Love Middlesbrough magazine - autumn 2022

Just an illusion

Revealing local magic funnyman Pete Firman’s box of tricks

Middlesbrough’s momentum

How our town is leading on investment success

lady

Meet the first female member of Boro’s executive team

To the Queen

Loads of Jubilee party pictures!

Town centre focus

Wehad an amazing start to the summer in Middlesbrough with a huge concert by American band The Killers at the Riverside Stadium.

The sun was shining and there was a vibrant, friendly atmosphere in packed-out bars and restaurants.

Thousands of people visited from outside the area and experienced the very best of Middlesbrough.

The event was a reminder to me of the massive potential of our town centre.

I’m determined that the council will work alongside businesses and Cleveland Police to make it the welcoming and safe environment it needs to be, all year round.

Central Middlesbrough is becoming a place to live, learn, work and enjoy leisure. The feature on pages 4 and 5 of this issue summarises our approach.

We have incredible education institutions, thriving businesses and new entertainment venues getting set to open their doors.

Work is well under way to create new homes and luxury office accommodation. Interest from investors is high and world-famous names like Eton College want to base themselves here.

We are also exploring the potential for creating a Mayoral Development Corporation for the town centre that would accelerate development. You can find out more at teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/consultations and have your say before August 4.

I am, however, very aware that despite all that positivity we still have challenges when it comes to the town centre. Key buildings are sitting empty and not everyone who visits leaves with a positive impression and that is something that we must address.

On page 15 you can find out more about a joint operation with Cleveland Police designed to tackle the problems caused by a minority of people.

We’re working very closely with businesses at the moment to listen to their concerns and help provide the environment that they and all our residents and visitors deserve.

Having a healthy town centre with a strong economy is vital for everyone who lives in Middlesbrough. That’s why we’re focusing so much on getting it right.

Middlesbrough momentum

Nine ways our town is attracting investment

First lady

Meet the first woman to be part of Boro’s senior executive team

Just an illusion

Award-winning comedy magic man Pete Firman opens his bag of tricks

Meat and greet

Say hello to new town centre eaterie Smoke and Mirrors

The 67,000 print run of Love Middlesbrough is delivered to every Middlesbrough home and many businesses.

Franc-ly speaking Producer, director and screenwriter on his love for our area 17

Tony Parkinson Chief executive, Middlesbrough Council

Produced on behalf of Middlesbrough Council by Resolution Media and Publishing, Plenary BV House Boho 7, Queen’s Square, Middlesbrough, TS2 1PA. T: 01642 450255.

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Executive editors: Dave Allan and Martin Walker.

Writers: Julie Burniston, Dave Robson.

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Photography: Tom Banks, Chris Booth, Stuart Boulton, Mike Brown, Dave Charnley.

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Cultured approach

We chat to the council’s deputy head of culture

An electronic version of Love Middlesbrough magazine is available at middlesbrough.gov.uk/ magazine

Middlesbrough Council contact numbers: (all prefixed 01642)

General Enquiries: 245432

Street wardens: 228500

After Hours – All enquiries: 726050

Environment: 726001

Noise Nuisance: 726001

Needles Hotline: 726001

Social Services: 726004

Housing Benefit: 726006

Parking Services: 726003

Council Tax/Business Rates: 726006

Planning Queries: 729377

For further information about Middlesbrough Council, visit middlesbrough.gov.uk | wearemiddlesbrough.com

Momentum Middlesbrough’s

The town was named the joint third best small city in Europe for its foreign direct investment strategy. The European Cities and Regions of the Future report considered factors including the potential for growth, local lifestyle and transport connectivity. Love Middlesbrough picks out nine themes that are helping the town attract investment and deliver for local people and businesses.

1. Influx of leisure

The council now owns Captain Cook Square and the Cleveland Centre - two enormous retail hubs ripe for redevelopment and investment.

Captain Cook Square is undergoing a major overhaul with the first of several new leisure destinations opening this autumn. The Wired Lobby will be the biggest and best e-sports arena for miles around. Level X will bring bowling, go-karting, interactive darts and a virtual reality zone to the square, and talks are ongoing regarding a boutique cinema and several other food and drink establishments.

2. Urban living

Key to the vision is attracting more people to live in the heart of town. The first housing for a generation has been completed in Middlehaven, with apartments built within a short walk of employment and entertainment. Further residential developments are in progress or at the planning application stage.

3. Grade A office accommodation

Another way of encouraging trade at town centre businesses is to get more people working nearby. The first two premium Centre Square office developments are almost fully let. Work is under way on Six Centre Square to house insurance giant Axa’s HQ and their 450 staff.

4. Digital boom

Middlesbrough’s booming digital firms are making an impact across the globe. They include Double Eleven, a publishing and development studio which has worked on some of the world’s biggest video games.

Early in 2022 Middlesbrough won recognition from the Financial Times for its regeneration approach during a period of massive change

Connected - An LNER Azuma service from Middlesbrough to London King's Cross.

Big Bite, which builds digital products for brands like the New York Post, Wall Street Journal and The Times, is another thriving business based at the internationally renowned Digital City, in the innovative Boho Zone.

Later this year will see the completion of Boho X, a £26.5m purpose-built complex for the tech sector complete with its own gym, bar, event space and lecture theatre.

5. Advanced manufacturing

The Tees Advanced Manufacturing Park has been a huge success story. The 180,000 sq ft park was fully let within two years, despite the turbulence of Covid.

Conveniently located next to freeport logistics hub the Port of Middlesbrough, a second stage of TeesAMP has been approved by the council’s Executive.

6. Best travel links for a generation

Just 15 minutes away from Teesside International Airport, Middlesbrough can now boast its best domestic and international transport links in a generation.

Direct rail services from Middlesbrough were launched in 2021 and the station is undergoing a £34m transformation.

7. Huge events and a focus on culture

International indie icons The Killers kicked off Middlesbrough’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June with a sensational show at the Riverside Stadium.

More than 30,000 fans flocked to the stadium, also filling the town’s hotels, bars and restaurants.

The council is putting culture at the forefront of the town’s regeneration.

Middlesbrough Cultural Partnership led a successful bid for £4.25m to the government’s Cultural Development Fund earlier in 2022. The investment will be split between flagship gallery MIMA, the Central Library and independent venues The Auxiliary and Platform Arts. The partnership’s exciting aim is to make Middlesbrough the most creative town in the UK.

8. An education capital

Middlesbrough is home to the awardwinning Teesside University, expanding Middlesbrough College and the new Northern School of Art campus.

Earlier this year Eton College announced its plan to open a new sixth-form college in Middlehaven, alongside Star Academies. The college would aim to help more youngsters from the North-East into the country’s elite universities.

Also in Middlehaven, the Department for Education is set to open a new secondary school, Outwood Riverside, in 2024. Giving young people the best possible start in life and then providing them with the opportunities to build prosperous futures in the town is key to Middlesbrough’s vision.

9. A new era

In May, plans were announced by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen to launch a Mayoral Development Corporation covering the Middlehaven area and town centre. The corporation would go “further and faster” in attracting investment to redevelop key sites and make central Middlesbrough more appealing to visitors. The new corporation, now subject to public consultation, would have powers over planning and land ownership.

Beating Heart – the town centre art installation.

Creative hub - The Northern School of Art is based in central Middlesbrough.

Postcards from the

HISTORY past

Historic Middlesbrough, the first book in Heritage Unlocked’s Postcards From The Past series, explores the people, places and events that have shaped our town over the past two centuries

Providing fascinating insights into industrial, cultural, high street, civic and sporting life in the town, Dr Tosh Warwick’s latest book features an array of historic plans, photographs and postcards from public and private collections.

He explores the story of Middlesbrough from the emergence of the Victorian Ironopolis on the banks of the Tees through to the changing skyline of recent decades.

Among some of the book’s most notable material are unique plans of Ayresome Park from Teesside Archives and fascinating postcard correspondence from Ernest Burniston’s extensive collection and snapshots of life in the lost pubs of Middlesbrough.

Dr Tosh Warwick said: “As well as featuring many familiar scenes and landmarks, Historic Middlesbrough has helped reveal lesser-seen postcards and photographs of our town.

“Many of the images and stories featured – including the late Les Bulman’s fascinating pub photographs – are published for the very first time in the book.”

Out now – Historic Middlesbrough is packed with unique images.

Back in the day - Victoria Square and the Town Hall.

Class dismissed - Hugh Bell School is one of the many long-lost buildings featured.

Park life - Albert Park’s fountain more than 100 years ago.

