at awards ceremony in Immingham

CAN you provide the purr-fect home for these feline friends and others like them?

That is the plea from Julie Burrell, the owner of Cuddles Cat Rescue, which is based in Wilton Road, Humberston.

This year she has been inundated with abandoned cats and kittens; there are currently 70 needing a permanent loving home.

Despite her recent struggles, Julie is grateful to all those who have helped out with donations of food, litter and voluntary time.

Over the past four years, Cheryl Dalziel has rehomed five cats from Julie and helps out wherever she can.

Her latest donation saw about £300 worth of cat food delivered to the rescue centre for the festive period.

"I rallied my friends, family and work colleagues together to help Julie stock up on food," said Cheryl.

"Her time is constantly devoted to the cattery and she has to raise funds herself to keep it going.

"If I can help her out in this way then I will continue doing so."

Cheryl has been so committed to the cause that for her 44th birthday, she asked people to give cat food rather than presents.

She continued: "If people cannot rehome one of the cats, then I would at least encourage them to send in a small donation."

For Julie, this year has been the worst at the cattery.

"The recession has really hit people hard and they have found they can no longer afford to look after a pet," she explained.

"A lot of people have brought their cats to me but there are a few that have just been dumped in my garden.

"It is very sad to see this happening, but I want to appeal to anyone who can help by giving these lovely animals a new home."

Julie is also appealing for volunteers to help her out at Cuddles Cat Rescue.

"I have three ladies who currently volunteer to clean litter trays, feed the cats and take on other jobs to keep the place running," she added.

"I could not do any of this without the generous support of others, especially those who foster cats for me.

"My advice to anyone with a cat is to make sure they are neutered or spayed to avoid unwanted kittens."

If anyone can give their time to Cuddles Cat Rescue, make a donation, or rehome a cat or kitten, call Julie on 07707 253755.

Cats in need of your cuddles

WHAT a bra-illiant year!

Women in North East Lincolnshire have binned more than 5,000 bras to raise money for the Pink Rose Suite at Grimsby's hospital.

As part of the Grimsby Telegraph-backed Bin A Bra campaign, women are being encouraged to rummage through their underwear drawers and drop off any unwanted items into one of the pink bra banks located around the area.

For every kilo of bras deposited in the banks, £1 will be given to the suite at the Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital, and this year £305 was raised.

The firm behind the fundraising drive is BCR Global Textiles, which is based in the West Midlands. It collects the bins when they are full before weighing the contents and passing on the donations.

Debby Whydell, the owner of Sudz Hair Design, in James Street, Grimsby, is in full support of the campaign as she received treatment through the Pink Rose Suite.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, Debby, 41, has had her right breast removed and reconstructed, and is now awaiting further surgery next year.

She said: "I am doing well and recent scans have shown I am free from cancer.

"However, I am waiting for a second lot of reconstructive surgery to take place in March. It is all thanks to the suite that I have got this far, so I wanted to have a bra bank in my salon, which people could donate to.

"It is a very unique campaign and something which all women can get involved in.

"Over the year, I have seen people bring in bags full of old bras. It is a simple way to raise money and everyone welcomes a clearout now and then."

Jenny Smith, consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon at the Pink Rose Suite, said: "We are delighted at the amount of money raised this year. It's such as great scheme and we would like to thank everyone for getting involved.

"The money raised will be used to upgrade patient facilities at the suite."

Bra banks can be found at Sudz Hair Design, all EA Broadburn chemists, the Positive Image Clinic and Sidewalk Restaurant, in Grimsby town centre.

For more information on the Bin A Bra campaign and to request a bra bank, visit www.againstbreastcancer.org.uk

Bra campaign has raised more than £300 for Grimsby hospital’s Pink Rose Suite this year

ON Christmas day, when most people were wrapped-up warm eating Christmas dinner, these daredevils had other ideas by dipping into cold open-water.

The Annual Swim at Grimsby and Cleethorpes Yacht Club was a success as 11 brave swimmers took to the chilly 5ºC waters.

Taking part was Scott Ogden, pictured, who aimed to raise money for those who helped to search for him after he revealed to the Telegraph that he faked his own suicide in an attempt to provide for his son.

