Talk of the Town December 2016

EDITION 186

CIRCULATION 4,800

DECEMBER 2016

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

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SALTBURN’S TOWN TALK Letter from the Editor Merry Christmas Everyone! There was so much to include this month that it’s a massive 68 pages. Please note the very early deadline for January’s magazine. Love, Ian.

Send letters, adverts and contributions for the next issue (by Friday, 9th December 2016) 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.

Earthbeat’s The Snow Queen: Tickets are now available for Earthbeat’s production of “The Snow Queen” on the 9th, 14th, 15th and 16th December at 7pm. With more original songs than ever before and dazzling costumes, this Guisborough Christmas Festival: Tuesday, 6th December promises to be the most spectacular Earthbeat show yet. from 5pm in Guisborough Methodist Church hall; Come and join us for an epic tale of love and loss, and lots Refreshments including mince pies will be served and there will be book and craft stalls, home-made cakes, charity stalls, of snow! Please call us on 07968 623118 if you have any bric-a-brac and a bran tub. All are welcome. queries (or email earthbeat@hotmail.com).

Skinningrove Knit ‘n’ Natter Christmas Fair: You’re most Carols event: An evening of carols and songs will be put on welcome at a Christmas Fair in Skinningrove Village Hall on by visiting musicians and singers at Our Lady of Lourdes Saturday, 10th and Sunday, 11th December. Organised by the church, near the caravan park, on Friday, 2nd December, village’s Knit ‘n’ Natter group, the fair will be open from 1.00 7.30pm. Tickets at £5 will include mulled wine, mince pies, to 4.00pm on both days. Santa will be here on both days (cost cheese and biscuits. Tickets bookable on 01287-623619 or at £1); there’ll also be Bingo, Tombola, bric-a-brac, fancy goods, the door.

Christmas gifts and a raffle. Drinks and snacks will be Craft Club Busy Fingers: 2nd and 4th Thursday of each available; a table top sale with a cake stall will also feature. month, 1.30 till 3.30pm in the Coffee Room, Saltburn Skinningrove Village Hall is located at the end of Chapel Street Community Centre. and behind the Post Office.

Redcar Lecture Society: On Tuesday, 13th December at Skelton Christmas Carol Concert: Sunday, 11th December 2.15pm in the Redcar East Community Centre on Durham from 2-3 pm. Friends of Skelton Old Church invite you to a Road, we shall be holding our last meeting for 2016. On this concert of Christmas music and Carols. The venue is the occasion, Chris Nettleton will be giving a Visual Presentation beautiful Old Historic Church in Skelton and the music will be on ‘Nigel Gresley, the Engineer’ - a Special for Railway provided by North Skelton Band. Entrance Free. Please bring a Buffs! We shall then take a four week break before returning torch, a cushion (optional) some mince pies and your singing on 10th January 2017, when Lynn Lamport will be presenting voice. Entrance is on Church Lane - on the right of the the second part of ‘Old Stockton.’ Admission is unchanged Guisborough Road just as you leave Skelton. for visitors at £2.50 and all will be very welcome.

Saltburn Studios’ Gallery is open each weekend from 12 till Saltburn Farmers’ Market: Saltburn’s popular Farmers’ 4pm until, and including Sunday, 18th December. Get your last Market rounds off a busy year with a Festive Christmas minute Christmas presents before we close for a general Market on Saturday, 10th December. More than 40 stalls cleaning of the gallery. We will open in March with an packed with good local food, right in the heart of town. exhibition by our new artist, Sue Chipchase.

See our story on page 38, and see WI Report: The ladies of Saltburn WI had a very busy meeting www.saltburnfarmersmarket.com for more info. on November 10th. At the start of the meeting there were Emmanuel Church Hall Table Top and Collectors’ Sale: reports on the craft session when we had made Christmas gift The next sales are on Saturdays, December 3rd and 17th. I boxes and the Christmas craft day when we made chocolate wish everyone a very happy Christmas and New year. We decorations. We were also given advance notice of the many start back on the 7th and 21st of January. We have a lot of activities happening in December. Once the business part of the new stall holders and anyone who would like to join us or just meeting was over, we had an enjoyable and informative to have a clear out can contact Denise on the number below. demonstration by our speaker Sue Balderton who showed us We are also taking orders for Christmas and new year fruit different potions we could make from simple everyday kitchen cakes, mince pies etc. We are also doing our usual lunches ingredients. Who knew that porridge oats and yoghurt made an and all day breakfast, fresh home baked cake, pies and effective face mask or that sore throats could be soothed with a scones. Home made refreshments and light lunches are on mixture of honey and onion. Just two examples of the many sale all day. FREE ENTRANCE and a warm welcome to things she demonstrated. Please support our cake stall at the everyone. With over 26 stall holders, selling lots of bric-a- Christmas gift fair in the community centre on Saturday, brac, books, toys, baby goods, and all sorts of collectables, December 10th. If you like to join us you can be sure of a warm there is something for everyone. We have now got a lot of and friendly greeting at our meetings, held in the Methodist new stall holders selling lots of different and interesting Church Hall in Milton Street, on the second Thursday of each things. If anyone would like to book a table please contact month. Full details of all our activities can be found on our Denise Marshall on 07929 589538. website (www.saltburnwi.org.uk).

Diane Falla Cover Illustration: Saltburn Christmas card available at Jackie’s Saverstore 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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Saltburn Improvement Company and Guisborough In March 1872, an advert in local papers announced a forthcoming sale of a freehold Villa and Land in the town of Guisborough. It consisted of Mansion House, outbuildings, two gardens one at the front extending to Westgate and at the rear a kitchen garden and grassland extending to Back Lane (now Bolckow Street) containing about two acres.

Guisborough was described as one of the most important and improving places in Cleveland. The property had been occupied by the late Thomas Colling, Esq. JP. The sale was held in the Buck Hotel, Guisborough by Auctioneer Henry Watson, bidding began at ÂŁ1,000 and after much brisk bidding was sold to Mr Reid representing the Saltburn Improvement Company with the intention of disposing of the house and grounds separately and at once to lay out land for building purpose. A street would be opened up to Westgate bringing the property directly into the centre of the town making it suitable for the building of a smaller class of houses which were greatly needed in Guisborough.

As a result, it appears that the Saltburn Improvement Company were involved in building two short terraces, one in Gill Street and the other in Hedley Street. Both the names of Gill and Hedley appeared on the purchase deeds.

The Mansion now known as Sunnyfield House eventually became the home of Dr Stainthorpe who extended the building using it as a private nursing home with maternity facilities, and he also carried out minor surgery work.

Other occupants were Habro Supplies of Middlesbrough, Montague Burton Ltd as a residence for management trainees, Guisborough Urban District Council and Langbaurgh Planning Department.

It is now owned by the Guisborough Town Council and is used for many community purposes, the outbuilding at the rear is now the Guisborough Museum which exhibits wonderful displays illustrating the rich history of Guisborough once known as the Capital of Cleveland. The terrace which runs across the two streets is named Reid Terrace, presumably after the successful purchaser of the property.

Tailpiece from an old newspaper Queer Bathing Costume A correspondent draws attention to the costumes hired to lady bathers at Saltburn in Yorkshire. They are, he says, of the most unique style, being straight and loose from neck to knees, having neither belt nor band to confine them to the figure. In fact the only appropriate simile is a shirt with the sleeves cut off.

What with this and mixed bathing besides I think that is high time the Town Council or Corporation designed a more decent dress, if only for the sake of spectators.

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Sunnyfield House from Westgate

Above: Gill Street and Below: Hedley Street

Cath and Tony Lynn

Same chef and owner for over 6 years

Wunderbar!

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.

At the end of October a group of 23 members from the Redcar and Cleveland Twinning Association travelled to Troisdorf in Germany for a wonderful stay there with host families.

Enjoying beautiful Autumn weather and scenery, we visited Bonn and Cologne as well as each of the 12 Districts of our twin town Troisdorf; we also went to Rhöndorf and Oberdollendorf on the Rhine.

For seven of our new members it was their first time in Troisdorf where they were delighted to experience typical German hospitality.

We had an excellent programme of visits and events that included a Civic Reception on our arrival at the Troisdorf Rathaus (Town Hall) and an official dinner hosted by the Troisdorf Partnership Association.

We are now looking forward to our Troisdorf friends coming to visit us here in Redcar and Cleveland in September 2017.

If you would like more information about the Redcar and Cleveland Twinning Association please visit our Facebook page or see our website (www.redcarandclevelandtwinningassociation.org.uk).

Alternatively contact our secretary Emma on 07429 718223.

Pamela Stenson 5

Once Upon a Time in the Wapentake The Christmas Bride-to-be As I have remarked before, there are no new stories, especially at Christmas; there are only old ones, which I will try to tell in my own peculiar way. As this is a very old story, you must imagine it happening many long centuries ago, on the day before Christmas, and you must imagine the grey stone castle where it all took place.

Close your eyes for a moment and see the Great Hall decorated with holly and ivy and mistletoe and yew, all the green things that could be found in the forest outside the walls, the great logs blazing in the hearth, the musicians in the gallery, and a great thronging of people, all dressed in their almost finest clothes. Almost finest, for their very finest would be worn tomorrow, just as the dishes, sweet and savoury, steaming and smoking on the wooden boards around the walls, though they were fine, were not as fine as those that would be eaten at tomorrow’s great feast. And a truly great feast it would be: it was not just Christmas that they would be celebrating; tomorrow Lord Roger’s daughter, would be married.

Eleanor was her name, Eleanor of the long golden hair and skin as white as snow, Eleanor who now was dancing in a silken dress the colour of new mown hay, embroidered with the flowers of Spring. We would be surprised by how young she was, too young we would think to be wed, and surprised, to know that she had never seen her husband-to-be, still less heard him speak. She would not meet him until tomorrow when he and his train of knights and pages, archers and priests would come riding out of the forest and through the castle gate. Things were different then. What she thought of him, or he thought of her, was not important.

She was a Fauconberg, and he was a Neville, and the marriage would unite the two families against their common enemy, Pagan Fitz-Walter of Mulgrave. That alliance was what made almost everybody there rejoice.

Almost everybody, because there was someone in the Hall who only had eyes for Eleanor, and she could see the sadness, even fear, in her eyes. That someone was not with the people close around her, her family and their friends, but with the little group of serving men and women, standing quietly by the kitchen door. The servants loved young Eleanor, not least because she would speak to them in the rough language that most of them spoke, the language that we now call English. She would even speak a few words of what we call Welsh to the servants who had come from the Debatable Lands, for the Fauconbergs held manors there. Everyone else, of course, in her family would speak nothing but the most perfect French, or what they thought was perfect French; a perfect Frenchman might not have agreed. Of all the household servants who loved Eleanor, the most devoted was her nurse, Mathilda, who had cared for her from the day she was born, and who had first spoken those words of the common people’s speech to her, and it was she who saw that her eyes were shining with tears and not with joy.

Then the games began, games that we might think 6

more suited to very young children, but the young adults there were, like Eleanor, very young adults indeed. Their favourite game was Hide and Seek. Does anybody nowadays play that game or know the rules? Perhaps I should explain. One player hides and the other players go in search of them. Whoever finds the one who is hidden, becomes the next one to hide, and so on, and whoever is still hidden when the game is ended is the winner.

It was not long before midnight when Eleanor became the one who had to hide, not long before the game would end, and, as she had not been found when the great bell rang, she was declared the winner. It seemed to many of those present to be a happy omen, but…but where was Eleanor? She had not appeared to claim her prize. Perhaps she had not heard the great bell?

All the places that had been searched were searched again. The servants, even those who had to be dragged out of the straw they slept in, were sent to search the dimmest, farthest corners of the keep. Elsewhere, every cupboard was opened, under every bed the hunters crawled, over and over again.

One old servant, Tabitha the scullery maid, said she had seen the Lady crossing the courtyard, as though heading for the gatehouse, but Tabitha was almost blind and somewhat mad, so nobody listened, nobody but Mathilda. Mathilda feared the worst, that Eleanor had fled from the castle and was now lost somewhere in the dark and frozen forest. She tried to tell Sir Roger of her fears, but he refused to listen. Why should his dutiful daughter want to flee from such a sensible marriage? The other servants had their own ideas about where she had gone; where the castle now stood, there once had been what they called the Whorl, a path spiralling round a conical hill. They believed that if one went widdershins up the winding track, three times at midnight, on a certain day at the close of the year, then the door would open that leads to another, happier world. Although it had all been levelled to build the castle, its power, they said, remained. Eleanor must have gone to be a handmaid to the Queen of Summerland, gone to be eternally young.

Whatever the reason, there would be no Christmas wedding.

It was not till many years afterwards that the truth was known, many years after the castle had been demolished on King Henry’s orders, when only the gatehouse remained. In there workmen found an ancient oaken chest, its heavy lid jammed shut. With crowbars they forced it open, and inside they found a skeleton, a skeleton wearing a dress the colour of new mown hay embroidered with the flowers of spring. (And were there strands of hair still golden inside the chest?) Eleanor had tried so hard to hide, and had hidden herself away too well. At Christmas time be careful, good people, exactly what games you play.

PS: Apologies for last month’s error: the De Brus family held land throughout Scotland, not Wales.

Tim Beswick

Real Meals Purveyors of Fine Foods

It’s That Time Again!

If you want to ensure that you get what you want for Christmas, don’t ask Santa, come into Real Meals instead and place your orders: Pies, Preserves, Hampers and Cheese and lots of other goodies. The more notice you give us, the more certain we are that we can get what you want!

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 8.30am to 6.00pm, Saturday: 8.30am to 5.00pm, Sunday 10.00am to 2.00pm.

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 Throughout the twelve months of any year Council services are in demand. Each season brings different pressures not least in a town dependant on visitor attraction to support its small but vibrant, inventive, local economy.

It is not unusual for a voice to be heard proclaiming that more should be done and what is being done could be managed better.

This month the preparation of budgets will begin, attempting to look ahead and to match aspirations and quantify how that undiminishing demand can be squared with how many pennies are in the kitty. Whilst domestic budgets will be being examined too and pennies counted, Advent will be progressing as Christmastide approaches.

A time when truly all can share in that peace and tranquillity brought in the light of a shining star. In an ideal world so it would be. Sheltered as residents are from harsher realities, the awareness of the challenges of a wider global arena are not far from one’s mind.

Refugees were welcomed into the Borough this year from strife torn lands. Not economic migrants but human souls without a home left to call their own. Coming from lands far away that for centuries have witnessed conflict in a story oft times told. This story is still unfolding and whilst many have welcomed those fleeing from discrimination and persecution, this borough is once again opening its arms. So, in this month, there will be celebration.

The ever more active, record breaking, Cliff Lift Team will be opening each weekend with a final flurry culminating on Christmas Eve. One carriage will be given over to festive

joy where children, young and old, can travel in a 21st Century stable.

Engineers will be at work, engrossing the banks above Forest Halt, to safeguard the Saltburn Miniature Railway from further flood exposure, such as occurred in September 2013.

Preparatory work will be taking place to reinstate the damaged tie bars on the pier framework and further preparation undertaken for the reinstatement of under pier illumination, which is still on a wish list, filed somewhere.

Installation of lighting columns on the promenade leading to Hazelgrove will take place, but not before the nights get darker still.

As they do and winter truly cometh, thoughts should turn to others who have difficulty in getting about.

Neighbourliness, which should never be absent the whole year round, might just be given an extra nudge.

Amidst the celebrations thoughts also go out to those who are not still here to share.

The Council Chamber listened in respectful quietude as members heard tributes paid by fellow Councillors to one, John Robinson, an elected member who had previously represented the Ward of Saltburn for twelve years and gave singular service during that time to the residents of the town and the wider community.

‘Christmas is coming, Please do put a penny in the old man’s hat. If you haven’t got a penny, a halfpenny will do. If you haven’t got a halfpenny, then God bless you!’

Philip Thomson 7

Saltburn Beachwatch Another year of fluctuating fortunes for our beach and beaches throughout the UK. On the good news front the 5p charge for carrier bags has now consolidated and more and more people have taken to using their own bags when shopping. Beachwatch survey results are starting to show a reduction in plastic carrier bags found on our beaches.

Although small stores are exempt the Association of Convenience Stores has said that thousands of their members have voluntarily introduced the charge with monies raised going to local charities. In September we were joined by Dr Laura Foster head of pollution at the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) who is helping with other marine scientists to persuade governments to introduce legislation to ban manufacturers from advertising products such as wet wipes as flushable when they are patently not. Water companies spend ÂŁ88 million per year removing wet wipes and other hygiene products from sewerage systems. The pressure from environmental organisations and the public has been instrumental in leading to the banning of microplastic beads in some grooming products in the USA with our government proposing to do the same. The bad news is that this legislation will only apply to a minority of products that contain microbeads and so the majority of this pollution will continue to reach the ocean with the potentially devastating consequences that this could entail.

We need to continue to voice our opinions and modern technology makes this easier by being able to go to websites or use apps to make our views known. If you are interested in marine environmental issues a good place to start is mcs.org which has a good depth of content and accessible information with links to campaigns and other environmental groups. As part of the Have You Got The Bottle scheme in Scotland and other parts of the UK the MCS would like members of the public to report sightings of discarded plastic bottles wherever they are seen to #wildbottlesighting. This will help to create a map of bottle hotspots which will help with the promotion of the need for a Deposit Return System throughout the UK. You can post your pics on the MCS facebook page or tweet them @mcsuk.

