TRIBUTES have been paid to a "kind and caring" Grimsby hospital chaplain on the day he was laid to rest.

More than 100 clergy members, parishioners and friends attended the funeral of Father Harold Ter Blanche at St Giles' Church, Scartho, yesterday.

Fr Harold, 77, was instrumental in raising funds to build a new chapel when Grimsby's Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital was built in 1983.

The chapel is his lasting legacy and to this day provides a welcoming and restful place for staff, patients and their families during the most difficult of times.

Father Edward Martin, of St Giles' Church, described him as an "inspirational" man with a "sweet soul".

He said: "Being the hospital chaplain brought him into contact with people going through some of the most sensitive moments of their lives. He had real empathy with them all. He had a sweet soul."

He was diagnosed with a brain tumour before Christmas. His health deteriorated quickly and he died following a fall.

Born in South Africa, he was an honorary Zulu and campaigned fervently against the aparthide and for black rights – which lead him to dangerous situations, including his attempted murder.

He trained in industrial mission and laid the foundations for the Mission to Seafarers Club, which still thrives today.

From there he moved to Rotterdam where he was Seafarers Chaplain, before coming to Grimsby.

Father David Rowett admired Fr Harold for his spirit in helping people in need.

He said: "He was so passionate about human dignity. He was devoted to the service of people and of God. He was a lovely fellow, mad as a hatter and truly eccentric, but a thoroughly nice guy."

It was because of his determination that enough funds were raised for the chapel. He made himself known to hospital and council bosses alike and it wasn't long before the cash came flowing in.

Despite living in Retford after retiring in 2000, he is fondly remembered by parishioners of St Giles' Church.

Anne Easterbrook, 70, of Scartho, said: "He always had a smile on his face and that is how we will all remember him."

A TRUSTED nursery boss who "systematically" stole more than £17,000 cash from parents has been jailed.

She regularly altered cash records to "cover up" the thefts and later cynically tried to put the blame on colleagues when the missing cash was finally discovered, a court heard.

Kelly Marley, 31, of Niche Mews, off Taylors Avenue, Cleethorpes, denied two offences of theft from Little Stars Nursery, based at Grimsby Institute, but was convicted by a jury after a trial in December.

She had been working at the time as the nursery's deputy manager.

Bernard Gateshill, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court: "She was trusted to count the money and not to keep it for herself."

Recorder Felicity Davies told Marley: "Over the course of more than 15 months from June 2009, you systematically stole more than £17,000 of cash paid by parents of children at the nursery.

"You repeated your thefts on well over 120 separate occasions."

Marley covered up the theft by intercepting cash handed over by parents and omitting the transactions from records and receipts or by altering the arithmetic to reduce the correctly-entered figures and "pocket the balance".

Manager Tracey Bennett discovered the discrepancies after checking receipts on October 18, 2010, and failing to "get the figures to tally".

She found three receipts that had been written out but not entered on a daily cash record.

"That prompted a thorough check of accounting documents, which revealed the extent of the loss to the nursery," said Recorder Davies.

Marley had been doing the banking on every day that money had gone missing.

"The offending is aggravated by the breach of trust and by your castings of suspicion in a deliberate attempt to blame your colleagues, particularly Tracey Bennett," said Recorder Davies.

"This offending is too serious to justify any sentence other than immediate custody.

"It was sustained over a significant period of time and the blame that was cast over your colleagues aggravates the offending considerably."

Andrew Bailey, mitigating, said: "She still denies the matters. She has maintained her denials, but she accepts the jury's verdict and is dealing with it."

Marley had been in a management position of trust and had "thrown it all away".

It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for her to work in that field again.

"She had a career and she has lost it," said Mr Bailey.

Marley had resigned from her recent retail job. She had no previous convictions and had a 20-month-old son.

She was jailed for eight months.

"IT would be such a remarkable feat to rupture your Achilles at the start of the season and then come back to score the winner at Wembley."

That's the dream for Grimsby Town striker Liam Hearn as he continues his comeback from an injury that has kept him on the sidelines since August.

Now less than four weeks from a possible return, the forward admits he has let his mind wander ahead at times during his long, frustrating rehabilitation.

