Talk of the Town April 2017

EDITION 190

CIRCULATION 4,600

APRIL 2017

SALTBURN’S FREE MONTHLY MAGAZINE www.tottsaltburn.co.uk 1

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SALTBURN’S TOWN TALK Letter from the editor: No space this month! Love, Ian Loftus Archaeology Walk: Come on a guided walk to find out about archaeological discoveries in the Loftus area. Meet outside the Co-op in Loftus Market Place for an 11am start on Saturday, 8th April and a circular walk of about four miles led

by Dr Steve Sherlock. Excavations at Street House have revealed activity between Neolithic and Anglo-Saxon times; the most recent finds uncovered the remains of what is thought to be Teesside’s oldest house. The walk will be along roads and across fields with moderate climbs and stiles on the way; please wear suitable clothing and footwear. There’s free car parking at South View, off North Road TS13 4JL; Loftus is served by Arriva buses X4 and 5. No booking is needed for this free walk; for more information phone 01287 641000 (or email office@loftustc.co.uk).

Eebydrum! Our local community joiny-inny drum group are back in town on Sunday, 2nd April for the start of their monthly beach bashes. Only this rime we ain’t on the beach!

We’re supporting the Klondike East Cleveland bike race starting in Guisborough on that day, so we’ll be somewhere at the bottom of Saltburn Bank between 1 and 4pm, offering our musical support to the intrepid cyclists, as we do throughout the year for such events as Teesside Hospice’s Starlight Stroll and Colour Run and the Middlesbrough 10k. As ever, we welcome drummers and aspiring musicians of all ages and abilities to join us on the day or at one of our practice sessions in Saltburn. More details from Colin 07834 213 543 (or email cattersty@ntlworld.com).

Saltburn Farmers’ Market Wow! What a start to 2017 the Farmers’ Market we had. Thank you everyone for coming!

We’ll be back with our brand new wet fish stall and a host of other tasty treats on Saturday, April 8th. 9.00am-2.00pm Saltburn Town Centre.

New houses: Work has started on the extension to the Wilton Bank housing estate near the riding school. Some 116 houses are planned.

Beach huts: Marshalls Beach and Leisure Ltd., of Stockton, is to spend £500,000 on building beach huts between Hazelgrove and the pier.

Emmanuel Church Hall Table Top and Collectors’ Sale: The next sales are on Saturdays, April 1st, 15th and 29th and then 6th and 20th May. We have a lot of new stall holders and anyone who would like to join us or just to have a clear out can contact Denise on the number below. What a good start to the new year we had when a lot of people rang for a table so they could have a clear out! We are also doing our usual lunches and all day breakfast, fresh home baked cake, pies and scones. Home made refreshments and light lunches are on sale all day. FREE ENTRANCE and a warm welcome to everyone. With over 26 stall holders, selling lots of bric-abrac, books, toys, baby goods, and all sorts of collectables, there is something for everyone. We have now got a lot of new stall holders selling lots of different and interesting things. If anyone would like to book a table please contact Denise Marshall on 07929 589538.

Cover Illustration: Little Egret in Saltburn

Send letters, adverts and contributions for the next issue (by Friday, 14th April 2017) to: The Editor, Talk of the Town c/o Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, Cleveland, TS12 1AQ. Telephone: 01287 623903 (or email: talkofthetownsaltburn@gmail.com). Talk of the Town has a website: www.tottsaltburn.co.uk and the Friends of Talk of the Town can be found on Facebook.

Craft Club Busy Fingers: 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, 1.30 till 3.30pm in the Coffee Room, Saltburn Community Centre.

Snowdrop Sunday in Gisborough Priory Woodland Gardens: Grey skies and high winds didn’t deter the 450 visitors (including the Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Councillor Barry Hunt) from attending the Gisborough Priory Project’s Snowdrop Sunday on 26th February. The wonderful display of snowdrops, warming tea and coffee and delicious homemade cakes were enjoyed by all – indeed the cakes were a sell out. Also selling fast were the wide range of snowdrops and spring flowers brought along by Mike and Gel Heagney from Tudor Croft who are regular supporters of the event. This was the first event of 2017 for the Gisborough Priory Project volunteers and raised £296, all of which will go towards the work in the Woodland Gardens of Gisborough Priory. Gisborough Priory will be open every Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm and best of all the entrance is FREE. See also pages 21 and 29.

The Guisborough and District Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild are holding their monthly meeting on Saturday, 1st April when our guest speaker will be Angela Sandwith and her subject is Using Recycled and Unusual Materials. Our next meeting is on Saturday, 6th May when our guest speaker will be Gaynor Devaney and her subject is Sunbeam and Suitcases.

Visitors are welcome whether non-stitchers, beginners or more experienced stitchers. For more information please contact 01642 314860. The car park behind Belmont House (council offices) is free on Saturday. Contact telephone number 01642 314860.

WI Report: From field to fork, was the title of our talk in March, given by Gareth Wyn Evans a farm manager from near Pickering. However, anyone expecting a straight forward talk was in for a surprise. His presentation was in the form of a series of thought provoking questions on a number of issues, putting forward the pros and cons but leaving us to form our own opinions. It certainly provoked discussion.

Looking at the activity list members were given as they came into the meeting, there is certainly something for everyone, with a full programme of activities each week, in addition to our monthly meetings. If you are thinking of joining us, from this month we are changing the time of our meeting to a 7pm start. We meet in the Methodist Church hall on Milton Street and our next meeting is on Thursday, 13th April. Do come along; you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome.

Diane Falla

by Heather Lofthouse (see article page 42).

Disclaimer: Talk of the Town tries to make sure the articles and announcements made on its pages are accurate, but views expressed in letters and articles printed in Talk of the Town are not necessarily those of the editor. Any offers in adverts included in Talk of the Town are made by the advertisers; details should be confirmed with them. Always confirm event details with the organisers, in case of alteration or error. Talk of the Town is printed by DC (Yorkshire) Print, Unit 34a, Lidgate Crescent, Langthwaite Business Park, South Kirkby, West Yorkshire, WF9 3NR. Website: www.dcprintyorkshire.co.uk Tel: 01977 642331. Proprietor/Editor of Talk of the Town: Ian Tyas c/o Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, TS12 1AQ. (Ian Tyas tel: 01287 623903.)

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Riftswood – Saltburn-by-the-Sea Youth Hostel

Riftswood Hall

Rifstwood is the name of a splendid house situated in Victoria Road. The house was originally built by William EdenWalker, an Iron Master and founder of The Redcar Iron works which were eventually purchased by Messrs Dorman Long and Company in 1916. William died in Scarborough, and his obituary note said he was of Riftswood, Saltburn.

Shortly after the death of William, Riftswood was purchased by Mr Bernard Eaton the owner of furniture shops in Middlesbrough, who wanted the part of the Riftswood land that extended to Marske Mill Lane, where he built the villa named Chards. Riftswood house and the land which bordered on to Riftswood valley was sold by Mr Eaton to the Youth Hostel Association for the sum of £1,500. £1,000 of the purchase price was given by the George V Jubilee Trust. The Hostel opened on June 5th 1937, with the official opening on 24th July 1937 by Sir Charles and Lady Trevelyan, Lord Lieutenant of the County. The military requisitioned the house during the second world war and for a time members of the HQ Company Signals, 12th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment were billeted there.

Following the ending of the war it resumed its role as a Youth Hostel and proved very popular with both cyclists and walkers. Our first memories of the Hostel were in the early 1950s when the warden invited local people and members of the local cycling club to Saturday night get togethers.

During the late 1950s we became friendly with the resident wardens Tom and Meg Luckett. They had two sons one of whom went on to play drums in the Black Dyke Mills Band. Cath was called on to help cook breakfast when Meg was incapacitated, and she has never forgotten the experience of frying 60 eggs simultaneously on a hot plate of the Esse Cooker. Tom and Meg eventually moved on to Swaledale’s Grinton Lodge Youth Hostel where they carried out major renovation work. Saltburn Photographic Society held some of their meetings in the Youth Hostel during the 1960s. The blazing fire in the common room created havoc with slide shows.

Saltburn Youth Hostel became the first Urban Studies Centre in the country in 1975, established as a result of cooperation between the YHA and St Bede’s College Geography Department of Durham University. This proved very popular with school groups, increasing visitor numbers.

News of the impending closure of Saltburn Youth Hostel came about in November 1990. Saltburn Residents Association, formed a group, drew up a business plan and raised money to fight the closure plan; they were supported by the then sitting MP Richard Holt. The campaign was unsuccessful and the Youth Hostel closed in 1991. While the 4

Dormitory

A view of the common room building stood empty thieves broke in and removed ornate fireplaces, doors, architraves and other fixings. The money collected to save the Hostel was used to purchase and plant new trees on Glenside, replacing the trees which had died due to Dutch Elm disease.

The property was eventually sold and divided into 3 homes. We have very many happy memories of Youth Hostelling many of which had very austere accommodation.

It is interesting to see how many of the hostels have been updated providing many features now demanded by our present society but we note that bunk beds are still in use.

Cath and Tony Lynn

Same chef and owner for over 6 years

SALTBURN METHODIST CHURCH Milton Street, Saltburn.

Sunday Services at 10.45 a.m.

Looking for that special gift and card?

Choose from our vast range of products incl: Woodwick scented candles, Jellycat soft toys, Thomas Kent clocks, Arran Aromatics toiletries, Emma Bridgewater & Cath Kidston pottery & much more.

Now also available online.

Visit us at www.bramblesgiftshop.co.uk 4, Station Street, Saltburn by the Sea, TS12 1AE Tel: 01287 623 368 www.bramblesgiftshop.co.uk

Saltburn Councillors’ Surgeries Saltburn Councillors’ Surgeries, each month - all on Saturdays 1st Sat. Library 11-12 Cllr. Craig Hannaway 2nd Sat. Library 11-12 Cllr. Philip Thomson 3rd Sat. Outside Sainsbury’s Cllr. Stuart Smith 9.30-10.30 and 11.30-12.15 4th Sat. Library 11-12 All Councillors Cllr. Hannaway: 07515 863440. Cllr. Smith: 07557 540628.

Cllr. Thomson: 01287 624883.

Mid Week Worship AndWednesday 6.00 p.m. at 10 a.m

Sunday school 10.45 a.m.

Mid week worship Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Prayer Meeting Tuesday at 1.30 p.m.

OPEN CHURCH - 10 a.m. - 12 noon MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY. A quiet space with a listening ear, Or just call in for tea or coffee.

MONDAYS AT EIGHT LADIES GROUP at 8 p.m.

THURSDAYS FORTNIGHTLY 2.30 Ladies Meeting COFFEE MORNINGS: WEDNESDAY 10 - 11.45 a.m.

SATURDAY 10 a.m. - 12noon

TUESDAY 2.p.m. KNIT & NATTER. TUESDAY & THURSDAY TODDLERS GROUP. If you would like to come please drop in and ask as there is normally a waiting list.

First TUESDAY OF THE MONTH Soup & Bun lunch at 12.30 p.m.

See notice board for other events.

Anyone is welcome to join us at these events, do come along, we’d love to see you.

We also have rooms to rent for meetings etc, for more information please contact 623145.

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Once Upon a Time in the Wapentake It seems but yesterday when I was writing to remind people that, in 2011, it would be the 150th anniversary of Saltburn coming into existence. I did point out that, though 2011 was still some time off, it was not too early to start thinking about what we could do to celebrate. Now I am going to give even more notice of an even more important anniversary, that of something that happened locally, but whose effects were far from only local. It was something that would, eventually affect almost every human being on Earth.

On the 27th of September 1825, at 8am, a short way out of Darlington, a train began to roll. It consisted of a single steam locomotive and tender, followed by five wagons filled with coal, and one wagon carrying lime, a coach carrying the company’s committee, six wagons for ‘strangers’, fourteen wagons for workmen, and six wagons carrying coal that would be detached at Darlington. It was followed by twenty-four horse drawn wagons. It was a very small beginning for a very big thing.

It was not the first railway in the world by any means, as ten year earlier there had already been 140 miles in South Wales, and other lines had been operating in the North East for many years. Nor was it the first attempt to use steam power to haul trains. What was new was that this was not a private line, existing only to carry coal a short distance from a single mine to the nearest harbour. The Stockton and Darlington Railway was a common carrier of all sorts of freight, primarily coal, but also lead and lime and agricultural produce (and also, much to their surprise, passengers) for whoever wanted the service. As such, it was to be a model for a thousand lines across the world.

Now everything changed. For some ten thousand years, since the invention of agriculture, humanity had lived in small communities, feeding, clothing and housing themselves with what they could produce locally. There would always be some need for things they could not produce; salt, for example, might need to be bartered for, but this would be a small part of their economy. Otherwise, if they wore shoes, the local cobbler would make them, if they needed nails the smith would forge them, if they ate out of bowls, the local potter would make them.

The coming of the railways meant that raw materials and fuel (such as the coal from the South Durham mines that the S&D carried) could be transported cheaply, quickly and in large quantities to an industrial centre, such as the brand new town of Middlesbrough, and from there the finished products could be transported to markets throughout the UK, and, very soon, thanks to the development of the steam boat, throughout the world. Now shops, which had been places where things were made, became places where things made elsewhere were sold. The skilled village artisans with their anvils and looms were obsolete now armies of unskilled and semi-skilled workers, many of them small children, with the help of steam powered machinery, could deliver the goods, quicker and cheaper than had ever been possible before. In return for the cheap textiles and metal goods that we exported, there was cheap imported food...and the English countryside 6

began its long decline, the country people becoming industrial workers crammed into the city slums.

Along with passengers and freight, the trains could carry the mails. The Pony Express, and the English Stage Coach may have seemed romantic, but compared to the mail train, they were slow and unreliable. Another, even faster, way of communicating developed, literally alongside the railway lines: the electric telegraph. Before long it became possible to send a message to almost anywhere on earth. Now even those who had no physical shops or markets where they lived, could join the modern world, whether they were a housewife on the Western Prairie who could choose her new copper pans from the Sears Roebuck catalogue, and expect them to arrive at the Union Pacific Depot, or a company in Peru that needed 10,000 tons of steel rail and which could send a cable to the Middlesbrough Exchange, find a price, and place an order, almost instantaneously.

There was, of course, disruption, and a multitude of individual human tragedies, the unwelcome, but almost inevitable consequence of technological change. (Some people seem to think it’s the other way round, that disruption causes the change. They are not the first people to get cause and effect mixed up.) Eventually, most of humanity found itself more prosperous, and with more opportunities to do and to think freely than ever before.

Some people have suggested that the Internet is having as great an effect as the steam powered revolution. This is silly. The Internet provides slightly different ways of ordering and paying for goods, but the way those goods are made and distributed is still fundamentally the same as the one that was created almost two hundred years ago.

So it was all to the good? Not entirely. Two consequences were not so happy. One was the effect on warfare. Throughout history battles had rarely lasted for more than a day; after that food and ammunition would run out and the armies would have to disperse in search of supplies. Now there were railways the armies could hold their ground for months on end, sustained by tinned food and a seemingly limitless flow of shells, and constantly reinforced with new recruits. The mass slaughter of a hundred years ago became possible.

The second consequence was first noticed by a German scientist. He discovered that the amount of CO2 in the air, especially near industrial areas, was increasing, and that, the more CO2, the more the air could absorb heat. Nobody much noticed his results at the time and he was soon forgotten. Now we know that Global Warming is real. But if that problem was something the railways caused, it may be that railways will be part of the solution, when electric trains replace diesel trucks and jet planes.

Whatever, we should celebrate the opening of the Stockton & Darlington, not least because without that company Saltburn would not exist. So let’s start writing the poems and making the plays. Let’s start sewing the (pre-Victorian) costumes and planning the period menus.

Let’s Party!

Tim Beswick

Real Meals Purveyors of Fine Foods

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make your life a little more indulgent with a visit to Real Meals!

For more details contact: REAL MEALS, 25 MILTON STREET, SALTBURN, Tel: 01287 622266.

New email address: realmeals.uk@gmail.com

New Website: www.real-meals.co.uk

Councillors’ Column Doormats acknowledged the latest delivery of junk mail and the anticipated white envelope which heralded another increase in outgoings. The annual rates demand had arrived, stimulating alternatively some well chosen words and a reassessment of already well budgeted household expenditure. For some on low income there may be relief at hand. Housing benefit and Council Tax support can be applied for. Those eligible may be supported up to a maximum capped amount, currently £384.62 per week.

The Council web site provides a very clear benefits calculator for individuals to assess eligibility. Some small businesses may also be entitled to support against non domestic rating. All businesses have been subject to a rate reevaluation, applicable from 1st April. If a business premise has a rateable value of £12,000 or less and it is a single business, it may not have to pay rates.

All the above have to be applied for and a call to 01642 774774 can elicit the appropriate paperwork.

Deteriorating electrical infrastructure has given rise to intermittent supply in some sections of the town and Northern Power Grid have responded by excavating considerable areas of highway, to the not inconsiderable inconvenience of residents and travellers. Hopefully the investment in new cabling will address this outage. Lessons, if they needed to be learnt, include better communications with affected parties and if a job is to be done it is better planned and then executed in the minimum amount of time.

What good news to be listed amongst the best towns in the country! What residents did not know that already?

The ingredients contributing to such a listing are a combination of factors which include, the setting of the town, against a geological masterpiece of Jurassic rock face and a beach that stretches for miles, providing a pleasure ground for all ages, the many and various shops and restaurants catering for all pockets and pallets, service which does come with a smile, and inspiring volunteers in a community that never ceases to give. Saltburn is indeed an inspiring town.

One to visit and revisit.

Elections never seem to be far away and more literature will be dropping upon the long suffering doormat this month. The post of the very first Combined Authority Mayor outside of the metropolis is being contested and this very important appointment will demand elector participation, given the devolutionary programme delegated to this new Authority.

Another authority which is not quite so geographically extensive, but which looks after safeguarding our community is seeking our assistance. The Police & Crime Commissioner has established Cleveland Connected, a messaging service in which all can participate. By simply joining this network at www.clevelandconnected.co.uk residents can be kept advised of policing information in one’s neighbourhood. Already some 13,000 persons and 800 business have registered.

