WATER levels on Sunday were at the highest in Louth seen since the 2007 floods.
The thawing of snow combined with rain saw flooding reports across East Lindsey.
In Louth, the town's volunteer flood warden, Darren Hobson, was at the scene of the River Lud from 1am Sunday morning.
He said: "It was certainly the highest it's been since 2007 but luckily no properties were flooded. The water levels have now dropped down to a more normal level.
"There was some confusion with residents saying they had not been warned about the flood alert.
"At 1am on Sunday morning, there was a flood warning for the River Lud specifically as a particular watercourse.
"The Environment agency then issued a Flood Alert, which is a lower level, which covered a much wider area including Louth Canal as it flowed out towards Louth.
"I would advise anyone concerned about flooding to sign up for flood warnings."
Darren was also providing live updates from the scene through his Facebook page.
Ten members of the Lincolnshire Community Assistant team volunteered with eight of their 4x4 vehicles to deliver sandbags to people living in the vicinity of Louth Canal.
There was also flooding in Hubbards Hills and parts of the A16 near Utterby were flooded.

SPECIAL services will be held across the Lincolnshire coast to mark the 60th anniversary of the devastating floods.
Tomorrow, January 31 marks 60 years since the Great Flood in which 42 people died.
A number of special services are being held along the coast, including a wave of prayer at churches throughout Thursday afternoon.
The wave will start at Mablethorpe at 2.30pm, Ingoldmells at 4.30pm and the tolling of church bells at 6pm, with a service in Skegness led by the Bishop of Lincoln at 6pm. 
A special memorial rock will be unveiled in Mablethorpe tomorrow (Thursday) bearing the names of the Lincolnshire people who lost their lives.
The rock will be by the skate part on North Parade.
Last weekend, the Meridale Centre in Sutton on Sea hosted a special exhibition of the 1953 flood disaster.
The exhibition on Sutton on Sea and Mablethorpe included personal accounts, newspaper reports and audio reports and photos.
The services taking place are:

Mablethorpe

THE Dunes Complex, Central Promenade, 2pm: Poetry and music from local school children, an audio visual representation of the thoughts and memories of those present at the time of the disaster, prayers and the reading of the names of those who lost their lives.
A live stream of the dedication at the memorial rock will be fed back to the theatre.
The service and dedication will be led by Reverend Peter Lilley in the presence of the Mayor Councillor Joyce Taylor, former mayor Helen Parkhurst who contributed funds from the Mayor's charity fund 2010 which facilitated the placing of the memorial rock and leader of East Lindsey District Council, Councillor Doreen Stephenson.
Light refreshments will be available after.

Skegness

A MEMORIAL service for the people who lost their lives will be held at St Matthew's Church in Skegness at 6pm.
Organised by the chairman of Lincolnshire County Council, the service will be led by the Bishop of Lincoln, The Right Reverend Christopher Lowson.
Before the service, the Bishop will bless the sea defences at 5.30pm in Scarborough Parade.

Ingoldmells

THIRTEEEN residents of Ingoldmells died in the disaster on January 31, 1953, many of which are buried in the churchyard in Ingoldmells.
The chairman of Ingoldmells Parish Council John Arnott-Watson accompanied by Councillor Colin Davie, will lay a wreath at the plaque at Ingoldmells Church at 2.45pm on Thursday.
A civic reception will take place in the Royal Arthur Centre at 3.15pm prior to the Prayer Service at St Peter and Paul's Church, Ingoldmells. Church service at 4.30pm.

THE fire at Grimsby's Young's Seafood factory which broke out this morning, started in a fryer, it has been confirmed. Fire crews were called to the Humberstone Road site at 11.21am. At least six fully-crewed engines were on site at the height of the incident, during which all staff were evacuated and accounted for. Just after 12.30pm, firefighters attached about 300 metres of hosepipe to a hydrant in Cartledge Avenue, and it was confirmed at about 1.30pm that the fire was out and crews were damping down. It started in a fryer, which it is thought is capable of holding 200 litres of oil. It is not yet known what sparked it. A Colin Avenue resident said she could see fire engines outside the factory and could smell smoke. She described it as grey smoke, rather than black, and said the air was "hazy". "There are a lot of people standing around outside," she added. One of our reporters at the scene has been chatting to nearby residents. He said most of the smoke was being blown in the Cartledge Avenue direction by the wind. One woman he spoke to in Acklam Grove, Brenda Riley, said: "I thought I could smell burning, and then all the smoke came over. I could hear a lot of people talking, but I wasn't worried - it's nothing compared to the Birds Eye fire." Another resident, who did not wish to be named, added: "I could see lots of smoke and then I heard the fire engines driving past." Updates will appear here as they are available.

