Families have been meeting plenty of adorable animals over the Bank Holiday weekend At this time of year, the world feels full of life and Nunny’s Farm in Grimsby is no exception. The petting farm in Wootton Road has been hosting its Easter event over the Bank Holiday weekend and people have been dressing up for the festivities as well as meeting lots of exciting types of farm animal. Children got to pet rabbits, chickens, and even alpacas. The weekend is Alice In Wonderland themed with games, crafting, an Easter egg hunt, meeting the ponies, animal handling, and the cafe for food and drinks. Entry is £4 each for every aged two and over and animal walking costs an additional £1.50. After a difficult winter, with the farm forced to close its doors to visitors due to flooding, the atmosphere was joyful and children were very excited to see the rabbits and other small critters. All photos by Donna Clifford for Grimsby Live

A lot has happened over the past five years, so much so that it’s starting to feel like 2019 is much further in the past than it actually is. It’s been a rollercoaster ride for sure and many may well already be feeling a little nostalgic for the 2010s with the decade that has followed bringing the unforgettable likes of the Covid pandemic and cost of living crisis. Indeed, 2019 – the year the photos below were taken – was the last time when people could go out into pubs, bars and restaurants at Easter until 2022 with coronavirus restrictions seeing them shuttered in 2020 and 2021. The latter year only saw venues serving meals and drinks able to open for outdoor service from April 12 after months of enforced closure, with indoor service resuming on May 17. READ MORE: As we now enjoy a third restriction-free Easter after the pandemic, we look back five years to the bars of Cleethorpes on this weekend in 2019. During that weekend, photographer Carl Leslie headed out to Havana Cabana, Arthur’s House, The Counting House, Tale of Two, 0 North, The Studio, The Bobbin, and Rift bar to capture the fun. If you were out, you may spot yourself!

Anyone who has grown up in Grimsby or Cleethorpes will probably agree that La Bella is somewhat of an iconic establishment in the area. Having been a much-loved fixture in the Market Place for as long as I can remember, La Bella is renowned for its pizza platters loaded with cheese, lovingly made pasta dishes and moreish garlic bread. The last time I visited La Bella for an actual meal, I remember thinking that it hadn’t changed at all in the decade that had passed since I last ate there. But that’s an aspect I really like about the place. READ MORE: It exudes a nostalgic charm that takes people back to their younger years, eating there with their families for a birthday celebration, or with their friends after a summers’ day spent at the seaside. Plus, I think the fact that the restaurant never seems to visually change is just evidence that it’s purely the tastiness of the food that keeps bringing customers back, time and time again. The Panko Breaded Prawns, Risotto and Parmesan (Image: Grimsby Live) So, after my partner and I decided to treat ourselves to a takeaway last week (something we are trying to do less of, believe it or not), I suddenly had this urge to order from La Bella. It’s been about three years since I last ate there, and an intense craving set in when I saw it listed on JustEat. It used to be one of my favourite places to eat when I was a teenager – so I was curious to see if the food was still just as good. For starters, we opted for the Panko Breaded Prawns, described on the menu as ‘North Atlantic prawns coated in panko bread crumbs and served with salad garnish and garlic mayo’, and the Hot and Spicy chicken wings. For mains, I went for one of the Specialty dishes, a Pollo Pomadoro (chicken and tomato) Parmesan. This was described on the menu as ‘grilled chicken breast, cooked in our house tomato sauce topped with mozzarella, oven baked and seasoned with freshly shaved parmesan’. My partner chose the Polla Alla Fungi Risotto, described on the menu as ‘chicken supreme, mushrooms and onion in a rich cream white wine sauce’. Polla Alla Fungi Risotto (Image: Grimsby Live) The food came in good time and we plated up our mains. Digging in to our starters, I couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed the Panko Breaded Prawns. They were absolutely divine. The prawns themselves were huge, and the Panko breadcrumbs just gave them the most perfect, satisfying crunch. I could’ve eaten about 20 of them, to be honest. The chicken wings were tasty, albeit not as hot and spicy as we thought they’d be. The only downside would be the portion size – they were the same price as the prawns (£5.99 each), but only three chicken wings were served, compared to five prawns. As for the mains, I definitely preferred the risotto out of the two, so much so that I ended up wishing I’d ordered that instead. It was rich, creamy and filling, and the combination of chicken, mushroom and white wine is always a winner for me anyway. The