Commercialisation of traditions continues apace.

Amongst all the bunny hopping and now cracker pulling the tradition of egg painting and rolling continues in a simple format. Thinking of the meaning within traditions is always helpful.

Philip Thomson 7

Saltburn Beachwatch

April Friday Friends

Beach Litter - Where Does It Come From?

While climate change is mired in politics and is a target of naysayers, the trouble in the oceans and on beaches is an easier issue to address because it is so visible. We now know that 5 countries dump more plastic waste into the oceans than the rest of the world combined. According to a study by Ocean Conservancy called “Stemming the Tide”, over 60% of plastic entering the oceans per year comes from the rapidly growing economies in China, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand. Why are these parts of Asia leaking so much plastic?

Well, as the study suggests these emerging countries are experiencing rapid economic growth, reduced poverty and improved quality of life. This development is of course, fantastic. However, as these economies grow so does the consumer use of plastic and plastic-intensive goods. The problem with this increased demand is that these countries do not yet have waste- management infrastructures that can tackle the accompanying excess. It is projected that by 2025 plastic consumption in Asia will increase by an astonishing 80% to surpass 200 million tons. Unless steps are taken to manage this waste properly within the next 8 years the ocean could contain 1 ton of plastic for every 3 tons of fish which would be “an unthinkable outcome” the study says. It makes sense that global waste leakage cleanup efforts should be concentrated in these areas; specifically, interventions in these 5 countries could reduce global plastic waste by 45% over the next decade.

The study suggests a strategy to address this:improved waste collection, closing leakage points in collection facilities, gasification (converting waste into fuel) and MRF (Materials Re-cycling Facility), thus diverting plastics from the waste stream. Worldwide roughly 8 million tons of discarded plastic washes down our rivers and blows across our beaches into the ocean every year. Most of this plastic breaks into smaller pieces, where animals from shrimps to whales confuse it with food. Nobody wants plastic to pollute the environment and enter the food chain - no one has planned for this.

Here in Saltburn when we analyse the data that we gather using the Marine Conservation Society’s litter identification and recording sheet we find that our litter comes from these categories:- Non Sourced: 42.5% (this is rubbish which is hard to know where it’s from as it is too small to identify); Fishing: 7.6% (all things from lobster pots to fishing nets and line that help anglers and commercial fishermen catch seafood); SRD: 8% (Sewage Related Debris is stuff that is flushed down the loo but should go in the bin); Shipping: 3.2% (items which are lost or thrown overboard from small boats or massive ships); Fly Tipped: 1.8% (this includes TVs, Fridges, Car parts and builders’ rubble); Medical: 0.2% (nasty things like syringes, pill packets, plasters and bandages); Public: 36.7% (all the things that we the public have a hand in helping get to the beach, like plastic bottles).

The next Saltburn Beachwatch litterpick and survey will take place on Saturday, 8th April 2017 from 10 am until 12 noon. Meet at the pier car park where grabs, bags and gloves will be provided.

Roy Smith

Friday Friends is an inclusive friendship group, based in Saltburn. We welcome people of all abilities and ages over 18. Firstly, thank you to Karen from Marske Ladies Darts Team for nominating us for the brilliant £200 presentation and we had a great night out! Thank you also to Tees Valley Foundation who have awarded us a whopping grant of £1,000 through EDF Energy Renewables - this will help us with our rent. And finally, thanks go to The Gazette and everyone who collected the Wish tokens for us - we were very pleased with our total of £84.35p!

Here’s our April program: 7th - Seated Keep-Fit to music with Taylor then Bingo.

Arts n Craft afternoon of making an Easter card and basket.

14th - Good Friday - Closed.

21st - Colouring-in, then Drumming with Colin from Eebydrum. Drawing a wavy line picture.

28th - Bowling at Saltburn Bowls Club then back to the hall for wool crafts.

We meet at Emmanuel Church Hall, Macnay St, Saltburn every Friday, activities 10am-12.30 then arts and crafts 1-4pm. Your first session is free for a taster, then its £2.50 or £4 all day. Carers are always free. We are run by volunteers and all door monies goes to help cover rent etc.

We look forward to seeing you! For more information 07833 895 501 (or Thefridayfriends@outlook.com).

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Anjee Charman-Clark, chair

East Cleveland Arthritis Care Group Do you have arthritis or another condition which affects your ability to socialise?

T.O.T.R.A.S. was a self help group which used to meet at Redcar Community Hospital, but are no longer able to do so.

We are now reforming as East Cleveland Arthritis Care Group, and we cordially invite new members to join us for the opportunity to socialise, enjoy the chance to explore mindfulness, quizzes, crafts and activity ideas from members.

Meetings will take place at Lingdale Village Hall on the 3rd Tuesday of the month between 12noon and 2pm. There will be tea, coffee and biscuits.

Meetings 18th April, 16th May, 20th June, 19th July, 15th August, 19th September and 20th October.

Contact Anne Lake on 01287 650671 for further information.

Saltburn Photographic Society Wednesday, 5th April Annual dinner and presentation of trophies at Saltburn Golf Club.

A series of evening outdoor meetings have been arranged for May – South Gare, June – Whitby, July – Gribdale and August – Upleatham. Tuition will be available for photographers at these meetings.

If you wish to join us please contact Tony Lynn for details. For more information, visit our web site www.saltburnphotographicsociety.co.uk or contact Tony Lynn 01287 622519.

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Saltburn 500 Club Congratulations go to L Marlow for winning the £100 First Prize in the March Saltburn 500 Club draw.

My article in the March edition of Talk of the Town made reference to a planned Christmas Carol competition, to be held on the afternoon of the Christmas lighting-up (2nd December). Unfortunately, I have had to cancel the competition because of lack of interest from the schools. Of the eight schools approached, three did not reply and only St Peter’s C of E School at Brotton expressed an interest in competing. It is a little disappointing as I had managed to drum up some support from the businesses and several people have stopped me in the town to express an interest in it.

Perhaps it will happen at some time in the future.

The schedule for the Summer 2017 performances at the Bandstand has been released and schedules are available from the library or by contacting me on the email address below. I have also arranged to have them displayed around the town and, also, on the Talk of the Town website. As previously mentioned, the Saturday performances have been reduced to only two months because of lack of support/funding. The schedule offers a variety of music on the Saturdays and the Sundays with the familiar bands from previous years. We are grateful for the contribution, towards the cost of the bands, from Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council.

The Parish Council have also made donations towards the cost of replacing halogen bulbs in the Christmas lights and, also, towards the cost of staging the parade on lightingup night. I offer our sincere thanks for these donations.

Saltburn 500 Club has only got 366 paid-up members at the time of writing and we would love to see that figure rise drastically. Please consider joining us in our quest to preserve and enhance the beauty of Saltburn. We have recently donated monies towards the cost of replanting the Fossil Garden and are always looking to supporting other causes around the town. Membership of the 500 Club is vital if we are going to continue making donations. It was good to see the recent publicity given to Saltburn by the Press, who have suddenly realised that Saltburn isn’t a bad place to visit.

We must all be doing something right but let’s not rest on our laurels - let’s make it even better!

Trevor Welburn Secretary, Saltburn 500 Club/Friends of Saltburn trevor.welburn@btinternet.com

Saltburn Station Gallery The gallery welcomes new artist Jeff Wood with his fantastic paintings on sale for great prices and new jewellery by Gail. Easter cards and knitted chicks are on sale too. New drawings by Sean Halcrow-Cook are also on display.

Also a reminder that 1st April, submissions for the spring themed competition will be open and ends 24th April, competition starts 1st May. Submissions for the Coastal will be accepted from 1st May also. Email seanhc@saltburnstationgallery.com for more details or drop by the gallery.

Sean & Sue 9

Calling all pond owners!

Have you a pond in your garden? The Tees Valley Wildlife Trust is seeking help from pond owners to find out more about newts in our area. Newts are really important environmental indicators. Private garden ponds are great for newts but hard for scientists to study for information on the different types of newts present and where they are found.

Older Cleveland residents have strong memories of finding newts in field ponds, mine reservoirs and storage tanks. As these habitats have been mostly lost from the landscape, we would like to know where the newts have gone to. So if you have a garden or a school pond, now that spring is approaching, could you take a moment to check for newts and let us know what you find! This initiative is part of the Where the Wild Things Were project funded by National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund and Northumbrian Water.

As newts are nocturnal the best time to check for newts is in the evening once it has gone dark. Approach the pond quietly and use a torch to see what might be present. Try looking over a series of nights to see what you can find. There are three kinds of newts which may be present in your garden pond: Crested newts, Smooth or common newts and Palmate Newts.

If you are not sure what newts you may have, and it can be tricky to tell them apart, send us a photo or two and we will try and identify them for you. If possible, try and take a picture of the newt out of water, with a common object like a 2p coin for scale, to help with identification. If a photo is not possible, get in touch and we will see if we can get an expert to visit you.

If you don’t have a pond in your garden but can remember finding newts in the past we would also like to hear from you so we can get a better idea of the changing habitats and distribution of newts.

Please send your sightings and photos to info@teeswildlife.org. For ponds remember to provide your address so we know where you found them and the types of newt that you think you may have.

For memories of newts can you tell us where, what types of newts and approximately when you saw them.

Y o u r information will help us fill in important gaps in our knowledge of these unusual and unique creatures.

Kate Bartram 10

or email: simon.robson1@ntlworld.com

SALTBURN EVANGELICAL CHURCH Leven Street, Saltburn Seeking to be more like Jesus and sharing His love with those around us.

"We love Him because He first loved us."

(1 John 3:19) Please join us as we gather to worship and learn more about Jesus, to build and strengthen our faith, and encourage one another to grow more like Him. We meet each Sunday at 11.00am and 6.00pm.

Saltburn in Bloom At the AGM in February the following officials were elected to serve on the Saltburn in Bloom Committee in 2017: Chair – Lynda Parkes, Vice-Chair - Peter Hartley, Secretary – Sue Featherstone, Treasurer - Elizabeth Rae. Committee members – Lesley Curwen, Joyce Howard, Anne Pallister, Sam Rae, Mo Shevis, Roy Smith, Stuart Smith. Two committee members (Miranda Kelly and Di Milburn) retired from the committee, both having served as treasurer at different times and making a fantastic contribution for many years. A vote of thanks and flowers were given to them both. We shall certainly miss them.

Lynda Parkes gave her thanks to all the committee, RCBC and SMNM Parish Council for all their support and hard work in 2016, resulting in a town that looked attractive all year round and lead to successes in Northumbria in Bloom, with Saltburn winning the trophy for the Best Coastal Town. New committee members are needed, so please consider if you could spare some time to contribute.

Now that Spring is here, the Gardening group are hard at work in the community. In March, we tidied the Rose Arbours, pruning the climbing roses and once again carried out the unpleasant task of picking up dog dirt from the grassed area. We tidied the area around Sainsbury’s and Consteel in preparation for the Farmer’s Market and spent a morning at the Cliff Lift area giving the “wheel” garden its first tidy of the year. Gardening is every Wednesday 9.30 – 11.30am, with a cup of coffee mid-morning and of course the inevitable chat! We are a friendly group so consider coming along to join us. It is so good to be out in the fresh air among like-minded people, trying to make a difference.

Telephone me on 01287 209518 for more details.

We hope the work on the Fossil Garden will commence soon. The contractor, Brambledown from Durham, is making the final arrangements with RCBC Highways Department about fencing off part of the surrounding area, which will obviously affect access. A small group of Committee members have been busy planning the planting of the three terraces and we are grateful to RCBC and Saltburn 500 Club for contributions to fund the planting.

Saltburn in Bloom have become Station Adoptees for Saltburn Railway Station and have been in discussions with Arriva North-East (Northern) as to the way we can improve this environment. The group consists of Stuart Smith, Sue Featherstone, Lynda Parkes, Frank Maidens and Tony Lynn from SLUG. This year our plans are to request more litter bins, tidy the gardens and to complete the installation of the rare North-Eastern Rail buffers on the platform area. We have also discussed how events taking place in Saltburn can be advertised on the Northern website and Social Media, hopefully bringing more people into Saltburn by train.

Because of all we are doing, we are not entering Northumbria in Bloom this year. The committee feels that we would benefit from a break, so there will be no judging in April or July, but rest assured we will not let our standards slip as all our hard work is to benefit the town and not because we are in a competition.

Lynda Parkes (Chair)

Saltburn-by-the-Sea Garden Flat available for holiday lets.

Less than five minutes walk from the sea and from the train station, shops and local restaurants etc.

The property consists of a fully fitted and equipped kitchen, spacious and well furnished lounge overlooking the garden (which is for your personal use), and a double bed with en-suite bathroom.

WiFi access Prices - £40.00 per night (minimum of two nights) Contact Mr & Mrs Smith on 01287 623740 (home) Or 07988 838956 (Mr Smith mobile) Or 07877 384977 (Mrs Smith mobile)

Andy Pollard

07773006361 (based in Saltburn) Residential and Commercial Property Maintenance Plumbing, Drainage, Property Refurbishment, Roofing Repairs, Fencing, Carpentry, Joinery, Painting and Decorating, General/Ongoing Property Maintenance.

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Columnist Rod Liddle loves Saltburn London-based journalist Rod Liddle, who writes controversial columns in the Sunday Times, Sun and GQ magazine, winces at being described as ‘a celeb’ by a fellow luncher in Milton Street. ‘Well-known’ might have been more apt. He and his family of wife Alicia and three children aged 11-19, live ‘half the year’ in an elegant house at Emerald Street, and half in the countryside near Canterbury, Kent.

He’s got to know a few neighbours in Saltburn and plans to spend more time in the town. He finds Saltburn ‘friendly and beautiful with lovely views, good restaurants and food shops.’ He intends to get to know the community and attended the Methodist Church’s Christmas service.

Locals were surprised few years ago when a meal review about Indian restaurant Jadoo appeared in the Sunday Times. They wondered how a London critic had heard of it. Now we know. Rod Liddle had always hankered after living here after his school days at Laurence Jackson, and Prior Pursglove, Guisborough. They included going to Philmore’s, now the Spa Hotel.

His father came from a long line of working people, mostly miners and railwaymen, at Bishop Auckland, Darlington and Middlesbrough. The family moved from London in 1968 - father, mother and only child Rod, then aged eight - to take advantage of cheaper houses at Nunthorpe and ‘join the property ladder, like everyone else.’

Rod’s mother died when she was 25. His father worked hard and rose through the Inland Revenue’s ranks to become an inspector running an office. His roots were solid Methodist, sending Rod to Sunday school every week until he was 12, and Labour, shaped by World War Two. Rod calls himself one of the ‘Cold War kids’ with the shadow of nuclear bombs hovering around. He’s written an oddly-named autobiography Selfish, Whining Monkeys or How we ended up greedy, narcissistic and unhappy, which appeared in 2014. It’s a deep look at modern society and he’s hard on his generation. He dislikes the trend that many are from broken families, getting this view partly from interviewing more than 100 people outside Middlesbrough job centre in 2011.

He’s proud to be one of few national columnists not to have been educated privately at a public school. He’s obviously unhappy at being expelled from Labour because he refused to attend a disciplinary hearing into allegations

RELAXED: Columnist Rod Liddle relaxes in Milton Street. He praises the town’s restaurants and food shops.

about his views. He’s joined Blue Labour, an organisation based on the Catholic social teaching of a just wage and decent working conditions. He says it is closer to the Tories than Labour. Its slogan is ‘The voice of Labour’s radical tradition.’

He believes in working hard and being part of a community. ‘I’m a socialist, but not a liberal,’ he says.

Asked if he would describe himself as a celebrity he said: ‘No. I’m a journalist. We hold the powerful to account.’

A former editor of the BBC Radio’s well-respected morning programme Today and now associate editor of the Spectator, the right-of-centre weekly magazine, he also goes in for the journalist’s reputation of liking a glass of wine and cigarettes. He nipped outside during our panini lunch at Rapp’s twice in 75 minutes for a puff.

Rod’s wife is a southerner called Alicia, who he said shares his ‘pro-Brexit’ political views and is gradually sharing his love for the north. They have a Labrador-collie called Jessie. He walks up to 10 miles a day with her.

The tousle-haired writer, who was relaxed in a black Tshirt, left after our chat to write a ‘light-hearted’ talk he was giving that evening to the Institute of Directors in Newcastle.

‘Be kind to me in your article,’ were his last words as he strode towards Emerald Street.

Mike Morrissey

Saltburn and District Group for Visually Impaired People At our March group we welcomed Julie who is an Optometrist with a practice in Redcar. This was the first time we had met and we had a good discussion of our varying eye conditions. Most have Macular Degeneration who keep clear peripheral vision but lose central vision, and other conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa who lose peripheral vision but keep central! Therefore when Julie spoke of suitable lighting and magnification it was hard to ‘find one to fit all’.

We were shown various magnifiers, such as LED and digital which can be changed to different levels of lighting and change character and background colours to suit the individual. Julie also brought along a rechargeable, portable light which everyone who had residual vision thought great!

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If anyone is struggling with the transition into the world of failing sight, there are many gadgets, lights and magnifiers available to help, some for loan, others for sale. Julie can be contacted on 01642 450982. Riley’s Opticians in Saltburn also offer a low vision service for equipment loan and they can be contacted on 01287 622889.

Our next meeting is on April 12th when we will be joined by Michelle from the Macular Society. Please join us from 2pm in the Coffee Lounge, Community Centre, Saltburn. All are welcome, a small charge is made to cover room hire and refreshments.

Please contact Chris Ferguson on 01287 204 170 for any other information.

Award winning web designer bringing the world to you!

Need a website for your Club, Society or Business?

Small or Large, Brochure or e-commerce All your web design needs catered for: Database design also catered for: Then contact Anne Henderson for an informal chat on 07835 085719 or email enquiries@annescomputingdesigns.co.uk

Thank You, Saltburn!