ANTHONY Elding got 90 minutes under his belt as Grimsby Town Reserves were well beaten by a strong Mansfield side this afternoon.

Louis Briscoe fired the Stags into the lead with a long range effort on 19 minutes, with Hutchinson doubling their advantage just five minutes later.

A second half own-goal by Blaize Kerr rounded off the victory for the visitors.

The Mariners' best chances fell to Greg Pearson but the first flew just wide and his second effort was well saved by the Stags keeper.
  
Grimsby Town: Fleming, Kerr, Ford, Cuff, Morrall, Griffin, Artus, Peers, Southwell, Pearson, Elding.  Subs: Walker, Smith, Bryant, Loughran, Humble.

MOST marriages go through the mill – but not all of them start there.

Wedding ceremonies can now be performed at the iconic Waltham Windmill – helping to secure the historic building's future.

Although not yet licensed to hold full legal civil ceremonies, humanist ceremonies can be performed inside the mill itself, or on the lawn outside.

The unique venue is part of Amy Lauren Wedding Design and Management's portfolio, a local company specialising in unique weddings.

Owner Amy Lauren, 24, said: "It is such a special place and totally unique and original. There is nowhere in the county like it.

"The photograph opportunities there are amazing, it is a gorgeous site for a wedding."

For every ceremony and reception held at the village landmark, part of the wedding payment will go towards preserving it.

It cost the Waltham Windmill Trust £38,000 this year to maintain the working mill.

Amy continued: "A large percentage will go back into the mill to help preserve the site.

"The preservation society does a lot of fundraising and this is a great opportunity for them.

"The weddings are going to help the community, not just the windmill.

"It is reviving its heritage, it adds spirit to the community and it will be really nice for people to see so many different, happy couples have their special day at the landmark."

Amy hasn't secured a licence for civil ceremonies, but is hopeful this will become possible by next year. Until then, humanist ceremonies where the marriage certificate is signed separately at Cleethorpes Town Hall, can take place.

Amy added: "Having a humanist ceremony means they can say their own vows and make it really personal."

She has been a wedding specialist for four years after training in London and has planned weddings in various locations across Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.

To preserve the unique nature of the wedding, Amy only plans to organise a limited number of windmill weddings a year.

Chairman of Waltham Windmill Trust, Peter Woodliff, said: "The windmill is a picturesque site and I am sure a wedding reception there would look rather nice.

"It is a commercial venture to keep money coming into the Trust and Waltham Windmill Preservation Society, which is what we are here to do."

To find out more about a wedding at the windmill, e-mail windmillweddings@live.co.uk or call 07515 171927.

Place your free Valentine's Day message in the Grimsby Telegraph by visiting www.thisisads.co.uk or calling 08444 060921.

More than 800 staff employed by the Care Plus Group – which provides adult health and social care across North East Lincolnshire – are in consultation over cuts to their pay and conditions.

In an exclusive interview, Grimsby Telegraph health reporter KATIE BLACKBURN speaks to Lance Gardner, chief executive of the organisation, as he reassures staff and patients about the proposed changes and explains why these cuts are needed.

Q Do you think the 28-day consultation process is a fair amount of time considering the cuts proposed?

A Some would have expected us to hold the standard 90-day consultation but, by law, we were not required to, as no job losses are planned.

These 28 days have been set out to look over everything proposed and give staff the chance to have their say.

There has been a high response from staff, which was to be expected. People are not happy – I am not happy about all this. There are a lot of mixed views over these proposals. Everyone understands why we have to do it, but not all agree with it. We have tried to protect jobs through all this. Our care to staff is paramount despite everything.

Q What happens next after the consultation period ends on Monday, February 4?

A Senior management will get together for a couple of days and look over all the feedback from staff and members of the Unite union.