In September I collected a Coastal View and Moor News community award on behalf of Saltburn Beachwatch (SBW) for the work we have done over the last twenty years. I would like to thank Earthbeat Theatre for sponsoring SBW for this award and also all the volunteers who have helped at our events over the years.

Also special thanks to my wife Pam and Sophie for organising the refreshments, Mike and Rachael Gosnay for sponsoring them, Rob, Jane, Leslie, Anne and Miranda for help at registration. Many thanks to Tracee from the council for permissions and litterpicking essentials and Andy for organising the removal of the rubbish. Last but not least the 500 Club for their continued support.

If you feel you would like to help, the next SBW litterpick and survey will take place on Saturday, 14th January 2017 from 10am until 12 noon. Meet at the pier car park where grabs, gloves and bags will be provided.

Mid-session free refreshments will be available.

Roy Smith 8

Help! Your local Playgroup needs you!

Little Nippers is in desperate need of willing volunteers to help out on Monday and Wednesday mornings, either in the kitchen or in the group. We need people to help set up and put away. If you can help, even if it is only for a few hours each month, we would love to hear from you. So, if you love spending time with young children, painting, glueing, singing, making music or reading stories, or even simply making drinks, then please contact Little Nippers Playgroup on

01287 624575

We have spaces in December for babies and newcomers to the town

Churches Together in Saltburn invite you to join them in their Christmas worship

Sunday 11th December 2016 3.00 pm

Christingle Service Parish Church In aid of The Children’s Society

Sunday 18th December 2016 9.00 am 10.30 am 10.45 am 10.45 am 6.00 pm

Holy Communion Mass All Engage Service Nativity Service Candlelit Carol Service (United Service)

Parish Church Catholic Church Parish Church Hall Methodist Church Methodist Church

Christmas Eve: Saturday 24th December 2016 5.00 pm 6.30 pm 7.00 pm 11.15 pm 11.30 pm

Crib Service Carols for Christmas First Mass of Christmas Communion Service Midnight Communion

Parish Church Catholic Church Catholic Church Methodist Church Parish Church

Christmas Day: Sunday 25th December 2016 10.00 am 10.30 am 10.45 am

Christmas Day Communion Family Mass Christmas Worship

Parish Church Catholic Church Methodist Church

St Stephen’s Day: Monday 26th December 2016 10.00 am

Mass

Catholic Church

Church Locations and Contacts Parish Church of Emmanuel

Windsor Road

01287 622007

Parish Church Office

Upleatham Street 01287 622251

Methodist Church

Milton Street

01287 651340

Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church

Milton Street

01287 623619

Christmas Message I notice this year that black Christmas trees are not quite the ‘in’ thing they were a few years ago, but I have noticed that three bird roasts are.

Coca-Cola and Father Christmas are always in, of course, as are those timetables in magazines that tell you how to enjoy the perfect Christmas day – you know the ones – bird in oven at 7.00am, bread in to soak at 11, sprouts prepared at 11.15 etc. etc. until you finally sit down to eat at 3pm; a totally hassle free day. I don’t know which planet these ‘timetable’ people live on, but they don’t live on mine! I’ve never come across any yet that timetable in a crying baby, or a temper tantrum, or family arriving two hours late, or an oven that stops working necessitating the goose being driven to the local church kitchen to be finished off.

We are too easily persuaded that Christmas day should be perfect; we are too easily persuaded that to be a perfect parent, grandparent, friend we need to provide something that usually costs the earth; we are too easily persuaded that the perfect Christmas will come by filling our homes with decorations and colour.

Christmas dinner, enjoyable as that may be; decorations, cheerful as they may be; presents, exciting and wonderful as they may be, are not going to make our lives perfect. On Christmas day we are still the same people who, over the past year, have loved, lost, cried, rejoiced, hoped and feared – the magazine timetables and television adverts are not able to help us with these things, in fact they would probably we rather forget about them.

‘O little town of Bethlehem – the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight’.

Into a world very much like our own, with people very much like ourselves, God came – not with a timetable to tell us how to have a perfect day – but as a baby who was vulnerable and helpless, a Son who happily accepted all the gifts he was given; just as today this same Son accepts, as gifts, all that we bring to him of joy and sorrow, heartache and tears, hopes and dreams, loss and living – all that we are and all that makes up our lives. The baby born in Bethlehem, Jesus the Son, asks only one thing of us – and it doesn’t cost us anything in money or perfection. It costs just a little of our time – to read the story of his coming, or to listen to the story of his coming in a carol service in a church, on the radio or the television and so get to know someone who will willingly help us through our daily lives.

I wish you a peace-full Christmas.

Reverend Helena.

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Mayor to sleep out TWO nights Barry Hunt, 68-year-old Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, takes on his biggest ‘sleep-out’ challenge ever by vowing to spend both Christmas Eve night and Christmas Day night on the street at Redcar.

A former manager of night clubs and pubs, he has done the ordeal in previous years, but always with friends.

“This time I’m doing it alone. I have to see it through,” he told Talk of the Town.

“Every year I do this challenge in January always with others. This time I’m happy for wellwishers to drop by to say hello, but I want to do it alone. I want to raise the profile of how lonely it is to sleep out and be homeless.”

The Mayor’s two charities are Saltburn-based Earthbeat, which runs the former primary school community centre at Marske Mill Lane, Saltburn, and Coatham House, which helps disadvantaged young people particularly with safe housing, from its base in Queen Street, Redcar.

Earthbeat specialises in putting on musical shows with the 80 users of the centre.

“I’m passionate about both organisations. I stood by Earthbeat when they were trying to take over the former register office at Guisborough a few years ago (just before finding the Saltburn property).”

A grandfather, the Mayor, who lives at Brotton, has been an Independent councillor for 16 years.

For his Christmas challenge, he will be based near Redcar’s clock next to Coatham House’s Reloved cafe from 9pm to 8am.

Next day he starts the annual Boxing Day dip at Redcar - and taking part on one brief swim.

To make a donation visit: www.gofundme.com/mayors-christmas-sleep-out or email jane.holmes@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk All money raised will go to the Mayor’s chosen charities.

Mike Morrissey

Saltburn Photographic Society Wednesday, 7th December: The results of the StudioTristan and Les Gould competitions will be shown. Wednesday, 14th December: Annual Christmas party with a light hearted pictorial Quiz.

2017 meetings commence on Wednesday, 4th January with the results of the Bingo Challenge.

Monday, 19th December 7.00 pm Practical night with Alan Meek “Features of Photoshop”.

Meetings are held in the upstairs hall, Saltburn Milton Street Methodist Church TS12 1EB at 7.30pm. Visitors are welcome to any of our meetings; there will be a small charge.

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 E Petty for winning the £100 First Prize in the November Saltburn 500 Club draw. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it – application forms are available at the library, or at Jackie’s Saverstore.

I am fitting in the writing of this column between the resolution of various problems around the Christmas lights and parade. You have probably noticed various premises, around the town, undergoing renovation etcetera which means we have had to tackle problems of getting power to the lights. We are now fastapproaching the lighting-up night (3rd December @ 5pm) and I am hoping that the town will be fully lit up for the event. Our request for Star Wars characters to be in the parade has met with a small degree of success but I am informed that the new Star Wars film is released on the same day as our parade so a lot of the people involved with Star Wars will be attending the first screening.

However, I’m sure that you’ll all be in the town to watch a successful parade and the start of Christmas festivities in the town.

Donations to the cost of the lights/parade are down on last year and, at the moment, things are not looking too good for the 2017 show of lights – yes, I’m already looking towards that.

Since the November issue of Talk of the Town, I have now booked South Bank Band to play between 11am and 1pm on 10th December – the day of the Farmers’ Market.

I have managed to persuade a member of the 500 Club to organise future Summer Band schedules so, hopefully, that will be a load off my mind (assuming she does not change her mind when I show her what is involved!). The schedule for 2017 will be getting started any time soon. The schedule will show that Saturday performances have had to be restricted to July and August because we have not got sufficient funding to support a full schedule.

Finally, I would like to say a big THANK YOU to those volunteers who have helped me with fund-raising etc throughout the year.

I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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

Saltburn Christmas Band Concerts

Saturday 3rd December 2016 12.30 – 14.30 Silverwood Band 15.00 – 16.30 Marske Junior Band 17.00 – 18.30 Marske Brass Band Saturday 10th December 2016 11.00 – 1.00 South Bank Band Saturday 17th December 2016 10.00 – 11.30 Marske Junior Band 11.30 – 13.00 Silverwood Band th Saturday 24 December 2016 12.00 – 13.30 Marske Brass Band

4 People Not Profit Christmas Party Fundraiser

or email: simon.robson1@ntlworld.com

4 people Not profit are teaming up with AfterSoul for a very special Christmas Party. On Saturday, December 10th we will be descending on to Saltburn House for this special event, kicking off at 7pm till late.

The AfterSoul guys are looking to put on a festival next summer called FreeSoul and after unfortunately falling short on funding to do it earlier this year, they are pushing to make sure it happens in 2017. The gig will be a fundraiser to help make this happen.

To get all you fine folk moving we have Teesside’s newest Dub/reggae and Drum N Bass Soundsystem crew Simian Soundsystem who will be rocking Saltburn house with their heavyweight sounds! In support will be festival organiser himself Booma dropping Dub and Drum n Bass as well as 4 People Not Profit residents Marc Fox & Jonny Da Pigg delivering their usual slice of top quality Breaks and Drum N Bass.

Be aware that this gig will not be at our usual home of the Marine but will be in Saltburn House, a venue more suitable for heavyweight bass sounds to shake the building!

The event is free except for donations on the door to go towards the AfterSoul folks putting on a storming festival next year! So get the date in your diary and get ready for the greatest Christmas party in the Teesside area! Don’t forget those dancing shoes as you know we will get you bouncing!

See also page 14.

Valley Players The Valley Players would like to wish past and present members and all Saltburn residents a wonderful festive season. We will soon be regaling you with more information about next summer’s Elvis extravaganza so start digging out your wigs, sequins and anything else you have been secretly stashing away for the last forty years!

Djenane

Sea View Care Home At Sea View we have been having a fun time. One of our staff, Tammy, got married on November 5th and to start the wedding celebrations off we got our residents involved. We held a Hen party with the ladies enjoying a glass of fizz to wish the bride to be good luck.

Then on Monday, November 7th Tammy, with her new husband, surprised the residents when she came to the home in her wedding dress to share her special day with them. Tammy kindly brought each resident a piece of wedding cake and we opened ‘Mel’s mobile bar’ (otherwise known as our drinks trolley). Tammy spent time with each resident telling them about her special day.

We have many other things planned leading up to Christmas, November 27th is our Christmas Fayre at 2pm all are welcome. We also have a Facebook page ‘Sea View Care Home’ that friends and family can follow to keep up to date with the home’s fund raising and events.

And finally an update on our fund raising for the Alzheimer’s Society for 2016 is a total of £1668.

Carol

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.

11

What’s Happening at

Marske Hall

Coffee Morning at Marske Leisure Centre - Saturday, 3rd December from 10am – 12 in aid of Marske Hall. Raffle, stalls and crafts, homemade cake and scones, tea and coffee.

Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year from all at Marske Hall. Many thanks for all your support.

Appeal The fundraising team is always looking for tombola and raffle prizes to use at events throughout the year. Please keep any unwanted Christmas gifts for our tombolas.

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 Volunteer press officer Marske Hall, Redcar Road, TS11 6AA

Saltburn-by-the-Sea

Christmas Gift Fair Saturday 10 December Saltburn Community Hall from 10am to 3.30pm.

Unusual gifts for those special people.

Local charities involved include RNLI, Teesside Hospice and Saltburn WI. Admission is free, however there will be a festive bucket at the door for donations to Saltburn Community and Arts Association towards the upkeep of our vital community building.

A wide variety of refreshments will also be available throughout the day from the amazing

Mrs White's Kitchen.

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What’s on at Saltburn Library in December Christmas is nearly upon us and we are looking forward to a number of Christmassy activities in the Library.

Get into the festive spirit on 3rd December when the Library will be holding lots of fun activities as part of the Christmas Lights switch on. We will have face painting, festive crafts and a special appearance of Marko the Clown. Activities start at 2.00pm.

Join us for Mince Pie Mondays each Monday in December from 2-3pm. Kindly organised by Building Bridges, there will be mince pies of course plus a lovely cup of tea! So escape from the business of the shops and have a relaxing afternoon in the Library instead! Or if you can’t come then, you can join Building Bridges for their regular weekly Tea Party which is on each Friday from 2 to 4.00pm.

We will be holding children’s Christmas craft sessions on Saturday 10th and 17th December 2.003.00pm. Come and make a special Christmas card or decoration.

We are very pleased to say that back by popular demand is Pat’s Puppets who will entertain us with her Punch and Judy Show on Wednesday, 21st December at 2.00pm. This event has kindly been funded by Friends of Saltburn Library. Please book your place by emailing us

on Saltburn_library@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or ring us on 01287 623584.

The Library will be closing over the Christmas period from 5.00pm on Friday, 23rd December and will reopen on Tuesday, 3rd January at 1.30pm – so make sure you pop in and stock up on your library books.

Friends of Saltburn Library The Friends of Saltburn Library wish to thank the local shop keepers for their generous donations for this year’s tombola, which will be running on Friday, 9th December and Saturday, 10th December. Please pop in and support us and maybe win a prize!

As usual our third Tuesday meeting will be Liz and Steve entertaining us with Christmas songs and Carols.

There will be tea and mince pies to celebrate the festive season and a Christmas craft stall for you to browse round and find those Christmas presents still not chosen.

We look forward to seeing you all on December 20th at 2.00pm for a friendly afternoon.

We would just like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year from all the staff at Saltburn Library and Tourist Information.

Tracey, Lynne, Louise, and Liz

SALTBURN STATION GALLERY UPDATE! Saltburn Station Gallery regret to announce that local photographer Stephen J. Dowd will be ‘retiring’ from his photographic work in January 2017. He is planning on concentrating more on his budding singing career. His work will be on sale within the gallery at discounted prices of 25% off (not including small prints) - so come along and grab a bargain! We thank Steve for his support over the last 2 years and wish him well in his new ventures.

The gallery continues, however, to exhibit lots of fantastic artwork and photography complemented by craftsmanship and hand-worked items – including festive

gifts, cards and decorations. For the festive season only – wooden garden lights – Santa on sledge priced at £20. Also on sale and proving to be very popular – Whitby Jet Jewellery designed by Roger Metcalfe. Plus lots of unique, bespoke items for that special gift for that someone special person.

Talk of the Town Saltburn Calendar 2017 also on sale – grab them while you can!

Please note Saltburn Station Gallery will be supporting Children with Cancer UK throughout 2017 – 50% of sales on certain items to be donated to this charity.

Sean and Sue

Saltburn and District Group for Visually Impaired People In November our speaker was Francesca who is a Campaigns Officer for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). She spoke of recent campaigns on behalf of Visually Impaired People. These included stopping the use of shared spaces in public areas. These are places where kerbs are removed and pedestrians and motorists share the same space. It is extremely difficult for sight impaired to negotiate areas where there is no demarcation of areas. White cane users cannot ‘feel’ the end of footpaths, and guide dogs are trained to find the edges of paths to allow cars to pass and their owners to cross carefully. Also removing A boards and street furniture is another campaign being successfully achieved in some areas.

Another was winning the right for VI people to

request any communication from health professionals in their preferred format. This means that we can ask doctors, dentists, opticians etc, to send appointments, information in large print, braille or email. Another small piece of independence for us! Well done RNIB. We also discussed the use of audio and visual information on buses. I know some people do not like this on journeys, but if you cannot see, where do you know when to get off?

Please join us on December 14th at 2pm in the coffee lounge, Community Centre, Saltburn when our speaker will be from British Blind Veterans (formerly St Dunstan’s). There may be some mince pies to go along with a cuppa!

Call Chris Ferguson on 01287 204 170.

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Fundraising Party in Saltburn House for new local Festival 2017

FreeSoul Festival

FreeSoul Arts is a creative, cultural non-profit arts based organisation/company that aims to promote music and art through delivery of quality workshops, community projects, youth exchanges, festivals and performances.

Using the arts to further enrich the lives of all who share and partake in this and further promote peaceful and social tolerance and goodwill.

After the disappointing news from the Arts Council earlier this year, which did not give the applied funding to the FreeSoul Arts team, Julie Jurgan and Booma are back on track to give it another try.

“We had been working so hard to set up this amazing Music and Arts event called FreeSoul Festival in Saltburn for 2016. Unfortunately we were too late to get the funding from the Arts Council but they said we should apply again and that is what we are going to do. But we are also aware not to totally rely on the Arts Council but also find other ways to gain support to make the FreeSoul Festival come true for summer 2017,” Booma said.

FreeSoul Arts now have joined together with 4 People Not Profit and the Simian Soundsystem to start their first Fundraising event in Saltburn House on 10th of December 2016.

“We are so lucky that we have these wonderful people around us who truly believe that if we all join together we can make something bigger happen. Therefore I am really excited and hope that a lot of people will come along on 10th of December to show their support too and dance with us into the night. The entry will be free but we have a bucket for freewill donations as well as raffle tickets available,” says Julie Jurgan who is the Co-founder of FreeSoul Arts.

The 4 People not Profit and AfterSoul Party will start at 7.30pm till 12 midnight on 10th of December 2016 in Saltburn House.

