With Christmas a matter of weeks away, the impacts of the cost of living and winter energy bills on the horizon, the October half-term holiday will be met with dread by cash-strapped families. It’s difficult to know what to do to keep the kids entertained during the break from school. With the holiday falling over the Halloween period and in the run-up to Bonfire Night, some pester power could also be at play. But, there are plenty of free things to do with the kids in the northern Lincolnshire half-term, if you have a good look around. Many of the activities are Halloween themed too, to keep all your little monsters happy that they are involved in the festivities. Grimsby Live has discovered a variety of events and activities to keep the children occupied until it is time to head back to the classroom. Here is a just a selection of what’s on offer. Halloween dance trail Are you ready for a fa-boo-lous half-term and Halloween? The Love Exploring App’s special Halloween dance trail will go live from Monday, October 21 Grab the kids and have fun searching for augmented reality characters including scary skeletons, mummies and zombies. It’s perfect for getting out and about in Cleethorpes, Grimsby and Immingham. To join in download the Love Exploring App. Harry Potter crafts A drop in library crafts workshop on the theme of Magical Creatures. Make a pygmy puff and create your very own magical creature! Sessions are from 2pm to 4pm at Cleethorpes Library (Tuesday, October 22); Waltham Library (Wednesday, October 23); Immingham Library (Thursday, October 24) and Grimsby Central Library, (Friday, October 25). Also, you can be in with a chance of winning your very own paperback copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by visiting any of the branches, where there will be visual clues dotted around, up until Sunday, October 26. There will be word searches and colour-ins for customers of all ages to take part in. Talk PANTS Pantosaurus visits Cleethorpes Library to share the Talk PANTS story and spread the message to help keep children safe. Facepainting, arts and crafts, a chance to dance along with Pantosaurus himself, on Saturday, October 19, 10am to noon. Wicked Witching Hours Call in at Freshney Place for The Wicked Witching Hours, on Saturday, October 26, 11am-3pm. Spooktacular fun will include a trail, Halloween crafts, a totally wicked photobooth and creepy face painting Be sure to watch out for eerie and enchanting witches casting spells and stirring up mischief. From autumn arts to best-dressed dogs There’s a host of things going on at the 20-21 Visual Arts Centre in Scunthorpe. Pick your day for a whole lot of fun for the family. Events include: Tin dog making demonstration with Lucy Casson – meet acclaimed artist Lucy and watch her in action as she creates an imaginative, canine-themed scene from recycled tin, which will be added to the “A Dog’s Life” exhibition when completed, Tuesday, October 22, 12.30pm to 4pm. Creepy crafts – Using recycled materials create your own spooky scene, Wednesday, October 23, 10.30am to noon. Autumn arts – Get creative and make a sunflower collage using a selection of different seeds, Thursday, October 24, 10.30am to 12.30pm. Best-dressed dog competition – Calling all fashion-conscious dogs…enter the best-dressed dog competition, and you could win a free photoshoot with professional pet photographer, Beki Doig. Please book your dog’s turn on the catwalk, or should that be dogwalk, on Friday, October 25, 2pm to 3pm, by calling 01724 297070 or visit reception. Spooky family fun day – Release your inner ghoul at a Beetlejuice-themed event. Enjoy spine-tingling face painting, get up close with real-life creepy crawlies, and meet the infamous Beetlejuice himself; plus, jump into a cauldron of arts and crafts, Saturday, October 26, 10am to 4pm LEGO Crufts competition – Mark the end of the “A Dog’s Life” exhibition with another LEGO Crufts competition. With the assistance of Brick Box, make a LEGO dog and enter it into the competition with the chance to win some fabulous LEGO prizes, Saturday, October 26, 10am to 4pm. Make like the Romans and more Explore the amazing world of Roman Britain. The Totally Chaotic History Museum Trail from Kids in Museums and Walker Books celebrates the release of hit historian Greg Jenner’s new book, Totally Chaotic History: Roman Britain Gets Rowdy. Discover intriguing objects, give yourself a Roman name and design your own Roman outfit. Complete the activity sheet to receive your Totally Chaotic History sticker! Design your own mosaic and share your drawing on Twitter/X or Instagram with the hashtag TCHMuseumTrail and tag @kidsinmuseums for a chance to win a copy of the book and a Double Art Pass plus Kids donated by Art Fund, Saturday, October 19, 10am, North Lincolnshire Museum, Oswald Road, Scunthorpe. Also running are: Mini storytelling – Call in at Ironstone