February is well and truly upon us, which means the Love Your Town event is returning to the heart of Immingham, promising an exciting blend of community engagement and free family-friendly fun. After the event kicked off with a bang in Grimsby town centre last Saturday, the Immingham leg of the event will run from the morning of Friday, February 16 into the evening, showcasing the very best of the town through an exciting programme that celebrates Immingham and its people. Read on for the full programme of events at The Culture House’s Love Your Town event in Immingham town centre. READ MORE: The Civic Centre Library 9.30am-10.30am – Little Readers event by Lincs Inspire. Stories, rhymes, play and simple crafts all aimed at pre-schoolers. 2pm-4pm – Love themed family crafts by Lincs Inspire The Civic Centre Main Hall 12pm-12.30pm – Reach Out – Everybody Sing! By Coritani Creative. Written as a lockdown anthem for schools in partnership with the NEL Music Hub, especially to be used with Makaton signing to be inclusive and accessible for children of many abilities and needs as well as teaching new communication ways for all students. 12.40pm-1pm and 3.30pm-3.50pm – Chip & Fish family puppet show by Kazbah Theatre 1.10pm-2.10pm – Circus Performance & Workshop by The Little Seaside Circus 2.20pm-3.20pm – Taiko Drumming workshop by Coritani Creative 4pm-5pm – Silent Disco. Grab your headphones and dance the afternoon away together, each grooving to your favourite tunes without waking the neighbours. From kid-friendly beats to classic hits, everyone gets their own musical experience. 6pm-6.45pm – Live music by Mak & Co 7pm-7.30pm – Singalong. To all musical enthusiasts out there, come and sing your heart out with popular love themed songs from the most beloved musicals. 8.30pm – Live music by Pelham Road. Love anthems from the 1960s to today. The Civic Centre Foyer 12pm-5pm – Message on a Map by Evie Henderson. Drop-in interactive activity to explore the relationships and love for your town, home and community. Local artist, Francesca Young, will create one large map of the three towns filled with landmark areas and places. You will pin your memories to the map connecting them. Local poet James Alexander Hall will write a poem filled and enthused by these memories. 12pm-5pm – Artisan market with products by local makers The Civic Centre in Immingham, where many Love Your Town activities will be held (Image: Google) Kennedy Way 12pm-5pm – The Love of Bug by Lincolnshire Outdoor Learning. Hands-on craft activities in the Nature Lab Gazebo, where people of all ages can make a craft bug to take home as a keepsake of their special day. 12pm-5pm – The Hearts Trail by Immingham One Voice craft group. Stop by one of the participating businesses in the town centre that’s displaying the poster “I’m part of the Hearts Trail”, grab a trail sheet with the questions and start your hunt. Search across the Civic Centre, Kennedy Way and Pelham Road to find the hearts that will have the answer to the questions on your trail sheet. Once you have found all the hearts, hand your completed trail sheet in at the Discover NEL stand in the foyer for a sweet reward and to be submitted into a draw to win fabulous prizes. Plus find children funfair rides, street food vendors and the LOVE IRL selfie installation by Stuart Langley on Kennedy Way. Unveiled at Love Your Town in 2022, this much-loved installation will come back to highlight local people’s love and pride of Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham as part of the Love Your Town events. The Old Library 12pm-6pm – Wave of Love workshop by LaCuna. Craft a 2D papier-mache heart to take part in the Wave of Love finale on Cleethorpes beach (Brighton Street Slipway) on Saturday, February 17. Each heart will have a label narrating the LOVE theme and telling your story. 6pm-8.30pm – Games night by One Voice. Fun evening with a variety of games for all ages. Free entry and refreshments. Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult. Immingham Museum 12pm-5pm – Immingham Museum open for visits 12pm-1pm – Heritage Walks by Carla Linford. Want to find out more about Immingham’s rich history and heritage? Carla Linford of Lingard’s Lincolnshire Walking Tours will lead a guided history tour around Immingham for up to 20 people. Booking required – BOOK HERE. Oasis Academy’s Dance Studio 12pm-12.30pm and 2pm-2.30pm – Yoga Sessions by Joanne Baker. Yoga for love and self-acceptance that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and full of self-love. 12.30pm-1pm and 1pm-1.30pm – Boxing Session by Body Evolution. 2 x 30-minute taster boxing session for teenagers and young adults by a local personal trainer and fitness coach. Oasis Academy’s Sports Hall 12pm-5pm – Football games by Immingham Pilgrims A.F.C.