Headliners – Damian Soundsystem (dub/reggea/ drum n bass), Jonny da Pig (VJ 7 Drum n Bass), Dj Booma (Dub/Drum n Bass).

We expect a great night with some really awesome people, so come around and support us.

There is also an opportunity to donate via Paypal for anyone who wishes to be of support to make the FreeSoul Festival come true next year (the email address is: freesoulartsfestival@gmail.com).

See also page 11.

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The First Foot Inevitably, traditions thrive and evolve as families apply their own interpretations to seasonal customs. One such is the custom of first footing to let in the New Year. Here is the experience of a family living in Upleatham Street from the 1950s-1980s.

Our version of first footing derived from Mother’s upbringing in Cumberland, influenced by the proximity of Scotland, unlike Father’s in the West Riding of Yorkshire, where New Year was part of the normal working week. In fact, New Year’s Day did not become a Bank Holiday in England until 1974. Therefore, the First Foot letting in the New Year was a custom which gathered pace slowly.

At 11.45p.m. on New Year’s Eve, with the radio Watch Night Service leading to Auld Lang Syne in the background, we would persuade a rather reluctant father to don trilby, muffler and overcoat and go out into the frosty night. He was reminded not to re-appear until the following year, however cold it was. He would briskly join the small procession of ‘tall, dark, handsome men’ who were likewise evicted from home, some merrier than usual! Some say that a tall, dark stranger should first foot but we did not have one to hand.

Presumably, as the custom grew, other first footers in the country might have observed ancient superstitions about bearing symbols of good fortune. Bread was supposed to ensure enough food for the forthcoming year; money, a comfortable lifestyle; greenery, long life; coal, a warm house.

We chose coal; coal which takes the imagination back millions of years. We had coal fires; in fact, there was a fireplace in every room of our Edwardian house but only the downstairs ones were used. When the Saltburn area became smokeless we kept back a sample of real coal for the First Foot to use every year. When I moved away from Saltburn, I brought with me this same lump of coal for my annual First Foot. Thus family traditions go on spreading.

The first chimes of the Saltburn Church clock and Big Ben would herald midnight and the twelve ponderous strokes brought those moments of suspense when the world waits, suspended in the present between past and future, moments never to be repeated of farewell to the demise of the old year and welcome to the birth of the New Year. Then the joyous peals of Saltburn Church bells relaxed the tension and welcomed the New Year on behalf of the town.

The street would slowly grow quiet. Father would eventually re-appear, from his moonlit walk round the block, and our First Foot opened the front door, behind which we were waiting in the vestibule to ensure he kept the rules, one of which was that nothing, even a key, should go out until the First Foot came in. Amid hugs, handshakes and ‘Happy New Year’, the coal was accepted promising domestic warmth. We toasted the New Year beside the glowing fire, flickering candles and fairylights in the sitting-room and resolved to keep our resolutions. And so to bed at 2a.m. or so, mindful that a few hours later, we were to cook our traditional New Year’s Day dinner – roast pork with crisp crackling, apple sauce, sprouts, potatoes, seasonal vegetables and pineapple pudding topped with meringue.

Many townspeople phased Christmas out in the six days after New Year especially if they were back at work. As we had school holidays, we kept our own family customs for the remainder of the Twelve Days of Christmas until Epiphany on 6th January. Bad luck to leave the decorations up after Twelfth Night!

Anne Elliott

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07780 008985 Used Stamps for Charity 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 15

Megan’s Mind What an interesting, funny month I’ve had. I no longer live in Marske. Strange but making it work.

It’s nice to be back in Saltburn I suppose. I had missed Saltburn especially for walking. There are so many more places to walk in Saltburn than there are in Marske.

My mum and I have been to the spiritualist church as well. We were a bit sceptical before our first time but it ended up being really amazing. Our first time there my mum got a message from a gentleman who we think could be her granddad. Our third time we went she got another message. This time it was also from a gentleman who we think was her granddad again. She also got a statement from a woman who didn’t say much but she was shouting ‘DAISY DAISY’. We used to have a dog called Daisy so that was spooky but comforting. I’m quite into it now. Hopefully soon I will get a message though.

I’ve been reading a book called ‘The Secret’.

It’s supposed to be all about how to get what you want from the universe. It’s a really good book and I am determined to change my life and get what I want.

I know exactly what it is that I do want so I know what to ask for. I spend too much time anxiety riddled not being able to do much and I’m starting to annoying myself. The book is helping though, and I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever bought.

I found it hard leaving Marske especially since it wasn’t my choice to leave but I’ll get there.

Hopefully I’ll know more about what’s happening soon. I hate it when I don’t know what is going on.

I’ve been to London twice in a month and it’s been nice to be away from everything. I didn’t realise how much I liked London. Whilst I was there I didn’t really do a lot, but I loved the relaxing. Did a lot of sleeping and a lot of watching Rupaul’s Drag Race.

I feel like I need a big change in my life but I’m not really sure what it could be. I’ve been thinking a lot that I need some new hobbies. I like reading and learning languages. Sometimes I find the languages hard without a teacher but I feel like I’m not supposed to have a teacher and I’m meant to be teaching myself but I tend to hit a lot of walls.

Sometimes I find it hard keeping myself motivated and it’s not so easy knowing if my pronunciation is correct without a teacher. I’ll definitely manage though, and I get through the walls. I’m sometimes impressed by myself for being able to learn languages without a teacher or university or any sort of lessons.

I really, really, really want to learn how to sew properly. Before I left Marske I started doing a lot of cooking and baking. I made a very nice cinnamon and gingerbread cake. I even think it was the best cake I’ve ever made. I haven’t done any cooking or baking lately as I’ve been feeling a little bit flat but I’ve got loads of ideas for what I could make when I perk up.

If anybody knows how to sew, help!

Megan 16

Science News Enhancing three genes helps plants harvest more light and raises new hopes for crops that can manage food demands from a crowded planet. Tobacco plants that have been genetically engineered, were chosen to test the idea. The plants managed the usual growing of fourteen to twenty percent more mass (this means more crop yield) than plants that had not been tweaked according to Krishna Niyogi from the University of California, Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. These gains came from putting various versions of three genes that control how fast plants get back up to their full energy harvesting capacity after going into a protective mode to guard themselves from sunlight that is too bright. Plant physiologist John Evans from the Australian National University in Canberra, who was not part of the research says, “to my knowledge, this is the first example where crop growth has been enhanced by improving photosynthesis.” Photosynthesis is the basic green chemistry for changing the sun’s energy into food. It isn’t a perfectly efficient process and the mission to make it more efficient by manipulating the overlapping steps of more than one hundred reactions in living crops, has been complex. John Evans says, “we can make things worse but this is the first time we can make something better.”

The idea for the tobacco experiment came from how light and shade cover leaves throughout the day in a farm field. Sudden intense blasts of sunlight is dangerous and an overload can lead to chemically scorching a plant’s light catching chloroplasts. So when the sun’s movement or a breeze suddenly exposes a chloroplast to more sunlight than it can cope with, a protection system kicks in. Enzymes in the leaves create a surge of a brown-red coloured molecule called zeaxanthin. This molecule help to offload the excess energy as heat. This protection will turn on within minutes but turns off more slowly when the problem is over, says Krishna Niyogi.

Bringing back full photosynthesis requires a lot more than just enhancing the back to normal mechanisms. An enzyme named ZEP breaks up the protective zeaxanthin when it is no longer needed. But making the plant simply build more ZEP enzyme keeps the protective system from turning on properly in the first place, and this could put a plant at risk. So researches enhanced another enzyme, called VDE, as well. This enzyme builds the protective zeaxanthin. Having those two enzymes in a balance, a chloroplast can still get rid of excess energy within itself but can still get back to full operations faster.

Enhancing a third protein, which is called PsbS, also helped, but researchers do not yet know the complete details of how.

Tobacco plants with modified versions of all three proteins grow bigger, as measured by the weight of dried plant material, than others. This extra growth those genes provided “is a major economically important gain,” says Maureen Hanson from Cornell University, who is working on a different approach to improving the photosynthesis. She also says that now the paper’s idea is ready for the attempted transfer to plants that people harvest for grains or fruits.

Maureen Hanson is hopeful that size will increase there as well. Coaxing plants to calm faster after a crisis is just one strategy to make photosynthesis more efficient.

Megan Bridge

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Saltburn in Bloom Today I found out that Jackie Taylor has celebrated her 80th birthday this week and this prompted me to think about all the projects she has organised in Saltburn to make this town what it is today. In 2003 she received an MBE for services to the community and then earlier this year she was honoured with the Freedom of the Borough here in Redcar and Cleveland.

Jackie was the great catalyst for many projects that have taken place since 1988, when she came to live in Saltburn and we are grateful for her dedication to her adopted town.

However, in this article I would like to ask you to think about other dedicated people behind the scenes carrying out all manner of tasks after a phone call from Jackie! She could not have achieved the success she did without the army of volunteers that worked for her. I cannot mention everyone by name in this article – Talk of the Town hasn’t enough pages! Nor do I know them, as my experience is relatively recent. But we should express our thanks to them as they too have been magnificent and some are still active today.

Judy Snowdon and Ann Etchells are two individuals who I have talked to recently. They were involved with the Residents Association in the 1980s, organising coffee mornings and other fundraising activities for the town. In the late 80s Jackie first initiated the Christmas lights and Judy and Ann became involved in this, with Veronica Boland, Carole Miller and Audrey Boagey and others, working hard for many, many years. Indeed, Judy still bakes for Saltburn in Bloom and Friends of Saltburn Table Top Sales in the Community Centre and Ann donates bacon and milk, coming along to make the bacon sandwiches still. Marie Bolton and Betty Brown have been involved for 26 years, baking 4 corned beef pies, 4 lemon cakes and 32 freshly baked scones for the refreshments at the Table Tops. These items are donated and it is the way that people are willing to support the fundraising for whatever cause.

Marie and Betty have also helped Ray Richardson from Moorsholm with the hanging baskets, with Marie helping Ray’s wife Lily to pot up the plants. Marie, Betty, Ray and Lily are retiring this year and we are extremely grateful for their contribution over the 26 years they have all been involved. Joyce Howard is another individual who has served on the 500 Club and Saltburn in Bloom committees from almost their beginnings, as too did Kath Fawcett.

The present Saltburn in Bloom gardeners receive a great deal of attention and praise because they are out and about in the town, but today there is still an army of volunteers in the background who work extremely hard for our community and some have done this for many years. The Friends of Saltburn are responsible for the Christmas Lights, whilst Saltburn in Bloom are responsible for the hanging baskets and floral displays around the town, including some gardens. Without your support and financial help these things could not continue as Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council do not give money for the lights or hanging baskets.

We rely on volunteers, but the present volunteers are ageing and we need much more help from you in this community, please.

Contact me to join our army (at lyndaparkes4@gmail.com).

Happy Christmas everyone!

Lynda Parkes 17

SALTBURN CRICKET CLUB Marske Mill Lane, Tel 01287-622761

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!

SLIMMING WORLD – EVERY Tuesday morning @ 9.00 – 10.30am WATCH MAN CITY v CHELSKI on SKY TV, big screen 3rd Dec kick-off 12.30pm – relax, enjoy the match and a toastie FREE QUIZ NIGHT 8.00pm Sat 3rd All welcome, free entry, cash prizes!

CHRISTMAS BINGO – Wed 7th – eyes down 8.00pm SALTBURN BLUES CLUB – Sat 17th CONNIE LUSH BAND support HOW ASKEW BAND All ticket night - £10 with 10% discount for Club members CHRISTMAS EVE BUFFET - £3, children under 12 free NEW YEAR'S EVE – featuring THE PERSUADERS, DISCO & BUFFET Members free & non-members £10 *Free WiFi in Club* * BIG screen TV showing SKY sports etc * ***FEATURED IN CAMRA GOOD BEER GUIDE 2016!!*** GREAT VENUE for YOUR family events, weddings, parties, funerals & meetings - free use for charity/community groups during normal opening hours.

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!

Christmas Carols in Skinningrove Skinningrove Methodist Chapel is hosting two Christmas events in December; everyone is welcome on both occasions.

The first is a concert and singalong, titled Band & Buffet, at 7.00pm on Thursday, 15th December, with Bilsdale Silver Band in attendance.

There’s a buffet afterwards at Skinningrove Village Hall, round the corner from the chapel; this event costs £1.50. You can pay at the door on the evening or buy a ticket in advance from the Knit 'n' Natter group which meets from 1.00 to 3.00pm on Tuesdays at the village hall.

The second event is a Carol Service at 3.00pm on Sunday, 18th December, led by Reverend Helena Harbottle.

For information about regular services at Skinningrove Chapel, please phone Reverend Helena Harbottle on 01287 651340 (or visit www.clevelandanddanbymethodists.co.uk).

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SALTBURN BLUES CLUB WE GOT LUCKY! I booked CONNIE LUSH and her BAND for our CHRISTMAS gig many months ago, at the beginning of what has become a hugely successful year for them. I don’t exaggerate. Connie has many years of big billing behind her. She took a break and then came back this year with a superb album, Renaissance. This won her runner-up status for both Best British Blues Album and Best British Blues Vocalist! Connie has live performance in her blood. She has a super rapport with the audience, is a lot of fun but also a supremo at deeply emotional numbers. Fabulous vocals, fabulous songs.

Perfect for the Saturday (December 17th) Christmas gig.

Supporting Connie is THE HOW ASKEW BAND. How Askew plays soulful contemporary blues. Inspired at an early age by pre-war blues giants like Big Bill Broonzy and Robert Johnson, his obsession with the guitar has seen him develop as a uniquely gifted slide and blues artist. Add in his fluid vocals and it’s a perfect intro to the festivities.

A free buffet will be laid on. COME and PARTY! Doors: 7.30pm, Support: 8.00pm, 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.

N.B. AN ADDED EXTRA! My radio show, STILL GOT THE BLUES, is being broadcast live from Rita’s Pantry, that super little pub on the seafront directly opposite the Redcar Beacon. 3 hours of great tracks, audience requests, live music slots from AULD MAN’S BACCIE AND TOM KILNER, real ale for sale and tickets are free! Numbers are limited so you’ll need to book asap. Tickets are available directly from Rita’s Pantry, or harry@saltburnbluesclub.co.uk or telephone 07960 935263.

Harry

Saltburn Charity Crafters Saltburn Charity Crafters will be meeting in the coffee room in Saltburn Community Hall from 2pm to 4pm on Wednesday, 7th December. Do come and join us for a cuppa if you would like make items for local charities. For further information contact Angie on 01287 205153.

01287 624505

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Cleveland Diving Club One of the benefits of being a member of Cleveland Divers is that you can share experiences with like-minded people.

So, over the coming winter months we would like to demonstrate, to more like-minded people, the diverse and often peculiar nature of creatures that live in the underwater environment. The focus of this month’s article is sea squirts.

There are over 3,000 species of sea squirts and when first viewed, you could be forgiven for thinking that sea squirts are some type of sea-based vegetable. However, they are in fact an animal which, believe it or not, is considered a closer relative to humans than say a cockroach, a jellyfish or a sponge. This is because in the very early stages of their life they have a primitive backbone, similar to that of whales and fish. Some species also have a ‘pacemaker,’ type of mechanism that acts much in the same way as a human heart.

Although a simple creature, often described as ‘basically a big stomach inside a sack’ it is now thought they may contain useful compounds that could support the treatment of diseases such as melanoma and breast cancer.

Scientifically sea squirts are classified as ‘tunicates,’ the name being derived from their appearance which looks a bit like a barrel-shaped tunic (photo 1). They have two taps (siphons) one used to pull water into their body, and a second one to expel water and wastes. Feeding is by way of small hair-like structures (cilia) that trap tiny food particles (plankton) to be digested. The water flow then carries waste through the intestines to be expelled through the second tap (siphon). In addition to eating, the siphons are also used for reproduction. Most sea squirts are joined in one body and can produce both eggs and sperm. The eggs remain in the body and are fertilised by sperm carried by the flow of water. Surprisingly during the early days of development sea squirt offspring bare an uncanny resemblance to a tadpole (diagram1).

The tadpole-like larvae then attaches itself to a hard surface on the seabed or to something like rocks, shells, boat hulls or other sea water structures (photo 2). Once established in its new location the larva’s tail and gills are no longer needed and they, along with the brain, are absorbed into the body so that the process of growing their tunic-type body can begin. Sea squirts can also reproduce asexually by growing a completely new animal that splits off or grows out of the original animal, forming large sea squirt colonies (photo 3). A further recent discovery is that some species have the ability to regenerate their bodies from just tiny fragments of tissue such as a blood vessel. This curious creature also appears to have a sense of humour. As part of its defence mechanism, when disturbed, it ejects water from its siphon, which is how this creature got its common name: sea squirt. So a warning! If you find sea squirts in the tidal range of the coastline beware, because if you try to remove it from the water, you may get a wet surprise! More images of exotic warm water sea-squirts can be found on the internet but if you are interested in seeing more of these creatures in our own local seas for yourself, then contact us on 07960 608529 to take the first steps in learning to scuba dive. Cleveland Divers offer a 6 week introductory scuba training course inclusive of equipment and instruction for a one off payment of £25.

June Coomber 22

Emmanuel Church Hall, Macnay Street, Saltburn Tuesdays at 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

New morning group: on Tuesdays at 9.00am at the Cricket Club, Marske Mill Lane, Saltburn.

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.

