The Founding of the National Nature Reserve

After the end of the Second World War our coastal area, was no longer off-limits. A large area of the dunes was a practice bombing range for the RAF, as well as parts used by bird-watchers, and holiday makers staying in caravans. Through the newspaper articles of the day, the story unfolds of how the Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes Nature Reserve that we know today came to be established and the heated debate that surrounded the decision.

The Nature Reserve at Rimac in May 2023, view from the top of a sand dune looking South East.

Holidays for urban children from Grimsby

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Tuesday 19th June 1945. The idea of organising a camp for boys from the Brighowgate Children's Home in Grimsby at Saltfleetby is discussed at meeting in the town.

After the war, Saltfleetby was seen as a good destination for children from the poor urban areas of Grimsby to visit, take part in camps and day trips, so they could enjoy the fresh air, nature and fun at the coast.

Grimsby Telegraph, Tuesday 5th August 1947 Children from Brighowgate Children's Home, Grimsby take a month's holiday camping at Saltfleetby.

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Friday 31st August 1951. Children from Kent St, Orwell St and Church St areas of Grimsby, go on a day trip to Saltfleetby, by coach.

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Saturday 1st September 1951 About 100 children from the Kent Street area of Grimsby save up their pennies to go on the third annual day trip to Saltfleetby, organised by Mrs Reid.

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Hazards of an RAF Bombing Range on the Coast

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Tuesday 31st January 1950. Flashes of light and loud noises caused by off-shore target near Saltfleetby.

The RAF practice bombing range on the coast causes much concern and protest from locals and nature lovers, especially after incidents of stray bombs causing damage locally and being a danger to the public. One practice smoke bomb is said to have accidentally fallen into the ladies toilets at the Prussian Queen in 1953. After many complaints the issue is raised in the house of commons by Louth MP, Cyril Osborne

Detail from a map showing the location of military sites in Lincolnshire compiled in the late 1960s, including the large bombing range used by Manby Air Field, described as an active danger area by day and night.

Key to Ministry of Defence map

A Canberra Bomber, like those that the RAF had practicing here in the 1950s

The Daily Telegraph, London, Tuesday 6th October 1953. Bombs had fallen on Mablethorpe foreshore in May, then the near miss of council houses at South Somercotes, the Air Ministry temporarily suspend practice bombing at the Theddlethorpe and Donna Nook ranges.

A Near Miss for South Somercotes Council Houses

Nottingham Evening Post, Tuesday 6th October 1953. A 25lb practice bomb falls in South Somercotes, exploding 30 yards from council houses, setting fire to straw. About a dozen practice bombs have fallen in villages of Saltfleet and Saltfleetby in the preceding few months, causing protest meetings to be held and the local MP to take up the issue with the Air Ministry.

The Matter Raised in House of Commons

Grimsby Evening Telegraph,

Monday 16th November 1953. Louth MP, Cyril Osborne speaks in the House of Commons to press for the removal of bombing ranges on the Lincolnshire Coast. He informs MPs that there have been multiple incidents of bombs falling astray in Mablethorpe, Saltfleet and Saltfleetby, sometimes damaging property.

Sir Cyril Osborne MP (1898-1969), portrait by Walter Bird, 24 January 1962 in The National Gallery.

Cyril Osborne was Member of Parliament for Louth from 1945 to his death in 1969. From Nottingham, he formerly served as a Justice of the Peace for Leicestershire.

Nottingham Evening Post, Saturday 21st November 1953 MP for Louth, Cyril Osborne raises the matter of stray practice bombs landing in Lincolnshire Villages in the House of Commons. 24 hours later another bomb lands at the back door of a Ludney farmhouse.

Public Warnings about Bombing Range

Lincolnshire Echo, Saturday 15th July 1961. Only visit the dunes at weekends to avoid the bombs!

The rusting remains of a Comet tank is still accessible on the beach at the Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe dunes. A probable left-over from its time as target practice for the RAF in the 1950s and 60s. Now safe to visit, it's become a bit of a tourist attraction!

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Thursdar 18th May 1961 After 10 year old boys from Saltfleetby pick up cannon shells, the police go into local schools to warn them to keep away from the bombing range.