MAW returns with free exhibitions, workshops and exciting activities for the whole family

Art

for everyone

If you know, you know, and if you don’t then get yourself down to the fifth edition of the Middlesbrough Art Weekender - known affectionately to all its fans as MAW.

It’s going to be bigger and better than ever with a full programme of free exhibitions, workshops and exciting activities for the whole family.

Since 2017, MAW has featured hundreds of artists across the town and invited visitors to get involved. This year the team have got together with Orange Pip Market and Middlesbrough Pride for a full-town takeover.

From shopping centres to former banks, the programme will take visitors on a journey of amazing art by artists both local and international.

The weekend includes an art exhibition in an ex-bank, a virtual reality experience, a van with a sound system in it, paintings about life in Eston and artificial

Power Up Play

FREE ACTIVITIES

There’ll be free child-led arts activities at Base Camp Boro on the Saturday and Sunday of Middlesbrough Art Weekender. Between 12-5pm each day, drop in for a cuppa and a bite to eat while letting your little ones get creative.

> Crown making

> Picasso abstract art session

> Pasta jewellery

> Magic wand weaving

Art Weekender Dates

September 22-25

More info: middlesbroughartweekender.com

intelligence technology that can tell if you’re happy or sad.

With more than 75 national and international artists presenting work at this year’s MAW, there’s a path for everyone.

Brand new this year is a mini MAW programme especially created to engage curious mini artists and get them exploring the town and creating. There’s even an opportunity to create your very own work of art for MAW with workshops leading up to the festival that will take place in Hill Street Shopping Centre every Saturday in September.

Festival director Liam Slevin said: “I moved to Middlesbrough in 2016 and I was just blown away by the heritage of the place, the buildings and, of course, the people.

“I got lots of encouragement to set up the festival, and it’s gone from strength to strength. People of Middlesbrough are great at trying something new. MAW has been called the gem of the North-East. It’s the biggest yearly arts festival in the region, and that’s definitely something to shout about.”

Keep a look out for the map and be sure to check social media for updates.

middlesbroughartweekender.com

@middlesbrough.art.weekender

@middlesbroughartweekender

@maw_weekender

Just an

illusion

WORDS: JULIE BURNISTON

PICTURES: KARLA GOWLETT AND CHRIS BOOTH

Award-winning comedy magic man

Pete Firman opens his Bag of Tricks

There’s a theme that seems to run through any interview given by a famous son or daughter of Middlesbrough – their sheer joy on returning to their place of birth.

Pete Firman is no exception.

Life has certainly been kind to the Acklam-born comedian, illusionist, TV presenter and actor.

With his unique blend of stand-up comedy and clever magic, Pete has played the hallowed stage of the London Palladium and has graced our TV screens on The Next Great Magician, The John Bishop Show, The Magicians and The Sarah Millican Television Programme.

In an unexpected twist he will also be seen alongside Hollywood A-listers in his first acting role – more of that later.

Despite this excitement, however, our boy just can’t wait to come ‘home’!

“I love it here, any excuse to get back,” says Pete, who won the coveted Carlton Award for outstanding comedy in magic and who honed his skills in front of captivated diners at Linthorpe Road's Central Park restaurant as a 17-year-old.

With a UK tour under way, which takes in Middlesbrough Town Hall, he is relishing the prospect of playing on home turf.

“I played the Arc in Stockton last year, which was great, but the Town Hall is something special,” he admits.

“I’m so chuffed because I used to see bands there when I was 16 or 17, people like Shed Seven and indie bands from back in the mid-90s. If I’m honest, it’s a bit surreal!”

Pete’s Bag of Tricks tour comes to the iconic landmark on September 15 and like many before him, Pete will enjoy looking out of his dressing room window and smiling as he watches the town’s revellers enjoying themselves.

“It’s the Pig Iron now is it?” he says of the pub which will be in his eyeline. “I liked It when it was the Hairy Lemon, but you can’t trump the Camel’s Hump – that has to win the prize for the best named boozer in the Boro,” he laughs.

Though he lives ‘Down South’ with Stanley, his beloved cockapoo, Pete knows that his family and friends will be out in force to support him.

“They’re always first in line for tickets,”

he smiles “and I do tend to see old schoolteachers, which is weird because I have to stop myself calling them ‘sir’.”

Pete will always try and stay in Boro for a few days either side of his gig.

“I like mooching around during the day,” he admits.

“I like having a parmo as well, It’s my ‘go to’ thing, my little treat. Plus, I’m a proper northern beer drinker. I must go to the bars on Baker and Bedford Streets. My sister keeps on about them and with my penchant for craft beers, I know I would love them.”

Pete has seen a lot of change in his hometown over the last few years.

“It excites me every time I visit, and I see places changing, such as the cycling lane on Linthorpe Road. The development and the investment in the economy is great. Long may it continue!”

Pete is taking Bag of Tricks to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival before he comes to the North-East.

“The fringe is great and where I’m playing isn’t too far away from the size of the Crypt at the Town Hall.

“I like it because it’s so free and easy and any space can become a venue –even converted toilets! You can walk into a bar and get talking to someone and they will say: ‘You need to go and see this great bloke called Pete Firman’,” he jokes.

The joy of being back in front of a live audience after an enforced Covid break is evident, but lockdown actually saw Pete’s career come on leaps and bounds.

“When lockdown happened, like everyone else, I adapted,” he said.

“It was really weird for performers and the worst thing possible to be honest, but I did online Zoom shows and uploaded tricks to social media. Not that it could replace live shows, of course, but out of that I was approached by Children’s ITV in 2020 to do a really fun programme called Unleash The Beast with a second series shot in 2021. It kept me busy outside of live gigs.”

This year things have taken another leap forward for Pete. He was booked for a role on Good Omens 2 - a mass global show based on a Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman book and starring Michael Sheen and David Tennant.

“I can’t say too much about it at the moment but it’s really exciting and streaming on Amazon Prime at the end of this year or the beginning of 2023,” he says.

“It’s a massive project filmed in Scotland, but I’m sworn to secrecy until I get the green light to say any more.”

Though it’s Pete’s first acting gig, he actually studied the craft at the University of Hull in Scarborough, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in theatre.

“I’ve always half fancied acting, so this has been a great opportunity,” he admits.

But before he gets any further leading man ideas, Pete first has a Boro audience to please.

“I’ve never been heckled up north, in fact they’re usually a very polite audience - but they do like a chat!” he smiles.

“I do a lot of audience participation and when you get a Teessider on stage, you expect to be stood there for a while learning all about them and their family.

“Saying that, I’m always on my toes because while people in Boro love having a good time, you can always tell when they’re not!”

Bag of Tricks come to Middlesbrough Town Hall on Thursday, September 15. Tickets cost £18.50 (£16.50 concessions) including a £2.50 booking fee

Age: 14 plus Middlesbroughtownhall.co.uk

Time to reflectPete started out Middlesbrough's Central Park.

Franc-ly

Producer, director and screenwriter Franc Roddam on his love and support for our area…

FrancRoddam is chatting to me from his home in London’s trendy Notting Hill (he splits his time between London and LA) and is in a nostalgic mood.

The uber-talented 76-year-old, best known for the creation of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, Masterchef and for directing blockbuster movie Quadrophenia, has just signed off on a series of scholarships designed to support aspiring creatives in our region.

Partnering with Teesside University, the £60,000 Franc Roddam Scholarship will fund 10 undergraduates on the BA (Hons) Film & Television Production course at the university’s School of Arts and Creative Industries.

“I was very taken with Teesside University when they gave me an Honorary Doctorate of Arts in 2019,” he says. “This is a small gesture and the ideal opportunity to help.”

Franc was born in Norton and always had a yearning to be in film.

“At the top of our street there were two cinemas, The Avenue and The Moderne,” he recalls.

“I would sneak in and see hundreds of movies.”

Coming from Teesside, however, success in the media seemed a million miles away.

“There was no encouragement in those

days. No one went into the media really. The closest I got to creativity was chatting to a couple of Gazette journalists when I drank in the Metropole Hotel in Stockton,” he laughs.

Leaving school at 15, Franc worked at Smiths Dock shipyard in South Bank and cut his creative teeth in a band called ‘The Bomb.’

“I was a baby beatnik. By day I worked in the shipyard and by night I’d go to jazz clubs in Stockton.”

Franc’s bird's eye view of the Tees and the workings of the iconic Transporter Bridge would later help him when he wrote the infamous Auf Wiedershen, Pet episodes where a gang of Geordie brickies were tasked with moving the bridge to America.