This month’s Bargain Buy: Saltburn Christmas cards £2.00 each or 2 for £3.00

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Cheveux Hair Salon Cheveux Hair Salon would like to wish all of our very loyal customers a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. Also a big Thank You for everyone’s continued support. We look forward to seeing you all in the future.

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Christmas Events at Book Corner Book Corner will be hosting two events in December, both book signings.

Children’s author William Coniston will be here on Saturday, 3rd December to sign copies of his middle-grade children’s novel, M.I.C.E. and the Stone. Keep an eye on Book Corner’s window and our website for more details.

On Saturday, 10th December we will be hosting a joint book signing. Chris Scott Wilson, Dennis Weller and Graham Lowe return to Book Corner to sign copies of Backstage PASS: Redcar Jazz Club, so if you haven’t yet got your copy, please come along. Chris Scott Wilson will also be signing copies of Sunset Be Glory, his historical adventure novel about Saltburn’s king of the smugglers.

The authors will be here from 11am – 2pm.

I hope you can join us for some bookish fun and shopping this Christmas.

Jenna www.bookcornershop.co.uk

BOOK CORNER Come and see our great range of Christmas books

Fiction Non-fiction Cut-price Books Children’s Books Ordering Service Gifts for Book-lovers Open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm (Closed Wednesday) 1 Regency Buildings, Station Square, Saltburn

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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G . Bishop - Decorator *Interiors and Exteriors

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Time Served Telephone 01287 624016

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*Reliable Service Assured

40 Years Experience Mobile 07757 912575

Update from SCAA Following my article published in the October edition of this lovely magazine I can report that repairs have been carried out to the roof thanks to a generous donation made by Saltburn Marske and New Marske Parish Council. Also, we have had serious problems with the boiler which almost resulted in the Centre being closed but, thanks to a generous donation made by the Saltburn ’53 Drama Group, who are our theatre group in residence, we have been able to carry out extensive repair work and the boilers are now up and running once again. Massive thanks to them both from myself and the Trustees for their ongoing support and generosity.

If you are looking for ideas for gifts this Christmas what about buying a gift voucher from SCAA office (telephone 01287 624997). This can be used to purchase

tickets for any SCAA run event such as jazz nights, film nights and other occasional theatre events. You should note, however, that some events may be run by private individuals or groups.

On Saturday, 17th of December at 7.30pm there will be a Christmas show run by SCAA. Tickets are available from the SCAA office and online at info@saltburnarts.co.uk and cost £10.00. Please come along and support the event.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our members, customers, helpers and supporters and my own personal thanks to the staff and Trustees.

See also the article below and pages 34 and 35.

Tony Smith Chairman, Saltburn Community and Arts Association

Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council The Saltburn Christmas event will take place on Saturday, 3rd December. There will be children’s activities and entertainment during the afternoon at the Library. The Christmas tree lights will be switched on at 5pm and then the local Fire Brigade will lead the parade bringing Father Christmas into the Town. Anyone who would like to volunteer to assist on the day should contact the Clerk to the Council. The theme this year is Disney and fancy dress is encouraged! A colouring competition has been launched - the winners will get to switch on the Christmas Tree lights. For further details please see our website.

A Parish Council Carol Service will be held in Emmanuel Church, Saltburn on Wednesday, 21st December in association with the Middleton Choir followed by light refreshments in the Church Hall. As well as invited guests, members of the local community are invited to come along and the event is free.

At the recent Parish Council meeting it was agreed that Council would sign up to Redcar & Cleveland’s Love it campaign and pledge to continue to work in partnership with them to carry out various jobs throughout the Parish including, maintaining Saltburn Picnic Area on Marine Parade, maintenance in Saltburn Valley Gardens, maintenance in Marske Valley Gardens, maintaining and strimming various footpaths and carrying out litter picks.

It would also continue to provide financial support for the toilets on the Station Portico.

Members were asked to consider giving some emergency financial assistance to Saltburn Community & Arts Association, in order to keep the building open after some unexpected works had needed to be carried out It was agreed that a one off emergency grant of £3000 be given and the cheque was presented to Tony Smith, Chairman of SCAA by the Chairman of the Parish Council, Councillor John Lambert - (pictured opposite with Members of the SCAA Committee).

Members were advised that a telegraph pole on one of the allotments on Hazel Grove was badly damaged and

would need to be replaced. Representatives from the National Grid had visited the site to carry out an assessment and had advised that the work needed would result in some disruption of electricity supply for some residents, who would be informed in advance. This is obviously going to cause some disruption on the allotment site and once we have details of when the works will be taking place we will inform those tenants affected - hopefully the work will be completed before next year’s growing season.

Due to changes in legislation, the Parish Council can no longer distribute and lay rat poison on its allotment sites.

It will be up to individual tenants to ensure that their plot remains vermin free. The Warden can give advice about discouraging vermin - please contact the office to arrange an appointment.

On behalf of the Parish Council best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

Tracy Meadows (Clerk and RFO to Saltburn, Marske & New Marske Parish Council) The Conference Centre, Saltburn Learning Campus Marske Mill Lane, Saltburn, TS12 1HJ Tel: 01287 623477 email: office@smnmpc.co.uk www.smnmpc.co.uk 27

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REDCAR GOSPEL HALL Edenhall Grove, Redcar TS10 4PR A warm welcome awaits you at our regular Sunday evening Gospel Service at 6.30 p.m., at our ‘Coffee and Chat’ each Wednesday from 10.30 a.m., and at the

Christmas Carol Service on Dec. 18th 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)

From the Past: a Present for the Future As the nights draw in, the season of Christmas is soon here, although if some shops are to be believed, Christmas begins in September with cards and decorations already on sale. There is a sense of anticipation for most youngsters, but not so much amongst adults who are aware of the pressures of buying presents, wrapping them, choosing and writing greeting cards, and ensuring that food and drink is bought in good time.

There is pressure to buy the right gift to match the recipients whilst managing the cost on the budget. Often we spend much more than usual on expensive gifts, larger food bills, increased travelling costs to visit family and friends and on entertaining.

When wrapping paper is discarded, all parties are over, tree and decorations are taken down, cards recycled, and the house looks so bare, there is always the big question, how much has it cost and when are the credit card bills due?

Why do we do all this, and perhaps after taking stock, think that next year we’ll do it differently?

People generally, as well as Christians are drawn into this process. Sometimes the reason is lost in the fever of spending, of social events and time away from the usual routines. For some it is a break in the low point of the year, the winter solstice, and some will enjoy the holiday without much thought as to its origins.

Recollections of Christmas carols sung at school, incessant jingles in stores may spark off memories of past

events and bring on feelings of nostalgia.

Although the date is really an official birthday rather than the actual one, just as the Queen has two birth dates, there is always a very special significance in the Christmas season and for Christmas Day itself for Christians.

For Christians, it is the time to remember and celebrate as told in the Bible, that God sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world. Christmas might be costly for us, but bears no comparison to the greater cost to God who spared not His own Son but gave Him so that we might have forgiveness for our sins and receive salvation. The angel announced at the birth of Jesus, “Unto you is born this day a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.” As Christmas approaches, it is good to remember the greatest gift of all, when in amazing grace, God gave His Son so we could receive eternal life through faith and trust in Jesus, who was crucified and on the third day rose from the dead to give salvation to all who believe in Him. For Christians of many countries and cultures all over the world, the special meaning of Christmas is remembered and celebrated amidst the gloss of commercial life and the traditions of the season. Many places of Christian worship will hold services focused on God’s giving and the arrival of the Saviour. This Christmas, if you are able, take time to find a church near you or come to us at Redcar Gospel Hall, where you can experience the wonder of God’s unique Christmas gift, Jesus the Saviour, and give thanks to Him for the blessings that accepting His special gift brings.

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Saltburn House this December!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you for your continued support.

Now Taking Bookings for Christmas Parties and Christmas Day Lunch. Please contact our office on 01287 622008 for details. ***Every Friday it’s Karaoke!!*** Bands this month are: Sat 3rd Dec Children’s Christmas Funday, Tickets only, £2 available from Saltburn House, Sat 3rd Dec Soul Survivors, Sat 10th Dec AfterSoul Charity Night, Sat 17th Dec Soul Rebels, Mon 26th Dec The Wainstones, Sat 31st Dec Hot Wire and Buffet, Tickets only, £10 available from Saltburn House,

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

01287 622008 31

Lead thieves cost town £4,000

MR MOP: Trustee Drexal Parker busy mopping up the Saltburn community centre’s floor following rain getting in after lead was stolen from the roof. The cost of the vandalism is around £4,000 for the hardhit community association.

Concertgoers were greeted by large buckets holding dripping water when they queued for tea at Saltburn’s Community Hall on Sunday, 23rd October.

Drexal Parker, a trustee of the community and arts association, said lead on the roof had been stolen in early September and was now being replaced by fibre glass.

“It will cost us £2,000 to replace. Unfortunately, the building’s insurance is done through Redcar and Cleveland Council’s overall insurance scheme and does not cover lead theft. We intend to put a ‘no lead here’ poster to alert wouldbe thieves. Police have so far not caught anyone.”

In addition the community association expects repairs

COESI – Centre of Excellence for Sensory Impairment

SENSORY BOOK CLUB The COESI charity has been successful in securing Big Lottery funding to run Social Activities for people with visual impairments in the Tees Valley region which includes accessible Art and Culture.

Our aim is to bring people with visual impairments together socially to access and experience culture, history and art in a local environment.

Come and join us for some social, informal sessions with refreshments and experience a Touch to See tactile and audio resource created by Living Paintings.

To find out more about the free monthly sessions held in Saltburn and Redcar contact Sophie Bishop at 01287 204204 or email info@coesi.org.uk to book yourself a place.

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LIVELY: Band conductor Stuart Shields in action during the lively concert given by The Silverwood Band at Saltburn community theatre

to the floor to total £2,000. It is made of Polish wood and was laid a dozen years ago.

A concert by the Nunthorpe-based Silverwood band, which plays during the summer at the bandstand, raised £500 for association funds. The conductor Stuart Shields wore a white jacket and led about 40 players.

An oboe soloist had a narrow escape from injury when walking down steps from the stage. She stumbled and had to walk quickly down the steps to retain her balance. Councillor Philip Thomson thanked volunteers who collect donations from the public at the bandstand for their work.

Mike Morrissey

Letter to the Editor Whilst I sympathise with Paul Waugh (November’s Talk of the Town) and agree with him that it’s a sad time we live in when the old mortuary is broken into, I must say that perhaps such a thing could have been avoided if the ‘unnamed local businessman’ who purchased the building a few years ago, thereby seemingly halting the plans of one of the voluntary groups of Saltburn to purchase the premises, had undertaken any remedial work on the property in the ensuing years since his purchase.

This small but important historical building is falling into further and further disrepair and it is my opinion and that of others I have spoken to on the matter, that it’s time some effort was shown to retain our mortuary. It could be a fascinating place to show visitors; it could even, at times, be used for its true purpose but instead, the poor place sits, rotting and all because someone bought it and has not apparently made any effort to improve its lot.

Come on, whoever you are, let’s see some positive action with regard to our mortuary. Now it’s been broken into once it won’t be long before partying and drinking goes on. Let’s see another little piece of Saltburn’s history brought back to life. Even if it was a museum, opened only in the high season, that would be a plan.

Deana Jefferson

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Making light of SC&AA’s new logo Designing a new visual identity for Saltburn Community & Arts Association was a joyous task because the building itself is a pleasure and the role that SC&AA plays is to bring pleasure. This didn’t necessarily make it easy but it would be wrong to say that the joy ever went out of the project.

The number of different activities that take place in the Theatre, Community Hall and Coffee Room are varied so there is no single factor that combines them other than the fact that they take place under the same, sometimes leaking, roof: it serves as the home for its resident ’53 Drama Group but also presents visiting theatre productions; it is the centre for the wide variety of activities that are undertaken by the U3A; it is the venue for health concerns ranging from WeightWatchers to the Blood Transfusion Unit; it stages concerts for differing musical genres; it caters for pre-school through to postwork enthusiasts; it has a weekly Tabletop Sale, a fortnightly Film Society, a monthly Jazz Club... If a visual identity is to be valid it must have some authenticity and the difficulty of recognising what constitutes that was quickly obvious.

We began by deliberately taking lots of different routes, some to do with the broad notion of the ‘Liberal Arts’, others to do with trying to depict Community, some to do with the building itself, others about the region of East Cleveland. The early nascent ideas were presented to The Board before Christmas last year. These identified over a dozen paths of thought and initiated the need for integrating typography and a visual grid as part of any eventual solution. The Board were enthusiastic but undecided so suggested that we present the ideas to the users of the building which we did by showing all the initial stages in the Community Hall over the St Valentine’s weekend and again at the AGM in early May, inviting written responses from all viewers – the response was enthusiastic but non-committal.

It was decided that we should edit the ideas down by avoiding some solutions that were either no longer relevant or ones that were already used in the town. So the obvious identity of a church was rejected despite the fact that it obviously was one, once. The theatricality of masks was abandoned because SC&AA is more than a theatre.

Saltburniness was overlooked so as to avoid being merely a 1930s’ LNER poster (good as they are). Figurative options were decided to date too quickly much to the consternation of the resident dragons. Seagulls were also getting a very bad press at the time and we didn’t want to narrow ourselves down to only serving followers of Chekhov or Brighton Football Club. There was nothing wrong with any of these notions but they were not sufficiently complex.

A smaller number of options were presented to the Board after the Summer recess but this time the three options became products rather than concepts, letterheads rather than ‘scamps’. At this stage a choice was made and we were sent away to refine the idea into a workable 34

actuality which was approved, after its year-long gestation period, by The Board in November.

This is something of an abridged version of the story but worth telling in order to contextualise the eventual decision.

The image for the logo, to a large extent, derives from the original 1910 glass which is one of the most attractive elements in the building. This allowed us to refer to the place without particularly referencing any religious meaning. The stained glass concept works on a number of levels. It lets in light with all the positive associations that suggests. It brings together separate pieces to form a whole. It uses lead as a base material that binds disparate elements. It has both a traditional and a contemporary existence. It is an artisan medium, not an exclusive one. It is familiar without being predictable.

The colourway was not an easy choice but the brown/terracotta stems from the distinctive two tone brickwork, the second lighter stone colour was rejected simply because as a graphic device it would struggle to read by itself. The blue alternative was not a ‘by-the Sea’ selection but one that has something of a history in the town’s crest and works as a near complementary to the dark orange.

The typeface chosen was Condensed Futura partly because it was designed shortly after the building and is critical in the history of printed letter forms from the Bauhaus to Apple Mac, partly because it has stood the test of time and partly because it had been used as part of the logo already and whilst the identity will hopefully herald change it should also confirm continuity.

The idea of using the logo both in a landscape and portrait format is deliberate and allows for flexible usage – a logo should be able to adapt. Both the BBC2 logo and the Channel 4 logo have creatively changed but have remained the same. Alternatively look at the current B&H ads exhibition in the SCA2gallery to see how consistency need not be boring. SC&AA’s logo is deliberately phrased so that it already talks about four violin strings, a moors landscape, a tragedy mask, the five lines of the stave, the timber roof supports in the theatre and main hall, the curve of the shoreline, the back of a rocking horse, a hidden central axis… or maybe it’s just a picture of one of the windows.

Two Faces Design

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SALTBURN METHODIST CHURCH Milton Street, Saltburn.

Sunday Services at 10.45 a.m. and 6.00 p.m.

Sunday school 10.45 a.m.

Mid week worship Wednesday at 10 a.m.

SUNDAY 11th DECEMBER TOY SERVICE AT 10.45 a.m. — Mr Trevor Hume Evening Worship at 6.00 p.m. — Rev John Henry SUNDAY 18th DECEMBER at 10.45 a.m.

THE NATIVITY WITH THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

And Rev Helena Harbottle At 6.00 p.m. CAROL SERVICE

COME AND ADORE

CHRISTMAS EVE at 11.15 p.m.

COMMUNION SERVICE.

CHRTISTMAS DAY at 10.45 a.m.

CHRISTMAS WORSHIP— REV KEITH MARTIN

The Snow Queen

From Shakespeare to panto – it’s all in a day’s work for the award winning Saltburn ’53 Drama Group. The ’53, theatre group in residence at Saltburn Community Theatre, attracted rave reviews and record audiences for their most recent production – a 1920s version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

‘Brilliantly acted, hilariously funny, a joy to watch.’ ‘It was so good I couldn’t believe it wasn’t a professional theatre group!’ ‘An absolute treat.’ ‘A fantastic performance.’ - just some of the audience comments after the show.

But, far from putting their feet up and enjoying a wellearned rest, the group were straight back into rehearsals for their next production: The Snow Queen.

A pantomime version of Hans Christian Anderson’s classic tale, it is a wonderfully warm and funny adaptation with original characters joined by some rather interesting new additions to the story.

Directed by Sheenah Taylor, it’s a show for all the family with humour for adults and children alike. A cast of 31 – yes 31! – is made up of both youth and adult members and is keeping the wardrobe team extremely busy.

The Snow Queen runs from 12th-14th & 19th-21st January with shows each evening and an extra matinee both Saturdays. Tickets are on sale now priced £7 (£5 concessions) from Book Corner, Chocolini’s and Saltburn Community Theatre. Or you can buy tickets and find out more about the group at the ’53 stall at Saltburn Farmers’ Christmas Market on Saturday, 10th December.

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Offers and Events Midweek Special Sunday to Thursday evening, come along to enjoy any two main courses from our new Brasserie Menu and receive a bottle of our House Wine, red, white or rose free.