And – with the Mariners in the FA Trophy semi-finals and top of the Conference – Hearn could still be the Town hero this campaign.

He said: "I've been looking at the fixture list since about November!

"I know exactly what games are coming up. If I can get back in early March, although there aren't a lot of games then, there are some big ones.

"So if I can get myself in good shape, hopefully I can play a part in them.

"It would be a story in itself – to be injured for so long and then get a few games before we go to Wembley, and to score there.

"That would be quite an achievement and such a remarkable feat to rupture your Achilles at the start of the season and then come back to score the winner at Wembley.

"Thoughts like that have kept me going. When I'm in the gym or running and things get tough, I use things like that to keep me motivated.

"We're still a long way away, but it would be great to come back and score some vital goals."

The 27-year-old appreciates the recovery process is far from over, and expects to be gradually eased back into Town's first-team plans.

"When I come back I will have so much energy and enthusiasm because I'm just so hungry to get back out there," he added.

"I'll be so enthusiastic and I'll want to do so well that I could blow-up after 20 minutes – I've got to stay professional.

"Match fitness is so different to training – you can run as much as you want on the training ground but once you get put into a game, it's a different world.

"By then it will have been six to six-and-a-half months out, so I'm guessing that the gaffers are going to want to slowly ease me in.

"At the same time, I'm a naturally fit person and I'm in good shape now, so bring it on!"

LIAM Hearn predicts a tough test this afternoon from his former club – but expects three points for the Mariners.

The centre-forward scored approaching 50 goals for Alfreton during his time with the Derbyshire club, and says Nicky Law's (pictured) men will be a tough nut to crack.

"Alfreton are organised and a good, honest set of lads," he said. "I spent three good years there and still get on with the manager.

"I know that Alfreton will give us a good game, but we've got just that little bit more quality which should see us come out with the three points.

"I'm looking forward to heading down to Blundell Park, seeing a few of the Alfreton lads and having a good catch-up with them.

"But things might be a little awkward this time around – because they're going to lose!"

A COMMUNITY group is cleaning out the last belongings from its home of nine years – but there's light at the end of the tunnel.

It is the end of an era for Nunsthorpe Together, which will hand over the keys for St Martin's Church Hall, its base since it started as the St Martin's Action Group, back in 2004.

However, Debbie Hill, who founded the group with husband Steve, has made an agreement with Grange Together to hold some of their activities at their community centre, in Carnforth Crescent.

The new centre will host dance lessons on Saturdays and bingo three evenings a week, so that the people who have formed a bond at the Nunsthorpe centre still have somewhere to go.

Debbie said: "We've lived and worked here for nine years and you can't simply shut the door on the community.

"I'm saddened at the way things have gone and seeing the hall nearly empty is very upsetting, but there may be a light at the end of the tunnel."

St Martin's Community Action Group was set up in 2004 in St Martin's Church, to provide a hub for residents of the Nunsthorpe estate and helped many turn their lives around.

It was behind the hugely successful, but now defunct, Funhouse project, which received Government praise in 2005, with antisocial behaviour tsar Louise Casey describing those involved as national examples.

However, the project ran into difficulties and, in December 2008, the Funhouse shut its doors for good.

Nunsthorpe Together, as it was known by that point, continued to hold community activities, such as bingo, dance classes and go-karting in the church hall at the back of the property.

But in October last year, the Parochial Church Council (PCC) claimed it was owed £140,000 in unpaid rent and maintenance costs for the use of the hall.

The group, which did not have enough funds to pay the costs, had no choice but to leave and are now moving – and discarding – the last of its property.

Mrs Hill, who was employed as the site manager, said: "Clearing this place out is a heartbreaking job.

"All of this stuff has a story and is full of sentimental value, so it is really hard to just throw it in a skip."

But there's one thing Debbie and husband Steve – who is no longer officially a part of Nunsthorpe Together because of health issues – cannot bear to see thrown away.

They are now looking for a home for the life-size Santa's sleigh, complete with reindeer, which has paraded around the Nunsthorpe estate every Christmas Eve since 2004.