Christine and David would like to thank all the very kind people who helped when David fell on the beach on Friday, 24th February. The strong men (with wet feet) who carried David from the beach, the passer by who phoned for an ambulance, the paramedics for their efficiency and friendliness, the staff at the Sue Ryder shop for providing dry clothing and a blanket, the ladies in the shelter at the railway station for watching over David whilst Christine rushed for a hot drink for them both and finally to Marion who lives in the Zetland Mews and helps in a charity shop for going out of her way that day to help us.

An unpleasant event was turned into something heart warming through the kindness and thoughtfulness of so many people. Sometimes we can all be ‘dependent upon the kindness of strangers.’ Thank you to everyone.

We did have a lovely day and David is recovering. We will most definitely return soon.

Website: www.annescomputingdesigns.co.uk

Architectural Services & Chartered Structural & Civil Engineers Architectural Planning and Building Regulation Advice Listed Building Experts House Extensions & Loft Conversions Alterations and Refurbishments Residential New Builds Shop Layout Designs Alcohol Licence Applications Office Warehouse Designs

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t: 01287 624644 m: 07960 967865 Also, Joinery Work Undertaken

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Call Liz on: 01287 203571 Mobile: 07834 022289

Craft Magic is a beautiful gift shop in the heart of Saltburn, offering affordable shelf rental to local crafters. We sell handmade items and gifts at affordable prices. We are located at 4 Dundas Street West Saltburn and we open Monday – Saturday 9am-5pm. Look forward to seeing you.

Email: liz.ingledew@btinternet.com Website: www.liziesdecorating.co.uk

Craft Magic

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Saltburn Athletic FC The season is now drawing to a close.

The under 9 Sharks team are vying a runners up spot in the unofficial league with Kader and must win the two remaining games. The last four games they have had three wins, a very creditable draw when half the squad had to get out of their sick beds to play.

The under 9 Dolphins have had two excellent wins and consolidate their mid table standing.

The under 10s team in their first season continue to plug away and are learning quickly on how difficult it can be and this will help them for next season.

The under 12s Dolphins have almost secured their divisional title and remain unbeaten, winning all league games thus far.

The under 12 Seagulls, having had a bad period, are now back on track with victories and a recent draw which sees them fighting for a top half finish in Division three.

The under 12 Falcons continue to learn in their first season and an excellent recent win against high fliers Ferryhill Strikers shows a marked improvement as a team.

The under 13 team are still in the hunt for a third/fourth finish but a recent loss to league leaders North Ormesby put a slight dent in their hopes, but with easier fixtures to come they have hopes of that third place finish.

The under 14 team have one final game to play and unfortunately due to certain circumstances this team will then fold.

I have been asked recently about the possibility of starting a younger age group at under 7 (next September’s year twos at school). This is possible but we would need to create a squad of 8/10 players and then have a qualified coach in place together with strong parental support.

Our official Football Gala days are confirmed as the 24th/25th June when teams from the local area will contest for trophies at all our age levels within the club. There will be a Grand Prize Raffle over the next few weeks and we are asking for prize donation to help raise funds for the club and we would be grateful for any help. Coaches from all the teams will be approaching parents etc shortly to buy the tickets at £1 per strip.

Andy Croll 07779 648877

Coping with Sight Loss Promoting independence for those with visual impairment is at the forefront of the work of Teesside and District Society for the Blind, a local charity founded in 1960.

On April 27th 2017 between 10am and 2pm we are hosting a Technology Open Day. A range of technologies will be on display. Visitors will be able to experience demonstrations of the latest screen reading and magnification devices. You can visit us in person at our centre between 9am and 3:30pm. Or contact us by phoning 01642 247518 (or access our website at http://www.teessideblind.co.uk/).

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News from Ringrose Orchard Our hard-working volunteers have continued the development of the land running parallel to the Cleveland Way, where it descends into the village from The Hills, with more shrubs, trees, perennials and summer flowering bulbs.

Members of the community have donated two bay trees, a climbing hydrangea and an exotic pine, all of which are now in place within the new border of the main garden.

Also, our quartet of regular volunteers have been working on the central part of the garden in a bid to tackle extensive weed growth, which didn’t get dealt with when we first started the orchard two years ago. Whilst this work is undertaken the wild flowers, planted by the ‘eco-warriors’ from Skelton Junior School, are being moved to various locations around the orchard.

At the same time Joyce has been busy applying preservative to our three seats, which now look very smart.

FoSCO is pleased and proud to have been nominated for a Mayor’s Community Achievement Award by Councillor Cliff Foggo, in recognition of all the hard work that the group has put into developing and maintaining Ringrose Orchard. This award was presented on Tuesday, 28th March at Redcar Leisure and Community Heart.

On the 5th April we will welcome the current group of ‘eco -warriors’ to the orchard to help with the spreading of wild flower seeds between the apple trees and to renovate the bug hotel situated at the top of the orchard.

As always we are in need of more volunteers so, if you have an hour or two to spare, please come along to the orchard on a Monday or Thursday morning between 09.00 and Noon.

Alternatively telephone Stuart on 01287 654132.

Ladies Day at Rushpool Hall It’s Ladies Day again at Rushpool Hall on Sunday, 7th May 12pm - 4pm. This is the 4th event of its kind, organised by Truly Beautiful Events. For those of you who haven’t attended before, you can be sure of a fabulous girlie day out with beautiful stalls, cream teas, fashion show, entertainment and more. Put on your best frock and come along for a browse and maybe a Prosecco on the lawn.

This year we are thrilled to announce that Madame Me Me will be holding a fashion show with their brand new exclusive collection on the catwalk. The new Madame Me Me collection has just been launched on 17th March, designed and made by local designer Nicholas Harvey-James Langley. With styles to suit all shapes and sizes there is something for everyone.

We also have Easington Tappers, a local tap dancing group coming along to entertain us.

All of the exhibitors are local businesses and many of the sellers make the items they sell. Ladies Day is the perfect place to find something a little bit different. Stalls include ladies fashion, accessories, jewellery, beauty, gifts, homeware, bath products, edible treats and more.

Rushpool Hall is an ideal venue for the event. Ladies like to indulge in a drink or two outside in the beautiful grounds then soak up the ambience of the Hall whilst shopping. Cream teas will be served in the Gold Room where you can enjoy the splendid views across the valley.

Laura Mitchell

Women's service draws 60

Tennis Club News

Over 60 people - men as well as women - attended two annual Women’s World Day of Prayer services at Emmanuel church, Saltburn, on 3rd March when the event was prepared by women of the Philippines.

They joined people at 6,000 similar services all over Britain. After the afternoon session the Rev Julie Smith, curate at Emmanuel, presented flowers to pianist Caroline Scales and Margaret Spencer, who was stepping down after many years as organiser.

Sarah Nicholson, of Emmanuel, is to be the new organiser. Angela Wharton, of Our Lady of Lourdes, took a lighted candle which will go to her church, venue of the 2018 service on the first Friday of next March.

Some 39 went to the afternoon service and 22 in the evening.

Members of the club have been enjoying playing on the newly resurfaced courts, while continuing to fundraise in order to raise money so that we can resurface the remaining two courts. We are also trying to attract new members to come along and join us.

On Sunday, 23rd April we will be holding an open day for adults, families and children. Interested parties are invited to come along and see what we have to offer.

Children and families can play between ten and twelve, while adults can play between 12:30 and 3:00pm. Why not come along and hit a few balls? You might not be the next Andy Murray but you will have fun, meet new people and get some exercise. There is the incentive of a special discount for people joining on the day.

What’s on at Saltburn Library in April FRIENDS OF SALTBURN LIBRARY Friends of Saltburn Library are very pleased to welcome to their April talk, Sylvia Clay. Sylvia is an expert “Crafter” in many things. However, on Tuesday, 18th April, which is the third Tuesday of the month, she will be demonstrating and talking on ‘Beadwork’. There will be samples to look at, and if you wish, a project to take home and try for yourself. This is an interesting and very different hobby to try. Refreshments as usual and a 2.00pm start. Come along for something quite different.

Entrance is free! Donations are much appreciated, all to help in your library.

B. P. Chaffer SALTBURN LIBRARY I can’t believe it’s April already. As I write this all the spring flowers are making an appearance and brightening up the Library Garden.

We have lots of nice things happening in the Library this month; the first is for the East Cleveland Klondike Grand Prix which is coming through Saltburn on Sunday, 2nd April. We will be having entertainment in the Library between laps with Marko’s Circus Skill workshop. We will also have the Smoothie Bike for you to make a smoothie using your own pedal power, a face painter and also craft and colouring activities.

In the school Easter holidays we will have our usual Rhymetime sessions at 10am on Monday and Wednesday apart from Easter Monday when we will be closed. We will also have crafts sessions on the Wednesday afternoons of both weeks at 2.00pm.

On Wednesday, 12th April we will be having our annual Easter Walk from the Library down to the Italian Gardens, with the “Easter Bunny”, where you will maybe find some eggs. It is a pushchair friendly stroll suitable for all the family and children should be accompanied by a responsible adult. We will leave the Library at 10.45 after Rhymetime, and will also have refreshments in the Library for when you return.

Also on 12th April we will have Kathryn Lynas running an Easter Craft session at 2.00pm. It is sure to be lots of fun and is free.

Our next Friends of Saltburn Library talk will be on Tuesday, 18th April at 2.00pm; this month’s guest speaker will be Sylvia Clay who will be giving a talk on Bead Trees. Everyone is welcome to attend and refreshments will be provided. We are always looking for new additions to our Friends of the Library group especially people who can help with events or refreshments.

Kirkleatham Owl Centre will be coming along to the Library on Thursday, 20th April at 11.00am; they will be bringing some owls with them as well as baby chicks, ducks and other small animals. There will be a charge of £1.00 per person towards the cost and there will be a limited number of tickets so make sure you get your tickets soon to avoid disappointment.

The closing date for the Library consultation is 10th April so if you haven’t had your say about the future of the Libraries now is the time to do it. Call in to the Library for a copy of the questionnaire or send your questions to consultation@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or complete it online at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ RCBC_LibraryConsultation.

And finally, we still have copies of the 2017 “Your Voucher Book” which includes 50% discount vouchers and buy one get one free vouchers for this area for eating out, days out and hair and beauty treatments. It costs £25.00 and is well worth it (see the website www.yourvoucherbook.co.uk).

We look forward to seeing you in the Library and don’t forget the Library is free to join and we have a lovely selection of books that you can take home for four weeks at a time for free. You are always welcome to come in to the Library and you can also enjoy the Library Garden.

Our telephone number is 01287 623584. .

Lynne 15

SALTBURN CRICKET CLUB Marske Mill Lane, Tel 01287-622761

SLIMMING WORLD – Tuesday mornings @ 9.30 – 11.00am FRIENDLY BINGO GROUP – Weds 12th & 26th March, starting 8.00pm - all welcome Saltburn Blues Club - tickets £10 8th April – GILES ROBSON BAND with PISTOL PETE WEARN th 29 April – MARCUS MALONE 10% discount for Club members, 7.30pm onwards WANTING TO PLAY CRICKET, BOWLS OR TENNIS? Contact us for details – new members always welcome. Competitive and social play, coaching available too! Pre-season training now starting, join us!

*Free WiFi in Club* * BIG screen TV showing SKY sports etc * ***FEATURED IN CAMRA GOOD BEER GUIDE!!*** GREAT VENUE for YOUR family events, weddings, parties, funerals & meetings Convenient venue, free parking, reasonable bar prices.

Contact us to book your event.

Members and non-members welcome.

Facebook saltburncricketbowlsandtennis socialclub PLEASE add us as a friend and check our Facebook page regularly!

MILES, HUTCHINSON & LITHGOW SOLICITORS CONVEYANCING (FREE WRITTEN QUOTATIONS ON REQUEST) MATRIMONIAL MATTERS CIVIL - CRIMINAL LITIGATION

SALTBURN BLUES CLUB The wait is over. At last the fabulous MARCUS MALONE is performing at our club. I’ve wanted to bring Marcus to Saltburn for some time. His is the second of TWO gigs this month at SBC. The first is The GILES ROBSON BAND on April 8th. Giles is a phenomenal blues harpist. Master harpists, Sugar Blue and Paul Jones, describe him as one of the world’s great living blues harmonica players. With rave reviews, stellar audience reaction and now signed to major label, V2 Records, this band is definitely one to watch.

Supporting Giles Robson is slide guitarist, Pistol Pete Wearn. Pete, plays music to drink, dance and stomp to, catchy originals and covers too.

MARCUS MALONE appears on Saturday, 29th April. Great timing, as he has a new album release this month. ‘A Better Man’ is the follow up to his brilliant 2014 album ‘Stand or Fall’ which is a 12 track self-penned masterpiece. Exceptional vocals, great guitarist, and accomplished lyricist, Marcus is an ace performer and has played at many top venues including The Albert Hall, Colne, Carlisle and Skegness Blues Rock Festivals. It’s all the ‘Gs’ with Marcus: gutsy, growling, gritty, with biting guitar riffs and infectious grooves. Emotional and soulful numbers are also in the mix. That’s going to be a special night for certain.

Doors: 7.30pm, Venue: Saltburn Cricket Club Tickets: £10 available from: 07960 935263, www.yorkshireticketshop.co.uk and Whistlestop Wines, Saltburn.

Find all our details at www.saltburnbluesclub.co.uk and our Facebook page.

Still going strong is my show, STILL GOT THE BLUES, on ZETLAND FM, 105FM and online for listeners outside the area every Monday night, 7-10pm. It’s also available on Mixcloud. Just click on the Mixcloud link at the bottom of Zetland FM’s web page.

Harry

Saltburn Charity Crafters If you would like to knit for local charities please pop in and join us for a cup of tea and a natter on Wednesday, 5th April between 2pm and 4pm in the coffee room at the Community Hall. We can provide you with patterns and wool. You will receive a warm welcome from our group.

For further information please contact Angie on 01287 205153.

CHILD CARE IMMIGRATION PROBATE & WILLS POWERS OF ATTORNEY LEGAL AID PRACTICE

For a friendly efficient service on all legal matters Tel:

(01287) 623049 16

Our New Address: First Floor, 15 Station Street, Saltburn-by-the-Sea

01287 624505

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Saltburn House this April! ***No Karaoke at the Moment*** Saturday Night Live Bands this month are:

Sat Sat Sat Sat

1st April Doggone Daddies, 15th April The Goodfellas, 22nd April Two Bluesband, 29th April The Persuaders.

Hire out one of our Function Rooms for £20 an hour or £100 for the whole day. We have a choice of three very different Function Rooms, providing you with the versatility your company or party requires.

Accommodation Prices: Single Room only £30.00. Double/Twin Room £55.00.

Single Half Board £40.00. Double Half Board £75.00.

All Stay Types include a Complimentary Full English Breakfast!

For further information, contact Ann, Andy or Joanna on:

01287 622008 COMPLETE PROPERTY MANAGING SERVICES A PERSONAL TOUCH

CHRISTINE HACKNEY PROPERTY MANAGER (OVER 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE) 28 HAMBLETON AVENUE REDCAR, CLEVELAND

07881556145

Hair & Extension Boutique 7-9 Marske Road

Hairdressing, Extensions & Make Up Coming soon: Nails, Brows, Lashes Tel: 01287 200037 Or mobile: 07393 739942 Like us on Facebook @fugazihairextensionboutique 20

chrishackney@ntlworld.com

Let me take the hassle out of renting your property.

Gisborough Priory open for 2017 Gisborough Priory has opened its doors to visitors for 2017. Once again, volunteer custodians from Gisborough Priory Project will be on hand to welcome everyone to explore the ancient priory ruins and beautiful woodland gardens, where snowdrops and other signs of spring are currently emerging.

Information about the medieval priory and the gardens and house that the Chaloner family created after the dissolution is available on site. There is a small display of medieval floor tiles and other finds from the priory in the information hut.

The site will be open from Wednesday to Sunday each week, as well as Bank Holiday Mondays, until the end of October. Opening times are 10am to 4pm. The visitor entrance is next to St Nicholas’ Church on Church Street in Guisborough.

There is no charge for entry

but donations towards the costs of running the site are welcome. Note that all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Dogs must be kept on a lead.

The site is managed by through a partnership between Gisborough Priory Project and English Heritage, now in its third year. Over the last two years there have been almost 30,000 visitors from all over the world, including school visits and special events and visitors from as far away as Australia and New Zealand.

Gisborough Priory Project volunteer custodian, Judith Arber, said, “We are looking forward to welcoming even more people to this fascinating and beautiful place this year. Come along and explore and find out more.”

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Cleveland Diving Club This month’s issue date coincidently falls on what is traditionally known as ‘April Fool’s day,’ and as British Summer Time has officially begun the hopeful amongst us would (I hope) agree with this quotation attributed to Charlie Chaplin (I kid you not) that ‘Life is a beautiful magnificent thing, even to a jellyfish.’ Yes, you guessed it, this month’s critter topic is the jellyfish, specifically the moon jelly fish (Aurelia aurita). The moon jelly fish is commonly found in water which has consistently cooler temperatures, such as the British coastline. Although probably not a favourite of swimmers due to their sting, although no worse than that of a nettle, when encountered by divers their translucent, radial, bodies floating and fanned by sea currents, have a fragile, ghostly appearance eliciting awe and wonder; and as such are mesmerising and captivating, especially if illuminated by sunlight (photo 1).

Like humans moon jellyfish are comprised largely of water. Humans being between 50-65% while moon jellyfish 95%. They are carnivorous, feeding on marine plankton, fish eggs, larval crabs and shrimps. The moon jellyfish’s stinging tentacles, that encircle its body, (photo 2) although not dangerous for humans are poisonous to the smaller marine life. It uses its four short arms to feed its captured prey into its mouth, located near four neighbouring central circular gonads that greedily devour food, often producing a violet or pink hue in the process (photo 3). The bell-shaped body (photo 4) is called, not un-expectantly, the Medusa due to its likeness to the head of snakes of the said Greek mythical creature. At this stage of its life cycle the moon jelly fish is mature and sexually active. Success in creating the next generation, however, is at the mercy of the male jelly fish’s navigation and positioning skills as it uses the flow of the sea currents to carry his chain of sperm released via the mouth, to the receptive mouth of a female moon jellyfish. The fertilised eggs then cling to the mother’s arms until mature then released into the sea. Unfortunately this spells the end for the adult moon jellyfish as their body loses its buoyancy, becomes opaque and dies.