2 for 1 Cocktails Come along to Brockley Hall Hotel on Sunday to Thursday evenings, and let our expert mixologists prepare and serve you 2 cocktails for the price of 1 between 3pm and 7pm.

Tuesday night is Burger night.

We are delighted to offer two of our Home-Made Burgers with hand cut fries and a bottle of House Wine, red, white or rose for £29.50 per couple.

Wednesday night is Steak Night Enjoy two steaks (Ribeye or Sirloin) and your choice of a side each and a bottle of House Wine, red, white or rose for £45 per couple.

Festive Fine Dining Menu Our beautiful Christmas Themed Menu is available from 14th November, Monday to Friday, all your festive favourites as well as something for every taste, ideal for family get togethers, work parties or a treat. £35.00 per person.

Prix Fixe Menu Our usual Prix Fixe menu is available with a Christmas theme, served from midday to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 6.30pm Monday to Thursday, £16.50 for two courses, £19.50 for 3 courses. Take a look online for menus and details.

Festive Afternoon Tea All of our cakes and pastries are homemade by our award winning chefs, treat yourself to Praline Yule Log, Traditional Mince Pie, Orange and Chocolate Macaroon, Toffee Apple Choux Sable, Mulled Wine and Pear Trifle and Brandy Soaked Fruitcake and a selection of freshly cut sandwiches and a choice of scone with unlimited refills of tea or coffee. £19.50 per person.

New Year’s Eve Celebrate New Year in style at the beautiful Brockley Hall Hotel, Saltburn. £95 per person for a glass of champagne on arrival and a fabulous 7 course menu.

Entertainment will be the live band, Platinum, playing music from 1920s through to present day.

Come dressed to impress.

Booking essential and full payment to be due by 20th December.

This is a ticket-only event and our bedrooms are reserved for guests attending the party so why not make a night of it? Bed, breakfast and the New Year’s Eve event for two, £285.00 for an en suite room with shower, £325.00 for a beautiful room with a bath and en suite shower or treat yourself to a Suite with a feature bathtub in the room and an en suite shower room and lovely views for a special treat for £375.00.

To book contact us on:

Reception (01287) 622179 Website www.brockleyhallhotel.com Follow us on Facebook at Brockley Hall Hotel and twitter@HallBrockley 37

Festive Foodie Fun

Saltburn Farmers’ Market gets set for Christmas Local food fans have a tasty treat coming up, when Saltburn’s Christmas Farmers’ Market rounds off a busy year with a festive special on Saturday, 10th December.

More than 40 stalls will be bringing good local food, art and crafts right to heart of the popular monthly market, with the South Bank Brass Band adding to the Saturday morning buzz around the seaside town.

And shoppers can also win one of three Farmers’ Market Hampers on the day itself, with all raffle proceeds going directly to the Redcar Area Foodbank – adding to the £329 already raised for the Foodbank at the Market in October and November.

Market Manager Lorna Jackson said: “They say that time flies when you’re having fun, and this year has absolutely flown by. The market has been busy and really enjoyable all year, and the Food Festival earlier this summer was just incredible.

“There’s been too many highlights to mention this year, but the main thing that stands out for me is the fact that good local food is right at the heart of everything we do. And that brings a real sense of community and a fantastic family atmosphere to the Market, with the local food producers and shoppers all combining to add a real buzz to the town.”

Looking forward to the Christmas Market, Lorna said: “There’s going to be a real Festive tingle around the market, and it’s a perfect time to make sure that good local food takes pride of place on the Christmas table.

“That could be a 5-bird roast or traditional handmade cheese from North Yorkshire, or some amazing wines from just four miles along the coast in Skinningrove – how local is that?

“But we’re looking forward to a fantastic day for everyone to enjoy, a great way to round off a really enjoyable year here at the Market in Saltburn.”

Saltburn Christmas Farmers’ Market: Saturday, 10th

Saltburn Farmers’ Market Ian Coles from Skinningrove Country Wines & Market Manager Lorna Jackson get set for Christmas.

December. 9am-2pm. Based near Saltburn Railway Station.

Over 40 stalls, bringing good local food right to the heart of town. More info at www.saltburnfarmersmarket.com

The Green Room is our new vegetarian/ vegan bistro which we opened at 114 Borough Road, Middlesbrough in May this year. We offer a café style lunch menu until 6 p.m., then a delicious three-course evening menu from 6.30 p.m.

Our gorgeous Christmas menu is also available to view online.

Visit our website www.thegreenroommiddlesbrough.co.uk or Facebook page @thegreenroombistro for further details of our menus and opening times:

Telephone: 01642 913730 38

The Vista Mar Saltburn Bank, Saltburn.

Facebook – Vista Mar.

Tel: 01287 623771

Christmas Party? Office Party? Friends & family get together?

Try something a little different this year!

Christmas Special deal Mediterranean Tapas night A fantastic array of French, Spanish, Italian, Moroccan, Greek & Portuguese dishes.

Served in a Meze style feast. Two or three dishes served at a time throughout the evening.

Enjoy trying traditional village recipes from around the Med. Fish, shellfish, meat and vegetarian dishes.

Our Chefs will provide you with a balanced mix of dips, breads, meat, fish & vegetarian dishes to cater for all tastes. Eat what you like and leave what you don’t. Relax with friends and enjoy an evening with a difference. Superb value for money. Bookings only.

Tapas Meze prices:

4 to 10 people £18.00 pp

11 to 30 £16.00 pp

30 to 50 £15.00 pp

What’s happening at The Vista Mar this Christmas & New Year Christmas Eve – Chill out night for two. Any 5 Tapas dishes, bread basket and 2 x Bucks fizz £30 !!!

Mulled wine. Roast Chestnuts. Christmas carols Christmas Day – Dinner served from 12 to 3 pm Three course Christmas Dinner £49.95 Smorgasbord Scandinavian Feast starter 5 roast carvery main course This is now nearly fully booked. Remaining places on a first come basis.

Boxing Day – Saltburn Sea Dippers. Breakfast rolls. Coffee / tea / Hot Chocolate served from 9 am Comfort food carvery served all day – Stew & dumplings, Homemade curry, Liver & onions, Roast vegetable Lasagne, etc.

New Year’s Eve – Music through the ages. Our resident Café Del Mar DJ playing music from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and today’s favourites. Champagne & Prosecco special offers.

Our 2016 New Year’s Eve cocktail special. Late bar. Free admission.

New Year’s Day – Food served all day.

Canine Rehabilitation and Fitness

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Santa to set up Grottos across the borough in time for Christmas ANYONE looking to have a chat with Father Christmas to discuss their Christmas lists will have a number of opportunities to do so in the next few weeks at Grottos across Redcar and Cleveland.

Santa will be dropping in to Redcar High Street, Saltburn Cliff Tramway and Kirkleatham Museum from late November until Christmas Eve to spread some holiday cheer and make note of some last minute present requests.

His first Grotto will be Santa’s Seaside Grotto in Redcar which runs Fridays and weekends until Christmas Eve, as well as the full week leading up to the 24th. Running from 10am to 4pm each day, the Grottos on the High Street cost £3 per child.

On Saturday, 3rd December and Sunday, 4th December, Santa will take a trip back in time as he attends the Victorian Christmas event at Kirkleatham Museum where kids will get to meet Santa and receive a gift. The Grotto will be open 10am to 3.30pm on both days with free admission to the Victorian Christmas event and entry to meet Santa costing £3.50.

During December, Father Christmas will be making trips up and down Saltburn’s Victorian Cliff Tramway as one of the trams gets transformed into a moving Grotto for Santa and his elves. The Grotto is open between 10.30am and 4pm, the cost is £5 per child and adult supervision is required.

With what is believed to be a record near 180,000 people using the tramway so far in 2016, Santa’s arrival will extend what has been a busy year for the staff at the attraction.

Councillor Carl Quartermain, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Leisure, said: “With Santa making so many appearances across the borough, there should be enough opportunities for kids to make some last minute requests before Christmas Day. “As well as the Grottos, make sure to check out all the other Christmas events taking place in Redcar and Cleveland including markets, light switch-ons and craft workshops which are detailed in our Christmas events guide.”

To find out more about the Grottos and all the Christmas events taking place, download the Christmas events guide by going to www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/ events.

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Looking for a present with a difference?

£20 GIFT VOUCHERS (5 classes) are now available for ANY of the classes below…

DANCE YOUR WAY TO FITNESS with this ’Strictly’ style dance class… Learn the SALSA, the JIVE and more… while GETTING FIT and TONING UP! This class is PARTNER FREE. Mondays 7pm (Starts January 2017)

Spirals

A PILATES, YOGA & BALLET inspired fitness class. Spirals works on CORE STRENGTH, OVERALL TONING and NATURAL FLEXIBILITY Wednesdays 7pm

EASY TO FOLLOW & FUN, this dance fitness class is a great TONING & OVERALL WORKOUT: Mondays 6pm Thursdays 10am For more information about gift vouchers, classes, venues, prices… call ESTELLE on 07887 525234 / email at estelle@dancefitsaltburn.co.uk

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 and a Merry Christmas from Milly, Lilly and Woody.

Milly and Lilly are an absolutely lovely pair of cats who unfortunately ended up at SARA after their owner became too ill to care for them. Milly is about 6 years old and she has sadly lost her tail due to unfortunate incident. Lilly is about 4 years old, they are both very adorable black and white cats with golden eyes. We wonder if they could possibly be mother and daughter.

Both ladies are neutered. Both Milly and Lilly are very friendly and affectionate, and they love to snuggle up together to sleep. Milly and Lilly do get stressed, so they would need a home where they are the only pets and there are no children either.

Woody is a gorgeous and playful white staffie terrier type dog. Woody is about 6 years old, and like Milly and Lilly, he also came into SARA after his owner’s health deteriorated until they were unable to look after him anymore. As he’s used to living in a home he finds it very difficult to settle in the kennels, bless him.

The poor lad is very stressed by the change, and he desperately needs a new family to care for him. Woody is a great dog, and a smart boy too. He really loves people and enjoys lots of attention and cuddles. He really enjoys his walks and playing with his toys. Woody could potentially live in a home with older children, aged 10 and upwards.

Love from Milly, Lilly and Woody.

SARA fundraising events during December The next monthly meeting of SARA will be held on Wednesday, 7th December, at 7.30pm in the TocH premises, Albion Terrace, Saltburn. New members are very welcome.

Saturday, 10th December – SARA will be holding a Christmas Fayre at Marske Hall, Redcar Road, Marske (Formerly Sir Leonard Cheshire Home). This will be held from 10am to 1pm. There will be a large variety of stalls, also a raffle. Refreshments will also be on sale. Come along and enjoy the festive event. All the proceeds will go towards giving the animals in our care a lovely Christmas.

Sunday, 11th December – Once again SARA will be enjoying Carols at Foxrush Farm. Kirkleatham Lane Redcar, from 2pm to 3.30pm. Coffee, mince pies and

mulled wine will be available. Come along with family, friends and pets to join in this lovely Christmas event.

We look forward to seeing you.

Twilight Stroll: On Sunday, 16th October 2016 SARA held its annual Twilight Stroll. They had a quiet stroll up the lane and back ending up at the memory garden to remember all those friends and animals that have passed.

The great amount of support we receive at our events makes it possible for us to help the ever increasing numbers of animals that so desperately need our help. For this we are most grateful.

John Fuller, Press Officer Helpline: 01642 488108 45

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A CHILI CON CARNE CHRISTMAS?

BY REV ADAM REED Who in Saltburn will be eating Chili Con Carne this Christmas? I suspect there may not be many of you. But, if you are, then you will be that little bit closer to understanding the mystery of Christmas.

Chili Con Carne is essentially ‘peppers with meat’ or ‘beans with meat’. Con carne means ‘with meat’. It’s why we call someone who eats meat a carnivore.

And it’s why at Christmas we speak of God’s incarnation. God Con Carne. God with meat. God in the flesh.

Yes, I believe that Jesus Christ, born as a baby in Bethlehem, is God incarnate, God in the flesh. Jesus, who is God from all eternity, became incarnate in the womb of Mary. And ever since that silent night, that holy night, Jesus is fully God and fully human. But why would God want to become incarnate?

Services Times Well, as you look at pictures of the baby Jesus lying in a wooden manger and then cast your mind’s eye forward thirty years to Jesus dying on a wooden Sundays cross, think about these words of Jesus himself: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever 9.00am traditional communion believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his 10.45am contemporary worship Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Tuesdays him.” (Gospel of John 3:16-17) 9.30am said communion Jesus came into the world to save and to rescue; to restore a broken relationship with God into one filled with peace and eternal hope.

Morning Prayer This Christmastime, at Emmanuel and in all your local churches, you can find 9.00am Mon-Fri in ECHO out more about this amazing hope and celebrate the love of Jesus – our true Contact Details God Con Carne!

May you have a very happy and blessed Christmas, and look forward to 2017. tel 01287 622251

email emmanuelsaltburn@hotmail.co.uk

web www.emmanuelsaltburn.co.uk

Visitor and Exhibition opening times in December Saturdays 3rd & 17th 10am - 4pm

Sundays 18th JESUS My Lighthouse, my Lighthouse shining in the darkness, I will follow You. My Lighthouse, my Lighthouse I will trust the promise, You will carry me safe to shore.

1 - 4pm

(Rend Collective)

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Seldons Saltburn Pier Amusements

Seldons Leisureworld is a family established business of fifty years originally based in Seaburn, Sunderland. After a family visit to the beautiful Victorian village of Saltburn we fell in love with the area instantly and saw so much potential in the amusement arcade situated on the edge of the pier, in front of the traditional Victorian lift.

We bought the business and opened February 2012 and were so passionate about making it the best we could for the people of Saltburn so families could come and enjoy the 2p pushers and fun games and make precious memories together. We opened for a couple of days in the half term then decided to close for a total of six weeks and complete a full refurbishment including new lighting, painting, electrics and re-modelling to create a bright, friendly environment.

Seldons,

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

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

Open all year round 10am-8pm.

Allan Smith, Grant Seldon, Chelsie Seldon, Ivonne Kampfer

After being open for twenty-one months on 06/12/13 the highest recorded tidal surge of Teesside came through the front of our building during the evening.

The arcade is situated half on the pier and half on the land and when the swell had nowhere else to break it hit the wall underneath. This then caused the water to shoot through the floor at the front creating its own tidal wave throughout the building destroying the ceiling, machines, and anything else in its path. The people of Saltburn and us as a family were devastated but our main objective was to get everything out with help from family and friends and to get open again as quick as possible.

The work started by the council getting their contractor to complete the work of major structural damage underneath which included replacing 3 main beams and strengthening it using pins. Our team of electricians, builders, engineers and close friends who completed the refurbishments before got all hands on deck making the floor stronger and getting the arcade back to its original form with improvements along the way.

We re-opened February 2015 and painted the outside to keep in theme with the original colours of the tram and pier which finalised the opening as a fresh start for us a family and for the people of Saltburn for a long future ahead.

Seldon Family

Saltburn, Redcar & Cleveland Philatelic Society December Meetings Our next Wednesday meetings held at the Community Centre, Durham Road, Redcar, commencing 7:15pm are: 7th December: Members’ one frame displays, and 21st December (Christmas Party): President Martin Snowdon conducts the society’s Annual Quiz.

This month we show two hand illustrated Victorian envelopes, posted to Saltburn. Upper item is dated AU 21 (18)91; and a politically incorrect one from Scarborough dated AU 21 96 (exactly 5 years later – perhaps a birthday). Addressed to Messrs A&B Stackhouse, The Bank, Saltburn, both were saved.

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Can any reader say in which of the two stone houses accessed off Saltburn Bank, did this prominent family reside? Possibly both?

Geoff Reynolds (Secretary) 01642 478229 David D. Turner 01287 624736

Talk of the Town’s monthly

Pride of Saltburn Award

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 The winner of this month’s Pride of Saltburn Award is Sue Cook. She was nominated by her brother Barry and about Sue he says, “I would like to nominate my Sister Sue for the Pride of Saltburn Award. Sue has a great nature and has been a great help to my partner Bunny through the times when I was very ill. Since Sue decided to retire at the ripe old age of 60, which is next May, she has been doing less work and now only works just 2 days a week at a Children’s Nursery in Redcar, but this leaves her plenty of time for her own garden, also helping to look after her Uncle Fred’s Ponderosa (Garden). He sadly passed away 4 years ago. What time is left after that busy schedule she has been helping out with Saltburn in Bloom, making Saltburn looking nice and tidy. Sue also assists with Saltburn beachwatch, cleaning the beach of all the rubbish that visitors leave behind.”

Thank you, Sue, for being you, the Pride of Saltburn.

Every month, a £30 bunch of flowers, kindly donated by Ruby Lilly’s Florists of Marske, is awarded to someone in Saltburn who has earned admiration, gratitude and love for whatever reason. Talk of the Town invites nominations from readers, to chose whom to receive recognition and a bunch of flowers. Send your nominations to Talk of the Town’s postbag at Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, Cleveland, TS12 1AQ or email Ian (talkofthetownsaltburn@gmail.com). (Please include your name, phone number and the reason you are nominating the person of your choice.) Please also confirm with the nominee that they are willing to receive the award (many people feel shy about it). All the nominations will be read and kept for future use, so even if your choice doesn’t win this month, they might do so next time.