Cottage, get comfy and enjoy some stories read by one of the Learning Team, Wednesday, October 23, 1.30pm to 2pm. Artefact handling – Visit the pop-up handling station in the Archaeology Gallery. Get hands on with artefacts as a member of our learning team tells you more about how they were used years ago, Thursday, October 24, from 10am, drop in throughout the day. Learn about solar and renewable energy – Drop-in style workshop will give children the opportunity to learn all about solar and renewable energy. Activities include Scalextric; build a solar powered toy; solar history matching task and an online sustainability game, Thursday, October 24, 10.30am. Dudley Discovers make and take – Free, fun, themed activities that explore the collections. There will be different craft activities throughout the week with drop-in sessions 10.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Saturday; 1.30pm to 3.30pm, Sunday, running daily from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, October 27. Culture for kids Grimsby-based arts organisation The Culture House is hosting a number of activities for people of all ages during late October, as part of its ongoing Our Future Starts

Roman shoppers can’t get enough of a “stunning” coat that’s become popular for its glamorous snuggly style, perfect for tackling for winter. The Faux Fur Longline Coat is selling fast on the fashion retailer’s website as it becomes a must-have for the frosty season, and its luxurious appeal promises to elevate any winter wardrobe. To sweeten the deal, Roman is dishing out a 10% discount on everything—meaning the chic £75 coat can be snapped up for just £67.50 when you use the code “CRISP” at checkout. This fashionable piece is available in sizes 10 to 20 and comes in four lavish hues: classic wintry ivory, sophisticated Bordeaux red, rich midnight blue, and opulent emerald green. With a unanimous five-star ratings and glowing reviews, this might be the coat of the season. One shopper said: “I LOVE my faux fur coat. It’s so soft. Complete strangers want to give me a hug!” Another chimed in with: “This coat is my best buy yet from Roman. Beautiful colour, amazing quality and super warm. I love it.” One more content customer highlighted: “Lovely warm coat. Exceptional quality, especially for the price. Love the colour,” reports Chronicle Live. The praise didn’t stop there, with another adding: “I am totally in love with this coat. I have received lots of comments when I wear it. Thank you Roman!” The coat also comes in emerald green and Bordeaux red perfect for the festive season (Image: Roman) Elsewhere, Marks and Spencer’s fashion-savvy shoppers have been clamouring for a coveted coat described as “a need” during the nippy weather. The retailer’s Faux Fur Collared Short Coat, part of their latest clothing collection has recently been put back in stock after flying of the shelves previously. M&S took to Instagram to announce its highly anticipated return: “The coat on everyone’s wish list is back in stock.” Devotees of the brand were quick to descend upon the comments section, showering praise and calling the coat “gorgeous” and “absolutely fabulous”. Priced at £79, the brown faux fur coat is sure to keep your warm this winter. For those shopping on a budget, New Look has just launched their new Faux Fur Coat hitting the racks at £59.99, not to mention it’s available in several hues – black, brown or pale pink. And for those who really aim to turn heads this winter, Next offers up a Faux Fur Jacket with a striking leopard print (as well as a plain version) retailing for £78. Join the FREE Grimsby Live WhatsApp Community Get all the latest stories, sent straight to your WhatsApp – all you need to do is click the link. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

A huge day of festive celebrations is planned as the Great Grimsby Christmas Festival is returning. A full evening of Christmassy fun will take place on Saturday, November 23, across St James Square, Riverhead Square, Grimsby Minster, Freshney Place and Victoria Street – in the event that NELC promises “to be bigger and better than ever.” From midday until 7pm, families can enjoy a wide range of events designed to celebrate the start of the holiday, including: Festive Market – with a range of stalls selling gifts, crafts, seasonal food and drinks. Main Stage – plenty of local artists on stage on an afternoon full of live music. Curling Fun – a pop-up curling lane to give some friendly competition. Choir performances & DJ workshop – local choirs giving heartfelt renditions of classical Christmas carols, mixed in with the chance to learn how to produce your own holiday tracks. The festival’s highlight will be the Christmas Tree Lighting at 5:45pm after the Great Grimsby Light Parade through the town centre. The party continues at the main stage – with the full program and timings to be confirmed soon. Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and the Visitor Economy, Councillor Hayden Dawkins, said: “It’s exciting to see what is planned for Christmas in Grimsby town centre. “From the main stage performances to the festive market, there is something for everyone. I urge as many people as possible to come along, it’s something you don’t want to miss.” This year’s Christmas Festival is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, along with sponsorship from Orsed and the 2025 group. Their support has allowed the event to grow. Join the FREE Grimsby Live WhatsApp Community Get all the latest stories, sent straight to your WhatsApp – all you need to do is click the link. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Pennell’s Garden Centre has officially opened its Christmas store for 2024, bringing festive magic to customers after nearly a year of preparations. Staff at the longstanding garden centre on Humberston Road, Cleethorpes have officially unveiled the dazzling festive displays, which have been in the works since Christmas 2023. A letterbox brimming with children’s lists to the North Pole, a huge Santa statue and trees and decorations in an array of themes and colours – including one-of-a-kind dinosaur decorations – are dotted throughout the store, transforming it into a Christmas spectacular. Three singing reindeers who live at the ‘Reindeer Shack’ are also on-hand to sing customers’ favourite festive belters. Rebecca Kirk, General Manager at Pennell’s in Cleethorpes, told Grimsby Live: “We officially opened our Christmas store late last month. We try and make it slightly different every year and put different twists on things and bring Christmas magic to people. “It takes ages to set up, so we started in July, but we start buying for the Christmas period the December before. We’ve already got trips booked in December and January to buy for Christmas 2025 – so you’re setting up this one, but you’re already thinking about next year. “There’s a big focus on the snowy, Scandinavian and Nordic theme this year and people seem to like more old-fashioned decorations nowadays. But we still have the traditional red, gold and green, the gingerbread houses for the kids and the silvers and whites which are always one of the most popular themes. “We try to stock things to suit every taste and preference and ensure there’s something for everyone, and every budget, and we try and squeeze a lot in – we always say we wish we had rubber walls because we’d like to stretch the place out. “I love coming up with ideas for new displays, and when you see customers come in and go, ‘Wow’, that’s what it’s all about and that’s what I want to achieve every year. Customers have been saying how great it looks.” Take a look inside the Christmas store at Pennell’s Garden Centre in the picture gallery below.

During the Christmas season, we embrace love, family and togetherness. However, it can be a challenging time for those who have experienced loss. Light up a Life is a community event that provides an opportunity for everyone to reminisce about joyful memories and find meaningful ways to celebrate the lives of those we have loved. At the same time, it helps your local hospice to continue to support people living with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Come together at this year’s Light Up a Life service St Andrew’s Hospice would like to invite you to join them at their annual Light up a Life service, an uplifting opportunity to celebrate and remember those we love. This year’s service will take place at Grimsby Town Hall on Saturday, November 30 from 3pm to 5pm. Everyone is welcome to attend, whether you have experienced St Andrew’s Hospice’s care or not, and no matter how long ago your loss was. The service will include carols led by the Humber Belles, readings, refreshments and time for reflection. You can honour a special individual with a message on the scroll, and St Andrew’s Hospice also welcomes donations to allow them to continue to provide specialist palliative care to people of all ages. For more information, visit www.standrewshospice.com/supporting-us/events/events-details/light-up-a-life or scan the below QR code. Scan this QR code for more information (Image: St Andrew’s Hospice) Emily Aitken, Head of Fundraising and Events, said: “Light Up a Life is about remembrance, but it is also about community. It’s a time for everyone, whether you have a connection to the hospice or not, to come together and reflect. “For many, St Andrew’s Hospice provided support, care and comfort when needed the most; both to yourselves and your loved ones. This support and care would not be possible without all of you, without the community. “As always, thank you for your continued support of St Andrew’s Hospice. Your donations help us care for those with life-limiting illnesses, and ensure we truly make every moment count.”