Mr Hill said: "This sleigh belongs to the people of the Nunsthorpe, so we need to find someone who can keep this tradition alive.

"Every year, children mob the sleigh and you can see their faces filled with joy – it's so rewarding to see.

"We need to find someone with enough space to give it a home so that it can still make that trip on Christmas Eve."

St Martin's Church was unavailable for comment.

If you can give the sleigh a home, contact the Telegraph on 01472 360360 before Wednesday, when the group have to hand back keys to the hall – or it will have to be thrown away.

Bingo classes now take place at the Grange Community Centre, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, fom 7.30pm.

Dance classes take place, from noon to 2pm, on Saturdays at the same place.

HUMBERSIDE Police's mounted section is being scrapped to save money.

Chief Constable Tim Hollis said the decision to disband the unit, made up of six horses, will save £500,000 a year.

The horses are used for public-order policing at football matches, protests and large events.

The force needs to save £11 million over the next five years after the Government cut its budget by 20 per cent.

Mr Hollis said: "I have made this decision with a note of sadness, but we are in a period when sentiment hits austerity and hard decisions must be made.

"The budget is under huge pressure and that is only going to get harder, so decisions like this are inevitable.

"I realise the public and many officers, both serving and retired, will regret the loss of a mounted section which has been an integral part of policing across Humberside for so many years.

"I have spoken with the Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Grove and he fully understands, but he does share my sadness and knows the public will be disappointed."

After the unit is disbanded in March next year, police will hire horses from other forces for large events.

The horses in the unit could be relocated to other police forces or retired. Mr Hollis said only a quarter of police forces retain a mounted section.

Mr Hollis said: "We will still buy horses in for high-risk football matches and events like Hull Fair, but what we will miss are the hearts and minds patrols when they are out and about. The public do like to see the horses.

Mr Hollis personally met with the six police officers and three staff working within the unit to inform them of his decision.

Although the officers will be moved to work in other areas of the force, the stable hands are likely to lose their jobs.

"It is sad for them because they are very proud and very committed, but I explained our financial position and the decision I have made," said Mr Hollis.

Mr Hollis said he wanted to make a decision on the future of the section before he retires next month.

"This has been something we have been looking at hard for months and I felt it would have been grossly unfair to leave this decision to my successor. It is unambiguously my decision.

"We have to make significant savings and £2 million over four years is a significant sum of money.

The stables at Walkington, where the horses are based, will be sold, with the funds made available to the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Police dogs, which are currently based at the same site, will be relocated.

The male driver of the van suffered minor injuries.

The injured motorcyclist was driven by ambulance to the air ambulance, which had landed on the field next to the Grimsby Institute's Westward Ho campus.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have seen the motorcycle or the van prior to the collision should call police on 101, quoting log number 401 of February 1.

A MOTORCYCLIST was last night fighting for his life in hospital after a collision with a van in Grimsby.

As reported on www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk, the 27-year-old man was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary with a serious head injury at about 2.45pm yesterday.

His red, silver and black Honda trials motorcycle had collided with a white Ford van on Chelmsford Avenue, just north of the roundabout with Cambridge Road and Westward Ho, at 2.20pm.

The male driver of the van suffered minor injuries.

The road was sealed off by police at both ends as officers carried out door-to-door enquiries.

The injured motorcyclist was driven by ambulance to the air ambulance, which had landed on the field next to the Grimsby Institute's Westward Ho campus.

Steve Pratten, divisional operations manager for East Midlands Ambulance, said the casualty was in a life-threatening condition.

He added that the 999 call was made by a passing district nurse who stopped to assist the motorcyclist until paramedics arrived.

Police have not released any more details about the incident. However, one woman told the Grimsby Telegraph that she believed the motorcyclist was pulling out to overtake her when the collision took place.

The woman, who had been driving a silver Peugeot 307, said: "The motorbike was behind me. He came out to overtake me and he just went into the van." Chelmsford Avenue resident Gordon Grantham, 83, said: "I was inside when I heard a bang and wondered what had happened. When I came out the van was in the middle of the road. They had to move it to the side."

