"IT'S NOT just motorists – what about us?"

Elderly residents in a high-rise block of flats say their road is in its worst condition in almost 30 years.

The pensioners of Nelson House contacted the Grimsby Telegraph after reading of the pothole misery suffered by many road users in North East Lincolnshire.

Many of them have to cross the road which runs from Albert Street East to garages at the rear of Nelson House, with walking aids or on mobility scooters, and are concerned about falling.

But as soon as we alerted housing association Shoreline, which owns the site and is responsible for the road, bosses vowed to repair it within days.

Nelson House resident Vera Waters, 82 said: "I have lived here for 28 years and it has never been so bad. It has been getting worse for years. It is dangerous. I have nearly gone over."

Betty Jackson, 82, said: "They have been like it for months. I have to walk with a trolley and we have to walk around the road so we don't go over the potholes.

"If someone were to fall it could cause very serious injuries."

Walter Raworth, 80 said: "There are people older than us, one of them is 93 years old and he goes out everyday. Some day someone is going to have a bad fall. The whole road needs digging up and smoothing over."

Edgar Davidson, 82, said: "The worst pot holes are around by the garages.

"I use a scooter and I am worried it is getting damaged going over all those potholes."

He said there were also potholes in Albert Street East, which cause problems to road users.

Senior property investment officer Alex Orange said Shoreline was aware of a number of potholes in several neighbourhoods.

He said: "We know what a nuisance they are and that the weather conditions have made them worse.

"We are in the process of putting together a planned programme of work to resurface these areas, so the roads are renewed and the life of them is extended.

"In the meantime, we will be carrying out temporary repairs to the road at Nelson House within the next 21 days."

FROM the moment the ball flicked off his left foot in extra-time at Wembley – Wayne Burnett's name has been forever etched in Grimsby Town folklore.

Because it was that golden goal, in the second period of added time, that handed the Mariners victory over Bournemouth in the 1998 Auto Windscreens Shield final.

In the 112th minute, with the scores at 1-1, Town won a corner which was swung in and flicked on towards the far post.

Burnett stole in and instinctively volleyed the ball past Jimmy Glass to send the travelling Town fans into delirium.

Fifteen years on, and for Burnett, memories of that day are still vivid.

He describes the victory – and his match-winning goal – as a "fairytale".

Now with the current Town side in the semi-final of the FA Trophy, he's "desperate" to see his former club seal another Wembley return.

Recalling that glorious Sunday afternoon in April 1998, he told the Telegraph: "I look back on it as one of, if not the greatest day, in my footballing career.

"To get to Wembley and to take the amount of fans down that we did was superb – it was a fantastic occasion.

"It was an absolute fairytale – you couldn't have written it any better.

"I was lucky enough to score the goal at the end that our fans were at, and that feeling was just unbelievable – very surreal, but amazing.

"There are players who have had far, far better careers than I've had, who can't say they had the opportunity to play at Wembley.

"You've got to take these kind of opportunities when they present themselves and then savour it."

He added: "Only a few fortunate players can say that they've ever played there and I really do hope Town's players can get there this season.

"Once you've played at Wembley – no-one can ever take that away from you and you make memories there that stay for you for the rest of your career. It is a fantastic, fantastic place."

After Burnett's heroics in the Auto Windscreens final, Town returned to the capital a month later for the Division Two Play-Off final against Northampton.

That time, Kevin Donovan joined him in the history books with a 19th-minute winner that sent the Mariners back into the First Division.

And, with the current Town side enjoying success on two fronts, Rob Scott and Paul Hurst's men could be on course to replicate the double delight of 1998.

Burnett, now first-team coach at League Two Dagenham & Redbridge, continued: "Obviously after the Auto Windscreens Final, we went back there for the play-offs, and all of the work that we had put in over the course of the season rested on that one game.

"To go back there a month later and win that as well was absolutely fantastic for the club.

"I'm desperate for them to go up this season – they deserve it.

"They are a great club and their fans are passionate and they've been too long out of the league – I hope they can do it this season.

"I still keep in touch with the club and always look out for their results because they are a club that are very close to my heart.

"Now that the club are in with a chance of getting to Wembley again, a few of fans have been in touch on Twitter and had some kind words to say as they remembered our two trips there in 1998.

"It's nice to be remembered for that and not forgotten.

"I spent five seasons there, some not as good as others because of injury, but the time that I was playing was absolutely fantastic," he added.

"We played some good football at the time, had some good players and some good times.