Not that Franc lasted long at Smiths Dock, giving up manual graft to go to Billingham Tech to study O and A levels before going travelling.

“I ended up in the States and got a bit part in a little movie called Grease,” he says with understatement “and I thought ‘ahh, this is how they do it!’”

A year later, Franc was in Afghanistan where he agreed to deliver a letter from there to London.

“The person I delivered to was in film school and, long story short, I ended up renting his spare room and getting a job

for a posh advertising firm.

“That’s where the rough edges were knocked off me – including my Teesside accent – because the people who held meetings in Mayfair couldn’t understand me.”

Though the accent may have been suppressed, the Teesside tenacity wasn’t. As Franc admits: “I was always hustling and self-promoting.”

His confidence took him far, from film school to director of smash TV film Dummy in 1977.

With 14 million viewers tuning into the gritty drama, Dummy really made the luvvies sit up and take notice. Its success led to Franc directing cult favourite Quadrophenia and a subsequent move to Hollywood.

“I was 31 when I went to Hollywood and it was quite a step,” says Franc. “I had some wild times for a working-class lad!”

One of those times included Franc and Auf Wiedersehen actor Jimmy Nail in Montana coming up with plots lines for the Transporter episodes.

And so we are back to Teesside.

With brothers in their 80s still in the area and the youngest of his seven children just 10-years-old, Franc looks forward to bringing his ‘boy’ to see his hometown.

“It’s a great place – rough, tough but wonderful!”

Proud - Franc Roddam.

WORDS: JULIE BURNISTON

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How the council can help you cope with cost of living crisis EASING THE BURDEN

The soaring cost of living is worrying for everyone.

But what if you’re of state pension age and are unable to increase your income?

If so, don’t suffer in silence –Middlesbrough Council has a number of schemes that can help with utility payments or council tax reductions to try and support you in these challenging times.

Household Support Fund

If you have reached state pension age and are receiving pension credit guarantee credit or council tax reduction, you could be entitled for an award of up to £150, depending on your circumstances. However, pensioners not in receipt of either, but who feel they are struggling to make essential payments or have special circumstances, will also be considered and should still apply. Application forms can be found online at middlesbrough.gov.uk/ household-support-fund

Council tax reduction

Support is available to reduce the amount of council tax you need to pay, depending upon your income and circumstances. People in receipt of pension credit

guarantee credit would be eligible for relief of 100 per cent of the council tax bill, meaning you would have nothing to pay. Other pensioners may also be eligible for council tax support, which would depend on income and any capital you have. To apply, or for more information, visit middlesbrough.gov.uk/ benefits

Pension increase for 2022

From April 11, pensioners receiving the basic State Pension will now receive £141.85 each week if you reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016 and £185.15 for those who claimed after this date, an increase of 3.1 per cent.

Cost of living payment

If you are in receipt of pension credit,

you are eligible for the government cost of living payment of £650. This will be paid by the Department for Work and Pensions automatically and you do not need to apply. You will receive a payment of £326 in July and a further £324 in the autumn. Additional payments are also being provided if you receive one of the qualifying disability benefits. Further details can be found at gov.uk/guidance/ cost-of-living-payment

Winter fuel payment

If you’re entitled to a winter fuel payment during 2022/2023, you will receive an additional £300 for your household. This will be paid with your normal pension payment in November 2022. Find out more at gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-livingpayment

Help is available to people of ALL ages.

If you are below the State Pension age, you may still be eligible for help under the household support fund, council tax support or the cost of living payment.

For further information and support, go to middlesbrough.gov.uk

CLEANING UP

WORDS: DAVE ROBSON PICTURE: CHRIS BOOTH

Begging and fly-tipping are two of the biggest bugbears for people around our town.

But thanks to an imaginative approach to both, Middlesbrough Council is making dramatic headway in its efforts to stamp them out.

Operational community safety manager Dale Metcalfe has responsibility for various areas relating to community safety in the town.

A team of environment neighbourhood safety wardens tackle matters such as fly-tipping, abandoned and untaxed vehicles, stray dogs, littering and waste accumulation.

Then there’s a team of neighbourhood safety wardens dealing with everything from anti-social behaviour and parking enforcement to low level crime, begging and shoplifting.

Between them, the teams work to make Middlesbrough a better and safer place to visit and live in.

And Dale says tackling the “begging” issue has been a key task.

He told Love Middlesbrough: “Our approach hasn’t been to go in straight away looking to fine people or take enforcement action. Instead, we’ve adopted a three-stage approach, particularly to people who beg – shelter, support and then enforce.

“There’s a perception that people who beg must be homeless, but that’s usually not the case. More than 95 per cent of those we deal with are in some form of accommodation.

“We’ve identified 19 individuals who beg in the town centre every day. Of those, probably three quarters have services working with them around substance misuse.

“We speak to them and try to get them on our side so we can identify the root cause of why people are begging. We know a high percentage of these people do it to buy drugs – they tell us this.

“We try to get them into a treatment programme and get some stability with their housing and other organisations who might be able to help them with food and benefits.

“Where all that fails, we have no other option but to take enforcement action.”

A town centre crackdown on anti-social behaviour, Operation Banton – quaintly named after reggae star Pato Banton - is a joint operation between the council, Cleveland Police and various agencies.

In a scheme that stretches out as far as Linthorpe Village, it’s not just about tackling begging – everything from shoplifting to street drinking comes under its remit.

One tactic is Community Protection

Notice Warnings (CPNWs).

If behaviour is having a detrimental effect on the locality, is persistent and is unreasonable, a CPNW can be issued with, ultimately, prosecution to follow.

Similarly, the council is coming down hard on fly-tippers. Dale explained: “Historically, our officers would look through waste for evidence and refer to the area care team to clear it up. But that waste could sit there for days – it was a ‘report it, not sort it’ approach, with two departments tackling the problem. Now we attend, investigate and clear it all in one swoop.”

And it’s an approach which is paying dividends, with reports of fly-tipping down 22 per cent in the past 12 months and more than 60 offenders prosecuted.

It has also seen the council’s environmental "Flying Squad" make a seven-strong shortlist for a prestigious Local Government Chronicle national award.

Dale added: “The town is visibly cleaner and we’re getting lots of good feedback from residents.

“But we’re not going to stop shouting about our successes because people need to be aware that if we catch people who want to behave like this in Middlesbrough, we won’t stand for it.”

How the council’s ‘flying squad’ is swooping on offenders

On patrol – council neighbourhood safety wardens Arron McInnis and Liz Tiffney in the town centre.

Leanne Littlewood is Middlesbrough Council’s deputy head of culture – a job she loves and where she can challenge misconceptions about the town

Cultured

approach

Hi Leanne, tell us about your role

As deputy head of culture, I try to visit somewhere new every day – be that parks and open spaces, the Town Hall, Middlesbrough Theatre, Newham Grange Farm, Teesside Archives, our wonderful museums or working alongside the festival and events team. All our work is centred around developing programmes and opportunities for the community to engage in culture, as well as supporting the development of what is now a thriving cultural private sector.

One of my favourite programs of work is the Musinc project which provides opportunities for musical engagement and learning for people of all ages and abilities. Another favourite is the local history programme which includes Local History Month and Discover Middlesbrough. It’s through these events, working alongside a range of community organisations, that we encourage people to take an interest in Middlesbrough’s history and heritage. Culture means something different to everyone.

What’s your background?

I’ve always worked in culture but I originally wanted to go to drama school, and then go to London to be an actress. After college, I took a year out and worked in pubs, which led to me running nightclubs. Then I saw a job working for the council at the town hall, and I was hooked. I’m a Boro girl and I love the people of Boro. And in doing this job, I am surrounded by creative people. I became manager of the events team in 2017 before starting this role in 2020.

You sound like you really love your role

Oh, it’s a lovely job. I’ve worked for the council for 16 years doing lots of different roles, but this is by far my favourite. It’s so rewarding, getting to meet people in the community and the team I work with are lovely. During Covid, the culture team all did other jobs delivering food parcels or acting as town centre ambassadors - they all got stuck in.

What have been some of your event highlights?

I was so proud to lead delivery of the BBC Big Weekend. To have had that event in the town was amazing and it’s something people still talk about. But for community spirit, my favourite has to be the Tour de Yorkshire. The Orange Pip Market, which we took over four years ago, is great for making memories. And just recently we had Scarlett Moffatt’s Driving School filming in town.

I’m incredibly proud of Middlesbrough. It really annoys me when I hear people put us down but we’re a wonderful place. It’s a great time to live in Middlesbrough and no one is more excited than me.

How do others see us culturally?