We will asses all the areas proposed to see if there are things we can do in a different way, taking into consideration what staff have said.

If in agreement, we will look to start enforcing the proposals from June 1. Changes made will be staggered over the year.

Q How are you reassuring your staff over these planned changes?

A We sent out a letter to all staff announcing these proposals at the beginning of the month.

Since then, regular meetings have been held where they can hear from myself and Unite, one-on-one sessions have taken place and pages on our staff website have been created giving them plenty of information.

There has been a good response to all of this. We log all questions and have been very open and transparent.

What we want to stress is there are no cuts to staff's basic wages.

Q In addition to staff, how are you reassuring your patients, who may fear their care could be put at risk?

A We deliver a quality service – the best in the area – and I don't want to compromise that.

I do not understand how providing the same number of services and the same number of staff will impact on care. We would not let that happen.

There is a lot of goodwill here. Our staff go that extra mile for their patients and have a passion for caring. They would not want to see them suffer. I do not want to take our goodwill for granted.

Q The Care Plus Group was only formed in July 2011 and it seems cuts have been ongoing since. How has this affected the organisation?

A When we planned to become a social enterprise, we had no idea these would be the type of cuts needed for us to carry on providing a high quality service.

National funding reductions and an increase in general costs due to inflation, have left us with no choice but to make drastic changes.

What people forget is that half our work is for the council and not all NHS focused. Cuts are being made in these services, too, so it is tough for us all.

Since we set up 18 months ago, we have made £1.6 million worth of savings.

Luckily, we have done the majority of this through our efficiency savings, such as selling off estates.

However, we have nearly exhausted this and what we can still save is not satisfactory.

That is why we took the difficult decision to alter staff's terms and conditions.

We have another £800,000 to £1 million worth of savings to come this financial year.

We are trained to put plans in place to save future services and to save the jobs of our staff.

Q It has been announced that more cuts will happen in future years. Can you guarantee jobs will still be safe?

A I can not make any promises at this early stage. We can only deal with what we have in front of us now.

I promised staff I would not come to them regarding cutbacks unless it was completely necessary and as a means to protect jobs.

I believe I have stuck to that promise but I will soon run out of other options if this continues.

Q Unite said you are trying to "railroad" through these changes to their members' contracts. What is your response to this?

A Unite is doing the best it can to protect its members during this difficult time.

I have great respect for it and we work closely together.

Q These cuts aside, how do you think your organisation is doing?

A Our performance is the best around.

Despite already saving £1.6 million, we are doing more work and seeing more patients.

During Christmas for example, we did not shut. Our service is constant and that will not change.

Whoever needs care in the community will get it.

On Thursday, January 24, we recorded 11,115 patients across North East Lincolnshire were currently being dealt with by our staff, for various reasons.

We are looking in the future to work in partnership with similar organisations to see how we can keep costs down while maintaining a quality service.

QUESTIONS have been asked about Government plans to improve flood defences – as a minister visited the area on the 60th anniversary of the 1953 floods.

Richard Benyon, the under-secretary for natural environment, water and rural affairs, addressed a conference in Barton yesterday.

He talked about the 1953 tidal surge which breached the east coast's flood defences, killed 46,000 livestock, devastated 116,000 acres of farmland and cost 42 lives in Lincolnshire and 307 in Britain overall.

And reassurances were given that the emergency services would be "well-prepared" if it were to happen today.

While making clear that we "cannot afford to be complacent" about flooding, Mr Benyon also talked at length about extensive flood warning and evacuation plans which have since been put in place.

He talked of the need to "continue to invest in value-for-money flood defences and sustainable solutions", and suggested that local authorities and communities could embark on joint funding initiatives.

Mr Benyon told the Telegraph: "Things are difficult with our economy, but there has been a huge interest in partnership funding schemes, allowing local communities to back forward plans for their own preparations."

North East Lincolnshire Council leader Chris Shaw said he was keen to work with the Environment Agency and Government to improve flood defences which is necessary to "bring the area forward".

However, he criticised the plan at a time when NELC face having to take an 8.8 per cent cut in central funding from Mr Benyon's Conservative-led coalition Government.

"I always welcome the chance to work with the Government but, with one breath, they announce drastic cuts to our budget and with the next, they tell us we can help to fund our own improvements," he said.

Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers said the flooding issue highlighted the extortionate price of home insurance in his constituency – something he has questioned Mr Benyon about privately and in Parliament.

"Most of my constituency is on an Environment Agency flood plain, but their map defines areas on Hewitts Circus as risky as those on the seafront – it is a problem that needs addressing," he said.

"I'm bending ears about it here at this conference, but people are playing their cards close to their chest because of ongoing talks with the insurance industry."

The Government is currently in extensive negotiations with the Association of British Insurers over the provision of affordable protection for homes in high-risk areas, such as flood plains.

Mr Benyon, who has been involved in these talks, said: "We are working hard in some very intense negotiations, but we are not in a position to make a full disclosure while these talks are still ongoing."

THERE has been a mixed reaction to the news that flowerbeds on Cleethorpes seafront are to be replaced with grasses, gravels and shrubs to save money on maintenance.

We revealed how work began on Tuesday to dig up large sections of award-winning flowerbeds along Kingsway, to be replaced with Mediterranean-style gardens, which will cost North East Lincolnshire Council less to maintain.

The move comes at a time of budget-cutting, and was criticised by Cleethorpes In Bloom's Jeff Blanchard, who said it should be delayed until after October, when the Britain In Bloom awards is held in the resort.

The reaction from Telegraph readers has been mixed, however.

Borge Nejrup, of New Waltham, wrote in to say: "I realise in this day and age and due to financial constraints, combined with extreme weather conditions, Mediterranean-style gardens are a good solution

"But does the council not realise the flowers are a great talking point for most of the resort's visitors? They are one of Cleethorpes' main attractions. Local people, schools and businesses have worked very hard over the years, using their own funds and time to improve the local areas, providing flower gardens and features to enter the Cleethorpes In Bloom competitions.

"Why make these changes when Britain In Bloom is visiting this year; the flowers helped us win the awards – why on earth remove them before they visit!"

On www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk, Davendogs asked: "Why don't the In Bloom squad prepare, plant up and maintain these flower beds if they are that concerned?"

IMProveit posted: "The digging up of the flower beds is short-sighted and will do nothing to encourage tourism.

"Pine trees and birch trees are hardly appropriate in a flower bed. Drought resistant plants would be fine in very dry weather, but in normal weather conditions visitors will expect to see colourful flower beds.

"Couldn't the plants be replaced less often? And what is done with the plants that are dug up? Are they sold to generate some cash? A few more perennials would mean fewer new plants."

4caster said: "This is short-sighted and unimaginative. NELC should explore sponsorship rather than destroy the beauty of the seafront, resulting in visitors going elsewhere."

Christine313 added: "What a stupid thing to do. These gardens are beautiful and must attract lots of visitors to Cleethorpes. Bedding plants don't cost a fortune but give a fantastic summer display."

And ianhale1965 said: "Such a shame but sign of the times and financial climate I guess!"

Share your thoughts by posting a comment, or by e-mailing viewpoint@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

A PLAN to create a £250,000 training facility in Grimsby – capable of equipping 1,500 wind technicians a year with vital skills to take offshore – has been revealed.

Town firm Blackrow Engineering is spearheading the proposal, with a replica tower to provide real-life work conditions at the heart of the proposal.

Several jobs would also be created in assessment and administration, as well as providing a further boost to the hotel and leisure economy.

Industry anticipates huge demand for technicians to service the thousands of turbines to be erected in the southern North Sea and beyond in the next decade. To help meet it, Blackrow has formed a strategic partnership with Norwegian specialist AAK – a pioneer of safe work at height.

It comes in a week that Dong Energy has confirmed it will start construction of the £800 million Westermost Rough wind farm off the East Yorkshire coast early next year, and further stages in the Hornsea Round Three consenting programme were announced.

And with the £10 million of Regional Growth Fund money ring-fenced for renewables on the South Bank to be officially opened next week, it is a further statement of intent from the private sector.

Barry Taylor, commercial director at Blackrow, launched the plan – with a March 2014 completion desire – before key stakeholders at the company's substantial base on South Humberside Industrial Estate.

He was joined by AAK chief executive Torgeir Nærø and business development director Leif Røv. Both work closely with energy giants in Scandinavia's internationally-renowned oil and gas sector.

