We had a succesful launch of  the carnival  parade last week with many groups collecting their parade packs  and we had a good discussion on what the participants want it is their parade and we just facilitate it but it is the participants who really make it. Since then daily I have been sending out packs to various groups and so far have not had to many questions  back. A suggestion that came from one entrant was let us see if we can have a  100 floats  for 2010  a big ask, in this climate with a lot of people losing their jobs  but the people of North East Lincolnshire  never cease to amaze me   when they set their minds on something they usually achieve it. So as the number grows I will keep you updated   

Last night was the A.G.M. of the Beacon hill residents  association a new chair and deputy was elected and the secretary gave an update on things we had looked at the previous year which had been signs, roads, school issues,  housing issues, Trin fields ,and many thing that residents thought were worth bringing to our attention the group meet on the first Tuesday of every month at 7pm at the Solomon court community centre  and a warm welcome awaits anyone who wants to come and join us or just to bring something that they feel needs raising to our attention

Five councillors  including the portfolio holder for Tourism  travelled to Southport last Tuesday travelling through all the seasons in weather to look at what the saltmarsh has done to their beach. They have fought this plant for many years more then us and have used everything on it from weedkillers to diggers  spending thousand and thousands of pounds and it does not stop it was devestating  and depressing to look at  as you can see from my photo nothing but grass as far as the eye can see. their  frontage stretchs twenty two miles and nineteen is covered in the saltmarsh. They live with it and manage it to the best of their ability and use it to the best advantage they can, but I for one do not want to see us lose our beautiful beach to this monster. Visitors come to us to see the sea and the beach and that is what I want to go on seeing I am sure you will all join with us in this long battle I see ahead of us to not let Nature take back our beach we are wiling to share Nature must do the same 

Next Wednesday 24th February 2010 at 6pm at Cleethorpes Town Hall is the launch date and time of this years Cleethorpes Carnival Parade. If you are interested in being involved in the parade please come along, you will be able to talk to members of the committee, collect a entry and rule pack and talk to previous entrants about their experiences. 

It was nice this week to have some good news that the crime figures are the lowest since records began. This is good news for the residents and our communitys but I can inderstand that some residents do not always believe figures and satistics  as we all feel they can be massaged to fit, but I did attend a meeting with the Police who did go through the figures with us  and it was a surprise. Are less people ringing the Police if something happens  I do not know I always try to encourage residents who get in touch with me to ring the Police to make sure that any problems get reported so  it goes into the Police computer and  they can monitor where the hot spots are  but  if it is damage done to property or theft the Police will be involved if residents want to claim on their insurance they need the crime number.  So this in its self backs up the figures.

I have just returned from a meeting of the carnival committee and we are so pleased to say we are going!!  July 31st 2010 is the date leaving Sidney park at 4-30pm ,we have struggled to get the funding and it is still very  tight and we will be working hard to try and attract more funds to support as many extras for the parade as we can.

We have the launch for the parade  to you all on Wednesday 24th February at 6pm at Cleethorpes town hall which  I do hope if you are interested in getting involved with the parade as a group or as an individual you will attend so let us maker it even bigger and better then last year. 

I watched Mr Blair give his evidence about the war he took us to and what  was new, he spoke powerfully,  forcefully and persuassively but most of all he gave a performance. I wonder how long he rehearsed for this far longer then the thoughts I am sure he gives to the young lives lost

As councillors we are allocated twenty thousand pounds each year  from the council budget to our  ward to help groups and issues brought to us by our residents this year we have helped with ally gates, supported the armed forces day (veterans day), neighbourhood watch groups, family fun day at Sussex recreation ground, moved ally gates, St Andrews church  drop in centre for youngsters, Safety helmets for Matthew Humberston school, donated towards disability toilets at St Francis Assisi Church support for young windsurfer  Kieran Burley who has been selected for the GB team, Christmas tree out side St Peters church,  Junior wardens scheme,  donated towards the central heating boiler at St Peters church,  Cleethorpes  carnival parade,  Humberston park special school,  disability active -protective clothing,   Humberside fire and rescue for flame retardent bedding  and the little we have left has now been asked for and ear marked so I think a pleasing year  to help in a small way and to make a small difference

The carnival committee have a meeting planned next week to see how we can proceed with the carnival, it has been a tremendous struggle to find funding to put on the parade and we are all still looking at every avenue  for funds no matter how small  our committee give their time and any resources freely but even with the committee working hard it is still a struggle to make ends meet,  please watch this space as soon as a firm decision is made we will be shouting the news as I know there are many anxious people out there by the number of calls and e-mails I have received  nearly daily

It was the monthly meeting of the Cleethorpes town team last night, an excellent turnout of residents who are passionate and care about Cleethorpes and really want things to happen and get better. But disappointment came in a big way as the answer from the Yorkshire Foreward representative was  there would be no funding for the long awaited renaissance shop. Money is tight  their representataive told us budgets to them were to be cut,  they had to relook at what and where they can now place their funds disappointment could be felt all around the room , we were put on the backburner again. Yorkshire Foreward had employed consultants to tell us what we needed not that us locals did not know that already, but the  little bit of hope we were given was gone so for the last twelve months all  things promised and wished for gone. But after the anger residents still want to carry on so we wait to see what is in front of us but keep on battling to get our little corner noticed.