Wildlife Watching at Saltfleetby

Increasing interest in observing and preserving nature led to the founding of a number of trusts around the country, taking on responsibility to safeguard areas of land for wildlife. In 1948 the Lincolnshire Naturalist’s Trust was founded, and in the same year they established their first nature reserve at Gibraltar Point near Skegness.

Now the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is one of 46 similar Wildlife Trusts covering the UK which are affiliated to the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts. One of the oldest and largest, covering the whole of the historic county of Lincolnshire - from the Humber to the Wash.

In April1956 they acquiring land at Saltfleetby which they managed as a dunes nature reserve, leasing a further 25 acres from the Ministry of Defence in 1960, and campaigning for the involvement of the county council to buy further land, eventually in 1968 establishing the large national nature reserve that we have today.

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Friday 31st May 1957 Bird Sanctuary on leased Air Ministry Land.

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Thusday 16th May 1946 An Artic owl is spotted in Saltfleetby.

A Snowy Owl, or Arctic Owl (Bubo scandiacus), like one spotted in a Saltfleetby garden in 1948

Marsh Samphire (Salicornia europaea), growing on the Humber Estuary Marshland of the Lincolnshire Coast.

The Observer, London, Sunday 9th November 1958. An article about the importance of Lincolnshire’s diverse landscape and habitats for nature. The Lincolnshire Naturalist Trust are doing well in their efforts to buy and lease areas for nature reserves in the county, including some of the Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe dunes, with its thickets of sea buckthorne and home to the rare natterjack toad.

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Wed, 24th August 1955, Samphire, an edible seaweed is collected from Saltfleetby shore.

Sir Edward Lancelot Mallalieu (1905-1979), Labour MP for Brigg from 1948-1974, enjoyed birdwatching at Saltfleetby.

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Friday 23rd January 1959 A gull in Saltfleetby is seen to swallow a mole. Lincs Naturalist Union thinks this might be the first time this has been observed.

Scunthorpe,Evening Telegraph,

Tuesday 16th September 1958. MP for Brigg,. Lance Mallalieu enjoyed bird watching at Saltfleetby whilst camping out in an inflatable tent.

Small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly (Clossiana selene)

A European Herring Gull (Larus Argentatus), can swallow a whole mole, as observed for the first time in Saltfleetby in 1959!

A young Eurasian Badger (Meles Meles)

Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph

Friday 9th December 1960. After the Lincolnshire Naturalist Trust leased a further 25 acres of sand dunes from the Air Ministry, they acquired a colony of badgers.

Lincolnshire Echo, Wednesday 21st Dec 1960. The sighting of rare butterflies in Lincolnshire, including fritallies in Saltfleetby

Sea View Caravan Site

The eight-acre Sea View caravan site, situated behind the sand dunes, was first established in 1948 and was run by Stanley Johnson. It comprised of 132 caravans and 10 chalets, with facilities like a licenced bar with permit for music and dancing at the camp’s club. The licencing agreement stipulated that it had to be closed between 11th October and 14th March each year. Many people owned their caravans and lived there on a semi-permanent basis, reaching a population of about 570 at the height of summer. However, it was on an area of land that the Lincolnshire Naturalist Trust declared to be of special scientific interest due to its range of rare fauna and flora. They appealed to the county council to revoke planning permission for the caravan site and buy the land, so the dunes nature reserve could be extended. Holiday makers, the camp owners and many local councilor and politicians strongly objected and debate raged. In 1962 there was a public inquiry into revocation of planning permission for Sea View camp.

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Friday 22nd June 1962 Camp owners Mr and Mrs Johnson fight to prevent their caravan site from closure.

Nottingham Evening Post, Friday 6th Jul 1962 Famiies fight back against the plan to close campsite

Advertisments for Sea View Camp that appeared in the Grimsby Telegraph in 1957

Lindsey County council and Lincolnshire Naturalists' Trust lead campaign to close Sea View in favour of a Nature Reserve

Grimsby Telegraph, Wednesday 18th July 1962 The Council want to close down Saltfleetby Sea View Caravan camp to make way for a new nature reserve at the dunes.

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Thursday 19th July 1962 The Lincolnshire Naturalist's Trust assert why they believe it's of such importance to keep the coast undeveloped and put nature first.

The Guardian Journal, Nottingham, Wednesday 18th July 1962 Lindsey County Council believe the caravan park at Sea View is in area of special scientific interest so should not be allowed to be developed.