It’s about changing people’s perception of us. When these London film people come here, I love to see their faces when they see the beauty of the Town Hall and we take them on a trip through town.

About 14 years ago, Kirsty and Phil from Location, Location, Location announced that Middlesbrough was the worst place in the UK to live. Not a great crown to be given and I’ve boycotted them ever since!

But it’s a great idea to invite people here. I love to see their faces when they get off the train, we take them on a tour and they say ‘oh, we didn’t expect that’. And performers say wonderful things about the town when they come to the Town Hall. I sometimes think we are all too modest about our great town and its wonderful people.

And what more needs to be done?

We need to reinforce the positive aspects of living here. We should shout about our town more as our collective voice is strong. We need to do away with years of negative media coverage – it’s frustrating. We are not the Boro of the ‘70s – we’re very much a town on the up.

WORDS: JULIE BURNISTON PICTURES: TOM BANKS

We should shout about our town more as our collective voice is strong.

Birthday bash marks first decade for myplace youth hub

A PERFECT10

Middlesbrough’s cutting-edge myplace youth hub marked its first 10 years with a special birthday bash.

The £4.3m centre opened in 2012 in Custom House, one of the town's oldest buildings, dating back to 1837, at the heart of historic Middlehaven.

Developed as part of a multi-million pound government programme to create world class youth facilities across the country, myplace marked its tenth anniversary with a special celebration for all those who’ve been part of its journey over the last decade.

The party featured live performances from young people and close-up magical entertainment from the Middlesbrough Magic Circle.

Highlights of the party included an exclusive performance by members of Komparrison - the first band to have a vinyl record recorded and manufactured in Middlesbrough.

myplace also hosts a range of other services for young people including The Junction, which supports young carers and delivers youth services in Redcar and Middlesbrough, and Project Choice which delivers education and employment opportunities for young people with additional needs.

Projects and activities undertaken over the last 10 years include:

> Youth sessions for children and young people with additional needs aged 11-24

> Fun activities and a cooked meal for children during the Easter, summer and Christmas school holidays

> Projects to help excluded pupils back in to school

> Music festivals, performances in the amphitheatre and visits from Fatboy Slim, Rizzle Kicks, Damon Albarn and The Royal Opera House

> Summer play schemes

> After school drama sessions and music clubs

> Dance schools

> Drop-in sessions for the youth offending service

> Drop in sessions for the Stronger Families service

> Coffee mornings for the refugee mother and baby unit

> CAMHS drop-in sessions

> Work experience and work trials helping young people to gain employment

> Middlesbrough Council meetings and training

> Fortnightly dementia music cafe

The hub is also home to BlueBridge studios which cater for all manner of music tuition, rehearsal and recording needs. myplace manager Tracey Smith said: “Since it opened, myplace has helped make a difference to the lives of countless young people, and this first decade is only just the beginning.

“The birthday party was a true celebration of 10 years of fantastic achievements, by the young people themselves, by myplace staff and by the many partnership organisations we work with.

“myplace has become a blueprint for the development and delivery of first class youth services, with young people at the heart of everything we do.

“Here’s to the next 10 years and beyond, helping our young people realise their potential and shape the future of our town.”

myplace staff and volunteers.

myplace singing group with music leader Kerrianne Covell.

MP3, myplace’s original boy band. Harry, Jack and George have been attending myplace for 10 years.

Festivals, families… and fun!

From the Mela to the Orange Pip Market – Middlesbrough’s evergrowing events programme has something for everyone.

And that’s just how the duo responsible for pulling it together like it.

Festival and events officers Holly Glover and Adam Henry put their hearts and souls into compiling a comprehensive – and inclusive – programme for the town.

From the major crowd-pullers like the Orange Pip to smaller scale events, there’s a lot of organising going on behind the scenes.

And Holly couldn’t be happier.

She explained: "I got a degree in Theatre Studies from York St John and moved home to be near my family when I had my daughter. I started an apprenticeship when I struggled to find a creative job.

“To be honest, I never really wanted to be in front of the stage – I’m always happier doing something behind the scenes. That works well in events because we commission lots of theatre pieces, but it’s still very arts-based.”

Adam only joined the events team in April, having graduated in Sports Business Management at the University of Lincoln before joining a Leeds-based events company in 2015.

But with his family from Middlesbrough, he’s back on home ground.

Between them, Holly and Adam share the workload, although each take responsibility for various key events.

Holly, for example, oversees the Orange Pip – “I like things that are a bit cool and quirky and that’s just what Orange Pip is,” she says – while the Queen's Baton Relay

celebrations were part of Adam's remit.

Then there are the partnership events the council supports, such as Diwali and Taste of Africa, plus external events they help organise the health and safety for, including the likes of Oktoberfest.

Holly said: “We get given a yearly budget and have a set number of events we have to deliver – Mela, Orange Pip and Christmas are the key ones. But we also need to raise funds, so we create sponsorship approaches and write funding bids to places like the Arts Council or the combined authority.”

But they’re always on the lookout for ideas or events that could add further colour to the town’s events palette.

Adam said: “We try and deliver things that are representative of all Middlesbrough’s communities and celebrate that diversity. Things like the Mela are massive to the events portfolio.”

Holly, whose seven-year-old daughter also gives feedback about the events she attends – “she’s a good research companion,” she smiles – added: “We’ve

got 50,000 ideas of things we’d like to do but we take our steer from the people of Middlesbrough about what they want.

“I have a notebook by my bed with thousands of ideas of what we can do! Our free time is spent visiting other festivals, watching theatre pieces and reading millions of articles to try and come up with cool and creative things we can do in Middlesbrough.

“Between us, we’re never short of ideas – lots of planning and list upon list!”

As we talk, there’s growing excitement about a September Eco Fest - a family friendly, sustainability festival, hopefully using multiple venues around the town.

And as for 2023? They’re already in talks and are full of ideas – but suggestions from the public are always welcome.

Adam said: “Holly and I have ideas of our own, but the events portfolio needs to represent the people of Middlesbrough, so we're always happy to hear different suggestions."

Introducing two key roles within the council

The events portfolio needs to represent the people of Middlesbrough, so we're always happy to hear different suggestions.”

Teamwork - festival and events officers Holly Glover and Adam Henry.

September 2022

November 2022

Planner

October 2022

DORMAN MUSEUM

ANDREW GLOVER PICTURES: TOM BANKS

First lady

The first woman to be part of Middlesbrough Football Club’s senior executive team is gearing up for her first full season in the role. Helena Bowman tells We Are Middlesbrough how her passion for the area and club inspires and drives her

More than 30,000 people flocked to the Riverside Stadium on a sun-drenched June evening to watch international indie icons The Killers put on an unforgettable show.

Middlesbrough FC was hosting, and its new head of business operations and community barely got chance to catch her breath.

In just six hours Helena Bowman answered a staggering 150 phone calls. She was on speed dial for logistical decisions big and small.

From WiFi issues affecting card transactions to the moment the band’s guitarist unexpectedly arrived at main reception requesting extra hospitality seats for members of his family, there was a lot happening behind the scenes.

It was, Helena admits, a slight step into the unknown, but the adrenaline was flowing on a huge night for Middlesbrough.

“Managing and reacting to everything was extremely challenging and we learnt a lot, but it was really exciting as an experience,” she says.

The gig itself, Helena reflects, was “absolutely amazing”.

“The proudest thing for me was that we put the event on for the town and Teesside.

“If we weren’t hosting it, it wouldn’t have happened in our area.

We would have all been going to Leeds or Newcastle.”

Pointing towards the North Stand from a Riverside executive box, she adds: “Seeing Brandon Flowers on that stage was unbelievable.

“The overwhelming feeling that we’ve done this for Middlesbrough and Teesside was brilliant.”

Helena started her new role full-time in February after five years leading MFC Foundation. Her new position involves wide-ranging topics including, in her own words, “the functioning of the stadium, health and safety, grounds, facilities, hospitality, catering, HR, strategies and leadership.”

The heads of the individual departments are “excellent and very experienced people who we are extremely lucky to have working for the the club," she says.

Having spent 16 years at the foundation, Helena is “immensely proud” of the work it does and hopes she can help bring the club ever closer to the community it serves in her new role.

“The club is the most well-known brand in the area. There’s absolutely a need to use that brand for good in the community. The foundation does that excellently and there’s a bigger role for the club in that too. We can bring the two even closer together to make more of an impact.

“Through the foundation, the club has the ability to help raise aspirations and change lives. I’m really proud of the work the staff and trustees deliver at the foundation. What they do is brilliant.”

