Cleethorpes deer update: the dog attacks have ceased but wildlife rescue volunteers are still being abused

 

Police community support officers keep a watchful eye on the deer (photo: Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue via Facebook)

A PAT on the back for the public has come from Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue in today's update on the lost deer in Sidney Park.

In a statement today, it says: "We are happy to share that the general public have been very helpful by avoiding the park where possible.

"Those visiting with dogs have been keeping them on leads and using the designated dog run to avoid harming the deer." 

However, the charity says its volunteers are still being subjected to  "some abuse", so they have been equipped  with body cameras and shorth-wave radios.

The deer, meanwhile, is said to have become much calmer since yesterday when repeated dog attacks caused it ever-increasing stress.

Continues the statement: "We are continuing to provide updates to external agencies including North East Lincolnshire Council, Humberside Police and the RSPCA in hopes to get a successful outcome."

NELC is monitoring the movements of the creature with CCTV.  

It is hoped that it will soon be possible to capture the deer, rehabilitate in confinement if necessary, then release it into a place that is wilder than an urban park.

Fears grow for safety of stricken roe deer following numerous dog attacks in Cleethorpes park

                                             

The Cleethorpes park where the deer has come under remorseless canine attack

THE fate of a distressed roe  deer today lies in the balance after having been  persistently chased by out-of-control dogs in a Cleethorpes Park.

The frightened animal fled from Sidney Park into Brereton Avenue where it risked being fatally struck by traffic.

Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue volunteers attended with deer nets but,  unable to capture the deer, had no option but to navigate it back to the park - where the dog attacks resumed.

Via Facebook, a spokesperson said: "Rarely have we been so appalled at such public disregard for wildlife.

"Deer should be able to use our parks for safety as it is their home.

"We urged countless people to place their dogs on leads and were ignored.

"We even had to capture out-of-control dogs for their owners!" 

The spokesperson continued: "We are working with the council and the police to try our best to get a good result.

"However, the deer is heavily stressed. 

"If members of the public do not use common sense, there will not be a happy outcome

"Untilthis situation is resolved, please, avoid the park or at least   stay away from the deer - and keep any dogs on leads.

"We are doing everything we can as volunteers but we are only human. 

"We are hoping that we can help it as night falls, but that may not be possible if the deer continues to be attacked. "

                                          

There are few places for a deer to hide from dogs in Sidney Park 

Plan for children's care home in quiet Waltham-area village sparks objections from near neighbours

                                                      

The five-bedroomed house at centre of controversy

A PLAN for a two- storey semi-detached house  to be converted to a children's care home have set red lights flashing in  Barnoldby-le-Beck.

Other householders in Beck Farm Mews have objected on the grounds firstly of loss of parking and secondly that the property has only a small back garden with no children's recreational facilities in the the village.

The change-of-use application has been submitted by the firm, Gravity Red Inspires, which describes itself as a "residential children's home and adult supported living provider".

"We are dedicated to providing a nurturing and safe environment  where individuals can grow and thrive," they say.

"Our staff are passionate about supporting all individuals and providing them with respect, and love. 

"They strive to make a positive difference in the lives of the people they serve."

Their Barnoldby-le-Beck project would accommodate three resident children, aged 10 to 17, with two non-resident care staff working on a duty rota of 8am to 10.30pm.

Last month, North East Lincolnshire Council turned down an application by Gravity Red Inspires for a Certificate of Lawfulness at the same property which, if approved, would have proved less cumbersome and expensive than a planning application.

However, the refusal has forced it to take the alternative planning application route, with a decision  from planners expected this summer.

Attractive and informative sign outside Cleethorpes leisure centre showcases nature on the foreshore

 

 The sign newly installed outside the leisure centre 

CREDIT to North East Lincolnshire Council for displaying a sign denoting that Cleethorpes is now part of the recently-designated Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve.

Similar signs, all funded by Natural England,  are now also on display at:

* Meridian Park, 

* Thorpe Park exit on to the beach

* Humber Mouth Yacht Club car park. 

What is the purpose of the signage?

Says  NELC: "The coastline and the species that inhabit it are very vulnerable to recreational disturbance. 

"This not only means dogs or paddleboarders approaching and disturbing the birds that live here, but other activities can cause serious damage too. 

"Many of the plants that grow in this area are fragile, and damaging them, even by walking over them, can lead to erosion of the dunes and loss of habitat.

"Saltmarsh is a rare coastal habitat. It forms in areas protected from the strongest sea waves where mud can build up. 

"Saltmarsh protects from flooding, prevents pollution from reaching the sea and stores carbon - more than a rainforest of the equivalent size."

The spokesperson continues: "Saltmarsh supports certain rare and protected species that have adapted to these dynamic, salty environments and live nowhere else.

"An example is the sea aster bee. 

"These peaceful bees dig nests in the dunes but forage on the flowers of saltmarsh plants, particularly sea aster, the pollen of which they use to feed their offspring."

                                         

Hopes rise for welfare of nesting Grimsby swans following temporary installation of fencing

Protected - the plucky Riverhead swans

PROMPT action by Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue should help to safeguard a pair of mute swans that are nesting at Grimsby's Riverhead.

In the past, similar nests have been subjected to attacks by ne'er-do-wells throwing sticks, stones or bricks.