Louth Conservative MP, Cyril Osborne opposed the closure of Sea View

Grimsby Telegraph, Tuesday 7th August 1962 Louth MP, Cyril Osborne defends Sea View Camp and tries to prevent its closure.

Saltfleetby Parish Councillors try to keep Sea View Camp open

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Friday 27th July 1962 Saltfleetby Parish councillors strongly oppose the closure of Sea View Camp and speak out in its defense.

Protests opposing the closure of the camp come from Councillors and the Public

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Saturday 28th July 1962 Concern is expressed that the planning committee acted too quickly without informing those concerned

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Monday 30th July 1962 The owner of a caravan at Saltfleetby writes in to the local paper to express his opposition to the plan to close the camp in favour of a nature reserve.

Villagers verses a "lot of long-haired Bird Watchers"?

Lincolnshire Echo, Monday 3rd Sep 1962, Saltfleetby Parish Couniellor Mr Sutcliffe expresses concern that much additional local business will be lost in the area if Sea View Camp is closed.

Lincolnshire Echo, Friday 7th September 1962, A.D. Bates of British Naturalist Society responds to the Mr Sutcliffe's comments

The Public Inquiry November 1962

The public inquiry was held in Louth, conducted by Ministry Inspector Mr. E. W. Berridge between 21st and 23rd November 1962. 12 objections were heard. Originally intended to run for 2 days, the debates were long with many opinions being heard from both sides, after eight hours on the second day it was decided to extend to a third day.

Mr Donald Bain Q.C. represented Lindsey County Council in their application to revoke permission for the Sea View caravan site so the area could be turned into a nature reserve.

Mr. Geoffrey Lane Q.C. represented the camp's owner, Stanley Johnson and those that opposed the closure of Sea View.

Among the prominent speakers were Mr. G. A. Pitt, the clerk of Louth RDC, who along with Saltfleety Parish Council opposed the closure of Sea View in order to use the land for a nature reserve. Mr. A. C. Gooddall spoke for the Lincolnshire Naturalist Trust in favour of the camp's closure and establishment of a large nature reserve.

On 14th March 1963 a decision was made by the Minister of Housing and Local Government, Sir Keith Joseph, based on the reasons given by inspector Mr. Berridge.

Newspaper Reports of the Inquiry

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Day one of Inquiry

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Wednesday 21 Nov 1962 First day of the inquiry

Day Two of The Inquiry

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Thursday 22nd November1962 Day two of Inquiry

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Thursday 23nd November1962 Later in day two of Inquiry

Day three of the Inquiry

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Friday 23rd November 1962 Report of day three of inquiry

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Saturday 24rd November 1962 Report of conclusion of inquiry

Decision, March 1963

MP's Response

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Thursday 14th March 1963 Mr Berridge gives his conclusion

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Friday 15th March 1963 Louth MP Cyril Osborne is disappointed with the ruling.

Closure of Sea View and a New Business for Mr. Johnson

The conclusion of the inquiry resulted in Mr and Mrs Johnson being ordered to close their caravan camp by the end of 1964. It was believed that allowing an extended period to close would give them time to find an alternative site nearby without missing out on a summer season. However they saw no point in hanging on and closed Sea View caravan camp in October 1963. They looked into help from Lindsey County Council to move the camp to a new site in Saltfleet, but this didn't go ahead.

In February 1964 they were awarded a compensation payment of £24,550, covering the value of their eight acre camp site and newly built bungalow. They moved to Theddlethorpe where they used the money to buy The Gables,a former guest house opposite St Helen's Church, which they opened as a country club in December 1964. The Gables Country Club remained a popular attraction serving meals and drinks with cabaret entertainment, for years.

Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph, Thursday 17th October 1963 Mr and Mrs Johnson close Sea View Camp earlier than they need to.

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Saturday 22nd February 1964 Lindsey award compensation to Mr and Mrs Johnson for the closure of their Sea View Caravan Camp

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Thursday 2nd May 1963 The "banned" camp, Sea View, may have been moved to Saltfleet with council help.