Try something different at Grasers

Christmas Goodies Seen here are loads of Christmas goodies, which can be bought individually or made into a hamper or gift bags to your choice. The red post box is a special gift pack containing three jars of Tiptree Morello Cherry Jam, Orange Fine Cut Peel Marmalade and Lemon Curd, with the motto ‘All about taste.’ Grasers also sell Tiptree Chutney and Mincemeat. Also Mrs Darlington’s Mincemeat with Brandy.

Various ginger goodies include Annas Original Ginger Thins, Pukka Three Ginger Tea with ginger, galangal and turmeric and a selection of Mad Hatter Teas. And of course Chocolate gingers. There’s also Spiced Ginger Punch and Mulled Winter Punch and the spices for steeping one’s own mulled wine, containing cinnamon, lemon zest, cloves and allspice. As well as all this Grasers also stock a wide selection of traditional Christmas nuts in their shells and nutmegs. Make it a Christmas filled with Grasers’ goodies!

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Saltburn Detachment Cleveland Army Cadet Force

Saltburn Detachment is a forward looking, hard working Detachment that is looking for new recruits to boost their numbers. We are situated on the edge of the caravan site next door to the Scout hut. If you are in year 8-9 at school both boys and girls are welcome to come along and have a look at what we do. We Parade on Mondays and Thursdays from 7-9pm. This is what the cadets think of the Detachment and the activities carried out during training and testing.

During my time at the Detachment I have represented the Detachment and Company and County at the NE area swimming gala in the Senior Boys Butterfly.

As a cadet I have made many good friends throughout the Cleveland area, these friends’ support me in Cadets and in my normal life. I am proud to be able to help my local community. Recently I have been able to help Armed Forces Veterans by carrying out my duty and selling poppies. I felt great pride when I marched in Saltburn’s Armistice day parade on Sunday, 13th November to show Veterans my appreciation with the rest of my Detachment.

Cadet BLENKINSOP W At Annual camp I participated in many activities including Fieldcraft, Shooting, First Aid and Adventurous activities such as Rock climbing, Dragon Boat Racing, but my favourite was Shotgun Shooting at clay pigeons. I would never have had the opportunity to carry out any of these activities if I was not a cadet. Cadets gives you a good preparation for your future life and gives you many opportunities to improve your job prospects. I have just completed a BTEC level 1 in Teamwork and Leadership 50

and I am looking forward to completing my level 2 later on in my cadet career.

Cadet BLENKINSOP E I joined Cadets about 8 weeks ago and have just completed my first weekend camp. This was at Stainton Cadet Training Centre near Barnard Castle. At first I was nervous – however, I found I was sharing a room with cadets that were feeling just the same as me.

During this camp I did Shooting, Drill (that is marching), First Aid and Expedition Training. I excelled at shooting and was the best new recruit on camp. I think this is because of the really good training and support I had at Saltburn Detachment.

Cade Brown J M Supportive Staff Lt Hart has only been at our Detachment for a short time but since his arrival we have achieved so much. We have completed 1 Star at Annual camp and are more than half way through our 2 Star Training.

We have also had the opportunity to work within our local community and have visited RAF Fylingdales and are working closely with the Sea Cadets from Redcar (Training Ship Zetland).

SI Jackson is the trainer for the Basic Training. He is very supportive and teaches in a friendly way. This has helped us all pass our training quickly. He has only been with the Cadets as a Sergeant for a short time and is still learning - just like us.

Saltburn First: a new website Saltburn First is coming – what is Saltburn First? Simply it’s a new, fresh, relevant website for our town.

Saltburn First is for Business, to promote the independent businesses in the town. Advanced listings will be available at a small charge, giving more information about your business and any periodic offers you may want to promote.

More business for us all!

Saltburn First is for our Community, promoting our diversity of community, from Beachwatch, Saltburn in Bloom to GirlGuidingUK and Saltburn Arts – one place for contact listing, news and events.

Saltburn First is for Visitors. We have so much to shout about in our great little town – where to eat, where to sleep, visitor attractions and things to see in the town and further afield.

Where are our churches, and what time do they meet?

Where are the cash machines? Saltburn First will not be politically aligned: however, our local councillors will be given opportunity to use this platform for their news and events.

Saltburn First will not be controlled by local authority

– it will be from all aspects of our community to promote our community.

Mission Statement - Saltburn First is independent and non-aligned, committed to bringing together commerce, voluntary groups, our visitors, and the general public for the specific purpose of ensuring that Saltburn is a positive place to live, work and invest - and is promoted as such.

Saltburn First can only work if we all work together to find opportunities to promote and shout about what we have here.

Are YOU going to get involved? Contact me by email saltburnfirst@outlook.com (temporary email address) and share your thoughts, or pop round for a chat.

Rob Vaines Yorkshire Pie & Mash Shop Pearl Street, Saltburn-by-the-Sea

Friday Friends

Saltburn Beer Festival 2016

Friday Friends and Soul Survivors Friday Friends is an inclusive friendship group based in Saltburn. We welcome all people of all abilities, over 18.

I’d like to invite one and all to two special events we are having in December.

Firstly, a benefit concert by the amazing band Soul Survivors at Saltburn House on December 3rd at 8.30pm.

They are a great feelgood group who give a soul slant to many favourite classic songs - and there’s a raffle too!

Secondly, Festive Friday Friends invite you to their Christmas Party on December 9th from 1pm. There’ll be food and games and lots of fun!

December Programme 2nd - Taylor’s Seated Keep-Fit to Music/Bingo. The afternoon session is making Christmas Cards.

3rd - Soul Survivors Benefit Concert at Saltburn House, Marine Parade, Saltburn at 8.30pm. All welcome!

9th - Christmas Quiz and games morning. Christmas Party with craft stall, from 1pm. Also making paper decorations.

Everybody welcome!

16th - Sing-along with Ian on guitar/Making a felt owl decoration.

23rd - A morning of games and painting a Christmassy winter picture. The last Friday Friends of 2016, we will open again on January 6th.

Have a very merry Christmas from all at Friday Friends.

Pop in any time!

We meet at Emmanuel Church Hall each Friday, with activities 10-12.30, and arts and craft 1-4. First session/day is free (carers always free) then there’s a small charge of £2.50 half day/£4 all day to help cover rent. Run by nonprofit making, hardworking volunteers. See our website at Thefridayfriends@outlook.com or phone 07833 895501.

Anjee Charman-Clark, chairperson

Beer aficionados travelled from the far corners of Great Britain, from Portsmouth to Edinburgh, towards our little Community Centre eager to enjoy scintillating, lip smacking, thirst quenching beers from a superb beer list of beers not normally seen in this area.

A quote from a happy customer: “Once again Saltburn Beer Festival has outdone itself. Can’t wait until the next. Thanks to all who made it happen.” These include the hard working Cleveland CAMRA volunteers who plan and run the festival, the staff and volunteers of SCAA, Sharon the Town Crier, Ian from Talk of the Town and Geoff at Whistle Stop. A big thank you must also go to all the local organisations who sponsored the event: Brew Build, Real Meals, Saltburn Conservative Club, Saltburn Blues Club, A P Maintenance, G R Henderson Architects, Rita’s Pantry micro pub and Nail Genies, as well as several generous individual sponsors. Without their financial support this popular event, which brought in almost 800 people to enjoy our town, would not happen.

There are a few pint and half pint commemorative glasses for sale at £3, featuring the logo of the new miniature steam engine, which would make a unique Christmas gift.

Please contact Jill (on jilljakday@gmail.com).

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Saltburn Athletic FC The season is now well underway. The under 9s Sharks continue to press for a top of the division promotion place by winning their three games since the last report with comfortable victories over Hemlington and Prissick but the third game was a hard fought victory over rivals Kader.

However, the under 9s Dolphins are having a bit of a struggle but since half the squad are eligible for the under 8s league they are doing okay and usually only losing out by the odd goal.

The under 10s are improving with every game and continue to gain points as they move up the league.

The under 12 Seagulls having had a reasonable start with two wins and two draws have lost the last two games by the odd goal and the last game against Grangetown they cruelly lost one nil to an injury time goal with about 30 seconds to go.

The under 12 Dolphins continue to top their division having won all their six games scoring 23 goals and conceding only 6.

The Under 12 Falcons continue to improve and having drawn two games at last they have had the victory they badly needed when they beat Riverside Juniors 3-2.

The under 13s have had an excellent month beating Boro Rangers Girls 17-1 and Stockton Rangers 9-1 and are now second in their division. They then had a cup match

against TIBS five divisions above them and although they lost 6-2 it was only in the ten minutes when fatigue set in that it went from 3-2 to 6-2. A good effort indeed.

The Under 14s initially struggling are now putting some very good performances together resulting in the shock victory over the then division leaders Eaglescliffe Elementis 71. Lets hope this is the start of a good run up the division.

Many thanks to Saltburn Parish council for donating £750 towards the club which will go towards equipment. Also a big thanks to some elder ladies from Brotton who held a coffee morning and donated the money raised to a value of £100.

Christmas is coming and the under 9 and 10s will have their party at Saltburn Cricket club on Sunday, 11th December from 3pm.

The under 12s, 13s and 14s will be doing something different and it is hoped that they will attend a Marske Utd fixture as their reward. I should be in a position when the next issue is released in January to be able to say thanks to others who are making contributions. Anyone who wishes to support the club in any way please contact Andy Croll on 07779 648877 or Gary Roper at the butchers shop on Dundas Street, Saltburn.

Have a very merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Andy Croll

Saltburn Bowls Club Presentation Evening On Saturday, 15th October Saltburn Bowls Club (SBC) held its annual presentation evening at the Saltburn Cricket Club.

The event, as usual, was very well attended with good ticket sales ensuring that all seats were taken in anticipation of the evening. We had bowlers and friends as well as U3A members cementing the ongoing relationship between SBC and U3A. Starting at 7:30, with a quiz from Chris, everyone was ready at 8.00 for the presentation of trophies and prizes for the winners and runners up of this season’s internal club competitions. Presentations were made by Maureen Stainthorpe-Smith, chair of SBC, assisted by Valerie Kerr for the Billy Kerr Trophy.

Of the twenty-five successful players that got prizes ten have joined SBC in recent years through the U3A link and as well as their competition success they, and others,

have become full members and now play regularly for our league teams.

Our entertainment for the evening was Platinum, a local five piece band, who entertained us royally with music from an era that we all enjoyed and understood; two of the singers, Liz and Steve, also run open mic evenings at Saltburn Cons Club.

In the usual tradition of fine dining we feasted on pie and mushy peas, served up piping hot and delicious, much better than anything on the Great British Menu. Next year we might even invite ‘Aunty Liz and Uncle Phil.’

By the end of the evening the dance floor was crowded with would be ‘Strictly’ contenders having a great time.

Many thanks to all who came along, donating prizes, buying raffle tickets and we hope you all had a wonderful evening.

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 53

DOWN THE LINE an occasional article from the Saltburn Line User Group With the new franchisee, Arriva, now in charge of Northern rail services, it is an appropriate time to look at what is happening locally. Firstly, there is some good news with regard to fares, in that some of those on the Saltburn line have been reduced. Whereas previously no distinction was made between “peak” and “off-peak” services, that has now changed. Services out of Saltburn before 09.30 are counted as peak services whilst those at 09.30 and after are off-peak.

Fares on peak services (called “Anytime” fares) remain the same as those which previously applied all day, whilst fares on off-peak services have been reduced. Some sample adult fares from Saltburn are: To Redcar To Middlesbrough To Eaglescliffe To Darlington

Anytime Single £2.80 £4.60 £5.50 £8.20

Anytime Return £3.10 £5.10 £6.10 £9 10

Off-peak Single £2.50 £4.20 £5.00 £7.60

Off-peak Return £2.60 £4.30 £5.10 £7.70

Similar reductions apply from Marske, Longbeck and the Redcar stations.

Unfortunately the “Duo” ticket facility has now been withdrawn but the new off-peak fares to some extent compensate for that and a further reduction is available to the holders of railcards. Northern are also taking a stricter approach to the purchase of tickets. If you intend to pay for your ticket by card and wish to avail yourself of travel

concessions e.g. using a railcard or buying a return ticket, you now need to use the ticket machine on the platform. Tickets can still be bought on the train using a card but no concessions will apply; only cash payment will entitle a passenger to the railcard fare or a return ticket. When using the ticket machine to buy off-peak tickets, first touch on “Popular Destinations” and then on your chosen destination to see the fares.

Sadly the new franchise has not fulfilled SLUG’s longheld aspirations for Saltburn line services: the gap between the 08.30 and 09.30 departures remains and there is no promise of an earlier morning train to connect with main line departures from Middlesbrough and Darlington or of a later evening return train. SLUG is continuing to press for these improvements.

A community station adoption group for Saltburn has been formed, initiated and led by members of Saltburn-inBloom and SLUG. The aim is to bring about improvements to the appearance and attractiveness of the station.

Money is available and we will be applying to Northern for grants to enable the group to purchase such things as new planters to replace the present half-barrels which are subject to occasional vandalism. The scheme is in its infancy at the moment so more information will be available as time goes on.

Frank Maidens

The Countryside Ranger and Volunteers, December 2016 Hello and welcome to our latest issue regarding the sights and sounds within the Valley.

I would like to thank all those who have been in touch regarding wildlife sightings of note within the Valley.

Over the past couple of months the Countryside Volunteers and myself have been working in the area of Camp Bank to restore an area which had been previously planted with trees and wildflowers by members of the Saltburn Women’s Institute.

Our initial efforts have been to control the rank grasses, and some encroaching bramble within the area, as well as some small scale crown lifting to open the area up to see what we have, and where we wish the project to go, and the best way in which to concentrate our efforts. We will be once again working in partnership with members of Saltburn WI to make sure we keep to the original ethos of the project.

Speaking of trees within the Valley, by mid-December, our deciduous trees and shrubs will have finally lost all their leaves. The landscape may appear bleak, but there is still plenty of wildlife action to be seen throughout the countryside.

The coming of winter heralds the start of a lean time for foxes in Britain. Finding sufficient food to stay alive is hard enough for adult foxes with established territories.

Young born the previous summer have even more of a challenge to stay alive, since they are often forced to occupy less favourable habitats. In early December, foxes normally start to take an interest in rural human habitation, especially where there is the prospect of scavenging food or stealing the occasional chicken. At this time of year, foxes that live on 54

the fringes of towns and cities are also more inclined to venture into surprisingly urban settings. Where they are not disturbed, they can become amazingly bold.

Bracket fungi are among the most distinctive of their kind, as many are large and robust. They often persist throughout the winter months, despite the battering of wind, rain, snow and ice.

As its name suggests, the birch polypore only grows on the trunks of birch trees. Its spores are released through pores on the under surface of the bracket.

A knobbly and sometimes kidney-shaped bracket is characteristic of Phellinus ignarius, which causes a white rot in the timber of deciduous trees, especially willows.

Brown concentric rings mark the upper surface of Ganoderma adspersum. In contrast, the pores on the under surface are buffish. Some excellent examples of this species can be seen at the base of the beech trees near to the minibeast area.

Woodlands also harbour an astonishing diversity of specialised lichens. Among the most easily recognised are those belonging to the genus Usnea. In damp, undisturbed woodlands, clumps of Usnea lichen festoon deciduous trees, forming a tangled mass of stems attached to the branches by a single holdfast. They are easiest to see in the winter, when the trees are bare and woodlands are relatively light.

Saltburn task days continue throughout the year every Friday; we meet by the centre at 10.00am.

For more information, contact paul.murphy@redcarcleveland.gov.uk (and for volunteering opportunities, contact Karen.preston@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk).

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

Brotton Library Knit and Natter Group 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

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

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

For a friendly efficient service on all legal matters Tel:

(01287) 623049

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

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Student Leadership at Huntcliff School “Our team of student leaders this year is very impressive,” says Head of School, Mrs Catherine Juckes. “We have great expectations of what student leadership can achieve and the young people have really taken ownership of their roles.”

For several years, Huntcliff School has been developing its Prefect system to increase student voice and give the elected youngsters a higher profile. Instead of a Head Boy and a Head Girl, it was decided in 2016 to remove the gender division and choose a Head Student and three Deputies, as well as twenty Prefects.

Interested Year 11 students were invited to complete an application form and to attend an interview for the Prefect posts. Those who were successful had the chance to apply for the senior positions; the challenging process involved each applicant writing a speech and delivering it to Years 7 and 8 and then to Years 9 and 10.

A secret ballot of all students and staff (one person, one vote) was held in the library and Sean was elected as Head Student. Isabel, Lucy and Faith became his Deputies.

“The voting process was similar to the one we used for our mock General Election,” explains Catherine. Being involved in the choice has led younger students to really respect those who have been elected.

Recently, Sean has been busy organising the Christmas Fair. He went to a meeting of the Parents’ and Friends’ Association and learned what was required in the way of Christmas stalls. He then liaised with the School Council and visited all the forms with the information.

“We’ve had to be very organised,” says Sean.

“Students in each of the forms have had to fill in application forms and these have been submitted to Mr Rees. The Head of the School Council, Charlotte, has chosen which twenty plans should be accepted with his guidance.”

“We’ve also been involved in Parents’ Evenings,” explains Isabel. “The Prefects’ team sign parents in, make drinks and direct people. At the Year 6 Open Evening in September, we were tour guides and we gave talks to all the eleven year olds and their parents.”

The Senior Students’ talks were entitled ‘I wish I’d known then....’, and aimed to reassure the new starters that they weren’t alone in their apprehensions about secondary school.