Thankfully, and as a way to ensure the survival of the species, the moon jelly fish has a back-up reproductive strategy, for they can also reproduce asexually. A fertilized egg (known as a polyp) is released from its mature mother (presumably the ones that do not attach to the arms) and float freely for a period of time before attaching themselves to a shady rock. Here the magic happens as the polyp produces and releases a carbon copy of itself into the sea. (And humans thought they had invented cloning!) Apparently polyps can live for up to 25 years in an aquarium unlike the much shorter life span of the mature jelly fish in the wild. As with any ecosystem’s food chain moon jelly fish, despite their stinging poisonous tentacles, do have predators. Some fish, such as the bearded goby, have recently adapted to eating them and are helping to prevent dead zone ecosystems caused by jelly fish overrun. Ocean Sun Fish are also expertly designed to eat all manner of jelly fish including the moon jelly fish.

In addition, despite being comprised of 95% water, they are the favoured food for leatherback turtles.

Unfortunately for the endangered leather back, discerning the difference between a moon jelly fish and a plastic bag is extremely difficult. Being non-biodegradable, plastic is 22

extremely harmful to the turtle’s digestive system and will eventually cause its death. One of the feel good factors for divers is the opportunity to carry out conservation work, locally or abroad, that contributes to saving such endangered marine animals. If this is something that you may want to get involved in then learn to scuba dive by contacting Cleveland Divers by popping along between 8pm - 9pm to one of our Monday night pool sessions at Saltburn Leisure Centre, telephone us on 07960 608529 or put a message on our face book page, ‘The Diving Club-Cleveland.’ Everyone can help to save the beautiful magnificence of the world’s marine ecosystems.

June Coomber

Morning group: on Tuesdays at 9.30am at the Cricket Club, Marske Mill Lane, Saltburn.

Emmanuel Church Hall, Macnay Street, Saltburn

Tuesdays at 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

Telephone Stevie on

01642 474920

We sell a good selection of Stationery i.e. Envelopes, Labels, Tapes, Mailing Bags, and Greetings Cards plus a wide range of Personalised Cards.

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BOOK CORNER

We have moved!

Visit our new shop at 24 Milton Street, Saltburn Fiction Non-fiction Children’s Books Cut-price Books Ordering Service Gifts for Book-lovers

Opening Times: 10am – 5pm (Closed Wednesday and Sunday) 24 Milton Street, Saltburn, TS12 1DG

01287 348010 www.bookcornershop.co.uk

d.a.n.i.delights shop opening times: Tuesday to Thursday: 10:ooam-4:00pm Friday: 10:00am-6:00pm for all enquiries including those for organic raw vegan catering bookings please contact Dani on 07884 045742, or danimitchell333@yahoo.co.uk or connect with me on my Dani delights facebook page J d.a.n.i.delights, The Earthbeat Centre, Marske Road, Saltburn by the Sea, TS12 1QA

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Seldons, Saltburn Pier Amusements

Come along and enjoy a family fun day in a beautiful Victorian building at Saltburn Pier.

We have a wide range of fun games to suit all ages.

Open all year round 10am-8pm.

Seaview and Greta Cottage caring together 5 star care homes awarded by Redcar and Cleveland for their quality of care and personalised service.

Home from home with daily activities and weekly trips out in our own minibus.

Please feel free to visit us at anytime.

01287 622498 and 01287 625178 25

Rotary Tea Party

The Rotary Club of Saltburn would like to say a MASSIVE thank you to every single person that contributed to their Purple4Polio Tea Party event: bakers, helpers and guests, without you all, and your generosity we would not be feeling super proud of the inaugural event.

And we hope you all enjoyed your tea because in the 2 hours you all spent eating cake, you managed to raise a grand total of £900 which, will be trebled by The Bill Gates Foundation, and at a cost of 50p per vaccination approximately 5,400 children will now receive the Polio immunisation.

Special thanks go to Saltburn Cricket Club, Emmanuel Church and Sainsbury’s for supporting the event and particularly Rotarian Julie Wilbie whose idea it was to get involved and for driving it to its fantastic conclusion.

Well done, Julie. It was a very enjoyable and rewarding day.

Whatever part you played on 8th March, you should feel very proud.

What’s Happening at Marske Hall Easter Coffee Morning - Monday, 17th April 10am – 12.30pm. Enjoy some Easter fun with Easter themed refreshments, cake stall, raffle, tombola, stalls, children’s activities, kids’ crafts, entertainment and much more. Enter the Easter bonnet competition and enjoy listening to Paula Day and the Easter Choir. Admission free, donations welcome.

For details of other events in April, please call the Hall on 01642 482672 or find us on Facebook (www.facebook/marskehall.com).

Appeal: The fundraising team is always looking for tombola and raffle prizes to use at events throughout the year. Simply call into Marske Hall from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday (or visit www.facebook/ marskehall.com). Thank you for your continued support.

Funds raised at these events will enhance the lives of people living at Marske Hall. Registered Charity No: 218186. For details of these and other events call 01642 482672 (or visit: www.facebook/marskehall.com).

Marske Hall, Redcar Road, TS11 6AA. Kath Bloomfield 26

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is a well known condition, but it is one of those diagnostic labels that doesn’t give much of a clue as to what it actually is. Tennis elbow causes pain in the outer part of the elbow, often spreading into the forearm muscles. Gripping activities are painful, with the problem being particularly common amongst manual workers, those who perform repetitive hand and arm movements and racket sport players.

Occasionally tennis elbow is brought on by a specific injury or after a period of unaccustomed repetitive activity.

However, pain frequently comes on out of the blue with no identifiable cause. Tennis elbow is also known as lateral elbow tendinopathy and is a condition where one of the main forearm tendons becomes painful when put under load.

If the pain has come about due to an obvious cause such as a knock or an unusually large amount of work over a short period, then the management is pretty straightforward. It basically involves easing right back on aggravating activities for a week or two and then gradually phasing back into action. However, in most cases of lateral elbow tendinopathy, the pain comes on gradually and by the time that it is really troublesome, the condition is well established.

On a microscopic level there is disorganisation of the tendon cellular structure and an increase in small blood vessels and sensory nerves. This makes the tendon very sensitive to stress, with simple gripping activities causing significant pain. When dealing with longstanding elbow tendinopathy, the first thing to do is to get to see a clinician who can comprehensively review things. This is important as there are a number of disorders other than a local tendon condition that can cause the pain. These include issues with the elbow joint, some neck disorders and problems with one of the nerves of the upper limb.

The successful management of lateral elbow tendinopathy is based upon load management. This basically means reducing pain provocative loading and then exposing the troublesome tendon to some conditioning work that will improve its stress bearing capacity. Reducing painful loading

Guisborough Priory Art society The society will be holding its annual Spring exhibition at Sunnyfield house on Saturday, 22nd April from 10.00am till 4.00pm.

Approximately 50 artists will display original work both framed and unframed, for sale at reasonable prices. The group is renowned for work in various media. Free admission.

may simply involve staying away from painful gripping activities, but could also involve the use of an elbow clasp.

These come in many shapes and sizes, but all work by applying some compression to the upper forearm muscles and in so doing redistribute areas of tension when gripping.

Such modifications should help to reduce tendon stress, but the key to success then lies in strengthening the tendon.

There are a number of ways to do this, but most involve grip resisted exercises. The important thing to bear in mind is that it takes around 3 months of regular exercise to physically change the tendon to the point where it can transmit force without being painful.

You can find more information about tennis elbow and how Physiotherapy can help on our website.

Philip & Pauline Newton Chartered & Health Care Professions Council Registered Physiotherapists Newton Physiotherapy 01287 767287 www.NewtonPhysio.com

Saltburn Studios’ Gallery Last month Saltburn Studios’ Gallery re-opened with Sue Chipchase’s exhibition ‘From a Distance’. Come and enjoy her exciting, colourful and textured landscapes and seascapes.

Gallery open every weekend from 12 till 4pm.

Margaret Jackson 27

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Tel: 01287 637702 Mob: 07870 176370 28

Saltburn Bowls Club - 2017 opening dates We are approaching the re-opening of the greens at Saltburn Bowls Club. Our groundsman has been working hard over the winter to get the green ready for the coming season. The green will be open for members on Tuesday, 11th April at 12:30.

The annual Saltburn Open Pairs competition is scheduled for the weekend of 29th and 30th April. The application forms can be obtained from Pat Passman (01287 622418) or Chris Hatfield (01642 478916). Cost of entry is ÂŁ6.00 per team of 2 players.

We will begin weekly coaching sessions for new U3A members wishing to learn the game on Tuesday, 2nd May; members of U3A can come along, pay a small fee and receive advice on the etiquette of bowls as well as practical tuition. The equipment needed will be provided: you only need to bring along suitable flat shoes that will not damage the greens.

Gisborough Priory Project Easter Fun Day

What better way to round off the Easter Weekend than an afternoon trip to the Woodland Gardens at Gisborough Priory?

The Gisborough Priory Project Easter Fun Day will be held on Monday, 17th April 2017 from 1pm to 3.30pm and is sure to have something for all the family.

There will be handmade crafts for sale, including gifts made from wood from the woodland gardens.

For the children there will be story telling, a treasure hunt (who knows what you might find) and other activities.

And of course, no Gisborough Priory Project event would be complete without the refreshment stall – delicious homemade cakes and baked goods along with hot or cold drinks, all of which can be enjoyed at either the picnic tables or one of the many benches located around the gardens, while you take in the view of the emerging spring flowers.

So why not come along to the Woodland Gardens in the beautiful Gisborough Priory site? Entry is FREE and all funds raised will go towards the continuing restoration work in the woodland gardens.

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Redcar and Cleveland Citizens Advice – A local Charity in your community

Redcar and Cleveland Citizen’s Advice is where someone of any age can get advice and support to deal with financial capability, debt, housing, employment, benefits and family issues. For people facing redundancy, illness or other life changing issues, it affects income, housing and the ability to manage financially. Redcar and Cleveland Citizens Advice can deal with all of these issues while also helping with the underlying causes. We empower people to take charge of their own lives and to make choices based on impartial advice and information. We are a long established charity (set up in 1940) and have committed and passionate volunteers who deliver key services to people throughout the communities of Redcar and Cleveland. We helped over 12,000 people last year with a wide range of problems and could not have done this without our volunteer team.

East Cleveland We are especially keen to grow our volunteer base within East Cleveland. We have outreach advice sessions in Loftus and Skelton. Our advice sessions in East Cleveland are very well attended and we would like to expand the help we offer to people throughout these communities.

We are recruiting for the following of volunteer roles to be based in East Cleveland: volunteer advisor and gateway assessor/triage worker. Full training, support, supervision and a point of contact within the organisation will be provided.

We offer training and development opportunities and reasonable travel expenses will be paid.

If you are interested in volunteering with us please call

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01287 203324 for an application form or ask to speak to/ email (Debbie.hesk@citizensadviceredcarandcleveland.co.uk) for an informal chat.

Trustees We are looking to appoint new Trustees to our existing Board of friendly and committed Trustees. We are looking for individuals with a commitment to our aims and principles and we would be especially interested to receive applications from those with expertise in: Fundraising, Health & Wellbeing, Marketing & Media and Business Development. The Board meets quarterly, with regular updates and some teleconferences on an ad hoc basis.

The post of Trustee is unpaid but will provide you with a great deal of experience and satisfaction. All reasonable expenses are reimbursed and training is provided.

Redcar Citizens Advice Trustee Board needs people from all sections of the community with a wide range of different skills, experience and perspectives.

Although a small charity we are ambitious on our clients’ behalf in finding innovative ways to meet the increasing complex needs of those we support and achieving financial sustainability in the future to continue our work. As a Trustee you will provide a strategic lead and oversight for the direction of Redcar and Cleveland Citizens Advice.

If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Helen Howson (manager) for an informal chat on 01287 203331 (or for further information email helen.howson@citizensadviceredcarandcleveland.co.uk).

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George William Durant George was born in Brambles Farm Middlesbrough but the family soon moved back to Queen Street in North Ormesby and George spent most of his childhood there with his sisters Flora and Marion. As a young man, George joined the Green Howards regiment and spent some time being posted around the country. When he left the Army, George joined the Evening Gazette back in Middlesbrough and he spent all of his working life there in various roles in the printing process. Always an avid reader and with a superb eye for detail these skills came into play when he also carried out duties as a proof-reader.

George retired at age 50 and at the time he felt he would have preferred to carry on working longer but he felt the print industry was moving onto more computer based technologies which he did not really feel comfortable with so he entered his life of well-earned leisure.

George always had a love of music and in particular Jazz and Folk music. When he was working, he would travel all over the North East to watch bands and socialise with likeminded friends many of which he made due to his love of the music. He was a card-carrying member of the Legendary Redcar Jazz Club from the late 1950s. When his retirement came along he had already moved to Saltburn and this came into its own as he was then free to enjoy the music scene up and down the North East coast and of course he was a loyal and regular member of the mostly single person audience in the back room of the Cons Club in Saltburn to listen to his friends practise on a Saturday afternoon.

George was an avid reader and had literally hundreds of books which he kept with him his entire life. These ranged from The Classics to Supernatural Tales, History and Horror and were constantly re-arranged and re-housed between his flat and his caravan at Dalehouse in Staithes.

Always a Radio man, for many years George never owned a TV set (by choice) and his knowledge on many subjects was evident when you engaged him in conversation on any of them.

So, well read and articulate, may suggest a serious studious disposition; however, as George’s many, many friends and his family will tell you, George had a fantastic sense of humour, an infectious laugh and definitely a wild and mischievous side. George liked a drink. He was always a hard worker, he had a work-hard-play-hard ethic and certainly liked nothing better than a drink with friends and if possible, music. His storytelling was legendary and his sense of humour and delivery of a tale was always guaranteed to raise a laugh, with of course George laughing the loudest!

As he grew older he would split his time between his flat in Saltburn and his caravan at Staithes. Home base was always the Cons Club where countless people over the years held him in great affection and esteem and he would eagerly anticipate the springtime when he would spend many hours at his caravan, often with his best friend, Allen, who also had a van, which was a pleasant walk to his other loved watering hole, The Fox and Hounds, where again “hello George” would ring out as soon as he walked in the bar. For many years, he was welcomed by Rene and Ward and would often accept their invitation to spend New Year’s Eve there with them.

George liked to walk, especially after an evening of 32

fine ales in the Cons Club. His chosen method of transport no matter how long the “session” or time of year, was always, his own two feet and even in his later years, he would walk “up that hill” as he liked to put it. George was offered lifts home but as anyone who knew George will know, once he made his mind up, he was a difficult man to budge. His independent spirit and determination to live his life the way he wanted to, was constant throughout his life. One evening, after a rather long session with Geordie, Towney, Cockney Phil, Jeff, Mark Lindsell, Frank, Mark Lloyd, Gordon, Lol, young Paul, and the bad influence “Joan”, George wanted to walk home so Geordie Mick decided to join him! At the church yard Mick lost his legs and fell down, (fell over the church wall).

George was ‘see you later I’m off home, nowt wrong with my legs’ and left Mick there in the snow.

A life-long bachelor, George created a well-balanced life for himself in which he could enjoy his very private and independent lifestyle but this was complimented by a fantastic social life he enjoyed when he was in the mood to enjoy it and he always welcomed impromptu visits from his nephews Kevin and his wife Jeanette, John and his wife Una and Richard and Stephen who particularly liked to visit him on summer days at his caravan and to enjoy a drink with him and his friends in The Cons Club.

George continued to enjoy good health in his later years and be very active right up until the last months of his life. He faced some very tough challenges and decisions when his illness started to worsen and although it was particularly difficult for a man of George’s personality and independence, it was a source of great comfort to his family that he came to live at Laurieston Care Home in Saltburn. The family would like to express how much they appreciate the incredible care that Kath and all of the staff, gave to George during this time.

No matter how frustrated George would be at being unable to live the life the way he had for so many years, he always told us that he couldn’t have been in a better place to be taken care of and he did appreciate everything they did for him. For most of his time in there, we were still able to take him out to spend days at his caravan and Saturday afternoon visits to the back room of the Cons Club to listen to his favourite troupe of musicians or simply sit with him in the sun in the garden of Laurieston. These are memories we will cherish forever.

We know that all of George’s friends will miss him as much as we, his family, will and we would like to thank all of you for being an important part of George’s fantastic life that he enjoyed so much.

REDCAR GOSPEL HALL Edenhall Grove, Redcar TS10 4PR A warm welcome awaits you at our regular Sunday evening Gospel Service, 6.30 p.m.

Also at our ‘Coffee and Chat’ each Wednesday from 10.30 till noon.

Easter Service on April 16th at 6:30 pm.

Why not browse our website (www.redcargospelhall.org.uk)?

There are many interesting and helpful articles For a personal chat please ring 07514 229577 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3 v 16 (The Bible) Christ died for our sins … He was buried … He rose again … according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15: 3-4, The Bible).

Unlike Christmas, Easter may not seem to be a big deal, yet to Christians, Easter is just as important. When we see the chocolate eggs and Easter bunnies this year, let not that be the extent of our interest, but rather let us discover that the real meaning of Easter is found in the Person that Easter is all about - Jesus Christ.

The day Jesus died, Good Friday, is so called because through His death on the cross, the way opened for us to be forgiven by God for our sins. The crucifixion many believe took place on a Friday and hence it became known as ‘Good Friday’. The good news then is that through His death on the cross, Christ dealt with our failures, with our rebellion, and with our sinful, guilty lives. He died for our sins according to the Scriptures, or as Peter puts it, ‘He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree’.

God’s demands are for perfection and never anything less. He Himself is perfect, and He says to us, “Be ye perfect for I am perfect.” None of us are, and what can we do about a guilty past? The answer, of course, is that we can’t do anything about it, but there is the good news that Christ has died in our place, and we can do something now that will bring us reconciliation to God. That is to ‘confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead’.