The foundation came to the fore during the Covid pandemic when it did “absolutely essential” work for the people of Teesside.

“We had to use it as an opportunity to support the community,” Helena says.

“We were delivering 1,000 hot meals per day at one stage. It was really important for the club and foundation to do our bit. We worked with other organisations to help reach people that others couldn’t.”

The foundation is looked up to by its peers and has a huge reach across Teesside.

“We won ‘community club of the year’ three times out of the last six years for the North-East and Yorkshire,” Helena says.

“That kind of thing really gets you noticed. As a result, you go to the House of Commons to receive the award. For Middlesbrough to be up there, consistently, for community work, is really important. A lot of other clubs come to the foundation

To find out more about the work of MFC Foundation visit mfcfoundation.co.uk

WORDS:

to learn and it helps that the club is community-orientated, led by a local owner.”

Helena’s new day-to-day role sees her working closer with owner and chairman Steve Gibson and chief executive Neil Bausor.

She’s proud to be a woman working at a high level in professional football and hopes her own success can inspire future generations.

“We have a lot of female staff and a higher-than-average number of female season ticket holders,” she says.

“Generally, it’s still a male-dominated industry, but that doesn’t faze me. In my opinion, you use the fact that you are female for good and to be a role model for others.

“I grew up as a huge football fan and I never thought there was a massive barrier, as a female, to working in the sport, but it’s really important that we publicise the opportunity to the next generation of girls.

“I would like to think that people think ‘Helena has done it, so we can too’.”

Helena is speaking to We Are Middlesbrough the day after Boro’s fixtures for the 2022-23 season were released.

Her eyes were drawn to the festive period first and the “brilliant news” that Boro are at home again on Boxing Day. Like most fans, Helena also glanced down the list for the Tees-Wear derbies with Sunderland.

“There is,” she says, “a genuine buzz" inside the club at the moment.

“We believe in Chris Wilder as someone who can make a real difference. I’m really looking forward to the season.”

Away from the club, Helena winds down by playing netball twice a week, spending time at the gym and with her family and friends.

She is also a non-executive director of the North Riding Football Association and chairs Borderlands, an Arts Council-funded programme led by Teesside University.

The county FA role involves increasing engagement and improving football for younger people, while Borderlands aims to bring communities together through creative arts.

In short, there aren’t many hours in the week Helena doesn’t dedicate to driving the area forward.

“I’m very protective of the area,” Helena, originally from Durham, says.

“I’m an adopted Teessider who started

working here 16 years ago and put roots down after 12 months.

“I feel like an ambassador for the area. I hate anyone talking it down.

“This is a brilliant football club that can absolutely influence people in a positive way. That spirit and that community feeling runs right through the club and foundation.”

The club is continuing to look for opportunities for future concerts and events at the stadium, and as the new football season approaches, Helena is looking forward to settling further into her new role and has a clear focus on what she wants to achieve.

“I want the staff to feel like they’re doing the best job they possibly can and enjoy it at the same time,” she says.

“For me it’s all about what else we can do to make sure the football club is at the heart of the community and continues to make a difference for our town and its people.”

The proudest thing for me was that we put the event on for the town and Teesside.

First Lady – Helena is passionate about Teesside and MFC.

FOSTERING

FRIENDS

Best pals say fostering offers massive rewards

They’ve been best friends for 38 years – and now fostering has further strengthened their unbreakable bond.

Pallister Park pals Angela Teasdale and Annette Lowe first met when their daughters attended Barrett’s Dance School in the mid-1980s and have been “besties” ever since.

But in recent years, having both become foster carers, they’ve been there for each other more than ever – whether it’s sharing the many highs involved in transforming a young child’s life or, inevitably, offering a shoulder to cry on when things don’t run smoothly.

And as we chat in Annette’s back garden, with her adorable fostered threeyear-old busily chatting and playing away, the friends’ passion for fostering shines through.

Angela, 62, is married to Neil and has four children of her own and 11 grandchildren. She first started fostering 16 years ago when, having retired as a support worker for adults with learning difficulties, she decided to do something about their “empty house” after their grown-up children moved out.

Mum-of-two Annette, 63, who’s married to John and is retired from her role as a care home manager for people with special needs, joined her as a foster carer five years ago.

Between them, they’ve fostered 14 children, plus taken in many others for respite care.

Their closeness – “we’re sisters from another mister,” laughs Angela – means

they sometimes look after each other’s children and regularly go for days out and trips away.

And despite the occasional heartache, they say the highs far outweigh the lows and would urge anyone thinking of fostering to give it a go – especially as there’s a support network in place if times get a little tough, including a fostering group that meets monthly at the Easterside Hub.

Annette said: “We have a lovely support network. We arrange trips and outings with other foster families so that those children, especially the older ones, know it’s not only them who are fostered. They have a bond with each other.

“At the minute, I’m struggling with something, but I can go and sit and cry to the others because they’ve been there. They know what you’re going through because they’ve been there too.

“People ask ‘how do you do it?’ and yes, you give them up, but look at the fresh start in life you’ve given them. If we didn’t foster, where would these children be? They’re taken out of their home for a reason.

“So yes, it’s a heartbreaker when they leave you, and you do need time to recharge your batteries, but then you dust yourself down and think ‘well, there’s always other children who want you’.”

Angela agrees. She told Love Middlesbrough: “When you see children struggling initially and how they come on, and how they depend on you, it’s amazing.”

And their message to people who may be considering fostering? “Go for it”, they both say.

Angela added: “It’s the changes you make in their lives – and it gives you something to get up on a morning for. They keep us young!”

Fostering for Middlesbrough

Right now, there are amazing children in Middlesbrough who need a safe and caring home.

Could you foster them and make a real difference to their lives?

Middlesbrough Council will be there to support you 24/7 on your fostering journey.

And there’s a wide range of benefits available which recognise your skills and the valuable contribution you make to children’s lives.

Visit fosteringmiddlesbrough.org.uk

WORDS: DAVE ROBSON

PICTURES: STUART BOULTON

Besties - Angela Teasdale, left, and Annette Lowe.

SAVERS LIFE

Two carers have been labelled heroes after their tireless efforts effectively brought a man back to life.

But Carl Lloyd and Sarah Swainston, who work at Middlesbrough Council’s Sandringham House day service, are modest – insisting they were “just doing their job”.

Care assistant Carl had found a young man at the day centre slumped on the floor, unresponsive and not breathing, after he’d suffered a seizure and fell, blocking his airways.

Carl quickly sprang into action –shouting for Sarah and immediately starting CPR.

Between them, the pair worked on the 25-year-old for almost 10 minutes before paramedics arrived on the scene, effectively bringing the young man back to life.

“He was on the floor when I came into the room – I could tell straight away he wasn’t right. He was just lifeless. He looked grey, he wasn’t breathing,” said Carl, 35.

“My training just kicked in. I’ve been

on lots of first aid courses and it gets drummed into you so I knew what I needed to do.

“Once I started CPR the adrenaline kicked in. It was about 10 minutes, but time just stretches – it felt like an hour.”

Sandringham House is a supported day service which works with adults who have autism or learning difficulties, and welcomes more than 20 people a day.

Incredibly, the young man saved by Carl and Sarah was straight back into his routine at the centre after a week’s stay in hospital and is now being treated for suspected epilepsy.

“He’s been coming here for about six years, and doesn’t need one-toone supervision. This was the first time he’d ever been known to have had a seizure,” said Sarah, 43, a senior community support worker who lives in Middlesbrough.

“I think after Carl had found him, we both just went into autopilot because of our training.

“Carl did a lot of the CPR - he's very modest but he’s a superstar. Once he was in a rhythm he just kept going.

“A lot of our service users have been with us a long time. We do form strong bonds with them, they’re like family.

“It felt like we were saving one of our own.

“I just knew that I wasn’t going to make that phone call to his mam. We knew we had to keep going.

“It feels amazing that he’s back here now and he’s in his routine again, but we were just doing our job really.”

Both have stressed the importance of learning lifesaving first aid – and encouraged people in Middlesbrough to take a course, if they can.

Carl, who lives in Hartlepool, continued: “People probably think they’ll never have to use what they’ve learned, but you never know. That knowledge could save someone’s life.”

Margaret Evans, unit manager at Sandringham, heaped praise on the pair.

“I’m so incredibly proud of both of them. Carl and Sarah are typical of the amazing staff who work in our service,” she said.

“They’ll probably tell you they were just doing their job – but they’re heroes.”

‘Just doing our job’ insist modest heroes

Modest - Carl Lloyd and Sarah Swainston.