next time I visit La Bella in person, I’m keeping this dish in mind. Pollo Pomadoro Parmesan (Image: Grimsby Live) My Parmesan was delicious, too, but I probably would’ve enjoyed it even more if I’d gone for chips instead of rice when ordering. I may be wrong, but I think it was Jasmine rice, which is commonly served when you order an Indian or Thai meal – so to me the combination of Italian and Asian flavours on the same plate just felt a bit weird. But the Parmesan itself was packed with flavour, and the combination of the rich tomato sauce, Italian herbs and seasoning and about half a block of cheese grated on top was just heavenly. Exactly the sort of food I used to enjoy at La Bella back in the day. My verdict: La Bella is a true staple of no-nonsense, hearty Italian food in the heart of Cleethorpes, and I’m so happy it’s stayed the same over the years. The takeaway wasn’t perfect and there were a couple of very, very minor issues, but it hasn’t put me off in the slightest. In this day and age I think there are so many restaurants that try too hard to be quirky and ‘edgy’, so it’s important to still support those restaurants in the area more of the old-school, traditional kind. After all, I do love a bit of nostalgia – and that’s exactly what La Bella brings.

For the majority of people, a traditional Good Friday just wouldn’t feel right without tucking in to a plate of fish and chips. Observed for generations, the tradition of eating fish on Good Friday – the anniversary of Jesus’ death – comes from Christianity. The church encourages followers to abstain from eating meaty flesh, believing that Jesus died for our sins, therefore sacrificing his flesh. Having once been the biggest fishing port in the world, it goes without saying that Grimsby and Cleethorpes are always heaving every year when Good Friday comes around, with locals and tourists alike opting for our famous fish and chips for lunch or tea. READ MORE: Because I usually go for a fish and chips takeaway on Good Friday, rather than tackling the queues at my local, I thought I’d step out of my comfort zone this year and join the masses for a sit-in treat. After struggling to find anywhere to park in two of the major car parks in Cleethorpes because of how busy the resort was, we eventually found a spot on Grimsby Road, and made our way down to none other than the iconic Steel’s Corner House in the Market Place. Steel’s Corner House Restaurant in Cleethorpes Market Place. (Image: June and Roger Langford) Unsurprisingly, there were queues out the door, with around six parties ahead of us. Across the road, outside Ernie Beckitt’s, the queue was even longer. After around a 20-minute wait (thankfully, in the sun), we were brought inside and seated at our table by the friendly staff. We ordered two large haddock and chips, which came with a plate of bread and butter and a choice of tea or coffee each. The bread and butter and drinks were served within about five minutes, and we took in our surroundings while waiting for our main courses. One thing I love about Steel’s is how no matter how many years have passed, you step inside and it looks exactly the same as when you were there the last time, bringing about a real sense of nostalgia. Large haddock and chips at Steel’s Corner House (Image: Grimsby Live) Having been widely considered as THE place to go for fish and chips in Cleethorpes for as long as I can remember, the restaurant boasts a character entirely of its own. It’s like stepping back in time by 50 years – but in the best possible way. Little details like the old-school traffic light system on the wall outside the kitchen, which indicates to waiting staff when an order is ready, just add to the restaurant’s vintage aesthetic. The restaurant is known for its classic aesthetic (Image: Grimsby Live) Our meals arrived after around 15 minutes or so, and my first thoughts were just how huge the serving was. We’d tackled the queues – but the actual fish, on the other hand, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to manage, purely because of the size of it. The fish was perfectly tender and flaky, the batter was light and crispy and the chips were just the definition of the most perfect “chippy chips” – if that makes any sense. I managed to eat most of my fish, but had to leave the majority of my chips. Despite being defeated, I couldn’t fault the meal at all. My verdict: It’s no surprise why Steel’s Corner House has enjoyed booming business for generations. The fish portions are absolutely huge, and at £13.45 for a large haddock and chips, I think the restaurant is pretty reasonably priced when you take into account what you actually get. Obviously, there are cheaper places out there for fish and chips, but the cosy and welcoming atmosphere of Steels, with its comfy seating and vintage vibe, make it worth paying that little bit more – purely for the experience. I’m pleased I stepped outside my comfort zone and tackled the queues for a Steels lunch – and I can see now why so many others do the same thing each year.