Scott, 27, from Holton-le-Clay, who raised £160, said: "It was fantastic and I really enjoyed it even though the water was absolutely freezing – it was very refreshing though!

"It was a very unusual way of spending my Christmas day and all the swimmers were wonderful to spend time with.

"They were all very persuasive and convinced me to get in the water. I enjoyed it that much, I will be swimming at the yacht club on New Year's Eve at midnight – and I hope to continue open-water swimming.

"It is a new found hobby."

The money collected by Scott will be divided between Cleethorpes RNLI, the police helicopter search team, coastguard search team and three other services who searched for him during the three days he was missing.

He added: "I haven't raised that much money for each service, but hopefully it will help.

"I may be raising more money for them from the New Year's Eve swim."

Make a donation

If you would like to support Scott, e-mail faye.preston@gsmg.co.uk

Daring swimmers take a Christmas Day dip in cold open water

THE death of a long-serving councillor and former mayor has been declared the "end of an era for North East Lincolnshire" by those who worked alongside him.

Tributes have today been paid to Councillor John Colebrook, of Waltham Road, Scartho, who passed away on Boxing Day, aged 75.

He was a Conservative member for the Humberston and New Waltham ward and had previously served as Mayor of North East Lincolnshire Council in 2009-10.

John was first elected to Great Grimsby Borough Council in 1975 and became the authority's final mayor in 1995-96 – ending a heritage that began in 1201.

He was also a former chairman of North East Lincolnshire NHS Trust.

Councillor Keith Brookes, leader of the local Conservative party, said John's passing marked the end of an era in North East Lincolnshire.

He added: "Councillor Colebrook was a long-serving member of both this authority and Great Grimsby Borough Council and during that time he worked hard for whichever ward he served.

"He was well respected for being outspoken and he did not fear standing up and speaking out for the people he represented."

Councillor Chris Shaw, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said he was saddened by the news.

He added: "Councillor Colebrook had immeasurable civic pride and was a huge credit to this authority and previously to Great Grimsby Borough Council.

"When he was Mayor of North East Lincolnshire you couldn't have had a better person for the role.

"He was apolitical and very fair in his job. We always had great pleasure working with him. He took great interest and pride in everything he did."

Councillor Andrew de Freitas, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, added: "Councillor Colebrook is one of the longest-serving members of the council and has made a major contribution to the area.

"He had been ill for some months and it's very sad to hear he has died. My thoughts are with his family."

Councillor Mike Burton, the current Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, said: "It is a sad loss to the council and a sad loss to the family.

"All our sympathy goes to his family and friends."

Further tributes

Details of Councillor Colebrook's funeral service and further tributes will appear in the Grimsby Telegraph.

If you wish to pay your tribute, please comment on this story at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk or e-mail newsdesk@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

For more local tributes, log on to www.thisisannouncements.co.uk. Family announcements can also be read from page 26 of today's paper.

End of an era as former mayor John Colebrook passes away

THE idea of a world drowned and lost forever under the cold, murky depths of water is one many will find as eerie as it is fascinating.

Most will remember watching in horror as the jaws of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami swallowed homes whole, caused chaos as cars crashed on top of roofs, the unnatural sight of drowned animals, horses and cattle slumped in trees.

It was a terrifying reminder that the land, and everyone on it, is simply no match for the sheer force of the sea – a painful stab in our basic survival instinct that we cannot survive underwater and are dependent on air to live.

Perhaps this is why underwater worlds have been at the heart of myths and legends for centuries – from the sunken city of Atlantis to the Little Mermaid's home of Atlantica.

And fascinating as it is, few locals know that evidence exists of Cleethorpes' own Atlantis – a "lost forest" engulfed in the cold North Sea.

Starting at the toe of the Wonderland groyne, the stumps of a sunken forest stretch the length of the coastal plain and are believed to date back to 2000 BC, suggesting the resort's golden sands were once home to rich green oak, birch and alder.

And flint hand axes and tools found around the site suggest that once Stone Age men wandered this land, foraging for their families.

Local conservationist Robert Palmer came across a flint hand axe in the 1970s, close to what is now Suggitts Lane slipway.

Catalogued by the Lincoln Museum as a Neolithic hand axe – a period of time which relates to the development of human technology – his discovery was one he will never forget.

