IT WAS BLACK FRIDAY; AND DIDN’T I KNOW IT!

According to the old proverb anything that can go wrong will obviously go wrong on “Friday the Thirteenth”, and being a politician at times some events can be even more embarrassing than others.

Friday morning, I was up at my usual time; “bright eyed and bushy tailed”, but I had to be out much earlier for an 8am meeting. I left home at about 7.30am on my pedal cycle as usual, but rather nervously; mainly because of last night’s snow – I had totally forgotten what day it was. The date was the last thing on my mind; however upon returning home – it soon dawned upon me! Yes, it was “Black Friday” – but what could go wrong?

Photograph of the Birds Eye Site (which is now nearly cleared) – courtesy of Grimsby Evening Telegraph
As usual, I switched my computer on, and then went through to the kitchen to make a coffee; while the kettle was boiling I started to read the Grimsby Evening Telegraph, which Carol my wife had conveniently left on the computer desk. On the front page was a photograph of myself in front of 105 Roberts Street, but unfortunately the article underneath and on page one was about Birds Eye – not 105 Roberts Street! But to be fair to Paul Smith who had written the article, I must give him credit – it was and excellent article.

Unfortunately it appears as though the curse of “Friday the Thirteenth” had struck Councillor Beasant, and the Grimsby Evening Telegraph – “spooky stuff”! Well, how did it happen; in some respects the explanation is simple. On this occasion I was interviewed for both articles on the same day; however the photographs were taken on different days, but by the same photographer. So, potentially it was either: human error, the gremlins, or the curse of Friday the Thirteenth – I am not really bothered which but I generally get good publicity from the Telegraph, and I have taken it in good faith. The main thing to me is the fact that both stories are “good news” for the East Marsh!

As most people know who live in the area arsonists set fire to the Birds Eye Factory on September 12, 2007 which destroyed the factory. The site is now earmarked for new housing but unfortunately last July the developer went into administration. However, as I said to Paul Smith, I am confident that someone will come forward to develop the, Paul quoted me as saying:

“The site is now nearly clear. There is still a long way to go and still a lot more to do, but we are hoping we are now getting to the stage where the site will begin to be marketable.
“We have seen two sights nearly developed on Ladysmith Road and now we want to see this one developed which would be fantastic news.

“I think there is a good chance that if we get ownership of that land sold on that this can move forward very, very quickly now.”

As I have already said, I was also interviewed about 105 Roberts Street on the same but this article has not yet appeared in the Telegraph. I told Paul Smith that this had been empty for a number of years and was in danger of becoming another hazard like Birds Eye – it had fallen into disrepair. Many people will remember it as a “grand vicarage”, very large; but it was later turned into a residential home and then flats.

Unfortunately, while it was left derelict the building was ransacked – all the copper pipes, radiators, lead flashing, and anything else of value were removed. Young people were often seen in the building, and attempts were made to set the building on fire – fortunately while the building was empty there were no reported accidents.

In recent months, I have worked closely with Environmental Services and the Empty Home’s Officer, and this has lead to a successful Demolition Order. It is hoped that in the near future four new properties will be built on the site.

Photograph of 105 Roberts Street (which is now nearly cleared) – courtesy of Grimsby Evening Telegraph