You might have heard the words ‘unbelievable Jeff’ countless times over the years but one thing you can believe is that the man himself is coming to Grimsby. After the success of his 2024 tour, Sky Sports legend Jeff Stelling will be heading to our town in January 2025 for a very special evening of football-related nostalgia, fun and entertainment. As well as being joined on the Grimsby Auditorium stage by Sky colleague Bianca Westwood as she “hosts and roasts the anchor man”, another very special guest will be coming along too – current Gillette Soccer Saturday star and footballing great Paul Merson. Jeff was a familiar face on Sky Sports for more than 30 years before leaving at the end of the 2022/23 season. He joined the broadcaster in 1992 before becoming host of Sports Saturday, as it was known then, in 1994. READ MORE: Jeff presented almost every episode over the years and worked with some of football’s all-time greats including George Best, Roy Keane and David Beckham to name just a few. His charismatic presenting style and hilarious banter with his panellists won him legions of fans who regularly tuned in for an enjoyable Saturday afternoon in front of the TV. On the night in Grimsby, Jeff and Paul will, of course, be talking about all things football, and there will also be a chance to ask them lots of questions with an audience Q&A. VIP tickets for a meet and greet are available to book too, but only a limited number are available. Sporting memorabilia will also be for sale at the event. An Evening With Jeff Stelling is coming to Grimsby Auditorium (Image: Submitted) An Evening With Jeff Stelling will take place at 7.30pm on Thursday, January 16, 2025. Tickets are priced at £36 with the VIP meet and greet available for £73.50. To book, visit grimsbyauditorium.org.uk or call 0300 300 0035 between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday. 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 .

There’s plenty of egg-citing events on the horizon for all the family to enjoy this Easter weekend in North East Lincolnshire. From meeting characters like Peter Rabbit and the Easter Bunny himself, to taking part in an array of arts and crafts activities and grabbing an Easter egg or two in an egg hunt, there’s a huge range of fun and engaging activities on offer in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham this weekend. Here’s our round-up of the events taking place in the area over the next few days … READ MORE: Events on Good Friday Easter Eggs-press at Cleethorpes Light Coast Railway When: Good Friday to Easter Monday From Friday, March 29 to Monday, April 1, families will have the chance to take an egg-stra special ride on the light railway, and meet the Easter Bunny himself. Children of all ages can also take part in the special Bunny Trail, with an Easter prize given at the end. Easter Event at Nunny’s Farm When: Good Friday to Easter Sunday, 10am to 4pm Join the animals at Nunny’s Farm on Wootton Road, Grimsby, for their annual Alice In Wonderland-themed Easter weekend event. On Good Friday, families will have the chance to meet the Easter Bunny, Peter Rabbit and Bing Bunny, take part in games and crafts, and walk with and handle the animals. On Saturday, the Alice In Wonderland team will be hosting special activities around the farm, while on Sunday, kids can complete the Easter Trail and take part in the Easter Egg hunt. Open 10am-4pm. Fancy dress encouraged. Easter Fun Day with the Easter Bunny at the Pear Tree When: Good Friday, 12pm to 4pm Bouncy castles, rides, face painting and a range of stalls to explore are promised at the Easter Fun Day at the Pear Tree pub in Cleethorpes on Good Friday. No places are left on the Egg Hunt unfortunately – but little ones will still have the chance to meet the Easter Bunny himself. Fancy dress encouraged. Easter Cooking Workshop at Fusion Centre, Ladysmith Road When: Good Friday, 10am to 12pm In this fun workshop, children will be helped to make four of their very own Easter cupcakes, which will be packaged to take home in an Easter-themed cake box. They will also be able to make and decorate an Easter basket to use for a special egg hunt. Tickets cost £22 and can be purchased here. Snacks