A new recycling sculpture unveiled today (Thursday 20 May) is joining Hammy the Haddock in the battle to keep Cleethorpes beach clean.
North East Lincolnshire Council teamed up with Grimsby-based Blackrow Engineering and several other sponsors to bring the new stainless-steel globe to the resort.
The 2-metre-tall recycling globe illustrates the vital role Cleethorpes plays in one of the largest mass migrations of animals on the planet.
Cleethorpes sits on the banks of the Humber Estuary, one of the UK’s greatest wetlands. Every year, 90-million birds fly along the East Atlantic Flyway, a super-highway that follows the coastlines from the Arctic, through Europe and into Africa.
The rich feeding grounds found in Cleethorpes and the Humber Estuary act like a motorway service station by providing a rest stop for the migrating birds. Some pass through on their way to other places whereas others stay for the winter.
People can find the new sculpture on the North Promenade. Like Hammy the Haddock, the Globe is handmade from high grade stainless steel and is used as a giant recycling bin for plastic bottles.
Sponsors supporting the project include CR Reynolds, ENGIE, XceCo Ltd, GLID, EBB & FLO, Holidays by Design, Dalkia Waste Energy, Grimsby Carpet Warehouse (GCW), Alturn Scaffolding, myenergi, Valpak Ltd, Tesco Cleethorpes Extra, Ørsted, Lincs Industrial Painters, Total Signs & Graphics Ltd, AS Motors Ltd and Lincolnshire Bird Club.
Gary Pexman, director at Blackrow Engineering explained how it was made, he said:
“The sculpture was designed and drawn by Glenn Ritchie, one of the owners of the business. The Globe was manufactured by one of our skilled tradesman Kris Salt with our apprentice Tom Hill. Overall the build took 350–hours to complete.
“Once the design was agreed, it was broken down into profiles and fabrication drawings. DXF files were issued to our laser cutting department to be nested and cut on our 6kW Bystronic Bystar Laser Machine. All the high-grade stainless steel profiles were de-burred and the manufacturing process began.
“The base and skeleton of the Globe were assembled and welded together using a Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) process. The sculpture was then blasted using a ceramic bead to clean the welds and give the steel a uniform finish prior to the next steps.
“Using traditional sheet metal fabrication techniques the continents were formed using hand tools. Which were then welded to the Globe frame. Stainless Steel Round bar was hand formed around the perimeter of the continents and welded together to give it a clean finish.
“Next the international bird migration route was added to the sculpture highlighting the route. Once completed, the sculpture was then take to Lincs Industrial Painters to be lacquered. This is to protect it from the harsh weather conditions on Cleethorpes seafront, which will ensure the sculpture will be around for years to come.”
Cllr Callum Procter, portfolio holder for Tourism, Heritage and Culture at North East Lincolnshire Council, added:
“The team at Blackrow Engineering have done an excellent job in designing and creating this magnificent sculpture for the North Promenade in Cleethorpes.
“I’m grateful to Blackrow and all the other sponsors and those who donated via the Crowdfunding campaign to kindly support this project to bring a stunning new attraction to the seafront.
“By highlighting the important role Cleethorpes plays in one of the largest mass migrations on the planet, we hope more people will respect the resort and make the effort to keep it litter-free.”
Please remember, only recycle plastic bottles in Hammy the Haddock and the new Globe. There are plenty of street litter bins in the resort for other types of rubbish and recycling.
Find out more about the role Cleethorpes plays in the East Atlantic Flyway by watching the Humber Nature Partnership’s Wild Humber video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5rxQMkUftU
Article and image from NELC.
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