His neighbour said: "I was inside and I didn't hear anything. I saw the helicopter hovering but it couldn't land. He's only a young lad I'm told."

Another resident said: "We heard a bang. It brings tears to my eyes knowing that could be someone's son or brother. It makes me think what I would do if it was one of mine. There are too many accidents on our roads."

Sgt Chris Wright, of Humberside Police, said: "We would appeal to anyone who has seen the collision or who may have seen the motorcycle or the van prior to the collision to call us on 101, quoting log number 401 of February 1."

Keep checking www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk for updates.

COUNCIL bosses are today moving out of Grimsby's Municipal Offices in the next stage of the authority's plan to save £1 million a year in accommodation costs.

Senior councillors, officers and other staff will be temporarily moving to the Knoll in Cleethorpes, while the remaining employees will relocate to other council premises across the borough.

The refurbishment will see the creation of an open-plan working environment, increasing the capacity of the building from 131 to about 338 staff (excluding customer access areas).

The changes will allow the council to concentrate its workers in the Municipal Offices – one of two town centre "hubs" along with the Civic Offices in Cleethorpes.

Work is expected to begin once the building is vacated by the end of March, and should be completed by early next year.

The customer access point on the ground floor will remain open, but there could be some changes to the current opening times.

It will enable the council to come out of a number of leased properties, including:

Freeman House, in Freeman Street, Grimsby.

Thrunscoe Centre Offices, in Highgate, Cleethorpes

St James' House, in St James' Square, Grimsby.

Melbourne House, in Town Hall Square, Grimsby.

It follows a pilot scheme, completed in January last year, which increased the capacity of the Civic Offices from 250 to 323 staff.

As part of that pilot, the following buildings were vacated:

43 Freeman Street, Grimsby (an annual saving of £15,096).

1 Town Hall Square, Grimsby (£73,550).

Unit 8/9 Acorn Business Park, Moss Road, Grimsby (£101,693).

Unit 1 Acorn Business Park (£ 55,380).

Education Development Centre, Heneage Road, Grimsby (£73,326).

Keep reading your Grimsby Telegraph for updates and changes to opening hours.

A HOST of volunteers have planted a wood to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee last year and provide a clean environment for future generations.

Hundreds of trees were planted at the North East Lincolnshire Council-owned open space at The Saltings, in Westward Ho, thanks to the volunteers.

They represented a number of groups, including Grimsby, Immingham and Cleethorpes In Bloom committees, Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Civic Society, The Rotary Club, of Grimsby, and the Duke Of Edinburgh Award's scheme, as well as local residents.

Tia Hagan, 5, of Church View, Grimsby, was frozen stiff by the Arctic blast which swept North East Lincolnshire on Saturday morning, but it did not deter her as she planted trees with her mum Alison, 33.

Alison remembered planting trees 25 years ago at her primary school on the Yarborough estate, Grimsby.

She said: "Every time I go to work I pass the trees and think how I helped plant them and it's nice to think they have benefited everyone.

"It has been good fun today. We like being outdoors. We will do it again next Saturday, too."

Tia, of Yarborough Academy, said: "I think I will decorate the ones I've planted so I know which ones they are."

North East Lincolnshire Council ecology officer Mike Sleight said the Saltings' planting was one of several throughout the borough, where 60,000 trees will be planted as part of the Jubilee celebrations.

He said: "It is next to the wood we planted for the Millennium with the help of Austin Mitchell MP.

"Because of the flooding around here we are planting willows and alders, which will soak up water.

"We will also have oak and Scots pine and wild cherry. They are all native species."

Chairman of Immingham In Bloom Stewart Swinburn said: "Thanks to the volunteers, we are planting more than 2,000 each time.

"People have come from all over, as well as residents nearby. We have representatives of all the three In Bloom committes for Immingham, Grimsby and Cleethorpes all working together.

"Trees are good for the environment."

Chairman of Grimsby In Bloom Elaine Atkinson said: "We want to promote the feeling people enjoy when they are planting trees. It is for future generations to enjoy.

"It also shows In Bloom is not just about pretty flowers, it is also about planting for everyone's future."

