THE number of people arrested for drink-driving during Humberside Police's annual Christmas crackdown rose slightly.

812 in A Division – covering Grimsby and Cleethorpes – were breath tested in November and December and 35 blew positive, refused the test or failed to provide a specimen.

That means 4 per cent tested were arrested for drink-driving, compared to 3.9 per cent in 2011.

Officers tested all people in collisions, as well as those who were stopped for other offences, such as using mobile phones or driving with faults.

PC Barry Gardner, Humberside Police casualty reduction officer, pictured below, said:

"Although the total number of people tested this year fell slightly, the percentage of those who were arrested stayed almost the same, showing people are still drink-driving.

"It is a positive thing that we caught and dealt with 35 offending drivers, but the negative is that these drivers were willing to gamble their own and other people's safety by getting behind the wheel having drunk alcohol."

Of those arrested for drinking and driving, 7 per cent had been in collisions – compared to 5.4 per cent tested after collisions in 2011.

The total number of collisions recorded during the campaign period also increased, from 69 in 2011 to 94.

PC Gardner said the most alarming figures were drivers under 25.

In 2011, 235 under 25s were tested and 14 of them were arrested on suspicion of drink-driving. In 2012, eight were arrested out of 158 who were tested – meaning the percentage of under 25s arrested for drink driving almost stayed the same.

PC Gardner said: "Drivers aged 17 to 25 are already at far higher risk of being involved in a collision.

"By adding drink, their vulnerability becomes a potentially deadly cocktail."

He stressed officers target drink-drivers 365 days of the year – with emphasis on Christmas because of an increased risk of drinking and driving.

"The police will continue to pursue offenders who ignore the drink-drive laws. This offence is something that we are looking for every day of the year."Alcohol is a depressant, any amount will affect the way in which a driver controls a vehicle. I would urge every driver to avoid the gamble and remain alcohol free in 2013."

There has already been a high-profile arrest for drink-driving this year. 79-year-old Mary Horsley killed in East Halton in a collision involving a suspected drink-driver on Tuesday night.

To report anyone, call police on 101.

A MAN who was turned away from a council tip has slammed the "petty bureaucracy" which he claims will result in a surge in fly-tipping.

Martin Shaw, 48, of Isaac's Hill, Cleethorpes, said he was told by staff at the Grimsby site on Pyewipe Industrial Estate that they could not accept his rubbish because he had brought it in a van.

When Mr Shaw, who had transported 15 bags containing household waste built up over the festive period, as well as an internal wall he demolished, phoned up the council to complain, he was told that only three bags could be deposited per visit.

However, staff had refused to take any of his rubbish, which is now being stored in his back yard.

The self-employed painter and decorator said: "I am absolutely fuming. This is just stupidity. What is the point of having a dump if you can't take household waste to it? No wonder fly-tipping is going on.

"When I rang the council the lady asked if they had taken three bags. I said no. It looks like the staff don't even know what the rules are.

"I feel we are paying through the nose in council tax and getting nothing in return. If I ran my business like the council I wouldn't get any customers."

However, the council said that Mr Shaw had not been allowed to leave the rubbish because he had brought it in a commercial vehicle.

Councillor Peter Wheatley, the portfolio holder for environment and regeneration, said: "The council cannot accept waste and recyclable materials from businesses – this waste is classified as commercial waste.

"Instead, they need to deal with private companies who specialise in this service. Businesses need to keep accurate records and copies of waste transfer documentation to be able to demonstrate that they have done this or potentially be liable to prosecution.

"However, residents who are not operating commercially can bring their own household demolition and construction waste to our sites. But in order to reduce the amount of this waste we manage, we only accept it in small quantities and only when it is brought in the boot of a car.

"If residents do have larger quantities of this type of waste material, we advise that they hire a skip from a reputable waste management company or arrange to take the waste directly to them."

PARKOUR lovers will be running free before long thanks to a flipping fantastic £57,000 facility to be built on the West Marsh.

Builders will start work on a new training park at the Duke Of York Gardens in the first two weeks of next month, which will allow local young people to take their skills to the next level.

As revealed last week, the park will include concrete obstacles, railings, wooden posts – and all on rubber matting with woodchip to make training safer.

It will be funded by £40,000 from not-for-profit funding scheme Waste Recycling Environmental Limited (WREN); £10,000 from Humberside Police and £7,000 from North East Lincolnshire Council.

When the project is complete, Team Reality – a group of Parkour enthusiasts who run coaching sessions – have agreed to run two free sessions every week.