Mr Taylor said: "We have established a partnership with a clear leader in working at height, safety and rescue and many other skills. We have the ambition, we now have a joint collaboration, which means we have the competency and the experience. It is just about designing the service now."

Companies Centrica, Siemens, RES and Windpower Support were joined by North East Lincolnshire Council, Grimsby Institute, E-Factor, Team Humber Marine Alliance and representatives of Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, as input and support was sought for the plan.

Mr Taylor added: "We don't want to send technicians to Cumbria, Newcastle, Lowestoft or London, we want to keep them here. It saves money, it saves time, and further strengthens the Humber's case. We want to set the benchmark for industry training.

"It may sound like a dream, but why not? We have the skills, we have the experience. We would like it to be an icon for the town, to make sure it is understood that Grimsby is the place to come for offshore wind operations and maintenance, and operations and maintenance training. We want to capture the current and future market needs."

The plan has been welcomed in the town.

Roger Smith, vice-chairman of Grimsby Renewables Partnership, said: "I think this would be tremendous coup for the town.

"We could get all the interested parties involved to provide a high-tech training facility. There is no doubt that Grimsby is recognised as the place to be."

Kurt Christensen, managing director of Grimsby-based Windpower Support, said: "This is a project that will show the area's young people that they can become technicians. It has to be the Rolls Royce of its field, but I think it can be done."

FANTASTIC!

A good, long-standing and respected North East Lincolnshire company is now taking a very big lead in making sure Grimsby is where it's at in the offshore wind industry.

Blackrow's diversification into the green business shows how this forward-thinking company is prepared to diversify to put this area ahead of the game.

Its actions will also provide a great new opportunity for local people, who wish to have the opportunity to retrain, or indeed train, for a future career, that is set to be very promising.

Yes, of course this business is hoping to make money out of the venture – it is a private company and profit is essential.

But what is good for the individual company is good for the area in which that business operates.

It is also vital that private firms take a lead in making sure we are at the forefront of any emerging industry – they have the spirit, determination and foresight to make things happen and to inspire others.

Blackrow should be applauded for today's news and let us hope it is the start of things to come in ensuring a bright future for potential employees in our area.

Do you believe the private or the public sector should be at the forefront of driving new opportunity?

GRIMSBY Town's bosses are yet to decide whether Andi Thanoj retains his place in the starting line-up for tomorrow's visit of Alfreton.

The youngster came into the side in place of Derek Niven for Tuesday's FA Trophy quarter-final triumph over Luton.

And after an excellent display in the middle of the park alongside captain Craig Disley, Paul Hurst admits he and Rob Scott have a big decision to make.

"Andi came through unscathed, although we did take him off as a precaution – he's had no side effects from that challenge," said the joint manager.

"Whether he stays in the side is a decision we're yet to make and one that will be under consideration.

"Derek was excellent at Cambridge. We were close to playing Andi in that game but when we got there – with the conditions and way Cambridge play – we felt it was better suited to Derek.

"With anyone that doesn't play tomorrow, it won't be because of performance. It will be more about keeping things fresh and shuffling the pack slightly.

"It is genuinely going to be a squad effort between now and the end of the season.

"There will be times when one or two aren't happy and aren't in the line-up, but it's for the good of the squad and the team, and they're all very much part of that."

Another example of that rotation policy saw right-back Sam Hatton rested on Tuesday evening.

Hurst says the former AFC Wimbledon man will be recalled tomorrow, and aiming to continue his record of not having lost with the Mariners in the league.

"Sam will be back after he was rested," confirmed Hurst. "Between Sam, Bradley Wood and Aswad Thomas, that's another area where we can look to keep things fresh.

"They've all done really well at various times, so that's a nice little headache for us."

On-loan Alfreton winger Louie Soares won't be able to line up against his parent club, while competition for the striking spots remains intense – especially after Lenell John-Lewis' arrival yesterday.

"Richard came on against Luton and that was the best we've seen of him in a Grimsby Town shirt," Hurst added.

"He was more like the Richard Brodie we know. He has still contributed at various times prior to that and he's only been here a couple of weeks.

"He's integrated well within the group and showed the other night what he can do.

"He's another one who is right in our thinking to potentially get into the side."