Generous people in Scunthorpe have helped stock a charity shop in the town with a huge assortment of toys that could provide welcome – and affordable – treats for local children this half-term holiday. The Scope charity shop, in High Street, said the fantastic selection of toys and games could come in handy this week to help stave off boredom. And with prices from just 50p, the shop believes parents and carers will find their pick of treats from the many items on offer. Michelle Hanson, assistant shop manager at Scope, Scunthorpe, said: “We’ve had some incredible donations of toys and games from our very generous community. With half-term here, these affordable treats, or life-savers, depending on your situation, could help keep the kids occupied. READ MORE: “There’s something for all ages, from trumpets and other instruments to megaphones, trucks to dolls, books, games and DVDs. Superhero fans will love the Batman and Avengers toys. “Prices start at 50p for balls, rattles and baby toys and go up to £30 for a doll’s house with accessories. Why not pop in for a browse and find yourself a hidden gem – I’ll take my hat off to the person who buys that trumpet.” Just some of the selection of toys that have been donated to Scope in Scunthorpe (Image: scope.org.uk) Michelle added. “When you donate to or purchase from our shop, you’ll be helping Scope support disabled people and their families at a time they need our services the most.” Scope charity shop is at 156 High Street, Scunthorpe DN15 6EN and is open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm.

A popular Grimsby festival that has previously attracted more than 20,000 visitors will not return in 2024. Grim Falfest has run for two years in late summertime. In its first year, it attracted more than 22,300 visitors, and last year it won a prestigious National Outdoor Event Award. An independent survey at last year’s event also found 99 per cent of visitors wanted it to return, with one visitor saying it was the best thing in the town for years. That will not happen in 2024, organisers have announced. However, it may return next year. Read More: Grim Falfest was created and delivered by VESR CIC, the Visitor Economy Services and Retail group, in partnership with Heritage Lincolnshire. It aims to celebrate the town’s proud Viking heritage and continuing links with Scandinavia. The 18-month project was supported by £250,000 in National Lottery Heritage Funding. This has seen a range of workshops and activities delivered in schools and to groups in Grimsby, as well as the two Grim FalFests. Julia Thompson, Festival Director and Chair of VESR CIC said: “The current project has sadly come to an end, but Grim Falfest has been so popular we would be delighted to see it return in the future and discussions are ongoing.” The three-day Grimsby Falfests each opened with longship displays by Grimsby’s waterfront. More than 200 Viking re-enactors descended on the town and set up camps in St James Square and People’s Park. Visitors were able to explore Viking villages, take part in weapons training and watch battle re-enactments, ending with a parade of local people led by Grim and Havelok. Local traders who took part in the event sold out, with extra footfall from visitors giving a boost to businesses across the town centre. Julia continued: “As a Grimbarian, it’s been great to see our unique Grimsby story brought to life. Events such as Grim Falfest take an army to deliver, from the business community who support as sponsors, to event team and volunteers, but the rewards go way beyond the three-days, boosting our community and local economy.” Grim Falfest prompted the launch of a new Viking re-enactment group called Lindesiga Saeward. The group meet regularly to train in Grimsby, and take part in events across the UK. How Grimsby are you? If unable to take part in our quiz via the link below, click here. The independent survey carried out at last year’s festival was full of positive visitor feedback. “It is the best thing that has happened in the town in years and it made me proud to live here,” said one visitor. “It needs to be an annual event every single year,” said another. “All the kids I talked to over the weekend were so excited and loving the villages and all the new facts they’d learnt. The heritage of our town is far, far more than fishing (important as that is too) and our children need to know this.” The same visitor added that people came from all over the country for the festival. While Grim FalFest is not happening in 2024, the festival may return next year. Talks are ongoing about its return in 2025. Vikings arrive with their longboat ahead of Grim Falfest, last year (Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive) North East Lincolnshire Council were not involved in the festival’s running, but have supported the event being held in Grimsby. The council leader even referenced it as the kind of event that could take advantage of a transformed Riverhead Square. A council spokesperson said: “We were delighted to see Grim Falfest receive £250,000 from Heritage Fund to deliver the festivals and associated activities in 2022 and 2023. Naturally, all time limited projects must come to an end and we would like to thank all involved in Grim Falfest for their ambition, hard work and determination to deliver the event. We will continue to work with the event organiser and external funders to explore options regarding future opportunities.” In October last year, the National Lottery Heritage Fund announced North East Lincolnshire would receive a share of £200 million for heritage-based projects over 10 years, as one of 19 designated Heritage Places in the UK. Consultations are currently ongoing with the council about the administration of this new fund. Events that are taking place in North East Lincolnshire this year include a new, 5,000 capacity live musical festival, DocksFest, in July and Armed Forces Weekend over the final weekend in June. UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) ‘Love Your Town’ events will take place in Immingham on Friday, February 16, and Cleethorpes on Saturday, February 17. Grimsby had its version on 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 .