The basis of the Christian message is ‘He rose

again the third day according to the Scriptures’. Had it all ended on the Cross there would have been no Good News to share. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of the Resurrection. It was an event that really took place and whose implications are enormous.

Jesus’ disciples did not expect the Resurrection to take place. The things that Christ said to them about it beforehand somehow did not register, and so they did not expect it to happen. At first, they saw nothing but a crushing defeat in the Cross. They were confused, and disorganised. It wasn’t just Thomas but all the disciples had to be convinced by Christ’s personal presence in their lives. They were not gullible witnesses who were testifying to what they had hoped would happen. Rather, they had to be convinced by the hard evidence.

The fundamental statement upon which Christianity ultimately rests then is that Jesus Christ literally, and physically, rose from the dead. That is what makes Christianity so different from the world’s religions. Belief that Christ is alive and can be personally known will completely change our lives.

So, while we enjoy the Easter eggs and ‘hot cross buns’ let us take time to remember that without Easter there would be no hope or guarantee that life goes on beyond death, whilst for those who believe in Christ there is the absolute certainty of everlasting life.

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Mayor sings for two charities Redcar and Cleveland’s mayor Barry Hunt and a group of singers have made a catchy 30-minute DVD disc for two local charities: Earthbeat, of Saltburn, for adults with learning difficulties, and Coatham House, Redcar, which supports young homeless.

It’s a foot-tapping number with a steady beat. In fact you get six versions of ‘Hurry Home’ for £5.

Most are with a slow beat, but one is a hip-hop style number sung by 16year-old local singer Charlotte Potter.

Left: Barry Hunt in casual warm clothes settles down for a sleepless night at Christmas.

The other featured singers are He was alone over Christmas Eve and Christmas night in Redcar High Street. Right: The Samantha Holden and The Brothers mayor in his official robes. Pictures by courtesy of Redcar and Cleveland Council. of Swing. Other singers, in addition to these, are Lorraine Crosby, Olwyn Peters, Terry Slesser said. “No sleeping was involved because you are and Mick Whitaker. Words and music are by Steve vulnerable.” Barry, a 68-year-old former night club Thompson, of ST Media/Kobalt Music Group Ltd. Special manager, of Skinningrove, said he had taken part in several thanks has been extended to all these plus Cheryl Evans, Dave sleep-outs with other volunteers in support of charities, but Eagle, David Auston, Terry Owens, Peter Day, Gary Quinn, this time he was alone.

On Christmas Eve people were around until 3.00am Lynn Wrightson, Zetland FM and Teesside University. The disc was engineered by Nigel Crooks and produced by Steve he said. On Christmas Day he was hit by the prospect of Thompson (www.steve-thompson.org.uk). ‘nothing to do next day.’

A brief part of an interview with the Mayor is included So far the mayor has raised about £12,000 towards in the disc. It was by Zetland FM and was about the Mayor’s his target of at least £20,000 for his two charities. He has two nights sleeping on a bench in Redcar’s High Street on several other events planned before stepping down as mayor Christmas Eve and night. in May. “I didn’t enjoy doing it, but it was worthwhile,” he Mike Morrissey 35

Big Waltz searches for ‘singles’ “There may be people who are singles - we are going to have a ‘singles' station’ where dancers can pick up a partner and get dancing on Friday, 19th May,” said Age UK event organiser Mrs Pat Chambers.

The attempt to attract 2,000 couples to the lower promenade and pier for a 2pm start is attracting a lot of interest. Age UK charity in Teesside is hoping Saltburn and area will beat the record of just over 1,500 couples who waltzed for Bosnia 10 years ago.

The aim is to get the British attempt into the Guinness World Book of Records. Dancers can learn the steps by seeing them being performed on the You Tube website, under World’s Largest Waltz. The one-two-three steps must be done for five minutes all at the same time.

“We’ve had loads of people talking about it but there is still a long way to go if we are to take the world record from Bosnia. People may be struggling to use the eventbrite website to book so we would welcome bookings now via our telephone 01642-805500,” said Mrs Chambers.

Local groups include line-dancers, a ukulele band and orienteering walkers will be working from and in a large marquee in the valley gardens all day on 19th May to create a ‘Loving Later Life’ display. Among new exhibitors are the North York Moors organisation.

Everyone taking part will receive a commemorative medal and a pack-a-mac plastic raincoat to keep.

Council staff Rebecca Robinson and Garry Savage waltz on the pier in preparation for the record-breaking event on 19th May. Saltburn’s attempt to achieve the world’s record waltz is setting up a ‘singles station’ for would-be dancers who lack a partner.

Mike Morrissey

Saltburn, Redcar & Cleveland Philatelic Society April meetings Venue: East Cleveland Community Centre, Durham Road, Redcar, TS10 3SB, 7:00 for 7:15pm. 5th April: Members’ Night – Letter J. 19th April: Display by North East England Philatelic Association (NEPA) President, Mike Mood. 22nd April: NEPA Annual Convention 2017, venue Bowburn Community Centre, Durham, DH6 5AT (10am - 4pm and ample parking). It may be recollected that during NEPA 2016 David D. Turner FRPSL was invited to sign NEPA’s Roll of Distinguished Philatelists (pictured here). Despite strong challenges from the other main northern philatelic societies (Newcastle, Gateshead, Durham, Middlesbrough and Stockton) our society won 40% of all NEPA trophies available! We have shortlisted strong entries for 2017 and hope to hold on to as many as possible.

Geoff Reynolds (01642 478229)

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My Uncle Eric It has been a month now since my uncle Eric passed away, and to quote from the poem ‘So Many Different Lengths of Time,’

by Brian Patten, “the puffed faces have calmed and the knots in the stomach have loosened”, but there is a painful void left behind.

Uncles have a special role. Not being our father, they can be a friend and a supporter in a different way than anyone else in our lives. They are both a relative and a companion; one of the few people able to be both.

Born Eric Arthur Gresty in Cambridge Street in Saltburn in 1932, my Uncle spent the majority of his life in the town, and was very well known.

He used to reminisce about his childhood and school days and in particular, a memory from when he was nine, was that he was getting ready for school one morning, and his father came home from his night shift as an Air Raid Patrol Warden and told him not to bother, because the school had been bombed and nothing was left standing.

He went to boarding school in Newcastle at the age of fourteen, for two years, and after school he joined the merchant navy and was based in South Shields. He once took a consignment of coal to Italy via the Straits of Gibraltar, and was as sick as a dog the whole voyage. He left the navy as soon as he returned home!

At age eighteen, he did National service; and he was a telephonist in the RAF, based at Grimsby. After his National Service, he joined his parent’s family business. Anybody, ‘over a certain age’ in Saltburn, will remember Gresty’s Corn Stores, the pet shop, fishing tackle, and doggy grooming parlour, on Milton Street (which is now the site of the Invictus Gym).

He always loved animals and, over the years, he had many cats and dogs, including a terrier, three great danes, a borzoi, a setter and two pugs, with Pippy the pug being a particular favourite.

He used to tell the tale of the pet toys rep that once visited the shop and left a consignment of toy mice, containing ‘cat-nip’. These were left in the pet shop overnight, whereupon Uncle Eric’s two pet cats managed to tatter every one, and then, “high” on the cat nip, they went doolally and proceeded to run riot in the shop which the next morning, had the appearance of having been ransacked!

I have childhood memories of myself and my cousin, Mark, sifting through the huge (or they seemed huge to us at that time!) bins of bird seed, to pick out the monkey nuts, which we would shell and eat with relish!

Also, uncle Eric used to give us a “treat” of Bob

Martins’ doggy choccy drops, and we both maintain to this day, that this explains a lot!

He had a beautiful Irish setter, which was a super dog and lovely natured. Unfortunately however, it used to slaver and drool. When it shook its head it resulted in everybody in the immediate vicinity diving for cover!

He was always interested in antiques, and started buying them at the age of eighteen, with his first purchase being a pair of Mycen figurines for a couple of shillings from Saltburn Sale Rooms.

He sold the pet shop business in the seventies and indulged his passion for antiques. He spent thirty years in the antiques trade travelling and attending antiques fairs. He was well known in the charity shops in the town for undertaking appraisals and valuations of donated items.

In his younger days he travelled extensively, visiting every continent on the globe. He was a regular traveller to Turkey as he had friends there, and he spoke fluent Turkish.

He was very intelligent, fun and witty with a fabulous sense of humour. Many are the times that he would tell me a joke, and we would both howl with laughter.

He will be sadly missed by family and friends. “Death leaves a heart ache that no one can heal; love leaves a memory that no one can steal.”

Thank you for being my wonderful Uncle.

Fiona xxx

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Birding in Saltburn Patchwork birding is an annual mission undertaken by many birders across Britain. It involves selecting a study area which covers 3 sq km and seeing how many species of bird you can see in it, or from it, in a calendar year. My patch includes Saltburn, Huntcliff, Warsett Hill and Hunley Hall golf course at Brotton. This is a pretty good birding area with a range of habitats including sea, beach, beck, cliffs, fields and woods. The only main habitat that is missing is a lake, so I have to make do with the ponds on the golf course to see mute swan and little grebe.

In 2016 I saw 132 species of bird. Reviewing the year, I can identify the more productive times and as might be expected, reward is based on effort. Looking out to sea in the early winter period gives me gannet, shag, redthroated diver, great northern diver, eider and common scoter ducks.

Resident and winter birds like the finches and tits and fieldfares and redwings can be seen with effort, though barn owl and little owl are tougher to connect with. The pair of dippers on the beck can be seen and an occasional kingfisher is a good bird to write in the notebook. A bonus species in January was a hawfinch, seen for a few days near the end of Marske Mill lane. This species was once regular in Rifts Wood and its demise is thought to be due to predation of nests by the introduced grey squirrel.

Indeed this was the first I had seen here for 16 years.

As spring advances, territorial birds start to sing, making them easier to locate. Great spotted woodpeckers start to drum and tawny owls become more vocal. The much anticipated arrival of summer migrants can be frustratingly slow, but there’s nothing better than standing on the cliff edge by the Coastguard Cottages witnessing the northern movement of migrants. On a ‘good movement day’, hundreds of swallows can zip through, with sand martins, house martins and many other species. Many of our familiar birds like chaffinches and goldfinches are partial migrants – that is they move around within Britain – and they can be seen moving north in small flocks. It helps to know their calls as they are always vocal, as this keeps the flock together and pulls in stray birds.

Large raptors (birds of prey) are migratory, and a rare treat is to identify a spring osprey, buzzard or marsh harrier flying over.

Occasionally species from further south overshoot and I have seen the sublime small falcon, the hobby, over Saltburn. The scientific name is Falco subbuteo and Peter Adolph, the inventor of the Subbuteo Football game selected this name for his game, apparently after the name ‘hobby’ was turned down.

May is the best month for seeing summer migrants with the return of the warblers including blackcap, whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, chiffchaff and willow warbler. Some once regular summer migrants are now becoming scarce and it is many years since I have seen or heard cuckoo and turtle dove on my patch. Even spotted 38

flycatcher is now difficult to find and no longer a regular nester in Saltburn Valley Gardens.

Late summer and autumn are the key months for the specialised birding technique of seawatching. This is where the observer stares out to sea from a good (and sheltered if possible) vantage point through a high powered telescope. On-shore winds are needed as these blow seabirds from far out, close inshore. Seabirds such as gannet, guillemot, manx shearwater, great skua and arctic skua can be seen. Wildfowl are also on the move and flocks of whooper swan, pink-footed geese, brent geese, shelduck, wigeon and teal fly past.

Autumn easterlies can bring scarce birds from the continent and if large numbers are grounded by poor weather this is known as a ‘fall’ of birds. October 2016 will be remembered for an unprecedented stream of easterly wind for weeks and this led to exceptional finds on the cliffs. A greenish warbler spent a few days in the scrubby dell east of the Coastguard cottages and my birding colleague found little bunting and a Siberian stonechat. This was topped by a Siberian accentor present for just one day on the 15th October, this being only the third record for Britain. The first two had occurred the week before on Shetland and near Spurn Point and were followed by eight others during the autumn, so most British birders had the chance to see this amazing strafe. To add to the general excitement, two Radde’s warblers and a Pallas’s warbler (also Siberian species) were on Huntcliff on the same day.

An immature mute swan sat on the beach near the pier caused some Facebook interest in November – in the autumn parents drive youngsters off their pond and they need to find empty ponds of their own – but best not choose the sea.

The total number of species I have seen in the Saltburn over 25 years stands at 208 species, which is pretty good going, given that the British list stands at a shade over 600.

Graham Megson

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Podology expands again!

Love dancing? Want to get fit?

DanceFit classes are a FUN & EFFECTIVE way to work out...

EASY TO FOLLOW, TONING and a FUN OVERALL WORKOUT. This dance fitness class is packed with Latin rhythms & International beats! Come and groove at your own pace…

This class will shake up your routine!!

Mondays 6pm - Emmanuel Church Hall Thursdays 10am - Saltburn Community Hall

In December Podology the chiropody and beauty clinic based in Milton Street acquired the basement under the existing shop with plans underway to convert the basement into a further treatment rooms and an office.

Laura Dicken owner of Podology says, “Over a 12 year period we have developed and grown in accordance with the demand for our services. The business has steadily developed and as opportunities have arisen we have grabbed them.

“The new project will give us the space we need to offer group bookings and develop our treatment offering as well as freeing up space in our existing reception area.”

Plans are in place for an exciting launch party in April, which will be announced on social media: Facebook, instagram @podologysaltburn and our website.

With 5 Podiatrists, 5 beauty therapists and 2 front of house staff who are all very excited about the future, the Podology staff welcome you to enjoy their podiatry and beauty offering.

Recently Podology was recognised by Professional Beauty awards as one of the top 5 nail salons in the country. In February the Podgirls attended a prestigious awards ceremony in Tobacco dock, London.

“We have been in for these awards for the last three years and although we haven’t brought the title back to Saltburn, we are proud to have been shortlisted and put Saltburn on the map,” says Laura.

General Manager Sharon Hampton adds “Over the last year we have been working on the systemisation of the business. Using text reminders and online booking has made our services more accessible to those with busy lifestyles. We have introduced new staff members to the team: Podiatrist Julie Kew and beauty therapist Paige Shelton who have both settled in wonderfully. We are very excited about the future and building on our reputation as a provider of luxurious podiatry and beauty services.”

For more information or make an appointment visit www.podology.info or call 01287 622280.

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Spirals A PILATES, YOGA & BALLET inspired fitness class: Spirals will build up your CORE STRENGTH, TONE and DEFINE your figure. It will also improve your BALANCE and natural FLEXIBILITY. Spirals is very effective on its own or a great complement to other fitness activities.

Wednesdays 7pm - The EarthBeat Centre, Saltburn.

For more information about prices, venues etc. call ESTELLE on 07887 525234, email at estelle@dancefitsaltburn.co.uk or visit...

Saltburn Animal Rescue Association A small charity seeking to rescue and re-home cats and dogs, Tel: 01642 488108 (weekdays only, 10am to 2pm).

SARA has many dogs and cats that need new homes. All are clean, healthy, neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.

Hello readers! We are Jet the dog and Terry the cat, and we are both looking for forever homes. First up this month is Jet; she is a lovely Labrador cross; she is about 8 years old, and she is mostly black, with a dignified greying nose and face. Jet came to live with us about a year ago after she was found wandering as a stray. This makes her currently SARA’s longest resident for some unknown reason, as she is a very lovely natured dog and great company. Jet being part Labrador, really enjoys playing fetch, going long walks and thoroughly enjoys splashing about and swimming in water. She is a very affectionate girl who is looking for a home with experienced dog owners where she can be an only dog. She is a strong lass, therefore we think she would be better with older children aged 10 and upwards.

Terry is a charming 8 year old cat who also came

into us as a stray. He is a very affectionate and a vocal little fella: he’s ready to let you know if he thinks you are ignoring him. Terry is looking for a forever home with an experienced cat owner and where he would be an only pet.

Terry has to be a house cat as he sadly tested positive for feline immunodeficiency virus. This condition can be tolerated well by cats and Terry should have a happy and full life. Please don’t worry about his vet bills as a Pension plan would be offered when Terry is rehomed.

SARA fundraising events during April The next monthly meeting of SARA will be held on Wednesday, 5th at 7.30pm in the TocH premises, Albion Terrace, Saltburn. Members of the public are cordially invited to attend. New members are welcome.

Please come along to the meeting and find out more about SARA and the work we do to help the ever increasing numbers of animals that need our help. We look forward to meeting you.

APRIL EVENTS 15th April - Easter Fayre – Marske Hall, 10am-1pm.

22nd April - Neil Diamondo - Saltburn Golf Club, 7.30pm11pm, Tickets £8, raffle and tombola. Tickets are now on sale for the Neil Diamondo evening from A Davison 07821 114189 or Foxrush Farm Natalie 01642 488108.

22nd April Coffee Morning Marske Community Centre.

John Fuller, Press Officer Helpline: 01642 488108 41

Little Egret in Saltburn

Thanks to John Clerk for this photograph of the little egret that has been visiting Saltburn Beck and Gill in March. See also this month’s front cover. Little egrets (Egretta garzetta) are rarely seen further north than Devon so this one has possibly been blown off course during a storm. As is not surprising from their appearance and lifestyle, egrets are members of the heron family (Ardeidae) which actually also includes bitterns. This one is a solitary bird and has been observed hunting fish in Saltburn near the Valley Gardens. People walking their dogs have noticed their dogs taking an unhealthy interest in the bird but the egret has not seemed too bothered by them. See also page 38 for an article about other birds in Saltburn.

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EASTER AT EMMANUEL

BY REV ADAM REED It was a routine execution, an everyday piece of imperial politics at the edge of empire.

How did this long-ago death become the lynchpin of our civilisation?

What actually happened? How reliable are the accounts?

Why was Jesus executed?