Would you like to take part in a FREE 12 week programme to improve your overall wellbeing?

Is your BMI over 30? Experiencing infertility?

The programme will include opportunities to;

• Walk and talk with other women in the same situation as yourself

• Choose from a combination of face to face and online physical activity sessions

• Pilates, yoga, running, mindfulness, meditation and much more

• Weekly check-ins to talk through your progress

• Access to a website containing mental health advice, myth busting information, nutritional advice, healthy cooking recipes, home workout videos

• Question and answer sessions with a fertility expert

• Closed group to support each other

The programme is an ethically approved research pilot and can be tailored to your lifestyle and preferences. The content has been shaped by women who have completed their fertility journey and will be delivered by professionals in their field. Tees Valley Sport and Teesside University have jointly developed the pilot with funding from Sport England.

Private Fostering

What you need to know

If someone is privately fostering a child, they have to tell their local authority (council). Some people don’t even know they are private fostering, so here is some information!

What is private fostering?

Private fostering is when a child aged 0-16 (or up to 18 if they have additional needs) lives with someone who is not immediate family.

What does immediate family mean?

Immediate family are parents, siblings, uncles/ aunts, step parents.

What to do if you think you are privately fostering a child

If you are looking after a child who is not your immediate family and they are aged 0-16 (or up to 18 with additional needs), you need to contact your council so that we can help you and see if you need any additional support from us.

To contact Middlesbrough Council, call 01642 726004 or email MiddlesbroughMACH@middlesbrough.gov.uk

A weight off your mind – and body

Free adult weight management courses can transform lives

There isn’t much available for free nowadays – especially not something that could radically change your life for the better.

But that’s just what a link-up between Middlesbrough Council and Slimming World Partnerships can provide, courtesy of a free, 12-week weight management course, tailored to your needs, which can get you on track to a healthier lifestyle.

And as Middlesbrough dad-of-two Adam Hudson will vouch for, it works.

From being able to run marathons –he did four in a year two years ago – a change of routine and a torn cruciate ligament saw Adam became so unfit, he got tired just walking up and down stairs.

But after using the council-backed scheme to join a Slimming World class at Ormesby’s TAD Centre, he’s already feeling the benefit.

In just 12 weeks, his weight dipped from 20st 3lb to 18st – an impressive 2st 3lb loss. But not only that, he felt healthier too.

Adam, 33, told Love Middlesbrough: “My wife, Jess, found out about it online and wanted someone to go with her, so I joined to give her moral support.

“I was apprehensive in my first session but by the second session, my view changed – and now I’m so glad I joined.”

Adam, dad to Harry, four, and Oliver,

three, has stayed with Slimming World after his free 12 weeks ended.

And he added: “I’m not on a diet – there are no big sacrifices. I’ve just made little changes to what I eat and it’s worked wonders.

“With the weight loss I’ve achieved, I am now getting back into training and am looking after myself better.

“I also now fit into my old clothes and am seeing great results. My consultant is great, everyone is treated the same and you feel supported.”

Adam, of Berwick Hills, now plans to resume running – and has a marathon in his sights next year.

There are many reasons you might want to lose weight – maybe to improve your health or reduce the effects of obesityrelated conditions.

But whatever your motivation is, the free courses can help you achieve your lifestyle goals and then help you to continue to maintain a healthy weight.

To qualify for the free, 12-week programme, you must:

> Live in Middlesbrough.

> Have a BMI over 30 with no significant health issues (or a BMI over 27.5 in BAME communities). You can calculate your BMI on the NHS website.

> Be aged 16 or over.

> Not have been a member of Slimming World or accessed free weight management support in the last six months.

> And most importantly - you must be motivated and ready to make lifestyle changes.

You can sign up yourself or be referred by a health professional.

Mark Adams, joint director of public health, Public Health South Tees, said: “We know that being a healthy weight reduces the risk of serious illnesses such as heart disease and some cancers however for those living with obesity achieving a healthy weight can feel like a hard task.

“With the right support, many people can make healthier choices and we are delighted to be able to offer this free 12-week programme to support those wanting to make a positive change to their lifestyle.”

To check your eligibility and apply for the free weight management programme, visit Middlesbrough.gov.uk/ weightmanagement or speak with your GP or practice nurse.

Slimmer - Adam Hudson.

do in blue bin? visit middlesbrough.gov.uk/recycling

Wash, Squash, Recycle

Make sure you put your waste in the right bin. Putting the wrong things in the wrong bins can contaminate all of the ‘good’ recycling you and your neighbours have collected wasting all of your hard work. Plastic bags of any kind should never be placed in your blue bin or clear sack –this is for loose recycling only. Use the guide below to help you get your recycling right or visit Middlesbrough. gov.uk/recycling for guidance on specific items.

What do I put in my blue lid bin?

Please place items loose (unbagged) in your blue lid recycling bin:

cartons

food tins & drink cans

plastic food containers & bottles

Don’t forget to ‘Keep it loose’

1

mixed glass bottles & jars

newspapers & magazines

paper & cardboard

2

WASH SQUASH

Please use your black refuse bin for these items:

plastic film, wrapping, carrier bags, black sacks, sweet wrappers or crisp packets

3

food waste takeaway

pizza boxes

Green waste collections are coming to an end in November. Check your bin dates at middlesbrough.gov.uk/recycling-and-rubbish/bins.

If you have any questions, or you are unsure about any aspect of the service, visit middlesbrough.gov.uk/recycling or telephone 01642 726001

takeaway food containers

textiles

nappies

Pick

‘n’ fit

Middlesbrough

As part of the council’s established Keep Boro Tidy project, which launched in 2017 to encourage businesses and residents of all ages to help tidy up our town, Boro Fit Pickers is a new initiative to motivate people to head out on a stroll or jog to enjoy the fresh air and get the heart pumping, while picking up a bit of litter along the way.

A win-win situation

Being a Fit Picker is a win-win situation. By getting out in your local park or just doing a lap or two of your neighbourhood while brisk walking, you are not only playing your part as a resident to help keep Middlesbrough greener and cleaner but there are many physical and mental health benefits too.

How to get involved

Brisk walking or jogging while picking up litter (also know as the ‘plogging’ craze) helps to burn calories, reduce heart problems, lower blood pressure and increase endorphins - which makes you happier! Becoming a Boro Fit Picker also protects our local wildlife from harm and helps our planet as a whole.

Become a Fit Picker!

Middlesbrough Council is providing Fit Pickers with free litter picking sticks and bags and will help arrange collection of rubbish. Further information is available at middlesbrough.gov.uk/keepborotidy

Don’t forget you can simply walk and pick in any public space, or even set up a small outdoor litter pick exercise circuit in your local park.

To get involved with Boro Fit Pickers email: cleanup@middlesbrough.gov.uk

The Wombles of Easterside!

Middlesbrough is full of kind-hearted people who want to make a difference, just like Ruth, Irene and Freddie. We spotted the trio litter picking next to The Blue Bell pub in Acklam and stopped to ask if they needed any support from our teams.

Irene, in the middle of the photo, said: “We've got our own litter pick sticks and we come out two or three times a week to pick up rubbish because we're proud of where we live and we like to help make a difference if we can.

Freddie says we're The Wombles of Easterside!"

You’re doing an amazing job, Wombles - keep it up!

Community garden opens in Whinney Banks

Volunteers are invited to get greenfingered and take part in a newlydeveloped community growing project. The site at Trinity Methodist Church on Stainsby Road in Whinney Banks is the first of a number of community garden projects coming to the town. It has been made possible through Middlesbrough Council’s Town’s Fund allocation and once created, the gardens will be run by, and for, the local community.

Middlemarsh Nature Reserve

The reserve in North Ormesby next to the A66 is coming on well and is now home to dragonflies, frogs, butterflies and a range of small mammals and plants, with the meadow really coming into its own.

Central Library seed library

A seed library which will allow aspiring and novice gardeners to share and swap seeds and plants for free has opened at the town’s Central Library. The facility gives people the opportunity to take seeds and contribute any leftover seeds from home. Handily situated in the ground floor lending library, there is also a wealth of gardening books to help the budding grower on their green-fingered journey.

Email

Why we need your help

Middlesbrough Council employs a large team responsible for picking up litter on a daily basis. However, the problem in Middlesbrough supersedes the council’s efforts, so we are looking at ways in which the whole community can help. Community Champions Middlesbrough, Friends of Linthorpe and Coulby Newham Litter Pickers are just some of the really proactive groups in Middlesbrough. There are also many individuals and smaller groups who have become well known around the town. Thanks to you all!