and drinks included. Free tea and coffee and hot cross buns provided for parents who stay at the event. Hunting for Easter eggs can be exciting for little ones (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Events on Saturday Easter Fun Day at Freeman Street Market When: Saturday, 10am to 4pm A day of family fun is promised at Freeman Street Market on Saturday, with bouncy castles, soft play, ball pools and an Easter Trail, with 400 Easter eggs up for grabs as prizes. Plus, little ones will have the chance to meet their favourite characters, with appearances from Hey Duggee (11am), the Easter Bunny (11.30am and 1pm), Poppy Troll (12pm), Cocomelon (12.30pm) and Bluey (1.30pm). Peter Rabbit Appearances at Freshney Place Shopping Centre When: Saturday at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm On the hour every hour between 11am and 3pm, Peter Rabbit will make special, meet-and-greet appearances near H Samuel in Freshney Place. Visitors will also have the chance to take part in arts and crafts activities and an Easter treasure hunt, as well as having their faces painted. Easter Crafts at Grimsby Minster When: Saturday, 10am to 12pm Little ones who love getting stuck in to arts and crafts will definitely enjoy this free event. Children will have the chance to take part in an Easter egg hunt, create their very own Easter garden, design Easter cards for their loved ones, and many more. Prizes are available to children who arrive with a decorated Easter bonnet. Easter Brunch at The Wheatsheaf When: Saturday, 9am to 11am After enjoying a delicious child’s breakfast, little ones can take part in an exciting Easter scavenger hunt and take home their own Easter egg. Free tea and coffee provided for adults. £10 per child – book in by messaging The Wheatsheaf on Facebook here. Easter Activity Day at The Duke of York Gardens When: Saturday, 10am to 1pm Organised by Grimsby in Bloom, the Easter Activity Day at the Pavilion in the Duke of York Gardens is guaranteed to be fun for all the family. With an Egg Hunt along the Tree Trail, arts and crafts activities and delicious refreshments served in the café, anyone is welcome to pop down for some free Easter fun. Laceby Easter Eggstravaganza When: Saturday, 10am to 3pm Residents in Laceby and beyond will definitely not run out of things to do at the Laceby Easter Eggstravaganza on Butt Lane Playing Fields. Organised by the Laceby Community Collective, the event includes a penalty shoot-out activity at 10am, a Chocolat Story Easter Egg hunt at 11am, a Dog Show at 12pm (enter your dogs on the day) and games including an egg and spoon race, welly throwing and Tug of War from 1.30pm to 3pm. Food and drink vendors including Deadly Bakes, Pie-o-neers, Shaneys and The Naughty Pig will also be attendance at this fun event. Hoppy Easter Party at Immingham Civic Hub When: Saturday, 11am to 1pm Organised by Immingham Town Council, the Hoppy Easter Party at Immingham Civic Hub will offer a range of entertainment and games, as well as party food and refreshments. Tickets cost £2.50 per person and can be collected from the Civic Hub reception. Call on 01469 727272 for more information. Easter Egg hunts are back with some fun prizes Events on Easter Sunday Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Cleethorpes Taphouse and Kitchen When: Easter Sunday at 9.45am Enjoy breakfast with the Easter Bunny himself at this fun 90-minute event, followed by a boogie or two and some exciting Easter activities. Parents are welcome to book in for breakfast while

A cosy and charming coffee shop offering an array of homemade sweet treats that the owner bakes to perfection without following a single recipe has set up shop in Barrow upon Humber. Situated on High Street, Patty’s Pastries officially opened to the public on Tuesday. In its first day alone, the coffee shop was inundated with customers from Barrow and beyond, all of whom were delighted with the fresh addition to the North Lincolnshire village. Offering a range of hot drink options, sandwiches, bagels, scones and homemade baked goods – most notably the pistachio and Biscoff croissants – the shop has taken around a month to refurbish and decorate into its rustic and chic style, complete