Last month I wrote about JERUSALtburn, in which we will reflect on the story of Jesus’ last week out on the streets of Saltburn. We will meet together in the Saltburn equivalent of where it happened and at the time it happened. And of course you are most welcome to take part in this experience. We have prepared a comprehensive leaflet of all the events taking place in the town and at Emmanuel Church itself, but here are some highlights:

Services Times

Sundays 9.30am Meet at the Bandstand Palm Sunday As Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem on a donkey so we will gather at the 9.00am traditional communion Bandstand in Saltburn, our equivalent of not only Gethsemane but also the 10.45am contemporary worship Bethany Road. We will have our own donkey present, leading us on our walk to Emmanuel Church…

Tuesdays 9.30am said communion

Maundy Thursday 7.00pm Meet at Hob Hill Crescent Our equivalent to the Upper Room where Jesus held his last supper is the entrance to Hob Hill Crescent. Here we will remember this supper, before walking to the Garden of Gethsemane, the Bandstand, where he prayed with his disciples before his betrayal and arrest...

Maundy Thursday 10.00pm Meet at the Bandstand Jesus is betrayed by Judas, and abandoned by his friends. He is arrested and taken to the house of Caiaphas, which for us is near the bridge on Guisborough Road. And so begins a night-time trial of false accusations...

Good Friday 7.00am Meet near the bridge on Guisborough Road Jesus is taken from place to place, suffering at the hands of the Jewish ruling council, Herod Antipas, and Pontius Pilate the Roman Governor. We follow Jesus as he is taken to and fro between these powerful people until he is crucified at Golgotha, which in Saltburn is close to the Windsor Road allotments.

Easter Sunday 8.00am Meet at the Windsor Road allotments Some of the women who followed Jesus went early to his tomb to mourn him and do the honourable thing in anointing his body. BUT he was not there and the giant stone had been rolled away from the tomb entrance. HE HAD RISEN! The devastation of Good Friday gives way to the joy of Easter Day! The JERUSALtburn leaflet and map is available from the Church Office, or can be emailed to you. JERUSALtburn is inspired by the experience and writings of Nick Page. His book The Longest Week: The truth about Jesus’ last days, is a wonderfully readable explanation of the events and meaning of Easter, and from which the words introducing this article come.

Morning Prayer 9.00am Mon-Fri in ECHO

Contact Details tel 01287 622251

email emmanuelsaltburn@hotmail.co.uk

web www.emmanuelsaltburn.co.uk

Visitor and Exhibition opening times in April Saturdays 1st, 15th & 29th 10am - 4pm

Sundays 9th & 23rd 1 - 4pm Maundy Thursday 13th April 10am - 4pm

So, may you have an Easter celebration imbued with joy and meaningfulness.

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Keeping it clean at Saltburn (#KICASaltburn) There has been a flurry of activity at KICASaltburn HQ, working towards purchasing #2minutebeachclean boards to be placed along the lower prom. More information on this national project can be found at www.beachclean.net.

In the meanwhile we have been busy being the change we want to see in the world, and encouraging the local community to get involved with keeping our beach clean, to protect our environment as well as protecting marine wildlife.

In February members of KICASaltburn took part in the Great British Nurdle Hunt. Nurdles are small plastic pellets, about the size of a lentil, which are used to make nearly all of the plastic products we use.

Unfortunately millions of these end up on our beaches each year. Over one weekend, Nurdle hunts took place on 279 beaches across the UK, the largest of which collected 127,500 pellets from a 100m stretch of beach.

Over the weekend of 4th-6th March a number of Great British Spring Cleans took place across Saltburn.

On Sunday, 5th March KICASaltburn held a beach Spring Clean, and removed 12 bags of rubbish from the beach, recycling what we could.

Open 7 days a week Stocking a wide range of health foods, chutneys, jams and honeys.

If it’s grown locally we do our best to source it.

Quality Fresh Fruit and Veg at Competitive Prices.

Monday to Saturday: 9.00am to 6.00pm Sunday 10.00am to 4.30pm Open till 7.00pm on Fridays

Grasers 07703 884184 Try something different at Grasers

So what’s next for KICASaltburn? We will continue our efforts towards purchasing the #2minutebeachclean boards. In the meantime if you are already cleaning the beach please send photos of what you collect to our Facebook page. We will also be supporting Surfers against Sewage who will be holding a Beach Spring Clean on 8th April. Please come and join us, the more the merrier.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for regular updates about what we are getting up to.

Finally, we are holding our inaugural general meeting on the 5th April at 7pm, in The Guns Bar, Milton Street. Please come and join us if you want to be involved. Many thanks for all those who have supported us so far.

KICASaltburn.

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Carlins Pictured here are two bags of Hodmedod’s British organic Carlin peas. Hodmedod was founded in 2012 following a successful trial of Fava beans, which are native to Britain and have been eaten since the Iron Age. They are champions of organic beans and grains grown in this country, even Quinoa. Their Carlin peas are sometimes called black badger peas. Grasers are also giving away a card with a recipe for delicious chocolate brownies made from Carlins. Other recipes for Hodmedod’s products can be found on their website (hodmedods.co.uk).

The Countryside Ranger and Volunteers, April 2017 Beech woodlands with their rapidly greening canopies are the habitat to visit throughout April, with plenty of nesting birds to be seen. Wayside flowers are also in full bloom and a wealth of insect life is out and about.

With a well-deserved reputation for being ferocious and untameable despite its diminutive stature, the weasel is the smallest British mammal capable of preying upon other vertebrates. Small mammals such as mice and voles are among its favoured quarry, but an experienced adult is more than capable of tackling a small to medium-sized rat.

Weasels are widespread in Britain, but are seen comparatively rarely, partly due to their small size. They are also extremely alert to potential threats and are wary of disturbance. Once seen, however, they are easy to recognise by their light and sinuous body form and brown and white colouration. Only the stoat, their larger relative, could possibly cause confusion, although the black-tipped tail of this species is a useful identification feature. The earliest litters of four to six young weasels are born in April. Spring litters grow faster than those born later in the year and will remain with their mother for up to twelve weeks. By this time they will be fully grown and will be able to fend for themselves.

In terms of its colour contribution to the British landscape, the beech is arguably our most important tree. In autumn, its leaves consistently turn an amazing golden brown and many of them remain on the twigs throughout the winter.

This is perhaps one reason why the species is such a popular hedging plant despite its deciduous habit. In spring, walkers and gardeners are rewarded with another surprise, when the beech buds finally burst and young leaves appear. These are such a fresh green colour that other tree species growing alongside a beech look decidedly sombre by comparison.

Beech leaves are easy to recognise even in the spring. They are oval and pointed, up to 10 centimetres long and have wavy margins. When newly open they are vividly green and

fringed with silky hairs.

Despite its comparatively small size and rather unassuming habit, herb-Robert is one of our most charming native plants. From early April onwards, stems that are often bright red and leaves that emanate a pungent smell can be found before the five-petalled, pink flowers appear.

Thereafter a succession of blooms can be discovered right through until October. Herb-Robert is a plant of shady banks, hedgerows and woods, the gloom in which it grows somehow making its flowers all the more attractive. It can be found throughout Britain. The origins of the name herbRobert are uncertain, but botanical historians often link the name Robert with robin. Perhaps the plant’s red stems and its beak-like fruits may have something to do with this.

If you walk through Riftswood, you will notice that the Saltburn Countryside Volunteers have started the annual task of clearing the area below the Albert Memorial. Last year’s bracken is being raked away to allow the spring flowers to show. So far the wood anemones, primroses and celandine are visible, but many others will emerge through April.

Saltburn task days continue throughout the year every Friday. We usually meet near the centre at 10.00am. If you register as a volunteer, you will be sent an e-mail with the task of the week and the location.

Used Stamps for Charity

Brotton Library Knit and Natter Group

There is a box in Saltburn Library for used postage stamps which are a valuable source of income to a number of charities. Please drop your stamps in the library.

Many thanks for your support. There is also a box in Marske Library.

Eric Matson (volunteer), 25 High Street, Skelton, Tel: 07985 767587

You can see some of the work done by the volunteers by going to our website: www.saltburncountrysidevolunteers.btck.co.uk For more information, contact: paul.murphy@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk For Volunteering opportunities, contact: Karen.preston@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

We are a small group making items for charity whilst sharing skills and friendship. It is free to come to the group. We have a few regular members and would welcome more. Thursday afternoon 2pm till 4pm in Brotton library (attached to Freebrough Academy).

Deborah

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‘It’s that church on the corner’ ‘It’s where I was christened’, ‘Our Chloë goes to playschool there’, ‘I used to go to Sunday School there’, ‘I bought this old candlestick there’, ‘My Mam says that her friend, Doreen, got married there’, ‘It’s where Wilma works but I’m not sure what she does’, ‘It’s where I always buy my soap’...

It’s slap bang in the middle of Saltburn and hasn’t been a working church for 50 years but a surprising number of people don’t know what it is. It was, and is, a surprisingly elegant building that began its life as a Primitive Methodist Church but has been a community centre for as long as it was a place of worship. Its School Hall is now a multi-purpose venue hosting everything from Weight Watchers to Line Dancing, from the Jazz Club to the Blood Transfusion Unit and its Church has been a functioning 150-seat theatre since the 1970s.

It’s a landmark, it’s where you turn left, or right, for the station, it’s next door to the Library, it’s opposite what used to be The Queens...

It’s so obvious, you can’t not know where it is but knowing what goes on there is somehow more secretive and shouldn’t be. It is Saltburn Community & Arts Association (SC&AA) and is meant to be where things happen. On Saturday, 29th April SC&AA are holding an Open Day to try to let people know what does happen underneath the tower.

With any luck it will also be a chance to see the newly upholstered seats in the theatre.

It’s an attempt to introduce the space to the people of Saltburn and East Cleveland by opening its doors to anyone who is interested, or even those who don’t think they are. The idea is not to hold a special event but rather to show the building in action. The Hall will host its usual Saturday Table -Top Sale, and the Coffee Hall will be open but so will the Theatre; from 12.00-4.00pm it will be a rehearsal room with a variety of acts making use of the stage to test out their next performance, try out some new songs, set up some lighting, and see if the piano is in tune. It’s not too late to put your name down on the ‘playlist’ and have the opportunity to ‘walk the boards’ or test out the acoustics.

It’s not meant to be a concert and people can walk in and out of the theatre as they please; the performers will be

too busy checking their sound systems, reaching the high notes or fluffing their lines to worry about an audience.

SCA2gallery will be showing ‘Filtered’ - the second of its exhibitions of B&H adverts from the 1980s, and the organiser will be hanging around if you want to ask questions. The bar will be open in the changing rooms for a change and it is hoped to screen a short presentation of a film highlighting the need for works in the building.

It’s also an opportunity for those who are considering how they can help, to talk to SC&AA Board members who will be available throughout the afternoon and perhaps to consider putting their name forward at the AGM on Monday, 8th May to join the Board. Saltburn is packed with talented individuals whose expertise could help not only to preserve the building as it is but to see it progress and make more things happen.

It’s part of the town’s heritage and will be the starting and finishing point for ‘Drisc’s Quiz Trail’ designed for children and adults. The trail will take approx 2 hours and will explore some of the myths of the region and some of the history of the town. It will not necessarily test your knowledge but rather give you the opportunity to find out more. You can start at any time between 11.00am and 2.00pm. Entrants will be given a list of questions and a set of directions that will take them on a two mile walk through the landscape of Saltburn. The questions will encourage the use of a mobile phone in order to discover the answers and photograph the locations. It is suitable for all ages but children under the age of 10 should be accompanied by an adult. On returning to the theatre your answers will be checked by the Secretary of the Board and the winner will receive a £25 voucher to buy tickets for any of the future SC&AA productions. This is an early attempt to make the history and heritage of the town a living presence...and fun.

It’s going to be a busy day for lots of different people but that is what the centre is.

It’s simply an attempt to make people aware of what is on their doorstep.

It’s a surprising building and it’s surprising what goes on in it.

Trails Leaflets Launched If you’re looking to put on your walking boots as the days lengthen, you may like to get hold of a pack of leaflets featuring trails around the Loftus area. Funding from Awards for All has enabled Loftus ACCORD Walking Group to produce A3 leaflets for four trails that explore aspects of the district’s history and heritage. Handale Abbey, Grinkle Ironstone Mine, the geologist Lewis Hunton and the Saxon Princess finds at Street House form the focus of the walks. The leaflets contain background information and large-scale maps to help you on your way.

Marshall Best, Chair of the group says, “Loftus Civil Parish is rich in history and has a significant industrial heritage, particularly in mining and quarrying. There’s an extensive network of footpaths to help people explore the area and we’ve tried to make 46

effective use of this in producing the leaflets. We’re aiming to help promote the district as somewhere that residents and visitors can appreciate and enjoy more fully. Loftus achieved Walkers are Welcome status in 2015 and I wish to thank Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and Loftus Town Council for their ongoing support.”

The free leaflets are enclosed in handy wallets which are available in shops, council premises and other outlets around East Cleveland.

You can also view the four leaflets at www.walkingloftusandthenorthyorkshirecoast.com this website has information about organised walks in the district as well as details of local activities and catering. During 2017 there’ll be guided walks that feature the trails: please keep your eye on the website and local press for updates.

Megan’s Mind

Hands On Therapy Clinic Remedial Therapy Reflexology Sports Injuries Relaxation Louise Clark ITEC Diploma MBSR, GCP, BCMA Reg Saltburn Leisure Centre, Marske Mill Lane

Tel: 01287 625700 Mob: 07775 610745

I’ve not had a very interesting month at all this month. I have spent most of it feeling very poorly. Really dizzy, weak, tired, headachy, short of breath, heart beating faster than it should be, irritable. At first I thought it was my Ehlers Danlos because part of that can make me dizzy, I drink Lucozade to help, but Lucozade wasn’t helping this time.

Then, I thought I had a bug because I had seen on Facebook that a few people were feeling dizzy. But I was starting to feel worse not better. I thought I was dying! I went to see the doctor and blood tests showed that I needed my thyroid medication making stronger and that I had very, very low iron stores. I was so relieved. I felt a weight lifted when I picked up my tablets and I’m finally starting to feel more myself now.

Because I had been feeling so unwell I hadn’t been going to the gym. I can’t wait to start going back. I had lost quite a lot of the weight I had gained at the end of last year, Christmas weight! But now I think I might have put it all back on! It didn’t take me long to lose it last time though so I am sure it won’t take me long at all this time.

I have very much been enjoying the warmer days and I can’t wait for summer. I used to really hate it when the sun was out and it was hot, but now I absolutely love it. I love it when the mornings start to get light early in the morning and when it starts to get dark at about 10pm. I love Christmas, but apart from that I hate winter. The cold and the dark make me feel a bit miserable and the short days don’t really leave a lot of time to do anything. The cold and the dark is only acceptable before Christmas.

I am hoping to go on holiday this year with my mum.

I’m not sure where we will go but we haven’t been on holiday together for a couple of years so this year we want to go. I think we are going to Brighton. I’ve never been, she has and my auntie has and they both say it’s lovely so I am excited to see for myself. It will be nice to spend some quality time with my mum as well and see a new place. This year is going fast so summer will soon be here. I hope it’s a really hot one! I want to go to the beach a lot this summer. I didn’t get to go a lot last year, if at all actually, and I do like the beach. When I was younger I used to swim in the sea for hours. It’s a shame that I don’t have a dog to take for long walks. But one day I will have about twelve I think. Dogs are my favourite animal. I just love how they’re so cute and happy and love you and you are their best friend no matter what. If only more humans were like dogs, I think the world would be a much better place!

Megan

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Social Care in Redcar and Cleveland: Part One “Western European standards of Social Care can’t be afforded on American levels of taxation,” says Councillor Dave Walsh, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Services at Redcar and Cleveland Council. “There is a time bomb of demographic change and every Government has ducked it since the 1990s.”

In an estimated Redcar and Cleveland population of 135,000, 29,200 or 22% are now aged over sixtyfive. By 2030, this will increase to 36,900 or 27%. Many more people are living into their eighties and nineties, albeit with long-term health problems and require care.

Earlier generations didn’t have the same needs, as many men didn’t survive the First World War and other men and women often succumbed to occupational illnesses and accidents. People didn’t live very long after retirement.

At present in the Borough, about 1000 adults in residential care are partly or fully funded by the Council and nearly 3,800 receive community-based services. In 2017 in Saltburn itself, 74 people receive Care at Home and 139 people live in residential care. Over 1,500 new assessments are carried out annually and 500 safeguarding investigations are undertaken each year regarding concerns in relation to vulnerable adults. Last year, 2,900 unpaid carers received respite or some form of support and advice.

Redcar and Cleveland takes its responsibilities very seriously, but £4.6 billion has been lost nationally from the Social Care budget since 2010.

How did we get to this point? Dave explains: “Social Care grew up in the shadow of the NHS in the late 1940s.

There was no central direction on the form of personal social services or how they were to be financed. So there was a mixture of traditional Local Authority and voluntary organisation provision. Nowadays, people with mild mental illness live at home, but in the old days, thousands lived in institutions such as Winterton Hospital near Sedgefield.”

In the 1960s, the need for a structured service was recognised and the Seebohm Rowntree Report proposed integrated Social Care and Social Services. In the 1980s, mental health was added with the Care in the Community plan and Winterton Hospital closed in 1996.

Most Local Authorities in the 1950s and 1960s ran Homes for OAPs and employed home helps, alongside private provision. Occupational Therapists visited Homes regularly. But in the 1990s, the Government encouraged more integration in service delivery. The Social Care Act of 2014 reinforced this.

“There are now 1.3 million paid Social Care jobs in the UK now and these form 6% of the whole workforce,” continues Dave. “This is a bigger number than those employed in Royal Mail, the rail companies or the car industry. 18,000 individual agencies are now involved, since the Councils had to step back.”

The Social Care Act of 2014 promoted personalization policies: assessments are now more complex and the individual needing care must be part of the decision process. “This is a more expensive procedure,” says Dave, “and we now have a perfect storm. There is also a demand for money to meet the higher national minimum wage, rights at work and staff training, but the Government is not increasing funding to cover this.”

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Because of the crisis in funding, some residential care home providers are considering departure. One large national chain says that the value of selling its land is greater than the value of running its care home business. The number of people who can fund their own residential care is dwindling and so the number of people the Local Authority needs to pay for is increasing. Self-funded residents are objecting to subsidising Council-funded residents through the sale of their houses.