Volunteers were urged to join the next planting session, at Coomb Briggs, Immingham ,from 11am to 1pm, on Saturday.

More coverage will appear in the Grimsby Telegraph.

BIDS are being made to take on the management of Cleethorpes Country Park to protect it against council cut-backs.

Local anglers are drawing up proposals about how they can take on the management of the park's lake from North East Lincolnshire Council.

And, while the council maintains it has "no specific plans" over park resources, a spokesman admitted the council must "work differently".

NELC held a meeting with anglers and a number of proposals have been made by groups who live and breathe the beauty spot.

John Kimpson, 66, of Weelsby Street, Grimsby, is keen to get involved.

He said: "The park is a jewel in the crown of Cleethorpes, not just for anglers but for the whole town and it needs looking after properly.

"It is very early days but we wouldn't say no if the council wanted to work with us."

The proposals only concern the lake, as the rest of the reserve will be maintained by the council and Friends of Cleethorpes Country Park.

Volunteers will make sure the banks are litter-free and fish are looked after. They will also collect fishing fees to pump back into the park.

Previously, council officers collected fees but according to anglers, often no one would be available to do the rounds – which meant important revenue for the park was lost.

The move is part of a council review into how volunteers can help with parks borough-wide.

Late last year, Sidney Park in Cleethorpes was taken on by volunteer group The Sidney Park Friends Group and is proving a success.

Now, John hopes the park's future will be safe if the anglers take over.

He continued: "It is so important to people and for us. For fishermen, looking after the place is like having a child look after a sweet shop.

"We will love it. We all think such a lot about the park and we were worried for its future at one point.

"We want to look after the fishing there. The fish are bred ever so well, they are in good health and it is a joy to fish there."

Deputy council leader and portfolio holder for Tourism and Culture, Councillor Mick Burnett, said: "We currently have no specific plans to change the way resources are allocated to specific parks. It is fair to say with budget cuts we have to work differently.

"We are looking to work with local communities and businesses to develop options for how the borough's parks and open spaces might be managed in the future as we rise to the challenge of making the most of our reduced budget.

"We have been approached by a number of local anglers who are interested in managing some of the fishing activities at Cleethorpes Country Park.

"No decisions have been taken as yet but we are open to proposals that are both sustainable and in the best interests of the country park."

A MOVING ceremony saw the ashes of a former chief engineer aboard Grimsby's fishing trawlers scattered in the docks.

Family and friends of Steve Drever gathered on the Queen's Steps, behind the Minesweepers Memorial for the emotional ceremony yesterday.

Steve, of Waltham, spent his life working on trawlers and asked his family to scatter his ashes in the docks when his time came.

His wife Olga said: "The sea was in his blood.

"He came from a family of seamen. His brother was a skipper and his father was a chief engineer, too.

"He loved the docks and this is how he would have wanted it to end."

The service was led by Tom Walkley, who served on the committee of the Royal Naval Patrol Service Veterans, Grimsby, with Steve for many years.

His ashes were scattered by eldest daughter Lynne Atkinson, of Immingham, before Olga threw a single red rose into the water.

Those gathered then took a minute's silence to reflect on Steve's life.

Lynne said: "Dad had a great sense of humour and we have all inherited it.

"That is what has kept us going through this difficult time.

"Dad loved collecting hats, so my siblings, our children and some of his great-grandchildren wore them to his funeral."

Born in Kent Street, Grimsby, Steve attended Carr Lane and St John's schools before enrolling at the Nautical College, in Lock Hill.

He met Olga and the couple married at St Luke's Church, in Heneage Road, in 1947 – with the couple celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary just days before he died.

He became chief engineer, working aboard Grimsby's trawlers until the family emigrated to South Africa, where he continued in his role on ships there.

When they returned to North East Lincolnshire in 1990, he worked as an engineer on the standby vessels until his retirement.

Steve, died at Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital on January 8, aged 83, after suffering from ongoing chest problems.

A celebration of his life was held at Grimsby Crematorium on January 24. Steve and Olga had five children, two of whom have died, and the remainder of Steve's ashes will be scattered with them.