"I think people want to see those return and I'm sure if they can have a good season, get back into the Football League and hopefully enjoy success in the Trophy as well, I'm sure that will be the first step on the journey for them."

Tomorrow, the Mariners could take the first steps towards that Wembley final when they welcome Dartford to Blundell Park for the first leg of their FA Trophy Semi-Final.

And ahead of the clash, Burnett had some words of encouragement for his former club.

He added: "Everyone knows the importance of the next two games but the managers will be smart enough to take those pressures away – even though it's difficult because everyone knows what rests on those two legs.

"Back in '98, we said 'take it as two legs' – don't take it as, if we win the first leg, it's over.

"Anything can happen in 90 minutes of football – it's a cliché but it's true.

"Go out there and do the very best you can do, be the very best you can be and the rest will take care of itself.

"The best team will win at the end of the day.

"I'm hoping that they get the right results over these next two legs and they get to Wembley because it would be great for the town.

"Then they can start to look forward to the day and all the razzmatazz that comes with it – it really is an unbelievable day.

"It's certainly one that I'll never forget."

A TWO vehicle road traffic collision has caused debris on the road at the roundabout near The Trawl pub in Grimsby.

It happened at 3.47pm today at the junction of Little Coates Road and the police were in attendance.

No drivers were injured and it didn't cause traffic issues, however there is glass on the road.

DISABLED people are getting their hands on paid work through a charity's on-going activities.

Jodie Ticehurst is now paid three hours a week to man the reception desk at Care4all's head office at the Queen Street Health and Wellbeing Centre in Grimsby.

Care4all is a charity providing services to older people and those with disabilities in North East Lincolnshire.

It employs 37 paid staff – 80 per cent have a registered disability – but their wages come from various sources.

A monthly quiz night at the venue raises enough to pay 29-year-old Jodie, who was born with Spina Bifida – a condition which affects the spine and central nervous system.

She said: "I have wanted to be a receptionist for as long as I can remember.

"I started this job back in July but on a voluntary basis.

"Then the charity started a monthly quiz in December for the public to get involved in and enough funds were raised for management to pay me.

"This is my first job and to do what I have always wanted is great.

"I get paid about £80 a month but it gives me some independence as I live with my mum who is my main carer and I am on benefits.

"I can now spend my own money, which feels great."

Jodie, of Grimsby, is just one of many Care4all employees who now receives paid work through the charity's multiple services.

And the Grimsby Telegraph will be featuring some more of those.

Jodie says one way the public can support this is by attending the quiz so others like her can be helped.

She said: "There are other people who still work voluntarily on the reception desk.

"If more people could attend the quiz, which is £1 to enter, then maybe another volunteer can start being paid.

"It is that little bit which goes a long way."

The next quiz will be held on Thursday at 7pm.

For more information, call the centre on 01472 571101.

IN SEPTEMBER 2009, Ofsted placed Lindsey School And Community Arts College under special measures after inspectors said the school was failing to give its students "an acceptable standard of education".

Tollbar Edge was announced as the sponsor in January 2010 and the dramatic turnaround began. Martin Brown, who was associate principal at Tollbar Academy – one of the highest performing schools in the area – was announced as the principal in April 2010 and September's results showed a 15 per cent increase in the number of students getting five A*-C GCSE grades, including English and maths. In 2011, that rose to 53 per cent and the figure increased to 60 per cent in 2012. Mr Brown, who had worked at Tollbar since 1996, thinks that a change in approach was the key.

"The goal was to become a school that would positively serve the community, giving them the standard of education they deserved. That was the thinking behind the name change. Students knew that we expected more from them and that was at every level, from behaviour to treatment of each other – and even uniform.

"Our intake actually have below average grades when they come to us. What we do is say, despite this, you can succeed, and we now have above average results."

Martin, 43, grew up in Coventry, one of three children. Both parents were teachers and as a teenager, he had no intention of following in their footsteps.

However, he was inspired by a primary school teacher called Mrs Tooth.

He said: "She tried to get the best out of everyone, no matter what their ability. Looking back on it, I learned a lot from her."

In his teenage years, he had two loves – cricket and heavy metal. Mad on Meat Loaf, Magnum and Status Quo, it may surprise those who know him today to discover he had long hair, like many of his idols.

"It probably looked awful – although now the hair is a little lacking," he said.

"I'm sure it would be more interesting if I could say I was really good or really bad at school. The truth is, I was just somewhere in the middle."

At 16, he was considering a career in the police or criminal justice system having enjoyed history at school. He went to a sixth form college where he studied English literature, history and politics, which is when he met his next inspirational teacher – Mr Bowen.