The Government has asked Local Authorities and care homes to economise, but there is no scope for this anymore.

So the Government is allowing Councils to raise Council Tax by a ring-fenced 2% and to increase it to 3% in the short term.

However, this extra increase means less money in the longer term and few Councils are taking the extra 1%.

“A further problem is that this is a low Council Tax yield area. The Local Authorities that need most will get least,” protests Dave. “What is required is for the money to go into a central UK pot and be distributed fairly.”

The difficulties that the Councils are having paying for care is impacting on hospitals, who can’t discharge medically fit patients. “There were 60 people in hospital locally before Christmas waiting for assessments for placements or accommodation. “The Government wants Councils to work more closely with hospitals, but we can’t shape the private market. We are looking for providers, but it’s hard to find a firm to do it, especially in rural areas involving travel,” adds Dave.

How concerned are we, the public? Dave says that Redcar and Cleveland Councillors ran an all-party conference last year, at which they declared their priorities, influenced by their postbags. Issues highlighted were waste collection, highway conditions, street cleaning and planning, but there was very little mention of provision of services for those with learning difficulties, mental illness, youngsters with physical difficulties or Social Care.

Next month, I will report on my interviews with Charles Folkes, Business Owner and Managing Director of Caremark and with Julia Bracknall of the charity Carers Together. Both speak very positively of Redcar and Cleveland Council.

Rosemary Nicholls

Churches Together in Saltburn invite you to join our Easter worship Palm Sunday: 9th April 2017 9.30 am 10.00 am 10.30 am 10.45 am 6.00 pm

Palm Procession Holy Communion Holy Mass (Blessing of Palms) Morning Worship Evening Worship

From Bandstand Parish Church Catholic Church Methodist Church Methodist Church

Holy Monday: 10th April 2017 9.15 am 9.30 am 7.00 pm

Morning Prayer Holy Mass Evening Meeting and Prayer

Catholic Church Catholic Church New Marske Parish Church

Holy Tuesday: 11th April 2017 9.15 am 9.30 am 7.00 pm

Morning Prayer Holy Mass Evening Meeting and Prayer

Catholic Church Catholic Church Parish Church

Holy Wednesday: 12th April 2017 9.15 am 9.30 am 7.00 pm

Morning Prayer Holy Mass Evening Meeting and Prayer

Catholic Church Catholic Church New Marske Parish Church

Maundy Thursday: 13th April 2017 7.00 pm 9.00 pm

Mass of the Lord’s Supper Catholic Church Watching before the Blessed Sacrament Holy Communion Parish Church

Good Friday: 14th April 2017 10.00 am 10.00 am 11.00 am 2.00 pm 3.00 pm

Good Friday Worship Children’s Way of the Cross Town Centre Act of Witness Good Friday Devotion Celebration of the Lord’s Passion

Methodist Church Catholic Church Station Portico Parish Church Catholic Church

Holy Saturday: 15th April 2017 7.00 pm 9.00 pm

Easter Vigil and Holy Mass Easter Vigil

Catholic Church Parish Church

Easter Sunday: 16th April 2017 8.00 am 10.00 am 10.30 am 10.45 am 6.00 pm

Early Morning Service Holy Communion Easter Day Family Mass Communion Service Evening Worship

Methodist Church Parish Church Catholic Church Methodist Church Methodist Church

Church Locations and Contacts Parish Church of Emmanuel

Windsor Road

01287 622007

Parish Church Office

Macnay Street

01287 622251

Methodist Church

Milton Street

01287 651340

Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church

Milton Street

01287 623619

Easter Message 2017 Why? Why? Why? Such a small word, but it packs a powerful punch. It is one of the first words that young children learn to use, particularly when questioning their parents! And as children grow into teenagers and then into adults, and they experience life with all its joys and sorrow, it is a word that pierces the depths of the human heart and mind. Or at least it should. Who among us has not experienced things that cause us to say, ‘Why am I here?’ ‘Why do they suffer?’ ‘Why do we never seem to get it right?’

‘Why do I feel so lonely?’ ‘Why are those horrible people the winners?’

‘Why’ is a key word, and it is one we should use seriously and wisely in all areas of our lives. And it is a word that we find in the title of a book that a number of people in Saltburn are reading this Easter, ‘FIFTY REASONS WHY JESUS CAME TO DIE’, by John Piper. Yes, you read that right; John Piper has found 50 reasons in the Bible why Jesus came to die. To be clear these are not 50 causes, such as ‘because he was nailed to a cross’. No, they are 50 purposes or meanings.

And these purposes and meanings go a long way to answering the kind of ‘Why?’ questions that I mentioned earlier in this piece.

One of the strengths of this book is that it doesn’t present the reader with banal platitudes or superficial generalities. Rather, it gets serious about the specifics of why Jesus came to die. By way of example here are some of the 50 reasons Piper explores: ‘To show Jesus’ own love for us,’ ‘To give us a clear conscience,’ ‘To rescue us from the final judgement,’ ‘To heal us from moral and physical sickness,’ ‘To become for us the place where we meet God,’ ‘To create a people passionate for good works,’ ‘To give eternal life to all who believe on him.’

Easter is a great time for seeking answers to these big questions about Jesus, and to your big ‘Why?’ questions. Please know that the churches in Saltburn are open to you, and contain many people who would love you to ask them your ‘Why?’ questions. They will help you find your answers.

So, this Eastertime may you find meaningful and satisfying answers to your questions.

Every blessing, Rev’d Adam Reed (Vicar of Saltburn) 49

The Cons Club - a new look and a bright future Welcome to the monthly article from the Cons Club.

As I write the sun is shining and there’s a slight breeze making it a lovely day to be out and about in our fantastic town.

Myself and Anne called into Brockley Hall for a coffee and snack and booked for Sunday lunch (a treat for our wedding anniversary). On the way home we called in to check progress on the alterations we are having done at the club. It was a very pleasant and relaxing way to spend the time of day.

As for the visitors to the town, which has just been voted one of the best places to live in the country, the day might not be so relaxing. The question of where to park is once again becoming a major talking point, not only from visitors but from some of the businesses. We are only in the middle of March as I write this article and already there have been many days and most weekends where the two car parks on the bottom have been full, the top promenade has been full, the jewel streets have been full and the cars have been parked from Glenside to Victoria Terrace nose to tail. This is happening in winter! When spring and summer plus the school holidays arrive the situation will be total chaos and without doubt will put people off from visiting the town. We need more car parking facilities, with visitors and some businesses calling out for a Park & Ride scheme. This would not only prove a tremendous asset during the holiday season but it could also be used in conjunction with the Farmers’ Market every month. The present situation is affecting the trade and is totally unfair for visitors who are handicapped and may have to park long distances from the amenities. We all want the town to continue bringing in more visitors every year but parking has reached saturation point and something urgently needs to be done to enable this to continue. Cue the Council, although after passing the application to build beach huts on the bottom promenade I don’t have much faith in any sensible solution.

As mentioned earlier, the alterations being carried out in the club are well underway with the wall between the bar and the lounge now removed with a new bar being installed as I write.

Everything at this time is proceeding as planned with no complications meaning everything is running to time. This meant we were able to reopen as scheduled on Friday, 17th March.

Naturally there will be ongoing work for a number of weeks to enable us to install new furnishing, a fantastic new fire and new lighting. The painting and wallpaper (carrying on the theme that we have in the snug) cannot be started until mid April after which both rooms, the hallway and the area to the toilets will be re-laid with new wooden flooring. New curtains will finish off the work.

When fully finished the club will look absolutely fantastic and the place our members will be proud of. Without their support, along with the many new members who have joined us, this modernisation would not have been possible and the Officers and Committee of the club offer everyone a very big thanks for their loyalty. Our Chairman, Joe Cockfield, has put in many hours of work organising and overseeing the work and he has received the backing of Dave Harris who has supported and assisted Joe throughout the whole process. Their contribution has been immense and cannot be overstated. Another change being discussed at the next committee meeting is the possibility of

turning the snooker room into a function room. There will be more on this in future articles.

Looking ahead to events throughout April we start with the monthly SLUG (Saltburn Line Users Group) meeting on Tuesday 4th. If you take an interest or have points to raise (excuse the pun) regarding your local rail line services you are welcome to the meeting (check club for start times). We follow this on Good Friday, 14th April, when our wonderful stewardess, Michelle, has organised another of her regular outings, this time to Ripon, where the many members who are going will test the hostelries, eating houses and shops before returning to the club for a small buffet and a party music night hosted by Shaun Cook. This will be a fantastic full day of fun and entertainment. Coach departure times will be posted on the notice board nearer the time or you can keep up to date with all events and happenings at the club on our Facebook page Saltburn Conservative & Unionist Club.

On Wednesday, 26th April we have arranged a Quiz, Bingo and Pie & Pea Supper night. The evening starts at 8pm and tickets are priced at £3.50 and are available from behind the bar. Tickets always sell out as it’s such a full night so do not leave it too late to buy yours. Teams are from 4-6 people and everybody is welcome. As you may be aware, the March ‘Open Mic Night’ had to be cancelled owing to the alterations taking place in the club. Information will be advertised regarding when ‘Open Mic Nights will recommence or, alternately, you can go to the club’s Facebook page for updates.

Another important date in the month is Monday, 10th April when the club is holding its Annual General Meeting which starts at 7-30pm. The nomination sheet for Officers and Committee was placed on the notice board on Monday, 20th March and will remain up for 10 days in accordance with the club’s constitution. Members are asked to make every effort to attend the AGM. Membership is still increasing every month with another 8 applications coming up in the March committee meeting. You can become a member by getting an application form from the bar and paying your fee. The cost to join in April will be £9 and is renewable every January at a cost of £12 for the year. Once a member you receive 15% off the price of all alcoholic drinks, you are eligible for ‘Happy Hours’ when a pint costs £2.10 plus all the benefits that the club has to offer, including free room hire for celebrations, wakes, meetings, birthdays etc. Also barbecue season will be starting again in May (every 2 weeks until the middle of September).

We have a number of big events coming up this year including big birthdays, Gay Pride weekend, Saltburn Folk Festival and our first ever wedding reception. We have the perfect set-up to accommodate any function.

It’s the best club in town with the best beer garden and soon the best facilities. Come and join us; you won’t regret it.

Best wishes, take care, David.

David Rigg, Club President Email: davidrigg21@yahoo.co.uk Article financially supported by Saltburn Conservative Club

Saltburn Cons Club: Future Events to entertain in April Every Tuesday: Club Draw Nights for Meat Voucher, Wines & Chocolates… 10pm Every Sunday: Beer Draw & Cash Rollover. Increases by £25 each week if not won (currently £525)… 6pm.

Saturday Afternoons: A get-together by ‘The Conmen’ Americano Musicians ‘ Jam sessions... 3pm Tuesday 4th: SLUG (Saltburn Line Users Group) Meeting. Ring club for start times.

Monday 10th: Club Annual General Meeting… 7-30pm Friday 14th (Good Friday): Club outing to Ripon, Buffet on return followed by a Party Music Night hosted by Shaun Cook.

Wednesday 26th: Quiz, Bingo and Pie & Pea Supper. Tickets £3-50 … Commences 8pm Friday 28th: (prov) ‘Open Mic Night’ hosted by Teesside Steve & Liz Bishop… 8pm. Please check notice board or club’s Facebook page for confirmation of this event.

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Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council At the recent Parish Council meeting representatives from Northern Powergrid attended to discuss the ongoing emergency cabling replacement works taking place in Saltburn. Due to repeated faults, as well as the work on Marske Road, a major cabling replacement scheme will take place on the path through Hazel Grove allotments and the path (bridleway) beyond to Windy Hill Lane/ Howard Drive, in Marske. It is anticipated that this will cause major disruption for all users of the path for a period of time. Northern Powergrid have advised that the work will commence on 23rd March and vehicle access to the allotments will be restricted between the hours of 9.30am and 3.30pm for a period of approximately 8 days.

However, this may take longer depending on the weather and emergency works elsewhere. The section from Howard Drive to the Riding Stables will be closed for a period early April to allow the works to continue beyond the allotment site. If you have any queries regarding this work, please ring Northern Power Grid’s customer care centre on 0800 011 3332. Northern Powergrid have provided further information on why the works are needed and how they will be carried out, which can be found on our website.

On Sunday, 2nd April the East Cleveland Klondike Grand Prix, an elite bike race and a qualifier for the Tour de Yorkshire, will come through Saltburn four times.

Further details of the route can be found on our website the Parish Council office will be open on the day to serve light refreshments and there will be a safe area inside the school perimeter for the public, whilst waiting for the riders to pass by.

There’s still time to sign up to take part in the Guinness World Record breaking attempt at the largest amount of couples waltzing, a record currently held by Bosnia with 1510 couples waltzing. If you want to take part please visit www.eventbrite.co.uk and search for “world’s largest waltz” events in Saltburn-by-the-Sea. For further information please call Age UK on 01642 805500 (or email enquiries@ageukteesside.org.uk).

Please note that the full Council meeting scheduled for 11th April 2017 has been cancelled, therefore, the next meeting will be held on 9th May 2017.

Tracy Meadows (Clerk and RFO to the Parish Council) 01287 623477 office@smnmpc.co.uk www.smnmpc.co.uk 51

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The Saltburn Profile by Rosemary Nicholls Graham Cottam “I like to get involved in the community, so that I can give something back,” says Graham Cottam, who has recently become the Secretary of the Hazelgrove Residential Park Association. Although he has worked away, he has maintained a connection with Saltburn from his youth to retirement and is delighted to be back.

Graham was born in Umtali, Rhodesia. His father was a civil engineer working for the Foreign and Colonial Organisation. His younger brother, who is now a teacher on Guernsey, was also born in Rhodesia, but the family returned to the UK when Graham was seven. They settled in Stockport and the boys went to school locally. At eighteen, Graham went to Durham University to study Science and followed his degree with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education there.

During this time, he discovered Saltburn through a holiday job with the Youth Hostels Association. He spent two nights a week in the Saltburn, Whitby and Westerdale Youth Hostels, so the regular staff could have a break. He had done a lot of Youth Hostelling as a teenager in the Lakes and North Wales, so this was the ideal holiday job for him.

On qualification, his first teaching job was at a prep school in Helmsley, teaching Science and some Maths. He then spent four years in Warwickshire, before returning to Saltburn to teach at Glenhow School from 1987-1992. He was a Housemaster there until the school closed, whereupon he moved to Scotland and then to London, where he taught at two schools for twenty-two years.

In 2001, Graham had the opportunity to take a caravan at Redcar beach for school holidays. “My Dad used to say I lived in Redcar, but worked in London!” he remembers. It has long been his plan to come back to the area for retirement and he moved to Hazelgrove just before Christmas.

“I feel I already know the community,” he says. “I attend Milton Street Methodist Church and I was recognised as a local preacher on the circuit in 1988.”

Graham joined Rotary in London about ten years ago and was Secretary and then President of his Branch. When he was staying in his caravan, he visited Saltburn Rotary regularly and was made a member. He is shortly to take over as Secretary too. “It is a wonderful service organisation,” he adds. “I’ve just been able to help in the organisation of an afternoon tea at the Cricket Club to raise funds for the eradication of polio. It’s great to be able to support those less fortunate locally, nationally and internationally in practical ways.”

He has enjoyed his involvement with the ’53 Drama Group over the years, onstage and backstage. He filled in as a Dame in the 1992 panto at short notice and has also helped with set building and lighting. In London, he served as props manager for school plays and did a bit of directing. He looks forward to getting involved again in Saltburn.

Graham is a keen birdwatcher and is interested in volunteering with local wildlife groups and at Saltholme Nature Reserve. He is a member of the RSPB and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. He recently acquired a car, but has a long history of biking to nature reserves.

He plays the saxophone and clarinet and has taken part in jazz and classical concerts. Having begun learning the clarinet at school, he taught himself the saxophone when he

started teaching. “I can also knock out a tune on a piano,” he adds. He enjoys listening to music on Radio 3 and counts Verdi, Puccini and Wagner among his favourites.

“I have sung with choirs over the years and have now joined the Methodist Church Choir,” he says. “I also look forward to seeing what musical activities Saltburn U3A has to offer.”

Reading is another interest of Graham’s. He loves the novels of Alexander McCall Smith, who sets his stories in Botswana and Edinburgh. He says that Smith portrays the two societies perfectly. Bill Bryson is a favourite writer and Graham has just finished his recent book ‘The Road to Little Dribbling’, which he found very amusing.

He has always lived in school accommodation without the opportunity to garden, but he looks forward to cultivating the area round his Park Home. It will definitely be wildlife friendly. He loves cooking, being particularly interested in Scottish cuisine. At the time of writing, he had just bought some venison cutlets from Saltburn Farmers’ Market! He enjoys eating out and is gradually trying all the eateries in Saltburn.

Graham might get himself a dog from SARA, perhaps a gun dog. A dog would get plenty of exercise as Graham likes to walk. From his new home, he can walk straight down the path on to the beach or up the cliffs to Marske. Since he’s had the car, he says he can access many more, such as those on the Moors. He is happy to stay local now, as he did a lot of travelling on home and abroad school trips when he was a teacher.

“In fact, when I look at the view across the Valley, towards Cat Nab and Huntcliff, I tell myself what a lucky blighter I am – I actually live here!”

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1st Saltburn Scout Group 2017 is well under way, British Summer Time has started and we are soon to enjoy Easter break! The better weather helps and the lighter nights means all Sections will be taking the opportunity to be out.

Our Beaver Colony is remaining static with a roll of 22 Beavers; we have had to use a limit owing to Leader numbers; Tom and Felix moving up at Easter and the Colony will be joined by Darcie, Talay and Theo. The Beavers have a District trip to Beamish planned in June and are as usual busy preparing ‘crafty’ things, Mother’s Day Cards, etc. Many thanks to those parents who have assisted in the past few months: they, like Lindsey and Jo, are now eager to get outside as well.