Council’s new initiative, Boro Fit Pickers, is great for healthy minds and bodies as well as the environment

Whinney Banks Community Garden.

Middlemarsh wildlife

cleanup@middlesbrough.gov.uk to get involved.

Setting sail on a digital future

How PD Ports is embracing innovation and technology

As the owner of Teesport, PD Ports plays a critical role in facilitating the nation’s trade.

It operates in 12 key locations across the UK, providing thousands of businesses with essential access to global markets.

And in Teesport, it owns the UK’s fifth largest port and the only major port in England to handle more exports than imports.

The port operator is also the official guardian of the River Tees. As statutory harbour authority for the river, responsible for its safe use and maintenance, PD Ports is wholly committed to ensuring the river plays its full part in supporting the future growth of the Tees Valley region and will play a key role in the future of the Teesside Freeport.

The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted just how important it is that businesses, especially within critical industries like the ports sector, embrace technology and accelerate digitalisation to ensure supply chains are more resilient to potentially disruptive events.

PD Ports has, therefore, placed a renewed focus on embracing innovative technology to drive not only its own business, but to support the whole river community.

In December 2020, through its ‘Future Teesport’ vision, PD Ports outlined how it has identified new opportunities capable of adding an extra £3.2bn to the economy while helping create up to 38,000 new jobs, working closely with customers and stakeholders across the region to identify such opportunities for growth and develop plans to maximise future prosperity.

Innovation and technology are already playing a key part in helping the port operator realise that vision – demonstrated recently as PD Ports was crowned winner of the Innovation and Technology Award at the Teesside heat of the North East Business awards. It will now go up against companies from Tyneside and Wearside in September’s grand final.

With bold ambitions to make the River Tees the UK’s most successful port region by 2050, PD Ports continues to embrace

Winners – PD Ports enjoyed success at the North East Business Awards.

digitalisation, led by a number of key initiatives that helped the company secure its latest accolade.

As statutory harbour authority, PD Ports launched an innovative new website during the last 12 months, aimed directly at promoting the strengths of the River Tees while elevating global visibility to international investors.

At the time, PD Ports CEO Frans Calje OBE – who was bestowed his OBE in the Queen’s Jubilee Honours the same week as he was voted the region’s most inspiring business leader – said: “Teesport already has a proven track record in attracting large-scale, private inward investment.

“Our vision at PD Ports centres around building on our successes and progressing them further to create new opportunities while supporting continued economic growth for the Tees Valley.

“We made the decision to launch the dedicated Teesport website as the statutory harbour authority and a business with our people and region at our very core. The new platform has already developed into a one-stop-shop for showcasing the world-class infrastructure that sits on our doorstep and is backed by excellent connectivity and an unrivalled

skills base.”

The website, which boasts an impressive interactive map and fully comprehensive business directory, was developed in partnership with Middlesbrough-based Better. PD Ports is now looking to further develop the site by continuing to work alongside fellow river users and stakeholders to continue driving value and betterment for the whole of the region.

PD Ports also recently launched an impressive Port Community System (PCS) in collaboration with Europe’s largest port, the Port of Rotterdam, to support future trade growth on the river by providing shippers and berth operators with a single source of information.

The PCS offers a single platform for users to access live weather data and shipping movements, meaning they can accurately track vessel movements and get accurate estimates of arrivals and departures.

More than 200 active users are now registered on the platform, with 75 per cent logging in on a daily basis to access live notifications about the status of their vessels.

Active participants include agents, terminals, towage providers, river pilots,

boatmen and waste providers.

At the time, CEO of the North East Chamber of Commerce, James Ramsbotham, praised PD Ports’ commitment to digitalisation that has enabled Teesport to continue to thrive, despite the challenges of the past two years.

He said: “It’s fantastic to see PD Ports continuing to lead the way on digitalisation in order to further boost the competitiveness of our region. As the country has grappled with challenges brought by Brexit and Covid-19, we have seen how a lack of technology and an over reliance on people has slowed some businesses down, whereas businesses who were already on a journey of digitalisation, like PD Ports, have been able to limit that impact.”

Since its implementation, PD Ports has continued to work closely with partners at the Port of Rotterdam to further develop the platform.

A second phase is now imminent as the port operator continues to make significant progress towards becoming a “smart port” – adopting technology to enhance operations, reduce risk and future proof the business.

Iconic – The Transporter Bridge seen from a harbour master’s vessel.

Aerial – A bird’s eye view of Teesport.

To the Queen!

It’s a weekend that we will never see again in our lifetime. The Platinum Jubilee was a time for joy, laughter and celebrating the Queen’s magnificent 70 years on the throne – and just look how the people of Middlesbrough celebrated!

Hemlington

Scholars Rise

Woodville Avenue

All together now – Scholars Rise residents get into the party spirit.

PICTURES: DAVE CHARNLEY

A picture paints a thousand words –a Jubilee take on face paint art.

How the years have flown –celebrating Her Majesty’s Big 7-0.

The Fab Four – the Royal Family, Hemlington style!

Jumping for joy –Woodville Avenue kick off their street party in style!

Baby raver – they start the celebrations young in Boro!

The wonderful volunteers who made the Platinum Jubilee parties happen are the glue in our communities. In recognition of their efforts, organisers from each party were invited to a celebration event at the Town Hall for entertainment, food and words of thanks from mayor Andy Preston.

Nestled in the beautiful grounds of Pinchinthorpe Hall close to Guisborough, the restaurant is based in the old stable block built in 1761. Offering a mix of fine dining and British and European classics, the setting and the food are super impressive! The Stables is open Wednesday to Sunday. See website for details.

It’s a

celebration!

There was great pride in our town as we marked Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 18.

People young and old came together to celebrate the contribution of our current and former servicemen and women, gathering at the crossroads of Linthorpe Road and Corporation Road to mingle, listen to live music from The Lipsticks Vintage Trio and enjoy dancers, arts and crafts.

Dates for your diary

SEPTEMBER 18 - Battle of Britain parade

The Battle of Britain parade is held annually in September at the cenotaph, where a service and wreath-laying ceremony take place, supported by the RAF Cadets.

OCTOBER 30 - Trafalgar Day parade

The Trafalgar Day parade takes place in October at the cenotaph, where a service and wreath-laying ceremony takes place, supported by TS Erimus Sea Cadets. The parade is usually attended by the mayors of Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton and Hartlepool.

NOVEMBER 10 - laying of the first poppy and turning page in book of remembrance

The mayor of Middlesbrough, Andy Preston, will be laying the first poppy on the field of remembrance at the cenotaph. Pupils from Middlesbrough's primary and secondary schools are invited to lay a poppy cross in the field of remembrance.

NOVEMBER 11 - Armistice Day and centenary of the cenotaph

A service will be held at the cenotaph, where a two-minute silence will also be observed. 2022 sees the centenary of the cenotaph, so a special tribute will be held.

NOVEMBER 13 - Remembrance Sunday

A parade will form up and march to the cenotaph for the service, which will take place at approximately 10.45am.

Breakfast Club extends invite to ex-service personnel

Abargain breakfast and brilliant banter are on the menu at a monthly get-together for exservice personnel.

The Middlesbrough Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club meets at the Fork In The Road restaurant on Linthorpe Road on the first Saturday of every month from 10am – and new members are always welcome.

The club was set up by former serviceman Barry Leach.

Barry said: “It’s always great to catch up with former colleagues and comrades, and that’s certainly the case with exservices personnel.

“The club is a great way to keep in touch and gives people a chance to socialise and access support should they ever need it.

“We know there are lots of veterans out there and we’d love to see as many as possible at our next get together.”

The club is open to anyone who has served in the armed forces.

Middlesbrough Council armed forces

champion, Councillor Ron Arundale, said: “These breakfast clubs are starting up all over the country and are a great for opportunity for ex-service personnel to get together and enjoy a bit of banter while enjoying a very reasonably priced breakfast.

“We’ve already had a good turn-out locally, but it would be great to see some new faces in the future.”

For more information, email Cllr Arundale at Ron_Arundale@middlesbrough. gov.uk or call 01642 288504.

details and the latest updates can also be found on the Middlesbrough Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club Facebook group.

Full

Joining forces - visitors of all ages enjoyed Armed Forces Day.

Kitted out - a young boy enjoys dressing up.

Get in touch

Middlesbrough mayor

Andy Preston (Ind) mayor@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Middlesbrough Council, PO Box 500, Middlesbrough, TS1 9FT

MPs

Middlesbrough

Andy McDonald MP (Lab) 01642 246574 andy.mcdonald.2nd@parliament.uk andymcdonaldmp.org

Unite the Union building, Fry Street, Middlesbrough, TS1 1HA Monthly surgeries held via telephone and Zoom.