An advert for the newly opened Gables Country Club, Theddlethorpe, from the Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Wednesday 30th December1964

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Wednesday 7th Octber 1964 Mr Johnson is granted a licence for the Gables Country Club

Surplus Air Ministry Land to be added to Nature Reserve

The Air Ministry declared that some of their land at the dunes is surplus to their needs, so can be used for the nature reserve. This sparks further talks and debate as the local councils are concerned that it may result in limiting public access to the dunes. MP Cyril Osborne called it "monstrous" that they were considering turning over the Theddlethorpe dunes to the nature reserve without first consulting Louth R.D.C.

The Nature Conservancy Council was renamed English Nature in 1991.

Lincolnshire Echo, Thursday 6th February 1964 Louth MP, Sir Osborne expresses concerns about the Air Ministry's idea to turn over their land at Theddlethorpe dunes to the nature reserve as it's now surplus to their requirements.

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Wednesday 25th March 1964 More talks proposed with concern over preserving rights of way

Grimsby Evening Standard, Monday 17th February 1964

1964 The Natterjack Toad vs The Council

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Monday 24 February 1964 Louth RDC want to fight the proposed nature reserve "tooth and nail", and express concern that natterjack toads are being given priority over the council.

A natterjack toad

Grimsby Evening Telegraph

Wednesday 26th February 1964 "The King of the Natterjack Toads" writes his response to Louth RDC from his home on Saltfleetby Dunes.

1967: Saltfleetby - Theddlethorpe Dunes to be a New National Nature Reserve

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Wednesday 11th January 1967 A New National Nature Reserve is agreed: to be managed by The Nature Conservancy (now English Nature), The Lincolnshire Trust for Nature Conservation (Now Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust) and the County Council.

Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Friday 22nd December 1967 The Ministry of Defence announce that 270 acres is now surplus to their requirements

1968: A New National Nature Reserve

On 20th November 1968 the new extended nature reserve was open, stretching four and a half miles from Saltfleet Haven in the north to Mablethorpe North End to the south. Newspaper articles around the country welcomed Britain's newest nature reserve, however, it was still situated around an active bombing range, so caution was advised if visiting.

Lincolnshire Echo, Wednesday 20th November 1968 Tread warily on new nature reserve

Grimsby Evening Telegraph,

Wednesday 20th November 1968 Lincs gets big new nature reserve

The Guardian Journal Nottingham,

Tuesday 26th November 1968 East Coast Acres for the Nation

Leicester Mercury, Wednesday 20th November1968 New nature reserve is in firing range danger zone

The Guardian Wednesday 20th November 1968 New four and a half mile long nature reserve surrounds an RAF firing range.

The Nature Reserve Today

This important reserve contains tidal sand and mudflats, salt and freshwater marshes and sand dunes.

The larger part, 556 hectares, is a statutory National Nature Reserve managed by Natural England. Approximately 38 hectares (95 acres) are managed by the Trust on a licence agreement with the Ministry of Defence. Another 4 hectares (9.8 acres) are leased from Lincolnshire County Council, and the Trust owns about 3 hectares (7.5 acres) comprising the Sea View Field and Rimac Bridge. The total area within the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is 951 hectares. The whole area is managed in close cooperation between the Lincolnshire WildlifeTrust and Natural England.

Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve

Following the coronation of the King in May 2023, it was announced that Lincolnshire has been chosen as the site of the first new national nature reserve marking the reign of King Charles III. An expanded area bringing together the existing Donna Nook and Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes National Nature Reserves, adding a further 2,350 hectares of land managed for nature conservation, covering 21 square miles.

On Monday 24th July 2023, The King himself paid a visit to Rimac at Saltfleetby, to meet members of the County Council, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and survivors of the 1953 coastal floods, visiting the new classroom building and climbing a dune.

On 18th September 2023 The Lincolnshire Coronation Coast NNR was officially designated, encompassing 33 square kilometres along almost 30 kilometres of the Greater Lincolnshire coast. Stretching from from the end of Cleethorpes Beach, to Mablethorpe's Tide Bell, it contains five priority habitats of international importance: intertidal mudflats, coastal saltmarsh, coastal sand dunes, coastal and floodplain grazing marsh, and saline lagoons. Seven partners will work together to manage their areas of the reserve: North East Lincolnshire Council, East Lindsey District Council, Natural England, the RSPB, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency, and the MoD. The new site is now two thirds larger, making it the ninth largest National Nature Reserve of the 220 in England.