The Cub Pack should be back up to 22 Cubs after the Easter break, Alexander (previously a Beaver elsewhere), Felix and Tom having moved up from Beavers. Only one Cub is due to move on to Scouts this time (we have had a couple drop out!) and then possibly three to move up after the Whitsun break. We took two teams to the District Quiz, coming third and fifth from 12 teams, but all enjoyed themselves and the opportunity to meet other Cubs in the District. As is often the case some discovered people they played football or rugby with were Cubs elsewhere; surprises all round! Cubs will also be undertaking the District Human Monopoly in June which is planned to be held in Saltburn, so I hope they know their town! Many thanks are due to Sam (Explorer Young Leader) who is fast concluding his DoE Gold Community Service, Peter (a 1st Saltburn Scout who is undertaking his DoE Bronze Service with Cubs) and Gary (Section Assistant); also to those parents who have assisted with Pack meetings.

Our Scout Troop continues with a total membership

Saltburn Line User Group Next Meeting: Tuesday, 4th April 2017 at 7.10pm. The speaker at April's meeting will be Tony Lynn, the title of whose talk will be "Memories of Saltburn Station, Part 1" Meetings at Saltburn Conservative Club are normally held on the first Tuesday of the month starting at the new time 19.10pm.

As always, all welcome.

Talk to Saltburn Line User Group.

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Find us at www.facebook.com/ saltburnlineusergroup Email the secretary on: slugsecretary@virginmedia.com 54

now of 23. Two teams of 1st Saltburn Scouts attended to the Scouts District Quiz and were third and eighth out of 10 teams; well done! By the time this is being read our Troop (with Scouts from 1st Brotton) will have completed their long awaited night hike. This includes a sleepover at the building and is one of the parts of their Adventure Challenge. The Scouts are also preparing for the District Orienteer in early June. Thanks to Jonathan (Section Assistant), also Gordon and Keith for their unstinting support, ensuring we run every week. Now we can get out more, their assistance will be invaluable.

Our Group continues to fundraise in a variety of ways; Karen, our ‘fundraising guru’, has continued to attract funding and is always looking for new sources and ways to achieve our developments. An especial thank you at this point to Matthew Dobson who through his employers Howden Doors (Whitby) gained us a £250 donation.

Inside the building with the warmer weather approaching we can undertake varnishing the walls of the main hall and then paint the ceiling. We have parents who have volunteered to assist with this task; at the same time over the Easter break the entrance hall will be sanded and varnished to match the main hall. So we will look even smarter! Tony Smith has replaced the dilapidated wooden fencing with more robust and appropriate materials (metal fencing); at the same time we continue with our determined efforts to improve the building.

Some of our parents continue to assist us with Section activities; but as I have said repeatedly previously we need help! If you can offer assistance or are interested in joining us, please enquire.

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Interesting Times by Alan Butler I’ve just walked in from the back garden, where a host of daffodils were waving gently in the breeze, amidst purple crocus and grape hyacinths. Despite a slightly chilly wind, with blackthorn blossom beginning to bedeck the hedgerows and cherry trees bursting into flower it is obvious that once again the yearly round has turned and spring is truly with us after the dark days of winter. I must confess that having heard the news on the radio as I awoke this morning I was a little surprised to observe that the natural world seems to be utterly oblivious to all that is presently taking place. One would have thought that amidst the doubt, uncertainty, war and famine nature would have shied away from putting on her annual display of hope and promise and decided instead to abstain from the natural exuberance of spring.

The saying ‘may you live in interesting times’, which sounds like a jolly wish is actually Chinese in origin and was intended to be a curse. I think I am beginning to understand why.

As we drive up and down the coast road we pass through villages where a plethora of my ancestors are sleeping away the years in leafy churchyards. One of my great, great grandfathers was a jet miner, another was a revenue officer in the days of the smugglers and still more were employed on the land, doubtless rising from their work at this time of year and noticing, as I have done today the joy of warmer days and bright flowers.

Our very surnames attest to the stability and continuity that was once an integral part of just about everyone’s life. The Carpenters, Smiths and Butchers lived amongst those whose ancestors had never moved from a single spot on the landscape. In my own ancestry there were Lofthouses, Elwoods and Skeltons, families that took their names from the place where they had probably been living throughout all the vicissitudes of British history. It isn’t so long ago that an ancient skeleton, fifteen to twenty thousand years of age was found in the Cheddar Gorge. It was in remarkable condition and it proved to be possible to retrieve DNA samples from the teeth. A check on locals living nearby turned up a man who could be shown to be a direct descendant of the cave dweller and he was living in a village not half a dozen miles from where the bones had been laid to rest. If the skeleton was indeed fifteen thousand years old that’s around six hundred generations!

Such discoveries are extremely rare but one has to assume that similar situations probably exist all over our little islands.

Archaeologists tell us that there have been massive changes in population throughout the British Isles during the last few thousand years, with countless displacements and an untold number of wars and skirmishes but it remains a fact that we must all carry genetic material that has been present here since humanity first wandered in again after the last ice age. This means that in some measure it was ‘us’ who laid out the massive ring ditches of Thornborough and who helped to drag the stones of the Devil’s Arrows into place. ‘We’ dug the barrows and mounds that are

dotted all over the moors above Saltburn and laid to rest there our own ancestors. In addition to this original pool of genetic material has been that from all the newcomers who have constantly added to the ingenuity and originality of the British people and which still does so.

Such thoughts are frequently in my mind and never more so than when I am being informed in the newspapers, on the radio and via the television news that the world and Britain in particular is going to hell in a handcart. I think my fascination for history; my sense of the past and of the way the ebb and flow of the seasons stands aside from everything else makes it hard for me to take the daily news quite as seriously as I might otherwise do.

I can’t help thinking about Henry Pease taking that walk on the cliffs beyond Redcar and seeing in his mind’s eye the potential that would become Saltburn but also of the other thoughts that must have been going through his head at that time. He was a Quaker and a humanitarian so he may have been thinking about the desperately unfair Corn Laws, about the impoverished state of the working classes, about slavery or maybe the Irish question.

Nevertheless the fact that you are presently living in Saltburn and reading this magazine bears testimony to the fact that Henry wasn’t browbeaten by all that was taking place in his time and that he ‘got on with it’ and created something which is now being hailed as one of the best places in Britain to live.

I almost want to apologise for pointing out the fact but it’s a truism to say that for almost everyone living in Britain at the moment life has never been so good. My jet mining ancestor died in his thirties, doubtless of some cause that would have been little more than an inconvenience in today’s world. His grandfather, who was a fisherman in Redcar lived an even shorter life and my maternal grandfather was so damaged by the First World War that he never recovered. Even my own father, only one generation back from me in time very nearly died from rickets when he was five because of his impoverished diet and lack of sunshine amongst the slums of London.

They say that today’s news will serve only to wrap the fish and chips by tomorrow – a truism indeed. Of course it is vital that we keep pushing forward, that we take note of injustice, inequality and unfairness and do what we can to put matters right. If it was not for social reformers we would still be working twelve hours a day in mines and mills and we could never have achieved anything like the standard of living we presently enjoy.

Nevertheless I also remain quite certain that we ‘are’ moving forward and that we do indeed live in interesting times – which is one in the eye for the Chinese sages of old, who obviously preferred stagnation. And wherever we are going we can be sure the daffodils will bloom next spring and that the blackthorn bushes will be certain to burst into blossom again – and they never watch the television news at all.

55

Saltburn Allotments Association I think the first thing to talk about this month is Northern Powergrid. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend the presentation arranged by Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council but I have received a letter. Work was due to start on 23rd March for eight days but, if bad weather delays this, work will be continuing to take place while you read this article. Northern Powergrid’s contractors, O’Connor’s will have been working from the Marske end of Hazel Grove allotment site back towards the caravan park and this will disrupt car access to our plots between 9.30am and 3.30pm. There are to be signs up explaining the work and a number to ring with queries, which is 0800 011 3332. This may be old news when you read it but, if not, I hope it’s useful.

Anyway, on with gardening. I’m going to plant up a new asparagus bed this month. I will dig over the soil well and get rid of as much perennial weed root as I possibly can. I’ll dig a trench at least a spade’s length deep and then build up a little ridge along the middle of the trench so that the crowns can sit on the ridge with the roots trailing down either side into the trench. I’ll then cover the trenches over so that the crowns are buried about four inches deep. It’s a bit time consuming, although I guess not much more so than planting potatoes, but I really want my own asparagus again and in two or three years time I will start to harvest (I hope).

Talking of planting seed potatoes, I have just read an interesting piece in the Kitchen Garden Magazine about making this job easier, if you have a garden lawn or access to grass clippings. You decide where you are going to grow your potatoes and rake the soil level, picking out weeds as you go along. Chit the potatoes as normal and then lie them on the ground at the normal spacing. Cover the potatoes with six to eight inches of straw, sprinkle the straw with a general fertiliser (e.g. chicken manure, Growmore etc.) and water well to make the straw really damp down to ground level. Then pile two inches or so of grass clippings over the top of the straw which stops the straw blowing away. Don’t use grass clippings that have been treated with weed killer.

As the potatoes grow and show through the straw and grass, continue to “earth up” with more grass clippings.

In dry weather, as normal, make sure you water. If anyone gives this a go, I’d be really interested in the results. The potatoes should be nice and clean.

Other things you can do in April are to clean up, weed and feed any strawberry beds you have, plant onion sets and sow lots of seeds including salad leaves, broad beans, peas, carrots, parsnips, brassicas, leeks, beetroot and last sowings of tomatoes and peppers under cover. I’m nearly at the end of harvesting purple sprouting broccoli and looking forward to my first rhubarb harvest ready for stewed rhubarb and yoghourt for breakfasts.

Happy Easter to everyone and, as always, happy gardening, Sue. 56

Saltburn Labour Party News Jumping over the Elephant I often find that being quite outspoken is a necessary quality in a borough councillor these days. Not always of course; one doesn’t want to make officials’ lives uncomfortable for no reason. But it has been my experience recently that, after banging on about an issue for a while with limited knowledge, a helpful person with more knowledge than me sometimes comes and explains to me the specific reasons why I should be banging on about it.

Last month I wrote about the new reorganisation plan for the NHS, known as the Sustainability and Transformation Plan, the advent of which we will all have to endure. The reasons I gave for believing that the plan will lead to a reduction in NHS services, and also cause chaos in the system, possibly leading to final privatisation of the NHS, were quite broad I admit. But since then a very effective public health official has provided me with more detailed reasons why the plan won’t work.

It is well known that social inequality causes a lot of health problems, and that producing more leaflets with wellmeaning advice about our ‘lifestyles’ has a limited effect on our health. For example, there are an estimated 20,000 people in Teesside with undiagnosed high blood pressure. If the majority go on to have heart attacks or strokes the resources needed to treat them will be enormous. One day in James Cook Hospital for the average patient costs the NHS £600.

However, there are a lot of health officials, civil servants and politicians who prefer not to recognise these truths, and this preference shapes the STP. The plan mentions the social causes of health at the beginning, but they don’t make it into the pages about delivering the plan. It gives the impression of sidling up to the elephant in the room but then jumping over it and landing on an ever increasing pile of leaflets.

Meanwhile there have been good projects addressing some of the social issues in health. One was known as the Cohort 30 Initiative, which came from the discovery that a large number of calls to the Emergency Services in a particular area were being made by only 30 people. In brief, these 30 people had a variety of issues that weren’t medical emergencies, including loneliness, and didn’t need blue light services rushing to their homes.

In response a key worker was put into the emergency response control room, and whenever one of these 30 people phoned for help (I am simplifying a lot for the sake of brevity), the key worker was able to gain their trust and help them.

It isn’t hard to imagine the savings that could be made if this project became standard practice. So the great irony is that addressing the social causes of health, even at a local level, turns out to be potentially a great deal cheaper.

The opposite implication also becomes clear. It is that those professionals and politicians who do not wish to think about health as a social issue, who regard all that as a bit too left wing, will cost the Health Service an increasingly unfeasible amount of money, until finally the money runs out because of exploding demand, and because the extra money government gives will be swallowed up by the deficits of NHS trusts, rather than spent on treating the sick.

So there it is; that is why the STP in its current form is doomed. It is a bleak prospect, but I’m not feeling too bleak this particular week as I managed to persuade Council officers to help put an extension on a primary school in one of our poorest wards, so that the head has enough rooms for his nursery children. Ah schools; now there’s an issue for future articles.

Councillor Craig Hannaway

The Muses of Jim I got a surprise in the post this morning. My Council Tax demand arrived. To my amazement it didn’t actually thud to the floor but was hanging from the letter flap waiting to be plucked from the said flap. Thus recovered I explored its contents. I noticed at once a glaring omission. Where was my discount for a being a sole occupier? It had been removed. Shock horror. A quick phone call to the Borough Council. I quickly explained my problem and I was told, did not a Victoria Wingham reside at the said address? I answered no and explained that my daughter had returned home for a short period but had now found alternate accommodation in Redcar.

Strangely enough there was no mention of my Granddaughter Megan being with her as had been the case then. The officer was not aware of whom had reported my daughter’s move back to the family home and of course no information was forthcoming on her new address. Clearly the work of a upright citizen. You can’t credit how low some people can be. I did say that I had thought that periods of temporary residences were permitted. I gave the officer the relevant dates and she said she would make the necessary adjustments for both years. Therefore, I thanked her for her kindness.

I often get this kind of public support from well wishes; in fact at times it get that bad I have to resort to having to leave my answer phone on at all times. Only this week I was watching old films on my Amazon Fire

in the club on Wednesday night and I had forgotten my earphones. As there were very few in the club at the time I asked the nearest member who was watching football on the large wall TV if he had any objection. So I started to watch an old film. After a period of time it was pointed out to me by a fellow member that I was breaking a club rule by playing loud music. I had already asked at the last Board meeting for clarification of the new rule and it was explained to be centred on members who play music on their personal players loudly, therefore I felt comfortable to continue watching the film as the background music was very low. On the following night I was armed this time with two sets of cheap earphones. Remember I am a very poor pensioner all alone at home. I was reminded of my ungentlemanly conduct of the previous night. Much later in the evening we were all disturbed by the loud conduct of guess who? Such is life I suppose.

Many years ago I was reported to the now defunct Standard Board of England as a then Parish Councillor by someone who stated that I have an opinion on everything, attends any meeting I am invited to, did not have planning permission (not needed, as I sought advice from planning department), broke conservation area rules (did not, sought advice from planning department), arrived early for meetings, arrived late for meetings... the list goes on. More importantly I apparently slammed doors during fits of temper, so when I made comment about this person after a meeting late last year, I was then accused of been sexist.

Clearly, I just can’t stand the person. Being labelled is all so easy these days and I was worried so I carried a straw poll in all the organisations I am involved with and all I got was laughter from the highest in the land and from my drinking pals in the club.

To be serious for a moment. I have lost three friends to the grim reaper. Maud Snowdon, who lived next door when the Winghams moved in to Leven Street in 1970. She then moved across the road to the evennumbered side of the street. She often said how much she enjoyed seeing my four daughters grow up over the years.

A double shock was the news of the deaths of two long standing members of Lune Street Club, Les Jackson and my great friend Ronnie Brown. All three will be missed.

Finally, I must confess that I have been conned by Spud. No, not conned exactly but rather trained or even conditioned. Let me explain. Each evening at around 7.45pm, Spud signals that he wishes to leave the building, rather like Elvis and within 30 minutes or so he is back at the building, unlike Elvis. I then suddenly sussed out what he was doing. Which was that he would leave the building and then wait for next door’s cat to come out on which my kind neighbour would let Spud back in with a handful of expensive cat biscuits. So I have now stopped him going so early and he is still sulking.

I have just remembered I forgot to inform the very nice council lady that I have a cat and two goldfish living with me. I wonder if that will affect my Council Tax. Jim Wingham 57

The Saltburn Crossword no 190 set by Dinosaur Across 1 8 9 10 11 14 16

Approach route adorns brutal confusion (8, 4) One with impunity within (4) Capital in Land of Nod no less backwards (6) Amen’s intended resources (5) Inform William? (4) Of fresh air, hopefully for disturbed bather (6) Durham? Insert zero between rubbish price and remove extremities (9) 17 Describes someone with untutored talent without being artificial (7) 19 and 20 Across Local road is a small forest, a tier and a place of performance (7, 6) 21 Laud a mixed up conservative for excessively flattering (9) 23 To make a mistake and a short journey usually with a message (6) 24 Emmanuel Church’s hall ...Emmanuel Church’s hall ... (4) 28 Having knowledge of one’s situation in draw areas (5) 29 See 19 Across 30 Trap back for ending company (4) 31 Approach route mixture sank burnt lab (8, 4)

Name___________________________________ Address_________________________________ ________________________________________ Telephone_______________________________

Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 12 13 15 18 20 22 25 26 27

Solution to Crossword no 189

The winner of last month’s crossword was Malcolm McGregor of The Chine, Saltburn.

D. V. Townend & Co 8 Dundas Street East, Saltburn TS12 1AH

Country Outfitters Tel: (01287) 623754 Website: www.dvtownend.com Email: info@dvtownend.com Specialising in practical but stylish leisure and outdoor wear, we also stock a wide range of accessories, gifts and leather items from the most famous brands including Aigle, Magee, Seasalt and Tumble & Hide.

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Approach route star bull Anne broke apart (8, 4) Small British bird returns often Nile containing answer (6) Approach route, but not to Saltburn, nor to bat rod either (7, 4) Goddess of retribution or unbeatable rival (7) Country zero to British Isle (4) What settles broken stud (4) Murder with skills when not on board (4) Mistake contained by terrorist (5) Local reservoir has canal enclosure, small forest and a stream (8, 4) Describes being powered or moved by an engine, which is Rover to mind work out (5-6) What is not false is in part ruthless (5) A familiar moral saying sounds in favour of doing word (7) Fictitious country that Ian ran editing (6) Crustacean initially caught red and beautiful (4) Edible grains found in John O’Groats (4) Not short but unbelievable when a tale (4) Send your completed crossword to: Saltburn Crossword no 190, c/o Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, TS12 1AQ

by Friday, 14th April 2017. First correct solution out of the bag wins a £10 voucher kindly donated by Tim and Sheila of Real Meals.

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