Families will soon be in high spirits as the ghostliest season of all creeps up on us. It’s time for some Halloween fun, when dressing up, trick-or-treating and spooky parties all come to the fore. Halloween season has grown over the years to become a big celebration in many households. Creepy costumes, ghoulish goodies and pumpkin-picking and carving are all part of the entertainment. If you are up for some ghoulish activities outside your own four walls, there is lots of Halloween activity going on in the northern Lincolnshire area. Make it a spine-chilling season to remember at one of the Halloween-inspired events going on in the region around October 31. Here is a selection of some of the biggest and best attractions coming this way – please note some locations may charge entry fees or need pre-booking, so please check before arriving. Halloween animal encounter Will you dare to hold a spider or a snake this Halloween? (Image: Evening Gazette) Hold spiders, snakes, creepy crawly insects and even meet a skunk at the trail centre at Elsham Hall this October half-term. Spend an entire hour getting to know the wonderful animals usually used to illustrate something spooky and scary this Halloween – you’re brave enough to hold them, right? Suitable for children of all ages, the experience is running from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, October 27, noon to 1pm. Ticket includes entry to the Country Park and Garden at Elsham. Elsham Estate & Gardens, Elsham Hall, Brigg, DN20 0QZ Really spooky railway Dare you ride the ghost train? Or listen to spooky tales in the magical Lisbon Tram on the moors, where you can hear tales of the boggarts, ghosts and other creatures of the moor? Come to the Crowle Peatland Railway Halloween Event for an evening of spooky fun, including ghost trains, spooky tales, ghostly food and drinks. Dress in your best Halloween costume for a night to remember – Sunday, October 27, 3pm to 7pm. The Old Peatworks, Crowle, DN17 4BL Dare to disco A fun and entertaining Halloween-themed disco open to all children 2+, with fancy dress encouraged. The event, on Saturday, October 19, 4pm to 6pm, is being hosted by Kimberley Performing Arts Centre – please make sure your child is supervised. Kimberley Performing Arts Centre, Enderby Road, Scunthorpe, DN17 2JL Creepy castle capers Halloween at Tattershall Castle means treading carefully in the ghostly grounds. The castle is a maze of haunting walls – take a spine-shivering Halloween trail for some frightful fun, and enjoy the castle decorated for Halloween. The event is running from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, November 3, 11am to 3pm. Sleaford Road, Tattershall, LN4 4LR Sundown Sessions at Go Ape Be guided by moonlight and dazzling fairy lights this half-term at Go Ape Normanby Hall. With neon lighting, these sense-heightening experiences add a new level of thrill to your outdoor activity. Running from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, November 10, 5pm to 7pm, the exclusive Sundown Sessions are back, giving you chance to experience the Treetop Adventure trail and take in the views at Normanby Hall Country Park in a way that is rarely experienced. Intricate crossings, wobbly bridges and great zip wire rides will be something to quake about this Halloween. Go Ape Normanby Hall, Normanby Hall Country Park, DN15 9HU Barton ghost walk Dare to wander the streets of Barton-up-Humber in North Lincolnshire after dark with only spirits to guide you? Wrap up warm or don your best fancy dress and join the South Bank Players on their spooky ghost walk around the town after dark this Halloween. Actors in period costumes appear and tell stories of long-dead residents to make your hair stand on end! Take the tour if you dare on Thursday, October 31, 7.15pm arrival, 7.30pm start, meeting at Baysgarth House Museum car park. Baysgarth House Museum, Caistor Road, Barton-upon-Humber, DN18 6AH Halloween dance trail Are you ready for a fa-boo-lous half-term and Halloween? The Love Exploring App has the special Halloween dance trail to follow – grab the kids and have fun searching for augmented reality characters including scary skeletons, mummies and zombies. It’s perfect for getting out and about in Cleethorpes, Grimsby and Immingham. Chilling chocolate … Come and get messy with some Halloween fun chocolate making at Duffy’s Chocolate of Cleethorpes. Children can make a