with a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. READ MORE: Patty’s Pastries is the brainchild of Patrycja Osiadly, 32, who developed a love of cooking and baking after she graduated from university and met her husband, Piotr. Speaking to Scunthorpe Live, Patty said: “At university I did completely different things but when I met my husband I realised I loved cooking for him, and after that I started baking. When I’m baking I don’t use a strict recipe, I use my brain to measure out the ingredients and add more of what I think needs adding. It’s hard to explain. Patty said it’s her ‘dream café’ (Image: Grimsby Live/Donna Clifford) “Because I love baking and cooking for others, my friends told me I should open a café. I said I wasn’t ready, but they kept persuading me. My husband built a coffee trailer for me, so we started operating from that. But sometimes it was rainy and windy so I realised I’d prefer a small café, so we just decided to open one. It’s my dream café. “It’s taken nearly a month to refurbish and decorate. My husband asked me how I wanted it to look and I came up with the idea, and he built everything himself. On opening day, I felt like I was preparing for a big university exam because I was so nervous.” The inside has a rustic and chic atmosphere (Image: Grimsby Live/Donna Clifford) Patty said the response from residents in the area has been incredibly positive, so much so that she sold out of many items on the menu on her first day of opening. “It’s been so busy, and I’m so pleased by the response. Nearly every single person has told me it’s a good idea, that Barrow needed a tearoom or café,” she said. “I think there was definitely a gap in Barrow for somewhere like this. It’s a good base for customers to meet, because people from different villages have been popping into the café, too. It seems I’ve got a really big support network, and I’m so pleased that people are happy with it.” Patty said the reaction from local residents has been incredibly positive (Image: Grimsby Live/Donna Clifford) Patty said she has tried to keep her prices as low as possible to help customers who may be struggling. Almost all items on the menu cost less than £5. “I’m trying to keep my prices quite low because I want to keep my customers coming back. I’d rather be busy all the time and have people returning,” she said. Patty’s Pastries is open from 8.30am to 3pm from Monday to Friday, and from 8.30am to 4pm on weekends. You can follow the coffee shop on Facebook here.

A special appearance from Peter Rabbit himself, arts and crafts activities, an Easter trail and a petting zoo are all coming to Freshney Place this weekend for the whole family to enjoy. On Easter Saturday (March 30), the popular bunny – famous for his iconic blue jacket and mischievous antics – will appear in the Friargate Square area of the Grimsby shopping centre, near H Samuel. With special appearances at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, children will have plenty of opportunities to pose with the much-loved character. READ MORE: Free face painting will also be available for younger visitors, while all the family can get involved in the array of seasonal craft activities on offer, which are available throughout the day. Not only this, but the ever-popular Easter trail will be back – this time, with a retro 3D twist. Using their 3D glasses, children will need to hunt down the ‘egg-stra’ special letters in shop windows to complete the Easter puzzle. When they return their completed trail form back to event staff, they’ll receive an Easter treat. You can have your face painted like a bunny this Easter at Freshney Place (Image: Lisa5201/iStockphoto) On Easter Monday, the team from Nunny’s Farm will be making an appearance in Freshney Place with their petting zoo. Families will have the opportunity to learn about the different animals, and will also be allowed to handle them. Amanda Austin, director of Freshney Place, said: “Our free events are always a firm favourite with families, drawing crowds to Freshney Place. “We hope everyone will enjoy the extra activities that are available, and that they help everyone have an extra special Easter weekend – without any cost!”