Team Reality managing Director Neil Hutson, 22, said: "We have actually designed the facility so it is based on our needs and will revolutionise the way that people from this area train.

"Young people train inside at the moment but Parkour is designed to be an outside sport so we can get back to its roots."

Jake Harris, 21, also a Team Reality coach, said: "There is only so much you can teach people indoors but this will allow us to take the people we coach to the next level."

Parkour, or "free-running", is the newest urban sport to sweep Europe – getting from one point to the next as fast as possible, tackling obstacles as you go.

Yet until now, young people of Grimsby and Cleethorpes have had to make do with public benches, railings and whatever else they can find to train on.

Mr Hutson said that people often call the police when they are training, mistakenly thinking that they are vandalising property and endangering themselves.

However, Adam Johnston, NELC's health promotion programme co-ordinator for sport and physical activity for the specialist health promotion service, hopes this will change the public perception.

He said: "It will actually reduce antisocial behaviour by giving people somewhere to train in a safe environment, engaging in a positive activity.

"They are not vandals and it is not in their interest to break the equipment that they train on, but the new facility is robust and built to last.

"Team Reality are a group of young people who have been doing their sport for seven years and engage with 150 to 200 young people a month as positive role models."

Mr Hutson added: "Often people call the police and we get moved on, even though we are not doing anything else.

"Now we have a purpose-built facility it means that those young people who see videos on Youtube will have somewhere safe to learn, with proper training, rather than trying it out with no knowledge and potentially injuring themselves."

Visit www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk to see videos of Team Reality's mad moves.

THE Met Office has predicted snow this evening and advised drivers to be weary of icy stretches on the roads in Lincolnshire.
Today, a band of snow coming in from the west is likely to hit the region this evening, with sleet and snow showers across Lincolnshire and 2-3cm settling in places, according to the Met Office.
Areas in the Lincolnshire Wolds have reportedly already seen light snow showers overnight, although little has settled on the ground.
And in a warning issued at 5.39am today, drivers were warned to take care on the roads.
A Met Office spokesperson said: "The public should be aware that icy stretches are likely to form on untreated surfaces, giving difficult driving conditions."
Tomorrow, the Met Office has warned that most of the country will see snow in the early morning which will slow down in in late morning, then intensify again later in the day.
Keep checking www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk for more updates on the weather.

THREE penalties, six bookings, two goals – and that was just the first half of a remarkable FA Trophy clash.

True, the second period didn't quite match up, with just the Mariners' winning goal and four more yellow cards to report.

But it was certainly a long way from the drab cup battle against lower league opposition that could have been expected on a freezing January afternoon in East London.

The hosts are chasing Conference South promotion and went into the clash on the back of ten successive wins in league and cup.

Hence the Third Round encounter was never going to be an easy task for Rob Scott and Paul Hurst's men.

And so it proved as Jamie Day's side gave as good as they got, hitting the woodwork twice and forcing Town keeper James McKeown into a series of excellent saves.

That said, the Mariners missed a penalty and, over the course of the 90 minutes, did what they had to – remain professional and win the game.

Any thoughts of easing new signing Ross Hannah back on the substitutes' bench were dismissed at 2.15pm as the team-sheet arrived with the striker's name in the starting line-up.

The unfortunate Andy Cook was the man to make way, with Richard Brodie partnering Town's new signing up front.

Another loan ranger, Jamie Devitt was also in, as Joe Colbeck dropped to the bench, and Shaun Pearson returned at centre-half to face former Mariner Kiernan Hughes-Mason.

Welling gave their visitors a wake-up call in the fifth minute as Jack Oberstellar's inswinging free-kick evaded everyone and cannoned back off McKeown's right-hand post.

Hannah had a low drive blocked in the area moments later as Town responded.

But the prolific striker had an even better chance, from the spot, in the tenth minute after home defender Anthony Acheampong needlessly handled a corner from the right.

The Wings man was booked for his indiscretion, under pressure from Pearson, and Hannah – looking for a dream start to his second debut – seemed destined to net his tenth Mariners goal.

However, the forward blasted his low effort off the bottom of the post and the Welling supporters celebrated the miss.

The Conference South title chasers were buoyed and flashed two efforts over the Town bar from the edge of the box – including one excellent volley from Fraser Franks.

Both sides were intent on avoiding a replay tomorrow evening, and it was an open contest with plenty of attacking play to enjoy.

In the 23rd minute, Hannah had a chance to atone for his spot-kick miss as Devitt cut the ball back 15 yards out, but the frontman sliced his effort over.

The striker and his team-mates were made to pay two minutes later when a clumsy challenge from Pearson on Ross Lafayette encouraged the Welling man to take a tumble in the area.