He said: "I couldn't believe it. It is one of those things you just don't expect to find. I stared at it and thought, the last time a person had this in their hand was thousands of years ago.

"It is probably worthless, but that was never the point. For me it was being able to hold a part of our history. It would have been very interesting to meet the chap who held it before me."

Little is known about the forest, although North East Lincolnshire Council's archaeology team will investigate the site next year.

What is known is that when the trees grew, they were probably 20ft above sea level – but during the last four millennia the relative levels of land and sea have varied.

The fact that they are bedded in peat and are continuously under water – apart from at low tide – has preserved them.

According to the Rapid Coastal Zone Assesment Survey of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire (RCZAYL), five Bronze Age stone axe hammers – one of which recorded a radiocarbon date of c1400 BC – have been discovered there.

Similar remnants have been found up and down the Humber – an area which would have been highly attractive to traders and settlers – suggesting the sunken forest settlement continued to thrive throughout the Bronze Age.

In 1954, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Sheffield, Councillor and Mrs OS Holmes, visited Cleethorpes, during which they waded out to the forest and sawed off part of a tree.

It is thought this was turned into a chest that is still in Cleethorpes Town Hall. Artefacts also pop up in antique shops around the resort.

But how this once luscious green space became submerged is what fascinates local amateur historians and enthusiasts the most.

While some believe it was down to the ever changing shape of the River Humber, others speculate they are evidence of Doggerland, a huge area of prehistoric land that was swallowed up by the North Sea between 18,000 BC and 5,500 BC.

And although the dates suggest Cleethorpes' sunken forest came after this, the idea we have remnants of this mysterious land that once attached Britain to the rest of Europe on our doorstep is quite appealing.

Local blogger, known only as Kate, said: "Now the word you want is Doggerland. If anyone has relatives who fished the Dogger Bank area during Grimsby's glory days, I'm sure they can tell tales of ancient logs and even stone tools and the bones and teeth of extinct mammals dredged up by trawler nets."

Scientists believe Doggerland was home to tens of thousands of people and animals before it disappeared under water and they have recovered the fossilised remains of a mammoth and human burial ground from the seabed.

It would have been a land with hills and valleys, large swamps, lakes and rivers, lost forever following a series of dramatic events – including a terrifying tsunami.

But no matter how these eerie stumps of Cleethorpes came to be underwater, they are fascinating evidence of a world we will never know.

That once, men with bare feet roamed these forgotten woods, foraging for their families, protecting their tribe. A simple time fraught with danger.

It is hard to imagine but when the tide washes over to reveal these unassuming tree stumps, it is even harder to forget.

Did you know about Cleethorpes' very own Atlantis?

MORE than 20 children received a special surprise on Christmas Day, when they opened the door to find Mr and Mrs Claus on their doorstep.

Excited youngsters from Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Healing to Stallingborough couldn't believe Santa had visited them personally to deliver a Forgotten Present by hand.

Mrs Claus – aka Julie Baker, 40 – and Mr Claus – aka her dad, Chris Kuhlman, 61 – visited houses from 8.30am until 5pm and said that the children were "gob-smacked" to see them.

She said: "My dad had the idea about handing out gifts to children because he looks like Santa.

"We work in a burger van during the week and gave out leaflets to get the word around about our idea.

"We had a great response, with 21 parents wanting us to attend on the big day.

"We were then CRB checked and parents saved their child's main Christmas present for us to present to them on the day.

"We knocked on the door and Santa told the children he had fallen off the roof and forgotten their present, so he had come back to bring it round for them.

"It was amazing – and the shocked children's faces were unreal."

Julie added that it not only brought back the festive spirit for children across North East Lincolnshire, but for herself too.

She said: "It has brought back the spirit in myself – it was magical. And hopefully I will get the chance to do it next year.

"It went down a storm and parents had tears in their eyes when we visited because it was a special moment."

The duo phoned parents minutes before they were due to deliver, and Mr and Mrs Claus even spent ten minutes with the lucky children while they opened their present – which ranged from televisions to a Nintendo DS.

Julie added: "Some children were a little shy and needed encouragement to open their present – but most of them were ripping it open and had a picture taken with us.

"They will hopefully be sharing their stories about what happened with their friends to spread the Christmas spirit."