Grimsby star Ella Henderson has officially been announced as the support act at the Rasen Rocks festival at Market Rasen Racecourse in August. The Tetney singer-songwriter will support headliner James Arthur, whose fifth studio album ‘Bitter Sweet Love’ reached the top spot in the UK album charts earlier this month. The festival is due to be staged on Saturday, August 17. Ella, 28, first rose to fame on The X Factor back in 2012. Since then, she has collaborated with superstar DJs such as Sigma, Kygo and David Guetta and has achieved six UK Top 10s as a lead artist. Her single ‘React’ has been nominated for ‘Song of the Year’ at the 2024 BRIT awards, with the winners due to be announced on March 2. READ MORE: Jack Pryor, General Manager of Market Rasen Racecourse, said: “Ella is the perfect artist to join the Rasen Rocks line up. With both her Lincolnshire roots and incredible catalogue of hits she will light up the course and really get the party started ahead of James Arthur’s headline set. The combination of James Arthur and Ella Henderson makes Rasen Rocks a truly unmissable event.” Rasen Rocks will be staged following an evening of racing at the course. Notable performers at previous editions of the festival have included Tom Jones, Olly Murs, Anne-Marie and Bastille. The Jockey Club Live concerts at Market Rasen are a staple in the region’s social calendar (Image: thejockeyclub.co.uk) Tickets for James Arthur and Ella Henderson at Market Rasen Racecourse are on sale now via thejockeyclublive.co.uk. Tickets are priced starting from £39.20, with hospitality packages available to suit all budgets. Limited child tickets are available from £16.80. Approximate timings for the day are as follows: Gates open: 3:30pm First race: 5:30pm Last race: 8:00pm Ella Henderson live on stage: 8:40pm James Arthur live on stage: 9:30pm 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 .

When it comes to psychic mediums and all things paranormal, I think I’m pretty accurate in saying that you either believe in it or you don’t. While I’ve always believed in ghosts and spirits, I’ve tended to err more on the side of caution where psychic mediums and tarot card readers are concerned. I’ve had readings in the past that have either been semi-accurate or not accurate at all, so have ended up taking them with a pinch of salt. But that all changed after I was lucky enough to pay a visit to a certain psychic medium in Barton, who I am 100% confident in saying is the ‘real deal’. Joe Haigh – known locally as Medium Joe – absolutely blew my socks off with the things he came out with during my reading. READ MORE: Driving to meet Joe on a sunny yet absolutely freezing Thursday afternoon, I really didn’t know what to expect. Taking into account my previous experiences, I figured he’d probably come out with some things that were accurate, but if I’m being totally honest, I definitely had my sceptical hat on. When I arrived, the first thing I noticed was just how friendly, lovely and down-to-earth Joe is. He made me feel instantly at ease, and was fine with me recording the reading on my phone. Joe offers readings from his home in Barton (Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive) He advised me that some things during the reading might not make sense at first – such as certain names or places – but to go away and “do some digging” and speak to my family members to see if they recognise them. While I’m not going to divulge too much information about the content of my reading – because a lot of it was very personal – I can say that Joe made contact with three of my loved ones who have passed, and told me distinct details about them that there’s no way he could’ve possibly known, right down to very specific events that happened in their lives, habits and mannerisms they had, and even how they died. A few months ago, while on our way to Center Parcs, my family and I were very nearly involved in an accident on the A180 after a metal plank fell off the back of a lorry and struck us, resulting in a punctured tyre and then a very close call with another lorry. Joe even mentioned that, and said one of my deceased loved ones had been protecting us that day. He mentioned specific health problems that my family members have, and details about my partner’s family that I myself had no idea about. When I mentioned these details to my partner – who’s an absolute sceptic, may I add – even he couldn’t believe it. Joe has been developing his abilities for 20 years (Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive) Joe even mentioned a problem with my car and flickering lights in my hallway – both of which have now happened. I did have to do a lot of checking for