Referee Nicholas Kinseley immediately evened things up, pointing to the spot and booking Pearson. Joe Healy calmly side-footed the ball home to put the hosts ahead.

Amazingly, the third penalty of the half followed on the half hour as Devitt had his legs taken from under him by Loui Fazakerley. Once again a spot-kick and yellow card was the result. Devitt picked himself up to grab the ball from Brodie, place it and guide it into the bottom corner past Sam Mott.

Lafayette smashed a speculative left-footer wide in the 35th minute as the entertainment continued, before Fazakerley tested McKeown with a bobbling drive from 20 yards.

Brodie and Scott Kinch then went head-to-head, literally, and became the fourth and fifth players into the referee's notebook as a result.

There were appeals for a fourth penalty three minutes before the break when Brodie and co thought they had seen a handball in the home box. But Kinseley decided things were getting silly and finally waved one away.

Kurtis Guthrie was the next to be booked, for a late challenge on Bradley Wood after the Town left-back cleared superbly under pressure.

Derek Niven then planted a shot down Mott's throat from distance and Pearson was pole-axed by a shot from Lafayette as a remarkable half drew to a close.

From the restart, Town put together a flowing move as Marcus Marshall, Sam Hatton and Hannah linked up well to allow the marauding right-back to fire over.

Kinch looped an effort onto the top of McKeown's bar, before the stopper parried Lee Clarke's fierce effort away and then watched Acheampong's header fly over from the corner.

Disley – and the 200 or so Town fans in attendance – thought they were in front when his volley was deflected wide of the post. However, the Mariners' second goal did follow.

Ian Miller recycled a corner well at the far post and after his centre-back partner Pearson picked up the pieces, his lay back to the edge of the box was arrowed home superbly by Marshall.

The hosts responded, and Town were indebted to McKeown for fine saves from Kinch and Clarke before Franks thrashed another effort over the bar on the hour.

Joe Colbeck replaced a tiring Devitt as the visitors looked for an all-important third goal. But it was Guthrie who had the next effort – McKeown saving well again, low down.

Hannah picked up a booking for a forward's challenge before the hosts' manager, and second half sub, Day sliced a decent opportunity a yard too high.

It was four bookings-apiece when Wood joined the list for a typically robust challenge and Welling had more penalty shouts – albeit unsuccessful – before Day was the ninth booked.

All the pressure was coming from the hosts, but the Mariners were comfortable, although booking number ten arrived when McKeown was punished for running down the clock.

Cook replaced Brodie for the last ten and saw the ball taken off his foot by Mott after muscling his way past two defenders. And the striker was close to poking home Colbeck's low cross following an excellent run by the winger.

The hosts had run out of steam, however, and Town were heading into the quarter-finals after a bruising, but entertaining, encounter against their lower league hosts.

AN EASTENDERS star is the latest celebrity to join the cast of the Rocky Horror Show when it comes to Grimsby.

Sam Attwater, who plays Leon Small in the soap, will be taking on the role of Brad in the hilarious and sexy musical.

He will be joined by Roxanne Pallett, playing Janet, Philip Franks as the narrator and Oliver Thornton.

Oliver is a West End star, who has appeared in Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, Phantom Of The Opera, Les Miserables, Chicago and Starlight Express. He will follow in the footsteps of Tim Curry when he stars as the lead character of Frank 'n' Furter.

Since its first appearance at the Royal Court Theatre, in June 1973, Richard O'Brien's famous musical has become one of the world's favourites.

It has been performed worldwide for nearly 40 years, in more than 30 countries on every continent, and has been translated into more than 20 languages.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary, Christopher Luscombe created a new production for a year-long UK national adventure, taking in Grimsby Auditorium in March.

The character of squeaky-clean Janet will be played by former Emmerdale actress Roxanne, and people will recognise Philip Franks from The Darling Buds Of May. Featuring famous musical classics, including Dammit Janet and floor-filler The Time Warp, it is a theatrical adventure you will never forget.

But be warned – there are some naughty moments!

It will visit Grimsby from Monday, March 18 to Saturday, March 23, with matinees, too.

To book seats, and for ticket price information, visit www.atgtickets.com/rockyhorror or call 0844 871 3016.

VISITORS to the Beacon Hill Allotments, in Cleethorpes, had stars in their eyes – quite literally – at the weekend.

Cleethorpes and District Astronomical Society hosted a series of open events at their observatory as part of the BBC's third annual Stargazing Live TV shows.

Curious members of the public looked to the stars and found out more about our solar system thanks to the local experts on hand to guide them.