Grimsby’s Company Shop is waging a war on Food Waste and helping to put food on the table during the Cost of Living crisis. The shop, on Grimsby’s Top Cat Industrial Estate has revealed its members have collectively saved £6,698,224 on their shopping in the past 12 months alone – helping to stretch hard-working family budgets at a crucial time. Figures also show that the Grimsby store has saved 2,479 tonnes of perfectly-good food, drink and household products from needlessly going to waste, helping to generate the equivalent of 5,901,528 meals for the local community. The same positive impact has been delivered for members across the Group’s further 13 Company Shop stores and 12 Community Shops in England and Scotland, with the unique retail model collectively saving UK shoppers £121 million on their food bills – up by £21 million on last year. READ MORE: Membership for Company Shop stores is completely free and lasts a lifetime. It is open to those working in FMCG manufacturing and logistics; the NHS and emergency services; social care; prison services; British Armed Forces; employees and volunteers for charities, and those on means-tested benefits amongst others, helping the power of surplus food to reach where it has the most benefit. This new impact data was announced as part of the latest Impact Report for the business, which will soon build on these successes by introducing even more quality bargains. The headline figures included the Group redistributing a phenomenal 45,578 tonnes of surplus food and products in 2023 across the UK – a significant 10% increase on the previous year and the largest undertaking in its 50-year history. The Company Shop in Grimsby (Image: The Company Shop) With the report launching during Food Waste Action Week which ends today (March 24), the Group also confirmed that it generated the equivalent of 108,500,000 meals from surplus stock in the last year alone. This saved 122,547 of CO2e – equal to taking 70,000 cars off the road and growing 2 million tree seedlings for 10 years. Company Shop also helped industry partners, including regional businesses, by providing a £47 million financial return on surplus that would have otherwise been needlessly wasted. This is a 20% increase on last year, taking the Group’s total financial return to the industry in the last five years to a staggering £158 million. With over 200,000 tonnes of surplus going to waste each year, and with the cost of living crisis continuing, the Group has reinforced its commitment to continued growth and innovation in the year ahead, so it can improve the lives of even more Grimsby families. This includes investing in its store infrastructure and membership proposition to ensure that the rescued food and products are reaching people’s homes as intended. The business will do this by enhancing the member shopping experience through a whole estate rebrand, and increasing the range of high-quality, great value products available in each store. To demonstrate the positive impact the Group has on industry, people and planet the Group has also relaunched ‘The Surplus Effect’, its campaign aimed at highlighting the wider issue of waste and the key role it plays as the UK’s leading redistributor. The Company Shop distribution centre (Image: The Company Shop) Danielle Cuthbert, Regional Store Manager at Company Shop Grimsby, said: We are so proud to have been able to save so many members in Grimsby so much money in the past 12 months; we know how much of a difference it makes for families. “We are committed to making sure that every day, our shelves are stacked with high-quality surplus food and household products from brands that our members love at deeply-discounted prices. The dual benefit of Company Shop’s model means that we can help our members to both stretch their budgets slightly and do something good for the planet by preventing good food from going to waste. “We would love to see those who qualify for our free membership sign up online or by visiting our store, to see first-hand the huge impact Company Shop can have for them.” Owen McLellan, Managing Director of Company Shop Group, said: “Our latest redistribution figures once again demonstrate the power of working in close collaboration with industry and local areas to fundamentally change the way we view surplus. In doing so, more businesses than ever before have unlocked the financial, social and environmental value from their surplus, enabling us to collectively deliver meaningful support to some of the most deserving communities, whilst protecting our planet. “We are really proud of what we have achieved over the last year, as we have constantly pushed the boundaries of what has been done before. We remain more committed than ever before to unlocking the substantial volume of surplus which still remains untouched, and is needlessly going to waste, each year. “We will continue to innovate and create new efficient and sustainable solutions that help the industry reduce waste whilst supporting those who need it most, and we encourage those who are looking to do something truly positive with their surplus stock to get in touch.”

Nothing says “spring” quite like the colourful flowers at Cleethorpes outdoor market. The seasonal market is due to return next month, complete with its popular flower stall. Now, North East Lincolnshire Council is encouraging more traders to join the market for the summer months. Craft makers, bakers, fish mongers, pet stalls, sweet stalls, butchers, clothing and homeware traders are all being encouraged to bring added variety to Cleethorpes Market Square. A rent incentive is being offered, with eight weeks for the price of four. READ MORE: Cleethorpes outdoor market will be staged every Wednesday and Saturday (weather permitting) from April through to September. It will be located in the market square, just a short walk from the seafront and St Peter’s Avenue. In a statement, the council said new traders could expect plenty of loyal customers, along with the support of friendly, long-standing traders, who are sure to make them feel welcome. For more information, call the market office on 01472 325836 or email market.hall@nelincs.gov.uk. 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 .