certain details with my mum and partner, but so many of them have been proved accurate. After the reading was over and I’d just about got over the initial shock, I decided to ask Joe a few questions about his craft. Speaking about how he developed an interest in the supernatural, he said: “It wasn’t until I was about 18 or 19 when I was working in a workshop and I heard someone run up the metal stairs, but there was no-one there. For about three years afterwards that really freaked me out and I wouldn’t go in there, but it sparked an interest that was always there anyway about ghosts. “One thing led to another and I found out what psychics and mediums were – because I didn’t know what they were before – and I ended up going to Grimsby Spiritualist Church, and it went from there. I’ve been developing as a medium for around 20 years and in that time I’ve done many charity nights and raised over £20,000. “I like that [the charity events] give me a platform to talk to people about the mechanics behind this work and demonstrate it in a way that I feel is evidential and value-led, and it helps me reach lots more people. Raising money is great, but it helps me really articulate just what I want mediumship to be. “There’s genuine research out there and genuine evidence for paranormality, it’s not guess-work or fraud, and I love being able to articulate and express that. In its purest form, it can be life-changing.” When asked about what day-to-day life is like for someone who can communicate with spirits, Joe said: “Some days it’s really strong, other days it’s not. I’ll feel them in my house, it sounds daft but I might be going to the bathroom and I’ll see someone in my hallway. They just drop in. It’s eerie when I’m by myself. It’s odd, I’ll feel them and sometimes I’ll physically see them, but that’s more rare. “I’m massively under the impression that it’s not a gift, I think anyone can do it. If we can communicate with spirits – we’re spirits – so surely it’s just a natural process. It’s no different to learning to play an instrument – I’ve had to work hard to develop it.” To learn more about Medium Joe and the work he does, you can like his Facebook page here.

There really is nothing better than the rich and aromatic flavours of a delicious Indian meal at this dreary time of year. With the cuisine of the South Asian country being a firm favourite of us Brits for many decades, I’m sure many people will relate when I talk about getting those cravings that only a cheese naan fresh out the oven and a curry with a kick would satisfy. Well, on a wet and windy Monday night, my partner and I just happened to be craving the very same cuisine – a rarity in itself – so ended up trawling Google to find a highly-rated Indian restaurant in the area to try. READ MORE: Before we knew it, we’d made the 20-minute journey to none other than the Desi Kitchen & Grill on Pelham Road in Immingham. It was a bit further afield than other choices in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, but we both wanted to try somewhere we’d never been to before. As soon as we stepped inside, we were greeted by the friendly waiter and shown to our table. The restaurant was lovely inside, with modern, pleasant décor and furnishings and an inviting atmosphere. The inside of the restaurant was lovely (Image: Grimsby Live) We ordered our drinks within a couple of minutes and they were brought straight away, and after a long browse of the menu, we were ready to order. To start with, we ordered four poppadoms and a pickle tray, which came with mango chutney, a masala-style dip and a hotter dip with more of a kick, as well as finely chopped onions and cucumber. These all tasted amazing, and were perfect for satisfying our hunger while we waited for our starters and mains. For starters, we both went for the Onion Bhaji, which came as four onion bhajis on a small plate with a side salad and a generous scattering of coriander on top. I have found with other Indian meals that onion bhajis can often be a bit on the oily side, but these were absolutely perfect – not too dry and not too oily, and they tasted absolutely divine. The Onion Bhaji starter (Image: Grimsby Live) Every time I go for an Indian, it’s always the same story – I scan the menu for ages looking for a new dish to try, but always end up settling for either a Korma or Pasanda. Typical, I know, considering they’re literally the mildest dishes on the menu – but they’re just so tasty. So, me being me, I went for the Chicken Tikka Pasanda – described on the menu as being cooked with fresh cream, almonds and coconut – with boiled rice on the side and a cheese naan bread. My partner opted for the Korai Mixed Grill, which