chocolate lolly or decorate a giant marshmallow. If that doesn’t take your fancy, you can come and watch their award-winning chocolate being made and packaged up. Sessions Monday and Tuesday, October 21 and 22. On track of treats not tricks Ready for a fang-tastic week of family fun? Bones the Steam and the team return to the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway for a frightful time this Halloween. Keep your eyes peeled for pumpkins while on your train journey to be in with a chance of winning a ghoulish goody bag. Make sure to haunt the Sidings Snack Shack for some ghostly grub – or the adults can try the Signal Box Inn if they need some Dutch courage! No booking required – suitable for visitors of all ages. Running from Saturday, October 19 to Thursday, October 31. Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, Lakeside Station, Kings Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 0AG Join the FREE Grimsby Live WhatsApp Community Get all the latest stories, sent straight to your WhatsApp – all you need to do is click the link. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Halloween is on the horizon and the pumpkin fields for picking your own spooky specimen are open. It’s time for all the family to step into wellies and get out into the fresh air for some perfect pumpkin foraging. October is a busy month for farms dedicated to pumpkin growing and although the conditions this year have been testing for producers, there are plenty of pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and hues just ripe for the picking now. A day out pumpkin picking is a hugely popular excursion for families across the northern Lincolnshire area. While you can buy pumpkins from the supermarket or greengrocers, there is more excitement to be had getting out into the pumpkin field and spotting just the squash or squashes you want for your Halloween festivities. Lots of pumpkin growers offer other pumpkin-related activities into the mix too, to add to the fun of the search. Then it’s time to get carving and decorating your perfect pumpkin. Here is a selection of the best places to go pumpkin picking across the northern Lincolnshire region. Please note some locations may charge entry fees or need pre-booking, so please check before arriving. Pumpkin Bumpkins PYO Pumpkins as far as the eye can see at Pumpkin Bumpkins PYO, Cliff Road, Spridlington (Image: pumpkinbumpkins.co.uk) With 12 different varieties grown across ten acres, you’ll be sure to find your perfect pumpkin growing here, ready for you to pick fresh from the patch. The perfect autumnal adventure for the whole family, there are thousands of examples to choose from – Goosebump Pump, Polar Bear and Pink Porcelain anyone? The pumpkin patch is free to enter – pay for what you pick – and coffee, crepes and wood fired pizzas will be available to buy on the day. Pumpkin Bumpkins is open over the weekend of October 12 and 13, and from Saturday, October 19 to Monday, October 28, and again on Halloween, Thursday, October 31, 10am to 4pm Pumpkin Bumpkins, Cliff Road, Spridlington, LN8 2DN Nunny’s Farm Pick your own pumpkin, perfect for a spot of spooky carving, from Nunny’s Farm, Grimsby. Open to the public from Saturday, October 12, from 10am, there are pumpkins available to pick from the farm-grown specimens and priced according to size. Nunny’s Farm will welcome pumpkin pickers daily right up until Thursday, October 31, when everyone’s Halloween activities get into full swing. Nunny’s Farm, 17a Wootton Road, Grimsby, DN33 1HE Peaks Top Farm The pumpkins are lined up in the fields and ripe for the picking at Peaks Top Farm, New Waltham. The farm will be open daily for PYO visitors, until the pumpkins have sold out, from Saturday, October 19, from 10am and last entry will be 3.30pm. With visitors urged to wear suitable clothing and wellies or outdoor boots for combing the fields for pumpkins are in the field, Peaks Top Farm also recommends bringing something to protect the inside of your vehicle from any residual mud that may still be on your pumpkin prize find. Peaks Top Farm, New Waltham, DN36 4RS Pink Pig Farm Pink Pig’s Pumpkin Festival is running on the weekend of October 12 and 13 and then from Saturday, October 19 right through until Thursday, October 31. Festival entry includes all indoor and outdoor play so there is even more to do after loading up your wheelbarrow with a pumpkin and carving your