Mr Brown said: "He taught politics and was engaging – in two years, no one in that class wanted to miss a lesson. He had a talent for debate, constantly changing his viewpoint to keep his students thinking. Everyone did very well because of his passion, and no one wanted to let him down."

At 18, Mr Brown went to Hull to study for a degree in history with American studies. He described Hull as "a great place to be a student", and achieved a 2:1 degree. He got a temporary job managing a newspaper stand at W H Smith for a year so he could save up to travel. After years in education, Mr Brown and girlfriend Alison, who he met at university – now his wife – went on a world tour in 1991 before going back to Hull to start his teacher training qualification.

Mr Brown said: "We were both going to become teachers and thought it would be a good idea to see the world. It was amazing."

In 1994, Mr Brown began at Tollbar as a history teacher, going onto law and PE.

Outside of teaching, he lives in Lincolnshire with primary teacher Alison, daughters Hatty, 13, and Tilly, 9, and rescue dogs Poppy and Chalky.

"Poppy is a border collie cross and is well-behaved but we've just got a long-haired lurcher, Chalky, and he needs a bit of work," he said. "I don't think he's ever lived in a domestic situation before so I think we might have hard work ahead."

Mr Brown played for Nettleham Cricket Club until his daughters were born. He's a Leeds United fan, thanks to his grandfather, but thinks rugby players are a better example to young people.

"I do like football but the players are always arguing with the referee or rolling around on the floor and this recent business with Eden Hazard and the ball boy was just ridiculous. They should both have known better. The problem is you see young people emulating this behaviour, even at grass roots level.

"I'm a rugby fan. I never really had the build to play, but I've always watched with my dad who was a player and referee. Those guys play a much more physical game but they behave in a professional manner. They don't argue with the referee because they could get sent back ten metres which is a big disadvantage. I like football but watching the way they play the game really annoys me. The game needs to clean up its act."

As interesting as Mr Brown's past is, it is his plan for the future that will rouse the curiosity of parents who entrust their children to Cleethorpes Academy. The school has had a £7.7-million investment into a new technology block and sports hall which will be complete in September. In 2009, Ofsted inspectors judged standards as inadequate, but Mr Brown believes it would now be considered good. However, it is still not good enough for Mr Brown.

He said: "It is my ambition to turn this into an outstanding school. We are getting above average outcomes with a below average intake and those results speak volumes about the progress we have made. The Tollbar model has instilled a culture of success in this school and the chief executive David Hampson has helped drive ambition. However, I know better than anyone that there is still work to be done but improvement will continue and I expect the 2013 exam results to be our best ever."

A PLUSH new physiotherapy facility at a special school has given pupils and staff a lift.

A 20ft trampoline is the centrepiece of the new exercise hub which will aid pupils at Humberston Park School with a range of disabilities.

The £250,000 room with a beautiful view of gardens was christened by Jasmine Lake, 7, who suffers from a very rare condition.

Her sister Jade, two, was able to enjoy the trampoline, which is sunken into the floor along with parents Adele and Craig Lake.

Other pupils with a range of disabilities, including Downs Syndrome, will also be able to use the trampoline.

It can be covered over and used as an exercise room for up to six students at anyone time.

It has been designed by Cleethorpes-based Hodson Architects and is located next to the hydrotherapy pool.

The school's highly-specialised physiotherapist, Frances George said: "There are few schools which have such a facility.

"It promotes independence and can be relaxing and challenging, and helps improves muscle movement and development.

"It is all done through fun and play, and helps all those who are at the high-end of complex needs."

She said the hub could soon be accessible to people with disabilities in the community as well as the 103 pupils at the school.

Headteacher Andy Zielinski said the money for the exercise room had come from school funds which are supported from Central Government.

He said: "It is fantastic. It is great to see the kids using the trampoline.

"It is a resource that can be used by people from all over Lincolnshire, not just North East Lincolnshire."

THE controversial convenience store at Cleethorpes' newest medical centre has opened its doors.

There were fears having a Spar at Taylor's Avenue Medical Centre was inappropriate because of sales of alcohol and cigarettes, and residents feared extra traffic.

However, staff and shoppers at yesterday's launch say it will prove a useful amenity for residents and those visiting GPs.

The first shopper through the door was Roger Bryant, 62, of Lynton Rise.

He said: "It's a lovely store and it's going to be really useful for us.

"Most of the people who were complaining about it opening don't live right opposite like we do anyway.