incorporated chicken tikka, lamb tikka, tandoori chicken, sheek kebab, onions, green peppers and fresh garlic. I always aim to be as honest as possible in my reviews, and I can’t fault either of these dishes at all. Both were absolutely delicious. The creaminess of the Pasanda sauce was perfectly complemented by the tender chicken, and each component of the Mixed Grill was packed full of flavour and spice, which for us, wasn’t too overpowering and was just right. I was so full that I had to ask the waiter if I could take my leftovers home in a box, which he was more than happy to do. I wouldn’t have liked to have seen all that delish food go to waste, after all. My verdict: The meal at Desi Kitchen & Grill in Immingham was without a doubt the best Indian food I’ve eaten in a long time. The restaurant itself was lovely inside and the waiter couldn’t have done enough for us – it was true service with a smile from beginning to end. Price-wise, the food mentioned above and two rounds of drinks came to just under £60. Indian food can often be quite expensive, so I didn’t think this was too bad. So, if you’re after a new spot to eat some bangin’ Indian food, I’d recommend this place without question.

Calling all animal lovers! Think your pet is the cutest? Now you can have them officially crowned the title in our cutest pet competition. We’re looking for North Lincolnshire’s adorable furry companions – and no pet is off the table. We want to see dogs, cats and even a budgie or two! The competition will run for one week, after which we’ll present you with a shortlist of the top 10. Then, you’ll have your chance to crown the ultimate winner. Read more: All you need to do is fill in our quick survey below and upload a picture. Please remember to provide your contact details so we can contact you should your pet be shortlisted. May the best pet win! If you can’t see the form below, please click here.

February is well and truly upon us, which means the Love Your Town event is returning to the hearts of Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham, promising an exciting blend of community engagement and free family-friendly fun. The event will kick off with a bang in Grimsby town centre on Saturday (February 10), from 10am to 4pm. Further events will be staged in Cleethorpes and Immingham the following weekend. The Love Your Town event will include live music, arts and crafts classes, fascinating walks and talks and quirky circus performances, to name just a few of the activities on offer. Read on for the full programme in Grimsby town centre. READ MORE: Grimsby Minster 10:15am-10:45am – Reach Out – Everybody Sing! performance by NEL Music Hub 11am-4pm – Made in Grimsby music stage by The Culture House 11am-11:30am – Rob Bywater 11:45am-12:15pm – Eden Rae-Lake 12:30pm-1pm – Eden Rae-Lake 1:15pm-1:45pm – Brad Arliss 2pm-2:30pm – The Mardy Jonny Depps 2:45pm-3:15pm – The Mardy Jonny Depps 3:30pm-4pm – Rob Bywater 10am-4pm – Message on a Map by Evie Henderson. This drop-in interactive activity to explore the relationships and love for your town and each other. Local artist, Francesca Young, will create one large map of the three towns (Cleethorpes, Immingham & Grimsby) filled with landmark areas and places. You will pin your memories to the map connecting them. Local poet James Alexander Hall will write a poem filled and enthused by these memories. 10am-4pm – Original Emporium Makers Market. More than 30 unique artists and makers from in and around Lincolnshire. File picture of circus activities in St James’ Square (Image: GrimsbyLive/Donna Clifford) St James’ Square 10am-4pm – The Love of Bug by Lincolnshire Outdoor Learning. Drop in to the Nature Lab Gazebo to try hands-on craft activities all day. People of all ages can make a craft bug to take home as a keepsake of their special day. 10:30am-2pm – Food map tour. Taste Lincolnshire’s brand new North East Lincolnshire Food Map will be launched as part of the Love Grimsby event. A self-guided trail will take you on a journey of culinary discovery around North East Lincolnshire produce, including stops and tasters at some participating eateries in Grimsby town centre. Meeting at Riverhead Coffee. Booking required – BOOK HERE. 11am-12:30pm & 2pm-3:30pm – Urban Sketch tour by The House with the Blue Door. Meeting at St James’ Square by the St James’ Hotel entrance, you can join an urban sketching tour around the town centre. Participants will be invited to draw quick sketches of some of the fascinating Victorian architecture in Victoria Street. Booking required (max 10 persons) – BOOK HERE. 12pm-1pm – Heritage Walk by Carla Linford. Meeting at St James’ Square, Carla Linford will lead an hour-long history guided tour for Lingard’s Lincolnshire Walking Tours. Booking required (max 20 persons) – BOOK HERE. 10am-4pm – Love Belles stilt walkers, The Giddy Aunts & Swan in Love walkabouts performances. The Love Belles – Love-themed stilt walkers by international performers – will swing and sway their way into the audience’s hearts with their picture-perfect prettiness. Get ready to dive into the whimsical world of Swan in Love. Gary and Pel pedal into the hearts of audiences, inviting them to slow dance, snap some pics and take a ‘romantic ride’ on their 7ft Swan Pedalo in the picturesque Swantacular walkabout performance. Brace yourself for a fun, forward-thinking twist on a traditional Swan pedalo ride that’ll leave you grinning from ear to ear. Watch out for the intrepid shoppers, The Giddy Aunts, as they enjoy a rare ‘escape’ from the Care Home. Complete with their trundley trolley and handbags, these two will have you in stitches with their outrageous antics. 10am-4pm – The Dock Tower Trail by Northerner on the Run. Pop into one of the participating shops in the town centre that display the poster “I’m part of the Dock Tower Trail”. Grab a trail sheet with the questions and start your hunt. Search across the town centre to find the miniature dock towers that will have the answer to the questions on your trail sheet. Once you have found all the towers, hand your completed trail sheet in at the Discover NEL stand in the Minster for a sweet reward and to be submitted into a draw to win fabulous prizes – tickets to Parkway Cinema, the newly opened escape room Mission Classified, or tickets to any of the Lincs Inspire Leisure Centres across the three towns. Visitors can also make the most of children’s funfair rides and street food vendors in St James’ Square, along with the LOVE IRL selfie installation by Stuart Langley. Top Town Market 10am-4pm – For the Love of Music by Freestylers Academy. Music workshops and performances from the three youth groups based within North East Lincolnshire. Live performances ranging from DJing, acoustic performances to rapping. The rapping will highlight the themes of the event focussing on what we love about the town. 10am-4pm – Wave of Love craft workshop by LaCuna. Craft a 2D paper machiere heart to take part in the Wave of Love finale on Cleethorpes beach (Brighton Street Slipway) on Saturday, February 17. Each heart will have a label narrating the LOVE theme and telling your story. 10am-4pm – Tales from the Park by Jim Connor, by Our Big Picture. Bringing our football heritage to the town centre by showcasing Jim’s weekly comic strip ‘Tales from the Park’ in a participatory exhibition. Come and see key features of the future exhibition and share your memories, stories and what you love about our town and football club which will be included on the wall of memories. Freshney Place Shopping Centre 11am, 12:30pm & 2pm – Chip & Fish by Kazbah Theatre. A family-oriented puppet show designed to encourage you to love where you live. 45 min-sessions, held on the hour – Grimsby’s Circus of Love! By Unseen Arts. Fun filled activity day to include all different types of circus activities – Juggling,

It’s Saturday evening, a time many would reserve for seeking out the finer things in life but, instead, I’m looking for things that are dead. There is a bar here but it’s past closing time, and there are people – 40 at least – yet there is nothing but the disconcerting, yet somehow comforting, silence only found far from the ceaseless roar of civilisation. Inside this remote, unassuming and perfectly innocuous village hall, the darkness is all-consuming except for a piercing blueish light shining on a table. Taped on its surface are the 26 letters of the alphabet, as well as the words “yes” and “no”. Around it sit four people – watched by those three dozen others – who each have their index fingers gently resting on the base of an upturned glass. With all eyes fixated on the table, something rather strange is happening. Slowly and deliberately, the glass is scraping across its surface, echoing hollowly as it does. It probably shouldn’t be, but it is. READ MORE: With that, the vacant hush is broken by an atonal din not unlike a metal detector on a beach after a busy summer’s day and a lot of empty pockets. It’s a device in the corner – a REM pod – triggered by distortions in its tiny electromagnetic field. It’s sensed something. But what? The azure light continues to seep through white wisps of breath in the frigid, February air. The glass moves faster, more determined. Volunteers take part in a glass reading at the former RAF Binbrook back in 2018 (Image: Mark Page) A voice at the table asks innocently: “Do you know you’re dead?” With a certain inevitability, the glass ambles assuredly to my left. “Yes”. Later, a recording of this attempt to commune with those beyond the grave would reveal what seems to be the sound of a child’s voice – you can listen to this yourself above – but there was nobody nearby who wouldn’t be old enough to buy a pint if that bar had still been open. It’s a peculiar experience to watch; superficially ludicrous yet, presented in front of you, is remarkably sane and not at all like the televised hysteria of Most Haunted. But was it really the ethereal remnants of a life long lost that wanted to have a last word, or did those at the table write the whole sentence? Were they really channelling the dead, or were they just seeing what they wanted to see, and hearing what they wanted to hear in a sort of collective belief with their senses sharpened in the darkness? These were among the many questions I sought the answer to back in 2018, as I joined True Paranormal Events UK, a crew from YouTube channel Ultimate Haunted UK, and a gang of curious novice ghost-hunters to investigate something strange in the Brookenby neighbourhood. No ordinary haunted house The tiny village is, of course, built around the former RAF Binbrook, and the building I’m in is the Brookenby Community Centre, which was the sergeants’ mess once upon a time. The site was a Bomber Command station following its establishment in 1940 and later became the home of the Central Fighter Establishment. It was in service for almost half a century and was home to the legendary Lancaster Bombers right through to the Lightning jets. But why would an RAF base be home to such an array of lost souls? Since closing in the late 1980s, visitors have reported objects being thrown, people getting pushed, full ghost sightings, doors slamming and loud heavy footsteps. There are stories of an Australian worker on the base who blew himself up trying to sabotage a Lancaster bomber in a revenge plot during the Second World War but, aside from the drive in pitch blackness through narrow tree-lined country lanes, you initially get the impression even Stephen King would struggle to bring a sense of unease to this place. Paul Marsters, of True Paranormal Events UK, in the theatre at Brookenby Community Centre where unusual activity has been seen (Image: Sarah Washbourn) It’s a building of contrasts and doesn’t exactly wear its haunted heritage on its sleeve. While the shadowy abyss of the former escape tunnel in the cellar ticks the spooky horror film boxes, the immaculate shiny-floored studio on the second floor is just like any ordinary gymnasium. Taekwondo classes are held there on Wednesdays. Downstairs, the theatre, reputed to be the most haunted room in the whole place, features a stage gaudily dressed with sparkly foil curtains like a school Christmas play. The Addams Family mansion it is not. Yet, appearances can be deceiving. I’m told a sceptical ghost-hunter on a previous night was suddenly and inexplicably struck with a sensation of sickness in the studio after declaring the whole exercise, to put it politely, akin to excrement. “Something heard her and didn’t like it”, said Paul Marsters, one of the event’s organisers. Paul has been here more than a few times and is convinced of its supernatural aura but admits himself he’s not sure why it’s so haunted. If anything, that lack of stereotypical spookiness adds a shot of believability to the chase for spectres. Showing me round the west wing – arguably the spookiest part of the complex with its imposing, derelict corridors of creaking doors and upturned furniture – he tells me how people will see shadows in windows, hear footsteps and feel the temperature drop. It’s not just those looking for evidence of ghostly activity who feel something is amiss. Brookenby parish clerk Sam Coulam works in the building but won’t hang around for the spirits to arouse. She said: “We just have strange things happening after we have these events. Hot water urns will stop working, the CCTV will go funny. Certain areas just feel eerie, but other areas are absolutely fine. I have an office upstairs but I won’t use it, I work from home.” Paul says paranormal activity has