ARMED with their sleeping bags and cardboard, more than 60 people slept rough in Grimsby for charity.

The third annual YMCA Sleep Easy event has been hailed a huge success.

Fundraisers set up camp on Friday night within the grounds of Shoreline Housing Partnership, in Osborne Street, Grimsby.

Many packed flasks of tea and soup to keep warm while others preferred to add extra layers of clothes on through out the night.

The event was in aid of Harbour Place, CARE, Doorstep and YMCA, organisations that try to raise awareness of homelessness.

It started at 6.30pm on Friday and finished at 6am on Saturday.

Taking part for the first time was Phil Grigg, of Grimsby, who hopes to have raised more than £1,000 for the cause.

The 46-year-old who took part with friends from City Church, in Freeman Street, said: "It's definitely a unique experience.

"I volunteer as a Street Angel on Saturday nights in Cleethorpes and come across homeless people from time to time.

"It is not nice to see them out in the cold trying to settle down for the night.

"I usually speak to them and give them a bit of company and they have inspired me to take part in Sleep Easy.

"I want to do my bit to help so that these people don't have to turn to the streets and they can find the support they need."

Money raised through the event will be split between the four causes, which will use it for research and improving their services.

Last year a total of £28,000 was raised by participants.

North East Lincolnshire Councillor Stephen Beasant took part of the third time. He said: "As councillors we can not be expected to debate or fight for things which we have no experience of.

"This for me gives that glimpse into the lives of someone who is homeless and it spurs me on to try my best as a councillor to help. If by helping it is through raising money during an event like this then so be it. I would encourage others to get involved next year so more awareness can be made."

Keep reading your Grimsby Telegraph to find out how much was raised.

GET your wellies at the ready!

The £500,000 petting farm and tractor ride at Pleasure Island, Cleethorpes, is getting ready to open to the public, on Friday, March 29.

Plans have been finalised and now it is "full steam ahead" for the next six weeks to build Furry Friends Farm.

The exciting new attraction at the theme park – which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in May – will bring the cute, cuddly and the clucky to Cleethorpes.

The animals preparing to move into the five acre plot include: pygmy goats, Shetland ponies, pigs, sheep, cows, chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs.

Owner Melanie Wood said: "Plans are going really well, we have appointed our main contractors, the work has started and the designs are completed. Over the next six weeks it will be full steam ahead.

"We hope it will combine fun and education, which can be hard, but if you get it right it can work really well. The petting farm will appeal to a different, younger audience.

"We have discussed doing this over the years, it has been on and off and then on again. Sometimes you have to say, 'right, let's get on with it'. We have made some difficult decisions but I am 100 per cent sure this is the right thing to do."

The farm also includes a tractor ride, so visitors can view the animals from afar or for those who want to get up close and personal, there will be feeding and petting sessions.

These will be supervised by two animal behaviour experts, who will be employed full-time at the park.

For animal-lover Melanie, the petting zoo is a welcome challenge.

She added: "I was brought up with animals at Flamingo Land and then I married a farmer. Animals are very much a part of my life."

Entry to the farm is included in the main theme park ticket price of £18.50.

CLEETHORPES and Immingham MP Martin Vickers cemented his stance against gay marriage on the BBC's Sunday Politics show.

Appearing on the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire segment of the programme yesterday, Mr Vickers debated the issue with gay marriage supporter, Hull North MP Diana Johnson.

The issue of whether or not to allow gay marriage in churches is set to be voted on in the commons tomorrow.

Mr Vickers said: "I will be opposing the proposals because they are not in any party's manifesto and I don't think we have a mandate for it.

"The majority of younger people are much more relaxed about it but I believe those over 50 feel very uncomfortable with it.

"I don't think we should railroad through such social change without a mandate."

He added that up to 50 per cent of Tories are expected to vote against the plans.

"I don't think it is a party issue," said Mr Vickers, "I think if you went out onto the streets of Cleethorpes of Immingham you would find similar views."

However, he added: "I rather suspect it will be passed, which I think is regrettable."

Mr Vickers also shared his views on insurance premiums for flood victims and plans for high-speed rail links to the north east.