"There were a lot of problems when it was a pub and standing empty and I can't see them occurring now it's a shop.

"Some people have expressed concerns about the extra traffic but Taylor's Avenue has always been busy. I think it's a great facility."

The new store, which is 2,500 square feet, has created 15 jobs.

Malcolm Cass, 36, from Cleethorpes, secured his just a day after being made redundant from Grimsby's Staples.

He said: "The Jobcentre has been fantastic. They told me about this place opening and I applied straight away.

"It's great to work for such a big company and I feel lucky to have found work again so quickly after being made redundent from Staples.

"I don't think it matters what the store stocks, I think people will find it really useful."

The shop offers fresh produce, frozen goods, an in-store bakery and general groceries, as well as Paypoint and Payzone.

Manager Lisa Brown, 45, from Grimsby, has worked for Spar for seven years and was based in Trinity Road.

She said: "As soon as I heard about this store opening I applied.

"It's fantastic to be in charge of a brand-new store and we're really looking forward to welcoming customers."

Cutting the ribbon, Mayor of North East Lincolnshire Councillor Mike Burton said: "I think this is a great development and it's wonderful to see the site back in use."

The medical centre, which will house Dr Sylvere Dijoux and partners and Dr Mushtaq Zaro and Dr Omar Qureshi, opens on Monday.

HERITAGE lovers fear for the future of the old workhouse buildings at Grimsby Hospital which could be sold off to developers to make way for housing.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is holding a public consultation on the plans, which include selling off the old workhouse buildings at Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital, near to Scartho's clock tower.

They are among the oldest buildings left in Grimsby, and heritage groups have expressed fears that although the trust's "preferred" option is to retain the buildings, selling them off will leave them vulnerable to demolition.

Of the five buildings from the old north side of the hospital, it is only the clock tower on North East Lincolnshire Council's List of Buildings of Local Architectural or Historic Interest.

Heritage campaigner and member of Friends of Cleethorpes Heritage, Ann Reavey, wants them to continue to be used for hospital services.

"They are beautiful, old buildings and we must do everything to retain them," she said. "I understand the trust needs to save and make money, but why not keep them as part of the hospital?

"They need to be put on the local list so they have some protection. To see them go would be a crying shame."

As well as the old work houses, the trust also want to sell off 4.2 hectares of land at Scartho Top – where the Helipad is located – to make way for about 400 houses. The helipad will be relocated or lost altogether depending on the outcome of the two-day consultation, which starts on Wednesday.

The old buildings include Northside, Eastholme, Restcoates, Southolme and West Arch, which are close to the iconic clock tower and gateway.

They are used as offices for management, finances and Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services, but once operated as workhouses for the poor.

Alan Nicholson of Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Heritage and Civic Society, said: "It would be very sad to see them go. They are part of our heritage, they are iconic buildings within the town of which there are very few left."

But conservationist Ernie Brown believes more housing is needed and that should take priority over saving the old buildings.

He said: "The present is more important. It would be a shame to lose the buildings, but the bigger picture is we need more affordable housing. We must think about the future of our people. These old buildings are of little use to anyone – we cannot keep them as monuments when there is so much need in the town."

GAGGED! Is this councillor being silenced for showing his disgust at the blood-stained chairs he spotted in Grimsby hospital's A&E department?

A councillor and governor of the trust that runs the hospital is facing action after going public about his concerns when filthy chairs he reported to staff were still there a week later.

Defiant Matthew Brown has now called for reform of the "toothless" Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – claiming that it looks after the interests of the NHS and does not have enough public representation to hold it to account.

His comments about accountability come just days after a former chief executive at the neighbouring United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Gary Walker, defied a £500,000 gagging order to raise concerns about patient safety following the announcement that it was being investigated for high mortality rates.

He was sacked from the trust, which runs hospitals in Louth, Skegness, Lincoln and Boston, in 2010 over alleged swearing at a meeting, and claims he was forced to quit for refusing to meet Whitehall targets for non-emergency patients because of his concerns.

Meanwhile, Mr Brown (Lab, Croft Baker) defended his actions, suggesting the "only thing they should be investigating is why fabric chairs were in A&E in the first place".

"As a councillor, I represent nearly 100,000 people in North East Lincolnshire and consider it my duty to hold these people to account – the story was in the public interest," he said.

"The NHS Foundation Trust is toothless and professionals who work within the health service expect us to simply rubberstamp everything.

"It needs more representation from the local authority and unions, and it should not be chaired by someone employed by the health service."