“I did a PowerPoint presentation, explaining that before I began Year 7, I thought I’d be doing homework 24/7 and that I’d be getting detentions every week,” she continues. “Both turned out to be completely untrue!”

Sean remembers that when he was eleven, a big fear was getting lost, but he soon found his way round and it wasn’t a problem.

Faith recalls being concerned about keeping up with the work and meeting new people, but she was able to tell Year 6s and their parents that she was made very welcome and there was always someone to talk to.

Lucy included tips on how to organise yourself and hand your homework in on time in her PowerPoint presentation. She advised new starters not to feel self56

conscious.

The Senior Students are very involved in the running of the School Council. It has various sectors, such as Community and Finance and each of the four leaders are Head of one of these. Isabel is Head of Behaviour and Rewards.

“I talked to Mr Rees about how we can reward people for good behaviour and students gave their views on the proposed changes. Mr Ainscough brought in a new system and all the teachers follow it,” she says.

Faith is Head of Community and she and Lucy have been working on plans to involve Saltburn Senior Citizens in the school. The plan is to invite them in to play board games and they’d like to reinstate the Senior Citizens Christmas Party.

Lucy is also enthusiastic about their plans to create a memorial garden on the school grounds, if they can secure funding. “We would like to plant a tree for every soldier listed on Saltburn War Memorial and wreaths could be placed there each November. The trees would include apple trees, so the fruit could be used in the school kitchen,” she says.

Faith and Lucy emphasise how proud they are to be Senior Students. Lucy enjoys trying to help everyone and make sure that the school is running as well as possible from the students’ perspective. Faith adds: “Senior Students provide a role model for the rest of the school and a link to the teachers. We work very well as a team and we bring people together.”

Catherine says that the staff take every opportunity to involve as many students as possible in leadership roles. New Sports Captains were elected this term and one of their first tasks was organising a staff versus students netball match to raise funds for the school. Sean was in the netball team and students found it a fun lunch-time activity.

The Senior Students are interested in applying for leadership roles when they go to College next year. Sean and Isabel were impressed by the Nunthorpe Academy Open Evening they attended in October. Lucy is considering Middlesbrough College and Faith likes what she has seen of Prior Pursglove. They certainly have good experience to offer.

Rosemary Nicholls

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A Christmas for Everybody at the Cons Club Welcome to the monthly article from the Cons Club and from all the members may we wish you a very ‘Happy Christmas’.

It’s a time for families, friends and enjoyment and we hope you all have a magical festive time.

It is therefore with the deepest sadness that I have to report that our Treasurer for several years, John Robinson, passed away from cancer in mid-November. John had been a local Councillor, was very active in local organisations and ran pubs and clubs in the area. Our thoughts go out to his wife, Barbara, who he had just recently married, and to his family from the Northallerton area. John did a tremendous amount of work for the club and will be greatly missed by all his friends.

He was a kind and good man, taken from us far too early.

On the club side we have arranged a bumper line up of entertainment for all the family during December which I will go through with you and hope I do not run out of space. We begin with a superb new group making their debut at the club ‘Talk of the Town’ who are appearing on Saturday 10th. The evening starts at 8pm and the entry is free with everybody welcome. They cover such artists as Beatles, Dire Straits, Rod Stewart, Dylan, Stones plus many more. Please come and show your support and encouragement.

On Wednesday 14th we are holding our Christmas Quiz, Bingo & Buffet Supper. Over the years this has proved to be a very funny and enjoyable evening but beware, owing to its popularity tickets will sell out very fast so don’t leave it to the last minute to purchase yours. The evening starts at 8pm and tickets can be purchased from the bar (tel: 622473) or from Julie Towell, Andrew Dales or Chris Bell at a cost of £4 each.

Teams of up to 6 players are welcome. It’s a night you should not miss.

On Friday 16th ‘Teesside Steve’ and Liz Bishop will be hosting the ‘Open Mic Night’ Christmas Party. A free buffet will be provided to all attendees. If you wish to play or sing on the night names are taken from 7-30pm and the music starts at 8pm. Entry is free and all are welcome. The popularity of this monthly event is growing with more people in attendance. The Christmas gig will prove more popular than ever and you are urged not to leave it too late if you want a seat in the lounge.

Saturday 17th sees an abundance of entertainment, starting at 12-30pm when the ’53 Drama Group will be joining us following their singing of Carols at the Station Portico.

Following this, from 2-30pm until 4pm, Father Christmas and his Elves are taking time out from their busy schedule to be at the club. They will be handing out presents to the children, grandchildren and godchildren of club members. To qualify, members must fill in the request forms available in the snug, filling in their name, and the name and age of the child and post

the form into Santa’s Post Box. In conjunction with this event Shaun Cook will be providing a Children’s Karaoke and Disco in the lounge. All children attending on the afternoon must be accompanied by an adult. This event is hugely popular and it gives us the opportunity to reward the many family members we have who have supported us over the last year. At 8pm on the same day (17th) we are holding the club Christmas Draw.

Numbers on the board in the bar cost 25p each which give you a chance to win 10 x 1 Gallons of Beer, Meat Vouchers, Pheasants, Spirits, Wines, Bubbly, Chocolates, Xmas Cakes and a big variety of other prizes. Again on the same night, following the Christmas draw, we have the return of the very popular band ‘Platinum’ who we welcome back after a very successful and well supported previous gig. The music will start at approx 9pm.

Live 60s & 70s music at its best. A fitting way to finish what will be a very busy day at the club.

Saturday 24th (Christmas Eve) we are again holding our very popular Carol Concert in the club, starting at 6-45pm. This will be accompanied by a free Buffet Supper. Chris Jones will again be providing the music and Paul Morrison will lead the singing. This event is now a firmly established part of the club tradition and is well supported. Carol sheets will be provided and everybody is welcome. It’s the perfect start to Christmas. Carols will be followed at 8pm by the club’s Christmas Party Night with Shaun Cook again providing the music into the early hours.

Christmas Fancy Dress is encouraged but is not compulsory.

This will be a fantastic night with lots of members in attendance and an evening you do not want to miss. There could well be a few surprises throughout the evening. Free entry.

Monday 26th (Boxing Day) we are pleased to announce the long awaited return, by popular demand, of the ‘Golden Voice’ of Paul Morrison, singing all your favourite songs. Dance & sing along with Paul in what will be a great atmosphere. The evening starts at 7pm and entry is free with all welcome.

Saturday 31st (New Year’s Eve) we finish 2016 with our incredible New Year’s Eve Party from 7-30pm until the early hours, with the usual break for ‘Auld Lang Syne’ at midnight.

This is the party of parties when you can let your hair down and really enjoy yourselves in an amazing atmosphere. Entry is free, all welcome and the club is providing a buffet supper.

I think I have squeezed it all in and all that remains is to wish you every happiness and love over Christmas and please keep safe.

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

Saltburn Cons Club Future Events to entertain in December Every Tuesday: Club Draw Nights for Meat Voucher, Wines & Chocolate … 10pm.

Every Sunday: Beer Draw & Cash Rollover. Increases by £25 each week if not won ... 6pm.

Saturday Afternoons: A get-together by ‘The Conmen’.

Americano Musicians’ Jam Sessions from 3pm.

Thurs 8th: Private Party Night.

Sat 10th: Music Night with ‘Talk of the Town’ (Debut at the club) … 8pm.

Tues 13th: Private Party Night.

Wed 14th: Christmas Quiz, Bingo & Buffet Supper … 8pm.

Fri 16th: ‘Open Mic Night’ Christmas Party with Buffet for attendees … 8pm.

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Sat 17th: ’53 Drama Group. Food & drinks after Carol Singing in Town … 12-30pm.

Sat 17th (cont’d): Children’s Presents & Disco with Father Christmas … 2-30pm – 4pm. “ Club Christmas Draw … 8pm. “ Music Night with Platinum (return to club after successful last gig) … 9pm.

Sun 18th: Private Party Night … 6-30pm.

Sat 24th: Carol Singing in the club with Buffet … 6-45pm. “ Club Christmas Party Night (Fancy Dress encouraged) … 8pm till late.

Mon 26th: The Golden Voice of Paul Morrison … 7pm.

Sat 31st: New Year’s Eve Party Night … 7-30pm till late.

Would you try and fly the plane?

I have talked before about addiction, yet the process of working with addiction is very similar to the process of working with happiness on one important level. Both are about patterns and how we focus our mind. I’m referring to the patterns of our thoughts, the patterns of daily feelings and what we do in our lives on a regular basis.

Apparently only 10% of people who get heavily into drugs (or alcohol, which is of course a drug like any other, as is processed sugar, or coffee or tobacco, etc) get addicted.

So what is happening with that 10% that is different from the other 90% who try these things for a while but don’t become addicted?

It is similar to the question of why do some people go through short times of being down in their lives but only a small amount become long term depressed? And it is similar to why do some people experience times of deep happiness in their life, but they don’t seem to be able to sustain happiness on a long term regular basis?

All three of these examples I would say are down to patterns of thought and patterns of behaviour and what I would call the momentum of those patterns. What I mean by momentum is that once you have been repeating a pattern for a while it has a momentum of its own. Just as a thought that is regularly repeated creates a bridge between neuropathways in our brain and when the path is well worn it feels far easier to take that path than to forge a new one.

I wrote last month about the writer Susan Jeffers (the author of Feel the fear and do it anyway), who talked about the importance of practising positive and healthy principles regularly, daily, as perhaps the most important element in making progress.

What many of us tend to do is to search out help only when we feel in trouble. We will take lots of pills to try to blast away colds rather than strengthening our whole immune system and getting fewer colds to start with. Of course if we lived that healthier lifestyle we would also feel healthier in our bodies on a regular basis, which sounds to me a good enough reason to do it without the added advantage of getting fewer colds.

For a short time people change their patterns if they feel ill or get diagnosed with an illness. They change their food, stop drinking alcohol, start thinking of their health and the finite nature of their life here. Yet they still often make the changes that they see as necessary to ‘get through it’ and then they stop practising those healthy patterns once the pain or the symptoms have gone. Because often the unhealthy patterns are far stronger and longer term patterns of thought and behaviour than the newly practised pattern.

It seems to be the case for many people that if we can convince ourselves that we are doing just about okay or ‘well enough’ we seem to take our focus off our general wellbeing and away from increasing our long term health and the aim of raising our happiness as the years pass.

When I mention happiness coaching to people, some of them tell me they are not really unhappy, they are happy enough. Yet sometimes I wonder, like with health, when people feel they eat ‘well enough,’ do they say that because what they eat is a comfortable and a well worn pattern to

them, and would they be surprised how much better they could feel if they simply started a pattern of eating more healthily?

Almost all the work I do is about instilling the importance of creating regular healthy patterns, physically and mentally. It is not about doing something new for a few days and then going back to our old less healthy way of life. I am interested in prevention more than cure. I support people who don’t want to feel ill in the first place, or those who want to get even more happiness out of life.

So why do some people take drugs and only some people get addicted? Or why do some people fall into longer term depression and others only feel down for a day or two?

Yes, with addictions of any kind I’ve found that there are almost always unresolved traumas beneath.

Normally those traumas lead a person to feel as though they are not very valuable as a person and so they can justify treating themselves badly because they don’t see themselves as worth more than that.

What seems to matter is how people think about themselves on a regular and daily basis. I can feel I’m unattractive for a day and yet if I do that every day that becomes my dominant thought about myself and it will connect with a regular feeling and I might act that feeling out by getting drunk regularly or eating food that isn’t much good for me. I can justify it by not feeling my health or happiness is really worth very much, because I am not worth very much.

Consider this analogy: you are on an aeroplane and you have been invited into the cockpit of the plane to see the view, the door closes behind you and you are alone with the pilot. As you sit there and watch the view you turn to the captain and see he is slouched over and has become unconscious and the plane has started to go into a dive and will crash into the land in not very long, unless somebody takes control. Let’s presume you don’t have time to get help, the vast majority of people, maybe 90% will try to do something. If there is no time to call anyone else they will at least attempt to grab the control stick and raise the nose and stabilise the plane.

But maybe 10% of people will allow themselves to feel so overwhelmed by the situation that they become a quivering wreck and rather than focus on what is required to save the day they curl up into a ball and become completely passive, dooming themselves and all the other passengers to almost certain death.

Focus in this instance is essentially a choice between life and death, yet in our lives this is also true, only it plays out much slower over the days and the years of our life. It’s a question of what we regularly eat, or what regular exercise we do, and most importantly how we focus our minds on a positive picture of ourselves and of the world we are living in.

I would love to hear your point of view on this subject. Please feel free to contact me, Kendal Aitken Health and Happiness Coach / Counsellor, on coach@happygreenblueeyes.co.uk or 07944 883961.

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The Saltburn Profile by Rosemary Nicholls Louise Clark-Sutherland “If I can fundraise, I will,” says Saltburn resident, Louise Clark-Sutherland, who has an impressive record of collecting for charity. She has done a tandem parachute jump, a coast-to -coast tandem bike ride and travelled down a high zip wire, as well as organising charity Spring Balls at the Spa. She acknowledges the enthusiastic help of family and friends in achieving these goals.

Louise was born in Bahrain, where her Dad worked for an oil company. He was from South Bank and her Mum was from Dulwich, then Eston. The family returned to the UK for her older sister’s education. As seven year old Louise was partially sighted, the authorities directed her to the Royal Victoria School for the Blind, a Newcastle boarding school.

She was unhappy there and after a year, she came back to Saltburn Juniors. Six months later, she was directed to a new special school, the Endeavour at Ormesby.

“I didn’t have such severe disabilities as the other children, so I found everything very easy there,” she remembers. “When it was time for secondary, my Mum insisted that I should go to Huntcliff School.” After five years there, Louise went to Redcar Technical College, where she did Business Studies. She is very pleased that Huntcliff and the College taught her to touch type, a skill which she’s found very useful in life.

Louise is full of gratitude to Mr Bill Gamble, a Saltburn resident, who believed she would be an excellent worker and employed her at the Halifax Building Society in Redcar, where she spent seven happy years as a telephonist and typist. It gave her confidence and she made many new friends. But unfortunately, her sight deteriorated and she resigned in June 1992, moving to Hereford.

She attended the Royal National College for the Blind at Hereford for a year to study Remedial Therapy and Reflexology. She found it difficult to be with people less independent than her, but she met her future husband, Ian, there. Originally from Leicester, Ian now works with children with special needs for Redcar and Cleveland Council.

Ian and Louise have two daughters, Charlotte aged eighteen, who is at Prior Pursglove College and Francesca, aged fifteen, who is in her last year at Sacred Heart School, Redcar. They were members of New Marske Harriers before school work took over, but they are still keen swimmers at Saltburn and Marske Swimming Club. ”Both girls are a credit to Ian and me,” Louise says.

With the skills learned at Hereford, Louise set up the Hands On Therapy Clinic in Saltburn, first of all in a room above Langman’s Chemist’s in Station Street. “Mr Johnson, the pharmacist, was very helpful,” she recalls. “But for the last six years, I’ve had a room behind Reception at Saltburn Leisure Centre.”

When her children were young, though, Louise decided that she would like to qualify as a teacher. In 2002, she took a part-time Cert.Ed/PGCE and has been a tutor ever since. She works for Middlesbrough Community Learning Service, teaching Literacy and Numeracy and Parenting Skills with hard to reach families. She fits Hands On Therapy round her tutoring work, being available for bookings daytime, evenings and weekends. “I thoroughly love both jobs,” she says.

Louise swims a mile each Wednesday at the Leisure Centre with her friend Rosalyn Boyes and then goes for a

drink at the Cricket Club, which she rates as ‘a really nice place’. She is a keen skier and once did a Giant Slalom in Sol, Austria. This involved jumping out of a starting gate and allowing someone to guide her through the slalom gates.

She did a tandem parachute jump 10,000 feet up in 1990 and raised £1000 for the Samaritans, Leukaemia Research and a charity providing tandems for people with sight loss. “It felt like diving off the top board at a swimming pool (which I’ve also done) and it was just so peaceful, a fantastic experience,” she remembers.

In 1995, Louise did a tandem bike ride from Silverdale to Saltburn with some of the Saltburn Police and in 2015, she went down a zip wire from the Baltic building in Newcastle with family and Rosalyn, raising £2000 for Marske Hall and Guide Dogs. She has been Chairperson at Marske Hall and has raised £5000 for the charity through the Spa Spring Balls.

Amos, a seven year old Flatcoat and Golden Retriever cross, is Louise’s guide dog. He has a mind of his own, but has a lovely character. She walks with him round Saltburn every day and he goes to work with her. She likes it when children stop her and ask questions about Amos and herself, but prefers other dogs not to distract him.

Louise travels abroad each year in search of the sun and has been to Cyprus, Turkey, Portugal and Spain. She likes to absorb other cultures and has encouraged her daughters to learn a bit of the language before they set off.

Louise is full of gratitude to those who have helped her live a fulfilling life. Her Mum and Dad made her independent; Ian, their daughters, her wider family and all her friends have continued the good work.

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1st Saltburn Scout Group We can tell Christmas is coming; preparing for the Santa Parade, with that combination of a fire engine, rockets, Father Christmas and the chance to be seen by so many people is an excellent reason for all our young people to get excited!

We had an excellent Remembrance Day Service in Emmanuel Church and at the War Memorial which all the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts enjoyed. Scouts were very noticeable with their presence in numbers and made up for some shortfall in attendance in Beavers and Cubs, but all Sections were a credit to Scouting and to Saltburn and made a lot of parents proud with their behaviour.

Saltburn Beavers had a visit with Cubs to the Fire Station (many thanks to Station Officer Thompson for accommodating them in the run up to Bonfire night).

We had a team of Cubs at the District Bowling evening, being transported each way by mini-bus which they shared with Loftus Cubs; all were back safely back by 8.15pm and so not too late; especially as they will have a school day to follow.

Our main problem has been that of being unable to use our building since the October break; planned works which included insulating roof space and walls of the main hall and then re-lining the interior went awry!

Heatpac have kept us awaiting completion of their part of the works, and this has prevented re-installing the lighting and heating; hence we could not get into the

Saltburn Line User Group Next Meeting: Tuesday, 6th December 2016 at 7.10pm.

Meetings at Saltburn Conservative Club are held on the first Tuesday of the month starting at the new time 19.10pm. As always, all welcome.

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space. East Cleveland Youth housing have replaced all the fascia boarding, guttering; as well as sanding and varnishing the wooden floor in the main hall. This looks quite incredible and is a job very well done! As a result we met for the first time this week, Cubs meeting at Earthbeat (many thanks); whilst Beavers and Scouts used the Methodist Church Hall (again many thanks). We await to see what happens next week.

We had a successful day hosting the Table Top Sale on 22nd October; our Scouts were most noticeable support, but also thanks to all Beavers, Cubs and parents for assistance with cakes, prizes for the stall as well as actually such mundane tasks as washing up and ‘manning’ our refreshments counter. Our next event is a Bag Pack at Sainsbury’s on Saturday, 10th December, our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts look forward to meeting all and ensuring your bags are packed properly.

Scout Post is coming! Running from 26th November to 17th December (12.30pm closure); boxes in all the usual locations: Sainsbury’s, Saltburn Store, Saltburn Library, Marske Road Petrol Station and the Leisure Centre; this year the cost has risen slightly to 25p per card! Delivery destinations as displayed on all boxes. Help your local Group by using this service: it benefits all Scout Groups involved. More importantly, all monies for cards posted in Saltburn boxes to Saltburn addresses comes to our Group.

Many thanks to our parents who continue to assist, hopefully in the forthcoming Scout Post; as well as in other ways and we are grateful for their excellent support. If you could offer assistance or are interested in joining us, please enquire. Contact me, John G. Hannah, on 07811 801627 (or johnghannah@yahoo.co.uk).

John G. Hannah

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Postal Subscription to Talk of the Town If you enjoy reading Talk of the Town, why not subscribe to the postal service? You can have the magazine delivered to your door, anywhere in the UK for as little as £33.50 per year.

Write to us at TotT Subscriptions, 9 The Wynd, Marske, Cleveland, TS11 7LD. Don’t forget to enclose your name and address or alternatively, you can call us on 01642 477200 if you wish to pay by credit or debit card.

The Santa in the Attic by Alan Butler My late mother had an aphorism for every occasion and one that particularly sticks out in my mind, no doubt inspired by her Methodist upbringing, was “The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.” I should have remembered that before I embarked upon my own intention for the end of 2016.

Anyone who has read my articles over the years will know very well that Christmas has never been my favourite time of the year. I suspect the first and earliest reason for this was the fact that Christmas inevitably arrives in winter. I am, genetically at least, of Southern European extraction. Whoever my remote ancestors were, they were clearly not suited to biting northern winds, ice and snow. I detest the winter and since Christmas is a part of it, the festive season carried mixed messages for me even when I was a child.

Nevertheless, in a spirit of common humanity and goodwill I decided that for 2016 at least I would avoid my usual ‘humbug’ attitude and make an effort to show goodness and sweet light to all of humanity during the festivities. I maintained this determination, even though the very day after Halloween Kate and I walked into our usual cafe in town to be assaulted by the strains of ‘Little Donkey’ whilst at the same time viewing the gaudy decorations that had sprung up overnight to replace the pumpkin lanterns, the skeletons on the walls and the witches hanging on their broomsticks from the ceiling. Nor was I in the least phased by the fact that the staff sprinkled copious amounts of some noxious gold powder onto my coffee and offered to sell us mulled something or other and hot mince pies. I simply declined politely and smiled benevolently as I scraped the gold scum from my flat white. Later the same morning I surprised myself by being unmoved that anything I might have wanted to buy in the local shops had been stashed in the back of the store and replaced on the shelves by copious amounts of festive wrapping paper, Christmas cards and baubles. In every respect I was a model of Christmas charity and forbearance - that is until Kate came downstairs with the Santa from the attic.

As is often the case the people who had owned our house previous to us arriving had failed to clear all their property out of the attic. Kate gradually worked her way through the accumulated debris and right at the back, hidden at first from sight she had found a large box which seemed never to have been opened. Inside the box, and still cocooned in its plastic wrapper was the most ghastly representation of a Santa I have ever seen. It has to be said from the start that this was no normal Coca Cola sort of Santa, with a fat tummy and a jolly face but was in fact a Santa of the Russian variety – with a face like some dreadful Orthodox icon, a beard that reached down to his feet and copious robes that hid the base upon which he stood.

Things went from bad to worse when Kate announced that since this Santa was clearly brand new and so utterly hideous, she intended to keep it and to assault

her grandchildren with it when the time came to put up the decorations. With a look of absolute glee on her face she plugged the Russian Santa into the mains and what followed was worthy of a description from a gothic novel. Not a word or a note uttered forth from the awful visage of the Santa. Instead, with a groan that might have come from the rusty hinges of a medieval castle drawbridge the Santa began to turn slowly but inexorably upon his base. At the same time his entire countenance gradually changed colour, from a ghastly red, through a noxious yellow and onto a blue that was colder than the heart of the Snow Queen herself.

With each slow rotation of the creaky mechanism the Santa turned his back on us and then slowly reintroduced his sickly grin, his eyes seemingly fixed and staring yet at the same time never leaving our own for a single second that he was in view. In his right hand the Santa carried a gold staff, topped by something that looked disturbingly like a twelfth century torture device, whilst crooked in his left arm was a white package, the gory contents of which could only be left to the imagination of anyone unfortunate enough to behold this Eastern European spectre.

I became convinced immediately that not only would Kate’s grandchildren run screaming from the house the moment the Santa appeared before them but I was also struck by the thought that this terrible automaton would undoubtedly murder us in our beds sometime before twelfth night. It did not help in the slightest that Kate, upon seeing the look on my face began to sing, slowly and croakily, in time to the turning Santa, “Here we go round the mulberry bush – all on a Christmas morning!”

It is a fact that, love her as I do, Kate can have a rather strange sense of humour at times and it became apparent that the more ill at ease I was with this macabre machine, the greater was the delight she took in it. As I write these words it is hidden in the airing cupboard so that the kids don’t get to see it before the appointed time but somewhere inside my head I can hear it creaking as it turns, despite the fact that its plug is nowhere near a socket.

Suffice it to say that my resolve to hold Christmas in my heart on each day of the year has become somewhat diminished, not only by the spooky Santa but also on account of the tirade of Christmas messages that assault me every time I turn on the radio or the television.

Actually I knew from the start that it would not last. Bah Humbug!

Nevertheless for those of you who are more successful than I am at looking past the gold glitter on your coffee, may Christmas turn out to be everything you would wish for yourselves, your family and your friends and may the New Year bring you peace and prosperity.

As for me, I am going to take a trip to the tip this afternoon and I will be coming back without a certain large box.

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Saltburn Allotments Association Christmas is nearly upon us and most of us will be thinking about the festive season, the gifts we want to give and receive and the food we want to enjoy. Saltburn’s Christmas Farmers’ Market will be on Saturday, 10th December 2016 and I’m sure there’ll be fantastic stalls, all with tempting things to buy.

While you are walking round the stalls, remember to visit us and see what the allotment association has to offer for your Christmas treats. We should have a range of preserves and cordials, and other gardening type temptations for your Christmas table or stocking.

If you are a plot holder in Saltburn, please note that our AGM is in early December and we would love to see you there.

SALTBURN ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION AGM 2016 7th DECEMBER AT 7.00pm AT EMMANUEL CHURCH HALL IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN US ON THE COMMITTEE, OR KNOW SOMEBODY WHO MIGHT, NOMINATION PAPERS ARE BESIDE THE BLACK LETTER BOX IN THE LIBRARY IN FRONT OF SALTBURN IN BLOOM’S WALL DISPLAY. PLEASE FILL ONE IN AND PUT IT IN THE LETTER BOX BEFORE 7th DECEMBER. Still on a Christmas theme, the allotment association containers are open on Sundays from 10.00 to 11.30am. We have received our bulk peas (Greenshaft) and broad beans (Aquedulce Claudia) and you can sow broad beans outside before Christmas to give them a head start on spring sown seeds. I have sown some in the greenhouse in pots to keep them a little warmer. Our peas should really be left until spring but there are early varieties in shops, such as Meteor, that can be sown outdoors this month. We have seeds in stock and will have fresh available shortly after Christmas. We have compost, fertilisers and much more. So, have a great Christmas and very best wishes for New Year from everyone on the allotment committee.

Happy gardening, Sue. 64

Choosing a future that works for us Alongside a range of social and political activities, our hundreds strong Saltburn Branch Labour Party has been exploring economic changes affecting how we live today. These variously tend to induce apprehension and hearing the call that your industry or workplace is about to be ‘modernised’ never results in celebration. It is understood that the introduction of new technology generally creates profit for shareholders, it almost always accompanies job cuts, reduced service and worse terms and conditions. Yet, new technology offers us a very different future of increased wealth and human flourishing, going beyond standard capitalist economics towards what has been dubbed postcapitalism.

Increasing numbers of economists and movements are looking to postcapitalism, envisaging a society where automation means we work less and can concentrate on self-development, our families and communities. New processes of automation, be that a future of driverless cars, factories without workers or services delivered to us by robots may seem slightly sci-fi, but increasingly is becoming reality. To date, however, this process destroys jobs that aren’t being replaced and notably, even within periods of economic upturn we are experiencing what economists and commentators have dubbed ‘jobless recovery’.

Our society is built upon the idea that work is good for you, integral to who you are and your value as a human being. Today we see the work ethic underpinning this in crisis, as the number of sustainable, well paid jobs decrease. In many ways it is something to celebrate and we need to understand that work, not just as something you do to obtain wages, can include caring for children, family members, housework and creative endeavours, essential to the functioning and reproduction of society. This essential human endeavour, often portrayed as part of the ‘female’ role is massively undervalued in a society obsessed with profit.

Automation should be producing better outcomes for all and yet this isn’t happening and instead new technologies are increasingly used to monitor and control us, this resulting in increased levels of stress, anxiety and insecurity in our daily lives.

So what is the answer? Political changes are needed to make automation work for us. Challenging the centrality of waged work, we need to begin arguing for a three day weekend, which might be a step towards a 21 hour standard working week, reducing further as we advance technological mastery of economics. People need to be paid to survive. Cue the demand for Universal Basic Income, another idea, discussed increasingly across the political spectrum. Those of us who stand on the political left and for social justice would see this as an addition to welfare provision and as a subsidy for the fuller implementation of automation. Distributing increased economic output for the benefit of everybody and obvious benefits would be the encouragement of directly responsive informal economies and greater autonomy in our lives.

How do we achieve this? Making automation work for us by paying ourselves to exist can dovetail with the sharing, collaborative economy underpinning the new emerging postcapitalist sector. Already we can reproduce digital goods, music, film and software to a cost close to zero and increasingly even the private sector has to rely on open source resources or online institutions like Wikipedia. These thrive because they are the product of cooperative endeavours, this contributing directly to its greater efficiency.

Welcome to the postcapitalist future, a new form of social arrangement and economics that encourages a more humane and ultimately efficient society. Saltburn Branch Labour Party will be discussing this further at their next meeting at Saltburn House on Tuesday, 7th December at 7.30pm.

Lawrie Coombs

The Muses of Jim I have to start with a slight retraction on last month’s work of art. On reflection I was a little harsh re the latest LOVE IT scheme from the R & C Council. As a partnership scheme it is a very good concept.

Unfortunately, it didn’t feel right and other people felt the same, feeling that the council was putting pressure on them to do more in their communities. Once it was properly explained in a way I could understand it became more acceptable.

We are fortunate in Saltburn as in many other communities within the Borough that there is a very strong feeling of community spirit and ownership. This was clearly highlighted at the public meeting in the Community Theatre over the future of the three valleys of Saltburn. There was a good cross section of the community in attendance with a good cross section of age ranges. The three speakers explained the importance of the valleys, to not just the town, but for a much wider area. It was agreed to go ahead with the organisation of a new group. A Constitution was accepted and the steering group was asked to develop the process of forming the new organisation. Exciting times are ahead. An added bonus was that I got permission to place a CCTV to observe my two house martins’ nests in the top of my south facing gable end.

I recently spend two nights in Birmingham at a conference. What a difference from little Saltburn.

Everywhere one looked there were massive tall tower cranes, working away, changing the face of the city forever. I was there to work, you know. On a night the pubs and clubs were heaving, even though it was mid week. Not that I went in any, you understand.

The conference itself was unusual in that it was a mixture of the meeting of the national council and the committees of the National Association of Local Councils, which were open to the views of the members of the association and the Annual General Meeting. I sit on the Policy Committee, which is only a small committee and yet we were to be conducting our business in front of about ninety people, which was a rather daunting experience.

They seemed to like what they saw and agreed with all our decisions.

I am also on a small working board that looks at supporting parish and town councils that wish to change legislation to improve services to their communities. I even got to sit on the top table next to the Chief Executive Officer. Neither of us had known who had drawn the short straw. Fortunately, for me, the lady sitting on my right, who represents North Yorkshire, has a son who owns property in Saltburn. So therefore, I felt I had some form of support. When I arrived home Spud took quite a while to greet me. In fact I think he was sulking and this lasted for at least two days.

I suppose the highlight of the last month has to be the Remembrance Day Parade in Saltburn, if not for the entire year. I have lost count of the number of times I have joined the people of Saltburn in remembering the debt we all owed to those who had gone before. As a child I can remember seeing very old men proudly walking to the war memorial, with strange shining medals on their left breasts.

Over the years the number of veterans has gradually reduced and now it’s the younger vets that honour their comrades as we honour the debt of those that paid the ultimate price.

As I walked to the memorial my thoughts went back to my two uncles that went to do their duty and did not return. They were both killed in the last few weeks of the war in 1945. Both of them were young men, leaving young wives each with a young child. My father answered the call and did his duty. Fortunately, he returned and when he died I found his medals, wrapped in a plastic carrier bag, lying at the bottom of his wardrobe. He always said that he was no hero but he did his duty and was lucky. Back to Saltburn, this year as the weather was kind to us and the turn out for both the parade and the members of public lining the route was wonderful. Also the numbers of families gathered was heart warming as was the attendance at the War Memorial.

I have had a complaint from one avid reader that I haven’t mentioned her for ages. All I can say is that I am very sorry, Miss Molly Lowe, but I am not allowed to mention people by their name, Miss Molly Lowe.

Whoever, you are. Have a word with your other Grandfather, the rich one, Miss Molly Lowe.

Jim Wingham 65

The Saltburn Crossword no 186 set by Warlock Across

Name___________________________________ Address_________________________________ ________________________________________ Telephone_______________________________

1 ‘Rudolph Nureyev’ pulling Santa’s sleigh? (6) 4 Signal if alterations leads to shortcomings (8) 9 The Club Sec. I assume works in these small partitioned spaces (8) 10 Redirecting Rudolph’s red nose to the east brings you to a Saltburn Nursery School Day Centre (8) 11 A lunatic needs to change to have an understanding of ships and navigation etc (8) 12 A devoted follower I spliced open (8) 13 I took a picture revealing hidden animal related to the giraffe (5) 14 Is boat gang out to wreck and vandalise? (10) 16 Fair and rational leans a bore confusing (10) 17 Odd when these are odds? (5) 19 Tom raced around to become an adversary to Republican (8) 21 Bar nothing to American coin being beyond criticism (8) 22 Block downpipe inside for restricted access as a security measure (8) 23 Smallest chess piece joins retail outlet offering loans for personal property (8) 24 Diagnose cause and underwent great mental anguish (8) 25 It felt sensible backing inside to snuggle up (6)

Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 14 15 16 18 20 21

Solution to Crossword no 185

The winner of last month’s crossword was Joyce Galilee of Zetland Mews, 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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Nine ladies doing this on 2nd January? (7) Stocks in cars might make this for the present day? (9, 8) Meditation and deliberation as seen in a mirror? (10) If loss is remade into prehistoric remains (6) Unbelievable! Finding a relic in bed! (10) Back inside the roses Irishman picked to find different garden plants (6) The Duke of Bohemia was not a bad monarch, braving harsh winter weather to give alms to the poor on December 26th (4, 4, 9) Lettuce striking the Titanic? (7) Cabs sent us out to find materials (10) Hot newsman arranged this fantasy Christmas film (3, 7) Leader of Santa’s pack famous for his colourful nose (7) Pips let out to paint or draw in small dots (7) Holding pre-op enabled business to start again (2-4) One member came to a conclusion to threaten doom (6) Send your completed crossword to: Saltburn Crossword no 186, c/o Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, TS12 1AQ

by Friday, 9th December 2016. First correct solution out of the bag wins a £10 voucher kindly donated by Tim and Sheila of Real Meals.

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