Much-loved former ecology officer to have island named after him

A lasting memorial will be created at Cleethorpes Country Park to pay tribute to the dedication of a former ecology officer at North East Lincolnshire Council.

Sadly in September the community lost one of its most passionate campaigners for the environment. Mike Sleight, 73, from Humberston, was renowned for his incredible work as an Ecology Officer for the local authority and was responsible for the development of Cleethorpes Country Park and the creation of 60 acres of woodland to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012, for which he was awarded a Diamond Jubilee medal at Buckingham Palace.

The council's Communities Scrutiny Panel was asked to consider the new Cleethorpes Country Park Management Plan for the next two years. Councillors agreed the proposal of naming the Cleethorpes Country Park Island, Mike Sleight Island, and the extension of Martin Wragg Way into Sleight Way.

The Cleethorpes Country Park is one of North East Lincolnshire’s key destination parks and was established in 1988 and is used by both residents and visitors as a public open space. Much of the work to develop and deliver the previous Cleethorpes Country Park management plans was carried out by the Council’s former Ecology Manager Mike Sleight, who recently passed away.

A report to members said Mike worked tirelessly to promote, protect and enhance the Country Park so that it could be a park for both nature and people.

It added: "Mike was instrumental in the development of the Country Park under the Council’s management and is personally responsible for planting thousands of the trees that now reside within the park. Mike’s outstanding contribution to the Country Park and his passion for our local Environment and Ecology have contributed to the lives of generations of people in our borough.

"To commemorate Mike’s tireless efforts and years of service to this borough, it is proposed that the Cleethorpes Country Park Island be named Mike Sleight Island and Martin Wragg way be extended into a new section of the path called Sleight Way."

Mike began working for North East Lincolnshire Council in the mid-1990s as a Park Ranger, and was eventually promoted to Ecology Officer. His work transforming five local sites into woodland for the Queen's Jubilee in 2012 earned him a medal, which he was awarded at Buckingham Palace by Princess Anne.

Former colleague Tony Neul posted a tribute saying: "Mike was a true public servant and was often seen, in his own time, out in the park or along the sand dunes checking on his work. His achievements were many. His legacy can be seen all around us in the local parks and open spaces we enjoy today.

"He was the voice of nature in the development of Cleethorpes Country Park, making sure that it was a haven for wildlife. The cattle grazing, tree planting, island creation and wildflower areas we see today are a result of Mike’s vision for the park. He worked alongside community groups to ensure that their voice was heard.

"Mike’s input on the “in bloom” campaigns was a key factor in their early success and the first Gold Awards. The judges were impressed by how nature and wildlife habitats had been blended with traditional flower displays".

Over the summer months there were some recently completed repair and improvement works to the bridges in the Cleethorpes Country Park .

Councillors were also told of the aspirations for the park which include:

• Improve water flow of the lake, using nature-based solutions.

• Improve the dog swimming area to provide a quality green space suitable for community recreation.

• Improve pathways and bridges to allow a more accessible route through the park which will enable more people use the park.

• Improve interpretation boards around the site, to showcase the biodiversity and educate the community.