The society, which was founded in 1969, has its own lecture room at the allotments and an observatory containing a 16in Newtonian/Cassegrain telescope.

Member Michael Brightmore, who presented the evenings, said: "When the sky is clearer, you can see the planet Jupiter, which just looks like a bright star with the naked eye.

"With our telescope, you can see the planet's red spot and the four moons which orbit it. Because we are rotating, throughout the year you can see different star constellations; it constantly changes.

"Orion's Belt is beautiful to see. It is very easily recognisable in a straight line. Also there is a visible Orion Nebular, which is a cloud of hydrogen gas."

Mr Brightmore is fascinated by the night sky "because you are looking back in time".

"It makes you realise you are part of the universe and it is amazing to see stars and planets which are more than 66,000 miles away," he said.

Millie Codd, 10, of Cleethorpes, has a telescope at home and came to the event with her grandmother Andrea Codd to find out more about stargazing.

Millie said: "I have had my telescope for about a year and now I want to learn the names of stars.

"I can't wait to tell my friends the names of stars because, when they came over once, we saw a really bright star shining and we didn't know what it was called."

Erica Grigs, 22, of Waltham, attended with her partner Nick Taylor.

She said: "We have been watching Stargazing Live on the TV and decided to find out more about the night sky.

"I don't know the names of constellations, and I only have basic knowledge of planets from my GCSEs, so I'm hoping to widen my awareness."

Sue Campbell, of Grimsby, teaches on the Duke Of Edinburgh Award Scheme. She plans to pass on her newly-acquired astronomical information onto the young people she mentors.

"I can't wait to show them some of the fascinating sights which light up our sky," she said.

Get involved

If you are interested in stargazing, find out more about the Cleethorpes and District Astronomical Society by visiting www.cleethorpesastronomy.org.uk or call president Barrie Watts (weekdays only) on 01507 363381. The next talk at the society is on Wednesday, February 6.

A FORMER England and Grimsby Town footballer is giving a talk about his sporting career.

European Cup winner and former Grimsby Town favourite Garry Birtles will speak at the Old Clee Club, in Clee Crescent, Grimsby, on Thursday, February 7.

Superstar Garry, who played as a forward between the 1970s and 1990s, is best known for his time at Nottingham Forest during which he won the 1979 and 1980 European Cup Finals.

He was also capped three times by England and played for Manchester United.

David Morris, chairman of the Old Clee Club, said: "He will be very interesting for all football fans because he will have plenty of stories about his time with Nottingham Forest when he won the European Cup.

"He then went to play for Man United and also played for England and even Grimsby Town signed him.

"He was soon a favourite with Grimsby and he still follows town by looking out for their results."

David said that the event has already gained a lot of interest.

"I have spoken to ex Grimsby Town players who are interested and I think it will be a good night out," he said.

"We did a similar night back in October when Tommy Docherty came and it was a fantastic evening."

Tickets cost £15, including pie and peas. To book, call 01472 291443 or 07824 885460.

THE Bishop of Grimsby has thanked the people of North East Lincolnshire for the "privilege" of working with them.

The Right Reverend David Rossdale paid special tribute to residents as he gave his last service in the post before retiring.

The service, at Grimsby Minster, was dedicated to all of the people he has worked with since becoming the bishop in the summer of 2000.

He said: "It was an opportunity to amass the people who I have been working with to thank them and thank God for their help with all the work we have done in this happy and vibrant community.

"People here have proven to be very resourceful, adapting to the huge changes that the church has endured over the past decade – as it should, in line with how much people's lives have changed.

"The local and wider economy has shifted hugely since I became bishop, so the church and all the people within it have also changed, but the faith we show and the help we offer remains constant."

Bishop Rossdale was instrumental in having the historic St James' Church being given the honorary title of Grimsby Minster in 2010.

He is also well-known for his work with the Diocesan Board of Education, shaping the church's role in education across the Diocese of Lincoln.

The Reverend Andrew Dodd, the priest in charge of Grimsby Minster and who was appointed by Bishop David, said the popular figure would be "sorely missed" by the local Christian community.

"He has always been very supportive of this church," he said.

"Bishop Rossdale has done a great deal of work raising the profile of the area and celebrating education here in Grimsby, for which we all thank him."

Church warden Chris Daniel added: "We thank him and thank God for all his service to this church and this area over the years.

"He has supported this church when it needed him the most, particularly when we didn't have a lead priest for a year. And then he appointed the Reverend Dodd, with whom we are all very happy with."