Julie said it was "special" spending Christmas with her dad, and even though they had a busy schedule – they managed to eat Christmas dinner.

"We quickly got out of our outfits, pulled a few crackers and then we dashed out again," Julie said.

"It was the most unusual, but wonderful Christmas I have ever had."

Mr and Mrs Claus surprise youngsters with Christmas Day visits

QUESTIONS are being asked about the council's "zero tolerance" approach to dog fouling after just £100 was collected in fines in the eight months since the policy was reintroduced.

The figure – which equates to two fixed penalty notices – has appalled Liberal Democrat councillors who called for the crackdown back in February. They say it is proof that the Labour administration is not taking the issue seriously.

However, North East Lincolnshire Council leader Chris Shaw said the lack of fines being issued was down to members of the public not reporting incidents of dog fouling.

He said: "We have a zero tolerance policy and when we catch people, we fine them. But we need residents to report those who are responsible. We cannot have enforcement officers standing on every street corner 24/7."

As reported, the "zero tolerance" policy towards littering and dog fouling was reintroduced in April after being included as an amendment to the authority's 2012-13 budget.

A "zero-tolerance" policy had been pursued by the ruling Liberal Democrat administration, but this was relaxed when Labour took control in 2011.

Proposed again by the Lib-Dems in February, the amendment limited staff cuts to the council's Community Pride service to eight-and-a-half full-time posts rather than ten.

It was agreed that the resulting £45,000 shortfall in the budget would be met by £20,000 being cut from ward funding and the £25,000 from extra income from fixed penalty notices resulting from the crackdown.

Speaking at February's budget-setting meeting, Liberal Democrat group leader Andrew De Freitas said that the council had collected just £3,000 in fines in the 2011-12 financial year, compared to £21,000 the previous year.

However, so far this year, just £1,037 has been collected in fines – £937 for littering and £100 for dog fouling.

Councillor De Freitas (Lib Dem, Park) said: "I have noticed that in various parts of the borough dog fouling is very much on the increase, but this council appears to be treating it as a low priority.

"To collect just £100 for dog fouling is ridiculous. That's only a couple of offences. The general public are complaining about this but the council appears to be fairly relaxed about it. I think that is a backward step.

"Dog fouling is not good for the environment and it is very damaging for the image of the area."

Councillor Steve Beasant (Lib Dem, East Marsh) said: "I am absolutely appalled by that figure. The zero tolerance approach has just not materialised. If it had we would be seeing £20,000 to £30,000 in fixed penalty notices.

"At every residents' meeting I go to in the ward, dog fouling is the main issue that comes up time and again, and the second issue is littering and fly tipping.

"People are absolutely fed up to the back teeth with it. They have to walk through it day in, day out and they want some action from this council, not just mealy-mouthed words from Councillor Shaw and his colleagues."

Councillor Shaw (Lab, Sidney Sussex) said:"Dog fouling is still an issue and we are doing what we can to deal with it, but even if we had hundreds of enforcement officers there would still be dog fouling.

"I think the Lib Dems want enforcement officers standing on every street corner 24/7. It is not going to happen. Every year since 2009 there has been a reduction in the number of enforcement officers. When are opposition members of this council going to understand that their government is cutting budgets for services that are not statutory?"

He added the current approach was less draconian than it had been under the Lib Dems.

"Where members of the public are caught dog fouling or littering, they are first asked to put right what they have done. If they refuse they get a fine.

"We are not going to go back to how it was under the Lib Dems when you had enforcement officers hiding in doorways on Victoria Street waiting to catch a granny who drops a toffee paper."

Conservative group leader Keith Brookes (Con, Haverstoe) said: "As a group, we take the matter of dog fouling seriously. It is a nasty thing to find on the streets and it is a health hazard, particularly to young children. That is why three years ago we put forward an amendment to the budget for three Fido machines to be bought to clean the streets and parks of the borough. However, two of those were never bought and the other one is rarely used.

"Just like the Lib Dems we are annoyed that the problem does not seem to be taken seriously, when it is an issue that is regularly brought up by residents at community forums."

What do you think?

Have your say on the issue by commenting on this story at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk or e-mailing viewpoint@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk.

Only £100 in fines collected for dog fouling offences since council's crackdown began

Morale low at Grimsby factory because of staff's 'uncertain future'