spooky lantern in the barn. There is a free pumpkin for every paying child, while Windle the witch will be on hand to teach you how to make potions and there will be spooky food and cakes. The pumpkin patch runs from 11am to 3pm. Pink Pig Farm, Holme Lane, Scunthorpe, DN16 3RE Lings Farm Come and pick your own pumpkins against the lovely backdrop of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Lings Farm, near Caistor, is offering PYO pumpkins PYO pumpkins over the weekend of October 12 and 13, and then from Saturday, October 19 until Thursday, October 31, 10am to 4pm. There is free entry with no pre-booking needed. Lots of varieties of pumpkin, all grown on the farm, are available, with wheelbarrows to borrow and pumpkin washing facilities so you don’t grubby-up your car – and there could be a free little gourd for the best fancy dress spotted while out on the spooky stroll. Lings Farm, Croxby Top, Caistor, LN7 6BN Hall Farm Park Plenty of pre-Halloween fun is to be had down on the farm, with the pumpkin patch open from Saturday, October 12, until Thursday, October 31 (park closed Wednesdays 16th and 30th). During your visit in half-term, be sure to look out for the black cats hiding around the park to win a small prize. Hall Farm Park will also be offering its usual activities, including indoor and outdoor play, woodland walk, goat walking, tractor rides (for an extra charge) and more. Hall Farm Park, Caistor Road, South Kelsey, LN7 6PR Uncle Henry’s Pick your own pumpkins and carve on site if you wish, leaving with the perfect pumpkin lantern all ready for your celebration. Borrow a wheelbarrow and browse the classic orange and spooky white pumpkin ranges – pay for what you pick, depending on size – and take advantage of the range of photo opportunities in the patch and garden, as well as a chance to enjoy the farm’s Jumping Pillow! The pumpkin patch will be open from 10am to 4pm over the weekend of October 12 and 13 and then from Saturday, October 19 until Thursday, October 31. If you want a full Halloween experience, you can pick your pumpkin and enjoy all the spooky offerings that Behind the Garden Wall has to offer, including three maize mazes. Uncle Henry’s, Grayingham Grange Farm, Grayingham, Gainsborough, DN21 4JD Rand Park Farm Meet the cuddly animals, explore the toddler-friendly play areas, and enjoy a stroll through the pumpkin patch with loads of adorable photo ops – plus, every paying child receives a free pumpkin. During the Pumpkin Festival 2024

Every visit to Venney’s at the Granby in North Thoresby is a celebration. Whether it is for the excellent meals, outstanding service and the friendly atmosphere or, in our case, an anniversary meal, the venue is a must for those seeking the ultimate in eating out. The new menu at Venney’s at the Granby is a feast of satisfaction to please everyone. The choice of mains ranges from traditional fish dishes of seabass, halibut, haddock and scampi, through to steak and ale pies, sausage or steaks. There is also an appetising range of lasagnes, stroganoff, a chicken tagine or Katsu curry that cannot be missed. The stunning transformation of the former Granby Inn, which was the Halfway House for many years, is remarkable. It has brought a touch of Kensington or Chelsea to the village, but at half of the price and even more of an excellent dining experience. There is more to come too with the opening of The Granby Grill, shortly, so watch out for more news. Inside Venney’s@ The Granby (Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive) A visit to Venney’s at the Granby is a salute to owners Sara and Peter Venney for starting up their business in the existing economic climate. They are flying the flag for true entrepreneurial spirit and started their first venture in the catering industry with astonishing and well-deserved success. The achievement is measured by the number of returning visitors and those, like us, who are first-timers, since opening in June. The reason is quite simple. The food is brilliant and the service excellent, in superb surroundings. And it is all at a reasonable price. I had a delicious starter of smoked salmon from Grimsby’s Alfred Enderby with sauce gribiche (£8.95). It was lovely and won the day over a choice of ribs, fried pigeon breast, prawns or goats cheese croquettes all around the same price. My partner’s chicken tagine, with dried fruits, steamed rice and mini-poppadums (£18.95) was fantastic. The spices had quite a kick to them complemented by the dried fruits and mango chutney. She thoroughly recommended it in between enjoying a lime and soda. The drinks came with crushed ice, which is a classy touch and came with plenty of lime, unlike other watered-down versions at other venues. Chicken Tagine (Image: Grimsby Live) My beef fillet stroganoff with chestnut mushrooms and spinach and rice (£17.95) was a joy from the first mouthful to the last, and filling. Scores of other diners looked impressed with their meals from the new menu and there was a lovely atmosphere to the plush and spacious venue. The owners have taken on around 25 new staff and they all have a cheerful and friendly way, giving an added sparkle to the restaurant. It is spotlessly clean and the facilities are first class. The patio area and corridors are elegantly lit and introduce visitors to a special place which has all the highest of standards of Lincolnshire’s finest eating out places. Beef Stroganoff (Image: Grimsby Live) There was a pleasant break before the biggest thrill of the evening, the homemade desserts. Take a bow ‘Little Chef Lily’, daughter of chef Ant Cron, for the best selection of desserts the county has to offer. Dark chocolate tart with raspberry sorbet, fresh raspberries and clotted cream, cinnamon creme brulee, with cookie dough ice cream and homemade biscotti and the sticky toffee pudding looked magnificent. The Biscoff tart with caramel syrup (Image: Grimsby Live) My partner chose the Biscoff tart with caramel syrup, crushed Biscoff and salted caramel ice-cream. She raved for a long time about its perfection. My lemon curd posset was equally perfect. The blueberry sauce, crushed pistachios and homemade shortbread on top made it heaven on a plate. They tasted even better at £6.50 each. Lemon Curd Posset (Image: Grimsby Live) The restaurant has a private dining suite for use for conferences and meetings or parties. Here’s to many more anniversaries at Venney’s at the Granby. The venue is open 11am to 11pm Monday to Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 9am to midnight and Sunday 9am to 10pm. Booking is advised on 01472 514838 or check out venneysatthegranby.co.uk.

There are so many food choices at Hull Fair it can be hard to make a decision. When I went for my first wander down Walton Street, having not been to Hull Fair for 12 years, I was taken aback by how much there is to choose from these days. There are still the classics like roasted chestnuts and brandy snap, but I was also spotting bao buns, apple crumbles, and other delights. I decided to stop at a food area set slightly back from Walton Street at the Spring Bank end. There is a bit more space to eat your takeaway further away from the crowds and black refuse bags serve as bins. My choices were limited by not having any cash on me – a lot of places still have signs with “cash only”. Eventually, I decided on a cute-looking stand called ‘The Authentic German Sausage’ by Diamond Dogs which has a five-star food hygiene rating. Diamond Dogs advertised dirty fries among its food offerings and said its hot dogs are “crafted by multi-award winning butchers, using the highest welfare British pork, natural casings, and smoked over English fruitwood”. This did sound very tasty. I think the last time I bought a hot dog from a stand was in 2016 so I was curious to try one again. The menu at Diamond Dogs at Hull Fair (Image: Hull Live) It was only about a five-minute wait for the food, even though people were waiting in front of me and order processing, payment, cooking and packing was all done by the same person. There was a choice of crispy onions, or fresh caramelised onions which I adore. Naturally, I chose the latter and finished with a generous dollop of yellow mustard. Keep up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from Grimsby with our free newsletter It was good quality – that was undeniable. I liked the onions but I’d have been happier with an English mustard option to add a peppery kick to it. That being said, the ‘hot hot dog’ option on the menu lets you have the addition of jalapeno peppers, chipotle mayonnaise and a house hot sauce if you want some extra heat. The prices were similar to other Hull Fair vendors but I think some fries on the side would have made it more of a generous meal. As it was, it was good for a snack or light lunch and is definitely recommended.