Council Meetings

Tees Valley mayor

Ben Houchen (Con) teesvalley-ca.gov.uk or 01642 524401

Cavendish House, Teesdale Business Park, Stockton-on-Tees TS17 6QY

Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland

Simon Clarke MP (Con) 01287 204709 or simon-clarke.org.uk

South Tees Conservatives, 11 Rectory Lane, Guisborough TS14 7DJ

Police & crime commissioner

Steve Turner (Con) pcc@cleveland.pnn.police.uk 01642 301861

Shared Services, c/o St Mark's House, St Mark's Court, Thornaby, Stockton, TS17 6QW

Key

Lab: Labour

Con: Conservative

Ind: Independent

MICA: Middlesbrough Independent Councillors’ Association

MIG: Middlesbrough

Independent Group

Councillors

Acklam

The next scheduled full council meeting dates are:

All meetings can be viewed online. For more information visit: middlesbrough.gov.uk/council-meetings

Berwick Hills & Pallister

Councillor Sheila Dean (Lab) 07849 8557493 or sheila_dean@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Eric Polano (MICA) 07518 291528 or eric_polano@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Ayresome

Councillor Antony High (Lab) antony_high@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Denise Rooney (Lab) denise_rooney@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Donna Jones (MIG) donna_jones@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Raymond Sands (MICA) 07862 829060 or raymond_sands@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Ian Blades (Lab) 07908 498604 or ian_blades@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Brambles & Thorntree

Councillor Geraldine Purvis (Lab) 01642 291472 or geraldine_purvis@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Janet Thompson (Lab) 01642 824801 or janet_thompson@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Graham Wilson (MICA) 07833 505436 or graham_wilson@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Central

Councillor Linda Lewis (Lab) 01642 646652 & 07531931548 or linda_lewis@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Matthew Storey (Lab) 07793 274203 or matthew_storey@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, most ward surgeries are not currently taking place. However, you can still contact your ward councillor, MP or mayor with any concerns, queries or issues using the contact details below.

Councillor Zafar Uddin (Lab) 01642 820613 & 07891345201 or zafar_uddin@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Coulby Newham

Councillor David Branson (Lab) 07724 045998 or david_branson@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Luke Mason (Con) 07519 095149 or luke_mason@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Stefan Walker (MIG) stefan_walker@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Hemlington

Councillor Allan Bell (MICA) 07507 349535 or allan_bell@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Jeanette Walker (Lab) 01642 276732 or jeanette_walker@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Kader

Councillor Ron Arundale (MIG) 01642 288504 or ronald_arundale@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Jim Platt (MICA) jim_platt@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Ladgate

Councillor Craig Wright (Lab) 07889 266415 or craig_wright@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Tony Grainge (Ind) tony_grainge@middlesbrough.gov.uk.

Linthorpe

Councillor Naweed Hussain (Lab) 07766 252524 or naweed_hussain@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Philippa Storey (Lab) 07590 640900 or philippa_storey@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Longlands & Beechwood

Councillor Teresa Higgins (Lab) 01642 824135 or teresa_higgins@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Joan McTigue (Ind) 01642 441154 or joan_mctigue@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Mary Nugent (Lab) mary_nugent@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Marton East

Councillor Dorothy Davison (MIG) 01642 275489 dorothy_davison@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Tom Mawston (MIG) 01642 274054 or tom_mawston@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Marton West

Councillor Chris Hobson (MIG) 01642 313154 or chris_hobson@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor John Hobson (MIG) 01642 313154 or john_hobson@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Newport

Councillor Chris Cooke (Lab) chris_cooke@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Barrie Cooper (MICA) 07866 061733 or barrie_cooper@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Alma Hellaoui (Lab) 07980 921071 or alma_hellaoui@middlesbrough.gov.uk

North Ormesby

Councillor Nicola Gascoigne (Lab) 07393449602 or nicola_gascoigne@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Nunthorpe

Councillor Jon Rathmell (Ind) 07929 661771 or jon_rathmell@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Mieka Smiles (Con) 01642 728250 & 07938 119858 or mieka_smiles@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Park

Councillor Theo Furness (Lab) 07436137602 or theo_furness@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Chris McIntyre (MICA) 01642 290397 & 07504 712643 or chris_mcintyre@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Julia Rostron (Lab) julia_rostron@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Park End & Beckfield

Councillor Stephen Hill (MICA) 07840 673863 or stephen_hill@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Brian Hubbard (MICA) 01642 500419 & 07701 350696 or brian_hubbard@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Michael Saunders (MICA) 01642 984289 & 07505 473922 or michael_saunders@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Ward Surgeries

North Ormesby Club & Institute, Ormesby Road

Sept 13, Oct 11, Nov 8 • 4-5pm

Glastonbury House, Lindisfarne Road

Sept 26, Oct 24, Nov 21 • 4-5pm

Ormesby Club & Institute, High Street

Sept 28, Oct 26, Nov 30 • 12.30-1.30pm

Stainton & Thornton

Councillor David Coupe (Con) david_coupe@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Trimdon

Councillor Carolyn Dodds (MIG) carolyn_dodds@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Councillor Dennis McCabe (MIG) dennis_mccabe@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Say hello to Smoke and Mirrors – a new town centre eaterie to get the juices flowing!

Meat and greet

From bustling Linthorpe Road comes the mouth-watering smell of barbecue.

Smoke and Mirrors, a small but very cool restaurant and bar, is attracting plenty of footfall – and that delicious smell has everything to do with it.

Formerly Ta Moko bistro, new proprietors Kris Lawrence and Rich Lonsdale reopened the premises as an authentic smokehouse, investing heavily to redesign the kitchen and spending £30,000 on equipment to allow them to recreate that authentic Texas BBQ taste.

They kept the Ta Moko staff on, with Kris, a trained chef, taking over the kitchen and Rich utilising his upcycling business to make the interior of the restaurant pop.

It’s been a labour of love for the duo – although Kris admits he came into the restaurant game relatively late.

He explains: “I was 23 and really didn’t know a thing. My grandma was head of catering at ICI and as a family we’d always have rustic, hearty northern dishes such as stews, but I was more interested in having adventures than being in the kitchen!”

Kris worked in the States and when he returned, got a job at the Swallow Hotel in Stockton.

Over the years, he’s worked in Michelinstarred kitchens and three years ago became the head chef at Chapters in Stokesley.

Now, however, he and Rich are focusing on making Smoke and Mirrors one of Middlesbrough’s hottest new eateries and coolest bars – and consolidating their website homepage’s proud claim: “Home of the best smoked meats in Boro”.

A treat for the senses

Love Middlesbrough popped along to Smoke and Mirrors to see what the buzz is about

And while the menu isn’t huge, every dish and option sounded amazing!

For example, each day “from the smoker” you can enjoy a one meat, two meat or top of the range “sampler” platter – the latter platter containing, as well as two sides, one of each item from the smoker, including Yorkshire wagyu beef cheek and brisket, tender English lamb shoulder, pork belly, duck leg and chorizo sausage!

If you fancy something lighter, enjoy very reasonably priced smoked and glazed chicken thighs, thick cut pork belly ribs, beef chuck burnt ends or house-made pigs in blankets.

Lunch between noon and 3pm includes BBQ sandwich, house made tacos, potato and chilli, a house burger or the ever-popular smoked burnt ends.

And if Sunday dinner’s your thing, Smoke and Mirrors offers a treat for the senses and tastebuds with its “Smokehouse Sunday Platters” at £40 for two people - which include your first drink and features a mouthwatering selection of beef, lamb, pork, duck, delicious veg, pigs in blankets, Yorkshire Pud taco shells and bottomless gravy!

What diners are saying

Smoke and Mirrors is already picking up glowing online reviews from satisfied customers.

They include:

Absolutely fantastic food, service and drinks…staff were incredibly helpful with my wife’s allergies too!

Wow! What a fantastic place. The food is to die for. Sooooooo tasty. Can't recommend this place enough.

Been for Sunday lunch today, absolutely amazing food, would 100% recommend. Cocktails top notch too.

You will not get brisket like this anywhere else… Insane that we’ve got such a good BBQ place like this in Teesside, won’t be long until people are travelling just to get their BBQ meat fix.

Smoke and Mirrors is at 176 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 3RB and is open Thursday-Sunday, from 11am. E-mail: info@ smokeandmirrorsbbq.co.uk

PICTURE: TOM BANKS