Mr Brown contacted the Grimsby Telegraph with pictures of the chairs he found in A&E at the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, when he

was there with his father.

He reported the state of the chairs – which he believes were stained with blood and urine – to nurses but when he returned a week later, nothing had been done.

It was then that he emailed trust chairman Dr James Whittingham with his concerns on Tuesday, January 22, and later also contacted us.

On Wednesday, January 30, we printed the picture of one of the chairs and an NLAG statement, saying plans were in place to replace the chairs – although it has now emerged that the new chairs are not due to be delivered until next month.

As a result of the front page story, Dr Whittingham wrote to Mr Brown – and North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) chief executive Tony Hunter – to say that he is now being investigated for breaching the Trust's code of conduct.

The letter says: "I am extremely concerned and disappointed that as a trust governor, you felt it appropriate to publicly criticise the trust on this subject.

"You raised the matter with me by email, I came back to you with an explanation and plans for a resolution but despite these assurances, you still went ahead with the Telegraph story.

"Finally, I'm concerned you felt it appropriate to take an unauthorised photograph in the A&E department."

Mr Brown said: "The letter I received made me quite angry. I'm not employed by them – what could they do to me?

"The only thing that they should be investigating is why those fabric chairs, which absorb liquids, were in A&E in the first place – they need wipe-clean surfaces.

"Doctors and nurses work very hard in that state-of-the-art facility, which is among the best in the region, but those filthy seats undermine everything great about it.

"Someone in middle management has got the decision dangerously wrong and it's all very well saying they plan to replace the seats but this should never have happened in the first place.

Wendy Booth, trust secretary, said: "Mr Brown contacted the trust and he was informed we were looking into his concerns. He was also informed that if he had any further concerns to raise them with the chairman.

"However, Councillor Brown undertook his own course of action which we are currently investigating under the trust constitution as it may constitute a breach of the Code of Conduct for Governors.

"As North East Lincolnshire Council appointed Cllr Brown as a governor, we have also written to the council's chief executive to advise him of the investigation."

A council spokesman said: "This is a matter for the NHS Trust and as such it would be inappropriate for us to comment."

MANY have questioned the value of the FA Trophy, but as long as the final is held at Wembley – it should always hold significance for football fans.

I was 12 when I made my first pilgrimage to 'Old' Wembley for the Auto Windscreens Shield final against Bournemouth in 1998

Along with some 28,500 other Mariners fans, I travelled down to the capital, leaving North East Lincolnshire by driving past the now famous slogan – "The last one out – please turn off the lights".

I'd been a Town fan for a few years before that, but getting to watch my team play at the home of football is something that I will never forget.

The first time that I emerged into the open air of the stadium, alongside my dad and uncle, I was hooked.

That was even before Wayne Burnett's golden goal winner that sent the travelling army of Grimsby Town fans into raptures.

Of course, after that, we were all back at Wembley little over a month later for the Division Two play-off final against Northampton.

And again, unforgettable memories were forged on that day thanks to Kevin Donovan – a hero of mine as a kid – and his 19th-minute winner.

I was lucky enough to speak to Burnett earlier this week as he recalled his memories of an incredible day 15 years ago.

For myself and so many other fans who were there on that day, Burnett and the rest of the side made memories that will last a lifetime.

Whether people see the FA Trophy as a 'tin pot' competition, the chance to win any cup in the hallowed surroundings of Wembley is anything but.

And that's why – with Town in with a chance of that return to one of world football's greatest arenas – everyone should get behind them.

Throughout this season, Trophy attendances at home have been disappointing – the peak coming when just 2,791 watched the quarter-final victory over Luton at Blundell Park.

I really hope that there will be a healthy crowd inside BP this afternoon to cheer on the Mariners in their first match of a two-legged semi-final with Dartford.

Should the Mariners come out on top after the next two games with the Darts, I've no doubt that there will be another army of fans who travel down to Wembley to cheer them on in the final.

But why not play a part in helping them to reach there by getting down to the game today?

The current crop of Mariners is a team that deserves your support – after all, they could be on the cusp of making even more fantastic memories for this town.

So if you're a lapsed fan or a parent who is thinking of taking their child to their first match, why not make it today's?

Who knows, you might even get hooked and find yourself at Wembley in a few weeks' time.

There will be plenty that say 'we don't want any Johnny-come-latelys jumping on the bandwagon' but who really cares? This club needs all the support it can get.

Every fan needs to begin – or rekindle – their love affair with the Mariners at some point. Why not let a potential trip to Wembley with their home-town club be the catalyst?