How I’ve reached the ripe old age of 30 and still hadn’t gone to Hull Fair until a couple of days ago is beyond me – but there’s a first time for everything, right? On Friday, October 4 at an earlier starting time of 4pm, the iconic and much-anticipated travelling fair – one of the largest in Europe – opened to the public on Walton Street for its 730th year. The fact that the fair has been running since Medieval times actually blows my mind – I knew it had been going for a long time, but I didn’t realise we were talking more than 700 years! With more than 250 attractions – from some of the craziest, white-knuckle rides in the country to more tame ones for the kids, classic fair games and delicious food to boot – it’s easy to see why Hull Fair attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors, year after year. So, keen to see what all the fuss is about, me, my partner and four-year-old daughter made the trip across the Humber Bridge on Saturday afternoon to visit Hull Fair, which was a first for all three of us. Whether you’re travelling with or without kids, I would definitely recommend doing what we did and using the Park and Ride service. Until about an hour before setting off I was intending on driving into Hull and finding a parking spot close to the fair, but I soon discovered that this would be near enough possible. Hull Fair has returned to Walton Street for 2024 (Image: Hull Live) Luckily, there are two Park and Ride services which run from both the Humber Bridge car park and Priory Park. I was worried that the Humber Bridge car park would be super busy, especially with it being a Saturday – but the whole process was actually really easy. We did have to park in the overflow car park, but then it was just a two-minute walk from our car to the number 22 bus, which drops you off just a stone’s throw away from the fair entrance. It cost £4 per person for a day rider ticket, and under-fives travel for free. From the Humber Bridge car park, buses run every 10 to 15 minutes from 5pm to 8.30pm Monday to Friday, and from 2pm until 8.30pm on Saturdays. Buses run back from the fair from 5.30pm to 11.05pm Monday to Thursday, from 5.30pm to 11.20pm on Fridays, and from 2.30pm to 11.20pm on Saturdays. When we arrived at the fair at around 4pm on Saturday, it was actually a lot less busier than I thought. My little girl was so excited and eager to go on one of the rides, so she had a go on the Disney Mania ride close to the entrance, and loved it. I believe I paid on card, and it was either £3 or £4. I then bought a hot dog for her from one of the nearby stalls (another £4) and we made our way past the food stalls to the rides. I couldn’t believe just how much choice there was when it came to food options – don’t get me wrong, there was definitely an excess of things like chips, burgers and hot dogs – but there were also some eclectic choices and cuisines from across the world, which I loved. As soon as she noticed the candyfloss and popcorn, the hot dog was quickly discarded. Eager to avoid a tantrum, I bought her a bag of the good stuff and a tub of popcorn, which I believe set me back around £7. My daughter Minnie with her bag of candyfloss (Image: Hull Live) The first ride we went on together was the Disney Teacups ride, which cost £3 per person, cash only. It’s such a small ride – miniscule in fact, compared to the others – but it was so much fun. My little girl was in fits of laughter because of how dizzy I was getting – I had to actually take a minute before I got off the ride because I would’ve fallen off otherwise! I’m clearly getting old. Next, after making our way through the ever-increasing crowds and stalls with an array of fun fairground games (and having to say ‘no, Minnie’ at least 20 times), my partner took her on the Crazy Circus Funhouse attraction. It cost £5 each, and accepted card payments. Unsurprisingly, it all looked a bit manic – the stairs to get onto the first floor move up and down as you’re climbing them – but the little one enjoyed it, especially with the huge clown slide at the end marking the end of the experience. The Crazy Circus Fun House (Image: Hull Live) Next, she and I went on the Runaway Train ride, which was so much fun. If you ever visited the former Pleasure Island theme park in Cleethorpes, it was like a more scaled-down version of the Mini Mine Train ride. I did worry she might not like it as it’s quite twisty and jolty in places, but she absolutely loved it. I believe this one cost £4 each, and it was cash only. Last but not least, the three of us went on the Crash Test ride, which cost a steep £18. It was obviously ridiculously expensive, but the ride itself was fantastic. It reminded me a bit of the iconic Grand National ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach at first with the high ups and downs, but then added something extra in the form of the circular cart we were in, spinning, at the same time. This was definitely the highlight. Hull Fair attracts crowds in their hundreds of thousands (Image: Hull Live) After about two-and-a-half hours, it was time to head back home. By this time, the fair was absolutely heaving, and it took us about 45 minutes just to navigate our way through the stifling crowds where the food trucks were. My little one insisted