Bishop David, who celebrates his 60th birthday this year, has also held responsibility for appointments, pastoral care and development of clergy in the northern half of the Lincoln Diocese.

He has been responsible for 376 parishes stretching from Newton-on-Trent in the west to near Skegness in the south – a congregation spread over 1,300 square miles.

Aside from his religious duties, he played a key role in raising funds for Grimsby's The Blue Cross Animal Hospital.

He will continue as an assistant bishop in the diocese and he will be moving to his new home in the Spilsby area with his wife Karen.

THEY say that many hands make light work, so roll up your sleeves and help make Cleethorpes Carnival the success of years gone by.

The carnival committee and its partner, Youngs Seafood Limited, wants volunteers to join them in making the return of the carnival the biggest and best yet.

They are appealing for help from people in various areas of expertise – from haulage companies to costume designers, scaffolders to insurance workers – and all are invited to the official launch on Monday, February 4, at Cleethorpes Memorial Hall.

Parade committee member Leanor Pidgen, pictured, is positive this year's parade through the resort could be the best yet.

She said: "To make the carnival the best it can be, we need the support and help of people who specialise in certain areas, whether they are retired, have a bit of spare time or just want to do their bit.

"We need people who can offer services or just give advice about all the things paraders may come up against, from float building to help getting their insurance sorted."

Young's Seafood stepped in to save the carnival, which was cancelled this year when North East Lincolnshire withdrew funding from the £30,000 event last year.

It has been a calendar highlight for the resort since it started in 1976 and last year brought 25,000 people into the resort and raised thousands of pounds for the local economy.

Leanor continued: "Young's wanted to get involved with us as a way of giving something back to the community. We are thrilled they have saved the carnival, it is returning once more and will be a legacy to the resort."

Laura Mummery, executive assistant for Young's Seafood's chief executive Leendert den Hollander, said: "We are really looking forward to this summer's Cleethorpes Carnival.

"The launch event is a crucial part of its organisation and we encourage anyone who would like to be a part of this to come along.

"We're excited about working with the community to make this year's Cleethorpes Carnival a fun-filled day out for all the family."

If you think you can help, go to the official launch on Monday, February 4, at Cleethorpes Memorial Hall at 6.30pm – see your Grimsby Telegraph for coverage.

And log onto www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk to view some videos of carnival parades gone by.

VOLUNTEERS trying to improve Sidney Park in Cleethorpes have vowed not to be deterred after the first tree they planted was stolen.

The Sidney Park Friends group was set up just two months ago and they have already got their hands dirty by planting a three foot tall foxglove tree, donated by a nearby resident.

They had hoped it would add a burst of lilac to the park during the summer months but when they returned to the park after the new year, they found that the tree had disappeared.

Chairman Nicola Hocknell said: "It is upsetting because it was the first thing we planted and we were really looking forward to seeing the flowers blossom.

"Someone went to the trouble of donating it from their own back garden so we were quite shocked that it was stolen.

"At first we thought that perhaps the council had taken it away by mistake."

Nicola told how her daughter, nine-year-old Jessica, who had helped to plant the tree, was "very upset" to see it gone.

"She was searching all over the park, raking through mud and twigs to see if it had been dumped," Nicola added.

The group of dedicated volunteers, however, will not be deterred from improving the park – and have asked the public to do their bit.

She said: "We have always been aware that vandalism has been a problem but we won't let that, this theft, or anything else stop us from making this park better for the people in this area.

"Residents can do their bit by simply reporting anything they see either to the council or the police – and anyone who wants to help our group would be most welcome."

Marina Gunn, who donated the foxglove tree, is giving more specimens to the group, which will be planted all over the park – although they will be much younger and take longer to grow.

Members are also planning to plant a community garden in the largest flower bed in the park, which will allow the community to grow herbs and vegetables.

The produce will either be eaten by local people or sold to raise money for charity.

Five members of the group will be visiting the team behind the Incredible Edible Todmorden project – a similar successful scheme in West Yorkshire – to take advice about setting up the garden.

Nicola said: "The theft of the foxglove tree is just one negative among many positives, and we have had much community support. We think we can really improve this park.

"Children joined in when we were digging the soil, local company Newlincs donated some soil conditioner and one member of the public donated £20 to us in passing – people are really getting behind us."

To report a crime or vandalism in Sidney Park, call North East Lincolnshire Council on 01472 313131 or Humberside Police on 101.

If you would like to join the Sidney Park Friends group, contact Mr Brown on 07760 168698 or e-mail Nicola at nicolahocknell@live.co.uk.

To follow the progress of the group, find them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter – @ CleeSidneyPark, and keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph.