Cleethorpes beach has ranked among the top 10 best in seaside places in the UK. The Seaside Heritage Network has revealed its Bucket and Spade List of the top 10 favourite seaside places and experiences, voted for by members of the public. Here is the official list, with Cleethorpes at number seven. Voters said the beach is: ‘Family friendly, very accessible for mobility restricted disabled people. Calming and great for mental well-being. Spacious.’ 1. New Palace and Adventureland, New Brighton 2. Ventnor Paddling Pool, Isle of Wight 3. Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset 4. St Annes Beach Huts, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire 5. Leas Lift, Folkestone, Kent 6. Punch & Judy booth, Swanage 7. Cleethorpes Lakeside Area, Lincolnshire 8. Showtown Museum, Blackpool 9. Grand Hotel, Scarborough, North Yorkshire 10. Great Orme Tramway & Goats, Llandudno, Conwy The Bucket and Spade List was announced in the Art Deco surroundings of the Plaza Cinema, Weston-super-Mare on September 16, at an event supported by North Somerset Council and Merlin Cinemas. Dr Kathryn Ferry, a founder member of the Seaside Heritage Network, stressed how important it was to see people and communities getting behind the vote: “Our winners this year are not the usual suspects but that is a timely reminder that seaside heritage is not always grand or obvious. These are attractions that make their location unique, they are distinctive things that are highly valued by residents and visitors alike; it’s for that reason thousands of people took the “Several themes came out in the comments from voters and the sense of continuity these places and experiences provide was key. People have a great nostalgia for the things they enjoyed in childhood and they are grateful for the opportunity to pass that on to the next generation. Our winners were routinely praised for their family focus and friendly staff too. We firmly believe that embracing the power of seaside heritage to connect with people anew can help coastal places blighted by social and economic problems. It’s brilliant to have such a varied and cherished Top.”

There’s a trendy little coffee shop in Louth that I’ve wanted to try for absolutely ages, so I was delighted when the opportunity arose to pay the place a visit. Pretty much every time I’ve made a visit to the lovely market town from good old Grimsby, I’ve said something along the lines of, ‘we NEED to go there’, whenever we walk past 601 Club Café Bar in the Market Place – but we’ve always been either heading off to a booking somewhere else or emerging from wherever we’ve been, absolutely stuffed. But finally, I managed to squeeze in a little trip solo one morning. After having a quick browse of the food and drink options on the board above the till, I ordered a latte (£3.40) and a toasted bagel with salmon and cream cheese (£7.75). I took a seat at one of the high chairs by the window – the perfect spot to sit to enjoy watching the world go by outside. Looking around, I loved the décor of the place. It’s contemporary, modern and stylish, and has a similar vibe to the cafés you’d find on the corner of a street in London (just without the price tag). It’s a great little spot to watch the world go by outside (Image: Grimsby Live) My coffee was served within a couple of minutes, and the salmon and cream cheese bagel came not long afterwards. My latte was generously sized with the perfect amount of creamy foam on top, and wasn’t too harsh – I do find coffee to be a bit too bitter and strong in a lot of places, but that definitely wasn’t the case here. As for the bagel? Oh. My. Word. It was served beautifully with a sprig of dill and a lemon wedge on top, and the portion sizes made me very happy indeed. Rather than opting for those super thin slices of smoked salmon that you get out of a packet at a supermarket (which a lot of places are unfortunately guilty of), the smoked salmon here was so thick, like the kind you get in a plate of sushi. The Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese bagel (Image: Grimsby Live) The bagel also came with a huge slab of cream cheese, and the combination was just delicious. I mean, smoked salmon and cream cheese has always been and will always be a winning combination. Having browsed the selection of dinner options, cocktails and wines online, my plan is now to head back to 601 Club Café Bar on an evening for a relaxed bite to eat. This little café in the heart of Louth is so versatile – whether you’re heading there for a coffee to perk you up first thing in the morning, for a lunchtime catch-up with friends or for a date night with a bottle of Prosecco, it’s a lovely place to be.

A man throwing knives at a spinning circular board while a woman is attached to it, a performer suspended 20 feet in the air by her hair and an award-winning juggler with charisma to boot are just some of what you can expect at this year’s Russell’s International Circus. The iconic and award-winning circus, featuring an array of wild and wacky acts from across the globe, has arrived in Cleethorpes for its 2024 season. Crowds of families flocked to the big top in the field beside Pennell’s Garden Centre on Humberston Road for the first show of the opening night on Wednesday, September 11 – and I was lucky enough to be among them. We arrived about 20 minutes ahead of the show, queued up to collect our tickets and headed into the big top to get something to eat. The food stands are situated in a separate section of the tent when you first walk in, and visitors can choose from burgers and hot dogs, donuts, popcorn, candy floss and sweets galore. Walking into the second section of the big top, it was clear to see that all of the best seats with a frontal view of the stage had been taken (note: I’d probably arrive about 45 minutes before the start time to ensure you get a good seat), so we found some at the side of the stage. The view was still good, but I would’ve probably preferred a seat in the middle. Before long, the lights dimmed and performances began. We also came to the event last year and really enjoyed it, so it was nice to see that many of the same acts are performing for another year. Opening night performance at Russell’s International Circus (Image: Grimsby Live) These include the Tangier Troupe acrobats from Morocco, Adela Pazaran from Mexico who has perfected the art of being suspended by just her hair, and John Fossett and Kelly Walker, a former hairdresser who was born and raised in Grimsby. The couple are renowned for their adrenaline-worthy trapeze act as he rides his motorbike across a single wire 30 feet in the air. Kelly Walker, who is originally from Grimsby, as she hangs by just her feet in a nail-biting performance (Image: Grimsby Live) Other familiar faces include hoop and trapeze artist Rumah Katzen from Australia, the mischievous Emil the clown (if you’re sitting near the front, you might just be chosen to be part of one of his acts), and Rusty and Amanda Russell’s teenage son, whose performance of ‘I Want to Break Free’ whilst dressed as Freddie Mercury, did not disappoint. One of my favourite acts of the whole night was by new face Gordon Marquez from Mexico, who was recently awarded the bronze medal for his fast-paced juggling act at the Las Vegas Variety Festival. Gordon Marquez blew the crowd away (Image: Grimsby Live) His performance was so captivating and energetic – he spins around and does forward rolls while one of the pins is still in the air, and he’s back on his feet just in time to catch it. The parts of the show that left most people on the edge of their seats (including me) were the motorbike stunt and the knife-throwing act, in which a performer launches daggers at a wooden board that is spinning at top speed with a woman attached to it. Only at the circus, eh? Keep up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from Grimsby with our free newsletter The show was fantastic last year, but I thought it was even better this time around. It’s just pure entertainment from start to finish, with not only stunts and performances that will shock and leave the audience in awe, but also dance-worthy music and classic comedy sketches that are always a hit with members of the crowd, both old and young. With the weather getting colder and nights getting darker, a visit to Russell’s International Circus is guaranteed to cheer you up.

This year’s Christmas pantomime, Dick Whittington meets The Pirates from the Caribbean, has officially launched for the 2024 season at Grimsby Auditorium. On Wednesday, September 11, the star-studded cast of the show gathered in the foyer dressed to the nines in their wacky and colourful costumes. With the first performance scheduled for Saturday, December 7, the one-of-a-kind production is set to bring festive cheer to hundreds of families throughout December. Back by popular demand for his 30th Panto, the son of the infamous late magician Paul Daniels, Martin Daniels, plays Idle Jack. Speaking to Grimsby Live after demonstrating some magic tricks of his own, he shared many intriguing stories, including when his iconic dad bought Mother Shipton’s Cave in Knaresborough. After the Panto season concludes, Martin will be working on a cruise ship touring Iceland. Martin Daniels (Image: Peter Mascall) Sue Hodge, who plays Sherrie Trifle the Cook, is best known for her role as waitress Mimi La Bonk in the comedy series ‘Allo ‘Allo. She was more than happy to discuss this role and even treated us to a bit of Mimi’s French. Rosanne Priest, who is set to play Queen Rat in the upcoming Panto, is known for her roles in several horror films and, dressed in a wickedly fitting costume, she revealed that singing is her true passion. Sue Hodge (Image: Dave Moss Photography) Having worked on the QE2 and numerous UK touring musicals such as Mad about Musicals with Gareth Gates and Abba Mania’s European Tour, Rosanne is brimming with personality and eagerly anticipating the start of the Panto. Emmerdale and Coronation Street star, Gemma Oaten, also stars as Fairy Bow Bells, while renowned Panto performers Charlotte Maclachlan and Samuel Knight play Alice and Dick Whittington. Rosanne Priest (Image: Peter Mascall) Grimsby Live also had the pleasure of spending some time with Chris Clarkson, a man seemingly born for Panto. Now embarking on his 22nd, he fully embodies his role as Lady Fitzwarren, even during the interview. He provided a humorous insight into rehearsals, which he said last just over two weeks before the show hits the stage. Chris Clarkson (Image: Peter Mascall) However, Panto isn’t his only gig – he’s appeared in Grimsby before in the Blood Brothers production, done some TV work with Emmerdale, and even guest presented the One Show. The palpable chemistry among the cast was evident. To book your tickets, visit the Grimsby Auditorium website here or call their Box Office on 0300 300 0035 or visit in person from Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm.

You could be in with the chance to win a swash-buckling prize to celebrate the launch of this year’s panto at Grimsby Auditorium. As the cast of 2024’s festive pantomime, Dick Whittington Meets The Pirates From The Caribbean, gear up to perform to crowds throughout December, Grimsby Auditorium are giving you the chance to win a fantastic prize. From Wednesday, September 11, for one week, you can go to the box office at Grimsby Auditorium and be given a “pieces of eight” gold coin with a unique number. If you get the winning number you win – £500 donated to a charity of your choice A pirate treasure chest with goodies A family ticket to see the pantomime – Dick Whittington Meets The Pirates From The Caribbean A bottle of champagne and drinks for children for the interval Meet the cast and have photos taken with them after the show READ MORE: The winning number will be drawn at 12pm on September 19, and will be announced via Grimsby Auditorium’s social media pages. A poster with the number will also be put up in the box office window and the winner will be contacted directly. Don’t miss out on your chance to win – get your “pieces of eight” coin from September 11 to September 19. About the panto This year promises to be a fun adventure for all ages. Our hero, Dick Whittington, arrives in London seeking fame and fortune when disaster strikes; the streets aren’t paved with gold! Broke and alone, he teams up with a lost streetwise cat, together they embark on an epic adventure that takes them deep into the smelly sewers of London, a fight with the evil Queen Rat and her Racketeers, and finally a search for gold and glory that ends with plundering pirates and cutlasses clashing as he meets with The Pirates from the Caribbean. This year’s panto cast Back by popular demand is Martin Daniels as Idle Jack, Emmerdale and Coronation Street Star Gemma Oaten as Fairy Bow Bells, star of ‘Allo ‘Allo Sue Hodge as Sherrie Trifle the Cook, Rosanne Priest as Queen Rat, Charlotte Maclachlan as Alice, Chris Clarkson as Lady Fitzwarren and Samuel Knight as Dick Whittington. Grimsby Auditorium invite you to see Dick Whittington, Idle Jack, The Lady Fitzwarren, Queen Rat and ships cook Sherrie-Triffle with a fabulous eighteen strong cast as they all end up on board the Pirate ship ‘Blackbeard’s Buccaneer’. Performances run from December 7 through to December 29. For further information visit www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk.

A spine-tingling and immersive night of terror featuring “two dozen scary clowns” is coming to Grimsby this Halloween. After months in the making by CineShow – renowned for 2022’s The Shining event and 2023’s Asylum – Grimsby’s Central Hall will be transformed into the venue of a grand Royal Medieval ball, where a creepy Clown King and Queen will take centre stage in the ‘Cirque du Slay’ event. In a bid to entertain his Queen, the Clown King will introduce an array of quirky circus acts onto the stage. The performers who leave the Queen feeling not too amused will be “disposed of” in ways she deems fit in front of the live audience. READ MORE: Along with live theatre performances, live music and a bar with Halloween-themed drinks, the unique event will also feature the ‘Reject’s Hall’, where those who didn’t make the circus line-up are left to rot in scenes straight out of a person’s worst nightmares. Speaking to Grimsby Live, CineShow owner Jamie Roberts said: “This event is a first for CineShow because we’re not showing a movie – we’re taking a gamble that people will show up for it without the anchor of a well-known film to prop it up. “It’s going to be a full theatre, multimedia, traditional Halloween scare experience with a live stage show, live music with special effects, and we’re shooting a film specifically to go with it. It all carries a narrative from start to finish. “We’ve got live music by a local singer and people from the circus will be teaching guests how to spin plates and do the hoop, things like that. There will be carnival games to enjoy in the break after the first part of the show, and an after party at the end.” When asked how it feels to reflect on the success of CineShow’s events in the last three years, Jamie said: “It’s fantastic. These events are so quirky, and when you’re doing mixed media people have to come with an open mind. “People come to the shows not fully knowing what’s going to happen, but we’re at that point where people know it’s not just a movie, it’s a one-off experience. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this with a mixed media narrative all the way through, that’s immersive, where people get up close and personal. “I’m really grateful for the local people who have taken to it and we’ve got our own group of people who book onto every show, so it’s nice to know that all the hard work from the cast and crew is getting seen and appreciated, and that’s one of the biggest pay offs.” The event will run from 7pm to midnight on Saturday, October 19 at Grimsby’s Central Hall on Duncombe Street. To buy your tickets, click here.

I used to think the most relaxing treatment to have at a spa by far was a massage – but I think I may have just found my new favourite. Japanese Head Spas are popping up in salons and spas all over the country at the moment, and is now available at a couple of newly-opened salons in the Grimsby and Cleethorpes area. One of these salons is The Medi Spa, which officially opened to the public at the end of August following an extensive renovation at its new premises on St Nicholas Drive in Wybers Wood. READ MORE: On the long list of treatments available at the salon is an infra-red sauna, vitamin injections and of course, the Japanese Head Spa, a relaxing and indulgent treatment designed to remove impurities and dead skin from the scalp and leave your hair looking as good as new. After making a booking over the phone a few days previously, I headed to the salon on a Monday afternoon to see what all the fuss over this new craze was about. Spoiler alert: I get why people are raving about them now. The treatment was so relaxing (Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive) I was greeted by the lovely staff, filled out some digital consent forms and shown into the room to have my Japanese Head Spa treatment with beauty therapist Rebecca, who talked me through the entire process of how it works. First, a thorough Scalp Analysis is carried out using a special handheld camera, which literally zooms into your hair follicles and shows you the condition of your scalp on a screen in front of you. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it was not a pretty sight. I’ll be completely honest – washing my hair twice a week with shampoo, conditioner and a deep-conditioning mask is the only thing I really do for my scalp, if you can even class that as a form of scalp treatment. There’s a big focus on scalp scrubs and scalp exfoliators at the moment, but I’ve never tried them. So with that in mind, it wasn’t surprising really that my scalp was in a bit of a state. It was flaky, and the camera zoom made these little bits of flaky skin look absolutely massive (gross, I know), but the hair follicles on my scalp were quite oily at the same time. After taking my jewellery and shoes off, I gave my hair a quick brush and laid down on the bed. It’s quite hard to describe, but the layout is basically a standard massage bed, with a stand to rest your head on at the top. This sits within a huge sink, and underneath a special device which is a bit like a mini rainfall shower. Japanese Head Spas are popping up at spas and salons across the country (Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive) The entire treatment lasts around an hour, and is honestly one of the most relaxing things I’ve ever experienced. Along with the dim light of the room, the feeling of the warm water trickling onto your head just instantly calms you. A scalp treatment is given first to address specific scalp concerns, before a Japanese head and shoulder massage which targets key pressure points to relieve tension. An exfoliation is then given to remove dead skin cells and impurities, following with a double shampoo treatment to clean the scalp and a leave-in conditioning treatment to hydrate your hair. You can then choose whether or not you’d prefer your hair to dry naturally or add a steam dry to your treatment, in which a device is placed above your head and steam, mixed with essential oils, is directed into your hair follicles. I added on the steam dry – it was a lovely way to finish off the treatment. I was told that you’re not really supposed to have the Japanese head spa treatment more than once a month. This probably isn’t a bad thing for my bank balance, because I’d have one at least every fortnight if I could. You’re also not supposed to wash your hair for at least 24 hours after the treatment, so my hair did feel a bit oily and sticky for the first day because of the leave-in conditioning treatment. But even while just running my hands through my hair, I could feel that it was so much more clean. I’d never even paid much attention to my scalp before, but it definitely felt like it had less build-up after the treatment. I’d definitely recommend treating yourself to a Japanese Head Spa at least once. I was so relaxed during the treatment that I started to nod off at one point, which is never a bad sign. When it comes to self-care stuff, it’s one of those things that will definitely benefit you, your wellbeing – and of course, your hair – in the long-run.

Russell’s International Circus is set to return to Cleethorpes next week with a bang, promising a whole host of wacky and wonderful acts and performances in its all-new show. From Wednesday, September 11 to Sunday, September 22, the much-loved attraction will welcome thousands of visitors to its big top next to Pennell’s Garden Centre on Humberston Road, as well as an international cast of performers from across the globe. Among the acts are Gordon Marquez from Mexico, who has just returned from the Las Vegas Variety Festival, where he was awarded the bronze medal for his iconic fast-paced juggling act. READ MORE: He said: “I am absolutely delighted to have traveled all the way to Las Vegas and won an award in this prestigious competition. But I am even more excited to return to the UK and rejoin Russell’s International Circus for our visit in Cleethorpes.” Andrea Barnes, the newly-crowned UK Aerial Champion, will also be part of the cast. She said: “Winning the UK Aerial Championships was a true honor and makes all my hard work worthwhile. I can’t wait to perform my award-winning aerial routines in Cleethorpes.” Andrea Barnes (Image: Andrew Payne) Renowned circus director Rusty Russell expressed his enthusiasm for this year’s show, and said: “We have pulled out all the stops to bring our biggest and best show to Cleethorpes. Featuring an international cast and the Mighty Kong in our Amazon Adventure, it’s a highlight of our year, and this time, it’s extra special with our award-winning acts included in the lineup.” Tickets are priced at £8.99 each on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with varying prices on other days. Tickets can be purchased online at www.russellscircus.co.uk or by calling the booking line on 07752 218805. The on-site box office will open on Monday, September 9.

A full day of farm-related fun coming to the North East Lincolnshire coastline has a serious message behind it. Farm To Talk, an agricultural mental health fun day and country fair, will be held on Saturday, September 28. With country stalls, children’s rides, a tombola and arts and crafts during the day, and an “Evening Shindig” of live music from 5pm until late, the event bears all the hallmarks of an early autumn, fun-packed family day out. Organiser Libby Arundel intends that to be the case, but the mental health and wellbeing services that will be represented at Farm To Talk will also serve as a reminder about the reason behind holding the event. Libby is a member of the Arundel family who have a mixed-crop farm at Donna Nook and their land forms the overflow car park to the famous seal sanctuary, where the event will be held (LN11 7PB). READ MORE: Libby said: “This is about bringing everyone together from the farming community a little bit more. It’s important people are standing together in our industry.” Libby decided to organise Farm To Talk to raise awareness of what help and support is out there for people in the farming industry who are struggling with their mental health. She knew young farmer Alec Newlove, chairman of Louth Young Farmers, who took his own life earlier this year, very well. “It’s been the third suicide we have been through,” said Libby. “My partner lost his friend who was 15; our grandma died the same way when I was 20, and now I’m 27, here we are again. “It’s said it happens every week, a farmer taking their own life because of the stresses of farming. It needs to change. They need to know what’s out there and where to get help. “My partner has been out there 16 or 17 hours each day this harvest in a tractor. He’s fine but a lot of people out there are not fine; they miss their partners, their wives, their kids. They are long hours and it’s isolating and it’s lonely.” Libby said: “Alec’s dad David Newlove is coming to the event to give a talk; he has done loads since he lost his son. We’re creating a big seating zone so everyone can be together, listen to what David is saying and talk to each other. “It was a massive shock when Alec died. We were all out the night before and then Alec just didn’t come home. There were no signs with him at all and we’re trying to make a change.” Farm To Talk is being held in aid of Lincolnshire Rural Support Network. Entry costs £1 per person for the daytime and £10 (£5 for under-12s) for the evening session when By Imitation Only will be performing and there will be a bar, food and games. People with vintage tractors, ploughs or cultivators are invited to an open working field on the day to “have a go”, for £10 per tractor, with a free bacon bun for the driver, along with free entry to the 10am to 4pm fun day. To book in, call 07590 035267; please also call if you have any vintage machinery you would like to display. 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.

We’ve nearly made it to the end of summer, which means darker nights and colder weather is on the horizon. With that comes the perfect excuse to indulge in the British tradition of a Sunday dinner. From succulent meats to roasted potatoes – and of course a selection of vegetables such as carrots and peas – all topped with a generous amount of gravy, there’s no better meal to warm your stomach. And who could forget about the Yorkshire puddings? Read more: Obviously you can’t beat your own Sunday roast, but sometimes if you don’t want to faff with all the washing up yourself, it’s great to get out and enjoy one prepared for you. The real question is, where’s the ultimate place to go in Grimsby and Cleethorpes. We’re looking for your nominations for the best place to get a Sunday dinner in Grimsby and Cleethorpes. Please include the location of your nomination or your submission cannot be counted.