We’ve all got that one special place that holds loads of memories from great nights out – but sadly some of our famous haunts in Grimsby and Cleethorpes are no longer with us. Taking a trip back in time, party goers of the 80s, 90s, 00s and 10s recall the blurry memories they have from the likes of Gulliver’s and Park Lane. For some, the best moments were simply dancing with friends throughout the night, for others, their fondest memory would become a story to tell their grand kids. READ MORE: One former bar maid, Danielle Cuthbert, described what life was like from behind the bar at The Pier nightclub in Cleethorpes during the late 00s. She said: “Since the day I started it was busy every night. I enjoyed that side of it though, it never felt like you were at work. “We all got on really well with everyone that came in too. The customers were lovely, we hardly ever had any problems with them. Revellers in The Pier (Image: Grimsby Telegraph) “The Pier always brought in a variety of guests as well. We had a dance room as well as an R&B room – there was something for almost anyone. “Most nights the dance floors were packed, especially on Thursdays and Saturdays. We would have had hundreds of people in, if not more. “The best nights were when we had the foam parties. They were only about once every three months so when people knew they were happening they got really excited. “When we had them, it was like being a kid again. Nobody was serious and everyone was just up for a laugh. “The Pier in general had a really good atmosphere, you never felt like you were working because it was so much fun. It’s something I’ve never found again in a club or at work. There really isn’t another place like it.” Revellers like Amanda Galyer agree The Pier had an atmosphere like no other, even in the late 80s. She said: “When I first went in there I think I was only 15 or 16, it was a great place with great people. “When I was younger, it was the place to be in Cleethorpes. It’s a shame to see it go now, I’ve never had a bad time in there. “You’d get your typical music from bands like Erasure, but with some early dance music thrown in for good measure. The thing I remember most about it has to be the sticky carpets or the fact that your drink was always served in a dirty glass.” In Grimsby, Gulliver’s was the place to go for a Saturday night session, if you could make it up the stairs, that is. For Bev Green, the stairs proved to be her number one enemy on a night out during the early 90s. Dry Dock bar and kitchen now sits where Gulliver’s once was in Grimsby (Image: Rick Byrne) She said: “I always remember it was very dark and smoky, but at the same time, I always felt really safe and comfortable in there. “The only threatening thing about it was the stairs. After you’d had a few drinks, they were a complete nightmare to try get up or down. “I have to admit, my memories of Gully’s, as we used to call it are a bit blurry, but I have one fond memory of being sat on the dancefloor singing Sit Down by James as loud as I could. “It was a great music scene in there. We had all sorts like The Smiths, REM and The La’s – it was brilliant. “I really miss the atmosphere though, it was such a lovely place to be on a night out. It was so exciting, you always knew it was going to be a good night when you got there. “My friends and I would spend all night trying to make it up the stairs sometimes. It was especially difficult if we’d been to The Barge before. You were never short of a laugh at Gully’s though, that’s for certain.” Fast forward to the 2010’s and it wasn’t that much different as Jamie Lewis explains. He said: “I always felt like they played the same music for years on end in there, but that was part of the novelty to be fair. “It was always really dark when you got in there as well. I think when they first had a carpet put in it started out really vibrant with loads of colours, but it ended up all black and destroyed by people dancing. “I always remember they had a great selection of drinks like Vodka slushies and something called a Grim Reaper, to this day I still don’t know what they put in that. That’s what people used to go for really, the cheap drinks. It was always the place to go after you’d started your night in The Barge. Park Lane, Cleethorpes (Image: Ray Corke) “One night it was pretty quiet when they played Mr Brightside over the speakers and everybody leapt onto the dancefloor in unison, that was a brilliant moment. I really miss the place though. It was one of the last good places to go out in town with your friends. “When it eventually closed, I think the whole structure of a night out in Grimsby died out. There’s never been anything quite like it.” Gullivers has since ben transformed a number of times into different types of venue, and it is currently known as Fusion. However, there were more than just these two clubs to keep the public happy on a night out. For Nick Gibbons, a trip to Park Lane was always one to remember in the 90s. “Park Lane was always a fun night out. It was a little different to the other clubs in Cleethorpes with it having an over 25s policy. “That made it really unique though, I don’t know of any other clubs in