But this year, the wildlife rescue charity has been quick to install protective fencing. 

This will not guarantee the birds' safety, nor success for their nesting attempt, but at least it has increased their chances.

Says CWR: "We have introduced protective measures at the River Freshney as part of a licence granted by North East Lincolnshire Council. 

"This licence has given us the ability to prevent the illegal disturbance and destruction of the swans' nest.

"Sadly, it had  already been victim to mindless attacks and bottles being thrown on to it." 

The statement continues: "Many members of the public have approached our volunteers and said how they were thankful that these measures had been put in place as they often see people acting in a cruel manner towards these swans. 

"We should like to say a big thank you to HSS Hire who have provided these fence panels for free, NELC for their support, and to our volunteers, Michaela and Tia, for installing the equipment.

"We will continue to relay any updates to the local authority and Humberside police if and when necessary."

* The children's author, Enid Blyton, once lost a pair of swans that were nesting by a pond at the edge of her garden when they were stoned by two boys through a gap in the edge. She later wrote: "I think  both those boys should have been well and truly whipped, don't you? There are just a few things that I think whipping should be the punishment for, and cruelty to birds or animals is one of them."  

Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue has expressed gratitude to supporters including volunteers Michaela and Tia

                                            

Is there life after Equans? Council ponders its options after June 2025

                                                  

A PARTING of the way is on the cards for North East Lincolnshire and its private sector partner, Equans (formerly Engie).

The contract between the two organisations expires in June next year, paving the way for NELC to take back services in house or to strike up deals with other organisations.

The council  leadership does have a plan, but, at present, it is intent on keeping this under wraps.

That means the future is uncertain for staff currently employed by Equans which provides the following services: 

• Facilities Management

• Housing Enforcement and Grant Administration

• Disabled Facilities Grants

• Highways and Transport

• Parking Services

• Design Services (Architectural Services, Highways Design, Civil Engineers, Quantity Surveyance, Landscape Design and Principal Contractor role)

• Planning and Development Management/Planning Enforcement

• Flood Risk Management

• Building Control

• Strategic Planning

• Security

• Some support services including procurement and communications. 

It was back in July 2010 that NELC decided to offload these activities - initially to Balfour Beatty Workplace which sold on to a French company, Cofely GDF Suez, thence to Engie before Equans  (owned by another French company, Bouygues) came on the scene in October 2022.

A report to councillors states:  "The contract is due to end on  June 30, 2025.

"A new delivery model is required as the existing contract cannot be extended beyond July 1, 2025.”

The following options have been considered behind the scenes:

• Reprocure the services on the open market 

• Bring services in-house

• Review the contract service by service with different approaches for different areas

• Establish an arms-length delivery company to deliver the services based on similar existing arrangements with Care Trust Plus and Lincs Inspire

• Partnership or joint venture.

"The review found no real financial or service benefit to any one option, and thus recommended that any solution should be considered entirely on which option offers the best potential to meet its current and future challenges and opportunities. 

Another factor that has come into the equation is the prospect of  local government which will involve the election of a mayor, increased revenue from Whitehall and closer working than hitherto with two sister authorities -  North Lincolnshire Council and   Lincolnshire County Council.

The likelihood is that NELC will opt for a hybrid arrangement, with some services coming back in house and others set up in such a way to involve partnership with private sector companies.

However, for more details we need to be patient.

House sparrow is most commonly seen bird in Lincolnshire gardens says RSPB

 

Male and female house sparrow - regular garden visitors (photo: RSPB)

AN RSPB survey has revealed that the house sparrow is the most numerous bird seen in Lincolnshire gardens.

At the start of the weekend, the charity published the full list of birds from the research carried out during January's annual Big Garden Bird Watch.

The Top Ten in Greater Lincolnshire were:

1 House sparrow 
2 Starling 
3 Woodpigeon
4 Blackbird 
5 Blue tit
6 Goldfinch 
7 Great tit 
8 Robin 
9 Long-tailed tit 
0 Collared dove 

Also recorded (in order of number of individuals) were the following:

Chaffinch
Dunnock 
Magpie 
Jackdaw 
Carrion crow 
Feral pigeon
Greenfinch 
Coal tit 
Wren 
Pheasant 
Rook 
Common gull 
Great spotted woodpecker 
Song thrush 
Tree sparrow 
Fieldfare
Pied wagtail 
Moorhen 
Sparrowhawk 
Mallard 
Buzzard
Jay 
Red kite 
Blackcap 
Bullfinch
Stock dove
Redwing
Siskin
Herring gull
Kestrel
Green woodpecker 
Nuthatch
Goldcrest 
Mistle thrush 
Reed bunting 
Yellowhammer 
Barn owl 
Brambling 
Lesser spotted woodpecker 
Grey heron 
Mute swan 
Treecreeper 
Ring necked parakeet 
Raven 
Grey wagtail 
Red-legged partridge
Redpoll
Tawny owl 
Marsh tit 
Linnet 
Hooded crow
Willow tit 
Great black-backed gull
Skylark
Chiffchaff
Little owl
Black redstart 
Hawfinch 
Corn bunting 
Gadwall 
Great crested grebe 
Grey partridge 
Lapwing 
Lesser black backed gull 
Meadow pipit
Teal 
Tufted duck 
Waxwing 
Wigeon